Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene (1977)

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene

 Oxygene was one of the albums that got me deep into electrica back in the day.   Surrounded by an array of vintage analog keys and synths Jarre recorded an album that still sounds as great now as did back then.

  Oxygene is a six part electronic symphony that is the perfect album to enjoy on a raining overcast day!    Musically fans of  bot Wendy Carlos, Klaus Schulze and Vangelis will adore this album!

Both Oxygene and Equinoxe are essential albums and really play as a part one and two.  For those familiar with Oxygene will surely have discovered the tranquil beauty of this album and likely have tucked away a few copies of this album......its just that good.

  My favourite moment remains Part II with is total space invaders-like laser shots and haunting electronic reverb.  

  This album is also a great HEADPHONE EXPERIENCE album!

Mar Y Sol - Puerto Rico Music Festival (1972)

Mar Y Sol - Puerto Rico Music Festival

  Quite a few years ago one of my buds lent me their vinyl edition of this rare international concert which i totally adored.    An amazing mix of bands here including some of my all time favs with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Osibisa, Cactus, ELP and John Baldry to name a few.    I finally found a near mint copy for myself which is playing as I add these notes.

  This double vinyl set covers the hilites of the four day festival held in Vega Baja Puerto Rico April 1972.    I love the Mahav's version of the "Noonward Race" which clocks in at 13 mins and gives the band loads of space and time to totally fusion-out!!!!

Mandrill - Mandrill (1971)

Mandrill - Mandrill

  Debut album by Brooklyn's psych-funk spacers Mandrill is a force to be reconmed with!  Mandrill were formed by the Wilson brothers (Carlos, Ric and Lou) who handled the flutes, guitars, percussion, sax and vocals along with Claude Cave (organ), Bundie Cenac (bass) and Omar Mesa (lead guitar).

  Although i love side one, it is side two that totally does it for me on this album.........psychy flute whisps, psychy organ thumps, wild drumming, vocal harmonies, spacey guitar and crazy music!  The side long song is called "Peace and Love" and resonates with the power of the band WAR with the funk of FUNKADELIC.

Steely Dan - Katy Lied (1975)

Steely Dan - Katy Lied

 "Katy Lied" was the fourth album released by Walter Becker and Donald Fagan and was another superb art rock album.  Huge vocal harmonies, superb musicanship and great song writing.   Steely Dan's albums were all great with this one taking on a more studio feel with more jazz leanings.  Helping out this time around is Mike McDonald, Jeff Porcaro and Rick Derringer.

Steely Dan really hitting the heights – moving into hipper, more sophisticated territory than before – pushing the envelope with both their music and lyrics, which are completely sublime! It's hard to put our finger on the magic of this one, but it's the perfect summation of everything that's come before, with a bit of a nod towards the future – yet all with a simple, song-based charm that we really love. The Becker and Fagan team get some key studio help here – showing a move away from previous group-based recordings – and Phil Woods turns in some especially nice work on his sublime solo for "Doctor Wu".

Johannes Schmoelling - Wuivend Riet (1986)

Johannes Schmoelling - Wuivend Riet

  Johannes Schmoelling was of course a member of the later day 1980's Tangerine Dream contibuting to classic albums like "Thief" ans "Exit".   Wuivend Riet was Schmoelling's first solo album and has been a fan favourite for some time.  Carelessly categorized and labeled under  the New Age tag (oh god) this album is a wonder voyage into interstellar space.

The albums title is Dutch for "Wind Blown Reeds" and this sounds more like astral wind blown reeds to my thinking!    This is a fantastic electronic voyage into some pretty cool space.   I love side two with the warped and alien-like vocals.    If you listen to this album with headphones on and turn down the light I think you will be totally mezmorized!

  A hauntingly beautiful album !

Ahmad Zahir - The King Of 70's Afgan Pop (Vol 3)

Ahmad Zahir - The King Of 70's Afgan Pop (Vol 3)

 In the late 60's and '70's a new genre was born in Afganistan and it was the entry of Western influences called Amaturi.       Ahmad Zahir was at the front of this genre delivering his Western pop infused tendencies mixed with traditional Afgan musical forms.

Zahir was like the ELVIS or DYLAN or Afgan !   His music was totally undercover and was not recorded with the finest of equipment but regardless resounds with huge emotion and power.   There is wah-wah guitar....polyphonic keys....bongos and Tablas ....what else could you ask for eh !!!!

   This music is quite adictive and i love this mix of Indian and Afgan vibes with all the native instrumentation all supported by the huge voice of Zahir!

This double vinyl edition covers 12 vintage tracks of pure exotica and psychedlic infused music!

   

Tangerine Dream - Pergamon (1980)

Tangerine Dream  - Pergamon

  Recorded live in East Berlin in 1980 this two part epic space symphony will carry you into the dark nebula!   This is also a historic concert being the first Western group to play in East Berlin at the time.

  Musically this is pretty typical Tan Dream with Chris Franke, Edgar Froese and Johannes Schmoelling contributing theri elaborate arsenal of synths and keyboards and modulators to unveil their music.

Side one is a 21 minute epic track "Quichotte part one " with its accompaning side long opposite aply titled "Quichotte part two".

Like most Tangerine Dream albums this one is a great headphone experience listen!