Souls of Inspyration - Pursuit b/w Eyes of Nature

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Pursuit	02:44

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Eyes of Nature

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Information/Write-up

The Souls of Inspyration emerged from the northern Ontario town of Red Lake in the late 1960s, founded by childhood friends John Maciejewski (lead guitar, vocals), Don Wilson (bass), and Marc Paradis (drums, vocals). Touring extensively across Canada’s Midwest and East, they settled in Sherbrooke, Québec in 1968, where they joined forces with local musician Raymond Cloutier (Hammond organ, piano, vocals). Their synergy resulted in a unique, keyboard-driven sound that melded melodic rock, progressive textures, and psychedelic flair.

The band quickly gained traction in Québec, sharing stages with major acts like Vanilla Fudge and Tommy James & The Shondells. Their style—described by one reviewer as “an evolution of Classical rock”—earned them a devoted following and critical acclaim. In 1970, they entered and won a national music competition at Montréal’s “Man and His World” (the former Expo ’67 site), which secured them a prestigious two-week engagement representing Canada at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan, where they had the honor of closing out the musical presentations at Canada’s award-winning pavilion.

Upon their return, they signed with progressive producers Don Grashey and Chuck Williams and recorded their only album, The Souls of Inspyration, released by Columbia Records in 1970. The album features seven tracks that form a cohesive blend of atmospheric psych-pop and early progressive rock. Highlights include the acoustic-driven “Eyes of Nature” and “Sun Shines in the Winter,” the extended prog-psych piece “Dil Kusha (Heart’s Happiness),” and the dynamic closer “Seasons of Change.” With a strong foundation of Hammond organ, sharp guitar work, and rich harmonies, the record stands as a hidden gem of Canada’s psychedelic era.

Although original copies of the LP are rare—issued in limited quantities—it was reissued in 2000 by Timothy’s Brain/Pacemaker (PACE 037), finally bringing this cult classic to a wider audience. Described as “one of the unspoiled jewels of the psychedelic era,” the album’s 33 minutes of melodic exploration remain a testament to the group’s talent and vision.

Despite their momentum, the group disbanded shortly after their return from Japan, due in part to political unrest in Québec during the early 1970s. Yet The Souls of Inspyration left behind a legacy as one of Canada's most intriguing and underappreciated contributions to the psychedelic-progressive movement.
-Robert Williston

John Maciejewski: lead guitar & lead vocals
Raymond Cloutier: Hammond organ, piano, background vocals
Mark Paradis: drums, background vocals
Don Wilson: bass

Written by Marc Paradis (Pursuit); and Marc Paradis and John Maciejewski (Eyes of Nature)
Produced by Don Grashey, Chuck Williams & Brian Biesenthal by arrangement with Gaeity Records Producers

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