Paul Levinson - Twice Upon a Rhyme (Happysad records. USA. 1972)

Listen to: "You are everywhere"

Simply incredible private pressing from New York that took three years to record, mix and release. The opening track "You are everywhere" sets the tone for this Folk Rock/Psych album. The record has so many elements swirling around in the mix that at times it's hard to pin down exactly where Paul is coming from. That's no criticism though, infact quite the opposite. It keeps the album fresh and vibrant.

Listen to: "Forever Friday"

Sometimes when i listen to this album, it somehow transports me forward in time rather than back in time. Many of the songs make me think of the whole Elephant 6 label scene back in the early 1990's with bands such as The Olivia Tremor Control and The Apples in Stereo. It mixes up enough styles and influences to keep the album constantly interesting. What really caught me out with this album was something i could never quite put my finger on. It's as if Paul has poured part of his being into the grooves. It's a very personal album and you get a real shot of Paul.

Listen to: "Antique shop"

I'd go as far to say that i became obsessed with this album to the point where i contacted Paul. Before i knew what had hit me i had started a record label, licensed the album from Paul and pressed up 250 copies on heavyweight virgin vinyl! If i wasn't ready for that, i really wasn't ready for Paul. I sent Paul the advance and thought i'd quietly get down to work. However, from the very start this repress was a joint effort. I've lost count of the emails that have fired back and forth across the Atlantic, both work an personal. Paul is such a kind and warm man whose enthusiasm has no limits and being involved with Pauls album has been an experience i will never forget.

The album was taken into the studio for a superb remaster. There's been no remixing, we've made the bottom end stronger and brightened up the top end. Paul has said that it sounds better than the original and i have to agree. However, we have had the advantage of modern technology.

The soundfiles here are from my original copy and not the remastered repress.

The repress is available wholesale from Whiplash Records in the UK: sales@whiplashrecords.co.uk

and Vea Music in Greece:

It will be on sale in the Whiplash Records ebay shop from Sunday evening on 5th December 2010.

Phil Downer - The Dust of Time

Phil Downer - The Dust of Time (Lestar Records. UK. 1968)

Listen to an extract from: "Pretty Soon"

I can tell you nothing of Phil Downer except for the fact that he is one very aptly named folk artist. The guitar playing is rather accomplished and the voice is nice, but for me it's the delivery and lyrics that lift this above the usual solo acoustic folk effort. These are amongst the darkest lyrics i've heard in many years. For me this is the stand out track where everything seems to come together perfectly.

Listen to an extract from: "The Dust of Time"

This is the title track of this four track ep that may originally have come with a picture sleeve. This is another solid track and definitely another favourite for me. It doesn't quite have the dark atmosphere of Pretty Soon but is still a strong effort. Unfortunately Phil Downer and this single have proved so far to be ungooglable. Any information from Phil or anyone who knew him would be most gratefully accepted. Also, if anyone has a picture sleeve i'd love to see it.

Nigel Mazlyn Jones - Ship to shore

Nigel Mazlyn Jones - Ship to Shore (Isle of Light. UK. 1976)

Listen to: "A Singulary Fine Day"

A fascinating UK private pressing that sounds like it is from an earlier time, although it does occasionally give off touches that do firmly date it to the mid 1970's. Nigel has released 10 albums on his Isle of Light label, with this debut and the second album being the most sought after by collectors. On hearing the first track you could be forgiven for pigeon holing this as a Folk album, even an Acid Folk album. However, that's even less than half the story. Nigel was active on the live circuit and has collaborated with many well known 70's artists including Roy Harper, Nik Turner and even Hawkwind. These influences show on the rest of the album, with a gradual progression away from the folk sound into an earlier 70's singer/songwriter territory.

Listen to: "Ship to Shore"

Side two journeys further into that singer/songriter territory but with a classic left field sound, with some impressive guitar work that is ever present on this album that helps lift it above many similar albums. However, the title track (for some reason placed as the last track) is where the whole album comes together in a most impressive finale. It starts with an almost frantic Acid Folk vocal and guitar interplay before it enters a middle ground between the folk and rock influences before rounding it all off with an elongated finale that keeps you drifting effortlessly on, as if floating in some dreamy Pink Floyd styled interlude.

Those Old Records (Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK)

I like to highlight the bricks and mortar shops that i buy some of these records from. Far too many are closing down and without them we'll struggle to trip over these great unsung albums.

This album was bought on a trip to visit Chris at "Those Old Records" in Rugeley, Staffordshire. I first met Chris at the Stoke on Trent record fair. Chris keeps coming up with some mind blowing finds, he puts in a herculian effort travelling the length and breadth of the UK in search of those nuggets. Chris is also an audiophile so you'll find that he is very fussy about condition.

I'm glad to report that his shop is an extension of his great personality. Chris is extremely friendly and always goes the extra mile.

If you see an Ambrose Slade album in the photos below, then yes, you are seeing an original. The second copy Chris has managed to dig up in less than a year! He's topped that with one of the rarest British Jazz albums ever released; a Zombies Odyssey and Oracle that lasted about 10 minutes.....and i could go on.
If you can't visit "Those Old Records" in Rugeley then there is a website for your enjoyment:

http://www.thoseoldrecords.co.uk/

Thanks Chris!

John Sase - Aessence

JOHN SASE - Aessence (Private Press. USA. 1975/85)

Listen to: "Industrial Age"

Obscure USA private press folk album that's already got interest in the world of bloggers. However, i think it's worth adding as previous blogs have missed what could be a different fan base for this album. It was recorded around 1975 but not released until 1985. Despite the 1970's recording this album has tracks that i feel are closer to the Neo Folk style of the late 1980's onwards, than the Acid Folk tag other bloggers use. Listening to Industrial Age is for me akin to the Death In June sound from the All Pigs Must Die album. Artists like Nurse with Wound and Current 93 have always been open in their love of Folk, especially artists like Shirley Collins and Comus.

Listen to: "New Life"

The album was released in a limited edition of 300 autographed and hand numbered copies with two inserts, housed in a plain sleeve with screen printed title and pasted picture. John Sase was based in Detroit, hardly well known for producing Folk music. There are a wealth of instruments on the album which are played well enough to lift it above the usual private pressing. If i was to have a criticism of the album then it would be that the tempo seems to remain pretty much the same through the entire album. The songs themselves are strong so keeping it interesting.

Meic Stevens - Mwg

MEIC STEVENS - Mwg EP (Wren Records WRE 1073)

Listen to: "Myfi yw'r Dechreuad"

How could i resist adding some Meic Stevens to the Acid Folk section?

No longer what you could describe as an obscure artist, Meic has been an important & well loved figure in Wales for many decades. Not only did he produce some of the most wonderful music to come out of Wales, he was also the inspiration, catalyst & vehicle for many Welsh bands to make & release music.

Mwg is my favourite Meic Stevens ep & this track is the most "Acid" from this particular release. I do belive that Meic Stevens is best listened to in Welsh. Although most people will not understand the words, there is an interplay between the Welsh language, Meics' delivery & the interplay with his guitar playing that just isn't present on Outlander, his English language album.

There is plenty of information on Meic on the web & there are also two compilation albums that bring together all his EP tracks including this one.

Beau - Creation

BEAU - Creation LP (Dandelion DAN 8006)

Listen to "Creation"

Certainly not the most obscure offering on this blog, but it is in my mind a criminally overlooked album. Infact it's inclusion is more to do with the fact that this is still an affordable album, something that will probably change as time goes by. There is plenty of information on Beau to be found on the web.

It was Beau's second album for John Peel's Dandellion label, released in 1971. What sets this apart from his first album is the fact that Tractor are his backing band for this outing.

It's a strange mix; the Folk songs of a renowned folk songwriter with the twisted rock musings of Tractor. For me the song where this works best is "Silence Returns", which has a undercurrent of darkness that is just about kept in check until the end when all hell breaks loose through an incredible acid guitar piece until the song eventually fades out.

Listen to: "Silence returns"

It's nowhere near as "Acid" as the first Comus album for example, but as a whole the album does work, although sometimes it does feel like the mix isn't quite right. Some songs are more traditional, some far more twisted.

All in all though, still an album i would recommend picking up before prices inevitably rise.

Sounds of Salvation - An exploration in worship

SOUNDS OF SALVATION - An exploration in worship LP (Reflection RL 310)

Listen to: "Love III"

This is the album that has inspired this blog (obvious from the title really!). What they call a blind punt, quite literally picked up off the floor of a local flea market where someone had unceremoniously dropped it.
This is one difficult album to explain.

Released in 1974 by a Christian group from Cambridge University, it ranges from a long introduction of sound collages depicting everyday life (strangely akin to the KLF's Chill out album), through a very dark Psychedelic track "Overseers", then through prayers, acid folk & twisted rock.

It really does need to be listened to in it's entirity as it does flow despite the strange marrying of styles.

Listen to: "What is it like Lord?"

The female voices are particulary strong, along with some superb guitar work, especially in the more acid moments. What manages to really make this work for me are the arrangements, they are very different from traditional arrangements, and that makes for a refreshing listen.

I don't feel that the soundfiles i've uploaded are representative of the album as a whole, but they are an introduction to a strange world; a world where people ask the Lord what it is like to burn & where peoples eyes are scratched out so we can see through them.

As a foot note, the stamps on my copy show that it once belonged to a hospital radio station. Now there's a thought!

Although inactive for many years the group behind Refection records have now come back together & are releasing the albums on CD.

I hope i have inspired at least one or two of you to buy the CD.

If anyone connected with this album is reading, we would love to hear your recollections.

Listen to: "Overseers"