A mysterious figure of the late '60s who put out an interesting eponymous album on the names-can-be-deceptive Chartmaker label. With his funky, keyboard-based rock and full, soulful vocals, Darius sounded like a more eccentric and far moodier, doomier counterpart to Lee Michaels. The record was imaginatively arranged and produced, with flourishes of flamenco guitar, odd echo-tinkles, and some dynamic organ and bass hooks adding to its overall air of idiosyncrasy. It's little known, even among psychedelic collectors, and worthy of exhumation on CD reissue.(AMG) Bobby Joe Ott, from Cleveland, aka Darius, was based in Hollywood, California. Funk and blues influences are more evident on Side two of the album. 01 - Shades Of Blue 02 - Dawn 03 - Mist-Veiled Garden 04 - I'm The Man 05 - I Feel The Need To Carry On 06 - Dirty Funky Situation 07 - Blow My Mind 08 - Sweet Mama 09 - Ancient Path 10 - Hear What I Say 11 - Don?t You Get The Feelin' (Bonus) 12 - A Woman Like You (Bonus) 13 - Peace & Love (Bonus) LINK
