Paradox One
WEARING
MY REVIEWER’S HAT- ALBUM OF THE MONTH
'Album
of the Month' makes no pretence to be current, rather I respond
to when I hear music (irrespective of date of release) courtesy
of labels, friends and my own pocket!
ALBUMS
OF THE MONTH
ANTON
BARBEAU - “In The Village of the Apple Sun”
2006 has been a great year for lovers of the ‘intelligent
fractured pop’ of Sacramento writer and musician Ant Barbeau
with 3 albums released including a collaboration with The Loud Family.
With 19 tracks over 46 minutes, ‘In The Village of the Apple
Sun’ flows like a stream of psychedelic consciousness with
a brave experimental edge celebrating psychedelic rock in a way
I’ve heard on few other albums. Anton’s ‘eclectic
ensemble’ does him proud and the approach is as idiosyncratic
as a Syd Barrett or a Kevin Ayers and on some of the songs right
up there with The Beatles and XTC. Don’t miss it!
Selections for the iPod/ MP3 (A difficult choice!):
‘This is Why They Call Me Guru 7’
‘On A Bicycle Built for Bicycle 9’,
‘In The Village of the Apple Sun’
Contact: www.antonbarbeau.com
(Four-Way Records CD-23023)
(Read
the whole review in Zeitgeist)
BLUES
ALBUM OF THE MONTH DECEMBER
ERJA
LYYTINEN - “Dreamland Blues”
Erja Lyytinen is reckoned to be Finland’s
answer to Bonnie Raitt and on ‘Dreamland Blues’ you
can hear why.
While not entirely convinced by some of the material the prodigious
talents of this young Finnish singer/ songwriter and (slide) guitar
player make ‘Dreamland Blues’ for me a real discovery.
At its best on the infectious toe tapping instrumental ‘Skinny
Girl’, on a stunning rendition of Ian Parker’s ‘Mississippi
Callin’ and on her own dreamy title track, this is blues that’s
hard to beat!
(Contact www.rufrecords.de)
(RUF 1114)
PROGRESSIVE
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER
GOSTA
BERLINGS SAGA - “Tid dr Ljud”
Gosta Berlings Saga are a Swedish progressive rock
instrumental band featuring the traditional progressive line-up
including Fender Rhodes and solina and mellotron giving the music
an authentically retro sound. Stated influences include Univers
Zero and Magma but I hear time signatures and playing reminiscent
of Egg. Bruford’s progressive jazz and Triumvirat at their
best. The final number has a classic mid period King Crimson feel
to it with clever key and tempo changes complete with flute.
To be transported back in time in such a fantastic way was simply
breathtaking. Full review in a future edition of Acid Dragon prog
‘zine.
Contact www.recordheaven.net
PROGRESSIVE
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER
VILLEBRAD - “Alla Ar Har Utom Jag”
From Uppsala,
home of Kaipa Villebrad don’t disappoint in their rarified
brand of vintage progressive rock with a self avowed (early) King
Crimson/Japan influence. Musically and compositionally Villebrad
are one very impressive 4 piece following in the footsteps of Landberk,
Anglagard and Anekdoten. (Transubstans Records Trans 023)
Contact: www.recordheaven.net
Full review to appear in Acid Dragon prog zine
BLUES
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER
MAGNOLIA - “Magnolia”
Taking their
lead from progenitors the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream and Mountain,
Magnolia take their name from a Blue Cheer number and live up to
that standard and tradition. Classic heavy blues rock from Transubstans
distributed by Record
Heaven.
ALBUM
OF THE MONTH OCTOBER
‘SOMETHING DIFFERENT’
CENSUS OF HALLUCINATIONS “COH 10”
Quixotic
and quirky with a refreshing and at times spontaneous feel, the
music really flows and it sounds great through headphones. Acerbic
socio-political commentary delivered with wry humour through some
excellent creative musical soundscapes and songs. Available now
through www.aural-innovations.com/pethippy
and getting much airplay on shows such as Freedom Overflow.
PSYCHEDELIC
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
SCHNAUSER - 'KILL ALL HUMANS'
‘Kill
All Humans’ is quite simply the best psychedelic rock album
I’ve heard in ages and will appeal to all who like serious
subject matter in their music done in a humorous and infectious
way with songs that would certainly grace the Love 'Forever Changes'
songbook! Highly recommended.
Contact:
www.schnauser.co.uk
and www.pinkhedgehog.com
OCTOBER
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
BLUES/ ROOTS
DERRIN NAUENDORF - "The Rattling Wheel"
‘The
Rattling Wheel’ is his first commercial release on Rising
Records promoted by on goforit-promotions.com- ‘where the
blues crosses over’- which is an apt description of Derrin’s
music part blues, part folk, part rock, part Americana. He has assembled
a first class group of musicians who empathise perfectly with his
exquisitely emotional vocal style and every ounce of feeling is
extracted on a mixture of 11 songs, including a fair splattering
of ballads. Read the rest of the review soon in Zeitgeist.
For fans of Steve Earle etc. For more information go to www.derrin.info
CLASSIC
POP ALBUM OF THE MONTH- OCTOBER
RAY
DAVIES 'OTHER
PEOPLE'S LIVES'
It's
not often I quote other people's reviews but 'never less than fascinating
and frequently sublime' in MOJO pretty much sums it up. Believe
it or not this is Davies' first full length solo album. Listen first
hand where Blur drew the inspiration for some of their songs ('Next
Door Neighbour'). 'Things Are Gonna Change', the Neil Youngish 'After
The Fall' and 'The Tourist' are all irresistible. Going cheap in
Fopp at the moment and I believe the great man is touring in Scotland!
Go grab a copy!
JAZZ
(Mostly instrumental/ jazz/ jazz rock) ALBUM
OF THE MONTH- OCTOBER
THE
ED PALERMO BIG BAND - "TAKE
YOUR CLOTHES OFF WHEN YOU DANCE"
Wonderful,
breathtaking, fantastic, exhilarating, great sound, great production,
great musicianship, great sleeve, great concept., I run out of superlatives
to describe ‘Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance’.
It’s an album that’s not just for Frank Zappa fans,
it’s an album for everyone! Go to www.palermobigband.com
Cuneiform records.
Review to appear in Acid Dragon
SEPTEMBER
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH
PROGRESSIVE
ROCK- SEPTEMBER
GARGAMEL - “Watch for the Umbles”
The CD opens
with fuzz organ and haunting guitar arpeggios in Crimson/ Anekdoten
mood as the piece develops dramatically in finest progressive rock
style. Soon it becomes evident that I’m listening to one of
the best instrumental prog rock numbers I’ve heard in a long
time with some ‘Mirage’ period ‘Camelisms’,
dazzling tempo changes, a marvellous warbly synth solo redolent
of Triumvirat topped off by an angular guitar break. And that’s’
Tiles’, just the first 8:46 of ‘Watch for the Umbles’!....
(Read the rest of the review in a forthcoming edition of ‘Acid
Dragon’) (Will also appeal to lovers of VDGG and Jethro Tull
in approach and instrumentation)
Contact: www.recordheaven.net
SPACE
ROCK/ PSYCHEDELIA ALBUM OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER
KROMLEK - “From
Long Meg to Glastonbury Tor”
Hawkwind,
Hillage, Gong, Ozrics with vocals, space rock, psychedelia, an aboriginal
touch (the unique use of a bogeridoo- don’t ask me to explain!),
flutes, spaced out guitar, a bass player you can actually hear,
solid drumming in total empathy with a band whose songs have been
flawlessly seamed together in a re-mastered tapestry that enhances
and breathes new life into some stunning originals. Part 1 is great,
part 2 even better (This includes memorable songs like ‘My
Coat’ from Kromlek’s incarnation as When’s The
Future? And the vintage upright piano is a joy!)
If
you like your space rock this double CD has got to be the bargain
of the century. Kromlek has never sounded this good and it’s
all tastefully packaged as well!
‘From
Long Meg to Glastonbury Tor’ is the complete Kromlek more
or less and you really have no excuse for not getting a hold of
it- enjoy!
(Pet
Hippy)
Contact:
www.aural-innovations.com/pethippy
JAZZ
ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE MONTH
SOFT MACHINE- GRIDES
‘Grides’ consists of a CD of live sets by the band at
the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam two months after performing at the
London ‘Proms’ (August, 1970) and a short DVD, the first
of its kind, of a short set for Radio Bremen filmed 5 months after
the concert and featuring what many consider as the ‘classic’
Softs line up of Dean, Ratledge, Hopper and Wyatt.
Grides’ is an essential purchase for all Soft
Machine fans and is also recommended for those who wish to check
out this extraordinary part of the Canterbury scene. A fabulous
recording! Full review in future 'Acid Dragon' magazine
On
Cuneiform Records www.cuneiform.records.com
AUGUST
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH
BLUES
SUE
FOLEY- New Used Car (Ruf Records)
Sue’s ability to lead her band with her singing, song writing
and also her guitar playing while embracing a variety of musical
styles, common denominator- the blues- is astonishing! Mostly originals,
'New Used Car' won't disappoint!
Review to appear
in Zeigeist
JAZZ/ INSTRUMENTAL
Two this month
FINNEGAN'S
WAKE - "4th" (DOUBLE CD)
The music of
Finnegan’s Wake inhabits the space where jazz, classical and
rock collide. They never take the easy or predictable route and
produce original and challenging yet accessible music with a solid
melodic and rhythmic base. Their music will appeal to fans of the
avant garde and also to more mainstream rock, jazz and classical
music lovers. Highly recommended.
Contact
www.carbon-7.com
RAY
RUSSELL - "Goodbye Svengali"
"Right
up there with the greatest jazz concept albums".
Contact:
www.cuneiformrecords.com
Review in Zeitgeist
soon!
BLUES/
BOOGIE
MITCH
WOODS BIG EASY BOOGIE
Mitch teams
up with veterans of the New Orleans scene to revisit Fats Domino,
Professor Longhair syncopated piano and honking saxes with set that
is mostly original. CD/ DVD set depicting the making and realisation
of the boogie woogie equivalent of the Bueno Viasta Social Club..
Review coming up in Zeitgeist!
PROGRESSIVE
ROCK
FAMILY
- "Old Songs, New Songs"
Classic compilation
lovingly reissued by Mystic with usual informative sleeve notes
by Pete Feenstra. I really enjoyed listening to this again!
ROOTS/
WORLD
JULY
RY
COODER- CHAVEZ RAVINE
Brilliantly
realised concept- '3 Cool Cats' sits amidst songs about UFOs!
CLASSIC
‘POP’
JULY- DR DUNBAR'S MEDICINE BAND
42 minutes of sheer quality, a deliriously brilliant album. Review
in next issue of 'Acid Dragon'
INSTRUMENTAL/
JAZZ/ CLASSICAL
JULY- PANZERPAPPA- FARLIG VANDRING
‘Farlig Vandring’ is the kind of album you’ll
keep returning to and hearing something different each time. Reviewed
in next issue of ‘Acid Dragon’.
SPACE
ROCK/ ‘OUT THERE’ MUSIC
JULY- ORESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE
The music is uniquely atmospheric in a perfectly undemonstrative
way. Have a listen to the session on www.aural-innovations.com
to hear for yourself. ‘Acid Dragon’ is the place to
go for the review.
HEAVY
RETRO
WOLFMOTHER
These
Aussies certainly know their licks! Maybe not the most original
music I’ve heard but a fantastic trip back in time! No review
planned.
BLUES
WALTER TROUT- FULL CIRCLE
Featuring collaborations with artists Walter has worked with and
admired over the years like John Mayall, Jeff Healey, Junior Watson,
Guitar Shorty and James Harman, 'Full Circle' covers the whole gamut
of blues styles and is obviously a 'labour of love'. The great attention
to detail extends to the informative sleeve and Walter's total enthusiasm
for the project can be heard in an album that is an absolute must
for blues lovers.
(Ruf Records)
Full review in Zeitgeist
soon!
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2005
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2004
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2003
RECOMMENDED RELEASES OF 2002
/ 2001
Please
e-mail me at phil@paradoxone.co.uk
for further information on any of these albums
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