Stumbled across these (no, not that way) compilations from Blackburn Recordings full of good things…over at the venerable Free Music Archive. Well worth checking out.
Hailing from Bryansk, Russia, Jet Plane play an interesting take on post rock, taking the usual structures and frameworks and rebuilding up some self-described low-key drama. It’s a (here it comes) tasteful approach, stripping away some bombast they don’t need to get their point across without diminishing impact or emotion. Jet Plane incorporate some cello work from guest Alexey Kovtun that heightens the theatrical and melancholy haze while remaining understated. Coupled with a languid flow they work into All The Static Stars, Jet Plane lift themselves a touch off the ground, gliding over any overly methodical trappings.
Air Threads :: Jet Plane :: All The Static Stars (2012, Jet Plane)
U.K. trio Stubb bring home a mash of bone-crunching and nut-busting stoner and acid blues rock with a heavy-duty fuzz-laden 70s vibe. Dead set and driven to ‘continue the journey of the power trio through the 21st Century,’ Stubb has a big enough set of stones to fill your bell-bottoms to the brim. On the surface, it may not seem very… English…butStubb don’t lower themselves to aping anything ‘American’ and they certainly aren’t above kicking some of it square in the teeth. The mix from T. Dallas Reed is thick, heavy and despite all the hair growing on it, crystal clear in getting the point across. Guitarist Jack Dickinson not only delivers the licks, but has a great set of pipes perfectly married to the crunch laid down by him and cohorts Pete Holland and Chris West. Stubb is also available in some CD/LP bundles if you’re so inclined. Get some…and paint some flames on it.
Certainly seems that’s more than enough. 2016 pt II & III wallows in a druggy lo-fi pool of smoke that’s not necessarily a case of less is more, but rather doing more with less. Coming from various locales over time in Texas, Cavedweller may seem like a small operation, but Michener and his rotating assists put everything about right where it needs to be to inflate his reverbery space in size to the point where you’re looking at his home-state from the other end of the microscope. Cavedweller isn’t about how big they can be. It’s about creating a feeling of echoing ambling space no matter what the size of the room, or garage, you’re working in.
Smoking 3-song EP from Santa Ana-based Plant Tribe. This one, this one is American. No mistaking it. That’s not to say Plant Tribe don’t mix in some grooves beyond our shore, and skies. Plant Tribe take a classic 60s/70s groove and bend the frame psychically and psychedelically. Why wouldn’t they? They’ve got their feet firmly entrenched in some road tested, and no matter what they tell you, still abundantly fertile soil. With eyes and cortex pointing high, the tendrils lift up giving Saturation the flexibility to take in the wind and bend with it, from then to now and back again. A bit back Plant Tribe was a Revolt of the Apes Band of the Weekfor damn good reason, and since my simian brother speaks the language like no other, I’m going to lift two of his laser-beamed terms and butt them up together; off-kilter boogie-woogie. Dig in and take root.
4-cut outing that’s perfect for finding some dubby respite from the Summer furnace, courtesy of Adelaide’s Major Crimes (Ben McLaren, Callan Visser). I’ve never been in a monsoon, so I’m not sure how much they can break the heat or induce some chill, but this one does. A fairly simple concoction, each ingredient is added just right for your cocktail; dashes of electronica flavors, wah guitar, funky percussion, keyboards…all in the right measure. Far from being slight in any way, MONSOON is an interesting concoction; refreshing and slightly menacing in a slippery way. Lesser hands would have gone for pure atmosphere over any substance, or gotten betrayed by its allure. Major Crimes don’t and part of the appeal of MONSOON, and it’s strength, is that you can enjoy as a blast of cool air, or the subtle gusts of something stronger.
The Dime :: Major Crimes :: MONSOON (2012, Major Crimes)
When, on 26th March 2012, Lee Jackson passed away after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease), a ripple of sadness and shock ran through the communities he touched with his life. Tributes poured in across social networks sites and plans were soon hatched for a tribute to a man whose passion for music knew no bounds. Curated by Mats Gustaffson, with whom Lee worked on The Broken Face magazine, Ned Raggett and Travis Johnson, this compilation not only showcases a massive range of music but will also ensure that the fight against ALS continues, as all proceeds go to the Texas branch of the charity fighting the disease.
Above all, though the music on show is for Lee Jackson – a man who touched many through his writing, his knowledge and his kindness; not least of course Terrascope readers. All we can do is dive in and enjoy the sounds whilst raising a glass to the stars. Turn it up and don’t forget to boogie.
So onto the music itself, how exactly do you review 94 tracks that stretch over 12 hours, looks like the perfect festival line-up and covers folk, space-rock, drone, psych, experimental, pop, acoustic, freakout, cosmic funk and all points in between?
To be honest I am not sure yet, guess I am gonna have to fire the compilation up and see what happens.
Hail Voyagers! Once more ’round the Sun and we’ve arrived back where we belong! And, once again, we’re here to bring you a psychedelic soundtrack to your Summer, 2012 style. I love each of the prior four volumes of this series in equal measure – like a parent, but make no mistake this is a precocious little edition.
Out of the gate running! Yes, a Sun Gate. Sixteen bands, five countries, all took up the challenge and have given us their time and talent to bring you. I’m forever grateful and hope you are, too. Let ‘em know, in your own way, either via a comment here or direct contact via other means. Appreciation goes a long way.
So, before the Solstice settles on Europa and the Isle just west, let’s on with it!
“…Simply knowing him, in addition to creating with him, somehow made me feel fulfilled.”
I didn’t know Lee Jackson, but many folks who’ve passed by have brought him up…glowingly. Always, without question. The way people have talked about Lee, his enthusiasm, his presence, his reach is infections to say the least. 90 bands are contributing mostly new or unreleased cuts to ForLee Jackson In Space, out June 4th…nearly 11 hours of celebration for Lee and support for the Texas chapter of the ALS Association. Windy & Carl, Six Organs of Admittance, Tadpoles, Abunai!, Evening Fires, ST 37…I got a feeling by the time it’s all taken in, I might know Lee a little myself. In a way that he would fully endorse…
‘On June 4, ninety bands and musicians, with approaches ranging from the mystic folk of Stone Breath and Sharron Kraus, the psych-pop of the Green Pajamas and the exploratory art-rock of Volcano the Bear and the Magic Carpathians Project to the avant-garde metal of Locrian and the improvisational inspirations of Helena Espvall, Roy Montgomery and Pelt, pay tribute to Texan writer and cultural enthusiast Lee Jackson, famed for his co-creation of the noted Broken Face fanzine with Swedish writer Mats Gustafsson, with For Lee Jackson in Space.
After Jackson’s tragic passing earlier this year due to the effects of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease), friends and associates rapidly conceived of a tribute album to celebrate his life and work, resulting in a nearly eleven hour-long collection of songs, nearly all of which are completely new or otherwise unreleased. For Lee Jackson in Space will be available for purchase via Bandcamp on June 4, with all profits going to the ALS Association, Texas Chapter at the request of his family.
“Lee and myself created [The Broken Face] together, that lasted for almost seven years,” says Gustafsson in his introductory liner notes. “I am proud to have published something unique together with a deeply-response, righteously earned friend. I was proud to have him as a friend, and I thought of him as much more than a casual friend. Simply knowing him, in addition to creating with him, somehow made me feel fulfilled.”
“I can’t even remember when I first started communication with Lee Jackson,” remembers Ben Chasny of Six Organs of Admittance. “It seems he was always there, giving encouragement and getting stoked on music. His excitement about art was contagious, which made him the perfect person to write about music. Lee seemed to be lacking that sort of cynical view that seems to infest a lot of the music world. Whenever I would see an email from him in my inbox I knew it was going to be a happy letter, one of inspiration and a positive view. I’m going to miss those chats about music and Lee’s encouragement, which he was never shy about handing out.”
Matt Valentine of MV/EE recalls: “Lee was a presence who seemed to grasp what we were all about without having to rely on anything but spirit and ears. It was his appreciation of the music that made me totally realize he is an oasis for musicians of all sorts and sounds. What i remember most is something he proposed after a particularly wild gig down in Dallas. The venue didn’t seem to be a “usual” gathering place for psychedelic music fans, but somewhere between the podium of where Lee was at and my amp we located some sorta sound that went beyond. I’ll never forget coming off the stage, or selling merch right from the stage at that one, hearing Lee blast outward with some verbiage like, “Whoah brother you went all PSF on my ass!” It was a prominent riff of wide open speech as sonic appreciation and “getting it” as I have ever witnessed in response to being grateful for the music.”
Cover art for For Lee Jackson in Space is courtesy of Nevada Hill, artist and member of Zanzibar Snails, yet another of the bands giving a little back in Jackson’s memory. The liner notes for the collection include pieces by Gustafsson and the other two album compilers, Travis Johnson and Ned Raggett, Jackson’s sister Layne, ALS Texas representative Elizabeth Macasadia and a complete listing of all bands and tracks, with liner notes from Jackson himself, taken from his descriptions of participating acts from earlier appearances or releases.’
Oakland’s Owl take it right back to the farm and yank on the roots with their new EP, Stone Loner. Part stoner rock and a hefty dose of straight up old metal, Owl put both legs in the bell bottoms. Stone Loner was done with Magick Hermit Records and Tombs In The Valley Productions in England, available as a 7″ or download.
Stone Loner :: Owl :: Stone Loner EP (2012, Owl)
Kingdom of the Holy Sun :: Kingdom of the Holy Sun
Shoe-hazy sounds from Seattle’s Kingdom of the Holy Sun…If you dig Brian Jonestown Massacre, Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor and the like then grab a seat on the throne and put on the sunscreen. Kingdom of the Holy Sun was a recent valis Pick of the Weekfor good reason.
Her Sweet Delight :: Kingdom of the Holy Sun :: Kingdom of the Holy Sun (2011, Kingdom of the Holy Sun)
Het Droste Effect :: Lingerland
The Netherland’s Het Droste Effect follow-up their great debut with Lingerland, available to download. Fully delivering on the promise of their debut, Lingerland has a sharper focus and reveals more of what’s under their hood, from the ‘space rock to kraut to lo-fi stoner.’
Lingerland :: Het Droste Effect :: Lingerland (2012, Het Droste Effect)
Invisible Path :: Message of Sky
The product of the prolific Michael Bailey, Invisible Path focuses on ‘on strengthening the spiritual bonds between people/artists through the free form electric connectivity of drone improvisations, utilizing the various instrumentation and energies of each individual.’ All with droned out cosmic sounds to show you the way…Message of Sky is just one of many releases from Invisible Path. Minimal and aimed at ‘deep listening,’ Invisible Path feels both like a buzzing walk underneath the stars and a voyage into them. Bailey also heads up Astral Creek Tapes & Discs, shepherding his own meditative bliss as well as collaborations with other voyagers. His sonic sprawls are available to download, but his sentiment and mission is much more…corporeal…and spiritual…
Astral Creek is the humble, home-based vessel with which I release some of my solo and collaborative music endeavors. I enjoy hand-making sleeves and covers, home-recording and dubbing my own tapes and releasing them personally to people either in person or through snail mail. It makes the bond that much better between the music, the listener and me, the musician…
Anywhere There Is Air (Respiratory Meditation) :: Invisible Path :: Message of Sky (2012, Astral Creek)
U.K Flower Power Records has some free shoegaze goodness from Black Market Karma and Dead Rabbits that can be had here.
Flower Power records are a true independent record label. We are free to make our own decisions, all based on music. Obviously It’s necessary to make money to keep the business alive and we feel the best way to do this is to always put the bands and their music first. F.P.R was created by “Supersonic” Mark to give Black Market Karma the ability to make and release their music as they want it to sound. Flower Power Records are not a closed shop, we’ve recently added Dead Rabbits to the label and are looking forward to working with more great bands. Share your music, videos, art, events, news, hook up with Flower Power Records on facebook and share the love.
Black Market Karma
Black Market Karma are a psychedelic band from South East London. Influenced by the likes of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Velvet Underground, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3, Lilys etc…
Edrone :: Black Market Karma :: All That I’ve Made (2011, Flower Power Records)
Dead Rabbits
Dead Rabbits are a band from Southampton Influenced by the likes of Joy Division, The Beatles, Jesus & Mary chain, Son House, Death In Vegas, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, Stooges, John Lee Hooker, Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, The Doors, The Stooges etc…
Severn :: Dead Rabbits :: I Love You (2011, Flower Power Records)
"This show is 110% … one of the most consistently awesome programs we have come across."
The Sunrise Ocean Bender sets sail every Monday morning, 1 – 3 a.m. on WRIR lp 97.3 FM, to find something for your ears, and something for your head … From psych to prog to pop and whatever tributary we can find on the way … and right back around again. There might be a map, but the destination is up for grabs. If it all goes right, we may just get lost. Meet me at the muster station … it might be a long week.
Jet Plane/All The Static Stars
Stubb/Stubb
Cavedweller/2016 pt II & III
Plant Tribe/Saturation
Major Crimes/MONSOON
When, on 26th March 2012, Lee Jackson passed away after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease), a ripple of sadness and shock ran through the communities he touched with his life. Tributes poured in across social networks sites and plans were soon hatched for a tribute to a man whose passion for music knew no bounds. Curated by Mats Gustaffson, with whom Lee worked on The Broken Face magazine, Ned Raggett and Travis Johnson, this compilation not only showcases a massive range of music but will also ensure that the fight against ALS continues, as all proceeds go to the 
‘On June 4, ninety bands and musicians, with approaches ranging from the mystic folk of Stone Breath and Sharron Kraus, the psych-pop of the Green Pajamas and the exploratory art-rock of Volcano the Bear and the Magic Carpathians Project to the avant-garde metal of Locrian and the improvisational inspirations of Helena Espvall, Roy Montgomery and Pelt, pay tribute to Texan writer and cultural enthusiast Lee Jackson, famed for his co-creation of the noted Broken Face fanzine with Swedish writer Mats Gustafsson, with For Lee Jackson in Space.
Owl :: Stone Loner
Kingdom of the Holy Sun :: Kingdom of the Holy Sun
Het Droste Effect :: Lingerland
The product of the prolific Michael Bailey, Invisible Path focuses on ‘on strengthening the spiritual bonds between people/artists through the free form electric connectivity of drone improvisations, utilizing the various instrumentation and energies of each individual.’ All with droned out cosmic sounds to show you the way…
Flower Power records are a true independent record label. We are free to make our own decisions, all based on music. Obviously It’s necessary to make money to keep the business alive and we feel the best way to do this is to always put the bands and their music first. F.P.R was created by “Supersonic” Mark to give 
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