The Music of Cheops

Steve Douglas - The Music of Cheops

released on LP in 1976

I found another LP where the music was too recorded in the Great Pyramid. I thought the Paul Horn - Inside the Great Pyramid was the only album of its kind. Now I wonder if there were more albums recorded in the Great Pyramid and if so, how many.

Throughout most of his career, Steve Douglas (1938-1993) has been a session musician playing sax on recordings of some of the biggest names and notables in pop and rock music including The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Duane Eddy, The Righteous Brothers, The Ramones, etc. Douglas was a part of hit maker Phil Spector's "Wrecking Crew", a group of session musicians Spector used for his sessions. Douglas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 in the Sideman category.

Douglas also plays the flute which he does on this album in addition to the sax. The Music of Cheops was recorded on February 10, 14, and 15, 1976, all during at night. Douglas composed and played all the music in the King's Chamber, a room that is 34 feet long, 17 feet wide, and 19 feet high. From listening to the record, the room sounds like an awe-inspiring acoustic space where the echoes give the music an otherworldly sound, a sound that probably could only be achieved in such as space as the King's Chamber.
His Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bio actually mentions this album. According to the notes in his bio, Douglas wanted to keep a low profile because of health problems in the early 1970s. Apparently, he didn't record many sessions during that time. He recorded his own music. Curiously, his bio does not mention what other albums he released. The Music of Cheops sounds like something that Douglas made just for himself, the kind of music he wanted to play. It seems like he wanted to get away or needed to get away from the intense environment of the music industry. It's meditative serene music similar to Paul Horn's, but Douglas is more free flowing. His music goes in different directions and he does more to take advantage of the space by exploring and producing more sounds from his instruments. He also was there before Horn by a few months.

Tracklisting:

The Pyramid [side 1]

1.  Pharoah's Piper  {4:34}

2.  Impressions from the IVth Dynasty: A. Pyramid Power  {1:44}

3.  Impressions from the IVth Dynasty: B. Nubian Lament  {1:32}

4.  Impressions from the IVth Dynasty: C. Flight of Horus  {0:57}

5.  Impressions from the IVth Dynasty: D. Reflections Along the Nile  {4:00}

6.  Impressions from the IVth Dynasty: E. Procession  {2:18}

The Sphinx [side 2]

1.  Time Capsule - 1976 A.D. - 2860 B.C.  {1:54}

2.  Meditations at Luxor  {5:47}

3.  Journey from Atlantis  {8:09}

4.  Ascent  {0:54}

Disclaimer: I was unable to erase a lot of crackle and surface noise on side 1. I am seeking a better copy. If I ever find one or able to get a hold of one, I'll re-rip side 1. At least, you'll know what the music is like. I think my rips of side 2 sound fine.
Update: In the comments section, there is a link to my files that have been cleaned of most of the noise on side 1.

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