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Ramases
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written by: Nigel
Camilleri
update: 7 February 2001
A Brief
History
If there ever had to be a list of the most eclectic
musicians/rock groups, then Ramases would be a definite contender. Very little
is known about this enigmatic person, and very little in terms of music was ever
produced. However, his two albums, especially the first one, have built up a
form of cult following within progressive rock circles.
Born in the late thirties, in Sheffield, England, Martin Raphael
worked as a PT instructor in the army after serving a conscription period and
after that started a lucrative business as a central heating salesman in
Scotland. One day, whilst in his car he claimed to have had a vision from the
Egyptian Pharaoh god Ramases, who informed him that he was actually the
re-incarnation of this deity and that his duty on earth was to inform the world
the truth about the universe. (This has been corroborated by various people such
as artist Roger Dean and musician Eric Stewart amongst others.)
The next step for Martin Raphael was to change his name to that
of his "original" self, Ramases and try to get himself a recording
contract so that he could preach his views via the musical world. Incredibly so,
he managed to obtain a recording contract with CBS and released a single (CBS
3717) in 1968 together with his wife under the moniker Ramses And Selket. The
tracks featured were Crazy One with Mind's Eye on the B-side. The
original title was to be Quaser One, but there was a misunderstanding
with the operator at the recording company with the resultant single having a
different title! This single was also made available on volume 3 of the new
Rubble Series which has now been released by Voiceprint
Records. This single is the rarest of Ramases material valued at 70 British
Sterling by the Record Collector Magazine.
Next single, this time under the name of Ramases And Seleka, to
be released would be on a much smaller label, Major Minor (MM 704), with Love
You on the A-side, backed by Gold Is The Ring, in 1968. (valuation
15BS). Some sources cite a single released in Germany at the same time with the
title Screw You, though this was probably the same single as Love You,
and the name mis-spelt or mis-heard. Apparently these tracks also appeared on
the Exploding Plastic Inevitable Volume 2 compilation album.
What is a definite fact, is that in 1970, Ramases signed a deal
with Vertigo, which was the progressive branch of Phillips. Recordings for an
album took place at Strawberry Studios in Stockport. Owned by the future members
of 10CC, this is what probably gave this album the cult status it
currently has. Four members of this group (which would be formed in 1972) played
and most definitely had a hand in the musical input to the album, They were Eric
Stewart, Lol Creme, Kevin Godley and Graham Gouldman. The album had a lavish
cover, which folded out into a large cardboard poster, designed by Roger Dean.
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Two singles were released from this album in 1971. First out was
Ballroom backed by Muddy Water (Phillips 6113 001; valuation
15BS). Once again there probably was a typing error as it seems that Ramases
never wrote a song titled Ballroom, but one called Balloon which
eventually appeared on Space Hymns. Next single had two tracks which would find
there way onto the album , Jesus Come Back and Hello Mister
(Phillips 6113 003).
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Space Hymns was released on the Vertigo label (6360 046) in
1971, and is a rather strange sounding album for this label as it possesses none
of the normal musical traits usually characteristic to Vertigo. Musically
speaking it sounds somewhat folksy having a strong hippy commune feel, very
different to the the jazz tinged bands or the heavy/hard rock bands that characterized
this label. The album created a certain amount of hype within certain rock
circles especially with those who were fans of the more psychadelic leaning
style of progressive rock. The main areas of popularity were England and Germany
were there was always a certain amount of affinity for rock bands who tried to
fuse their music with certain cults especially Middle Eastern religions (A
classic example would be the group Quintessence). The album with the
spiral label; has become a collectors item fetching 30 BS, while the spaceship
label would fetch something in the region of 18BS.
Following the release of Space Hymns, Ramases and his wife moved
to Stanley Road,Felixstowe in Suffolk where he lived in a house together with
his mother. Very little was heard from him until 1975, when he released his
second album which was rather different to Space Hymns having a musical feel
slightly skin to that of early Strawbs material.
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According to friend and neighbour, Paul Hollyer, Ramases was very
disappointed with the cover of Glass Top Coffin (Phillips 6360 115;
Valuation 15BS). The original intention was to have a cut out showing a
man falling backwards into space into the Horsehead nebula. When the
gatefold cover was to be opened up, this was to reveal a bird. the record
company would not change the artwork as this was already done. However he
managed to obtain permission to modify the lithographs and create an
impression that the man falling backwards was wearing a spacesuit with
helmet on. The album, however sunk without a trace as did Ramases and his
wife Sel. |
Little is known about Ramases following the release of Glass Top
Coffin. He seems to have slipped into obscurity, remaining in Felixstowe.
Reports in the nineties quote Ramases as having died, with suicide being the
cause of death.
Nigel
Camilleri
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