SENDELICA – NIRMATA (Fruits de Mer) (various formats including limited edition via Bandcamp) (Release date – mid-August, 2025)

The hospital field recordings and blood pressure readings seem an unusual way to start a new album by Welsh space rockers Sendelica, but make perfect sense given the serious health problems that have faced Pete Bingham, the group’s guitarist and Colin Consterdine, who provides the beats and keyboards. ‘Wish You a Good Health’ is a laid-back affair with some spoken word by Shane Beck, who I am familiar with from his work with Astral Magic, and mellifluous saxophone courtesy of Lee Relfe. The title track is played at a moderato pace as if setting the scene and heralds ‘Singled Out and Strangely Left in Limbo’ as the album bursts into life. ‘Blood One’ is a nice example of symphonic prog through its synth and piano textures while ‘Save Your Breath’ features some ethereal sax. Shane Beck’s spoken word appears again at the beginning of final track ‘Peyote Sunrise’ which continues in similar vein focusing on the lighter elements of progressive music. “Nirmata” will appeal to fans of groups like Public Service Broadcasting and laid-back atmospheric music rather than the demonstrative guitar and synth driven space rock of, say, Hawkwind or the aforementioned Astral Magic.