Echo by Custard Flux

Psychedelic maestro Gregory Curvey returns with a second helping of gorgeous Custard Flux in form of 'Echo'. If you don't know who Gregory Curvey is, he's the multi-talented musician, artist, artisan, front man and driving force behind one of the psychedelic genre's leading bands, The Luck of Eden Hall. Custard Flux is a solo project of his based around a dilapidated harmonium he discovered and restored. Helium was the first serving of psychedelic Custard Flux, rich and musically tasty it was too, then there was an bonus spoonful with the general release of  the 'extras',  which had been included in the sumptuous Deluxe Helium Box Set (now sold out).

I love Helium, it's a brilliant album standing head and shoulders above the crowd, easily the best release of 2018 (and soon to be available as a double vinyl release). Could Curvey equal that brilliance? Of course he could, and as always, he's excelled himself. Echo's been conceived in that same bubbling custard cauldron, and its time simmering has allowed it to develop even richer deeper flavours. From the opening track, the wonderfully energetic 'Supernatural', Echo has you captivated and you'll dance to its tune, it's stunning album. If you're expecting Helium 2 then you're in for a surprise, Echo may share Helium's DNA, though an evolved, expanded and mutated version of it. Curvey's crafted another genuinely unique sounding album, and a worthy companion for Helium. Again, it's an acoustic album (beyond a brief foray with an electric guitar) with Gregory playing piano, harmonium, guitars, auto-harp, mouth-harp and drums, he's also written all the music and lyrics (other than one track co-written with Tim Ferguson) as well as delivering his instantly recognizable vocals...and I bet he mixed and produced it too. Amazing. Interestingly, this time around he's added a couple of new ingredients in Timothy Prettyman's double bass and Walt Prettyman's violin. I have to say, genius additions. The new instruments are immediately noticeable, Timothy Prettyman's terrific double basses richer more earthy bass tones add depth to the rhythm section, and good violin simply lifts music to a higher ethereal level, and Walt Prettyman's sensational violin playing does that in spades. I think Walt Prettyman's violin transforms the Custard Flux sound, in him Curvey found a philosopher's stone.

Gregory's a proficient and musically eloquent multi-instrumentalist, with a distinct guitar and vocal style.  He has an ear for detail, and is a tonal alchemist with a magpie's eye, who sips from myriad springs of inspiration. He takes disparate ingredients and creates aural magic, always something original, although something with that indubitable Curvey watermark running through it, and always something marvellously psychedelic. With Echo, Curvey has taken Custard Flux to new heights, serving up a heavenly cordon bleu feast of psychedelia, with a healthy helping of progressive accoutrements all liberally topped with tasty pop croutons. Très magnifique! Like any good feast it's how the flavours complement each other, which were chosen and how they were blended that makes all the difference. At this too, Curvey is king. A hint of mid 60's London and a smidgen of later 60's west coast ('Pink Indians' has a glorious Zappa-esque feel), a generous pinch of 70's atmosphere and just a wisp of the 80's, all add piquancy. Each track has an individual character, and to some there's a certain cinematic feel, like they'd work in a soundtrack or make a good video.  A favourite of mine 'Gold' is a track you could imagine making a great a video, the lyrics evoke such strong imagery. Evocative lyrics is another of Gregory's manifest skills, a proper bard, he's able to deliver emotionally resonant lyrics as in 'Cirque d’Enfant', an enchanting track, really lovely (and the track with the electric guitar), and he's equally at home lampooning too, take 'America', a wry look at the reality of the American dream, beautifully observed, relevant and essential, as if people don't point, nobody looks. From start to finish Echo enthrals you, taking you on a astounding aural journey, and as the final track 'Suns and Daughters' (which leaves you feeling warm and uplifted) fades you're left wanting more. As is consistent with Gregory's work there's no filler, man, every note counts, the detail, the wonderful melodies, and the fabulous flourishes, all beautifully composed and elegantly performed to perfection. Echo represents the finest in contemporary psychedelic music, no, really Custard Flux's Echo  transcends genre labels, put simply... it's bloody good music. I doff my cap to you sir!

Echo is an album you'll want to have in your collection. It's available now through bandcamp as a digital download or on CD, with a vinyl release later in the year. Go on, spoil yourself, buy this album!