17 Pygmies

LTM presents a deluxe reissue of the first two albums by Californian experimentalists 17 Pygmies on remastered double CD and digital download.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1983, the first incarnation of 17 Pygmies comprised Jackson Del Rey and Robert Loveless of Savage Republic, along with UCLA art students Debbie Spinelli and Michael Kory. Debut EP Hatikva appeared that same year, followed by their acclaimed cross-cultural album Jedda By the Sea in 1984. 'One of the most charming albums of the year,' said the Los Angeles Times. 'The consistently inventive music borrows from various influences while maintaining a homey simplicity with its lush organ chords, occasional violins and tribal percussion. The kind of gracious music that can fill space without intruding on it.'
The Pygmies followed Jedda with second album Captured In Ice, once again issued on their own Resistance label and selling 2000 copies in just three weeks. Rockpool praised: 'Four giants of musical brilliance with twelve songs of decidedly minimal music, creating an elaborately-embroidered tapestry of visionary sounds. Never does the music get lost in the ozone of extreme esotericism or eccentricity. Instead you have four people approaching pop music in a fresh and excitingly individual light.'
Now available on CD for the first time, this extended 2xCD set also includes all five tracks from Hatikva, plus five previously unreleased outtakes from Jedda and Captured in Ice. Booklet contains archive images and a biographical essay featuring contributions from Jackson Del Rey and Debbie Spinelli.