The Cosmic Storyteller (Anniversary Re-Release)

(HOLLYWOOD, CA.) In celebration of the Summer of Love 50th anniversary, Platform Records has reissued The Cosmic Storyteller, the lost 1967 masterpiece concept album by the mythic L.A. rock band, Unicorn. They rocketed to the brink of fame, stumbled, and were forgotten. According to a spokesman, 16 years ago, thirteen never-before-heard tracks were restored and mastered using digital technology, revealing a surprisingly timeless collection of songs shedding new light on one of rock’s most creative eras in which a generation came of age. It was first released on September 11, 2001. The album features guest appearances by (among others) living and late members of The Association, Steppenwolf, Spirit, Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band, Hal Blaine’s Wrecking Crew, The Marvin Gaye Band, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, and The Ray Charles Orchestra. What’s has been said about Unicorn and its music? “They were one of my favorite ‘60s groups”—Michelle Phillips. “An enjoyable listen, a well-crafted and ambitious project…lyrics flow with a finely-honed, literate grace and grandeur...philosophical...a classy sense of spirit and style...powerful....with muscular vocals...”—All Music Guide. “With its theme of the transcendence of creativity, The Cosmic Storyteller voices the hopes, joys and sorrows of love, and concerns that belong to every generation....”—Rock City News. Unicorn wrote and recorded in a variety of styles, from psychedelic rock to folk rock, pop, jazz, R&B, and country. The Cosmic Storyteller takes the listener on a musical journey to experience many moods and a succession of ideas that characterized the times. The original multi-track master tapes were complete with horns, strings, sitars, backwards guitars, and sound effects. It fits perfectly into the resurgence of the popularity of the music of that period. Unicorn was founded in 1966 and active in the L.A. music scene, expected by everyone to become a phenomenal success. However, the band broke up after only 18 months due to drugs, personal differences, and record company problems. The album was withheld and Unicorn’s career blocked. The master tapes were reportedly returned by a former label executive four decades after they disappeared. Unicorn consisted of Livingstone “Stoney” Young, Efrem “Stretch” Goldman, Richard E. Wyatt, Tyrone Wilson, Merlin Stein, and the late Franklin “Lucky” Parker. In conjunction with the reissue of the album, a novel, Unicorn and The Cosmic Storyteller by Hilary Clay Hicks, has been published as an e-book on Amazon. It was written after extensive interviews with the surviving band members and Michelle Phillips; Owen Elliott-Kugell (daughter of the late “Mama Cass” Elliott), Barry McGuire, the late Scott McKenzie, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Hal Blaine, and members of The Lovin’ Spoonful, Electric Prunes, Moby Grape, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Grateful Dead; Jefferson Airplane, Electric Flag, Sweetwater; and Quicksilver Messenger Service, and others