Pearl Charles Magic Mirror

 

Magic Mirror is a 2021 release by the wonderful Pearl Charles, I've just discovered it, and I love it. Pearls music takes a definite 70’s aesthetic and contemporizes it to absolutely glorious effect, her compositions have a timeless quality to them without feeling dated. Pearls' voice is versatile, adapting flawlessly and with ease to the nature of the song she's performing. She has an adorable voice too, it’s captivating and always perfectly measured for the individual track. Which ever musical direction she takes, she nails it. This is a nice album. Nice being an undervalued term, accessible, engaging and always a pleasure to listen to, it's rare I don't listen to it twice through. Nice indeed. I love every track though for some reason I don't feel myself sticks out, lovely sound and feel to it. And behind her, a superb ensemble of clearly accomplished musicians, it's quite the line up too: Ryan Miller – drums, percussion; Connor "Catfish" Gallaher – guitar, pedal steel; Michael Rault – guitar, keyboards; Lewis Pesacov – guitar, keyboards; Max Mart – pedal steel, keyboards; Drew Erickson – keyboards; Mitchell Toshida – keyboards; Farmer Dave Scher – keyboards; Bradleah Mac – horns; Stewart Cole – horns; Matt Popieluch – banjo; Magic Mirror Quartet – strings and of course the wonderful Pearl Charles herself on lead vocals and percussion. There’s a lightness and ease to their combined performances as if the music simply flows through them effortlessly. Check Magic Mirror out here it bloody lovely.

Enter Xenon by Custard Flux

 

Detroits' renaissance man Gregory Curvey returns with his sixth serving of custard flux, the fantastic Enter Xenon. Custard Flux developed from a project of Luck of Eden Hall front man Gregory Curvey to restore a 100 year old harpsichord. From that restoration Helium was born, a solo album written and performed entirely by Curvey. Since then Custard Flux has developed and evolved, five albums later the sound has transmuted some and an ensemble has burgeoned: Nick Pruett on drums and percussion, Timothy Prettyman on bass guitar, Vito Greco on guitar, Andy Thompson on the mellotron, and Curvey on vocals, guitar, synthesizers mellotron, and tape Loops. Evidence if needed that mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Now, it's impossible to pigeon hole the Flux sound, beyond that it has Curvey running through it like Brighton through rock. There's so much going on.  Enter Xenon is a suite of unique and deftly arranged numbers which seamlessly blend progressive, psychedelic, pop, and rock flavours with a smidgen of je ne sais quoi. Enter Xenon is an exercise in musical alchemy. Pure magic. Playful sounding fast paced jangle psyche tracks juxtapose with prog-tastic flights of fantasy, there's noticeable space rock aesthetic running through the entire album too. Take The Oblivion Capsule, a wonderfully drifty space rock number with a spoonful of early 90's ambient psyche making it a blissful listen. As you'd expect from Curvey there's no filler, every track furthers your journey of aural exploration until you enter the The Floating Chamber. The pièce de résistance, The Floating Chamber is a progressive space rock opus which glides gracefully through a psychedelic expanse, pulling you in its' wake until you're slingshot into infinity. Smashing track. If I had one complaint it would that I'd have liked the titular Enter Xenon, a psychedelic synth number with an after rave chill out ambience, to be longer. As you'd imagine all the tracks are beautifully crafted, wondrously lyrical, performed to perfection with superb production, a testament to the calibre of the musicians, every instrument shines brightly, and together they've created magic. Custard Flux represents the gold standard of progressive psyche, and I doff my cap to another exceptional album. Check it out here, and whilst you're there be sure check out the back Custard Flux catalogue too.

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.

Magic Bus, The Earth Years

All aboard! Devon's psychedelic dreamers Magic Bus have pulled into town bringing with them a brand new collection of their distinctively joyful psychotropic tunage. Continuing their unbroken run of excellence Magic Bus's brand spanking new release 'The Earth Years' is a wonderful tonic in these dire times; place the needle on the record and the dark clouds part, the sun shines through, and that's all in the front room of your mind! Apt really, as their splendid 'The Road to La Mezquita' (my favourite track, I love that 70's funky strut) talks of indoor travelling. It's been three years since the Totnes troubadours released an album (too long...boo!) in which time they've gone from strength to strength, recently touring with the fabulous Chris Robinson Band. I maybe sense subtle CRB influence on tracks like 'New Day', though for the most part the band have built on, and further developed, their own inimitable brand of lovely sun drenched progtastic psychedelia. The Magic Bus sound encapsulates and blends the best of the decade between 65' and 75' from both sides of the pond (though I'd say this side weighted), with all the chaff removed and well informed by the subsequent decades, these West country wizards consistently create aural magic which keeps an ember of the summer of love alive and carries it forward. Front man Paul Evens has a wonderful voice, so evocative of the 70's Canterbury scene, and Jay Darlington's delightful organ reinforces that 70's British vibe magnificently, echoes of Canterbury's finest 'Audience' pepper the album, I think that's also due, in part, to Terrance Waldstradt's stellar guitar; 'Squirrel' puts me in mind of that Canterbury scene sound, a wisp of Nektar flavoured prog too. You'll also hear the influence of cultural legends Gong on tracks like 'Barleycorn', well, you would though wouldn't you, the band all have long hair, and some even have beards! Don't misunderstand me, Magic Bus sound like Magic Bus, and for what they've sipped from the prog/psyche well, they've renewed, replenished and expanded that well's elixir ten fold with their offerings. Mention must also be given to the Stirling contributions of Connor Spring's perfectly pitched drumming, and the laid back bad-ass bass of Wihll Mellorz, whose work in the engine room ensures every track has oodles of groovy rhythm. Like all Magic Bus albums 'The Earth Years' is beautifully paced, a lovely journey to take, conjuring a feeling of Mmmmm throughout.  The album ends with the sublime 60's infused  'We are one', a wrapped in a blanket watching the sunset kind of a song, which has the uplifting lyric 'hope is coming', love 'em.....fecking hippies. This is the bands first release without the heavenly flute and backing vocals of Viv Goodwin, that, I miss; you know what it's like when a band you dig has a line up change. That aside, there's absolutely nothing not to like; no, not to love about this album. It's a beautiful thing in itself too, a nice heavy weight clean cut vinyl, packaged in a sturdy gate-fold sleeve, with the most gorgeous artwork by Martin Ross Butler, lovely colours, man. No, hang on! There is one thing not to like...it's not long enough, I usually have to play it through twice so more-ish is it. That's four top-drawer albums in a succession from Magic Bus. Bravo y'all! Check it out. Shit, check them all out! And, if you dig what you hear and really what to experience the pure joy of Magic Bus, when the 'Rona's' passed make sure to catch them perform live...deep joy!

The Death Valley Girls 'Breakthrough' 7'' Vinyl release

The Death Valley Girls have released the first new material since their outstanding 2018 album Darkness Rains, it's a new single, and it's most excellent.  A tasty bi-coloured purple/black 7'' of covers. The A side's an interpretation of Atomic Roosters 1971 'Breakthrough' and on the B side a version of Daniel Johnston's Rock 'n' Roll/EGA.

Their take on Breakthrough is awesome, they've captured the original though definitely added something, it maintains a 70's flavour, though where as the original has a more 60's hangover/early proggy feel; the Death Valley Girls version has a more earthy late glam rock early proto punk feel to it, a touch of subtle menace too, nice. It starts off real slow, even making you wonder whether you've got it on the wrong speed, a repetitive organ chord leads, the drums then announce their presence and boom, in kicks the beat followed by a lovely driving riff, and then the final ingredient, Bonnie's wonderful vocals, I love that voice, at some points appropriately reminiscent of Jett or Quatro. They've more than done this Atomic Rooster track justice. And hey, in these dark times we could do with a breakthrough.

Rock 'n' Roll/EGA is off Daniel Johnson's 1994 album 'Fun'. I'll be honest now, I don't think I've ever heard of Daniel Johnston, so I gave his Rock 'n' Roll/EGA a listen before listening to the Death Valley Girls interpretation.  There are no doubt some similarities between them, I then discovered that the Death Valley Girls gigged with Johnson for a period, that explains that. Again though, Death Valley Girls have washed the track in their own distinctive wash, it's a touch faster, a touch edgier and heavier in a different way to the original, and again it has that 70's glam rock stomp feel to it. Bonnie's voice is perfect for this track too, beautifully reflecting Johnson's original. A really lovely rendition.

Being accomplished musicians (as is manifestly shown by their individual performances) together they create a well crafted and distinctive wall of sound; the Death Valley Girls sound is simultaneously beautifully produced and engagingly raw, I love that, I love a 'real' sound and they've got that by the spade. Check out their chorus harmonies too, groovy. Both these covers do their original sources justice and both go further, ensuring your reaction to both will be ''this is fricking ace!'' And I'll say it again, you've got to love Bonnie's vocals, there's just something so appealing about them, she's a very cool voice. This is, they are, recommended listening, check it out here or here if you're in the UK.

Oxygen by Custard Flux

Psychedelic multi-instrumentalist, artist and The Luck of Eden Hall's front man Gregory Curvey continues his current run of excellence with his project Custard Flux's sensational third outing, the up coming release of Oxygen. Custurd Flux was born when Curvey, a genuine renaissance man, acquired a dilapidated 100 year old Harmonium, restored it and created the marvellous 'Helium' (review), the acoustic solo genesis of the Custard Flux sound. Subsequently there was 'Echo' (review), the evolved and augmented sound of Custard Flux. Both acclaimed albums were immediate runaway successes, with pressings quickly being snapped up. And why wouldn't they, both are gloriously unique aural explorations in psychedelia. Oxygen's a further evolution of the already well established Custard Flux sound, another delightful blend of acoustic/electric instrumentations. Like it's siblings Oxygen shares the fundamental Custard Flux DNA, though again being the consummate psychedelic alchemist with the magpies eye, Curvey's masterfully spliced new elements into it, further augmenting, mutating and evolving it. This is psychedelic music at it's best, it's scope doesn't merely span that genre though, it's extends way further into other genres, creating something truly original and unique. Nothing sounds like Custard Flux, man, nothing.

The crew manifest for this outing of the starship Custard Flux is also evolved. We see the return of the Prettyman brothers, Timothy on double bass and Walt on violin (if you happen to read this Walt, particularly loving your offerings, man), who both contributed so wonderfully to the evolution in sound of Echo, continue their integral contributions to Custard's Flux.  There's also the addition of the cracking guitar(s) of Vito Greco, another musician you'd have heard previously giving wicked performances on Curvey's projects. Finally, there's a fabulous special guest contribution by Psychedelic Furs saxophonist Mars Williams on the titular track, which takes the Custard Flux sound into a wondrously unexpected direction.  As for everything else, and it's a lengthy list, that's Gregory Curvey himself, guitar, vocals, harmonium, harpsichord (really loving that sound by the way), bass, piano, drums and oddities (Curvey's description). A fabulous ensemble of accomplished musicians, I'm sure you'd agree. 

Oxygen's an apt moniker for this outing, its addition making the Custard Flux star burn even brighter. From the eponymous opening track you're instantly aware that the Custard Flux has developed and grown, at moments its bigger sound creates natural allusions to The Luck Of Eden Hall's sound swimming amongst the bubbling stream of Custard Flux. Mind you, that's certainly no criticism or complaint, and it's wholly understandable and natural too. Gregory Curvey's style and aesthetic, and particularly his vocal delivery are unique and instantly recognizable. As you'd imagine from Curvey the attention to detail in the arrangements and production of each and every track are incredible and exquisite, every instrument is deployed, it's qualities exploited, to masterful effect. As for his lyrics they're usually poetic, often pertinent, unequivocally eloquent, and always a genuine pleasure to mull over. Bravo, sir, and kudos to all involved, you've collectively created something magnificent. You should check out Shane Swank's groovy video for Quaratyne off Oxygen, which exemplifies the Custard Flux aesthetic. 

Oxygen's the tastiest serving of Custard Flux so far, perfectly seasoned, it goes down a treat. If you've liked previous Custard Flux releases you'll be loving this, man.  If you've not heard the band before, though you dig original explorations in psychedelia, then, man, I know you're going to dig this and be clambering for copies of the previous releases too. Check it out, it's available in two fabulous multi coloured vinyl pressings or as a digital download. Be quick though if you looking to grab yourself a vinyl copy, only available to pre-order from yesterday (for release date 3rd July) Oxygen is already selling like hot cakes! 

Vinyl release of Echo by Custard Flux

We returned from our walk this morning to find the posty had delivered treasures in the form of Custard Flux's vinyl release of Echo and bonus CD, and what groovy things. Musically, it's quality assured, that's Curvey's modus operandi, my review of this wonderful album is here, and my review of the equally lovely accompanying CD of bonus material is here. As for the physical product, ditto, quality assured, I went for the beautiful multi coloured version, it's a nice clean pressing, housed in a high grade sleeve. It's a real nice thing. If you haven't already, you really must check out Echo, and Echo's equally fantastic predecessor 'Helium', both are glorious listens.        

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.

Custard Flux 'Echo' vinyl release............the bonus CD

With his upcoming release, that respected ambassador of psychedelia Gregory Curvey is really spoiling us. Custard Flux's fabulous 2019 second album 'Echo' is due out on quality raspberry vinyl in April, and as if that wasn't cool enough, with it comes a 6 track bonus CD of new material. I've been lucky enough to hear said CD, and well, Gregory continues to set a high bar for himself, the new material is fabulous! To my ear there's a subtle difference in the sound, some feel stripped down a bit maybe.  Curvey's guitar lends a late 60's flavour to a couple of the tracks, a Laural Canyon-ness, if you will, giving them a psyche folk air and a nice natural feel. Whilst his guitar on 'Indian Ocean Road' takes you soaring on the thermals created where the land meets the sea; the involvement of harmonium and harpsichord really adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the tracks. It's nice to hear Timothy Prettyman return on double bass too.  You can give 'Indian Ocean Road' a listen here, it's a lovely track. They're all lovely tracks, all individual, all flying off on different psychedelic vectors, though all audibly originating in the creative flux of Curvey's Custard cauldron. And, ere, come in a bit closer to the screen...if you're digging the Custurd Flux you've heard to date, word is there'll be a third Custard Flux album 'Oxygen', arriving, maybe, maybe by the end of the year. As I said, we're being spoilt. If you haven't already, check out Echo here (and Echo's equally fantastic predecessor 'Helium'). They're wonderful albums... your ears will thank you.

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.

Something fishy

Who'll have these fishies on a little dishy now the Fruit de Mer boat's come in? No little dishy for me, man, these little fishies are going straight on a platter, and no mistake. Check out their current catch 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. 

The Soft Hearted Scientists 'Please read Me' from Fruits de Mer Records

There was one item in particular in my recent Fruits de Mer Records package that I was especially looking forward to, a 7" single from The Soft Hearted Scientists. A few years ago a very good friend gifted me a special copy of the Fruits de Mer Records compilation 'What Ever Happened To The Soft Hearted Scientists' saying he thought I'd like it. I didn't, I absolutely loved it, everything about it and have been a fan ever since. The Soft Hearted Scientists herald from Wales and follow in the footsteps of that nations venerable son Taliesin, being both lyrical and musical bards of the highest grade. There's a certain je ne sais quoi about the Soft Hearted Scientists remarkable (hard to properly categorize) sound, if you haven't checked them out, you really must.

So, on to the single, the 'A' side is a dazzling interpretation of The Bee Gees 1967 'Please read Me'. You can't go wrong with the Bee Gees, what ever they did, they just did so well. Of course, The Soft Hearted Scientists have sprinkled on their unique magic, breathing new life into a 50 year old track, raising it even higher. They've done a sterling job too, creating a thoroughly listenable slice of quality psychedelic pop with one foot rooted in the history of the genre, whilst the other stands firmly in the here and now. The arrangement is perfection, with a slightly increased tempo which lifts the melody beautifully, Nathan Halls soothing vocals and the wonderful accompanying harmonies, I'm certain the Gibb brothers would approve of the bands endeavours. 

The 'B' side, 'Moths mistook us for the Moon' is classic Soft Hearted Scientists, an enchanting melody bathed in gentle melancholy, Nathan's wonderfully magical lyrics, accentuated by his gloriously honeyed vocals, the addition of some beautifully subtle though powerful harmonies, all add to the tracks already transcendent ethereal atmosphere. Pure bliss, the trade mark of the Soft Hearted Scientists. Nathan is an peerless wordsmith, on some level or other his lyrics often pack a deceptive emotional punch, which sometimes you see coming though more often it's hidden, creeping up on you. Always the tracks melody is the perfect vehicle for delivering the emotive payload, and this track does that so gracefully, a floaty tempo carries you upwards towards the moon just like the eponymous moths, and throughout the arrangement is sublime, crammed with delightful flourishes and so much more, all rendered perfectly, a track of marvellous psyche pop replete with substance, warmth and depth. It's bloody lovely listening.  

I know scientists are currently maligned in our anti-expert culture, though no one could possibly doubt that these scientists really know their musical onions. The Soft Hearted Scientists certainly stand out from the crowd as the purveyors of the finest in contemporary psychedelic folk tinged pop, their unique style shines brightly, and what you've got here are two tracks which highlight why. As you'd expect from Fruits de Mer Records it's a quality product, beautifully packaged, a high grade sleeve holds a nice 7" single coloured pressing on white mix (pastel purple) vinyl. Go visit Fruits de Mer Records and pick up a copy of this glorious release for a mere £6!  Or, a digital copy of the single (plus two additional instrumental tracks) is available from the Soft Hearted Scientists bandcamp page. 

Delivery from Fruits de Mer Records.

This morning the posty delivered a much anticipated haul of goodies from the most excellent Fruits de Mer Records.  A package from Fruits de Mer Records is always something to please your ears, warm your heart and send your spirit soaring.  Oh Happy day!