RE-UP: Black Sand - How Does It Feel? (New Zealand 2009)

BLACK SAND - How Does It Feel? 
(New Zealand 2009)

(mp3 zip, 3 tracks, 13 min, front cover incl.)

1. how does it feel?

2. falling down

3. catch the sun

Get it here or here or here!

From Auckland, New Zealand, comes the one man music project BLACK SAND. 

"I record under the name BLACK SAND. I've been recording my songs for a few years now using a Fostex 8 track and Cool Edit Pro. I'm influenced by a lot of English bands - Primal Scream, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Stone Roses etc. - and a lot of sixties bands, The Creation, The Who, Small Faces etc. - Catch the Sun is the oldest song here, written 3 years ago, while How Does it Feeland Falling Down were written in the last couple of months. - I'm a big music fan and I've always written and recorded for the love of it. My songs are what they are, they're born out of a love of listening to music that moves you and makes you feel alive."(Anthony Evans, B. S.)

60ies inspired psychedelic pop/rock that has everything fans of that genre will love: dreamy melodies, backward guitars, and a quite relaxed over all atmosphere...To my mind come indeed some songs by PRIMAL SCREEN. Recommended! I'd love to hear more from that guy!

Enjoy!

Lunar Testing Lab - Unauthorized Frequencies EP (USA 2010)

LUNAR TESTING LAB is Eric Watson from Beaver Falls, PA.

Another excellent "space lounge music" release by LUNAR TESTING LAB, who is also featured with one track on the recent HLFP 05-Sampler SPACE IS STILL THE PLACE.

Find Eric's older release Seashore Blvd here!

"The idea behind it (= Unauthorized Frequencies) was to make an EP using a bunch of samples from 45rpm records. Then I made limited edition cdr's (13 copies which came in 7 inch sleeves) and each one came with one of the 45's that I sampled. So whoever ordered one got a piece of the source material. The cdr had 10 tracks, so they also got 3 bonus songs."

(Eric Watson via email)

http://www.myspace.com/lunartestinglaboratory

http://www.secretstationrecords.com/index.php

http://www.i-absentee.com/artist-lunartestinglab.html

LUNAR TESTING LAB: Unauthorized Frequencies EP

(USA 2010)

(mp3-zip, 7 tracks, 21 min, 48,2 MB)

Get it here or here!

Allister Thompson - Infinities (CAN 2006)

ALLISTER THOMPSON is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He's been playing his own music since the late 90s.

The biggest band he's been in was called CRASH KELLY (2002-2009), a 70s-style glam band, that released three albums on various labels internationally and toured Canada, the U.S. and parts of Europe. Allister was the rhythm guitar player/occasional bassist/backing vocalist in the group. "The highlight of our career was doing two tours opening for ALICE COOPER."

ALLISTER THOMPSON has recorded two albums under his own name: The first is "Infinities" (2006), where he played all instruments (g., bs., keyb., perc.) and sang everything. It was produced at home in lofi conditions and later mastered very well to sound "pretty sparkly". His second album, "Shadowlands", produced last winter, was recorded in a professional recording studio in Toronto with a full band on most tracks.

"I had called my music "psych folk", in the late 60s/early 70s tradition of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, Popol Vuh, that sort of thing. The new album has a bit of that on it but also a lot of psych-rock/early prog/Kraut influences. So I guess it's now "psychedelic folk rock"!

Primary influences: Nick Drake, John Martyn, Sandy Denny, Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Popol Vuh, Flying Saucer Attack, The Church (the Aussie neo-psych band)." (A. T.)

Excellent mellow psychedelic folk recording strongly influenced by late 60s/early 70s British folk music – especially NICK DRAKE – with a slight ambient music touch. There are surely not too many current musicians that are working in the area that ALLISTER THOMPSON is in, i. e. mixing folk with more ambient/psych sounds, with lyrics that are more philosophical than personal.

"I personally generally dislike confessional singer songwriting (people whining about their relationships) and enjoy it when songwriters try to give their lyrics a greater meaning. That's my goal anyway." (A. T.)

Great music! The only thing I do not like that much is the cover artwork. I think it doesn't do justice to this rather sad, but beautiful music at all.

Enjoy!

Favourite track: 'Galaxies Turn'

http://www.myspace.com/allisterthompson

http://www.archive.org/details/AllisterThompsonInfinities

http://www.last.fm/music/Allister+Thompson

Listen to some of Allister's lates cd "Shadowlands" on Myspace. You can buy it at cdbaby.

IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR, PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTIST!

ALLISTER THOMPSON - Infinities (2006)

(mp3-zip, 11 tracks, 51 min, 119,2 MB, artwork incl.)

Get it here or here or here!

The Three Potato 4- Album Savant (USA 2009)

From San Francisco, CA, USA, comes Ryan George, the man behind

THE THREE POTATO 4.

"... Over the next 9 months, I recorded 'Album Savant' - a collection of baroque, avant-pop psychedelia teeming with mountain dulcimer, organs, cellos, dollar-store toys, tampuras, steel radiators, and more reverb than you can shake a stick at." (R. G.)

Amazing album with a near perfect production - great music, that I'd like to term Baroque-psych. There's lots of things and sounds to find in the mix, every time you listen to "Album Savant" you will discover something new, so repeated listening is strongly recommended - and a real pleasure. The arrangements are adventurous and exceptionally and Ryan's gentle and distinctive singing style is tasteful and concise.

Favourite track: 'Let Yourself Know' and 'Manic By Proxy'

'ALBUM SAVANT' IS AVAILABLE NOW on iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, and Amazon.com MP3.
You can also get it on CD from the fine folks at Ryan's record label, Series Two Records, by clicking here.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTIST. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR!

http://www.myspace.com/threepotato4

The Three Potato 4- Album Savant (USA 2009)

(mp3-zip, 10 tracks, 28 min, 25,4 MB, artwork incl.)

Get it here or here!

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Searchlight Needles (USA 2009)

"CABINET OF NATURAL CURIOSITIES, based in Missoula, MT and Brooklyn, NY, is the project of songwriter Jasmine Dreame Wagner, who collaborates with a rotating cast of musicians in both cities. The music is sparse, wistful, psychedelic-tinged americana with elements of electronica and dark ambient sound. CABINET's albums are completely handmade -- home-recorded, hand-stamped and assembled." (Xavier from CONC / For Arbors / For Satellites)

'Searchlight Needles' was recorded over 2007 and 2008 and released in 2009.

"Founded in 2005 by songwriter and visual artist Jasmine Dreame Wagner, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities weaves a tapestry of cinematic ballads and soundscapes from threads of folk and electronica. Performed by an evolving cast of artists and musicians, Cabinet’s haunting folk chants, noise instrumentals and ghost stories rise and fall from field recordings, acoustic and electric guitars, alto and tenor recorders, xylophone, keyboards and percussion..." (press info)

Gentle, intimate folk songs played on acoustic guitar with added ambient, sometimes electronic, sounds; at times quite disturbing, often there's something menacing underneath the peaceful atmosphere – excellent music!

Reminds me slightly of late 60ies UK folk Jazz band THE PENTANGLE in places (e.g. vocals on 'Black Water')

Favourite tracks: 'Glass' and 'For Sparrow'

http://www.cabinetofnaturalcuriosities.com

http://www.myspace.com/jasminedreamewagner

http://www.last.fm/music/Cabinet+of+Natural+Curiosities

In addition to “Searchlight Needles,” Cabinet’s full length handmade CDr, “Vineland,” and CDr EP, “Glass v Grass” are available from For Arbors / For Satellites. Check 'em out (at http://www.cabinetofnaturalcuriosities.com) and PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTIST.

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Searchlight Needles (USA)

(mp3-zip, 10 tracks, 96,3 MB, 53 min)

Sorry, no longer available!

Check out for downloads

http://ampeatermusic.com/catalog

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Vineland (CDR) (USA 2007)

My second post with music by CABINET OF NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Similar in style to "Searchlight Needles", probably even a little bit more on the experimental side. 'Vineland' was recorded over 2005 and 2006 and released 2007.

The cover artwork for this one are each hand-sewn and, like "Searchlight Needles", this CDR is released in limited edition. Enjoy!

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Vineland (CDR) (USA)

(mp3-zip, 9 tracks, 31 min, 56,7 MB)

Sorry, no longer available!

Check out for downloads:

http://ampeatermusic.com/catalog

Lunar Testing Lab - Seashore Blvd (USA 2009)

LUNAR TESTING LAB is Eric Watson from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

His "Space Program" album, officially released on "i, absentee", was picked as # 5 cd of 2008 by Tobacco of Black Moth Super Rainbow.

The EP "Seashore Blvd" was recorded in May 2009, and was strongly recommended for posting on HLFP by Will Treffry of PANEYE, who is a big fan of it ("You will not regret listening to this. It is without question some of the best music i've heard in quite a while..." - I totally agree!)

Eric is into electronic music since 1991 or so; he began the LUNAR TESTING LAB project in 2004; influences he mentions are Boards of Canada, BMSR, funk, and 1970's moog music, and he uses a lot of samples and "a few synth sounds" to make his music.

The result is a unique mixture of jazz, funk, electronic and lounge; guess I'll call that "space lounge music" – a truely great record, strongly recommended to fans of AIR and psychedelic electronic music.

Favourite track: hmmm, difficult. Probably the opener: "Black Sands" and "Topaze Bay". The whole EP is great. Recommended especially for Sunday morning listening.

http://www.myspace.com/lunartestinglaboratory

http://www.secretstationrecords.com/index.htm

http://www.i-absentee.com/artists.html

LUNAR TESTING LAB - Seashore Blvd (USA 2009)

(mp3 zip, 8 tracks, 27 min, 43,1 MB, front cover incl.)

Get it here!

Black Sand - How Does It Feel? (New Zealand 2009)

Black Sand - How Does It Feel? (New Zealand 2009)

(mp3 zip, 3 tracks, 13 min, front cover incl.)

1. how does it feel?

2. falling down

3. catch the sun

Get it here or here or here! 

(New links October 2012)

From Auckland, New Zealand, comes the one man music project BLACK SAND. 

"I record under the name BLACK SAND. I've been recording my songs for a few years now using a Fostex 8 track and Cool Edit Pro. I'm influenced by a lot of English bands - Primal Scream, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Stone Roses etc. - and a lot of sixties bands, The Creation, The Who, Small Faces etc. - Catch the Sun is the oldest song here, written 3 years ago, while How Does it Feel and Falling Down were written in the last couple of months. - I'm a big music fan and I've always written and recorded for the love of it. My songs are what they are, they're born out of a love of listening to music that moves you and makes you feel alive." (Anthony Evans, B. S.)

60ies inspired psychedelic pop/rock that has everything fans of that genre will love: dreamy melodies, backward guitars, and a quite relaxed over all atmosphere...To my mind come indeed some songs by PRIMAL SCREEN. Recommended! I'd love to hear more from that guy!

Enjoy!

Charlotte & Magon - Love Happening (excerpt: some promo mp3s) (FR + ISRAEL 2008)

Love Happening - The story of Charlotte & Magon

"Charlotte (France) and Magon (Israel), met in 2006. At the end of 2007, after Magon reached a nice success in his country with his first auto produced EP, he invited Charlotte to create, without any doubts, an "authentically and marvelous" pop album in 12 days, in his parents house. Charlotte, curious and instinctive, took a flight and met Magon in March 2008 in Ben Gurion Airport.
They composed 9 songs and felt deeply in love. Their love became the core of their songs and brought to their music a timeless universality. They called their album "Love Happening" because that is what happened and still is. (...) The sweet and catchy melodies sung with passion and game, the energetic rhythmic section, the groovy guitars and bass, the lyrical pianos and the psychedelic synths create an intelligent pop assuming it believes in love and playing with it's naivety...." (promo info text)

Alexis Dew, the manager of Charlotte & Magon, sent me a mail and asked me to review this album. Since "Love Happening" is a relatively new album release (and available on iTunes/emusic/amazon....) we decided to only choose some tracks as a kind of appetizer for the album. If you like what you hear, PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTISTS AND BUY THEIR ALBUM...

When I read the info text I have to admit I was very sceptical at first, to say the least... I mean: a boy-meets-girl-story, they make music together and fall in love... c'mon, man, don't give me that crap... Kitschy romanticism used to sell records, how new is that to you? - hello, Mr. Gainsbourg, hello Mrs. Birkin...
But I have to say: I was wrong! This really is a great record! It's very well produced, the compositions and the arrangements are excellent, and Charlotte's voice is really quite impressive, haunting, sometimes reminding of a young KATE BUSH or ALISON GOLDFRAPP. Ok, there is some soulful 'love whispering' on one or two tracks, that I could live without, but on the other hand it's not that bad - in fact it doesn't harm the music, as it could have done, if it was recorded by less talented musicians...

I wouldn't go as far as calling "Love Happening" a psychedelic pop masterpiece, but then: which record is?, and "Love Happening"... well, ... it comes quite close to that...

http://www.myspace.com/charlottemagon

http://charlottemagon.com/

CHARLOTTE & MAGON - Love Happening (excerpt)
(mp3 zip, 3 tracks, 11 min, 21,3 MB,@320kbps)
Get it here or here!

Bill Rogers - In The Land Of The Pleasure Seekers (USA 2008)

In October I posted a song collection by this very talented song writer/musician named BILL ROGERS, who is also featured with one great neo psych track ("When The Clock Strikes 13") on the last homemade-lofi-psych Sampler NEW KIDS ON THE BLOG (HLFP 03). Here is a complete album, called "In The Land Of The Pleasure Seekers", that Bill recorded last year.

"The 3 'B's' - BYRDS, BEATLES, and BEACH BOYS are the bedrock influence for me." (B. R.)

My personal favourites are: "Leave It", "He" and "Raga Mind-Meld".

Read more about BILL ROGERS in the info of the old post or on his Myspace page.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTIST: You can buy some of Bill's recordings here at CD Baby.

BILL ROGERS - In The Land Of The Pleasure Seekers

(mp3 zip, 14 tracks, 69,3 MB, 52 min, artwork incl.)

Get it HERE!

New link 05/2024.

Bill Rogers - Song collection (US ca. 2008)

Here's a collection of songs of yet another very talented song writer, who wants to share his music with us.

BILL ROGERS from Huntington, Vermont, USA, has been recording his own songs for 10+ years and playing in bands for more than that. He now is a member of the sunshine pop band RAQUEL'S BOYS as well as a solo artist in his own right. Bill's latest albums are available at CD BABY (PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTISTS, IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR!).

"My sound is a boiled down synthesis of hundreds of 60's Sunshine pop, Folk Rock, Psychedelic, and Garage bands I've loved over the years. My sound ranges in emotion from jubilant BEACH BOYS style pop to moody, misty ballads to the guitar driven, mind bending, psychedelic!" (B. R.) 

A near perfect description of Bill's music, I'd say. One can clearly detect traces of bands like GANDALF, SAGITTARIUS, THE BYRDS, turned on BEATLES or THE STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK as well as of harder, more guitar driven bands like THE PRETTY THINGS. Very well done, very cool stuff!

Get to know Bill and his music at his MySpace site. 

Thanks Bill, for sharing! Enjoy!

 

BILL ROGERS - Song Collection

(mp3-zip, 7 tracks, 31 min, 30,9 MB)

Get it HERE. Re-up 05/2024

 

My favourite tracks: 

Leave It – killer song that I can listen to again and again

and: Raga Mind-Melt - fanatstic psychedelic stuff!