Originally released on Voice records, Debon and Alomoni 1985
exhibit pure, unadulterated, mid 70's 'everybody must get stoned'
music. These two records are something of a mystery. No group
information was ever given, and no production date or location is
indicated. It would seem though, that these records are both by the
same group of Japanese people and that they were recorded in the mid
seventies in Japan. In common with Magical Power Mako, the musical
influences here are much more Germanic than anything Japanese, with
long hypnotic free form rock hysteria, comparable to Faust in the use
of experimentation and heavily fuzzed electric guitar. The emotional
wordless vocals echo those of Damo Suzuki from Can. But unlike Can the
rhythms are wrought from hand drums, sleigh bells, tambourine, bass
drum and other simple means. Hard blown harmonica is a strong feature
on this somewhat crazed mantric rock along with recorder, flute,
zither, mandolin, acoustic guitar and synth. There is also a strong use
of tape loops, electronics, environmental sounds and backwards tapes.
Brast Burn
Well,...
it's simply astonishing. Split into two long sequences, the music runs
right up to the edge of sanity and screams wordlessly in the face of
madness then jogs back to a lone hill top to lazily invent the form of
psychedelic acid folk that Ghost have made an entire career from. There
is utterly freaked out, acid-drenched genius at work on this record.
Strains of Kraut rock run throughout, Can, and particularly Damo
Suzuki's vocal style, are certainly valid comparisons, but this music
really does seem to be running a race of its own, clouded in pot smoke,
and headed in the wrong direction but glorious while doing it.
Karuna Khyal
A
true hidden treasure. Buried deep in time, this obscure artifact is
something of a revelation. But all you really need to know is that it
is stone cold fantastic, a wild and manic trip full to the brim with
hypnotic jams constructed from all manner of eclectic instruments. The
tribal blues sound is augmented with fascinating tape experiments,
electronics, environmental sounds, moaned (howled) vocals and a host of
musical delicacies, as dangerous as they are delicious. The influence
of German bands such as Can, Faust and Guru Guru is evident throughout,
so too is the influence of the good Captain (Beefheart that is) whose
gut wrenching blues dirges find compadres in this unearthed swamp.
Deranged psychedelic music for anyone with a passing interest in Kraut
rock, the new Japanese psychedelic scene (most of whom owe these
pioneers a great debt) or great music from the edge of the solar system.
To sum up my friends, this two are imminently deserving of your immediate and undivided attention. Grab 'em, ease your mind and relax.
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