Custard Flux - Einsteinium Delirium

My initial reaction on hearing Custard Fluxs' - Einsteinium Delirium was 'f*ck me, he's done it again'; granted a crude initial review, but accurate as he has. Chicagos' musical sorcerer supreme and all round renaissance man Gregory Curvey returns with 'Einsteinium Delirium' his fifth serving of Custard Flux, and as you'd expect it's aurally delicious. An artist not content to sit on his laurels, Curvey's dialling the whole Custard Flux project up another notch, 10 having long disappeared in the rear view mirror. There's definitely a different energy to 'Einsteinium Delirium', as Curvey says 'it's no holds barred electric', and isn't it, man. Ten stand out, original and distinct, beautifully composed and crafted, and perfectly performed prog/psyche/pop tracks delivered with meticulous attention to detail by musicians of high standing, all round as tight as a gnats chuff. Instantly engaging short punchy numbers that really reach out and grab you from an album that flows with ease and is an absolute joy to listen to. There's no time wasters here, Einsteinium Delirium starts strong with 'Peace and Love' and continues in that vein right up to the fading notes of 'Fat Man'. Mediocrity isn't in Curveys' vocabulary, this is the good shit. Curvey's a unique talent, a lover of complex melodies with a distinct composing, guitar and vocal style which lend themselves to an instantly recognizable sound; a sound here augmented, complimented and enhanced by the addition of Vito Greco on guitar and Portuguese guitar; Timothy Prettyman on bass guitar; Nick Pruett on drums and percussion; and Andy Thompson on mellotron. An ensemble of pure class and distinction. Custard Flux albums are always lyrically interesting as well as musically so, and on Einsteinium Delirium Curvey explores the theme of the atomic bomb, apposite for our times with the renewed threat of nuclear oblivion being mooted. It's not a heavy listen though, far from it. Richly embellished with solid rhythms, glorious riffs, soaring guitars and some marvellous mellotron, it's an absolutely smashing album. Only one complaint, instrumental track 'Transmutation', a sumptuous soaring cinematic soundscape just wasn't long enough, beyond that I salute you sirs. Another resounding Custard Flux success. Check it out here. 

 

Custard Flux are doing a handful of UK gigs July 28th, Kozfest, Devon; August 1st, Half Moon, London; August 2nd, Visual Radio Arts, (not sure if that's a gig or a studio performance) and August 3rd, 20th Dream Fest, Cardigan. If you can go and you don't you'll regret it, this is a rare opportunity indeed.

Electric Crayon Set - Laughing in the Clouds

 

Upon receiving my last package from Fruits de Mer Records I discovered an additional album with an accompanying card reading 'It's a windfall! A complimentary record from Fruits de Mer Records, just because we're in a good mood...and we found a few spare copies down the back of the sofa', how cool, eh, and much appreciated. I'd never heard of Finnish psyche pop combo Electric Crayon Set; I have now and they're bloody good. Electric Crayon Set are Seppo Tyni on bass, guitars, synth and keys, Timo Lilja on drum and precussion, and Timo Paakko vocals, guitars, synth and keys; with additional guitar from Juha Kormano, harpsicord from Pekka Tyni, vocals from Vilma Paakko and backing vocals from Katariina and Veera Lohiniva. 'Laughing in the Clouds' is a wonderfully upbeat romp through the world of psychedelic and progressive music, and although Finnish there's a real Britishness to their sound, specifically 70s/80's progressive pop psyche with a side helping of Mod aesthetic. Electric Crayon Set have added their own contemporary spin on the familiar to create a original take and sound on a favourite genre; each track is an aural joy, it's a lovely album, thoroughly listen-able. A stand out track for me is 'Calling on the cards', especially loving the vibe and production on that one; beautiful vocals by Vilma Paakko, first class. I wholeheartedly recommend this album, and a band to keep your eye on.

'Laughing in the Clouds' by the Electric Crayon Set is available on Psychotron Records; if this is the calibre of their releases, a label to watch.

Soft Hearted Scientists

 

There's nothing not to like about 'Waltz of the Weekend' by Soft Hearted Scientists, and so much to love. Originally released on CD in May 2023, Fruits de Mer records have recently re-released it on vinyl, and as you'd imagine it's really rather special. Soft Hearted Scientists are psychedelic beat combo out of Wales, a band of highly accomplished musicians and lyrical bards sui generis in their field. With a wonderful mid 60's musical aesthetic, the period when the mods met mushrooms and music took on a distinctly psychedelic flavour, the band create tracks which span genres and flavours. The scientists are Michael Bailey on bass; Paul Jones on guitars and backing vocals; Dylan Line on keyboards, electronics and sound effects; Nathan Hall on Lead and backing vocals, guitars, keyboards, electronics and sound effects; and Spencer Segelov and Frank Naughton on drums. And collectively they conjure magic.

A magic that transports the psychenaut into the unique psychedelic world of the Soft Hearted Scientists' to be regaled with weird, whimsical and wonderful musical tales. Musically high order, and lyrically peerless 'Waltz of the Weekend' is a psychedelic masterpiece, utterly original, a reflection of the Soft Hearted Scientists themselves. This is psychedelia done different. 'What Grows Inside The Garden' kicks off the album divinely, a dreamy pop psyche number with a happy and sunny disposition lifted higher by some lovely guitar and nice harmonies. Whilst the titular track 'Waltz of the Weekend' puts one in mind of music you'd imagine you'd hear on Summerisle, it's processional folkish hypnotic melody has you swaying along as if in a trance. The 'Sea Anemone Song' has a haunting quality to it, a quality which runs through the entire album, something intangible; 'The Things we make' with it's beautifully drifty otherworldly atmosphere has oodles of that vibe, it's a truly beautiful track, loveliest on the album. Side two begins with the quirky 'Rode my Bike' about a frustrated and ill fated cycle which with it's infectious melody is psyche-poptastic. 'Gadzooks' is more optimistic singing of hopes for better rides and days to come, an eloquent and defiant counterbalance to its predecessor. Next 'Who loves the Moon' exemplifies how Soft Hearted Scientists enchantingly blend jaunty upbeat melodies with wistful and melancholic lyrical themes. There's genius in their composition and writing, their adroit juxtaposition of dark themes with catchy melodies are always exquisitely executed. Take the 'Fixer', an upbeat tale of a righteous hitman, a mod revivalist sounding tune if ever there was. Then psyche pop takes a particularly dark turn in 'Vicious Vivian'. Finishing side three 'Creeper and the vines', a charmingly wistful warning of the joys and perils of alcohol has a jolly sing along feel to it.  The 'Venus Fly Trap Song', is a dark tale of defiance in the face of systemic injustice and eventual escape from it. As for the final track 'Lost Mariners', it's simply the bollocks. A bitter-sweet tale of oceanic adventure and loss, like the ocean it's a track with depth, a richly textured and sweeping sound-scape of guitars and synth accompanied by haunting vocals, with an eerie 70's sci-fi synth fade out. Unequivocally fabulous. Cap doffed.

That's where the album ends on the CD or digital versions, although if you buy the vinyl copy you've still a third disc of outstanding remixes to enjoy; 'Sea Anemones in the Benthic Abyss', 'The Garden of Wavering Fronds', 'My Bike Verses The Dandy Horse', and finally 'Waltz Through The Weekend' a glorious 16.42 min mix exploring the entire album, you also get a nice colour booklet of the lyrics.

There's not a moment on this album I don't love, I can't say enough good things about it. An album with genuine warmth, every note is performed to perfection, every musical t crossed and i dotted, absolutely faultless throughout, you can tell the love and attention poured into it. If you buy but one album this year, buy this one. Check the Soft Hearted Scientists on their bandcamp, everything they do is sublime, as is Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals material. Or, if you're after the vinyl release of 'Waltz of the Weekend' go check out Fruits de Mer, purveyors of quality music.

Phospurous by Custard Flux

 

A 4th serving of Custard Flux, Phosphorus, was dished up in the Autumn of 2022, with the vinyl release in August 2023. I recently availed myself of a copy and wasn't disappointed. Best known for being the driving force behind The Luck Of Eden Hall and his countless contributions on other musical projects Gregory Curvey is an accomplished multi instrumentalist, composer, artist and artisan, Detroits' very own renaissance man. Custard Flux is his evolving project based around a harmonium he restored, and with 3 albums already under his belt the distinctive sound of Custard Flux is developing nicely.

 

There's been little change to the line up in the band since 2020's 'Oxygen', beyond the departure of Walt Prettymans' violin and the addition of the flute and backing vocals of progressive space rocker Jay Tausing the band remains the same. The fantastic talent of Vito Greco on guitars, including some particularly nice Portuguese guitar; the return of Timothy Prettymans' excellent double bass; legendary saxophonist Mars Williams brings a proggy jazz atheistic, with echoes of Gong-est atmospheres at moments; and drums, percussion, piano, harmonium, harpsichord, auto-harp, and of course dazzling guitar and distinct vocals delivered by Curvey himself. 

 

Always setting the bar high Curvey consistently surpasses it, and he's done it again with 'Phosphorus'. As you'd imagine Phosphorous shares core DNA with it's predecessors, though again further evolved and augmented. As with previous Custard Flux releases there's plenty to enjoy. Laden with inventive genre spanning compositions where progressive rock dances with cerebral psyche along to pop beats, arrangements with a classical air which give them a certain gravitas, and always tracks that you feel could surprise you at any moment, and often do, Phosphorous is an aural feast. Curvey has a unique style and sound, lover of complex melodies and wonderful riffs, always lyrically interesting, his distinctive and inimitable creative style runs through his work like Brighton through rock, and Phosphorous is no different.  This is another fabulous album from Custard Flux, you'd be mental not to avail yourself of a copy. Absolute quality elegantly performed to perfection by a top flight ensemble. Cap doffed.

Get your double 150g blue or black vinyl, housed in a quality card stock gate fold sleeve adorned inside and out by some fine art by Gregory Chamberlain, plus lyric sheet and postcards, from Custard Flux. Bloody Lovely.

People Under The Stairs ''O.S.T.''

Now, I'm by no means a 'hippity hop' aficionado, but I know what I like, and from the first time I heard People Under The Stairs I was immediately taken by the quality of Thes One and Double K's work. So when I heard there'd been a repressing of People Under The Stairs' 2002 release ''O.S.T.'' available, I had to snap a copy up. The album arrived this morning and moments later disk one was spinning; compared to mp3 the vinyl is a whole different listening experience, man, a far richer and more textured listen. Ostensibly a traditional straight up hip hop album, it's apparent simplicity belies the genius and beauty of it's meticulous crafting, keeping the sound of O.S.T simultaneously classic and fresh; employing the best samples, all masterfully woven, deepest laid back grooves, and the finest old skool breaks and beats, ''O.S.T.'' is just so good. I thoroughly recommend this enjoyable album; an album that's impossible not to move to; hip hop at it's most organic and purest. Perfect!

Ouzo Bazooka

Ouzo Bazooka return with their spanking new fifth album 'Dalya', and it's a real aural joy, two sides of solid tracks, all in the band's uniquely Middle Eastern flavoured psyche. As we've come to expect from Tel Aviv's premier psyche rock minstrels Ouzo Bazooka, Dalya is pure quality by every metric. There's a smorgasbord psyche infused flavours to enjoy, and more beyond, a smidge of prog, a sniff of pop, a hint of something jazzy, 'Monsters' perfectly paced hypnotic rhythm has an air of folk to it, whilst 'Million years of Light' and 'It's a Menace' have a nice electronica feel to them. If there's one thing Dalya has in oodles its an uplifting energy, I defy you not to find yourself nodding, swaying, foot tapping or in some way moving to the captivating beat of this album! Take 'Kruv', made to move to, cool eastern funkiness with a thread of lovely 60's aesthetic... great live I'd imagine. Dalya is a fabulous album. Consummate musicians one and all, Ouzo Bazooka are a tight sounding outfit with a rich sound exquisitely blending strands of psychedelic music with organic middle eastern influences to create something immensely listen-able and original, and they just get better. It's a lovely clean pressing too, fantastic sound quality, on a wonderful purple/black splatter on opaque clear vinyl, all beautifully packaged.  Everyone needs some Ouzo Bazooka in their music collection, check them out here or here, guaranteed not to disappoint.

DDT Freshwater

 

DDT return with their second album release 'Freshwater', and what a corker it is too. DDT (Dieter, Duvall and Taibi) are a merging of members of Carlton Melton and White Manna, two exceptional bands in their own rights, though when combined...well, far out. Also on this release, the added talents of messrs Rich Millman and Nicholas Talvola.

Freshwater differs greatly from it's predecessor 'Enter the Bend', although as you'd imagine is equally engaging listening. The opening track 'divided attention' is a 60's acid soaked beauty, all shamanistic drums, spacey reverb and echo, then it's off at speed courtesy of some lovely tripped out spacerock psyche following the 'ley Lines'. The acid kicks back in as we meet the 'Stick figures', all jazzy tones and rich spacey textures melting into a psychedelic pool of eerie in 'always return', through which the hypnotic shamanistic drums are again 'unearthed'. Smashing! Side one is akin to the Carleton Melton gig experience, an aural journey, it flowed beautifully.  Side two has an all round heavier sound to it, opening to the distorted guitars and pounding rhythm of 'Set Alight', a nice heavy psyche sound, the tone is set. 'Crows Know', is a tasty slice spacerock psyche. Whilst 'Dynamo' is just that, an intense driving track. 'Marking the Clouds', offers a brief psyche jazz distraction before 'The Second Third' drops like heavy gravity, droning guitar and electronic textures conjuring the discordant ominousness of a 70's cult film soundtrack, which ends the album in reverberating distortion.  And....wow! What a fabulous album, man, absolutely marvellous from start to finish, DDT have created a wonderfully rich psychedelic gestalt from myriad psyche family facets. An album with more than a hint of 60's/70's psychedelic attitude, and plenty of heft to boot; all performed by exceptional musicians...what's not to love.  The whole package is a beautiful thing too, you can lose yourself in the stunning artwork on the outer sleeve, and the vinyl, what a cool coloured splatter, quality pressing as well. Part of the vinyl experience has always been the sleeves, a nod needs to go out to artists who keep that experience a rich one, from the photo above you see that the feast DDT serve is not just for the ears. Check it out on Bandcamp or at Drone Records.

Regal fail

There was nothing regal about either of these deliveries through Royal Mail. Yesterday I received a vinyl album package marked 'Fragile' with a chunk taken out of it; the outer sleeve was mauled and effectively ruined, lovely artwork too, and the inner sleeve was ripped, though thankfully the vinyl itself was unscathed and played perfectly. Good job too, as the album has sold out! Unbelievable. Then this morning  another package arrived, a graphic novel I'd sough. My package arrived inside a cable tied Royal Mail bag, no explanation or ought, the package in the bag covered in goo, upon opening the inner package I found the afore mentioned goo had leaked inside.... and graphic novel too had been ruined whilst in the care of the Royal Mail! Pretty rubbish.

The Continuing Escapades of the Soft Hearted Scientists

I first heard The Soft Hearted Scientists via their exceptional 2013 compilation on Fruits de Mer Records 'Whatever Happened to the Soft Hearted Scientists' which I was gifted by a friend....and from that first listen I've loved them. The term unique is bandied about a lot, often undeservedly, although the Soft Hearted Scientists truly deserve the title and with knobs on too. Their sound? Man, that's a difficult one. The Soft Hearted Scientists are one of those hard to accurately explain bands, being so musically nebulous labels easily slip off...original though definitely has secure tenure. Ostensibly though their tracks are 60's/70's soaked gentle upbeat little psyche pop numbers imbued with a warm floaty-ness, though delve through that veneer and look a little deeper, listen to the lyrics and some darker themes emerge, with some tunes becoming a delicious mix of jaunty melancholia. Musically and lyrically every track is magnificent, richly rendered with boundless depth, and all beautifully crafted. This second vinyl compilation released again on the Fruits de Mer Records label (the foremost purveyor of psychedelic unique and place I've discovered so many great artists) is a wonderful companion for the first, it retains the high standards initially set and as the title suggests, continues their musical journey. The Continuing Escapades of the Soft Hearted Scientists is a real dream for anyone who already digs the bands unique musical flavours, or anyone who has a proclivity for music with character.  Sit back and soak up 8 sides, yeah you read right '8' sides of pure aural magic. The first 4 sides are tracks from the bands 2005 to 2016 albums, this time round focusing on albums 4 to 7, and then the last 4 sides are glorious side long mixes of Soft Hearted Scientist tracks by that masterful mixer Swordfish of Astralasia...shit doesn't get much better than that. As you'd expect from Fruits de Mer Records the whole caboodle is beautifully presented, 4 cleanly pressed coloured vinyls housed in a quality card sleeve. Absolutely smashing! You should check out their Bandcamp page, there's a wealth of cool music to be found from both The Soft Hearted Scientists and Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals.

Death Valley Girls, Darkness Rains

When I'm listing to the radio I'll often note down bands that prick my ear, a couple of years ago whilst listing to Iggy's 6 Music show I jotted down the 'Death Valley Girls' and, as is too often my way, forgot about them. Then recently I came across a performance of theirs on KEXP (always worth checking out), and promptly ordered 'Darkness Rains' their 2018 album...that's me all over, always late to the party.  And wow, what a fantastic album, currently to be found spinning on my platter with great frequency. Death Valley Girls have a fabulous sound, reminiscent of when elements of the emerging punk scene met experimental rockers in the mid late 70's with some finding mutually fruitful ground, the proto-punk types, essentially it's quality rock and roll with a really nice punk atheistic running through it, and a sprinkling of psychedelia for good measure...I love it! It also reminds me, energy wise, of some the late 70's to early 90's Free Festival bands, there's that immediacy that's synonymous with the best of punk rock and DIY festy music. With the powerful rhythm section of Laura Harris on drums and Alana Amram on bass/vocals setting a solidly heavy foundation, the short punchy tracks really thunder along, their energy bursts right out of your speakers. It's an uplifting energy too. Larry Schemel's guitar is appropriately fuzzy and dirty, outstanding work, which jabs out at you demanding attention. And then there's Bonnie Bloomgarden's vocals, and well, man, she has a voice made for a band and songs like these, just frickin perfect. I find Bonnie's voice so engaging, and she's no slouch on guitar and organ either.  A classic four piece, well yeah, to a point. That's the core line up of the Death Valley Girls, but, man, there were so many others participating on this album: Nicole 'Pickles' Smith on bass, Laura 'The Kid' Kelsey on drums, Mark Rains on percussion, Mark Cisneros on saxophone, Sean Solomon on saxophone, Glenn Brigman on Organ/keys and Kisten Leonard, Alex James and Shannon Lay on vocals...and you know what, I have no idea who's doing what on which tracks, as there's no detailed legend. Baa, so what, all I know is that it all sounded excellent, and I say bravo y'all, I doff my cap, your gestalt creation is a beautiful thing. I have to say though, I'll single out the sax players for praise for their particularly marvellous performances, I do enjoy a bit of sax, they really brought something cool to the party.  As did Bloomgarden and Brigham's performances on organ/keys which also shone. Proficient musicians one and all, Death Valley Girls have done well to keep a raw and real feel to their sound, Darkness Rains is an outstanding album...check it out. I imagine they're flipping ace live too.

DDT 'Enter the Bend'

Cor blimey! This is really good, man. The fruit of a mind meld between members of psychedelic big hitters Carlton Melton and White Manna, 'Enter The Bend' by DDT (Dieter, Duvall and Taibi) is bloody marvellous! Enter the Bend is all rich organic flavours, heavy with psychedelic drones, deeply hypnotic shamanic trancey rhythms, with myriad streams of trippiness intricately woven  throughout, earthy as f*ck too. Enter the Bend picks you up and carries you off, time dissipates as you immerse yourself in the aural world DDT have crafted for our listening pleasure, the musicianship of all involved is, of course, top shelf. And, when the needle finally runs out of groove, you're left wanting more. I played it through four times in a row on receipt, and with each play I was drawn in further. It's a meditation, man. It's a quality pressing too, the vinyl comes in either a groovy splatter of ‘Multiple Greens’ (named after one of the tracks on the album) or classic black, all packaged in a sturdy sleeve and with a colour insert. Enter the Bend is surely one of the best releases of the year, check it out, it doesn't disappoint. This is the good shit, and no mistake!

The Past Tense 'Time stands still' on 7'' orange vinyl

We are the Mods (repeat), we are, we are, we are the Mods! I could just leave it there, as I reckon that sums up what you've got here quiet accurately. I remember chanting 'we are the Mods', during the late 70's Modernist revival, I loved everything about mod culture, though in particular I loved, and still love, the music, both that of the 60's and the revival era. So, what a lovely treat listening to The Past Tense is, I'd first heard them when they performed the opening track on FdM's 'The Three Seasons', a smashing rendition of The Attack's 'Magic in the air'.  'Time Stands Still' is all original 60's  tracks from both sides of the Atlantic, plucked from the period when here Mods were discovering psychedelics and America had turned on, tuned in and was dropping out, and that cultural mind shift was reflected in the music of the period. The Past Tense have taken that distinct 60's Mod psyche sound, infused it with elements of the later 70's/early 80's modernist revival sound and have masterfully brought it into the present. You can tell that The Past Tense love Mod music too, they must do to have reproduced that sound so perfectly, the care and attention to detail they've employed creating an endearing authenticity to their sound. Many of tracks are from bands, that if I'm honest, I'd never heard of, but, man, all of the tracks are pure gold. This release is another FdM ferrero rocher moment, as not only is there 'Time Stands Still', a lovely four track orange vinyl 7'', there's also an accompanying ten track CD 'Across the Pond...And back again', marvellous. Spoilt, or what! Check it out here.

A vinyl release for Custard Flux's Helium

Oh happy day! My vinyl copy of Custard Flux's 'Helium' arrived this morning and as you'd expect, man, it sounds absolutely marvellous. High quality is always assured where Gregory Curvey's concerned and this release maintains those high standards in every regard. It goes without saying that the musical content represents the finest in psychedelic rock/pop/prog delivered by one of the genres foremost proponents and most talented writers and multi-instrumentalists. Here's my review of 'Helium' on it's initial release. I loved it then and love it now, best release of 2018. And, here's what I said when on hearing 'Helium' was getting a vinyl release, featuring all 16 songs included on both Helium and the bonus material included in the album's deluxe CD box set addition. The vinyl release of 'Helium' is an all round quality package, it's a nice clean pressing, the two Raspberry coloured 180g LPs are subtly marbled, nice, there's a lyric sheet, a sticker, a 6” x 8” postcard, and it's all housed in a 1/4” spined, high grade card jacket, packaged in a reusable plastic bag. The first 10 ordered had a set of cards which had been included in the deluxe CD box set, which was very cool. There was also a CD copy of Helium's fabulous companion album 'Echo', if you like Helium then you'll love Echo (Here's my review of 'Echo'). I recommend you buy this album now, thus avoiding yourself inevitable future disappointment on realizing they've sold out. 

Custard Flux's Helium album gets a viynl release

Last years album of the year, Custard Flux's Helium, is getting a vinyl release, oh the joy! The brainchild of the Luck of Eden Hall's Gregory Curvey, Helium is focused around a harmonium Curvey found and restored, subsequently creating an album for which he wrote all songs and played all the instruments. I raved about Helium when it was released, and with good reason, it's a tour de force of musician and artist Gregory Curvey's manifest talents. You must check it out. To mark the announcement came the release of the bonus material found in the sumptuous Custard Flux Helium box edition, of which there are only a couple left. Five wonderful tracks, each one highlighting different aspects of Curvey's musical palette and creative ear. I've said it before, he's a musical magpie, sipping at infinite wells, an alchemist crafter of the unique.  A stand out track for me is Curvey's interpretation of Reed's 'Satatlite of Love', it's gentle tempo and marvellous harmonium conjures up an image of a wandering minstrel serenading someone slowly floating away from Earth. It's an inspired rendition, the harmonium is simply wonderful. This is going to be an excellent release, ''two Raspberry coloured 180g LPs featuring all 16 songs included on both the Helium and Box Set Bonus CDs, housed in a jacket with a 1/4” spine, and kept neat in a reusable plastic bag, plus a lyric sheet and a 6” x 8” postcard''. Doesn't that sound good. And it's available to pre-order now.

Really?

Who the bally heck had the bright idea of producing a 7'' single with a 45rpm side and a 33.3rpm side? Why is that a thing? Why would you do that?  I've never come across a single like this before, or I can't remember anyway. The whys aside, I picked up a groovy 7'' single in a charity shop today; Ten Year After's 1970 'Love Like a Man', one side the studio version at 45rpm, and on the other a version recorded live at 33.3rpm. Although the labels have been defaced with scribble, the actual disc plays clean. It's a great single, a great track, from a classic British blues rock band of the late 1960's early 1970's and both versions are good listening. If you have to change the belt to change the speed on your turntable, as I do, I'm still confused as to whether this single is hindrance or help. Still, nice find.

The Butterfly Revolutions

Far out, man! A good friend of mine gave me a really thoughtful and generous gift...a vinyl copy of The Luck of Eden Hall's 2011 double album 'The Butterfly Revolutions'. Very kind. Late to the The Luck of Eden Hall party, I happened to hear a track on a Fruits de Mer sampler CD in afore mentioned friends car back in early 2016, and immediately loved their sound and energy. I subsequently ordered their 2016 album 'The Acceleration of Time', which is a wonderful album. The following years 'Mighty Machines', was a magnificent and pertinent psychedelic rock opus for our times. And this year TLoEH's Gregory Curvey's release as Custard Flux 'Helium' is just a joy.  If you like good music I recommend you check them out, everything I've heard to date is aural joy. So, I'm looking forward to looking backward, and to hearing some of the bands earlier material. The earliest album I have is 2014's Victoria Moon, another great album. 2011 is way down the time tunnel, and I can't wait to find out what the band sounded like then!

Elfin Bow and Gary Lloyd

Elfin Bow and Gary Lloyd have released a fabulous single on the Fruit de Mer Records label, Elfin Bow is musician and artist Elizabeth Anne Jones, and Gary Lloyd a respected composer, with them the Scottish Session Orchestra. I'll be honest I'd heard of none of them, and choose this single primarily as I liked the name 'Elfin Bow' (cool name), that, and I've yet to get a record from FdM that I don't enjoy. Well, what a lovely record. The A side is a beautiful arrangement of Sandy Denny's classic 'Who knows where the time goes', and one that really does the original justice. Elizabeth's got an absolutely gorgeous voice, and uses it wonderfully, doing a fantastic job with this classic. The original has a mournful feel to it, I think, whereas Elfin Bow has managed to elevated the mood, whilst retaining the gravitas and emotional essence of the original. Elizabeth's dreamlike honeyed vocals complimenting Sandy's lyrics, invoking those images of open fires in winter bound cottages, of the cycles of the year and of life. It's a really lovely interpretation. And the addition of the orchestra just hits you, man, and when it cuts in proper it adds drama, real depth and warmth, elevating the song even further, a grand interpretation. Masterful, man. As good as the Denny reworking is, and it is, what I love best is the B side.  A stunning reworking of Elfin Bow's 'The Wisdom'.  The original with Elizabeth's beautiful vocals is lovely enough (I checked it out on Bandcamp), though, on this track her voice is absolutely mesmerizing, man, transporting you to magical realms, maybe that's the 'elf', in Elfin Bow. Again, the addition of the orchestra lifts an already impressive track to something simply wonderful, the perfect juxtaposition of simple folk and grand orchestra. Both re-workings are enchanting, Elizabeth's voice is heavenly throughout, and massive kudos to Gary Lloyd and the Scottish Session Orchestra whose performances on both tracks are remarkable. A really lovely single. As with all FdM releases it's a quality release with attention to detail, a lovely gate-fold sleeve housing a pastel pink 7inch vinyl, go on buy one, you'll love it. Also, go check Elfin Bow out.

A fantastic release FdM, I'd have more like this.

And, if you fancy a trip, play it at 33rpm (both sides), go on, it's amazing what you get. 

Little fishies

A Fruits de Mer parcel through your door never fails to bring a broad smile to your face, and why wouldn't it, Fruits de Mer Records produce the most exquisite musical ear treats. Today a wonderful quadrigeminal of 7 inch's by: Elfin Bow and Gary Lloyd, The Chemistry Set, Nick Nicely and Touch. That's rarely all with a FdM delivery, included today the fabulous Swordfish and the Toad 'the first road trip', a mix exploring the FdM archives (all I've listened to, so far) and a Christmas postcard.  A nice touch, and always appreciated. I was late to the  Fruits de Mer party, and came to the label a couple of years ago through a selection of FdM mix CD's in a friends car, track after track of music which simply just hits that sweet spot, well, my musical sweet spot anyway. What FdM does, it does brilliantly. Attention to detail runs through the label like Brighton through rock, primarily in the choice of artists, all unique, all selected from a wide psychedelic spectrum and all with their own certain magic, the records are usually colourful quality pressings with a great deal of consideration put into the sleeves as well, the whole thing smacks of class. Anyway, these little fishies will not be going on the little dishy, rather on to the spinning platter. I'm off to listen the heck out of these beauties.

Trojan Records

Today's charity shop find, three Trojan Record albums, Greatest Hits Vols.1 & 2 and Reggae Chart Busters Vol. 3. What a smashing find, although they're all quite dirty, they all play well, even before cleaning, and each album is packed with cracking tracks. Very happy, man.

Oh happy day

To paraphrase Sun Tzu, if you wait by the river long enough, all that you seek with float by, and I've been standing on that river bank waiting for this to come into sight for an age now.  Bobby Gentry's 'Ode To Billie Joe'.  I've wanted a vinyl copy of this for years and knew one day (like many others I seek) it would turn up in a charity shop record box. I've searched those boxes regularly. Over the years I've come across two other Bobby Gentry albums, both nice, 'Fancy' (released in the UK as 'I'll never fall in love again') and 'Way down South' (the 1972 release of Gentry's 1968 The Delta Sweete'), and today there it was, a lovely condition, vinyl and cover, 'Ode To Billie Joe' for a quid. Oh happy day!