| Ark 2 | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by Flaming Youth | |
| Released | October 1969 |
| Recorded | De Lane Lea Music, London |
| Length | 43:32 |
| Label | Uni Records |
| Producer | Ken Howard & Alan Blaikley |
Ark 2 is a 1969 concept album released by obscure British rock group Flaming Youth. Released in October, the album featured the theme of an evacution from a dying Earth. The main single from the album was "From Now On". The album and its space theme were influenced by the media's attention to the moon landing. The songs were composed by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley who were not credited on the original record as they did not want their reputation as writers of commercial hits to jeopardise its chances.
The album received some critical praise in the music press. Melody Maker listed the album as "Pop Album of the Month", calling it "adult music beautifully played with nice tight harmonies". Disc and Music Echo said "there is some splendid music on this very good first album".[1] The rock press of the time was even more favourable and it was awarded Sunday Times Rock Album of the Year in 1969.
Despite this, the album and single were not commercially successful. The BBC did not know what to make of it: there were no radio or TV slots for an extended rock work at the time. So it remained largely unheard except by those who sought it out. Ark 2 was the only album released by Flaming Youth.
Shortly after the release of Ark 2, the band went into the Dutch TV Station TROS studio and recorded a short 5-song set to promote the album, which was filmed and later broadcast on May 14, 1970 on the TROS TV station. The five songs that were performed are: Earthglow, Weightless, Changes, Space Child, and From Now On (Immortal Invisible). It is the only known footage of Flaming Youth that exist. Both the music and vocals were mimed.
Although the album today remains difficult to obtain, it has been reprinted in various markets mainly for the novelty of Phil Collins' first major label recording. Collins was the group's drummer, and Ark 2 was Collins' last recording before auditioning for Genesis the following year.