The Zodiac

The Zodiac was a one-shot musical group in the late sixties, formed by Elektra Records for the recording of the album Cosmic Sounds, a concept album about the twelve horoscope signs.The idea began in 1967 when Jac Holzman (head of Elektra Records) hired Alex Hassilev (a member of The Limeliters) to produce the album. Hassilev brought in Mort Garson (whom he had just formed a production company with) to write the music for the album. Garson brought in a group of musicians for the group - exactly who they all were is unknown. Little known Jazz artist Paul Beaver, who was very into electronic music, was chosen to perform the electronic instruments. He and Hassilev went to an AES (Audio Engineering Society) convention to borrow a Moog synthesizer from its creator, electronics guru Robert Moog.Emil Richards, who had worked with several famous musicians was chosen to provide an assortment of percussive instrumental surprises throughout the album. Bassist Carol Kaye and "Drummer Man" Hal Blaine were The Zodiac’s rhythm section. Both had worked with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson. Bud Shank, a top flute performer, was also brought in. Jacques Wilson wrote the album’s narration and folk artist Cyrus Faryar was chosen to speak to narration over the album’s exotic instrumentation.Cosmic Sounds was released in November of 1967, and afterwords the Zodiac itself split up. The album would go on to become a cult classic. In 2002, Water Records remastered and reissued Cosmic Sounds on CD, with a booklet featuring liner notes.