Starting with the horn-driven character study "Black John the Conqueror," a hypnotic timelessness characterizes this swinging nightmare of an album. Dr. John's in heavy hoodoo mode, recording in London with Eric Clapton and other glamorous A-list guests. Side two's "Familiar Reality" suite becomes increasingly arcane as a slithering slide guitar, malingering congas, clandestine whispers, and a witches' coven of backing singers take listeners deep into Dr. John's disorienting backwaters.