Modern Art
"Oriental Towers" CD Edition
Another entry from the darkly enchanting minimal synth-pop and psych-tinged world of The Modern Art.
“Arriving in the wake of inspirational releases from Joy Division, Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA and Throbbing Gristle, Modern Art’… pinched those templates into a range of nervy, minimalist styles porous to influence and defined by the moody character of Gary Ramon’s vocals and his feel for expressive, evocative melody.”
Sandhy & Mandhy
"Para Castukis"
Alberto Infusino (Sandhy) and Alberto Vanasco (Mandhy) began their musical partnership in beat bands The New Free Men and La Máquina de Música. In 1969, Billy Bond, chief of La Pesada del Rock Roll and legendary major domo of Argentine rock, asked them to prepare a demo as a duo.
Sidewinders
"Cuacha!"
“By the time they recorded Cuacha!, the Sidewinders had almost figured out what kind of band they wanted to be. On some cuts here the Hüsker Dü-goes-West mix of acoustic textures and roaring guitar is almost perfect. The album is worth having for the first released version of ‘What She Said,’ a song that the band released on three different albums, each time rocking a bit harder and at greater length. The version here is a dark, mournful folk-rock piece.” —AllMusic
T2
"1971-72"
The rise of power trio T2 was rapid: important open-air festivals; headlining at the Marquee Club; appearances at virtually every major venue in London. Their debut album (“It’ll All Work Out in Boomland”) was released; they seemed poised for a breakthrough. They were playing the Marquee club, with John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix hanging out backstage, which was all to the good. But people were saying, “we can’t find your album anywhere.”
Umbra
"Umbra"
What was available to unknown hard rocking dreamers like Umbra in Denver in 1971-72? Weekend gigs. Nothing but weekend gigs. But there was an upside to that: bands like Umbra could mix original material in with covers, and make enough money to survive. Or in the case of Umbra, to make enough money to build a home studio, where they recorded ads to promote their upcoming shows—and eventually, laid down the eight tracks on this disc.