On HEADSPIN we offer heavy stoner and psych rock sounds by excellent contemporary artists.
SPOTLIGHT 349
11/05/2012 11:23
the Spot Light #349
d.d. Monday, May 14th, 2012
NEW RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
ÖRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - PHAZE YOUR FEARS (LP/SPACE ROCK PROD.) Release number 13 for Öresund Space Collective! This is another fully trippin' space jam fest, featuring (2010) recordings from the same session as 'Entering Into The Space Country'.
TROLDMAND - LIVE AT LOPPEN (CD/SPACE ROCK PROD.) Psychedelic space kraut from Copenhagen. These are brain damaging recordings, made at a live show in their hometown. A much worth while discovery for fans of Hawkwind, Öresund Space Collective, White Hills, Acid Mothers Temple and the likes.
BILLY BAO - BUILDINGS FROM BILBAO (LP/BURKA FOR EVERY) The new album by these psycho noise terrorists offers the nihilistic pummel of the Brainbombs, the feral howl of early Nirvana, and the aluminium baseball bat dunt of New Zealand post-punkers The Gordons, crossed up with an experimental fuckery akin to Japanese mentalists The Hanatarash.
ZIPPO - MAKTUB (LP-CD/SUBSOUND) Zippo come up with a daring and twisted work and are helped out by Ben Ward (Orange Goblin) and Luca T. Mai (Zu/Mombu). Mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Sunn O))), Isis), 'Maktub' is available on CD and LP. The latter is pressed on 180 gram transparent blue vinyl and includes a printed inner sleeve. Edition of 300 copies.
WOOLF - THE RIGHT WAY TO PLAY (LP/LA VIDA ES UN MUS) Rising from the underbelly of London's underground queer scene, Woolf have been shocking anyone who cares to listen, for a couple years now. After a primitive self released cassette and a brief venture into the vinyl world via a split 7" with Trash Kit, the time was ripe for an album. 'The Right Way to Play' delivers a pungent spit on the face of musical normality. Clocking out at slightly over 13 minutes, their debut is everything but Right. Bouncing between dissonant punk, inept proto hardcore and psycho noise-pop whilst dealing with issues as relevant as having fun, forest witchery and queer love. Edition of 500 copies, including download code.
MOMBU - ZOMBIE (LP-CD/SUBSOUND) Strongly influenced by African rhythms, Mombu is the sax and drums duo formed by Zu-member Luca T. Mai and Antonio Zitarelli (Neo). Their album 'Zombie' is an explosive, voodoom drenched mixture of jazz, hardcore and metal.
BUFFALO GRILLZ - MANZO CRIMINALE (LP-CD/SUBSOUND) Their second full length once again offers a serving of grindcore like there's no tomorrow. There are guests appearing from bands like Rotten Sound, Ratos De Porao, Mumakil, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Mombu.
EDDIE GALE BAND - THIS IS HOT! (LP/SAGITTARIUS A-STAR) Wow! Back on wax after 25 years, it's avant-garde jazz trumpeter Eddie Gale, who f.i. played with the Sun Ra Arkestra and cut two mythical albums for Blue Note in the '70s. 'This Is Hot!' is an exciting collection of live recordings, made at Yoshi's Jazz Club, Oakland, California, August 19, 2002. All music was composed by Eddie Gale himself. The musicians include Prince Lasha, John Gruntfest, Mimi Dye, Will Nichols, Jeff Hector and drummer Donald Robinson.
MPALA GAROO - OU DU MONDE (LP/AGUIRRE) Upgraded LP-version of the original cassette release on Sweat Lodge Guru. Moscow's multi-instrumentalist Ivan Karib, who also plays in Kon Tiki Gemini, produces wondrous, spaced-out and multi-layered electronics that float somewhere between Ducktails and Sean McCann.
TIDAL/RAMBUTAN - SPLIT LP (LP/AGUIRRE) A note worthy split featuring two intriguing drone pieces. Tidal blesses us with a Popol Vuh-like trip to the future and Rambutan contributes a side of beautiful, sheer-magical sounds. Released in a very limited edition of 150 LP's with insert and great artwork.
ZBIGNIEW KARKOWSKI - NERVE CELL_0 (CD/SUB ROSA) A highly experimental affair, featuring computer and cello, the latter hardly used in a traditional fashion. This release defies categorisation. If you enjoy most of Sub Rosa's releases, this one is a must.
LUST FOR YOUTH - GROWING SEEDS (LP/AVANT!) This time around Sweden's electronic act Lust For Youth consists of just Hannes Norrvide. On 'Growing Seeds' he delivers a mish mash of synth-pop hymns, noisy industrial and powerful EBM beats. On black vinyl with insert.
CHARLIE HIGHTONE & THE ROCK-ITS - CARROT PIE MAMA (7"/SLEAZY) Four rockin', boppin' n' struttin' goodies on one cool seven incher.
LUST FOR YOUTH/WAR - THE GLASS HOUSE ETIQUETTE (7"/AVANT!) 'The Glass House Etiquette' is the best example of what's going on in Copenhagen's post-industrial underworld today. Two murky bands offering one song each. Both sides are filled with damaged synthesizers, heavy beats, and vocals like spirits haunting an empty room. Comes on black vinyl with insert.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
JARVIS STREET REVUE - MR. OIL MAN (CD/PACEMAKER) CD-reissue of a classic Canadian psych album from 1971. Though originally released by major Columbia, Jarvis Street Revue's sole LP had a remarkably heavy sound, with a strong underground feel and a clear social/political message. This reissue is enriched with interesting bonus tracks, including songs which were meant for a second album, that never saw the light of day.
SKEPTICS - APPLE CANDY (LP/DISTORTIONS) Following the recent Skeptics' CD-release on Gear Fab, here's an LP edition for all ya' sixties lovin' vinyl junkies. This US beat-garage outfit (from Oklahoma) issued three highly collectable 7"es in the mid sixties. Now an entire LP of their material (ranging from garage tinged folk rockers to Zombie-esque splendour) is available, the way it was originally intended almost half a century ago. This LP includes their 11 most relevant songs, rare photos of the group and an insert with detailed liner notes. Great!
GREEN PAJAMAS - SUMMER OF LUST (CD/GREEN MONKEY) The earliest 4-track recordings from Jeff Kelly and Joe Ross were originally released locally as a cassette in 1984, followed by an LP-edition on the UK based Ubik-label in 1989. These early songs laid the foundation for the Green Pajamas' present reputation as masters of tasteful and subtle psychy pop. The music on this (remastered) CD edition of 'Summer Of Lust' still sounds as fresh and enjoyable today as it did 28 years ago.
IDRIS ACKAMOOR & CULTURAL ODYSSEY - THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND EARTH (LP/SAGITTARIUS A-STAR) A limited edition LP (black vinyl) of wonderful recordings, made in SF, 1980. Features Idris Ackamoor (alto and tenor sax, thumb piano, balafon, percussion, poetry), supported by a group of talented backing musicians. The music is simply killer afro-righteous-joyfull jazz!
ROY BROOKS & THE ARTISTIC TRUTH - LIVE AT THE MONTREUX/DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL, 1983 (LP/SAGITTARIUS A-STAR) Recordings of two fantastic, Afro-influenced sets, performed by drummer Brooks, Rayse Biggs (trumpet, flugelhorn), Vincent Bowens (tenor sax), pianist Gary Allen a.o. Another key chapter on Big D jazz by one of his most prominent figures (and groups).
PHILL MUSHRA GROUP - AT HUSEYIN'S (LP/SAGITTARIUS A-STAR) A one-sided LP, pressed on fluorescent blue vinyl, presented in paste-on cover and limited to only 125 copies. Rare recordings (1991) from this incredible trio, that released two legendary records on the Intex label in the '70s. Unique stuff!
VARIOUS - LE BEAT BESPOKÉ, VOL. 5 (LP/CIRCLE RECORDS) An utterly enjoyable LP featuring rare underground dance floor fillers from the New Untouchables club scene, brought to the market in conjunction with Circle Records. The track list includes artists s.a. The Grabbeltons, The Deep Set, The Hush, Sands Of Time, Los Delphines, Simon De Sade, Satin Bells, The Outcasts, and others.
EXPECTED RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
GREEN PAJAMAS - DEATH BY MISADVENTURE (CD/GREEN MONKEY) A worldly darkness prevails throughout the 13th Green Pajamas album, though occasional shards of light break through with songs like 'Carrie' and 'Supervirgin', which continue the age-old tradition of melodic Green Pajamas pop songs. 'Death By Misadventure' is built around the epic song cycle 'The Fall Of The Queen Bee'. 'Death By Misadventure' is a fine new chapter in the grand drama.
CVLTS - REALISER (LP/AGUIRRE) The Kansas post-hypnagogia psych enigma Cvlts create a strange distillation of improvisation, keyboards, loops and field recordings, resulting in song length carpets of sound with the occasional attempt at dream pop. Edition of 150 copies with past-on cover art and insert.
SMOKEY EMERY - QUARTZ (7"/INDIAN QUEEN) This music is as much evocative of the sharp winter cold as it is the mirages of summer heat, the murky deep as much as the smoggy zenith, and the charming mechanics of dusty analogue gear as much as a honed sense of intuitive craftsmanship directed toward allaying arrangements of saturated sonic material. Quartz reads the ambiance of the nether world through the split light of the celestial sphere. So much wickedness and tenderness. Limited 7" edition, to be played at 33rpm.
MIND OVER MIRRORS - HIGH & UPON (LP/AGUIRRE) LP-reissue of this long sold out cassette on Gift Tapes. Mind Over Mirrors is Jaime Fennely, harmonium player and electronica builder. Before he started his solo-project he was a member of junk-folk band Peeesseye and psychedelic free jazz trio Acid Birds. Fennelly plays his pump organ through a battery of oscillators and effects that extend and distort its tones to obtain in-the-red highs, chest-rattling mids, and low notes as bulbous and squeezable as a slightly underinflated inner tube. The end results are slow constructively growing, repetitive melodies of vivid harmonic depth.
SILENT LAND TIME MACHINE - I AM NO LONGER ALONE WITH MYSELF... (LP/INDIAN QUEEN) ...And Can Only Artificially Recall The Scary And Beautiful Feeling Of Solitude'. Silent Land Time Machine's latest work speaks in a numinous tongue, but is replete with durability and coherence. A rare and intriguing mixture. edition of 500 on clear 180 gram vinyl.
MERZBOW - MERZBIENT (18LP/SOLEILMOON) 'Merzbient' was originally released in 2010 as a box set of twelve compact discs. The edition of 555 numbered copies, which sold out within weeks of its release, was hailed by fans as some of Merzbow's best work, and it has since become a highly desirable collector's item. Now an expanded edition of eighteen albums is being released in an edition of 222 numbered and signed copies.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
CARGO - CARGO (2LP/PSEUDONYM) Released in anonymity to an unsuspecting Dutch public in 1972, Cargo's lone album disappeared after minimal radio play and no live dates to back it up. But Cargo had already had hits under their original name, September, and their talent would not remain buried forever. In subsequent years, their album on Harvest became the stuff of record collector dreams. This deluxe 2LP reissue (180 gram vinyl) gives you not only the original four-song LP and artwork, but also four previously unreleased bonus tracks, incredible remastered sound, and extensive liner notes by Doug Sheppard of Ugly Things magazine. Forty years after its release, Pseudonym Records has given this renowned progressive rock artefact a reissue that upholds its legacy.
COSMIC DEALER - CHILD OF TOMORROW (LP+7" EP/WORLD IN SOUND) Incredible! On vinyl, this is the second previously unreleased(!) album by the Dutch psychedelic/progressive hard rock band Cosmic Dealer. Their first album 'Crystallization' from 1971 is an outstanding and rare masterpiece and for sure one of the best European underground rock albums of the '70s. The songs for 'Child Of Tomorrow' were recorded in 1973, with a new line-up, following a short period in which the band wasn't active. The album contains six songs, here extended with rare '71 demo material and a bonus EP offering four live tracks. Also included are a poster, liner notes and rare photos.
RONTHEO - RONTHEO (LP/WAH WAH) Formed by musicians Ron di Tomaso from Canada and German Theo Busch (just put their first names together), Rontheo was responsible for one of the rarest folk rock LP's to come out of Germany's '70s kraut scene. Not only because of its obscurity, the LP is now a highly rated and expensive collectors item. This album, chockfull of great electric guitar work, beguiling violin parts and tasteful songs, now sees a welcome reissue. Recommended to fans of f.i. Emtidi, Hölderlin, Carol Of Harvest, and Lang'Syne.
GLENN REEVES - A ROCK-A-BOOGIE LOU (7"/SLEAZY) Two slices of authentic and superb rock'n'roll. The flip side offers 'Betty's Bounce'.
NEWS
Pittsburgh's garage rock heroes THE CYNICS (latest album 'SPINNING WHEEL MOTEL' out on GET HIP) kick off their upcoming European tour with a show at dB's in Utrecht on Thursday, May 17th. For the occasion they will be joined (for a couple of tunes) by Ron Splinter, guitarist of Dutch legends THE OUTSIDERS. Be there! (On the 18th The Cynics play at 4AD in Diksmuide, Belgium.)
In order to hear the wonderful new acoustic(!) album by reggae musician TARRUS RILEY ('MECOUSTIC', CD out on SOULBEATS), please go to the Radio 6 Luisterpaal. http://radio6.nl/luisterpaal/
READING
UGLY THINGS' - ISSUE #33 (Mag/UGLY THINGS) offers hours of reading delight for the '60s connoisseur. You get articles featuring LOVE (interview with guitarist Johnny Echols, Arthur Lee's right-hand man throughout their classic period), UK freakbeat legends WIMPLE WINCH, Dutch psychedelic outfit GROUP 1850, destructive Ohio proto-punks THE ELECTRIC EELS, the Kinks-influenced mid-'70s-'80s band THE LEOPARDS, and also THE SYNDICATE, THE HANGMEN and many more. Of course there also are tons of reviews of recent '60s and '70s reissues and other relevant releases. Enjoy!
SELECTED PRESS QUOTES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
PACESHIFTERS - HOME (LP/MINSTREL) reviewed by Kris Vandekerckhove for Rock Tribune (translated excerpt) Compared to their debut, in n many songs the pace is somewhat slower, but as a result the dynamics flourish.
INCOMING CEREBRAL OVERDRIVE - LE STELLE: A VOYAGE ADRIFT (LP-CD/SUPERNATURALCAT) reviewed by Frederik Cosemans for RockTribune (translated excerpt) Intense beauty, appealing darkness and destructive forces come together so perfectly, that for a moment I thought the earth beneath me was opening up.
MENIC - RAILROAD BLUES ANTHOLOGY (LP-CD/VOODOO RHYTHM) reviewed by Joost Jan Meertens for Planet Trash (translated excerpt) For a Voodoo Rhythm-record the sound is remarkably clear. Which is compensated by the dark side of life, about which Menic sings.
PHANTOM KEYS - THE REAL SOUNDS OF (LP-CD/SCREAMING APPLE) reviewed by Ewie for FileUnder (translated excerpt) A cool lil' disc for nowadays' beat-boys and beat-girls.
RUSSIAN ROULETTES - PHYSICAL EDUCATION (CD/OFF THE HIP) reviewed by Patrick Bruneel for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) ...it's impossible to discover a red thread, but the result is a diverse and enjoyable record.
BRAT FARRAR - BRAT FARRAR (LP/P.TRASH-CD/OFF THE HIP) reviewed by Patrick Bruneel for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) ...dirty punk rock which, due to the distorted, dark vocals, reminds of Cheater Slicks duelling with The Wipers.
ZONE SIX/VESPERO - THE SPLIT THING (LP-CD/TRANSUBSTANS) reviewed by Jan-Simon for Lords Of Metal (translated excerpt) An enjoyable split, with the notable fact that the Russians sound more German than the German band...
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
Q65 - THE LIFE I LIVE/THE DECCA 45'S (LP/PSEUDONYM) reviewed by Robert Haagsma for Revolver/Lust For Life (translated excerpt) ...a welcome collection of the band's finest singles, including 'You're The Victor' and 'The Life I Live'. reviewed by René van Kaam for Platenblad (translated excerpt) An LP full of excellent and partly classic Nederbeat...
ABSTRACTS - HEY, LET'S GO NOW (LP/BREAK-A-WAY) reviewed by Mike Stax for Ugly Things (excerpt) ...one of the first bands on the East Coast to embrace the English sound. In fact, singer/keyboardist Andy Bonime claims to have been writing Beatles-style songs before he'd even heard of The Beatles.
AMBER - PEARLS OF AMBER (CD/MERLINS NOSE) reviewed by Mike Stax for Ugly Things (excerpt) The project fused acoustic folk music and eastern influences...
IMPALA SYNDROME - IMPALA SYNDROME (CD/GEARFAB) reviewed by Aaron Milenski for Ugly Things (excerpt) ...the freak factor improves their songs, but these were a pretty good batch to begin with. The best ones have the highest degree of fuzz guitar and production witchcraft...
LIVE
MENIC (VOODOO RHYTHM) May 16: Amsterdam, NL (Skek) / May 18: Middelburg, NL (Kaffee 't Hof)
CYNICS (GET HIP) May 17: Utrecht, NL (dB's) / May 18: Diksmuide, B (4AD) / May 25: The Hague, NL (Supermarkt)
ELECTRIC EMPIRE (SOULBEATS) May 18: Amsterdam, NL (Bitterzoet)
THE RIPE (GET HIP) May 25: The Hague, NL (Supermarkt)
JANICE GRAHAM BAND (ACID JAZZ) May 26: Brussels, B (Maison Du Peuple)
PHASESHIFTERS (MINSTREL) May 26: Zwolle, NL (Eureka)
EXCITEMENTS (PENNIMAN) May 27: Rotterdam, NL (Dunya Festival) / June 29: Brussels, B (Couleur Café) / July 21: Lichtenvoorde, NL (Zwarte Cross) / August 5: Venlo, NL (Parkfestival) / August 5: Roermond, NL (Solar Weekend)
OS HAXIXINS (GROOVIE) September/October t.b.a.
THREE SEASONS (HEADSPIN/TRANSUBSTANS) September t.b.a.
AUTUMN SHADE (STRANGE ATTRACTORS AUDIO HOUSE) September t.b.a.
SIENA ROOT (HEAD SPIN, TRANSUBSTANS, a.o.) November 16: Helmond, NL (Lakei) / November 17: Leuven, B (Sojo)
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