Holly Waxwing - Goldleaf Acrobatics (NL002)

here comes the sunshine! peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Goldleaf Acrobatics by Holly Waxwing is akin to the occurrence of a sun strobe. The listener, arms open and torso stretched, presses play and receives abundant beams of mellow, ethereal vibrations from the source. Pure grip it and rip action here on one of my favorite labels of 2013, Noumenal Loom. With joints blazing and the sun reflector handy, I could absorb Holly's dank, slow-rising waves and chilled beats that occur on 'Goloboie (feat. Pug)' all day - an endorphin that disseminates the lifted love craved so much by this blog. The crystal-covered collages in this c50, which repeat on side b, are varied with no one musical realm dominating.

 These sample-based instrumentals party under a stylistic tent that's as expansive as clouds of hash oil smoke - jazz, hip-hop, R&B, ambient/experimental among others. With Holly's aura at its highest point in the sky, my scrambled head transitions to the fluttering, playful sonics of 'Dolphinpods'. Nascent and warm, it moves in and out of focus, begetting a pleasantly disorienting feel. The slightly shrouded tropical/Brasilian pop vibe at the end seals the deal. 'Silktails for Isabel' is smooth and buoyant. Meanwhile, 'Shy Mimosa', is a lifted lullaby beamed from utopia. If I ever have a kid, the sweet vibes here will be required listening prior to bedtime. 'Backspin (feat. Isleapple)' is a nice variation on the first four tracks. Less euphoric than its peers, it later transitions to a cool, mysterious climate - lovely! Next, we return to serene and mellifluous environs via 'Swim Team (w/t Pug). Nigori Springs (feat. Plains and LBTV™) takes one higher than at any point on the tape. 

Another thing about these tapes: they have been prepared for your head with the utmost kindness and care. Each home-dubbed tape in the initial batch of Noumenal Loom features stunning artwork by Brenna Murphy. Released in an edition of 75 cassettes, this tape and the entire batch is sold out at the source. I did read something about a small repress in December, but maybe I was dreaming in the indica haze. In the interim, dig the digital tracks. 

peace and love, friends :)

Bird People / Hering und seine sieben Sachen - Drone Harvest Tour Tape (FCR25)

three things that never let me down (no order): the apothecary; Bird People; and Hering und seine sieben Sachen. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Drone Harvest Tour Tape is the sound of two friends burning a path through the cosmos with a combination of ritual zoners and celestial, abstract soundscapes. The cassette is comprised of tracks by Ulrich Rois (Bird People, Feathered Coyote Records) and Daniel Voigt (Hering und seine sieben Sachen, Sicsic Tapes). Recorded in July of 2013, Drone Harvest Tour Tape was created to channel the spirits of the tour, which occurred from August 30 to September 9. Once your head is enlightened by the varied experimental psych of Bird People, Hering und seine sieben Sachen programs the spacecraft to a dimension yet explored.

Undulating waves place one in a trichome trance. Ethereal vibrations flutter in the haze, as Bird People's side commences. One drifts in concord with the mesmerizing energy that moves dreamily. A few minutes in, a solemn drone abuts vacillating currents. Bird People guides the listener through some deep zones in this track. Later, electronics twinkle near prodigious constellations. The next track exemplifies the reason that I fill my head with Bird People tapes whenever possible. Sustained piano notes permeate the listener with ease. Trembling with awesome energy, yet pure as the morning light, it ripples faithfully through the soul. I like to bring in the day with these vibrations. The second track is a minimal masterpiece that is ubiquitous in the heart and head. It's at this moment in the recording that I usually utter, "These Bird People tapes are among the best I've listened to all year." Each tape presents a new sonic experience, once which is vibrant, and glistens in the stereo field - visceral and intimate. The Sloow tape, though it has yet to be reviewed here is something to which I meditate. Side A of that tape, Water Buffalo, has few peers in this realm. Track two drifts into the third, 'Motel Oblivion'. Locked in, we float on a carpet compromised of cosmic drone and tranquil vibrations - Miles in the Sky!

Hering und seine sieben Sachen's side begins with the appropriately titled, 'Lights at Distance'. Spacey and ominous oscillations and foreboding drone swirl. Solemn in sections, it evolves with a lovely synth section occasionally intersected by disintegrating currents. Later, the track is fleshed out by more layers of resonant electronics - lovely! Towards the end, it displays a dynamic character. The second track contains an enigmatic sequence of notes that rumbles, beeps, and buzzes frenetically. Shortly, the components merge into a stream of luminous energy. Near the end, random signals bounce effervescently. In the last track, sparse figures are scattered below as the aerial tramway glides over the empty city corridors. It begins with a loop and fluctuations that move randomly. Soon, layers of synth float pleasantly, as the fluctuations become more vigorous until tapering towards the end of the track.

This review refers to the cassette on Feathered Coyote Records, which also appears in the latest Siscic batch. Home-dubbed in an edition of 50 blue tapes, the excellent artwork is credited to Ronnie Oliveras. Drone Harvest Tour Tape may be purchased directly from Feathered Coyote. The Sicsic version of 50 black tapes may be purchased directly from the Sicsic site.
    

peace and love, friends :)

Suzuki Junzo - Sings II (MVD5921LP)

sweet nugs of heaven is this good! peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Sings II, from Japanese psych guitarist Suzuki Junzo - Overhang Party, Miminokoto, 20 Guilders - on Nod and Smile Records, is an lp that I pull from my top shelf daily. Lustrous in the light as it revolves on the platter, once the needle drops the harvest instantly commences. Upon listening to it for the first time, Sings II emitted a beautiful, poignant and multifaceted vibe. It infused my room with an intriguing amalgamation of folk, blues, drone, american primitivism, and some fuzzed out shredding. This latest album from Junzo - not to be confused with the more guitar-centric album concurrently released on Utech, Portrait of Madeleine Elster - is song based; Junzo is joined on Sings II by Acid Mothers Temple guitarist, Kawabata Makoto; and LSD March/Kousokuya and ex Fushitsusha drummer, Takahashi Ikuro. Returning to the aforementioned harvest, Junzo bestows an array of tasty nugs to the listener's waiting head. There are myriad moments suffused on this lp that will please admirers of Robbie Basho, Jandek, Charalambides and Jim O'Rourke among others.

 Side A begins with 'In the Eyes of Naze', which features rasping vocals and acoustic guitar that flickers. One of my favorites immediately follows, 'Midsummer's End', in which passages of crystalline finger-picked acoustic guitar and bluesy electric guitar are coupled with Junzo's affecting singing. One of the most attractive attributes of the record concerns Junzo's singing style, which is varied throughout. One feels the earth's plates shift upon Kawabata Makoto's fuzz guitar erupting in the next track, 'Eclipse IV'. Junzo's bleary, ringing guitar and captivating, soaring voice provide an apt companion to Makoto's blazing guitar. Languid blues covered in reverb are fleshed out by percussion and drums in the penultimate track on side A, 'Crying Out Double Suicide Blues'. Junzo's breathy vocals fit congruently to the hazy droning guitar.

 Initially, it almost felt tangential, but the punk rock vibe and change of pace in side B opener 'The End of Horizon' exhibits the proficiency of the artist. For me, Sings II is analogous to the rotating earth. As Sings II rotates, the sun illuminates a particular area and something new and beautiful manifests, yet never departs from the album's aura. Directly following, 'A Tree of Night' sees Junzo return to gentle finger-picked guitar and restrained vocals. The longest track on the flipside, 'Chi No Mure', thrives on the lovely juxtaposition of sustained guitar and calm vocals. The guitar in the beginning has a dreamy, almost listless quality. Progressively the sound becomes more intense, sporadically joined by vocal growls. Before too long, the track ascends as a droning wall of sound abuts composed vocals - the quality of the vocals next to the blown out sound is one of my favorite things here. The energy of this track is such that one may perceive that it resonates in the body. Admirers of Steven R. Smith will enjoy this one. Lastly, 'The Man With The Golden Arm' is more minimal than that which precedes it. Breathy, soft vocals and sparse guitar notes emit intimate energy that extends faithfully until exhausted.      

From the top shelf with love, this is highly recommended. Sings II, also available on cd, is released in an edition of 500 copies on black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. It's available for an extremely affordable price from See of Sound.
      

peace and love, friends :)

Ua Yenoh Cry Cry / Space and Order (Orl 17)

spiritual zoners. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Bows of obeisance are a harbinger that beget astral inundations. For 40 minutes analog waves mutate and assume copious forms. As a listener, these otherworldly passages offer an intriguing study in sound. Space and Order, the first full length release from Big Blood's Shon Mahoney, is something in which to immerse oneself. On this tape from Orila Records, Shon utilizes a combination of keyboards and physical instruments to conjure celestial vibrations that populate the listener's sky. Space and Order exhibits a lovely confluence of psychedelic and minimalist sound. These instances are sonically potent.

Immediately, a soothing drone abuts enigmatic fluctuations. As the drone morphs, a section of animated notes become audible. The second track on side A hits the Honest Bag sweet spot, displaying the aforementioned character of the tape. Drones, touching on the beauty of Eliane Radigue, are surrounded by cosmic signals and noise. Toward the end of the side A, peaceful echoes from the periphery move more proximate, exhibiting a character that is opaque, yet vibrant and lustrous to an extent. The flipside starts strongly. Charred, sustained layers of keys are interceded by poignant manifestations. The drone writhes, displaying an irregular form - visceral, as one can almost feel the sound disintegrating, flecks of energy pierce the listener's body.

Produced in a limited edition of 100 pro-dubbed tapes, the artwork is by Shon Mahoney and the sleeve design by Coleen Kinsella. Space and Order may be purchased directly from Orila, or through Tomentosa.
   
peace and love, friends :)

Space Slave November Batch ---- Righteous Acid - S/T (Space Slave 29) and Stag Hare - Angel Tech (Space Slave 30)

A Space Slave soundtrack to purps heaven. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Much like the Purple Skunk, with each batch of tapes Carl from Space Slave promulgates a distilled, effervescent elixir that represents some of the most heady experimental analog vibes around. The last batch was epic and is still spinning in my trusty tape deck - Clime, 4-way Swim Trunks split, and Cape and Cowl were among my faves. As the end of year approaches, Space Slave blesses us with two great tapes, both with artwork by Phil French, from Righteous Acid and Stag Hare. Once Space Slave shoots you into the stars with the hash oil heaven jams of Righteous Acid, Stag Hare is the medicine that maintains elevation - and oh, the sites on this ethereal ride are fascinating. Stag Hare weaves a dreamy mix of new age and ambient/drone experimental jams.

 It is a two part party: first one goes to indica heaven with Righteous Acid - proper fuel for a quick, steep ascent! The self-titled cassette possesses a heavy hitting dose of psych with waves of percussion and funk that emit clouds of wah crystals. Righteous Acid, the psych project of Alex Sarad - who also plays percussion in Invisible Astral Healing Rhythm Quartet - boasts lovely, varied rhythms and impressive, vibrant fretwork. Throughout the self-titled cassette, the seamless transitions in mood make the sonic scenery sparkle. This nug has a little of everything, from mellow and serene to cosmic and spacey. Side A begets soothing vibrations immediately. Zenith piercing riffs appear toward the end. Mesmerizing rhythms are ubiquitous; they infuse the atmosphere with beauty in track 3. Light and airy sonics are the perfect match for entrancing rhythms and sporadic whistles. For me, the beginning of side B is analogous to blindly reaching into the bag and pulling a crystal-covered bud of goodness. Drifting through the omnipotent stillness of the cosmos, waves of wah vibrations ripple toward the abyss. This is highly recommended for all of you astral explorers! Funky vibes and rhythms create a lively platform for the blistering fretwork that appears near the end in track 3 on the flip.

Now that you are properly feeling good and lifted, Stag Hare accelerates one into enthralling and constantly morphing environments. Ethereal vibrations abound as copious rhythms coalesce with healing energy. According to the insert, Angel Tech consists of precursor tracks to a larger project. Unique to this edition, these peaceful vibes will eventually manifest in copious ways. Angel Tech weaves a dreamy tapestry consisting of new age, ambient, drone, and experimental vibrations. Certainly, this is music to accompany one in the moment, and I would recommend listening attentively to these meditative sojourns. As side A commences a burst of glistening energy, once nascent, becomes palpable - it modulates serenely. An incipient drone grows in strength and warmth - embraces one's body. Buoyant layers are interspersed with lively, and even at times, propulsive rhythms. Prepare for flowing unfettered waves of benevolent energy. In the second track, a torpid passage vacillates in the sonic breeze. Suddenly, varied and driving rhythms give the music another dimension, which juxtaposes nicely to the ambient and somewhat somber feel of the track. On the flipside, burgeoning vibrations become ethereal waves that drift placidly. A deluge of lustrous waves approach with fervor - awesome energy here. Going forward in the next track, tranquil beats and embryonic warm drone encompass one. Sustained reverberations are joined by peaceful layers of electronics. Shortly, the tempo increases in accordance with the rhythms, prior to drifting off with a blissful drone.    

Sitting pretty on my top shelf - and in my healing kit - Space Slave tapes are essential for fellow tape enthusiasts. Therefore, grab these two while they are available from thee source. Produced in a limited edition of 100 home-duplicated tapes, the next batch of Space Slave will be available to purchase on November 26.

peace and love, friends :)

Headboggle and Vibrating Garbage - Untitled (BOTR019)

the dankest party happening in your head.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

You're here, and now it's time to party! Lately, I cannot get enough of this sativa-fueled nug between Bay Area sound artists and noise brothers Headboggle and Greg Garbage, the latter of whom has been featured many times in this trichome-covered stash of supreme vibrations. This cassette is the result of a rehearsal for a one-off collaborative performance in 2012. With Headboggle utilizing Ciat-Lonbarde/ Blippoo and Greg Garbage on MFB/ 606 these electronic zoners explode, streaking across the starry night sky, disseminating its payload on those ready for its heavy-duty vibe. This collaboration emits ubiquitous energy which infuses the surroundings with entrancing, and sometimes funky vibrations that keep your head nodding. 

Despite the symmetrically timed sides, there's nothing even or balanced about these electronic serpents which accelerate, writhe, and contort willfully through one's environment. All one can do is allow the spectacular vibe to play out. On side A, grainy transmissions and deep beats are joined by electronics which vacillate, and increasingly driven rhythms. A confluence of stuttering, hissing, and echoing noise abuts synth that exhibits myriad textures. Suddenly, we drift through some vague spaces prior to being infused with high flying, lively energy. The end of side A is outstanding. Upon reaching the apex, waves of aural energy grace one - lovely! The flip continues the trip. Heavy, periodic beats and incipient energy gradually gain strength as side B commences. Later, the mood turns eerie, leaving one isolated. Shortly, scrambled signals and a wall of noise threaten as it juts, bubbles, screeches and swirls. 

Produced in a limited edition of 80 pro-imprinted and pro-duplicated chrome cassettes, the artwork is by Greg Garbage, and the layout and design assistance credited to Paul Browning. Your ticket to lifted times may be found directly from Beer on the Rug or through Tomentosa!     

peace and love, friends :)

Widesky - Floatsam (Bridgetown #91)

meditations on sound. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Floatsam, from Bridgetown's summer batch, is music that mesmerizes the head. Widesky is the musical project of musician and multimedia artist, Seth Chrisman. Disparate elements such as processed instruments, field recordings, found sound and radio static coalesce into enthralling drones; minimal passages of reverberating noise; and expansive, opaque passages of modulating warmth. Sometimes the music takes on a turbulent or blustery character as one is bandied about in the sonic breeze. At other times, it churns and ascends hazily as the sound perpetually shifts. Rooted in a sense of place, I find these compositions to be experiential. Closing one's eyes, the unremitting waves eviscerate the levy/filter in your head, showering one in radiant aural light.

 As the cassette begins, the listener is submerged in undulating waves of various intensity and solemn drones that move tortuously. Of particular delight is the emphasis on exploring texture. The transition from 'Floatsam part 1' to part 2 is lovely. Nascent tranquility manifests prior to being consumed by a noisy vortex. In 'Jetsam', a deluge of hiss-covered drones refract as they contact the water to produce hazy and luminous vibrations. 'Coriolis' opens the flipside. Elegiac and introspective drones reverberate as we peer down at the rotating earth. This track provides a nice contrast to some of the more intense, yet just as beautiful, moments on side A. Moving more proximate to the water, the last track, 'Gyres', ensconces the listener in grainy noise and colossal, animated waves of great magnitude.                  

A lovely tape, and just the type of thing one expects from Bridgetown. A first edition of 50 cassettes sold out quickly. Fortunately for us, a second edition of 50 cream colored tapes has been released. Featuring full-color labels and double-sided printing on heavyweight gloss stock, Floatsam may be purchased directly from Bridgetown.

peace and love, friends :)