Quintessence Biography
Although formed by virtue of advertisements in Melody Maker, this briefly popular act encapsulated the spiritual ambitions prevalent among sections of the UK 60s underground movement. The original line-up - Raja Ram (Ron Rothfield, Melbourne, Australia; vocals/flute), Shiva Shankar (aka Shiva Jones; vocals/keyboards), Alan Mostert (lead guitar), Maha Dev (rhythm guitar), Sambhu Babaji (bass) and Jake Milton (drums) - was forged following rehearsals at Londons Notting Hills All Saints Hall and their ensuing debut, 1969s In Blissful Company, captured the sextets rudimentary blend of jazz rock and Eastern philosophies. Mosterts powerful guitar style endeared the band to the progressive audience, but a commitment to religious themes was maintained on Dive Deep and Self. The departures of Shankar and Maha Dev - the former resurfaced in the similarly styled Kala - robbed Quintessence of a sense of purpose and the band split up following the release of 1972s Indweller. Raja Ram later formed TIP Records.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.