Pure Essence

The Pure Essence was a previously unknown Cincinnati, Ohio ensemble until collectors Dante Carfagna and DJ Shadow turned up two copies of the band’s supremely rare 45 ''Wake Up'' on the microscopic Mantra label. ''Wake Up'' unfolds over six minutes into an epic jam of plaintive guitar licks and urgent soul vocals. On ''Third Rock'', the lead singer’s vocal stylings suggest a Sly Stone influence, until the huge chorus, when it becomes evident that Pure Essence definitely have their own bag.

• 1 wake up (parts 1 & 2)
• 2 third rock