As part of my nostalgic look back Sherpa comes recommended. They hail from Italy and their album ‘Tanzlinde’ is also on Sulatron Records on CD and limited LP (the latter probably sold out). It is described in the press release as the sort of album I would like “translucent sounding, becoming better and more intense with each listen.” ‘Thematically ‘tanzlinde’ is literally a linden tree under which one sits to connect to one’s deepest feelings. Musically, there are “influences

A blast from the past: I’m listening again to ‘Hypnotiser’ . Right away the palpable spacey groove hauls you in for a ‘Lift Off ’ . The title track continues the journey: “Let’s have a look at the Earth- Professor, what do you see?”, a lethargic, hypnotic listen. The line-up is Sergio Ceballos on guitar and voice, Sula Bassana on bass and Pablo Carneval on drums, all original pieces of around 10 minutes in length except for ‘Kosmos Amigos’  which is instantly recognisable as

More hypnotic sounds from Astral Magic led by Santtu Laakso who wrote, produced, played and sang on his latest album. I particularly liked the eastern vibes of ‘The Veil of Isis’ with Fred Laird guesting on electric guitar and bouzouki and ‘Mirror Universe’ with guest Pete Bingham of Sendelica on electric guitar. ‘The Shining Ice’ features Luís Simões’ sitar, tampura, tabla and gong – the eastern vibes again. The synth exchanges on ‘Ghostly Apparitions’ are haunting (as you’d

“Underground Sounds of 1968” has an eclectic mix of music during a very creative period; some will be familiar, others not. CD one has big hits like ‘Fire’, ‘This Wheel’s on Fire’ and ‘I’m the Urban Spaceman’ rubbing shoulders with an obscure Genesis track (‘One Eyed Hound’) and nearly made it bands like Dantalian’s Chariot (‘World War Three’ and ‘Soma (Parts One and Two)’, Eyes of Blue and Tomorrow. Of course, the musicians from many of these bands went on to greater things.

The prolific Santtu Laakso AKA Astral Magic along with Jonathan Sigel on guitar and violin and Shane Beck’s spoken word/ poetry is back once again asking the question – are we being watched by alien beings? A big question and a legitimate one. The musical groove starts on ‘Wormhole’ with some nice guitar fills. ‘Vector Equilibrium’ is a swirl of synthesiser as Shane continues the narrative. ‘It’s all Just a Simulation’ is like a mirror image of ‘Wormhole’, and similarly intox

Advance orders are being taken for this popular band. Its driving rock reminded me of The Bevis Frond and there's not many lyricists mention the National Geographic nor fridge magnets as it happens. 'STP' (Space time deception) is far out psychedelia taking me back to the Syd Barretts or and Kevin Ayres of this world - with a touch of Hendrix- loved the heavy bass. and phased drumming btw.

Listening to this album at the moment. I am sorry I don't have time for my usual detailed reviews. Followers of FdM will be familiar with Jacqueline and The Honey Pot, and members of Tir Na Nog and Icarus Peel also lend a hand (there are 19 songs). "Smoke Road" is acid folk and psych of the highest order. If this is your scene this ambitious project ranks as essential.

BEHIND THE SUN COLLECTIVE (Fruits de Mer 7", 2025) Impressing at the FdM 2024 summer festival, this genre defying band has produced a faithful rendition of Marc Bolan's 'Children of the Revolution' b/w a cover of Funkadelic's 'Maggot Brain', Check them out!

Californian psych rock band The Kristen Caridasmenos Project is a sextet of Kristen on guitar and electric sitar (Heard on groovy opening...

I continue where I left off in my review of CD one of this two CD extravaganza: “Psych music fans know that there loads of compilations...

Founded in 1987, The Chemistry Set are veterans dating back to the cassette only label “Acid Tapes”, receiving regular airplay by John...

Following their sold-out lathe cut split single on Fruits de Mer (‘Opportunity Knocks’), Curvey’s latest project Custard Flux has...

A good question! And one I have tried my best to answer in a complete re-write of my book "Within You, Without You". It is entitled - you...

Yes, it’s here again. I thought it might be useful to list some albums (NB 20 in all of hundreds) being released on RSD, concentrating on...

Well, this three CD set on Cherry Red to be released on 21st March, 2025 really is a mixed bag. It starts very well with Family’s ‘Good...

Remember the Zagar and Evans 1969 #1 hit song ‘In the Year 2525’? Well, we’re not quite there yet, and there is nothing that futuristic...

The Beau Brummels 1967 ‘45s’ augured well for their next album, revealing their more creative side with Long Walking Down to Misery ...

As promised in my review of the “Jingle jangle Morning” 3 x CD set to be released by Cherry Red in March, this is an extract from the...

Coming out round about now is an album that most certainly needed a significant sound upgrade from its original issue and this will...