Mike Heron is of course best known for his work as co-founder of the Incredible String Band. While said group underwent various permutations, it was Heron along with Robin Williamson who remained at its core as songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. It's likely that most folks with any interest in this album are already well aware of this, but I mention it because this album, while quite different from any music by the Incredible String Band, brilliantly succeeds for similar reasons.Heron is indeed an immensely talented man, but what made the ISB so successful was the balance between Heron and Williamson. These two had an invaluable resource in each other, friends who could get excited and inspired by the ideas the other brought to the table. They knew (at least in the best work by the ISB), when to step in, and when to step back. When to push the other to do more, and when to take the reins. In creating this spectacularly eclectic album, Heron found a cast of sympathetic collaborators who had enough talent and vision of their own to be able to truly contribute to Heron's ideas. In turn, they seemed to push him to new heights, all the while providing the variety that makes this album as diverse and expressive as it is, with Heron as the great unifier. John Cale, Pete Townsend, Elton John, Steve Winwood, Richard Thompson, Keith Moon, Dave Mattacks, Jimmy Page, Dudu Pukwana, Dave Pegg, Rose Simpson, Ronnie Lane and Lisa Strike (to name just some of the more familiar folks who contributed), did so out of an obvious love and respect for Mike Heron and his many gifts - perhaps the most glowing endorsement a musician at that time could receive.Cale probably contributes the most, and serves as the Williamson to Mike's Heron. He plays a variety of instruments that beautifully serve the songs, and contributes some very well thought out arrangements. Elton John and Jimmy Page are only featured on the bonus tracks, but these are indeed welcome additions to the album, particularly the rocking and slightly countrified "Make No Mistake". These people really couldn't put out a bad tune, and there isn't a clunker in the bunch. That said, I must make special mention of a few favourites. "Call Me Diamond" provides a brilliantly upbeat start to the album, and Pukwana's playing is really highlighted to great effect. He also seems to push Heron in the vocal department, and the song never lets up in sheer energy and exuberance. "Feast of Stephen" is perhaps the best argument for Cale's involvement in this project, and it is surely one of Heron's strongest tunes. It is ultimately a relatively simple tune, but the arrangement and performance elevate it to something truly transcendent.As I look over the list of tracks, I'm quickly realizing that I could just gush over every single one. I guess I'll just stop here then, albeit with one final endorsement. Variety is the spice of life, and this album is simply brimming with it. None of the guest musicians, as diverse as they are, ever seem out of place or like an attempt at musical name dropping. They are there for a reason, and that is to bring the multi-faceted vision of Mike Heron to life, and to acknowledge and do their part to help in revealing the expansive talent of Mike Heron. This is quite different from the Incredible String Band, but Mr. Heron has pushed himself and been pushed to the same dizzying heights he had reached with Williamson. Very highly recommended!