TAKEHISA KOSUGI - CATCH-WAVE

CBS/Sony 1975

01. Mano Dharma '74
02. Wave Code #e-1


Mammoth drone-a-thon from Japanese avant garde composer and Taj Mahal Travellers member, Takehisa Kosugi. Using violin, electronics and vocals all processed through echo machines and ring modulators and mixed with pre-recorded tape experiments.

The original L.P. sleeve bore the inscription :

"The deaf listen to sounds touching, watching...the blind watch sight listening, smelling. Sounds speeding on lights, lights speeding on sounds, music between riddles & solutions."

AGITATION FREE - MALESCH

Vertigo 1972

01. You Play For Us Today
02. Sahara City
03. Ala Tul
04. Pulse
05. Khan El Khalili
06. Malesch
07. Rucksturz

This month is dedicated to Agitation Free. Not mentioned in the same breath as other, more infuential Krautrock bands, Agitation Free deserve more attention.

Formed in Berlin in 1967 Agitation Free went through several line up changes before the recording of their debut in 1972. Inspired by a tour of Eygpt, the album has several tracks of eastern inspired guitar krautrock, found sounds and field recordings.

AGITATION FREE - 2ND

Vertigo 1973

01. First Communication
02. Dialogue and Random
03. Laila, Part I
04. Laila, Part II
05. In the Silence of the Morning Sunrise
06. A Quiet Walk (Listening/Not of the Same Kind)
07. Haunted Island

The second album saw a slight change in personnel and a jammier, more guitar sound. There are touches of prog here, think a Berlin Grateful Dead.

There really isn't much between this and the debut, although they have a very different sound and vibe.

AGITATION FREE - LAST

Barclay 1976

01. Soundpool
02. Laila II
03. Looping IV

The final album saw it's release after the demise of the band in 1974. Side 1 (recorded in France, March 1973) begins with "Soundpool" which is essentially an extended introduction into a glorious, more stoned version of "Laila". Wonderful.

Side 2 (recorded in Berlin, February 1974) is a 22 minute ambient slow burning jam. Really spooky, excellent.

Although this was put together after the band broke up, this is probably my favorite.

Since this release there have been reunions, compilations and unearthed material but these three records represent the essential Agitation Free.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ESPACE ET ACTUALTE

Musique Pour L'Image 1967

01. Claude Vasori - Départ Fusée
02. Robert Hermel - Industrie Spatiale
03. François Bayle - Titan
04. Claude Vasori - Espace Chromatique
05. François Bayle - Andromede
06. Robert Hermel - Apesanteur
07. Patrice Sciortino - Alchimie Rythmique
08. Patrice Sciortino - Ville Sanse Vie
09. Patrice Sciortino - Abimes Souterrains
10. Patrice Sciortino - Danger Sous Roche
11. Patrice Sciortino - Approache Dramatique
12. Patrice Sciortino - Hostilite
13. Patrice Sciortino - Tumulte

This French album from 1967 is a showcase of sorts for library music artists.

Side 2 is essentially a mini album from Patrice Sciortino. These early recordings are less intense than the percussion driven pieces he would later develop. Piano, bells and harps having a more melodic touch than later albums.

I prefer side 1, several related tracks of eeire, ominous ambient space music. The tracks on this side would perfectly suit some existensial French space movie that was never made. Spooky and great.

JAMES BLACKSHAW - HOLLY E.P.

Important Records 2011

01. Holly
02. Boo, Forever


Coming after "The Glass Bead Game" and "All is Falling", this record finds the London guitarist continuing in a semi classical vein alongside the repeated guitar patterns and full, beautiful acoustic guitar sound.

Every James Blackshaw release of recent years has been essential and this extended play is no different.

Released on 12" vinyl only, it features Blackshaw on guitar (12 string and his first recorded use of nylon string) and piano with other instrumental contributions from Charlotte Glasson.

PÄRSON SOUND - PÄRSON SOUND

Subliminal Sounds 2001

      Disc 1 :

01. Intro
02. Tio Minuter (Ten Minutes)
03. From Tunis To India In Full Moon (On Testosterone)
04. India (Slight Return)
05. A Glimpse Inside the Glyptotec-66
06. One Quiet Afternoon (In the King's Garden)

      Disc 2 :

01. Sov Gott Rose-Marie Parts 1-3 - It's Only Love/Till Indien/Sov Gott Rose-Marie
02. Skrubba
03. Milano
04. On How to Live
05. Blåslåten


This two disc album collects together recordings made by Swedish commune psych band Pårson Sound. Recorded between 1968-69 the band made no professional recordings but jammed constantly and often recorded the results. 

Long, repetitive, monolithic riffs featuring guitars, strings, horns, two drummers...the sound is huge and the vibe heavy. No bullshit communist Swedish proto prog artists make serious music that is not for the faint hearted.

Needless to say, within these discs is some of the greatest music ever made.

From the roots of Pårson Sound grew International Harvester, Harvester and Tråd, Grås Och Stenar.