Nektar ‘Recycled’ Gets Recycled—And Expanded: Review

Last year witnessed the release of an expanded edition of Nektar’s best-known album, 1973’s Remember the Future. Now comes a similarly enhanced version of Recycled, the English progressive-rock group’s fourth LP, which it unveiled in 1976. As it turned out, it was the last album to be composed by all of the group’s original members.

The significantly expanded reissue, released on March 29, 2024, includes two CDs featuring remastered copies of the original LP and an alternate 1975 mix, plus single versions of two of the album’s tracks. An additional three discs serve up a pair of excellent concerts, one from 1975 in Long Island, New York, and one from 1976 in Toronto; both are previously unreleased and draw material from earlier albums as well as Recycled. An illustrated 40-page booklet includes lyrics; notes by Mark Powell, this edition’s producer; and reminiscences by Derek “Mo” Moore and Mick Brockett, the two surviving members of the original group. (Brockett was considered an integral part of Nektar, though his role was not to make music but rather to create light shows at their concerts.)

Recycled, which makes extensive use of a chorale and guest Larry Fast’s synthesizers, is not quite as musically satisfying as Remember the Future and its lyrics are just as abstruse. One suspects that some listeners will find the record bloated, pretentious and dated. Yours truly is not in that camp regarding the lion’s share of the contents, however. Its shortcomings notwithstanding, Recycled flows well and delivers quite a few sonic thrills. If you’re a fan of prog-rock outfits such as Genesis, ELP and Renaissance, you just might love this album.

The 5-CD set is available to order in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.

Related: Our review of the Remember the Future expanded edition

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Jeff Burger

Jeff Burger's website, byjeffburger.com, contains over five decades' worth of music reviews, interviews, and commentary. His books include Dylan on Dylan: Interviews and Encounters, Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon, Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen: Interviews and Encounters, and Springsteen on Springsteen: Interviews, Speeches, and Encounters. His writing on music and many other subjects has been published by more than 75 online and print outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, Creem, Circus, Melody Maker, Barron’s, Reader’s Digest, GQ, No Depression, Family Circle, and All Music Guide.

A top editor at leading consumer and trade magazines for more than 40 years, Jeff has interviewed dozens of musical luminaries, including Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt, Roger McGuinn, John Sebastian, Wolfman Jack, Tommy James, Tom Waits, the Righteous Brothers, and the members of Steely Dan.

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