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catalogue g - l

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Prices are all in pounds / sterling. THEY DO NOT INCLUDE POSTAGE ANYMORE SO PLEASE EMAIL FIRST FOR A TOTAL AND I WILL PACKAGE UP AND WEIGH YOUR ORDER. PLEASE ALSO SPECIFY WHETHER YOU WANT FIRST OR SECOND CLASS POSTAGE. The prices have all been adjusted downwards to account for the change.

6majik9  - Your Friends are a Photograph of Your Future cdr (MYMWLY) 3.50

50 hertz - Hemligheten ar att lagga beslag pa rubbet cdr (Popkonst) 0.50

a

Acid House Kings - Sing Along With lp (Labrador) 3

warm, feather light, effortless pop from the elder statesmen and women of the Swedish pop scene  - some of the prettiest, singalong pop around at the moment that'll have you smiling and shuffling your feet - 'Sing Along' comes with bonus karaoke/video DVD. Julia has one of the prettiest voices since Annemarie of The Field Mice. The vinyl features 3 bonus tracks.

also: Airliner, Kingsize 2 comp

Acid Mothers Guru Guru - Psychedelic Navigator cd (Important) 7

A real psych-rock blow-out with Acid Mothers Temple's Kawabata Makoto and Atsushi Tsuyama joined by Mani Neumeier from German Krautrock band Guru Guru.

Acolytes Action Squad - Winkle Time cd (Early Winter) 3.50

A quick look at the AAS lp I have reminds me that it's from 1998 and I know this new cd is their first outing in several years. While there's still the odd looped beat here, Winkle Time seems much freer than that earlier record, with moments evoking the primal hoedown of Dr John's Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, multi layered vocal tracks with post-punk edginess about them and a piece that suggested distant trains passing in a desert night. Acolytes Action Squad's return sounds fresh and distinctive, for which they deserve our salute. (JC)

Aethenor - Betimes Black Cloudmasses cd / LP (VHF) 9

"Highly-anticipated second album from the trio of Vincent De Roguin (Shora), Stephen O'Malley (Sunn0))), KTL) and Daniel O'Sullivan (Guapo). Like their genre and audience-confounding debut “Deep In Ocean Sunk the Lamp of Light,” “Betimes” is an atmospheric, constantly changing piece that encompasses a mind-boggling array of different performance and processing techniques. The deeply psychedelic and affecting results present a soundstage that is continually evolving, with new elements entering and leaving the fray every couple of seconds. Betimes includes significant contributions from free percussionists Nicolas Field and Alex Babel, who sprinkle the sound field with an almost FMP-style rush of splattering drum sound, raising the intensity of the music (without resorting to bashing)." (VHF)

Aethr Myth'd - The Eight cdr (Spirit of Orr) 5

A bunch of sprawling psych improv moves from members of Sunburned / Feathers. Things get darker and ore mysterious as the disc progresses - slashes of slide guitar, psych squall and percussive string assault echoing up a cavernous tunnel. Handmade packaging.

Agitated Radio Pilot / Nether Dawn split cd (Pseudoarcana) 7

Cd issue of the lathe cut LP. A well-matched split between two creators of fragile sounds. Antony Milton's Nether Dawn specializes in post-midnight bleary-eyed drone-lullabies, fuzzed around the edges wails of lonesome frazzled sound. James Kirk of Sandoz Lab Technicians guests on one track. Agitated Radio Pilot contributes creaky nocturnal drones and melancholic lullabies on the flip. 

Agitated Radio Pilot  - World Winding Down 2cd (Dead Slack String) 10

This double album is something of a magnum opus for Dave Colohan, who has been working on collaborations for it over a two and a half year period. This extensive list of guests includes Sharron Kraus, Annemarie deacy & Aaron Coyne (Mirakil Whip), Gavin Pryor (United Bible Studies), Autumn Grieve and - I should own mention this, like a politician declaring personal interest - me, singing on a Roy Harper cover which is endorsed by the man himself, no less! If you've enjoyed any of Mr Colohan's delicious melancholia in the past, this is music to treasure and if you're new to his work, don't be afraid to dive in with a double helping. Even the booklet of photos is a treat. Highly recommended. (JC)

Recent 9 track cd from Shoeb Ahmed of shimmering guitar and piano textures with a few more song-like structures and remixes from the likes of Prettyboy Crossover, Snowstorm, Part Timer, Jasmine Loop Control and M Rosner. Comes in a neat cloth cover, limited to 50 copies.

• Sonar Love Songs cdr (Cook an Egg) 6.50

Another lovely release from Shoeb Ahmad - guitar textures delayed / reverbed to the nth degree drifting towards the horizon, sometimes sounding like a guitar, with elongated notes extending ever outwards and sometimes like a ghostly shadow of the sound. Gorgeous.

• / Mankilled cdr 6.75

6 tracks from Canberra's Mankilled - slow bass heavy brutal grind, a direct contrast to Ahmad's ethereal drift. There are some tracks of time-suspending reverbed guitar wash similar to the Cook an Egg release and also a couple of moon orbitting songs with vocals courtesy of Wendi Graham. Again, gorgeous stuff.

also: Pieno

First and much-anticipated album proper from Ilyas Ahmed and it's an absolute gem, a real way-out-in-the-cosmos psychedelic journey. This opens in astonishing style with near-Eastern reeds weaving like duelling king cobras amidst a rumbling roll of percussion, sawed string drone and the ominous roar of gongs. From there it's straight into a fast acoustic ragas with Ahmed's lonesome wail hovering above the dervish-paced guitar and percussion - it falls somewhere between the Family Elan and Six Organs of Admittance. Ahmed's more structured songs evoke a similar feeling as other cosmic travellers such as Skip Spence. He pairs his guitar with the lush dense throb of harmonium on "Unveiled Nightmare" and creates a sound of pure narcotic bliss. This is gorgeous, the kind of release no amount of wordage can do justice too. heavy vinyl, heavy gatefold sleeve - fantastic packaging yet again from Time Lag.

freeform tumbling-down-a-staircase splurges of guitar and drums 

Jason Ajemian - Love Songs Invade Your Mind Too cdr (Foxglove) 1

one half of Born Heller (with Josephine Foster) and member of various Chicago jazz ensembles: this is just Ajemian's vocals sparingly accompanied by double bass

also: Who Cares How Long You Sink, Relay Signals

Ajilvsga - Last of the White Buffalo cassette (Abandon Ship) 5.50

"Sometimes it's primitive and baked in the clay-infested dirt that sucks most of the life out of the dust bowl that is Western Oklahoma. Sometimes it's drenched in caustic rain in Green Country, out near the foothills of the Ozarks. But the obscured rhythms, the sludge, and the decaying bits of black magic wisdom that suckle the young ones dying on the vine? Fuck 'em. They never were of this world anyway." (AS)

Ajilvsga / Mass Ornament / Alms / The North Sea 2 cassette box (Digitalis Ltd) 9.50

4 way split that comes in a dvd sized box. Now sold out at source.

Akhet - Tehka cdr (MYMWLY) 3.50

Recorded during Michael Donnelly's (Terracid, Brothers of the Occult Sisterhood) US tour, with Brad (North Sea) and Eden Hemming Rose (Wax Ghost). Primitive flailing strings, whistles and percussion strewn outsider folk. Lovely.

Akisa 

• Passover cdr (Foxglove) 1.50

The tenor playing on this has that crunchy, funky, in yer face sound - a bit like the tone of Gato Barbieri, but dear old Gato never had the strange swamp of manipulated voices growling and screaming behind his bassline. The combined forces of Juntunen, Kinnunen and Saarti manage to keep quite a strong soulful structure to their pieces, whilst still displaying a more extreme free element. The combination of feel and style delivers a very enjoyable set and the rough-ish live sound suits the music well. (JC)

Alasehir - Sharing the Sacred cd (Important) 4

One of two simultaneously released Bardo Pond offshoot projects, this features John and Michael Gibbons and drummer Michael Zangha. Heavy lumbering guitar-driven psych rock and a beautifully meditative tamboura / sitar piece.

Collaboration between Michael Donnelly (Brothers of Occult Sisterhood / Terracid) and Brad Rose (Golden Oaks / North Sea etc). Where previous cdrs have been postal collaborations, this was recorded during Michael's tour of the US in 2006. It's great: bouzouki / guitar, bone-shaking percussion, scraping and scratching, flutes and growled vocals scraping the surface. Freeform rural psychedelia at its best. Inner sleeve design by Keith Wood (Hush Arbors).

If you find many recordings a bit too clean for your taste these days and long for the sound of ye olde portastudio - or dictaphone, for that matter - this lp will surely appeal. The gentle ocean whoosh of background noise permeates Christopher Francis Hearn's songs of loss, alienation and longing to escape, as he plays organ (we're in Bontempi/Casio territory here) and percussion. Sonically it's as though Pumice forsook guitar for keyboard and it has a lot of charm. It also has an insert with lyrics and is limited to 300 copies. (JC)

One of two simultaneously released Bardo Pond offshoot projects, this features John and Michael Gibbons with Michael Zangha and Aaron Igler on percussion. Less overtly rock than the Alasehir disc this is dense drone that starts out with devotional Eastern bowings and finishes as an almost impenetrable morass of guitar and electronics.

Described on the label website as a "psychedelic collage", this piece melds vintage keyboards, guitars (going forwards and backwards), field recordings, percussion, gliding whistles and more into a verdant swamp of sound. (JC)

Ammonites are a duo from Whitby and this release is a mix of ambient drone & field-recordings with simple repeated guitar lines that evokes the wide open horizons of the North Sea - similar in feel to Yellow 6 but without the 4AD-isms. Ltd to 50 with hand-numbered insert.

Theo Angell - Auraplinth cd (Digitalis) 4

This is one of the most description-defying albums I've heard in quite some time, but here goes... Angell's eerie yet soulful voice straddles the words of mountain music and hippie communes. His previous credits include work with Samara Lubelski and Jackie-O Motherfucker, but if this sounds like anything, to my ears it's more connected to the Holy Modal Rounders than either of those artists, but it doesn't sound much like the Rounders either.... hmmm.... a perplexing record to write about, but one that's very good to hear. The elaborately decorated gatefold sleeve is fronted by "a Victorian deathmask of Theo himself" (according to the Digitalis website). I had no idea he'd been around so long - remarkable! (JC)

Anvil Salute 

• s/t cassette (Nerd Party) 1.50

Tones and drones develop into something which conjures up images of opulent gatherings in large tents and exotic dancers performing with snakes. The prominence of the saxophone steers this music into a looser, jazzier place too. My brother, who happened to be around when side 2 was playing, said parts of it reminded him of the sort of thing which he used to hear on shortwave from All India Radio. Further recommendation: there's a generous amount of music on this cassette. (JC)

• This is the Voice of Doom Calling cdr (Deep Water) 5

One of Anvil Salute's loveliest releases that opens with 7 tracks of gazing-at-the-skies pastoral guitar, bass, glockenspiel, melodica and drums weavings. Things get more communal later on when a real free campfire vibe gets going.

also: Gold Leaf Branches comp, Pink Gold comp tape, Wailing Bones Volume 8 comp

A.P.A.T.T. - s/t cd (Pickled Egg) 5

The ghost of Vivian Stanshall looms large here (any ghost of Vivian's could hardly loom small, it has to be said!), along with a few other reference points across an adroitly assembled 28 track collage of music and fun. Whereas the humour element can wear thin after a few plays if there isn't much substance otherwise, with a.P.A.t.T. there's so much detail that it needs several listens to begin to take it all in. The other reference points, to my ears, include the Tubes, Frank Zappa, possibly even Gong. At one point I had to go off and dig out my copy of the Who's Sell Out just to check if one song used the same brass line as Heinz Baked Beans! It doesn't and the whole thing makes a very distinctive new album. (JC)

This album fades in as subtly as early dawn light and builds in layers of differing rhythms into something quite spiritual. There's tabla, chiming percussion, flute, guitar and a whole lot more, but it all melds into one glorious voice. If you're looking for a "sounds like" comparison, then maybe Popol Vuh might set you thinking on the right sort of path, but I was so engrossed in the album that I wasn't thinking of reference points at all. As Neil Diamond once sang (and you don't see him mentioned here very often!), what a beautiful noise. (JC)

A sound to slowly immerse yourself in. Eric Carlson creates molten soundscapes from looped guitar gloop and tremulous delay shiver.

• Sea of Rains cd (self-released) 7

"In April of 2008, AREA C was commissioned by the NASA RI Space Grant Consortium and the Museum of Natural History in Providence, RI to compose an original score for their "Mission Moon: past, present, future" exhibit at the Museum of Natural History." Gorgeous Eno-esque elongated tones and languid drones with some samples from Apollo missions 11 & 14.

"Glassine I was recorded live at the Ambient Ping in Toronto on 03/07/2006; and can be easily described as an organic space ambient, with very strong references to Pink Floyd (Ummagumma), Popol Vuh, Ashra Temple , Jackie-O Motherfucker, O Yuki Conjugate, AMP and Flying Saucer Attack or " Fourth World " ambient music! Four tracks of pure vibrant multi-layered psychedelic drone music! Now, close your eyes, listening to "Glassine I" and start for your trip even without the intake of any substances…" (A Silent Place)

This is group improv, but with an unusual warmth to it. Arkhangelesk is a trio: David Colohon, Sean Og and Gavin Prior, names familiar to Deseted Village fans, sounding quite distinct from their other projects. There are slightly creepy wavering drones, Og's gentle and melodic saxophone (a bit like Steve Lacy in places - never a bad thing!), the spoken word passages along with abstract sound recalls Frank Zappa's Lumpy Gravy or suggests Timothy Leary (an Irish Tim Leary?... there's a thought!) and there's something in use here called a "Temporal vox accelorater". Whether this is the thing that sounds like an ondes martenot or purely three words which looked good when written on the sleeve I don't know, but there are fine sounds here, they sing together well and nothing outstays its welcome. (JC)

also: United Bible Studies

Blasted beatbox beats and damaged electronics that sounds a bit like a really mangled Suicide.

Teenage DIY punk from Finland with beatboxes, 

Armpit - Frenzy cdr (Seedy R) 1.50

freeform guitar / distortion improv, like noisier, less refined Dead C releases. 'Frenzy' is mixed by hip hop DJ Frenzy: one miniscule moment of Armpit's amp-hum madness is cut loose from its origins and repeated to obsessive brain-frying degree.

also: CJA, Futurians, Ideal Gus

Ashtray Navigations 

• Aurora Grease Sweetrocket 3" cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 4

mixes the grimy (scorching distorto-guitar) with the pretty (rhythmic glissandos that sound like the plinking of a glass xylophone, deep-toned chimes) to hypnotic effect

• Four More Raga Moods cd (Ikuisuus) 9

Mmmm my mouth is watering at the prospect of listening to this with one look at the various underground luminaries involved: Ben Reynolds, Pete Nolan, Andy Jarvis, Alex Neilson, Chris Hladowski (Nalle / Scatter), Mel Delaney and of course Phil Todd. Do I really need to write anymore?! The album opens with its only raga, an acoustic duet from Reynolds and Jarvis, heavily warped by analogue delay. "Hey Sunflower Motherfucker" has Todd's sun-seeking guitar working its way through thick waves of wow. "The Pete Nolan Effect" is a deep pool of drone (once the microphone returns from its wind-blasted trip outside!) as is the immensely atmospheric final track which sounds like the inners of a dank, dark cave.

• Red Culture cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 6

Another blast of over-loaded psych raga from the trio line-up of Phil Todd, Melanie Delaney and Phil Legard (Xenis Emputae Travelling Band). Packaged in a plastic shell-like spray-painted case.

• Skewered By Clouds cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 6.25

Another month, another cdr from Ashtray Navigations, in a lovely blue shell cd case. Line-up is Phil Todd, Melanie Delaney and Arttu Partinen (Avarus). This starts out with a shimmering wave of zen-tone but as always with Ashtray Navigations you know it's not going to laze blissfully for long, especially when Arttu's thunderous drumming gets rolling. A real Kosmiche expansion of spacey atmospheres and wailing electronics. Highly recommended.

• Corbridge Red Church and other Splendours cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 6.25

reissue of a Betley Welcomes Careful Drivers release from 1998: 3 tracks of which two are fairly lenghty: "Cracking" - mysterious background rumblings, like machinery cranking into action, and repeated whistling, like ghostly pistons. The epic 51 minute closer opens with distant haunting ringing melodies, then screams into one long psych / noise drone, encompassing burbling electronics and blistering guitar.

• / ROT / Sandoz Lab Technicians split cd (Veglia) 4

Repackaged (in recycled collage-style packaging) release from a few years ago featuring 3 tracks from Ashtray Navigations, 2 from Sandoz Lab Technicians and 4 from ROT

• Tapwater Locomotive Deluxe cassette (Smokers Gifts) 7

Reissue of an insanely-limited tape from last year on Melanie Delaney's Smokers Gifts label. One side of solo guitar eruptions and hiss-engulfed drone from Phil Todd. Side 2 finds him joined by Melanie Delaney and Phil Legard in a dark and dense noise pummelling. Nice corrugated card packaging.

• Beast Secrets / Ssssnares cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 4.25

2-for-1 reissue of two long sold-out cdrs. Beast Secrets recalls the distant whir of trains along a subway tunnel, full of ominous echoes. The 6 tracks of "Ssssnares" a collection of home-fi guitar detritus.

• Flute Falling (Vertically) cdr (Spirit of Orr) 6.50

I'm not sure which AN line-up features on these 4 tracks but what I am sure of is that they are AN at their very finest. Deep dense drones and that wonderful stratospheric psych guitar splurge. Gold-sprayed card with paste-on art.

• Those Are Pearls That Were His Eyes cdr (Revival) 6

3rd edition - originally issued on Solipsism in 1998, then Betley Welcomes Careful Drivers in 2000. Cymbal bowings and birdsong find themselves buried beneath layers of guitar fire and a ghostly synth carousel. I have to admit I missed these earlier Ash Nav recordings first time round so it's great to see them getting reissued. More please!

• Four Raga Moods cdr (Revival) 6

Another reissue from Phil Todd's Revival label. This was the first Ash Nav cd, originally issued in 1997 on Betley Welcomes Careful Drivers. This has the disorientating feeling of turning the dial repeatedly on a shortwave radio complete with acres of hiss. There are ear-cleansing blasts of fogged noise, haunting drones echoing down rain-soaked streets and collaged field recordings and primitive electronic whistles.

• Running on Autokinetic cdr (self-released) 6

Recent tour cdr, packaged in a green plastic shell case. 4 tracks in total -  a couple of harsh electric fizz and a couple of truly dream-like blissfulness, particularly the closer, a gloriously psych-ey array of synth textures and great fuzz guitar spirals.

• / Ocelocelot - Clacton Pier Death EP cdr (Smokers Gifts) 5.75

Superb split featuring one track from Mel Delaney as Ocelocelot: damaged depth charge blitz against delicate glassy tinkles. The Ashtray Navigations track is typically high-octane with a wall of fuzz guitar peppered with luminous electronic bubbles. Great stuff. Comes in a day-glo corrugated cardboard handmade sleeve.

• & Sarah's Charity - Chocolate Concrete 3" cdr (self-released) 4.25  

  Ashtray Navigations in collaboration with Sarah's Charity recorded live in Leeds in 2007. Brutal meditation featuring an electric tamboura and the obliterating roar of oscillators spiralling out of control. Great stuff.

• Idiot Music Lavatory Floor 2 cdr (self-released) 8

New double set featuring the Phil Todd / Melanie Crowley / Phil Legard line up. Not the fuzzed-out whiteout you may be expecting but bubbling wells of mystery and alchemy with mournful tunes disappearing into the fog as soon as you find them. Excellent.

• Surpls Provncl Hrbs cdr (self-released) 5.50

New release from Ashtray Navigations. Solo Phil Todd recordings this time around of mellow synth / acoustic guitar float, sky-piercing psych guitar towers and haunting near-Eastern drones.

• Hands Under Water Reaching For Nothing 1995 - 1997 cdr (Revival) 5.50

Vintage Ashtray Navigations sounds from the mid-'90s. These tracks were intended for the first (unissued) Ash Nav LP and one for "Four More Raga Moods" (which never made the final cut). 

• Snakestrings / Hollywood Taught You to Kiss 2 cdr (self-released) 7

Double cdr from Ashtray Navigations. "Snakestrings" revels in a cosmic languidity with decaying metal clangs ringing into oblivion opening the disc. Phil Todd plays esraj, kemence, electric sitar and guitars on this, and the long piece ends on pulsing synth drones and electronic hover & hum. "Hollywood" features the trio line-up of Phil Todd, Melanie Delaney & Phil Legard. Still pretty cosmic but of a more malevolent hue with fuzzed psych guitar and electronics whirring and bubbling manically. 

• In Liquid Bravado cdr (Self-released) 5.50

Two tracks from Ashtray Navigations - the first one is "a rendition of a very obscure Spanish folk tune to start things off (so obscure nobody else in history has ever heard it!)". The second is a live set recorded at London's Second Layer records and is murky  slow-seeping nausea with guitar and gaseous electronics fizzling away.

• Fuzzbottle Phenomena cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 5.50

The welcome return of Phil Todd's Memoir of an Aesthete label and a brand new hot off the tape spools (recorded in July 2008!) cdr from Ashtray Navigations. Fuzz-blitzed psych guitar as blasted and overloaded as you could hope for. One of AN's best. 

• Animalinterior cdr (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 5.50

This time around, Phil Todd solo. Feedback-soaked amp-overload and hypnotic tones drifting overhead. Excellent.

• Red Culture LP (Memoirs of an Aesthete) 8.25

Vinyl reissue of an earlier AN cdr. Another blast of over-loaded psych raga from the trio line-up of Phil Todd, Melanie Delaney and Phil Legard (Xenis Emputae Travelling Band). Red vinyl of course.

• The Cream Wheel cdr (self-released) 5.50

Limited edition reissue of a long gone Ash Nav (solo Phil Todd in this instance) release. This finds Phil Todd at his most spectral and introspective - a mix of the abstract end of the Radiophonic Workshop and kosmische synth / guitar drones.

• Pussy Noise cdr (Smokers Gifts) 5.50

Duo recording featuring Phil Todd / Melanie Crowley. Fantastic stuff -Todd's psyched-out guitar spirals higher and higher as the distortion quotient increases on the first track. The second is an all-out energy-zapping fuzz-dronefest. 

also: Invisible Pyramid, Helvetica is the Perfume of the City, Directing Hand, Xenis Emputae Travelling Band, The Mystery Water Saloon Boys, Zen Nuns, Czech Nymphs, El-G, Moral Holiday

Auto da Fe - The Spectre cd (Secret Eye) 3

a fascinating album from Tara Tavi and Martin Kvisvic of Amps for Christ recorded using a stack of wonderful sounding Oriental instruments like guzheng and yang qin and the more (relatively!) familiar bouzouki, tambur, balalaika, recorder, Chinese banjo and marimba. This opens with a baroque-styled song that would sound more at home in some royal court in centuries gone by and continues with a treasure trove of unusual and exotic settings and sounds for Tara's vocals and dark songs.

Automat 

• Happy Trials cdep (Ravenna) 1.50

• Just Imagine Drive cdr (Ravenna) 1.50

Automat is Mike Appelstein, formerly of the Poconos and the wonderful and sadly missed Caught in Flux fanzine: strummy bedroom pop with understated percussion (tambourine / maracas) that is charming in the same way as By Coastal Cafe 

Avarus  

• Vesikansi cd (Secret Eye) 3.50

4 tracks of sprawling psych freak-out from one of the lynch-pin bands of the Finnish underground (including members of Kemialliset Ystavat, Lau Nau, Islaja, Kuupuu, Kiila, Es, Anaksimandros). Free form folk / noise that alternates between tranced and crazed, with growling vocals that sound as if they're emitted from the bowels of the earth. Fursaxa joins them on 2 tracks, recorded live in Dublin. 

• Rasvaaja LP (Secret Eye) 9.75

Super-limited and now sold out at source LP in an eye-damaging day-glo sleeve. One side of the full-on Avarus psych-kraut-jam experience and one side of mysterious quiet - guitar strings and percussion jangling and rumbling as if moved by ghostly forest breezes.

• Kirppuren saari LP (Arbor) 9.50

"Long touted as the forefathers of Finnish freeform psychedlic music, Avarus, a collective bearing members from The Anaksimadros, Kemialliset Ystävät, Maniacs Dream, and more, document their first tour of the United States on "Kirppujen Saari".  The sounds contained show a departure and growth from typical Avarus recordings.  The A side long track begins with a psychrock romper complete with full “band” instrumentation, slowly it deconstructs itself into the abstract electric/acoustic stylings and sonic spattering familiar to their previous work.  Slowness builds into full on clatter filled walls of vocals, toy keyboards, horns, strums, and other acoustic junk, creating a unique and massive drone.  The opposing side is pure acoustic drones composed of vocals, horns, and tribal beats.  Room filling ambiance, corner clatter, and morphing silence also find a way to unobtrusively build themselves into the piece.  In an edition of 350 LPs on coke bottle clear vinyl with printed labels by Bart of Sloow Tapes and proprinted full color foldover art by the band." (Arbor)

also: Kemialliset Ystavat, Kuupuu, Last Night on Earth,  Nuslux 

b

Jean Bach - Sans le Playback 7" (555) 0.50

crazy fun-time electronica with plenty of melody, twists and turns and a delight in pummelling europop to pieces

Aidan Baker 

• The Sea Swells a Bit ... cd (A Silent Place) 9

Three epic length tracks from the Toronto based musician and writer. The opener - and title track - has layers of melody developing through a haze. Rothko, Mazzacane Connors and Gavin Bryars' Titanic came to mind here, with the additional feel of drum sounds very low in the mix. The drum machine rises progressively throughout the album and with it the mood and feel veers towards expansive post-rock. Baker's cover drawing looks well on the textured gatefold card sleeve. (JC)  

• I Wish Too, To be Absorbed cd (Important) 9.50

"Aidan Baker's I Wish Too, To Be Absorbed is a 2 disc compilation of tracks from various out-of-print, limited edition releases spanning the last 10 years of Baker's output, ranging from his very first release to material that was featured on the soundtrack to a book of his poetry. Toronto based composer Aidan Baker works under his own name, under the name Nadja along with bassist Leah Buckareff and also with the trio ARC. Hailing from the Great White North, Baker incorporates guitar, drums, bass, voice and tape loops into his myriad work hauling down a long iceberg of frigid doom, bliss and sound collage. He has also composed work for the The Penderecki String Quartet & The Uxbridge Chamber Choir and he is also a published poet. The first disc in the set features shorter, perhaps more accessible tunes with a wide range of instrumentation and songs ranging from minimal drone to delicate post-rock to ambient trip-hop. The second disc features longer, more drone/experimental-oriented pieces, primarly using the guitar (with the odd tapeloops and vocals) as the primary sound source. Adventures in ambience. Sonic immersion. Introspective dronescapes." (Important)

Bardo Pond 

• Cypher Documents 1 cd (Three Lobed) 5

fuzz-guitar driven out-there psych rock: this collects recordings that were available briefly online between the recording of 'Set and Setting' and 'Dilate'

• Batholith LP and cd (with bonus cd) (3 Lobed) 13.75

"batholith is a collection of six tracks that are near and dear to bardo pond but, for some reason or another, have never previously been released. that one-sentence description might lead one to think that these tracks are "outtakes" or cutting-room floor type material - neither conclusion could be further from the truth. the tracks included on batholith range from previous live staples ("a tune," one made 'famous' by opening bardo's set at terrastock II in san francisco as joined by roy montgomery [and a recording of which was featured on the KFJC compilation live from the devil's triangle, volume 2]) to tracks the band recorded in john peel sessions collected as a whole, these tracks form a fluid and cohesive album. batholith is not just an exciting moment for long time bardo pond fans, but a great jumping on point for folks who are relatively new to their craft." (3Lobed website) Heavy vinyl with cd version of the LP, all my copies include a bonus cd of unreleased Bardo Pond stuff.

also: Invisible Pyramid, For the Dead in Space II & III comp

Barlow / Pedersen / Wivinus - Transparent World cd (Hand / Eye) 3.50

An album of instrumental pieces by the Minneapolis based trio of artist and experimental theatre champion Rich Barlow, Viaticum member Jesse Peterson and Erik Wivinus of Salamander and, sometimes, Stone Breath. This is acoustic music using guitar, dulcimer, mandolin and various other rather unusual instruments (train whistle, for example) which is at turns both mellow and quite dark. Although the tracks are essentially improvised pieces, they have a strong melodic feel and a style which will appeal to fans of Charalambides & Six Organs. At times I also hear flashes of More/Ummagumma era Pink Floyd, which is no bad thing (JC)

Barn Owl / Tom Carter split LP (Blackest Rainbow) 9.50

"Newest Blackest Rainbow hot on the heels of some truly killer releases from the artists involved, both who seem to have really pushed there sounds and vibes to new levels this year... Barn Owl's side has been mastered by local jammer Ben Nash, and its three tracks of sparse drone layered with bleak guitar epic-ness, tingling chimes and dark mountainous whispers. The guitars here sound delicate and beautiful, but it remains bleak and empty, if you enjoyed their LP on Not Not Fun then this is a real treat. Tom Carter's 16 minute 'Train Kept' follows pretty damn nicely from his recent 'Shots At Infinity' releases on Important, a far cry from his more psychedelic folk experimentations, here he slashes and riffs like many a legend, and maybe, just maybe, it's a slight tribute to a certain band too? This is a fully wild piece of work. Black sleeves, pasted stark landscape cover, with a insert of liner notes. Limited to 380 copies." (BR)

Basalt Fingers - s/t LP & cd (3 Lobed) 11.75

Guitar wielding trio featuring Elisa Ambrogio (Magik Markers), Ben Chasny (Six Organs Of Admittance) and Brian Sullivan (Mouthus). Detuned doom-riffing and murky guitars that worm menacingly through a thick black fog. Artwork and silk-screening by Alan Sherry of SIWA. This comes with the free cd featuring the same material as on the LP.

Bass Communion - Molotov & Haze cd (Important) 9.25

"Molotov And Haze is packaged in a deluxe tip-on style heavy duty gatefold jacket with the cd slipped into a Japanese inner bag. Design by Carl Glover. Bass Communion is a project dedicated to Steven Wilson’s recordings in an ambient, drone, and/or electronic vein. Most of the pieces are experiments in texture made from processing recordings of real instruments and field recordings. The atmosphere of the music has tended towards the dark and melancholic, but expressed with an almost zen like beauty. More recently Wilson has also started working with a guitar and laptop configuration - the first material in this style is contained on this album." (Important)

Martyn Bates - Mystery Seas (Letters Written #2) cd (Hand/Eye) 3.50

All the songs here are Martyn Bates solo works, but it is credited as being produced by Eyeless In Gaza and Peter Becker, his cohort in the band, plays some drums and recorded/engineered the disc. The main instruments here are vintage electric organ and what sounds like a fine old harmonium - there's something about this music that would suit a Victorian one with bevelled mirrors adorning the overmantle! Bates voice veers more towards Marc Almond torch song territory here than I've noticed on other albums. This includes a 16 page booklet with what looks like old movie stills used therein. I'm sure that's Louise Brooks on page 10… (JC)

Matt Baumann - An Island cd (Reverb Worship) 5.50

An album of spacious solo saxophone - and a very lovely one at that. Matt Baumann's 8 mood pieces begin with An Island (Arriving) and end with An Island (Leaving), so there's an implied journey here, with track titles like Marooned, Ghost Ships and Wraith in between. Much of the time he uses the spaces between his notes almost like a second instrument, playing off huge reverbs. If you were ever into ECM albums by Jan Garbarek, this will definitely appeal, although Baumann's playing is warmer than the admittedly rather glacial JG... actually, this is more akin to John Surman's soulfulness on a wonderful Barre Phillips album called Mountainscapes - another ECM title. Recommended. (JC)

Bobby Beausoleil - Mantra pic disc LP (Qbico) 11

This is very different to BB's soundtrack to Kenneth Anger's Lucifer Rising and, I suspect, of much more recent vintage. Mantra was written as a piece to aid meditation, relaxation and contemplation at the request of Beausoleil's fellow prisoners - in case you need a resume, Bobby is serving a life term and if you want more information on this, try searching his name alongside Charles Manson and you'll find all ye seek... and probably more! Anyway, the music: this is a big sweeping, soothing drone piece, where the initial statement is repeated with subtle developments. A good reference point to the sound might be Gavin Bryars. A wind-cloud of sound you can readily lose yourself in and a highly attractive Qbico picture disc too. (JC)

Beat Poets / Interceptors - The Superior Surf Sounds of ... 7" (Boa) 1.50

super surf instros featuring theremin on the Slampt-affiliated Interceptors’ side & a cover (featuring full horn section) of the "Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" theme from former 53^rd & 3^rd recording artists

Gianluca Becuzzi / Fabio Orsi 

• Muddy Speaking Ghosts Through My Machines cd (A Silent Place) 8.50

Everything I've so far heard involving Fabio Orsi has been nothing less than excellent and this collaboration with electro-acoustic Italian sound-artist Gianluca Becuzzi. Orsi creates a nostalgic and otherworldly ambience round the samples of Alan Lomax recordings he uses, and Becuzzi's subtle drones underscore his pastoral guitar soundscapes with a sense of unease. Lovely.

• The Stones Know Everything cd (Digitalis) 8

I was thinking that the big, sinuous tones I was listening to were bell-like, then it came to me: the sensation is - if you care to imagine the scene - like drifting down a river inside a giant bell. There are field recordings bubbling up, backwards sounds, guitar and a particularly lovely distant piano at various points along the double disc journey, and it's a journey which has ominous undercurrents too. (JC)

• Sound Postcards cd (Cold Current Production) 9

Originally released via mp3 this collection of collaborations by Becuzzi and Orsi is one of their most melodic works. At times the aura of innocence and nostalgia makes me think of a beatless Boards of Canada; other more ambient pieces make me think of empty rooms haunted by memories. It's a beautifully contemplative and melancholic album.

Beggin' Your Pardon Miss Joan - Dear Nautilus cdr (Reverb Worship) 5.50

Shimmery reverb-swathed acoustic guitar voices in harmony from Strawberry Hill, London . My first thought was to be reminded of Mike and Mimi Farina - and this is a very good thing. The mood is elegaic/melancholic, the year could be 1966-68, but this doesn't sound particularly retro either and, all in all, the effect is utterly delightful. (JC)

Believers 

• Brontoursaurus cdr (Apostasy) 2.50

raw primeval rock with lurching riffs, pounding drums and fantastic female vocals. Comes in an over-sized stamped card sleeve.

• Forgotten Tracks cdr (Blueberry Honey) 2.50

If you can imagine a voice like Pat from Melody Dog or Anne Bacheley (well, a voice like those, but with an American accent - not Scots or French) being backed by a fairly full-on guitar band for three songs which turn into extended freaky garage jams, you're getting some idea of what's going on here. "Looks like we had a good time", she sings, and I suspect they probably did. (JC)

Bellini - Small Stones lp (Temporary Residence) 2.50

second album from Bellini (their debut was on Monitor), featuring former members of Uzeda and Girls Against Boys: a muscular rhythm section, a dark rock & roll heart and the sheer intensity of vocalist Giovanna Cacciola

Big Eyes Family Players 

• Do The Musiking cd (Pickled Egg) 6

Not quite a new Big Eyes album but James Green and David Jaycock with a host of collaborators they admire including Jeremy Barnes (A Hawk and a Hacksaw), James Yorkston, Rachel Grimes (Rachel's), Suzy Mangion (George), James William Hindle and others. Plenty of the old Big Eyes' melancholic magic is present along with the usual gorgeous classical arrangements (guitar, violin, viola, clarinet, accordian, cello, harmonium, piano, vocals) alongside music box lullabies and weary folk songs.

• Donkeysongs cd (Rusted Rail) 7.50

Another gorgeous collection of intimate chamber-folk instrumentals from Big Eyes Family Players (formerly Big Eyes), this time comprising of James Green, david Jaycock and Chris Boyd. Instruments used include harp, violin, guitar, harmonium, percussion, banjo, piano, organ, harmonica, drums and occasional loops. Packaged in a handmade sleeve with lino cut by James Green.

The Big Huge 

• Crown Your Head With Flowers, Crown Your Heart With Joy cd (Secret Eye) 1
• A Woven Page of Silver Light cd (Secret Eye) 1

Drew Nelson of Sonna abandons their instrumental post-rock for a delve into tradtional folk music complete with banjo and ukelele pluckings, accordion and dulcimer 

also: Sonna

Birchville Cat Motel 

• Bird Sister Blasphemy cd (Battlecruiser) 6

"Birds Call Home Their Dead"'s dark twin. Squealing guitars and eviscerating metal noise - like thrash metal imploding.

• Seventh Ruined Hex cd (Important) 7

Another fantastic album from Campbell Kneale, this time in collaboration with Matthew Bower (Skullflower / Sunroof!). Layers of super-fuzzy drone with Bower's endless spirals of guitar as luminous as thousands of beams of light. Less metal-orientated than recent BCM releases and more of a heavy fuzz drone bliss-krieg thrill. 

• Curved Surface Destroyer 3cd (Last Visible Dog) 11

Mammoth 3 cd set compiling live BCM from 1998 - 2006. Includes the awe-inspiring set from Instal: shimmering drones and the distant sound of strangulated pipes and gradually brutally blotted out by monolithic sampled Iron Maiden riffing. Recommended

also: Kneale, With Throats as Fine as Needles, Ming, Black Boned Angel, Organ Organ Organ Organ

John Olson & Mike Connelly of Wolf Eyes plus Belgian Cassis Cornuta. Malevolent electronics and warped circuitry. Fold-out Dennis Tyfus art and an etching on the B side.

Sindre Bjerga - Crystal Cranium, Diamond head cassette (Blackest Rainbow) 4.75

"Solo live blurt from 25 June 2008 from Sindre Bjerga, one half of Bjerga/Iversen. Background drones hit in immediatley accompanied with some minimal scrapes and sputtering kinda growth aura from aforementioned drone, there's a real static vibe cruising through this. Occasional clunk and taps blur away as the heavy dense drone consumes the lot like an electric mist, with feedback clots clogging up your lungs, and creepy terror sounds. Limited to 50 hand numbered copies, each with indvidual handmade weird paper and an insert, everyone looking entirely different." (BR)

• Earth Pit cdr (Barl Fire) 1.50

an unsettling mix of noise / drone: woozily bowed strings, twisted machine noise, shortwave chatter and distant electronics floating weirdly in - reminds Carrick of the sound the airplane made in the black & white 'Flash Gordon' film!

• Smoke Filled Mirrors cdr (mymwly) 1.50

rumbling earthy noise filled with electronic chatter and ear-piercing drones - comes in a lovely hand-painted sleeve

• There's a Ghost in the Dream Machine cdr (Timelag) 2.50

The sleeve lists Sindre Bjerga (Gold Soundz label) as playing "amplified ghosts" and Jan Iversen (Tibprod) on "electronic dreams" and that gives a good  description on the shape-shifting sounds within. The rheumatic wheeze of an iron lung and ancient machinery whirring back to life and slowly being consumed by an inferno. Paste-on art / hand-stamped sleeves.

• The Smallest Roads Are Paved with Bricks of Gold cdr (Celestial Jars) 1.50

Latest release from Sindre Bjerga / Jan Iversen. Hazed drones of strange tones, whirrs and beeps like the inner workings in a submarine. Mysterious electronics.

• / Madame P cdr (Ambolt Hue) 1.50

Live recordings from shows in Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Brighton. Lots of intense electronic fizz, low level rumbles and voices in harmony with the above. The audience also make quite a strong appearance here: if you listen closely enough, you can probably follow some threads of conversation in Newcastle. Who knows, maybe you're even on the record! (JC)

• Empire of Dirt cassette (Abandon Ship) 3

Recorded live in April 2007 in Amsterdam - pulsing electrical currents, rumbling bass drones and plenty of atmospheric hiss and hum.

also: Iversen, Wailing Bones Volume 6 comp

Black Boned Angel & Nadja - Christ Send Light cd (Battlecruiser) 6

"As Satan was chucked outta heaven his horn scraped a gash in the clouds and the resulting torrent of divine cloud/satanic blood is exactly the kinda goo that Nadja and Black Boned Angel wash themselves in on a regular basis. The first bites of a particularly bloody collaboration of soul-befuddling heaviness and sickening vistas viewed through rose tinted gas-mask lenses... Nadjas inherent sense of melodic-crushpop pushed RIGHT to the front and smothered in Black Boned Angels hideous, sugar-free toffee. Pure and unsoiled by the tiniest shred of hope, this is the sound of total defeat. "

Gunwales is a 22 minute piece recorded in Wellington, New Zealand, by guitarists Andrew weeks and Ben Spiers. This is an industrial grade onslaught of dueling squall, feedback and no holds barred improv which can probably strip paint from your walls at the right level... no lower than 11. (JC)

Guy Blackman runs Chapter Music and recently spent some time in Japan - while there, he recorded these 8 songs with the help of members of Tenniscoats and Maher Shalal Hash Baz. There is a similar looseness and joyfulness in the recordings that I'd associate with those bands and a charming cover of 'Answer Me, My Love' which I never thought I'd be writing!

also: Maher Shalal Hash Baz

James Blackshaw 

• Waking Into Sleep - Goteborg, 27.05.06 cd (Kning Disk) 6.75

2nd edition of this cd on Swedish label Kning Disk. It features 4 tracks recorded in Gothenburg in May 2006: Sunshrine, Celeste I, Transient Life in Twilight and Spiralling Skeleton Memorial. This is Blackshaw without the harmonium and percussion, just his stunning acoustic 12 string ragas to spirit you into a beautiful sunlit world. Magical.

• Cloud of Unknowing cd (Tompkins Square) 8

A new James Blackshaw album is always a cause for celebration round Boa HQ and as always this is a delight. Blackshaw's 12 string playing is always so intricate and beautifully constructed that it always comes as a shock to find out that yes, he has 10 fingers just like everyone else, especially to someone like me who can barely manage one chord change without a gap of about 20 seconds. This album draws obviously from folk raga but also less obvious influences such as 20th century European classical music and early religious music and creates an awe-inspiring piece of celestial guitar playing.

• Sunshrine cd (Tompkins Square) 8

Originally issued on Digitalis: a stunningly gorgeous piece of Basho-esque 12-string raga exploration, also featuring harmonium, glockenspiel and bells - highly recommended.

• Lost Prayers and Motionless Dances cd (Tompkins Square) 8

Originally issued on Digitalis. One long track that mirrors the passage of the sun during day from the opening wheeze of harmonium through a wonderful section of 12 string raga which fades into heavy-lidded repetition and a shower of bells.

• A Litany of Echoes cd (Tompkins Square) 8

Another stunning album from James Blackshaw. On this, the influence of 20th century classical music comes to the fore with the opening flurry of piano echoing the work of Charlemagne Palestine. Of course, Blackshaw's sterling 12 string is much in evidence too, sounding as elegaic as ever, accompanied this time around by the rich tones of Fran Bury's viola and 'cello. The final track, which pairs hypnotic rolling piano notes with squalling viola, is a real standout. Highly recommended - I can't wait to hear what Mr Blackshaw does next.

also: Peter walker, Brethren of the Free Spirit

Blake Bayer - Meniere's Disease cdr (Sound & Fury) 2

Nom de plume of Australian Ben Andrews (also of My Disco) who runs the Numerical Thief label (issued "Psychic Secession" by Yellow Swans). This is a live recording from 2006 with ben playing his guitar and tone generators through a mass of effects. This begins with harsh hissing and machine scribble, adds in some guitar drone undercurrents and shadowy breaths of melody and creates something soporific and haunting by the end. 

Blank Realm - Free Time cdr (MYMWLY) 3

Damaged psychedelic swirls of ominous sound - scratchy earth drones, primal drumming, insect crawling guitar - that eventually builds up to the final track of malevolent space rock. 

Blonde Cobra - The Gold in the Gutter cdr (MYMWLY) 1.50

Take the angular and slightly brittle sound of. say, Gang of Four's songs as a starting point, then jump off into extended cosmic freakout/improv terrain. That's a rough idea of what you'll find from Brisbane's Blonde Cobra. It's full on and it sounds like it knows exactly where it's going too. Recommended with the proviso that it may shatter glass at high levels! (JC)

Book of Shadows - The Cosmic Doctrine cdr (Rural Faune) 5.50

Boris Morgana - Im Plodovosch cdr (267 Lattajjaa) 2

Free psych / improv - weird primal vocals, high-wire drones, free-falling drums, feedback, dense electronics.

Born Heller - s/t LP (Bo'weavil) 12.50

LP issue of a cd released a while ago on Locust. Haunting folk from this duo featuring Josephine Foster singing and playing harp and mandolin and Jason Ajemian on vocals and bass. Josephine Foster sings with the effortless purity of Shirley Collins and the music seems to be rooted in ancient traditions. Highly recommended.

also: Josephine Foster

Boyracer- Absence Makes the Heart Grow Harder cd (Foxyboy) 1

Boyracer are one of the few bands ever to start out good and just keep getting better and better - incendiary pop art noise pop that is up there with the best fuzz pop ever

also: Steward, Tall Boy, Homemade Hits comp, Knowing We Was Right From Da Start comp, No Parachute dvd

Julian Bradley - No Bullet Thru Us cdr (Audiobot) 1.50

new cdr packaged in a 7" size orange and pink (ouch) sleeve from ex-Vibracathedral orchestra member: hiss-heavy fuzzed electrical surges of drone

also: Vibracathedral Orchestra, The Noise is All In Your Head comp

Braspyreet - Maamme Laulu cd (Digitalis) 2

It all starts with drums and sounds like a train accelerating on a track that ends with a sharp flight into space over a cliff. There are tooting clarinets, fuzzed out guitars and vocal input possessed (and I mean possessed!) with the spirit of the Legendary Stardust Cowboy - oh and the last track has some of the most outre screaming I've heard in quite some time. Free music of light, shade and wild abandon! I should add that they're from Finland. (JC)

also: Gold Leaf Branches comp

Breathe Stone / The Does cdep (Hand/Eye) 1.50

Stone Breath's electric offshoot meets the Does deliciously wayward swampy and dark rock'n'roll

The Broken Blackbird Ensemble - Gadzooks cd (Early Winter) 5

Bunnybrains - Live at RPI cdr (MYMWLY) 1

George Burt - Solo Guitar cdr (Deluge and Guitary) 3.50

Burt / MacDonald Quartet with Lol Coxhill - Tsunami cd (FMR) 7.50

Stuart Busby - North / South 2x3" cdr (Pseudoarcana) 6.50

Busy Signals - Baby's First Beats LP (Earworm) 1

Beck influenced loop and sample crazy fun and nonsense from this lot that mixes Elephant 6 style 60s pop with a lazy post-modern vibe

Butchy Fuego  - s/t cd (Pickled Egg) 1.50

I don't know a lot about this person / people except that Bablicon members are involved somewhere and both Bablicon and Pickled Egg can be relied upon for something out of the ordinary. It starts off all mellow clarinet and then goes off on some avant-circus cabaret trip, then off into fuzzed-up amateur electronics land, then pent-up indierock, and then ...

also: Jar

By The End of Tonight 

• Fireworks on Ice cdep (Temporary Residence) 1
• A Tribute to Tigers LP / cd (Temporary Residence) 2 

more post-rock fireworks (actually it's not so much post-rock as quite defiantly and uncoolly just rock) from TR

• My Mom Caught Me In My Room Beat Boxin' 3" cdr (Temporary Residence) 1

Second in the series of solo cdrs by each members of By the End of Tonight, this comes from bassist James Templeton and has some Cex-style beats on two of the tracks, after-dusk synth drone on the other 

• The Gunslinger EP 3" cdr (Temporary Residence) 1

There are two distinct facets to this ep: 2 tracks are long-ish guitar driven metal pieces, the other 2 are short electronic ones. The rawk tracks are along the lines of Fear Factory without the growlly vocals. The short electro ones are actually the same keyboard and programming item forwards and backwards. All rather entertaining. (JC)

• He's Home With Bones That Grow the Way They're Supposed to 3" cd (Temporary Residence) 1

6 tracks, lacerating vocals, plenty of fuzz and distortion, bass, some electronics, high velocity, finger in the socket, punkin' energy. What more need you know? The insert says "Don't ruin your speakers"… aw, go on…. (JC)

• The Imaginary EP 3" cd (Temporary Residence) 1

Final disc in the series of 3"s by members of By the End of Tonight, this is from Josh Smith (guitarist / keyboards, who incidentally has now left the band). 6 instrumental tracks with a strong '80s feel to them. Could it be the synth sounds, the fuzz guitar or the approach? A bit of all 3, really. (JC)

c

Cahier - Ciudad cdr (Phantom Limb) 1.50

This is truly one of the most full-on sounds... imagine lots of keyboards (sounds like there's a Rhodes in there), oscillators, percussion sounds and effects. Multiply the layers, the overload, the intensity. Varispeed some tracks then layer it again and once that's done, don't let up for fifteen and a half minutes. If you've got a sonic notion of such a sound in your head, it might approach the first piece on this cd. The second track is slightly shorter and seems more subdued. However, on reflection, that's only in relation to the first one! (JC)

Calletta Craft Typewriter - Sounds of M.I.E. cd (Trolley Bus) 1

8 song mini album from the Japanese duo who currently reside in the US and Cuba - a fun summery mix of Beck -inspired swinging acoustic loose-limbedness and childlike casio tomfoolery

Cam Deas - 5 Bells cdr (Blackest Rainbow) 5

Campos Verdes - Leaving All Those Things Behind 3" cdr (Foxglove) 1

Guitars undulate as though the sound was rising through pools of water, glitchy acoustics waver against distant voices from, perhaps, an old film, another voice speaks of a mysterious woman, sycamores and muskrats. The ethereal world of Campos Verdes is a wondrous place indeed and a 3" cd makes for a very pleasant trip there. (JC)