Whatever happened to Ian Bruce-Douglas? That is the question one usually hears in regards to legendary founder, singer and songwriter of that fabled and ill-fated band Ultimate Spinach. The creative force behind that magical late 60’s ‘Bosstown Sound’ group seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth nearly 30 years ago, leaving after its 2nd album ‘Behold And See’ had been recorded. A third album was recorded without him.

The Spinach sound was a kaleidoscopic amalgam of Baroque keyboards, modal jazz, French Impressionism, and hypnotic psychedelic improvisation. The lyrics were intelligent, penetrating and caustic observations of Hippie culture and the head games that people play. Their debut album sold over 100,000 copies within the first 2 weeks of its release and became a certified top-40 album without the benefit of a single, something unheard of at the time. It remained on the charts for 20+ weeks.

It will surprise fans to learn that, yes, Ian Bruce-Douglas is still alive and making music and that he has been doing so all along. In fact, all 3 Ultimate Spinach albums have just been reissued by original producer Alan Lorber on Big Beat records and Bruce-Douglas is in the process of recording 3 new albums of his own.