Quintessence

Quintessence was a British progressive rock band formed in London in 1969. The band was led by Australian-born musicians Ron 'Raja Ram' Rothfield on flute and violin, and Phil 'Shiva' Jones on keyboards and vocals. They were among the first progressive rock outfits signed by Island Records. Quintessence blended elements of jazz, psychedelic rock, and progressive rock, with a strong influence from Indian spirituality. The band members adopted Eastern names under the guidance of Swami Ambikananda, reflecting their deep connection to spiritual practices. Their music often featured long improvisations and was characterized by Indian-influenced jazz and rock elements.

Quintessence gained popularity on the European live scene during the late 1960s and early 1970s. They released several albums, including *In Blissful Company* (1969) and *Quintessence* (1970). The band's high-energy performances and unique blend of music and spirituality set them apart from other bands of their time. Despite their impact, they disbanded in 1980, although they had a one-off reunion in 2010. The recent releases mentioned, such as *Wrapped Up In Your Kiss* and *White Light EP*, do not appear to be directly associated with the original Quintessence band based on available information.