Sixty Nine - Live! (1974)

"A talented heavy classical rock duo formed aptly in 1969. Armin Stöwe, obviously a Keith Emerson disciple, also coincidentally had a rough and powerful voice akin to Lee Jackson (also of The Nice), and on his keyboards he ably took on the role of organist, bassist and soloist (even on the live album). Sixty Nine though were not at all copyist, they had a style that took aggressive blues rock, added classical and avant-garde elements for original results. Both albums are essential for fans of the genre.

Armin Stöwe (organ, piano, synthesizer, guitar, vocals), Roland Schupp (drums, percussion)" (The Crack In The Cosmic Egg)

Their other album was posted on March 26, 2006

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Chariot - Chariot (1968)Chariot were three British guys who put out only one album of great late 60's rock, possibly because they were signed to a label that itself disappeared after only a few releases. One review describes this as "Cream influenced", but I don't get that at all, there really not much of a 'power trio' feeling to it. Not really proggy or psych, though there might be elements of both at times. This is just good old-fashioned song oriented, blues based rock. Good addition to the collection of anyone interested in British rock from this era.

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Jud's Gallery - SWF Sessions Vol. 1 (1972-1974)

Volume 1 presents the band JUD'S GALLERY from Offenburg (South-West Germany). JUD'S GALLERY recorded 9 songs over two SWF sessions (28.07.1972 an 29.03.1974). These songs have been digitally remastered from the original tapes to perfect studio quality.

JUD'S GALLERY were formed in 1971 by Jürgen "Judy" Winter. The only other founding member at the sessions was Peter Oehler who had been playing with Judy in other guises before. These two enthusiastic perfectionists were accompanied for the first session by Hannes Gremminger, Herbert Brandmeyer and singer Elly Lapp who left the band shortly afterwards. SWF presenter Hans-Jürgen Kiebenstein was instrumental in inviting the band to Studio U 1 in Baden-Baden for a session without any overdubbing or re-recording, no easy task for a band who's average age was at the time a mere 21.

The sessions opened up a hitherto unknown world for JUD'S GALLERY of concerts outside of their native Offenbach and surrounding area. Support slots with internationally renowned bands such as Steamhammer, Pretty things, Beggar's Opera, Ekseption and Alexis Korner followed and also a German tour with Golden Earring. After this JUD'S GALLERY were ready for their own headlining tour including Festivals and gigs in and around the French border.

At a festival in southern Germany the band was approached by Roland Schaeffer (Fashion Pink, Brainstorm, Guru Guru) who was working as a producer for SWF at the time. He invited the band for their second SWF session. The band recorded 4 songs, including the 12 minute version of Nordrach, with the line-up of Jürgen "Judy" Winter, Peter Oehler, Clem Winterhalter and Sibi Siebert. After this session it was only a question of time before Jud's Gallery released an LP. Contacts to Achim Reichel's label "Gorilla Music" were made and shortly before they went into a studio the band broke up due to economic hardship and musical differences.

Despite this and thanks to the excellent radio sessions we can relive a fantastic time of enthusiasm and hope from this brilliant band that deserved more at the time.

After Jud's Gallery Judy Winter moved to the Rhineland and in 1976 formed Winterkrieg with former Sperrmüll member Helmut Krieg. Peter Oehler played in a few bands and is now head of music at Radio Ohr in Offenburg. (longhairmusic.de)

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970) Mickboy Remaster

Does this sound 'better' than the the official remaster or the original release? To my ears it does, but in the end it's a matter of personal opinion I guess. Mickboy started with the highest quality Japanese vinyl available, so that's a plus right there, and tweaked it so that it sounds so much more lively and warm, I don't think you will be disappointed. This is a huge download, 320 megs, but hey you don't have to download all the parts right away. What's the rush?

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Deep Purple - The Book Of Taliesyn (1969)Chaotic and dramatic, Deep Purple's second album is a minor masterpiece of psychedelic pop/prog. I have always preferred the first version of Deep Purple, with Evans and Simper in the line-up. My rip @ 320 w/scans.

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Opossum - Bear's Banquet (1974)

Unreleased album of real nice instrumental jazz-rock from this German band that later morphed (!) into Morpheus. Morpheus' album was posted 30 Jan 2006.

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Sam Gopal - Escalator (1969)

Great late 60's acid rock from this British band, a little on the dark side. Fronted by Malaysian Sam Gopal, who plays tabla and other percussion instruments - only one track has an actual drum kit. Two guitarists and a bass player round things out. Of major interest, to some of us anyway, is a young Ian Willis, who had been a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. He wrote and sang lot of the material, and his fuzzed-out guitar leads are all over this thing. He would later be known as Lemmy to legions of Hawkwind/Motorhead fans.

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Peter Bursch & Die Broselmaschine (1975)

Broselmaschine broke up a year or so after recording their self-titled prog/folk masterpiece in 1971, then in 1975 Peter Bursch formed a new band under the name "Peter Bursch & Die Broselmaschine". Even with assistance from Mani Neumeier and Roland Schaeffer from Guru Guru and Jan Fride from Kraan, this is still a great folk album. There's no more sitar or psychedelic influences, just solid basic folk rock. Not as cool as the first one I don't think, but still pretty damn cool. Peter Bursch is after all an amazing guitarist!

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Osibisa - Woyaya (1971)

This is Osibisa's second album, and arguably their best. I have only heard one other of their releases, and I much prefer this one. Conga beats, African chants, flute, saxophone, great bass playing, a Fender Rhodes, and fantastic guitarist Wendell Richardson (who filled in on tour for Paul Kossoff - he's on that Free "Talking of Heartbreaker" boot that I posted a few months ago)all help to make music that is joyful, enthusiastic and kinda jazzy/funky. I don't know all that much about "World Music" but I suspect this is the best of World Music - years ahead of it's time.

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Häx Cel - Zwai (1972)

Häx Cel was a short-lived German band, unusual for the day in that the line-up didn't include a guitarist. Their only release, recorded live, sounds fresh still all these years later. Not progressive rock, more like art rock, the music is classically influenced and fronted by the flute player who takes the solos. Pleasant and lite at times, powerful and rhythmic at others. Kind of like an early 70's British band only with flute instead of guitar, and harpsichord-like keyboards instead of a Hammond!

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Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri (1971)

I really don't know much about Tangerine Dream's music but I do like this album which was their second. I found one review that describes it as "like being in a haunted spaceship" and I think that pretty much sums it up!

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