Rafi Bookstaber - Greener Pastures (HUM 1001)

And I'm going where those chilly winds don't blow. Peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The other day I was listening to "Rain and Snow" from the Dead's 02-13-70 Fillmore East show. It felt right given the blustery weather of late. As Jerry belts out, "And I'm going where those chilly winds don't blow" I almost concurrently look to my record crate, in which Rafi Bookstaber's Greener Pastures glows next to the candlelight. "That's where I want to go next" I say to myself. Greener Pastures, on Humito, finds Rafi crafting bucolic, serene guitar meditations infused with yearning and observation. I often take refuge and find a path back to awareness through Rafi's solo music. Among it's many illustrious qualities, the music is comforting, reflective, and mellifluous. It's an intimate recording, the type that embraces the space in which it is played. The listener saddles up next to Rafi in the cozy "Remember Silver Spring...". Warm, reflective strums form the backdrop for soulful fretwork. The languorous "Ain't Nothin Blues" adds vocals, harmonica and various percussion to the mix. Rafi's vocals hover and echo next to gentle guitar. Later, he parts the clouds with an electric section that leaves a vapor trail. Moments of reflection placidly pour forth via tender finger picking on "High Moon". "Sligo Watershed Blues" may be one of the best tracks on the album. Rafi's musical ideas and playing are sublime in this track.      

 Rafi continues to release music through various outlets. Some of the solo stuff is released small-run style through his label, Azriel. Also, he disseminates heady lofi basement burners as a member of Mendocino. Those were some of my favorite tapes of 2013. The next page in that trichome-covered story is currently available through Tomentosa - a review will be on these pages next week. Aswara is the duo of Rafi and Paul, from Death Chants. They recently contributed to a track on MV & EE's, Shade Grown. Greener Pastures comes in a heavyweight sleeve with a paste-on wraparound cover that also accompanies the celestial Space Communion reissue, HUM 1002. For the person willing to do their due diligence, Humito and other Rafi Bookstaber releases may be located online through various distros and shops. However, after much searching there is likely only one copy of Greener Pastures left; and it's available directly from label. No samples are available, but by now you know I don't bring the crumbly commercial stuff to the party. Lets get lifted together with this otherworldly nug.  

peace and love, friends :)  

Von Himmel - Rock N Roll Animal/Traum Esel (Donkey Disk)

oh fellow traveler, remember to pack some Maximus along with your canteen and provisions.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Let me preface this review by stating that if there were a sweet leaf/music award at the Cannabis Cup, then Rock N Roll Animal/Traum Esel on Donkey Disk would be the clear winner of best indica jams - high praise, but even higher affects!  Much like a dependable indica, the expansive collage-like pieces promulgated by Von Himmel redefine your head-space prior to enveloping your body.  For me, Rock N Roll Animal/Traum Esel is analogous to the wide-mind view afforded by mindful breathing.  Compared to the Sloow tape/Humito reissue and the Florid Pagoda tape, the sky seems more expansive than ever on this lp.  The approach allows their myriad facets to flower in the head of the traveler, as the lp witnesses the band exploring new zones.  The journey commences with a blown-out jam prior to glazing the nug in kosmische crystals.

Side A begins with the aforementioned jam - a raw, frenetic psych rock beast that foams at the mouth with unpredictable energy.  Dense, jagged riffs and percussion smeared in hash oil billow before being refracted in a multitude of directions. Admirers of early Comets on Fire or German Oak will dig the vibe circulating in this atmosphere.  In the next passage, eastern tinged hypnotic drift leaves ellipses in its wake that extend to the luminous zenith.  You will have arrived once the amalgamation of ambient synth and pulsating drone envelops your being.  Side B has a different character.  One of my favorite aspects of this lp is the journey aspect.  There are so many sub-states explored that it's similar to walking in the fog.  Only instead of trepidation at that which may be a step away, the traveler on this journey is eagerly engaged, perceptions heightened, and embracing the experience.  The flip starts with an encompassing passage of ambient sound.  Not necessarily light, but not dark either. During this initial part, there is a section where the sound crests, sweeping away the listener in a sea of elation.  In another passage, lightly strummed guitars drift in the background among swollen sounds and percussion.  Yet, nothing quite surpasses the ethereal end.  Incipient energy resonates serenely, finally blooming in lucid fields of awareness - the kosmische crystals leaving one in a state of euphoria.

The beautiful drawings by Bart of Sloow Tapes represent the kief on top of glistening nug.  Rock N Roll Animal/Traum Esel comes with my highest recommendation - it's already a member of Tasty Trichomes 2013.  If you reside in these zones, then do not wait.  One may purchase a copy from Tomentosa, among others.  And, for those who thought the Florid Pagoda boat had sailed, copies are still available at Tomentosa.

peace and love, friends :)      

Von Himmel - Space Communion (Humito 002)

Strap in and load it up - you're gonna need it for this kosmiche journey into the aether.  There is not much known about Von Himmel, nor Humito.  Lately, this lp and Never Use The Same Door Twice, by Corum have dominated the turntable.  Initially, Space Communion was released by Sloow Tapes.  Going out of print quickly, it reappeared in 2011 as the second release on Humito. The artwork for Space Communion, especially on the Sloow tape, is a homage to Schwingungen, from Ash Ra Temple.  One should be careful though, as to not deduce that this is a copy of German experimental music from yesteryear.  Yes, there are nods to the likes of Popul Vuh, Ash Ra Temple and Tangerine Dream.  The review by Mimaroglu, of the Sloow tape, says it aptly, " it captures the dark psychedelia that is so prevalent on those classic LPs without falling victim to being a straight rip-off or throw-back."  

Moon Moss... blast off!  The echo of cosmic synth sounds announce that exploration has commenced.  Astronomer begins with some a conga jam, which is soon joined by the flute and synth.  The flute is alluring, floating on the drum beats.  Sun Spots is a guitar/bass/synth tune, with heavy bass vibes that overshadows the guitar and synth - a different track than the other five.  Mantra closes out the side A with a nice collage of synth, field recordings and tambourine, which is barely audible. Strawberry Hill starts off the flip side with a menacing drone accompanied by bellows of a singing bowl, bells, voices, percussion, guitar and other effects - one of my favorite tracks and a journey of sound. Country Bog is the last track, which floats on tape hiss, until the sitar appears.  Unexpectedly, synth and effects envelop the sitar complete with electronic twitches, bubbles, and pulses.  The track ends with percussion and voices.  

Though this is currently unavailable at the usual distros, word has it that Tomentosa might receive additional copies.  Also, Time-Lag and Eclipse had copies earlier in the year.  Space Communion has imbued my days - allow these psych masters to take you on a trip.