Friday, September 14, 2012

The Karovas Milkshake - Freak Out Factory (2012)

Dear Friends! Long time didn't speak! Please enjoy the psychedelic garage revivalists from Ekaterinburg, Russia. Yeah!

Link

Unknown Passage - Tales From Prison (2001)


If you're into the no fuss raw-garage psychedelic side of the American sixties in the spirit of Syd Barrett and Rocky Erickson you'll be overblown by this gem. "Tales From Prison" is their first release consisting of 7 tracks and including a magical rework of Lucifer Sam (Pink Floyd) and White Rabbit (Great Society / Jefferson Airplane) blended into a single track. Expect to be blown away by this prodigiously talented band! Listen to this great album! Guys kindly shared it at their blog.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Magic Potion


Hi Friends! I'd like to share with you two albums by great Italian neo psych band Magic Potion. "Fans of Plasticland or The Tyrnaround will find a gold mine of melodic psychedelia after consuming some Magic Potion" The Knights Of Fuzz

Sway [ITA] - Sway (1973)


Led by pianist Sante Palumbo, Sway is an excellent album heavily influenced by early 70s Miles Davis, even without the presence of trumpet. Throughout, the album features wah wah guitar rhythms and tribal drumming. The first side is a bit looser, with some shrieky sax, drum solos and some piano noise bits. But Side 2 contains 'Mad' which is absolutely sublime. The sax is traded in for flute, there's an actual melody line carried throughout, and the guitar fuzzes out some wonderful solos. CPT (Cipiti) is the same label that released the rare debut by Le Groupe X.Taken from here

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Werup-Sjöströmgruppen - Makten och härligheten (1973)


Werup-Sjostrom group was a theater / cabaret jazz-rock group similar to the Solar Plexus. The group includes Jacques Werup who later formed the remarkable progressive group Storm who released three LPs. The music is political prog rock. Jacques Werup from Ystad, Malmö and started as a jazz musician, but is now best known as a writer and poet. He made his debut as a writer in 1971 and today has released 35 books.

Suget - Suget (1979)


Swedish privately released prog album.

Canelle - Canelle (1978)



When listening to this album, I had every intention of listing it as a group from Canada. It has that particular sound that reminds me of a 1970s Quebecois release, as found on the Disques Le Tamanoir label for example. Groups such as L'Engoulevent and Breche come to mind here. As well, I hear traces of Harmonium's debut and even some Connivence. Overall I'd categorize it mainly as French folk music with a pop rock edge. So not exactly the usual CDRWL fare, but the primary reason for inclusion is the keyboard work - plenty of Moog solos that are a wonderful contrast to the otherwise serene pop music. I suppose you could also call out Yes here, when they're in their most simplistic happy sappy mood. Also, I quite liked the melodies. While not a priority release (there are a couple of trips to the barn you'll have to endure), I still think many of you would probably like to track this one down for a few listens. Taken from here

Ripped & shared by KC!



Modern Music Band - Modern Music Band (1972)


Horn rock heaven. Not long ago we featured a 1970 Swedish group called Opus III & Friends, and I stated that they reminded me of a horn rock band, except that they didn't have horns. And here we have another band like that, except they do feature them... horns that is. And much more, fully utilizing the 8 piece band here (trumpet, trombone, organ, flute, sax, guitar, bass, drums). This is a very fine example of the style, with good melodies and female vocals sung in Swedish. I believe all are originals, except one cover of Chicago's "Make Me Smile" (and an excellent rendition it is). For Swedish horn rock, I found this to be much more preferable than Splash's "Ut På Vischan". Taken from here




Floyd Hunchback Group - Floyd Hunchback Group (1978)


Floyd Hunchback Group is a tough album to describe. You can tell they're jazzers, and the typical late 70's fusion elements are all out in force (Rhodes, sax, funky bass). But they have this mean streak too, and some of the gymnastic rhythms, coupled with Moog and guitar solos, point to a love for complex instrumental progressive rock. The drumming is quite exceptional. Strangely I'm hearing more of a mid 70's Eastern European sound here, as found in bands like Fermata or SBB. Taken from here



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Sycamore - One Night With Venus, A Lifetime With Mercury (1976)


Very rare dutch folk/psych


Horton - Dancehall for Midgets (1976)


For 1976 this was certainly an odd album - in fact I wouldn't be surprised to see it date back to 1971 or earlier. The band consists of maestro Bill Horton on guitar and a couple of his friends handling bass and drums. Being a private release (and quite a legendary album among psych collectors), "Dancehall For Midgets" has that familiar raw and unpolished sound, which is so characteristic of low-budget hard-rock obscurities - however, unlike most albums of the genre, Horton isn't too keen on simplistic three-chord riffs and 4/4 rhythms. Instead, their brand heavy rock is stuffed with weird Beefheart-ian psychedelicacy - and since the band obviously had a knack for free-form jamming, the album often sounds almost like an outsider's take on "Trout Mask Replica”. Rambling, unstructured guitar improvs is what it's all about - add a healthy dose of expressive vocals (Mr. Horton obviously wasn't afraid of singing out of tune), and you'll probably get the full picture. Sure, the 1976 album couldn't be all like this, so be prepared for a couple of fairly conventional heavy-blues-rock numbers as well - good thing is that they are very few and far between, hence they don't spoil the impression. Overall this is quite a unique and unparalleled document of America's 1970s rock underground. Was it successful or not - please decide for yourself. By Lev Gankine Gnosis2000



Le Groupe X - Frrrrrigidaire (1973)


Interesting, and very obscure, Italian band with 2 albums. Frrrrrigidaire is unique in the annals of the vast Italian progressive rock scene. Instrumental, jazzy and at times even a lounge sound pervades. The album is a fun listen and I can imagine being a minor hit with the those that engage in the Retro-club lounge scene or those that seek out albums that would make a great soundtrack to 70's films. Hardly an essential item but still worth a spin and can be considered a good nightcap type of album. By ashratom



Saturday, January 14, 2012

Stonepillow - Eleazar's Circus (1969)


Originally released 1969 in the US on London. Great pop psych


Boule de Son - Just'en passant... (1975)


Beautiful Cano/Troisieme Rive like private release.
Sylvie Granger / vocals
Daniel Lepage / piano, vocals
Pierre Moisan / Bass
Jean-Luc Etheier / recorder
Jean-Jacques Bourdeau / guitars
Denis Toupin / / drums

A1 Arc-en-ciel 3:00
A2 Just'en passant 0:40
A3 Voler en rond 3:10
A4 Réveil 4:00
A5 Levez les yeux 4:50
B1 Le temps est venu 4:30
B2 Galarneau 3:10
B3 Inconnue 2:50
B4 Apprendre à prendre 6:00
B5 Des choses à dire 2:00

review at ProgQuebec