JULIAN'S TREATMENT A time before this 1970

 Julian Jay Savarin 

Born in Dominica, Savarin moved to Great Britain in 1962. He was the organist and main songwriter of Julian's Treatment, a group that recorded two albums, A Time Before This (1970, but some sources claim 1969, 1971 and 1973) and Waiters on the Dance (1971); the latter album credits Savarin alone, rather than the group, on its cover.

Both are science fiction concept albums. A Time Before This was originally released as a double album, although the individual album sides were sufficiently short to allow the entire work subsequently to be reissued as a single CD. According to the sleeve notes, the songs tell the story of the last surviving man from planet Earth, who journeys across interstellar space to the Alpha Centauri system, where a conflict is raging. On one side stand Alda, Dark Lady of the Outer Worlds, and her ally the Mule (whose name, and his description as physically weak but megalomaniac with an over-developed brain, are clearly inspired by the chief villain of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy). On the other is Altarra, Princess of the Blue Women and Supreme Ruler of the planet Alkon. It is implied that the Earthman will become Altarra's ally and lover, and will help her to overthrow Alda and the Mule. Waiters on the Dance shares its title with the first novel of Savarin's Lemmus trilogy (see below), with which both albums share storylines.

Incredibly rare UK Double LP Package by Short-lived progressive rock band fronted by sci-fi author/keyboards player Julian Jay Savarin. Released in the UK on the obscure Young Blood Label called `A Time Before This`. A mint copy sold a few years back for £1150. Reissued several times on various labels in various countries but it`s the original UK version that attracts the big money. The Youngblood Label (to my knowledge only released around 8 LP`s which also included Salamander, Dando Shaft & Elias Hulk) apparently ran into financial problems and didn’t give their releases any promotion which is why they are so rare now. Why not subscribe as I upload rare albums regularly!! Side 1 1. Chapter 1 First Oracle 2. Chapter 2 The Coming Of The Mule" 3. Chapter 3 Phantom City Side 2 1. Chapter 4 The Black Tower 2. Chapter 5 Alda, Dark Lady Of The Outer Worlds 3. Chapter 6 Altarra, Princess Of The Blue Woman Side 3 1. Chapter 7 Second Oracle 2. Chapter 8 Part One: "Twin Sun Of Centauri” Part Two: “Alkon Planet of Centauri” 3. Chapter Nine The Terran Side 4 1. Chapter 10 Fourth From The Sun 2. Chapter 11 Strange Things 3. Chapter 12 A Time Before This The brainchild of this musical project was Julian Saverin who was born in Dominica and moved to Britian in the early Sixties. He was impressed by the London music scene and decided to form his own band to perform his ideas about a SF trilogy he was working on. He started rehearsing with John Dover (bass), Del Watkins (guitar), Jack Drummond (drums) and Cathy Pruden (vocals). In june '70 the label Youngblood released their first album "A Time Before This". But due to problems of management, promotion and money the band split. Julian returned to writing, concentrating on the second part of his. `A Time Before This` was a science fiction concept album released as a double album, the songs tell the story of the last surviving man from planet Earth, who journeys across interstellar space to the Alpha Centauri system, where a conflict is raging. On one side stand Alda, Dark Lady of the Outer Worlds, and her ally the Mule (whose name, and his description as physically weak but megalomaniac with an over-developed brain, are clearly inspired by the chief villain of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy). On the other is Altarra, Princess of the Blue Women and Supreme Ruler of the planet Alkon. It is implied that the Earthman will become Altarra's ally and lover, and will help her to overthrow Alda and the Mule.