Cloudsound - S/T (Fluere Tapes 01)

purps! buckle up... peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Earlier today I tried to remember, albeit unsuccessfully, where I heard about Cloudsound, a project of Lee Boyd that always keeps the listener lifted; later, i remembered that it was from Ana, of the venerable Microphones in the Trees. This is the initial effort from Fluere Tapes of Sweden. If subsequent releases can match the overall beauty of the s/t cassette from Cloudsound, then it will be a bright future for Fluere Tapes. Over two sides of tape, outer zone guitar excursions ripple from pulsating speakers. Cloudsound traverses the cosmos, making transitory landings, but never veering from the trichome-laden course of a sonic explorer.

Subsequent to the flowers going up in smoke, resplendent clouds billow resulting in a welter of variegated sonic energy orbiting the starry mind endlessly. Crystal-covered ragas; kind jams; meditative hymns; outer zone seekers - this tape has it all. The guitar playing is beautiful and bright - evoking the beauty of Known Quantity-era Willie Lane- trickling out under the glare of sunlight. Blown out bliss cloaks intricate finger picked patterns and drone. Lofi shoegaze makes a brief appearance. Serene drone exists in dense ambient clouds. This tape makes the speakers breath. On the flipside, Cloudsound's ascent continues unscathed. Basho-esque finger picked guitar has a clean sound. Shortly, spacey effects appear, which add a nice element to the recording. Buoyant notes burn brightly until trailing off -heartfelt vibrations. Warm drone emits pulsating light that partly cloaks idyllic strings. There's not a downer on this tape. A little later, a brief stop in psych folk territory catapults us among celestial bodies. 

The photograph, by Christy Romanick, who also appears in the side A closer, connects nicely to the music. The illustrious Liz Pavlovic is responsible for the layout. Available as a cassette or cd, I highly recommend these jams. On a night when the sky is clear and the stars abundant, this tape provides a nice companion. Both formats were produced in a limited run; secure a copy directly from Cloudsound.

peace and love, friends :)

TOR FESTIVAL 2014

Tor Festival 2014! Peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Tor!! Jake Blanchard - proprietor of Tor Press, musician, and renowned visual artist - has been putting on shows at Todmorden First Unitarian Church for a little more than a year. Featuring a mix of local bands and those from around the world, the shows have generated immense positive feedback. To celebrate the first anniversary, Tor has decided to host a festival in Todmorden, West Yorkshire that will occur from July 25-27. Spread across three venues, the line-up reads like a whose who in the fields of experimental, psych, drone, noise and folk music. Some of the artists to perform include Honest Bag favorite, Bear Bones, Lay Low; Bridget Hayden; These Feathers Have Plumes; United Bible Studies; and Lobster Priest. Lobster Priest's tape on Blackest Rainbow melted the hard hash instantaneously! All of the funds raised for the three-day celebration will be used to compensate the artists/bands and operate the festival.

As of a few days ago, Tor Press mentioned that only 20 weekend tickets remain. So, instead of lighting up the tasty, head over to the festival sites:
Kickstarter
Festival Website
Facebook Event

peace and love, friends :)

Lake Mary - Komerabi (Cut#6)

few compare to this tape. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The ambient field has swelled over the past few years, resulting in the emergence of some wonderfully talented artists. However, the immense amount of music currently available makes it difficult to listen to everything desired. Friends, this is one of those tapes to which we are going to light up together in celebration! Komerabi, Lake Mary's recent release on Polish label Wounded Knife, separates the wheat from the chaff putting forth 50 minutes of sonic tranquility. The two tracks which comprise this release, both based on improvisations that feature Inner Oceans and Eric Rich respectively, resonate placidly to bring warmth to your environment.      

Lake Mary springs forth warm drones and heavenly vibrations as the tape begins to roll. The blooming of
awareness begins as the sun peaks over the soul. Embryonic light heals and flourishes; ethereal sound engulfs the atmosphere. Unexpectedly, percussion and various strings appear, vastly changing everything. Shortly the percussion exits, leaving a gorgeous welter of sun dappled strings followed by a flowing ambient passage The lovey vibrations first heard on Planted Tapes are abundantly present. The flipside continues the ascent. A faint drone grows strong progressively, pulsating and then regenerating. Gorgeous, solemn sustained tones flower in the stereo field. Patient tones slightly vacillate before rising. Entrancing piano imbued with poignancy becomes audible. Wailing distended tones swell as notes from the piano cascade lightly. The apex reveals the glistening valley, which is minimal containing piano and swirling sonic elements. Springing out of the morning sun, banjo and piano diffuse progressively, rippling until engulfed by light and airy sound resonating in alignment with the breath. Cascading keys settle into a pattern flanked by pastoral strings.

Komerabi, limited to 50 hand-numbered copies, sold out quickly from the label. The elegant artwork, produced on handmade paper with leaves/plants debris, matches the heartfelt beauty of the music. Unequivocally, Komerabi is essential for those who appreciate lovely ambient music. While the physical copy is unavailable, the digital files may still be obtained directly from Wounded Knife.  

peace and love, friends :)

Ignatz / Sophie Cooper - Split (TORCAS005)

girls scout cookies, milk, and the analog warmth of Ignatz and Sophie Cooper -what a nice treat! peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The music of Belgian blues/folk artist Bram Devens' project, Ignatz, does not take much time to permeate the head. Ignatz creates these intriguing hazy musical environments comprised of stories sung by raw, visceral strings that warble. On this split with Sophie Cooper, Ignatz strikes gold immediately with the lofi folk that characterizes "Introduction". A touching and moving track, the pace and spectrum of sound it emits recall the early records of Jim O'Rourke. The melody and folk strings of "Licorice" is another touchstone of side A. "For Sale" moves in a slightly different direction. Murky, poignant drones and solitary strings produce ominous moments.

I would buy this split based on the strength of side B alone. Residing in Todmorden, singer songwriter Sophie Cooper's side is comprised of psychedelic pop/folk, noise and drones. The music on this side is deeply affecting. One of my favorite aspects of side B relates to the vocals of the artist, which are treated to create songs redolent of intimate and poignant moments. According to the label description, Sophie's art is informed by life. The honesty, which is felt throughout, makes the music shine. "Once My Heart Was Blind" opens the flip with shimmering strings and breathy vocals. Later, a welter of resonant strings combine with hazy vocals to create a dreamy atmosphere. The track becomes more heavy toward the end with the introduction of Jeweled Antler-esque riffs before cascading strings acquiesce to the haze. The second track is the real star of this side. Between this track, "We'll Laugh About This When We're Older (We Won't Know Each Other Then", and the first track on Ignatz' side, I could loop them perpetually. Wistful vocals and poignant folk guitar alternate between states - hauntingly beautiful. The third and fourth tracks move in somewhat of a different direction, especially the fourth. "I Never Associate Dreams With Anything" adroitly utilizes harsh, vacillating noise; drones; vocals; and found sound as a metaphor for the haziness that characterizes dreams - an incredible side of music.        

Tor Press is quickly becoming one of my favorite labels. Not only is Jake Blanchard's artwork amazing, but he is also proving to be a wonderful curator. Produced in a limited edition of 75 pro- dubbed cassettes - featuring artwork by Jake Blanchard - it is sold out at the source and pretty much everywhere. However, Eclipse appears to have the last few copies.  ensure that you procure one of the remaining copies by contacting Eclipse.

peace and love, friends :)

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 :)  

Nathan McLaughlin - Karen Studies (ST13)

These beautiful deconstructions are devoted to Humboldt Relief.  Peace and love to my friends over there :)

Even before pressing play, I had a hunch that Karen Studies would be a tape to remember.  The emotional honesty expressed on the j-card encompasses one in a spectrum of energy that radiates from Nathan McLaughlin's banjo.  This latest release from Nathan, on Scissor Tail Editions, is a tape that concerns the folk musician, Karen Dalton.  More specifically, these are deconstructions of  'Katie Cruel', an old American folk song most prominently recorded by Karen Dalton.  Her version is renown for good reason. Within the last seven to ten years, White Magic released a record on Drag City that contained the track - another beautiful rendition. Karen Studies consists of two side-long tracks, each of which consists of three parts.

       Being such a moving, affecting track, Nathan's reworkings of 'Katie Cruel' proficiently exhibit the banjo's range.  Side A, Promises, commences with sustained, vibrant passages that inculcate the living space with a sense of anguish.  In the next section, lucid, poignant strings hover uneasily - plucks producing sorrow so visceral.  The first two parts of side A are ones to remember.  On the flipside, incipient drone slowly exudes energy.  Shortly, notes waffle with apprehension in the presence of creaking drones.      

Through these resonant reworkings, Nathan bestows a level of emotional intensity on the listener that is omnipresent.  It's the type of sonic energy that hangs uneasily, waffling in the still air, almost paralyzing - the listener hanging onto each manifestation of sound. For anybody that appreciates banjo, Karen Dalton, Stephen R. Smith, and more generally, sound and experimentation, then I recommend to move quickly before this one is OOP.  Produced in a limited edition of 100, Karen Studies may be purchased directly from Scissor Tail.

peace and love, friends :)

Robbie Basho - Visions of the Country (GNM026)

the transcendent beauty of Robbie Basho will breath vitality into your day.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Robbie Basho's adroit and beautiful playing style flows freely as a bucolic stream.  His vocals are ascendant, displaying an impressive range.  Visions of the Country, reissued by Gnome Life Records, sees Basho singing hymns to the natural beauty of North America.  Consisting of guitar and piano tracks that combine elements of folk and Hindu music among others, the album is concurrently edifying, intimate, introspective and celebratory.  Basho's singular technique paints a vivid picture for the listener.  Possessing an enveloping aura, the fidelity of the 140g vinyl allows the music to soar - take it from a person that has been listening to the mp3's for a while.  Whether it's the quiet strum and intimate vocals of 'Blue Crystal Fire', or the cascading, echoing keys and affecting vocals of 'Orphan's Lament', Visions of the Country will prove uplifting to the soul.

The way I see it, $17 for a slice of bliss is tantamount to finding a buried treasure.  As far as recommendations, I would buy one before the reissue is OOP.  Also, it's a first-rate reissue:  The artwork is very true to the original.  Compared to the original pressing, the reissue is pressed on 140g vinyl and enclosed in a nice paper stock quality sleeve.  Additionally, the original insert is included.  I purchased my copy at Eclipse.  Visions of the Country may also be purchased directly from Gnome Life.

peace and love, friends :)

Ø+yn - Tentaculeando A La Puna (TP#6)

crystal-covered zoners!  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :) the Honest Bag wouldn't be around were it not for their generosity and kindness.

 The most expeditious route to the head occurs when Ø+yn, a experimental psych/folk collective from Cordoba, Argentina, is the sonic vehicle of choice.  Once these acoustic vibrations permeate the head, they maneuver with ease like dank, potent indica.  Taken as a whole, Tentaculeando A La Puna on Taping Policies is an intense and extremely resonant release; and, I will venture to state that the aforementioned begets an enriching, vivid experience.  The Brutalizer nugshot above is apt to describe this music.  Physically, Brutalizer is variegated, dense with many crystal-covered layers, and exhibits glistening hairs.  Those characteristics correspond to the sonic realm in which Ø+yn inhabit .  Ø+yn's acoustic psych paeans are plentiful.  For over 40 minutes the soul is the recipient of copious, edifying vibrations.  Sometimes the atmosphere is consuming and violent.  Yet, at other times Ø+yn exists placidly in the head - the flipside contains sparse and beautiful moments.  All of this leads to my favorite aspect of this tape - the manner in which the innate beauty of this collective embraces the listener.  There is a fraternal nature to this music, which makes one feel connected and involved.  The heavenly vocal drone and percussion of the beginning give way to gentle waves of mandolin.  At other times, the incantations are piercing as a haunting violin traces the quivering breath.  At the end of side A, the listener is treated to a beautiful array of voices that coalesce among the lovely percussion.  On the flipside, serene vibrations from gently plucked strings are contrasted to violin that vacillates wildly.  Later, lovely bells serenade scraped strings and tender violin.  The deluge of strings at the end serve to slow the breath - magnificent!

Taping Policies is one of my favorite labels - Thurston Moore cassette in the future - and Tentaculeando A La Puna is highly recommended.  Released on pea green cassettes with gorgeous artwork and liner notes in Spanish, secure your copy by sending an e-mail to Taping Policies.  

peace and love, friends :)

Grouper - The Man Who Died In His Boat (Krank177)

 the head healer.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Grouper, the radiant electric-acoustic/drone project of Liz Harris, makes the move to Kranky for this set of unreleased tracks.  Recorded alongside the sublime Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill, these tracks have the feel of those sessions.  Thus, it contains moments of opaque, hazy beauty to which fans of Grouper are accustomed. Possessing an outstanding discography, I consider the majority of the releases necessary listening.  Often I refer to Grouper as the 'Head Healer' due to the capacity of her voice to assuage ills and lift one from malaise.  Perpetually, I could write about Grouper's singular style and effective use of reverb and tape delay that permeate the waiting soul of the listener.  Yet, it's Liz's voice that provides the serene vibrations, leading one to the gateway of the heavens.  Mellifluous and opaque, accompanied by lovely reverberating keys and strummed guitar, her art possesses an omnipresence that hovers like the azure sky on a tranquil day.

As with any of Grouper's releases, The Man Who Died In His Boat is highly recommended.  Already, it has been pressed numerous times.  Secure one of the remaining copies through Kranky.

peace and love, friends :)