After The Incredible String Band and Famous Jug Band, the next project for the bustling Englishman Clive Palmer (guitar, vocals, banjo) was C.O.B., also known as Clive’s Original Band, founded in 1971. Thanks to his reputation and his good connections in the music scene, he was signed by the major label CBS. Together with the two multi-instrumentalists and songwriting partners Mick Bennett (vocals, washboard, organ, percussion, tambourine, bongos) and John Bidwell (organ, dulcimer/dulcitar, recorder, banjo, vocals), they recorded their first album at London’s Marquee Studios that very same year. Cellist Ursula Smith and bassist Steve Bonnett featured as guest musicians, while Colin Caldwell worked as the sound engineer.

It was released in November 1971 by CBS and produced by Ralph McTell, who contributed some outstanding guitar parts. Spirit Of Love captured the music and atmosphere of their hard life living on potatoes, flour and water in an old caravan miles away from the next road, while making music all the time. The trio played a rural English psych-folk style, visionary and highly original with exotic instruments such as the harmonium and a dulcitar, a modified dulcimer that produces a distinctive sitar sound. It sold poorly, but is now regarded as one of the finest acid-folk albums of all time. Like its follow-up album Moyshe McStiff it is highly sought-after by collectors!