Monday, November 12, 2012

3 Leafs - Live at Cafe Du Nord (tt2)




from the top shelf with love.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)


The glistening nug pictured above, the venerable King Kush, is a heavy duty indica that produces effects very similar to these blissed out jams, one of the latest releases from the authority: crystal-covered Triangle Tapes.  3 Leafs create krauty/space psych with a minimal contour.  There are a myriad of members from various San Francisco bands.  On this evening Tim Cohen - vocals / keyboard / percussion; Josh Pollock - guitar / sampler; Warren Huegel - drums; and Diego Gonzalez - bass were at the controls.  Also, they have one of the best rhythm sections around - it takes the music to the next level.  There are contemporary bands/artists (Expo 70, White Hills, Gnod) making similar music.  However, that which emanates from 3 Leafs is a singular strain - pure top shelf.  After combing the discography, one becomes inured to the panoramic effects of their hypnotic jams.  With efficacy, they demonstrate an ability to conjure a certain mood in great detail.  With these cats, it's always a wild trip.  Yet, the destination is only revealed when you exhale, with the vapor trails producing copious wisdom.  Simply put: 3 Leafs Live at Cafe Du Nord is the trichomes that adorn the triangle.

The jam commences with hazy, swirling guitar circumscribing your figure, preparing to permeate your head and deliver trichome transcendence.  Out of the smoke appear dubby vocals that remind me of a more rock-oriented Black Dice circa Beaches and Canyons.  A righteous groove is birthed from the trenchant rhythm section, while the guitar loosely navigates, serenading the seekers.  Drifting on clouds of dreamy delayed vocals, keys and guitar, the jam shifts into a bass/percussion part.  Sustained guitar shifts in the light, demonstrating a myriad of faces.  The sound recalls the great heights of GYBE! Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven.  Soon, this part moves to the background, as the bass and drums take hold.  Embers swirl from the kinetic guitar, and the delayed vocals/cosmic keys appear like an apparition.

Unequivocally, this is music that will redefine your pre-listening rituals.  It is important to note that this is more than merely a tape.  Triangle Tapes go to great length to create a comprehensive experience - music and artwork.  There is no standard template with Triangle.  Every release is unique.  Burnt to Perfection comes in beautiful cases with an insert and stamp.  The 3 Leafs tape - second edition - comes with a metallic leaf and some of the finest artwork of the year by Jon MDC; band logo by Dylan Simon .  When Stunned Records was orbiting our sphere, I emptied my pockets and bowl to buy their tapes; Triangle Tapes give me the same special feeling.  If you even remotely enjoy this type of music, then do the right thing: purchase this nug directly from Triangle Tapes.  Domestic denizens may purchase from aQ.  The second edition was produced in a limited run of 50 cassettes, of which few remain.

peace and love, friends :)