Pharoah Sanders - Thembi (1971)

Pharoah Sanders - Thembi (1971)

Pharoah Sanders became known to the jazz world in the late 60's as a member of John Coltrane's band and later a sometimes member of the Sun Ra ARchestra !
On Tembi Sanders utilizes a wide variety of instruments, including tenor, soprano, alto flute, fifes, the African bailophone, assorted small percussion, and even a cow horn. What makes this album for me so special is the use of the vibes and timbral-like sounds creates.  The song "Love" at times sounds like King Crimson meets Charles Mingus. Without question this is some far out Fusiony-Jazz but one of those albums after listening to makes you ask "what the heck just happened".  A rewarding album for those who have a certain degree of patience.....

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman and the Theremin (1947 - 1950)

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman and the Theremin (1947 - 1950)

 In the late 20's Russian scientist Leon Theremin invented this very early electronic instrument based on principles of wavelengths and electronmagnetic fields....an instrument named after himself called the Theremin.  The Theremin was basically a frequency oscillator capable of emanting tones by the simple interruption and manipulation of airwaves (resistance) over 2 antennae.   It really wasn't until the late 40's that it was used in the practice of making music which is what Hoffman and Harry Nevel exactly did for Capital Records in 1947.  "Music out of the moon (1947), Perfume Set To Music (1948) and Music For Peace Of Mind (1950)  are the 3 first albums (actually 78's) that used the Theremin along side orchestration played by  Leslie Baxter and Billy May.  The end result is a very trippy and strange yet addictive musical journey into the dark abyss of Leon Theremin. 

Osibisa - Heads (1972)

Osibisa - Heads (1972) 

  Osibisa was the brainchild of Ghana's Teddy Osei who decided to follow his dream and came to England to form and release a number of great African-psych-world music albums.  In his pursuit he turned the world into fans of this music and this and this band actually became fairly popular.  Osibisa mix African and Caribbean forms and wrap these around a rock-light fusion sound that makes their music original and hihgly captivating.  Wango Wango is some of the grooviest Arfrican-rock I have ever heard !  Their first 2 albums were simply amazing too, but it is HEADS that I has become their favourite of mine.

Eddie Fisher & The One Hundred Years (1970)

Eddie Fisher & The One Hundred Years (1970)

  Here is a pioneering album that will blow your mind...literally....  Eddie Fisher (no...not that Eddie Fisher!) released this gem of an album and in doing so back in 1970 ushered in the art of soul-jazz-psych foe the guitar.    "Eddie Fisher and the Next Hundred Years is a record of uncommon virtue and consummate skill" . Eddie previously had played and recorded with bluesmen Solomon Burke and Albert King and others but never hit the depth that this album achieves.  Musically this is funk fusion psychedlica-soul and an album this is absolutely precious from start to finish.   Fans of the Wah Wah Pedal and early 70's work of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock will absolutely love this album.  A milestone album that you need to sit and listen to with the smell of incense burning !

The Beach Boys - Smile (1967)

The Beach Boys - Smile (1967) - 2011 Remastered 2 CD Box Set  Capital Records\
 
  For years I have only heard bootleg and partial samples and singles from perhaps the most famous unreleased album of all time !   Finally under the supervision of Brian Wilson the original master tapes have been carefully resurrected, spliced and assembled to finally reveal the hidden masterpiece in loving full dimension and high res MONO!    The end result is an album that just simply amazing.....this is an album you have to own !   Song by song we are teleported into the sandbox of a genius who was clearly on his way out when he stopped production on what was to be Wilson's finest moment....what a Vega-Table  !   Well...... finally we can all enjoy this album as it was basically going to be released in the best quality that i think we will ever get.   Brilliant,,,,,,,, 

Flamin Groovies - Teenage Head (1971)

Flamin Grooves - Teenage Head (1971)

  San Frans cult rockers, The Flamin Grooves were one of the most influential US bands to emerge from the 60's and spawn off the 70's with 2 ground breaking albums...Flamingo and Teenage Head !   The Groovies were the genius of Cyril Jordan (guitarist) and singer Roy Loney who belt out some real classics here.  I suppose you might peg these guys somewhere in the Rolling Stones meets The Stooges camp.  Their music is high energy and full of life.   Teenage Head will keep you toes wigglin........what a great album

Mike Oldfield - Earth Moving (1989)

Mike Oldfield - Earth Moving (HDCD - Remaster)

 Tubular Bells this is not..........but if you are looking for a great album of highly emotive songs that will stick with you for the rest of your live then why not take a plunge into these water ?   Earth Moving is like Mike's umpteenth album and has been really lost amongst his other great albums...in fact this album is often erroneously criticized as a weak album in his album discography.  In sharp contrast I have always loved this album and think that songs like "Holy", "See The Light" and Title Track "Earth Moving" are amongst some of his finest pieces.  

Spiteri (1973)

  Spiteri released sadly only one album in what was a very short lived music career ...but what an album they left behind. This album is just a fantastic psych album with some crazy Venezuelan-influenced rock and soul going on....somewhere of a cross of Santana meets Malo meet Almeda.  This album was recorded in London in 1973 and is sung in both English and Spanish.   Spiteri gained the support of artists such as Noel Redding, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Bob Marley, Steve Winwood and others back in the day.  The album has some great hand congo drums and a big underground rock vibe.  Lots of vocal harmonies, Latin rhythms, strings, psychy flute and searing guitars to top it all off.  The sound quality on this remastered version on Vampi soul records is excellent and I recommend this album to all early Santana and Malo fans.    The album is a lot of fun  and a real cooker !