Following the release of their first LP, Tangerine Dream, in November 1967, the London-based band Kaleidoscope embarked on various tours and performed live on a number of BBC Radio programmes to promote their debut album. Despite positive reviews and a growing fan base, sales figures failed to rise. Nevertheless, they began recording sessions for their next album the following year, as the record label Fontana believed in the band and had pledged further financial support. Once again ingeniously produced by Dick Leahy in partnership with sound engineer Roger Wake, their second LP was finally released in April 1969, again exclusively in England. The cover art was created by the visual artist and designer Robin Nicol of Design Machine. Until the release of this second album, the band toured Europe, amongst other places, meaning that much of the music was based on tracks they had already honed into polished versions through live performances.

Faintly Blowing is every bit as captivating as their debut; it is full of melodies, blending pop, rock and folk ballads with strong psychedelic influences, though the individual songs feel more playful and slightly more intense. It is a landmark album, not only within psychedelic music, but can also be appropriately described as a bridge between psychedelic pop and early progressive rock. This rare and sought-after album does not contain a single weak track; yet, like the debut, it was unfortunately a commercial failure at the time. One of its most significant qualities is that it was one of the very first progressive albums ever made.