Brainticket - Cottonwoodhill (1971)(2000)

Brainticket was founded by Joel Vandroogenbroeck (born Brussels, 25 August 1938; died 23 December 2019), a Belgian who grew up studying classical piano before switching to jazz. He received the Art Tatum prize as “youngest jazz pianist” at the age of fifteen, and toured around Europe and Africa including performances with the Quincy Jones Orchestra at the World Exhibition in Brussels and the RAI symphony of Rome. By the late 1960s, Vandroogenbroeck was still playing jazz but he found new inspiration in German krautrock artists Amon Duul II, Can and Tangerine Dream. Under the influence of these groups, Joel and English guitarist Ron Bryer (who had previously played with The Loose Ends, The Carl Douglas Set and The Big Wheel before meeting Vandroogenbroeck in Berry Window & The Movements) recruited drummer Wolfgang Paap and formed the trio that would become Brainticket.

The group’s 1971 debut album Cottonwoodhill featured British vocalist Dawn Muir. Cottonwoodhill immediately ran into controversy for its association with psychedelic drugs. Much to Vandroogenbroeck's disgust, the album came with a warning label that insisted you should "only listen once a day to this record. Your brain might be destroyed,” which is purported to have led to the album being banned in several countries.

Following the return to England (and subsequent death) of Bryer, Vandroogenbroeck moved to Italy and met an American woman named Carole Muriel. Joined by a pair of Swiss musicians, guitarist Rolf Hug and bassist Martin Sacher, and percussionist Barni Palm, the group released 1972’s Psychonaut, issued at the time in Italy and Germany. The album has been described as more accessible and song-oriented than its predecessor while still maintaining a unique and progressive sound.