★Life Goes On
Flightless Bird Needs Water Wings - Vol. 1
This record is a nice summary of some of the band's earlier work -- when infamous bassist Moriaki Wakabayashi was still playing before he went and hijacked a plane (he was a member of the "Yodogō Group" of the radical New Left Japan Communist League's "Red Army Faction" that carried out the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 in 1970, ultimately forcing the plane to fly to North Korea, where Wakabayashi currently resides). A seemingly endless sonic flame-throwers of phased white noise streak …
The Insect Trust
Temporary super offer! Insect Trust were an American jazz-based rock band that formed in New York in 1967. The members of the band were Nancy Jeffries on vocals, Bill Barth on guitar, Luke Faust -- formerly of the Holy Modal Rounders -- on guitar, banjo, fiddle, and harmonica, Trevor Koehler on saxophone, and Robert Palmer (1945 -- 1997) on clarinet and alto saxophone. Elvin Jones and Bernard Purdie both drummed with the group at times. Bill Folwell, who had played with Albert Ayler (and later a…
Music Of The Middle East
Best known for his proficiency on the Oud, John Berberian has been releasing music since the early-1960s. While attending New York's Columbia University, Berberian made his professional musical debut playing the Oud in support of violinist Reuben Sarkisian. While completing an MBA from Harvard, Berberian managed to find the time to become a staple on the Manhattan nightclub scene. In 1964 he was signed to Bob Shad's New York-based Mainstream Records, where he recorded a pair of Middle Eastern-th…
Exotic Dreams – Martin Denny Presents The Enticing Voice Of Ethel Azama
Exotica masterpiece finally re-issued ! Which record is produced by Martin Denny, arranged by pianist Paul Conrad and features vintage Exotica's second lady who is only outclassed by the Peruvian chantress Yma Sumac? It's Exotic Dreams, released in 1958 that puts – so tells the cover artwork – "the enticing voice of Ethel Azama" (1934–1984), a Hawaiian Jazz singer, into the spotlight. Martin Denny discovered her a few years later and was able to negotiate with his house label Liberty Records, wh…
Mganga
Japan goes to Africa ! It's more than a bit ironic that Tak Shindo's most "exotic" album, the superb Mganga!, boasts no connection to his own Japanese heritage, instead focusing on the primal rhythms and tribal chants of Africa. Rooted largely in the arranger's experience on the Latin jazz circuit, its Afro-Cuban rhythms, sampled animal sounds, and chants capture an African musical culture based far more in fantasy than reality, much as rival exotica maestros like Martin Denny and Les Baxter con…
The Music Of Ahmed Abdul-Malik
*In process of stocking* 'This jazz musician of Sudanese descent shows up here and there on recording sessions from the '60s, including a stint as a member of Thelonious Monk's combo. He also played oud and took part in a variety of attempts to blend his roots music with jazz, out of which this is one of the most successful. Indeed, one might overlook the entire fusion nature of this record and look at is as a prime example of how much brilliant jazz is created often by relatively unknown player…
Sounds Of Africa
Sounds of Africa is the fourth album by double bassist and oud player Ahmed Abdul-Malik featuring performances recorded in 1962 (with one track from 1961) and originally released on the New Jazz label. This Early 60's Afro-jazz jam with middle-eastern and latin flavours is one of the first in its genre. The album also features Bilal Abdurahman, Andrew Cyrille and Chief Bey. Seminal!
The Three Faces of Yusef Lateef
Recorded in May 1960 this is probably one of Lateef’s more straight jazz releases with almost no trace of his famous Eastern sound experiments. This is a beautiful and dynamic album based on a balanced mix of originals and standards including great numbers by Dvorak, Ellington and Zawinul and with Lateef who’s literally shining on both tenor sax, oboe and flute. A fine document from a master musician caught during one of the peaks of his career.
Satori
Temporary super offer! The Flower Travellin' Band's first musical outing, Challenge, was released in 1970 and was essentially a series of covers of Cream, Hendrix, Big Brother and Jefferson Airplane material. However, Satori appeared a year later and forever changed the way the group would be perceived, both in Japan and in the musical world at large. Possessing the vision to select Akira "Joe" Yamanaka as their vocalist, the Flower Travellin' boys elevated themselves above other Japanese bands …
Songs Of Sunshine
Here we have another magical achievement of the early 70’s counterculture. Officially released in 1972 on the small imprint Westwood Recordings, the album has an intimate, predominantly acoustic flavor. Flutes, chimes and gentle organ sounds all over the place. Tales of faraway lands, sand, sea, castles, kings, queens and even Peter Pan dominates the scene, imposing a sort of ancestral feel. Rob Armstrong, the leader of the group, became a renowned luthier and you can hear the care and love of t…
Markley, A Group
“Markley - A Group” is the sixth and final album by the American psychedelic rock group, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, and was released in 1970 on Forward Records, owned by Mike Curb. The album was released under another group name, Markley A Group, as decided by the group owner, Bob Markley. It features compositions by Danny Harris, Michael Lloyd and Shaun Harris with lyrics by Bob himself. The content is simple and soft, reminiscent of the band's earlier work. A gently pop-psych st…
Ceremony - Buddha Meet Rock
**Back in print !** A monster on its own ‘Ceremony-Buddha Meet Rock’ still is one of the most enigmatic record coming out of the early seventies Japanese underground. Composers Yusuke Hoguchi and Naoki Tachikawa are the main conspirators here. The album is clearly informed by the flower power counterculture, is full-on mysticism – with Buddha chants all over the place – and trippy guitar playing make room for an otherwordly experience. The album opens with a rendition of 'Holy Thursday' lifted …
Ananda Shankar and his Music
A rare groove classic finally back in print ! Opener 'Streets Of Calcutta' has been covered several times (most recently by japanese wizards Kikagaku Moyo) and is still regarded as an east/west hybrid manifesto. Ananda Shankar (11 December 1942 – 26 March 1999) was an Indian musician, singer, and composer best known for fusing Western and Eastern musical styles. He was married to dancer and choreographer Tanusree Shankar. In the late 1960s, Shankar travelled to Los Angeles, where he played with …
East
Possibly one of the most fascinating psychedelic album coming out of Japan in the early seventies. Published in 1972 on Capitol Records eastern brand, the East album was then fully licensed to both the UK and American market, due to his fascinating and lysergic moments. The opener 'Beautiful Morning' soon became a classic on its own, showing the western influences of the band all along the spirit of the rising sun counterculture. A revolutionary effort in the end, coming from a different perspec…
Green Line
*In process of stocking.* Terrific session originally licensed on Japanese indie label Nivico in 1970. Recorded at Victor Studio, Aoyama Tokyo 11 September, the album is the essential work of four wicked minds. Saxophone player Steve Marcus has been cutting his teeth in late sixties with the Jazz Composer's Orchestra, while Miroslav Vitous was the former bass player in jazz-rock pioneers Weather Report. Sharrock is still considered one of the most original player in creative music, his guitar pl…
The Almoravid
*In process of stocking* Terrific session just released in 1974 on influential independent Muse. A modal masterpiece verging on spiritual jazz with a series of excellent players: from Richard Davis and Cecil McBee on bass to Ray Mantilla on congas and percussion, through Harold Vick distinctive flute and tenor sax. The major voice on this record belongs to the traps of Joe Chambers. The enormous potency combined with complete authority and tonal clarity that Chambers brings to the drums has made…
Psychedelic Sounds In Japan
Welcomed re-issue of this sough after Japanese masterpiece, just released during the 1968 turmoil. The Mops are one of Japan's best known "group sounds" bands, particularly noted for their psychedelic period. The group was founded in 1966 by high school friends Mikiharu Suzuki (drums), Taro Miyuki (guitar), Masaru Hoshi (lead guitar) and Kaoru Murakami (bass), playing mostly instrumental rock. Their debut album is still considered a cornerstone of the so-called proto-garage revolution. Their flo…
The Growing Concern
*In process of stocking* The sole album by US Psychedelic Folk Rock unit was released in 1968 on Mainstream, the label ran by famous jazz producer Bob Shad. After launching a young Janis Joplin with the Big Brother And The Holding Company, he tried to repeat his commercial triumph with The Growing Concern. However, the band was a different proposition altogether with its emphasis on beautiful vocal harmonies and fantastic guitar and organ work. Consequently, Shad only allowed the group into the …
Beat of the Earth
* in process of stocking * Second album from the cultish experimental jam band formed in 1967 in Orange County, California. Their second effort from 1970 - The Electronic Hole - takes a step away from their earlier work, being composed with definite song structures versus the earlier drawn-out freeform jams. Sounding much like a west-coast version of The Velvet Underground & Nico, the album has melodic motifs but is much more primitive and mysterious than its cousin, with loads of fuzz, hauntin…
Rise Vision Comin
A breathtaking self-conscious free-jazz masterwork, 'Rise Vision Comin'' summarizes more than 30 years of musical and theoretical/political expression from renowned activist/scholar/free-jazz pioneer Haki R. Standing on the verge of spiritual jazz aesthetic, his music remains timeless & unforgettable after it's longstanding creation. The first album by the group Rise Vision Comin was released in 1976, and features among others Wallace Roney on trumpet, Clarence Seay on bass and Agyei Akoto on sa…