Pointer Sisters 'Hypnotized'

Pointer Sisters 'Hypnotized'

Hello stranger. It's been waaaay too long since the last post on this mutha. Spurred back in to action by this particular gem from the Pointer Sisters, covering Fleetwood Mac on a funky space rock tip. A really awesome groove to this one. Littered with stylish guitar inflections, nonsensical but beautifully executed lyrics about hypnosis and UFOs and eerie synth drifts inhabiting the background. Nice one ladies.

Alternative Rock Routes - Mixtape

Alternative Rock Routes - Mixtape

To make up for a combination of lethargy, distraction, hangovers, love interests and other non-excuses for a lack of postings recently, here's over an hour's worth of rock-orientated fare cobbled together recently to form a mix. It comprises obscure re-edits from labels like Blackdisco, Messalina, History Clock and Mindless Boogie, as well as some gin-u-wine original tunes too!

Angelo & Eighteen 'Flight 2'

Angelo & Eighteen 'Flight 2'

Obscure and rhythmically kicking B-side from 1972, produced under the light saber skills of RAK records owner Mickie Most (who also produced The Animals, Donovan and Jeff Beck amongst others).

Seahawks 'High On You'

Seahawks 'High On You'

Seahawks come correct with this classy downtempo psychedelic dub-rock trip to Tramadol Island. Subtly re-creating the sweet confusion of a hot session on the sun-lounger after a clutch of rum punches, its all reverberating bliss and anesthesia. Check out their album 'Ocean Trippin' for more beats to help you drift from the quayside to the wide open waters of your mind. Or something!?

Kak 'Trieulogy'

Kak 'Trieulogy'

The flying tambourine on the front cover of Kak's self-titled album appears to be in the ascendency, but according to the old adage (and basic laws of physics) "what goes up must come down." With a collection of tunes this strung-out its hardly surprising the band headed back towards pacha mama like a granite balloon. 'Trieulogy' is pretty dirgy West Coast rock for the first two thirds of the song - its only in the last third that the band really wake up and find a higher gear.

Bangor Flying Circus 'Violent Man'

Bangor Flying Circus 'Violent Man'

Swinging dynamically from mild annoyance at the fairer sex in Joe Beck's song yesterday to skittish, almost paranoid avoidance of them in this. "I'm not a violent man, so I'll having nothing more to do with you" suggests the woman in question here either has a mean right hook or enjoys being beaten up. Whatever the case it sounds best avoided. Lyrics aside, this tune off Bangor Flying Circus' relatively obscure, hit and miss album is notable for some nifty guitar mimicry in the lead singers voice and a phase of horizontal organ grooving. In case you were wondering the group aren't from the North Wales but Chicago.

Holger Czukay 'Fragrance'

Holger Czukay 'Fragrance'

As opposed to trying to describe in a few sentences the ants-in-his-pants, forward thinking sonic weirdness of Can's main man, just check out the video for 'Fragrance' instead. 'Cool In The Pool' is  another solo effort that represents unbeatable potential for deck chair shenanigans.

Beaver & Krause 'Another Part Of Time'

Beaver & Krause 'Another Part Of Time'

Beaver & Krause were a pair of pioneering experimental musicians who tested the limits and capabilities of early models of the Moog synthesizer in the late '60's. They introduced said gadget to bands like The Monkees, The Byrds and The Doors. This track is taken off their 1970 album 'In A Wild Sanctuary' which also features a track called 'Spaced' - the end of which was the basis for the famous gliding synth soundtrack to the THX logo in cinemas. Another track off the album 'People's Park' was recently incorporated in an excellent mixtape called Purple Brain, for lovers of sonic weirdness and obscure musical marriages.

Annette Peacock 'Pony'

Annette Peacock 'Pony'

Annette Peacock married jazz bassist Gary Peacock, studied zen macrobiotics and was given one of Robert Moog's first prototype synthesizers in the 60's. These factors must have contributed to the wildly experimental and a bit mental album 'I'm The One' that stunned ears in 1971. The album has just recently been given a timely re-issue on CD available through her website.

The Aliens 'Sunlamp Show' (Disco Bloodbath remix)

The Aliens 'Sunlamp Show' (Disco Bloodbath remix)

Psychedelic, housed-up, dubbed-out, discofied rock beats for the sun lounger. It's all about the nagging piano riffs that come in half way through this cosmic chugger.

New Life 'New Life'

New Life 'New Life'

With spring more or less on its way here, and new life just waiting to burst from the ground, here's an aptly titled cosmic boogie instrumental from the obscure 'Space Oddities Vol. 2' compiled by Alexis Le Tan and Jess. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but the overt progginess and intergalactic pretensions are tempered by some neat guitar work.

Supermax 'Fly With Me'

Supermax 'Fly With Me'

Cosmic rock tip from 1979. Supermax were an Austrian group formed in 1976 who fused spacey synth disco with dub, rock and other assorted influences to create a pretty unique sound. Supermax were the first multiracial band to tour South Africa. Despite regular death threats they played 21 shows, causing quite a political stir in the process and earned lead man Kurt Hauenstein "no-entry" status to several countries as a result.

Steve Miller Band 'Sacrifice'

Steve Miller Band 'Sacrifice'

Following yesterday's post, here's more Frisco Bay action -  this time from the other end of the '70s. Sporting one of the more ludicrously proggy covers, 'Book Of Dreams' is mostly a load of bilge but 'Sacrifice' rises just far enough above the fumbling, cod fantasy to warrant a posting.