Review: Soft Machine and Gong founder Christopher David "Daevid" Allen came of age under the influence of the Beat Generation writers while working in a Melbourne bookstore around 1960. The Australian psychedelic visionary then travelled to Paris, where he stayed at the infamous Beat Hotel, before heading to England, where his musical career really began. The point being, he was incredibly committed to exploring art forms like jazz and performance poetry. And a then-nascent field of synthesised sounds. Ten years after his death, Now Is The Happiest Time of Your Life gets a timely repress to confirm it remains his Magnus Opus. A brave and incredibly unusual collection of tripped-out folk storytelling, curious garage guitar stuff, strangely naive and innocent weird pop, and progressive rock. One to keep diving into and still find new bits to love.
Review: Alphataurus may not mean that much to a lot of people, but for anyone aware of the Milanese progressive rock titans, the fact they have a new record out will capture the imagination. After all, the outfit have been making a big impact with every album they've put out since - and including - the staggeringly ambitious self-titled 1973 debut. However, it's been a decade since we last had anything from them. Enter 2084: Viaggio Nel Nulla, then, a collection of music that marks a real turning point for Alphataurus, with the lengthy (to put it mildly) recording process ending with the departure of founding guitarist Guido Wassermann. Whether die hard fans will think what's here is worth the pain of that decision to leave is anyone's guess, but this collection is unarguably dystopian, futuristic, exploratory, cosmic and, almost conversely, accessible and catchy.
Review: Altin Gun has a famously recognisable sound and it is once again laid bare heart for all to enjoy. This new album is a triumphant return for the much-loved sextet from Amsterdam and one that is high on energy levels throughout. Though familiar in that way, this Ask album finds the band ditching some of their synth-drenched former sounds and 80s and 90s pop leanings to return to their 70s Anatolian funk of their roots. It almost sounds like a live album such is the hustle and bustle of the music with the results sounding all the more warm and welcoming.
Review: We are extremely thankful of the existence of Altin Gun, a Dutch band who focus their efforts on playing Turkish folk/psychedelic rock. Three albums so far have served to establish their sprawling sound. Their latest, Ask, does particularly well to chuck additional funk and disco edges into the mix - but contemporaneously comes On, a reissue of their debut LP released in 2018. In reissuing it, French label Le Vinyl Club document the band's eureka moment and subsequent splash onto the scene that eventually won them a Grammy. Beautiful cuts such as 'Goca Dunya' hear well-polished takes on trad Turkish folk, but with an added energy and verve brought to the fore by not only an electrifying backing band, but a whopping two vocalists, Merve Dasdemir and Erdinc Ecevit Yildiz.
Review: Alvilda crafts a sharp, nostalgic homage to 60s girl groups and 70s power pop, distilled through a lens of modern punk urgency. The jangly guitars and punchy rhythms are underscored by layered harmonies, creating an infectious energy that refuses to waver. Sung entirely in French, the lyrics carry an emotive charge, even for non-speakers, while the brisk, sub-three-minute tracks demand attention with their unrelenting focus. The production keeps things tight and bright, ensuring every hook lands with clarity, offering a refreshing burst of indie vitality that never overstays its welcome.
Review: Yemenite music in Israel is a uniquely Middle-Eastern style born from the immigration of Yemenite Jews to Israel. Initially religious and ceremonial, the music featured separate male and female songs accompanied by drumming on olive oil tin cans. Aharon Amram, born in Sana'a, Yemen, immigrated to Israel as a child and became a central figure in this genre. From the 1960s onward, he released numerous records on Sounds of Yemen in which he blended traditional religious songs with his own secular compositions, Western electric instruments and modern arrangements. This double LP showcases Amram's diverse catalogue and undying influence on contemporary Mizrahi.
Review: You don't get to call your band Amyl & The Sniffers if the music is anything short of corrosive, in the best possible way. Launching at a serious pace from the off, this is punk at its modern best - a juggernaut of sweat, swearing and uncompromising songwriting that's only rival for your attention comes in the form of riffs and gritty chord instrumentation.
But the Melbourne, Australia band's second LP is far from a simple rehash of the first, which we could have also described in similar terms to those you just read above. This time round things feel more thoughtful, perhaps even patient in certain moments. Of course they still wear 'weirdos' on their sleeves, tongues often firmly placed in cheeks. But there's a depth here to the songwriting, a retro and introspective feeling that reveals far more than the debut album let us hear.
Review: The forthcoming collaboration between anaiis and Grupo Cosmo presents a captivating fusion of contemporary soul and Brazilian musical traditions. The album features tracks like 'Toda Cor' and 'Voyage,' which blend anaiis's soulful vocals with Grupo Cosmo's rich instrumentation, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural heritage. This milky vinyl LP offers listeners a unique auditory experience, highlighting the seamless integration of diverse musical styles.
Review: This October marks the 60th Anniversary of The Animals' self-titled debut album. Never heard before in official vinyl reissue form, this remarkable return hears the mod rock menagerie of Eric Burdon, Alan Price, Hilton Valentine, Chas Chandler and John Steel come together for a worthy groove-laid garage shutdown. With such hits enduring hits in tow as 'I've Been Around', 'I'm In Love Again' and 'Bury My Body' - though not packing their standalone, transatlantic treat 'House Of The Rising Sun' - this early record, first released on Columbia Records, tells the sonic tale of a now under-appreciated Newcastle band, whose efforts were nonetheless instrumental in helping to usher in the so-called British Invasion (musically) of the US music market in the 1960s.
Review: If the name Vangelis conjures images of new age music or the overplayed 'Chariots of Fire', you might be surprised by his earlier work. Before his solo fame, Vangelis was a member of Aphrodite's Child, a rock band from the late 60s to early 70s. While the band was based in France due to political unrest in Greece, they produced music far removed from Vangelis's later style. Another well-known member was Demis Roussos, who also had a later solo career. Initially, Aphrodite's Child released two psychedelic pop albums, Rain and Tears and It's Five O'Clock, reminiscent of Genesis' early work on From Genesis to Revelation. 666 marked a significant shift toward progressive rock, blending Greek ethnic influences with experimental sounds. Highlights include 'Loud, Loud, Loud,' featuring a spoken word piece by a young Greek diplomat's son, and 'All the Seats Were Occupied,' a lengthy jam that samples the album's other tracks. The notorious, untitled track featuring actress Irene Papas caused discomfort at their label, but it solidified the album's status as a groundbreaking work in progressive rock. Despite the musicians' later mainstream personas, 666 remains a bold and innovative album.
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