★Life Goes On
Som Imaginário
*2024 reissue* An essential psychedelic album and a must for fans of Tropicalia. Som Imaginário released a few albums during the progressive rock era which are also highly recommended but reissues are criminally unavailable.... The powerful grouping was a true academy of sound imagination: Wagner Tiso, Tavito, Luiz Alves, Robertinho Silva, Frederyko, Naná Vasconcelos and Zé Rodrix.Som Imaginário (Imaginary Music) is a Brazilian band from the 70s. They joined together to support Milton Nascimento…
Die Grune Reise - The Green Journey
A.R. & Machines is the solo project of one Achim Reichel. Released in 1971 the album still retains a magical touch. Ranked between the most original kraut albums of all the time, Die Grune Reise (aka The Green Journey) really is a trip. Turning his back to the original beat movement, Reichel embraced the infinity of a multi-layered sound, experiencing the most prolific path of prog rock while joining the obscure meanders of the lysergic renaissance. The Green Journey is a masterpiece of doubly/t…
Sa-Re-Ga Machan
Nephew of world-famous sitar player Ravi Shankar, Ananda made an important impact in the '70s psychedelic scene by combining Western electronics and Indian music in order to create stunning instrumental jams. The jungle safari-tinged Sá-Re-Gá Machán was released in 1981 but still maintaining a certain soundtrack feel to it, more akin to previous decade excursions. Still a magical clash of eastern and western musical dichotomy.
Hemåt
More than a single cult, the sole album by Swedish combo Harvester was released as a sort of private press on the small Decibel Records. A magical blend of folk and psychedelic rock, Hemåt was published in 1969. With some extra-rock elements like cello, fiddle and even spare horns, the record is a beautiful and magical ritual. The band eventually morphed into Träd, Gräs Och Stenar.
Flightless Bird Needs Water Wings - Vol. 1
This record is a nice summary of some of the band's earlier work -- when infamous bassist Moriaki Wakabayashi was still playing before he went and hijacked a plane (he was a member of the "Yodogō Group" of the radical New Left Japan Communist League's "Red Army Faction" that carried out the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 in 1970, ultimately forcing the plane to fly to North Korea, where Wakabayashi currently resides). A seemingly endless sonic flame-throwers of phased white noise streak …
The Insect Trust
Insect Trust were an American jazz-based rock band that formed in New York in 1967. The members of the band were Nancy Jeffries on vocals, Bill Barth on guitar, Luke Faust -- formerly of the Holy Modal Rounders -- on guitar, banjo, fiddle, and harmonica, Trevor Koehler on saxophone, and Robert Palmer (1945 -- 1997) on clarinet and alto saxophone. Elvin Jones and Bernard Purdie both drummed with the group at times. Bill Folwell, who had played with Albert Ayler (and later an original member of Th…
Music Of The Middle East
Best known for his proficiency on the Oud, John Berberian has been releasing music since the early-1960s. While attending New York's Columbia University, Berberian made his professional musical debut playing the Oud in support of violinist Reuben Sarkisian. While completing an MBA from Harvard, Berberian managed to find the time to become a staple on the Manhattan nightclub scene. In 1964 he was signed to Bob Shad's New York-based Mainstream Records, where he recorded a pair of Middle Eastern-th…
Exotic Dreams – Martin Denny Presents The Enticing Voice Of Ethel Azama
Exotica masterpiece finally re-issued ! Which record is produced by Martin Denny, arranged by pianist Paul Conrad and features vintage Exotica's second lady who is only outclassed by the Peruvian chantress Yma Sumac? It's Exotic Dreams, released in 1958 that puts – so tells the cover artwork – "the enticing voice of Ethel Azama" (1934–1984), a Hawaiian Jazz singer, into the spotlight. Martin Denny discovered her a few years later and was able to negotiate with his house label Liberty Records, wh…
Mganga
Japan goes to Africa ! It's more than a bit ironic that Tak Shindo's most "exotic" album, the superb Mganga!, boasts no connection to his own Japanese heritage, instead focusing on the primal rhythms and tribal chants of Africa. Rooted largely in the arranger's experience on the Latin jazz circuit, its Afro-Cuban rhythms, sampled animal sounds, and chants capture an African musical culture based far more in fantasy than reality, much as rival exotica maestros like Martin Denny and Les Baxter con…
The Music Of Ahmed Abdul-Malik
*In process of stocking* 'This jazz musician of Sudanese descent shows up here and there on recording sessions from the '60s, including a stint as a member of Thelonious Monk's combo. He also played oud and took part in a variety of attempts to blend his roots music with jazz, out of which this is one of the most successful. Indeed, one might overlook the entire fusion nature of this record and look at is as a prime example of how much brilliant jazz is created often by relatively unknown player…
Sounds Of Africa
Sounds of Africa is the fourth album by double bassist and oud player Ahmed Abdul-Malik featuring performances recorded in 1962 (with one track from 1961) and originally released on the New Jazz label. This Early 60's Afro-jazz jam with middle-eastern and latin flavours is one of the first in its genre. The album also features Bilal Abdurahman, Andrew Cyrille and Chief Bey. Seminal!
The Three Faces of Yusef Lateef
Recorded in May 1960 this is probably one of Lateef’s more straight jazz releases with almost no trace of his famous Eastern sound experiments. This is a beautiful and dynamic album based on a balanced mix of originals and standards including great numbers by Dvorak, Ellington and Zawinul and with Lateef who’s literally shining on both tenor sax, oboe and flute. A fine document from a master musician caught during one of the peaks of his career.
Made In Japan
*Back in print! In process of stocking* Made In Japan is the third album by Japanese rock band Flower Travellin' Band, released in 1972. After meeting Lighthouse at the Expo '70 festival in Osaka, Flower Travellin' Band were invited to visit Canada. While there, the group recorded Made in Japan with Lighthouse keyboardist Paul Hoffert helping produce. Due to George Wada becoming ill with tuberculosis, Canadian drummer Paul DeLong plays on some tracks on this album. The lyrics were written by Yok…
Satori
*2023 repress. In process of stocking* The Flower Travellin' Band's first musical outing, Challenge, was released in 1970 and was essentially a series of covers of Cream, Hendrix, Big Brother andJefferson Airplane material. However, Satori appeared a year later and forever changed the way the group would be perceived, both in Japan and in the musical world at large. Possessing the vision to select Akira "Joe" Yamanaka as their vocalist, the Flower Travellin' boys elevated themselves above other …
Songs Of Sunshine
Here we have another magical achievement of the early 70’s counterculture. Officially released in 1972 on the small imprint Westwood Recordings, the album has an intimate, predominantly acoustic flavor. Flutes, chimes and gentle organ sounds all over the place. Tales of faraway lands, sand, sea, castles, kings, queens and even Peter Pan dominates the scene, imposing a sort of ancestral feel. Rob Armstrong, the leader of the group, became a renowned luthier and you can hear the care and love of t…
Markley, A Group
“Markley - A Group” is the sixth and final album by the American psychedelic rock group, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, and was released in 1970 on Forward Records, owned by Mike Curb. The album was released under another group name, Markley A Group, as decided by the group owner, Bob Markley. It features compositions by Danny Harris, Michael Lloyd and Shaun Harris with lyrics by Bob himself. The content is simple and soft, reminiscent of the band's earlier work. A gently pop-psych st…
Ceremony - Buddha Meet Rock
**Back in print !** A monster on its own ‘Ceremony-Buddha Meet Rock’ still is one of the most enigmatic record coming out of the early seventies Japanese underground. Composers Yusuke Hoguchi and Naoki Tachikawa are the main conspirators here. The album is clearly informed by the flower power counterculture, is full-on mysticism – with Buddha chants all over the place – and trippy guitar playing make room for an otherwordly experience. The album opens with a rendition of 'Holy Thursday' lifted …
Ananda Shankar and his Music
A rare groove classic finally back in print ! Opener 'Streets Of Calcutta' has been covered several times (most recently by japanese wizards Kikagaku Moyo) and is still regarded as an east/west hybrid manifesto. Ananda Shankar (11 December 1942 – 26 March 1999) was an Indian musician, singer, and composer best known for fusing Western and Eastern musical styles. He was married to dancer and choreographer Tanusree Shankar. In the late 1960s, Shankar travelled to Los Angeles, where he played with …
East
Possibly one of the most fascinating psychedelic album coming out of Japan in the early seventies. Published in 1972 on Capitol Records eastern brand, the East album was then fully licensed to both the UK and American market, due to his fascinating and lysergic moments. The opener 'Beautiful Morning' soon became a classic on its own, showing the western influences of the band all along the spirit of the rising sun counterculture. A revolutionary effort in the end, coming from a different perspec…
Green Line
*In process of stocking.* Terrific session originally licensed on Japanese indie label Nivico in 1970. Recorded at Victor Studio, Aoyama Tokyo 11 September, the album is the essential work of four wicked minds. Saxophone player Steve Marcus has been cutting his teeth in late sixties with the Jazz Composer's Orchestra, while Miroslav Vitous was the former bass player in jazz-rock pioneers Weather Report. Sharrock is still considered one of the most original player in creative music, his guitar pl…