Review: Cult outfit The General Store laid down four songs in the year of 1967. They release two of them, but the other two have remained under wraps ever since. Now, more than half a century later, they are getting pressed up to vinyl for the first time thanks to Perfect Toy who have decided to cut just 300 copies. The band themselves have given full blessing for this one and as soon as the needle drops you're taken into a swirling, high-octane world of raw 60s rock heavy funk. It is very much a case of Tower of Power meets Funkadelic with a lo-fi twist.
Review: You're unlikely to find much information about The General Store online. Clearly back in the 1960s they weren't coming up with band names that took Google searchability into account. Belonging to a different age, they made music that sounds like heart, soul, unity and good times all rolled into one, even when dealing with less rose-tinted issues. Say what you will about being able to find anything you want in a couple of clicks, right now we feel the world could do with a lot more of their sound. Love Is You can be traced by to 1967, and the very early beginnings of psychedelic funk and garage rock. Recorded in 1967, this four-track 7" is harder to track down than information about the group themselves. Or at least it was until now. Finally reissued, this is collector's stuff for sure.
Review: Gipsy Power Band - what a name that is, by the way - debuts with aplomb here and mixes up a fiery sonic stew of flamenco rumba, rock and funk that captures the essence of a unique time in Spanish music. Formed in Madrid in 2022, the band originally paid tribute to "cine quinqui," a Spanish exploitation film genre, by performing tracks from its iconic soundtracks and other hidden gems from the mid-70s to early 80s. Drawing inspiration from artists like Los Chichos and Las Grecas, they lit up Madrid's stages with their vintage repertoire. Now, they've evolved to create original music and it comes in the form of these two songs.
Review: Geese tend not to be many twitchers' favourite taxonomic family of bird, but when it comes to music, many of the best artists pay homage. Goose, for example - the Connecticut indie folkers with a penchant for jammy freakouts - have unveiled the Undecided EP, a four-track studio collection of live favorites. The album tends towards the instrumental side of things, with climaxes emerging out of minimal slow jams, culminating in great brown washes of guitar and sumptuous, melodious crooning. Or honking, if you will; emotive and cathartic stuff.
Vivi Hernadez Y Su Conjunto - "Tocando Macizas" (3:47)
Grupo Caverna - "Caverna" (2:46)
Review: Vivi Hernandez Y Su Conjunto's 'Tocando Macizas' emerges as a coveted collector's item, limited to 100 copies in a bespoke silkscreen sleeve. This 7" release captures the raw essence of 1971 Mexican funk, offering a tantalising glimpse into a pivotal moment in Latin music history. The A-side's infectious rhythm and bold instrumentation are perfectly complemented by Grupo Caverna's 'Caverna' on the flip. This rare pressing stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage Latin funk, promising to be a prized addition to any discerning vinyl enthusiast's collection.
Vivi Hernadez Y Su Conjunto - "Tocando Macizas" (3:51)
Grupo Caverna - "Caverna" (2:47)
Review: The 7" single Tocando Macizas by Vivi Hernandez Y Su Conjunto is a standout Latin funk gem from 1971. Known for its raw, heavy grooves, this track epitomises the best of Mexican funk, delivering an irresistible energy. Paired with Grupo Caverna's Caverna on the B-side, both tracks pack an intense rhythmic punch, combining sharp instrumentation with infectious beats. This release has gained legendary status among collectors and DJs for its rarity and quality, marking it as essential for Latin funk aficionados.
Review: The forthcoming collaboration between anaiis and Grupo Cosmo presents a captivating fusion of contemporary soul and Brazilian musical traditions. The album features tracks like 'Toda Cor' and 'Voyage,' which blend anaiis's soulful vocals with Grupo Cosmo's rich instrumentation, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural heritage. This milky vinyl LP offers listeners a unique auditory experience, highlighting the seamless integration of diverse musical styles.
Review: Belgian-Moroccan singer Aicha Haskal is at the heart of this fabulous project which sees her joining creative forces with super-talented musicians from the Belgian scene. Between them, the group has a mad diverse spread of backgrounds and influences which means their music too is broad in scope - psychedelic sounds and funky grooves, Arabic melodies and European rhythms all feature in this album as do rap and parlando. Egyptian poet Abdelhamid Farag penned their first single 'Ghalat' and now this album expands around that with music that fights the oppression of women and fights for revolution.
Review: Medway's garage rock king Allan Crockford has credits flittering all the way back to the 80's including the likes of The Prisoners, Billy Childish's Thee Headcoats, The Solarflares, and even the OG line-up of the James Taylor Quartet, to name but a handful. Keeping sharp and busy, however, The Galileo 7 serves as his own passion project; melding 60s mod-beat garage rock with jangling psychedelic pop, leading to a sonic bickering between anthemic hooks and fuzzed out, twinkling guitar lines. Following two exceptional full-lengths released through Damaged Goods; 2017's Tear Your Minds Wide Open! and 2019's There Is Only Now, the collective return after a half-decade of respite to deliver another batch of lysergic, hazy power pop goodness, intended for the wannabe mod/hippie in all of us.
Review: Gandalf's 1969 self-titled album stands as a masterpiece of haunting psych-pop, now reissued from the original master tapes. Recorded at Century Sound in Manhattan with Grammy-winning producer Brooks Arthur, the album's ethereal vocals and innovative production techniques - including the use of a Binson Echorec - set a mesmerising tone. With sitars, vibes, B3 organs, and harpsichord layered over minor guitar chords and bass drones, each track unfolds like a vivid journey through sonic landscapes. Released on clear vinyl and cut by Kevin Gray, this reissue invites listeners into a richly textured experience best enjoyed with eyes closed and the music turned up. Gandalf's album is a shinning example of timeless craftsmanship in psychedelic music, beckoning both old fans and new listeners alike to immerse themselves in its beauty and depth. This version comes on clear vinyl.
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