All reviews by ed
Mike Curb - Mary Jane OSTFairly decent psych / pop soundtrack for this 1968 drugsplotation film. Going by the cover art alone you’re almost guaranteed at least a couple good listens on here. I’ve never seen the film but from what I’ve read at IMDB it sounds pretty bad (meaning I’ll have to see it soon). Anyway, […]
Moggi - Tra Scienza e FantascienzaFor those “in the know” you are aware of the fact that “Moggi” is actually Piero Umiliani. For those who are not, now you are. Anyway, I would just like to note that this is one of the creepiest library covers I have ever seen. Can anyone distinguish what that thing is? […]
Music for Electronic & Older InstrumentsVery impressive “tape music” record on the Composers Recordings Inc. label with sounds dating from the early to mid 1960’s. The first side is credited to Otto Luening and Vladimir Ussachevsky, co-founders of the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center. The b-side features Mel Powell, former director of electronic music at Yale University. The […]
Orlando Kimber & John Keliehor - East Meets WestWow, an 80’s library record that doesn’t sound like it belongs in a corporate training video for IBM! Unfortunately these types are few and far between, but thankfully for fans of floating synths and electronics, this one delivers. The first side mainly consists of gamelan jams that (for the most part) do a […]
Oronzo De Filippi - MeccanizzazioneSmall-group jazz library LP which at times could easily be mistaken for a Morricone soundtrack. Very distinct mix of harpischord, bossa rhythms, abstract electronics, and the classic Italian lounge sound on here. This record (which sounds great I might add - nice and loud mono pressing) was released on the scarce Italian library label […]
Patrice Sciortino - Percussion PowerStrange “exotica” library disc out of Paris, France from what sounds like the late 60’s (no date listed on the label or back cover). A “composition for 30 instruments and percussion accessories” by French composer Patrice Sciortino, and one of the finest of its kind. Sciortino does a great job of creating a distinct […]
Phasing Drums & Electronic SoundsDon’t worry, I won’t bore you with a discussion on how cool the “Phasing Drums” part is. As a matter of fact, that’s the most uninteresting part of the record (gasp!). The highlights of this record therefore fall under the “electronic sounds” section, which makes up the entire A side and a quarter […]
Redemption - Gone FishingI had no idea what this LP was all about when I saw this at my local Salvation Army. I did know that it was a fresh change of pace from the usual barrage of Mantonavi’s and Streisand’s that have flooded the store for the past however many years. Anyway, flipping to the back […]
Remigio Ducros - T.S.T. Cronaca ‘73This is yet another one of those library records where you wonder how one great track found it’s way on such an otherwise dull LP. I guess I should be used to this by now, as it’s basically the case with about 95% of the libraries out there. “Disadattati” is the sought-after tune […]
Rex Holman - Here in the Land of Victory“Victory” was the inital release on the obscure Pentagram label (a subsidiary of Jubilee). In between a busy acting scheduling, Holman recorded this interesting mix of country, blues, and eastern influenced psych-folk. His voice is heavy on the vibrato, reminding me slightly of Tim Buckley. Copper Kettles is one of my favorites […]
Romolo Grano - Musica Elettronica 1“A new dimension in sound — electronically tested in sound labratory.” This sentence, which is seen on the front cover, the back cover, and the label of the record itself successfully emphasizes what this LP is all about. Tons of analog drones, hums, bloops, delays. You know, all that good, test-your-patience-type stuff […]
Sam Spence - The Art of the SynthesizerVolume 1 of a 2 part series here. Sam Spence was the dude known for his musical contributions to NFL Films highlights in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Going by the cover art, it seems Spence is playing a Moog 55 Synthesizer on here, and in the process of doing so he actually […]
Savant - Stationary Dance / Sensible MusicReleased on “Palace of Lights” in 1981, Savant was a group lead by Kerry Leimer, the head of the label and someone who still releases electronic/ambient music to this day. The record contains only two tracks, both with a decidedly Eno-vibe (each in their own way). The a-side’s “Stationary Dance” […]
The Ian Langley Group - Reggae for Real (And Other Rhythms)Emphasis on “Other Rhythms.” This is probably one of the top five in demand library LPs on the Peer International label, and for good reason. After you get past the bland “reggae” instrumentals (come on now, what library record doesn’t have at least one or two bad tracks), this record than begins to […]
Truth of Truths - A Contemporary Rock OperaYeah, there were a bunch of these “rock opera” records back in the early 70s, but how many can you name with Jim Backus playing the part of God? That’s right, as if Thurston Howell III and Mister Magoo weren’t enough, he also has “Creator of the Universe” to add to his impressive acting […]
Various Artists - Bass ModulationsThis one comes from Italy on the obscure Octopus library label. No date is listed on the back cover but a safe guess would be early 70’s. The music on here is mainly jazz, but there are a few tracks which venture into the ‘psych’ territory. Most of the songs are composed by R. Conrado […]
Various Artists - Electronic MusicOutstanding set of early electronics on the ever-popular Folkways label. It’s hard to imagine the nerdish looking dudes pictured in the included booklet would be the ones producing these totally bizarre sound structures.
Walt Rockman - PollutionI now have a new pick for favorite library record cover ever. It’ll probably change in a few months but wow is this great. “Pollution” comes from the German SONOTON label and features some excellent electronic drone action. The record is mainly electronic, aside from two very kraut-rock / motorik percussion tracks, […]
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