SPOTLIGHT 243

12/04/2010 11:34

the Spot Light #243

d.d. Monday, April 12th, 2010

NEW RELEASES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

KAN MIKAMI - YAKICHI (CD/PSF) Seven tracks of twisted 'enka' blues, from the immortal Kan Mikami, Japan's king of the surrealist aside and situationist duckwalk. Present and correct are the master's unique sense of expanding and contracting rhythm, his trademark jaggedly beautiful riffing, and that glorious, honeyed howl of a voice. Korean folk singer Kim Doo Soo makes a special guest appearance playing bluesharp. Seven tracks, 32 minutes. Booklet includes lyrics in English and Japanese.

SKIPPER - IN ITALY (10"/BACHELOR) Powerpop brilliance with a lo-fi touch. These seven songs were recorded (with Matteo of the Mojomatics behind the mixing board) in the summer of 2009, during some hours off in Italy. This 10" is the third release by the Minnesota based band, in a limited edition of 500 copies.

CAVE WEDDINGS - NEVER NEVER KNOW/THE LAST TIME (7"/BACHELOR) There's a somewhat sad side to this release, since it's the Cave Weddings' farewell single. Their last seven incher offers two lo-fi'ish songs, that are sugar coated, but not too sweet. Fine melodic 60s influenced pop, that's what it is. And good fun! Available on black and (limited) green vinyl.

PIPSQUEAK - AIN'T THAT SAD (7"/BACHELOR) The debut by this enjoyable band from Californi-yeh. Among the influences are the Stones, Velvets, Monks, 60s girl groups, 50s r'n'r and modern day heroes s.a. King Khan.

LANA LOVELAND - BLACK GLOVE (7"/BUTTERFLY) The astonishing debut 7" from this great female Hammond organist, who's known from a.o. The Fuzztones and playing with the revived line-up of the legendary Bonniwell Music Machine (hence the title of the single: the black glove was one of the symbols of the Music Machine-members). Both songs on this 7" are well written, incredibly catchy and already among the best songs to be released this year!

EXPECTED RELEASES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

URBAN JUNIOR - TWO HEADED DEMON (CD-LP/VOODOO RHYTHM) Combining influences as diverse as (early) Beastie Boys, The Sonics, DAF and electro clash trash seems an impossible mission. However, Urban Junior pulls it off with ease and impressive results. Includes a remarkable cover version of the Kleenex-song 'Hedi's Head'.

Z'EV - AS/IF/WHEN (LP/SUB ROSA) Side 1 features the track 'As', which was recorded at KPFK Radio, LA in 1978. On the other side it's 'If', recorded by Paul Young in SF, 1982. An intriguing release.

MONTESAS - WRONG SIDE OF TOWN (LP/SOUNDFLAT) The fourth LP by this special and quite unique garage tinged outfit, who have a dedicated following. During the recording sessions the band had female company from the ever charming Monsitas. Over 50 minutes of sheer shakin' joy!

ASCHE - THE EASTER ISLAND PHENOMENON (CD/ANT-ZEN) Eleven powerful compositions that range from pounding rhythm industrial anthems to menacing dark ambient soundscapes. This is a threatening mix of distorted disco and noise brutality. Also featured are remixes by like minded artists.

GINORMOUS - THE SOUND OF LOVE IMPERMANENT (CD/ANT-ZEN) 'The Sound Of Love Impermanent' can be described as an amalgam of ambient and contemporary orchestral music, enriched with the addition of post rock structures. A remarkable release by a well-respected artist!

ION - IMMACULADA (CD/EQUILIBRIUM) A collection of mysterious ballads in slow motion. The music balances between light and shade, and salvation and loss, and was beautifully crafted by these gifted artists. In deluxe digipack.

LOWNESS - UNDERTOW (CD/ANT-ZEN) Inspired by artists as diverse as Chrome, Neu!, Pink Floyd, Harmonia, Black Widow, Subarachnoid Space, Psychic Ills, Amon Düül and Indian Jewelry, this album can be described as an ambient industrial psychedelic hybrid. This one man project's direction reflects an original take on familiar genre themes, but pushes way beyond specific genre trappings by tossing aside the cliches and commonality to focus on the raw emotion involved in creating music.

ALAMAAILMAN VASARAT - HAUDASTA LOMILLA (DVD/NORDIC NOTES) Or in words that sound more familiar to our non-Finnish ears: 'Vacation From The Grave' by the 'Hammers Of the Underworld'. This 300+ minute DVD features footage of the band playing their crazy cover versions of well known hits, filmed during shows in Finland, Denmark and Japan. Also included are their five video clips, the making of the 'Huuro Kolkko' album and a short horror movie with spiders and zombies.

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

FOX - SAN FRANCISCO SESSION (LP/RD RECORDS) An unreleased album recorded in 1969-1970. This album is a heavy bluesy psychedelic masterpiece of the highest order that virtually is the second Day Blindness album, though there are some slight personal changes. And musically it's all in a more heavy and psychedelic direction. The lead guitarist here is none other than Gary Pihl, who nowadays is mostly known for being the guitar player of Boston.

ELDERS - LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER (CD/GEARFAB) Another great and as yet undiscovered album from 1970. In a previous incarnation The Elders were known as Jerry & The Others. Also featuring Ron Skinner from The Pictorian Skiffuls, this Dayton, Ohio band recorded this album which blends driving guitar and organ with late flower power pop sounds. 'Looking For The Answer' is a welcome and much worth while discovery.

SELECTED PRESS QUOTES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

OBSKURIA - BURNING SEA OF GREEN (CD-LP/WORLD IN SOUND) reviewed by Roadburn.com (excerpt) ...not only does the record evoke a particular atmosphere throughout, but it also requires a certain mindset on the part of the listener to be at its highest potency. (Album of the day, April 2nd) reviewed by André de Waal for IO Pages (translated excerpt) One last piece of advice. Do not play while driving a car!

SEAN SMITH - ETERNAL (CD-LP/STRANGE ATTRACTORS AUDIO HOUSE) reviewed by Gerald van Waes for Psyche van het Folk (translated excerpt) A great album with a perfect production.

MAGICKAL FOLK OF THE FARAWAY TREE - THE SOUP & THE SHILLING (2CD/DESERTED VILLAGE) reviewed by Ian Fraser for Terrascope online (excerpt) ...an enchanting collection and one that is sure to delight anyone with a soft spot for obscure acid-folk classics.

BLOWBACK - EIGHT HUNDRED MILES (CD/TRANSUBSTANS) reviewed by Cosmicmasseur for ConcreteWeb (excerpt) ...the hooks, melodies and soul on this album are hard to resist.

APOSTLE OF SOLITUDE - LAST SUNRISE (CD/EYES OF SNOW) reviewed by Cosmicmasseur for ConcreteWeb (excerpt) ...heavy crunching doom with great melodies...

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

ANNEKE KONINGS - FEELINGS AND FAIRYTALES (CD/EXCALIBUR MUSIC GROUP) reviewed by Zone5300 (translated excerpt) ...beautifully orchestrated flower power songs and psychedelic folk rock. reviewed by Sandra de Haan for Zone5300.nl (translated excerpt) 'Feelings And Fairytales' is a precious addition to Dutch pop history and at times quite impressive. reviewed by Henk Rijkenbarg for Heaven (translated excerpt) From a historical point of view, as well as for the quality of her songs, Anneke Konings deserves lots of attention.

LIVE
ÖRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE (TRANSUBSTANS) April 14: Den Haag, NL (De Vinger) / April 15, Tilburg, NL (Roadburn Festival)
VERMILLION SANDS (SCREAMING APPLE) April 14: Utrecht, NL (AKU) / April 16: Helmond, NL (Muziek café) / April 17: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)
SAMSARA BLUES EXPERIMENT (WORLD IN SOUND) April 15: Tilburg, NL (Roadburn festival) / August 8: Geel, B (Yellowstock festival)
DEWOLFF (REMUSIC) selected dates - April 17: Lelystad, NL (Underground) / April 29: Den Haag, NL (Koninginnenach) / May 30: Landgraaf, NL (Pinkpop)
HORISONT (CRUSHER) April 17: Tilburg, NL (Roadburn Festival)
DEAD BROTHERS (VOODOO RHYTHM) April 29: Eindhoven, NL (Effenaar) / April 30 daytime: Deventer (Burgerweeshuis/Garden party!) + evening: Venlo, NL (Queensday fest) / June 4: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)

HEX DISPENSERS (ALIEN SNATCH!) May 6: Groningen, NL (Vera) / May 21: Amsterdam, NL (OCCII) / May 23: Kortrijk, B (The Pits)

MAGNAPOP (BASSICK) May 13: Geraardsbergen, B (De Spiraal) / May 14: Maastricht, NL (Muziekgieterij) / May 15: -afternoon- Torhout, B (Masters @ work) / May 15: -evening- Arnhem, NL (Luxor) / May 16: Kasterlee, B (Kastival) / June 25: Amsterdam, NL (Melkweg) / June 26: Waasmunster, B (Vierschaarfeesten) / June 27: Genk (Festival On Stage)

SHEETAH ET LES WEISSMULLER (SCREAMING APPLE) May 22: Amsterdam, NL (OT301/Beatfestival)

C.W. STONEKING (VOODOO RHYTHM) May 29: Eindhoven, NL (Naked Song Festival/Muziek Centrum Frits Philips) / June 4: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)

THINGUMA JIG*SAW (DESERTED VILLAGE) June 2010 t.b.a.

GÖSTA BERLINGS SAGA (TRANSUBSTANS) July 16: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat) / July 17: to be announced later this month

DUNGEN (SUBLIMINAL SOUNDS) July 17: Tilburg, NL (013) t.b.c. / July 18: to be announced this week! / July 19: Amsterdam, NL (Paradiso Open air/Tolhuistuin) t.b.c.

KENTIN JIVEK (S.R.) spring-summer 2010

SIENA ROOT (HEAD SPIN, TRANSUBSTANS) June 19: Zwolle (Eureka) t.b.a.

GRAVES BROTHERS DELUXE (GREEN COOKIE) spring-summer 2010 t.b.a.

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Previous editions:

06/09/2010 11:47 SPOTLIGHT 264

30/08/2010 11:42 SPOTLIGHT 263

24/08/2010 11:09 SPOTLIGHT 262

18/08/2010 11:22 SPOTLIGHT 261

09/08/2010 11:31 SPOTLIGHT 260

02/08/2010 11:29 SPOTLIGHT 259

26/07/2010 11:16 SPOTLIGHT 258

20/07/2010 12:06 SPOTLIGHT 257

12/07/2010 12:22 SPOTLIGHT 256

05/07/2010 11:52 SPOTLIGHT 255

29/06/2010 11:34 SPOTLIGHT 254

21/06/2010 11:21 SPOTLIGHT 253

15/06/2010 11:37 SPOTLIGHT 252

07/06/2010 11:43 SPOTLIGHT 251

31/05/2010 11:35 SPOTLIGHT 250

25/05/2010 12:20 SPOTLIGHT 249

19/05/2010 11:48 SPOTLIGHT 248

10/05/2010 11:26 SPOTLIGHT 247

03/05/2010 11:46 SPOTLIGHT 246

26/04/2010 12:04 SPOTLIGHT 245