http://Aural-Innovations.com
Here's what come in the past few weeks. I've got loads of Space Rock,
Psychedelic and Stoner Rock CDs & LPs. My online store is open 24 hours
a day and can be found at
http://Aural-Innovations.com/store. Any
questions, email me at jkranitz@
aural-innovations.com
Earth Lab - ELement (2006) (CD)
Check out the lineup of this new band... Jerry Richards, Ron Tree,
Simon House, Alf Hardy, Steve Swindells, Steve Taylor and more. 9
tracks of mucho cosmic Space Rock and Psychedelia. Solid songs and
excellent instrumentation... guitars, keyboards, synths, violin, flute,
sax. There's lots of variety too, not just a Hawkwind related thing. An
excellent debut.
Spirits Burning - Found In Nature (2006) (CD)
Found In Nature is the third installment in Don Falcone's "gathering in
space" of space rock musicians from around the world. These are no mere
compilations. Don takes contributions from various musicians and brings
it all together as producer, sometimes blending together submissions
from 3 or more sources. Contributors include Daevid Allen, Graham Clark
(Gong, Spacehead), Luis "Zero" Davila (Melting Euphoria, Fireclan),
Paul Eggleston (Architectural Metaphor, Bionaut), Chris Green
(Bionaut), Carl Howard (Nomuzic, Born to Go, Alien Planetscapes),
Mychael Merrill (Melting Euphoria, Fireclan), Pat Thomas (Mushroom),
Judge Trev, Paul Williams (Quarkspace), several members of the Acid
Mother's Temple gang and many more. Quite a lineup, ay?
Taipuva Luotisuora - II (2006) (CD)
Taipuva Luotisuora are from Finland and their 2005 debut was a stunning
set of Space Rock & Prog that was like a blend of Gong, Hillage and
King Crimson. Their new album is more in the Prog rock realm, though
still maintains a relationship to the Space Rock world in the same way
that bands like Korai Orom and Hidria Spacefolk do. Guitar, bass, drums
and keyboards/electronics, augmented by flute, violin and woodwinds.
Outstanding compositions, arrangements, recording and production. A
real step forward for these guys.
Instant Drone Factory - Critical Mass (2006) (CD)
IDF is a German quartet consisting of Frank Gingeleit plus members of
Space Debris and Elton Junk. The music is all improvised (though there
are some vocals) and difficult to classify. But across the 5 lengthy
tracks on the CD you'll hear psychedelic jamming krautrock, some with a
distinct Can flavor, psych infused King Crimson-ish avant-progressive
rock and bits of jazz. Beats, grooves and rhythmic diversity are a big
part of the music. Lots of variety and a fine first effort.
Damo Suzuki's Network - Suomi (2006) (2-CD)
The great Can vocalist has been going strong for many years now. Rather
than resting on his laurels, rehashing old Can classics, Damo tours
frequently with various backing musicians, feeding on the talent that
accompanies him and churning out exciting, adventurous music along the
way. Suomi includes 2-CD's, each featuring a different live set and
exciting band, both from Finland. Comes packaged in a very cool double
sized digipack that stacks 2 CD's adjacent to each other.
Marble Sheep - Raise The Dead: 2006 March Europe (2006)
A new live set from Japan's masters of powerhouse rock n rolling,
garage thrashing Psychdelia. These guys really rip it up, playing some
of the rawest, most down n dirty hard psych on the planet.
Escapade - But Distractions Abound (2006) (CD)
The latest from New York City's all improv, all instrumental
avant-space rockers features a fresh set of their space/psych/krautrock
jams. We've got spaced out, droning Krautrock jams, searing acidic
guitar licks, trippy ragas, eerie atmospherics and blazing punk-ish
psychedelia. Personally, I think Escapade are among the most truly
progressive bands in the space rock world, always introducing a grab
bag of influences and creating some of the freshest and most exciting
music the genre has to offer.
Mahamudra - s/t (2005) (CD)
Mahamudra are a guitar/bass/drums/keyboards instrumental quintet from
Portugal who play progressive rock with space rock, psychedelic,
krautrock and jazz fusion influences. The highlight is the 19 minute
"Mahamudra", with its constantly shifting thematic gears, exploring and
morphing, and Amon Düül II/Ash Ra Tempel cosmic intensity. Lots of
variety througout the album with jamming grooves and spaced out fusion
jams.
Astrid Pröll - s/t (2006) (CD)
Some of the best music I've heard lately has been by Prog bands who
incorporate Space Rock elements into their music. Astrid Pröll are
from Puerto Rico and play intense rocking power Prog that's like a
blend of King Crimson, Circle, Farflung, Porcupine Tree and Godspeed
You! Black Emperor. The musicianship is phenomenal, and while the album
has its dreamier moments, when these guys are rockin' out they play
like dervishes in warp drive. Genre classifications aside, this is an
oustanding ROCK album.
http://Aural-Innovations.com
