The band was formed in 1966 by musicians Don Lower and Steve Nelson in the Sacramento area of California. They were joined by Dennis Sullivan and Michael Welch and hit the studio in 1969. They were still using the name “Help” but changed it to Azitis (pronounced “as it is”) before completing their album as there was a conflict with a British Band of the same name. Now this is where the story gets a little foggy. One version of the story is that while recording the album Dennis Sullivan fled the project which caused great distress for the record company, Elco Records, and ended up bankrupting said record company. Dennis disputes this story and quite frankly I believe him. I can’t see a label going bankrupt because a musician stepped away, it doesn’t make sense. Anyway what we have here is a “Psychedelic” 70’s album that the band envisioned as a Rock Opera and apparently the band was disappointed that the album was produced with breaks in between the tracks. It’s pretty good and many hold it out to be spectacular. I don’t get a spectacular feeling form it but it is very very good. Luckily MODO Publishing acquired the rights to the album and re-released it in 2000 with 2 bonus tracks. We have included those tracks in our playlist.
Tracklist
1 – (Creation) Lord I Saw You Cry – 6:06
2 – There Is An Answer – 3:44
3 – Who Will Be – 3:20
4 – The Prophet – 6:06
5 – Time Has Passed – 4:56
6 – From This Place – 3:24
7 – Hope To Save – 3:59
8 – Judgement Day – 4:46
Bonus Tracks
9 – Life Worth Living – 5:08
10 – Questions Why – 3:02
Credits
Artwork – James Gardner
Bass Guitar – Donald Lower
Design – Dennis Sullivan, Donald Lower, Michael Welch, Steve Nelson
Engineer – LaMont Bench, R.S. Owens
Guitar, Flute – Michael Welch
Organ, Piano – Dennis Sullivan
Percussion – Steve Nelson
Photography By – Randall Thornton
Producer, Liner Notes – John W. Cole
Supervised By – Roger Hamilton Spotts
Companies, etc.
Published By – Sina-G Music
Recorded At – Pavilion Studios Inc., Vallejo
Copyright © – MODO Publishing
