Sphinx (4)

In april 1977 under the name Sphinx, Alec R. Costandinos and Don Ray made a album with two side-long tunes, "Judas Iscariot" and "Simon Peter," telling the story of the betrayal of Christ. "Judas" features some monk-like chanting, and a pretty simple ascending and descending theme, but as usual it goes through a bewildering series of tranformations, including what sounds like a bouzouki duel, before climbing to a rousing finale. It's also a good case study in how Costandinos keeps the rhythm section pumping out dance beats no matter how overwrought the orchestra gets. "Simon Peter" explores similar territory; about seven minutes in, it breaks into the most furious, kick-ass disco you're ever going to hear.