On HEADSPIN we offer heavy stoner and psych rock sounds by excellent contemporary artists.
SPOTLIGHT 362
10/08/2012 11:08
the Spot Light #362
d.d. Monday, August 13th, 2012
NEW RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
BAD BRAIDS - ARROW AND ORB (LP/HAUTE MAGIE) Classic folk styles mix with country sounds and dreamy ambient resonance to create a beautiful album, dominated by an equally beautiful female voice. Limited to 500 copies on black vinyl.
BIKES - BIKES (LP/BACHELOR) This band from Berlin (and outskirts) features ex-members of a.o. Die Ersten Menschen, Demons Claws, Hell Shovel and CCCandy. They do not care about bandcamp, facebook, twitter and other ego-maniac-social-media. No, these guys simply rock. This s/t LP is pressed at 45rpm, for your extra hard hitting listening pleasure. Ten tracks.
BESTOVITCH - RITUAL DE LA HAUTE MAGIE: KISS FROM (LP/HAUTE MAGIE) Psychedelic club rhythms mix with intelligent hip-hop drama and cut ups bounding over perfectly placed synthesisers and sampled acoustics. Limited to 300 copies on swirl coloured vinyl.
MIKE BRUNO - THE SAD SISTERS (LP/HAUTE MAGIE) An album of acoustic folk and ambient textures in the vein of Leonard Cohen and Jack Rose. Lovely stuff.
ROSS MAJOR - HORATIO HYMNS (LP/HAUTE MAGIE) This LP offers desert bleached and sun-baked guitar strings, plucked over distant, ambient passages. Psychedelic folk at its best.
BLACK MAGIC FAMILY BAND - A MAGICAL WORLD OF ANIMALS AND SPIR (LP/HAUTE MAGIE) On this album Mike Bruno is accompanied by a full band of ghouls to deliver a powerful rock-laced dark folk dream. Limited to 500 copies on black vinyl.
BUNRAGE/FOOTHPATHS - SPLIT LP (LP/HAUTE MAGIE) A split between two talented individuals. Bunrage crafts electronic pieces, backed by sweeping yet minimal guitars and lush synths. Footpaths rears up the other end with beautiful guitar loops, lo-fi and high end and everything in between.
DEC BURKE - PARADISMS & STORYLINES (2LP/RITUAL ECHO) Burke opts for no holds barred bombast with an epic closing triptych of 'Yesterday's Fool', the emotive 'December Sun' and the three-part title track. It's as good a prog work as you'll hear all year. For fans of Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Spock's Beard, Darwin's Radio, Frost, a.o. Limited edition on 180 gram vinyl with great gatefold sleeve.
MESSAGE TO BEARS - DEPARTURES (LP/RITUAL ECHO) Message to Bears is the moniker of multi-instrumentalist Jerome Alexander who creates beautiful soundscapes by overlaying acoustic guitar lines, piano, percussion, samples and strings. Edition of 250 hand-numbered LP's with appealing artwork.
GALAHAD - BATTLE SCARS (LP/RITUAL ECHO) English progsters Galahad have produced a thoroughly modern release that embraces a myriad of styles, veering into techno, ambient and dance territories at times. Echoes of Riverside, Oceansize and even System Of A Down also resound in an album of breathtaking ambition. Edition of 300 LP's on 180 gram vinyl, presented in a gatefold sleeve.
BEAU - THE WAY IT WAS (LP/RITUAL ECHO) Beau returns with another well crafted collection of tunes, taking you back to the golden years of folk music, the '60s and '70s. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, this LP comes is a full colour sleeve. The release includes liner notes and lyrics.
DATA 70 - SPACE LOOPS, VOL. 3 (2x7"/ENRAPTURED) This notable double 7-inch release is comprised of no less than 24 one-minute electronic tracks, celebrating the intimacy between man and machine, exploring the space between the inside and the outside, somewhere between the known and the unseen. This is music from a world in which psychedelia, TV soundtracks, bleeps and sine waves permeate the atmosphere.
MUSHY - 1984 (7"/HAUTE MAGIE) This single from Rome based artist Mushy combines cold, calculated synths with futuristic vocals and crystalline overtones. Limited to 500 copies on blood red vinyl.
NO MAS BODAS - FLESH (7"/HAUTE MAGIE) Here's a driving rhythmic synth anthem, laced with beautiful vocals and buzzing guitars. A fine release from the Austin. TX based act.
TONFEDD OREN - TONFEDD OREN EP (7"/ENRAPTURED) Tonfedd Oren is Welsh for Orange Wavelength, which is the name of the latest musical collaboration between Rhys Williams and John Brenton. Williams has been sporadically making multi-layered guitar instrumentals under the name Gofodwyr. Brenton has been making quirky folktronica as Ojn, Landshipping and John Peel favourites Metrotone for a number of years. Tonfedd Oren sees them merging the two sounds together. Three tracks.
UMA - DROP YOUR SOUL EP (7"/ENRAPTURED) A new experimental, avant-garde, electronic, pop duo, operating out of Berlin. This intriguing single blends deep electronic rhythms and bass sounds with hauntingly beautiful choir like vocal chants. Guest musicians include the legendary Silver Apples and acclaimed Japanese field recording artist, Yosi Horikawa. Edition of 300 copies on clear vinyl.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
GRINDERSWITCH - UNFINISHED BUSINESS (CD/CROSSROAD) This material was recorded after 1977's 'Redwing' album, but not released at the time. However, some of the songs were used for the albums 'Right On Time' (1980) and 'Have Band Will Travel' ('81). Which still leaves six previously unreleased tracks to be found on this CD.
SUNI MCGRATH - CHILDGROVE (CD/MEDIA ARTE) The third LP by the legendary American 12-string guitarist. His picking resonates with a sort of heart-sick, contemplative elegance that will leave all genre fans speechless.
KATHY SMITH - 2 (CD/MEDIA ARTE) Reissue of a fine album by this highly rated Californian folk artist. She frequently played the Paradox venue, where people like Tim Buckley, Jackson Browne, Steve Noonan, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John McEuen, and Penny Nichols used to perform and hang out.
EXPECTED RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
CHICKENCAGE EXPERIENCE - AN EGGSPOILTATION MOVIE (CD+DVD/2LP+DVD/NASONI) Free improvisations, featuring members from Polytoximane Philharmonie, plus an entertaining DVD featuring an undermining cinematic plot. The LP is available on black and coloured vinyl. Limited editions.
BONGZILLA - GATEWAY (LP/HYDRO-PHONIC) This classic stoner-sludge album is back on wax, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Includes full colour lyric sheet with original Malleus artwork. Only 200 copies on green vinyl.
AX GENRICH & BAND - FRETBOARD JUNGLE (LP/NASONI) A new release, on coloured and black vinyl, from former Guru Guru-member Ax Genrich. Includes reworkings of Guru Guru-material, some cool experimental stuff, psychedelic rock, a r&r-instrumental, and more. The front cover is a painting by Thomas Ziebarth.
CARPTREE - NYMF (LP/RITUAL ECHO) The fifth studio album by this Swedish progressive rock band, featuring vocalist Niclas Flinck, keyboard wizard Carl Westholm and an ever changing cast of musicians going under the name of No Future Orchestra. This is an excellent progressive concept album dealing with the mind boggling issue of 'the meaning of life'.
BLUE ASIDE - THE MOLES OF A DYING RACE (CD/HYDRO-PHONIC) Their second album successfully mixes serious doom with intense indie psych. Fans of Naam, Yob, Dead Meadow, Sons of Otis, Quest For Fire, and Boris will be interested!
VARIOUS - SVENSK PSYCHE AFTEN, VOL. II (LP/KOMMUN2) This limited edition (250 copies) LP features recorded highlights of the live shows of three psychedelic acts from Sweden, Anders, Huggorm and Sveriges Kommuner & Landsting. The music ranges from garage-psych to improvised progressive folk.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
TULLY - SEA OF JOY (LP-CD/CHAPTER MUSIC) Limited vinyl reissue (also on CD) of the music for the classic Australian surf movie that was filmed by Paul Witzig in 1970. The music was all written and performed by the highly rated psychedelic rock and acid folk outfit Tully.
A EUPHONIOUS WAIL - A EUPHONIOUS WAIL (CD/MEDIA ARTE) The excellent '73 album by a late psychedelic outfit from San Francisco, surrounding the vocal talents of Suzanne Rey. For fans of Jefferson Airplane, Ill Wind, Art Of Loving, January Tyme, a.s.o.
PARADISE - PARADISE (CD/BELLA TERRA) CD reissue of the amazing debut album by the London based gospel-soul-funk unit. The songs range from sweet ballads to solid groovers.
PARADISE - WORLD'S MIDNIGHT (CD/BELLA TERRA) Also reissued on CD, it's another ground breaking album from Paradise. A skilful mixture of reggae, funk and soulful ballads powered by incredibly cool funky grooves. Paradise represented a unique subgenre of UK black gospel and Brit-funk. They definitely were the British answer to America's Kool & The Gang.
SELECTED PRESS QUOTES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
GOOD HAND - THE GOOD HAND (CD-LP/MINSTREL) reviewed by Cosmicmasseur for ConcreteWeb (excerpt) ...in every aspect a very successful and enjoyable album... (87/100 rating)
ORCUS CHYLDE - ORCUS CHYLDE (CD-LP/WORLD IN SOUND) reviewed by Cosmicmasseur for ConcreteWeb (excerpt) These six folks have a hand for atmosphere, dynamics, melodies... (90/100 rating)
GREEN PAJAMAS - DEATH BY MISADVENTURE (CD/GREEN MONKEY) reviewed by Carry Munter for Carry's New Underground Music (translated excerpt) This CD by the Green Pajamas is a release to cherish, and I'm gonna give it another spin now...
VAN COOTHS - OFF TO THE USA (LP/GREY PAST) reviewed by Joost Jan Meertens for Planet Trash (translated excerpt) ...a mixture of powerpop, light weight garage pop and surf. ...an enjoyable and careless guitar record.
SPACESHIP LANDING - SPACESHIP LANDING (CD-LP/WORLD IN SOUND) reviewed by Carry Munter for Carry's New Underground Music (translated excerpt) ...from stoner to prog to psychedelic rock... Fantastic!
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
MARCUS - MARCUS: ORIGINAL LP + OUTTAKES (2CD/LION PRODUCTIONS) reviewed by Richard Allen for Shindig (excerpt) ...a trippily orchestrated sitar and acoustic guitar-dappled collection...
HOMER - COMPLETE RECORDINGS (CD/GEARFAB) reviewed by Richard Allen for Shindig (excerpt) Homer has a real period charm, almost certainly due to the fact it was recorded between 1970 and 1972, an era when American music navigated rapid change.
LIVE
TARRUS RILEY (SOULBEATS) August 13: Oostende, B (Paulusfeesten)
ELECTRIC MOON (NASONI, SULATRON) August 17/18-08: Geel, B (Yellowstock)
ABRAMIS BRAMA (TRANSUBSTANS) August: 17/18-08: Geel, B (Yellowstock)
LA IRA DE DIOS (WORLD IN SOUND, NASONI) August 17/18-08: Geel, B (Yellowstock)
FLYING EYES (WORLD IN SOUND) August 17/18-08: Geel, B (Yellowstock)
SEVEN THAT SPELLS (BETA-LACTAM RING, HAU RUCK) August 17/18-08: Geel, B (Yellowstock)
GEORGIO ‘THE DOVE’ VALENTINO (GET HIP, S.R.) August 24: Helmond, NL (Lakei) / August 25: Gouda, NL (Studio Gonz) / August 26: Haarlem, NL (Irrational Library)
BLACK TO COMM (DEKORDER/DE STIJL) August 27: Brussels, B (Feeërieën Fest.) / September 16: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
WAR (AVANT) September 10: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
DIGGER AND THE PUSSYCATS (P.TRASH) September 12: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
PRETTY LIGHTNING (FONAL) September 13: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
MIK QUANTIUS (TOZTIZOK ZOUNDZ) September 13: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
DAGORA (TOZTIZOK ZOUNDZ) September 13: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
DAMO SUZUKI (EKTRO, ALONE) September 14 + 15 + 16: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
RAMESES (RITUAL, HYDRO-PHONIC) September 14: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
NURSE WITH WOUND (BETA-LACTAM RING) September 14: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
NEKROMANTHEON (HIGH ROLLER) September 14: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
DARKWOOD (HEIDENVOLK, TESCO ORG.) September 14: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
GNOD (BLACKEST RAINBOW) September 14: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
CON-DOM (OLD EUROPA CAFÉ, TESCO ORG.) September 15: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS (RRRECORDS) September 15: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
LA IRA DE DIOS (WORLD IN SOUND, NASONI) September 15: Zwolle, NL (Eureka)
TWINSISTERMOON (BLACKEST RAINBOW) September 15: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
LUST FOR YOUTH (AVANT!) September 15: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
CULT OF YOUTH (AVANT!, DER ANGRIFF) September 16: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
PRIMORDIAL UNDERMIND (STRANGE ATTRACTORS AUDIO HOUSE, SEPTEMBER GURLS) September 16: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
STARVE (BADGER) September 16: Tilburg, NL (Incubate Festival)
HAWKLORDS (HAWKLORDS) September 21: Eindhoven, NL (Rambler) / September 22: Drachten, NL (Iduna)
CYNICS (GET HIP) September 30: Groningen, NL (Vera) / October 1: Liège, B (t.b.a.)
OS HAXIXINS (GROOVIE) September/October t.b.a.
BECKY LEE AND DRUNKFOOT (VOODOO RHYTHM) October 10: Liège, B (Lou's Bar) / 02-11: Middelburg, NL ('t Hoff) / 04-11: Brussels, B (Madame Moustache) more dates t.b.a.
DEAN ALLEN FOYD (CRUSHER) Autumn/winter t.b.a.
SIENA ROOT (HEAD SPIN, TRANSUBSTANS, a.o.) November 16: Helmond, NL (Lakei) / November 17: Leuven, B (Sojo)
Blog
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