Well guess what? In a couple days this blog will be two years old! I made the first post on August 29, 2005. Happy Birthday to us, and many thanks to all of you, especially those of you have taken the time over the last couple of years to say hello.

Guru Guru - Hinten (1971)

I don't know whose ass that is in the cover - and I don't want to! Guru Guru's second album is a wild ride into acid-space, almost completely instrumental, with four tracks hovering around the 10-minute mark. Great kraut jamming, totally chaotic. Not relaxing in the least!

High VBR w/artwork Download

Dorian Gray - Idahaho Transfer (1976)

Hopelessly obscure band from Meinerzhagen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany released only one album in 1976, in a limited run of 200 copies. Raw keyboard/guitar based progressive rock with great male and female vocals in German. Could have been produced a little better but the enthusiasm and musicianship of the players makes this a satisfying listen. Very nice.

Bitrate 320 w/scans Download

Jefferson Airplane - Long John Silver (1972)

The last studio album from the Airplane, I think it was slagged by critics at the time, and sales weren't all that good. All the members were involved in side projects and it was clear that The Airplane was landing soon. But every song on this album is strong, and this is an underrated gem. Jorma Kaukonen's guitar and Papa John Creach's violin at times intertwine beautifully. The cover of the original LP could be made into a stash box! I wonder if there are any of those stash boxes still around?

High VBR w/scanned booklet Part 1 Part 2

Altona - Altona (1974)

"This sextet began their recording career as Thrice Mice. As such, they made one album for Phillips in 1971. Some years later they renamed themselves Altona, now expanded to a septet. Altona was the name of a suburb of Hamburg (perhaps this was the place where they came from?). A typical Altona song lasted for 5-7 minutes, had lots of sax and guitars and was largely based on blues and jazz rock. Their albums were produced by one Klaus Bohlmann. Altona were among the better jazz-rockers of the mid-seventies, although they never really excelled. Check them out if progressive jazz-rock appeals to you." (Cosmic Dreams At Play)

Bitrate 256 w/artwork Download

Cold Heat - Heavy Funk Rarities 1968-1974

Alright how about something different, for this blog anyway. We can't listen to psych/prog all the time can we? This is an awesome collection, just like the cover says, of heavy funk/soul tracks, mostly mastered from 45's I think. 16 great tracks from bands you never heard of!

1. The Thing - Carleen & The Groovers
2. Free Your Mind - Amnesty
3. The Stretch (edit) - Detroit Sex Machines
4. Loaded To The Gills (edit) - Michael Liggins & The Supersouls
5. Go For Your Self (edit) - Kenny Smith & The Loveliters
6. Slipping Into Darkness - Dayton Sidewinders
7. James Brown Medley - The Apollo Commanders
8. Cold Heat - Lil' Lavair and The Fabulous Jades
9. The Cissys Thang - The Soul Seven
10. Color (original 7" version) - L.A. Carnival
11. Don't Go - The Aristocrats
12. Drugs Ain't Cool (instrumental) - Ebony Rhythm Band
13. Mr. Chicken (alternate take) - The Soul Seven
14. Street Scene - Leon Mitchison
15. Scorpio - Kashmere Stage Band
16. The Sad Chicken - Leroy & the Drivers

High VBR w/covers Part 1 Part 2

OK later!