Kosmos - Polku (2007)

When i first saw this album cover and read the name of the Finnish folk band Kosmos, from Turku , i was sure this would be some kind of cheap New Age shit. After hearing samples of their music on youtube, i was exposed  for a moment to purchase all their three albums. Now i'm listeling this "Polku" and i have to say something again: I'm one with a scientific worldview but i have no difficulty to listen to this at all. Olli Valtonen's lyrics maybe are not on any TS Eliott level and maybe Päivi Kylmänen's vocals is "only" on her  authentic level, but that is no problem. On the contrary, Päivi's pure vocals, Olli's purely simple lyrics and those seldom in folk music used instruments like mellotron, synthethisator, congas, bassoon, flute etc. and the great musicianship work all together to the same direction to create an authentic athmosphere. Paivi as vocalist does not try to be anything more than she can and so she makes it and fits seamlessly to the music. The musicianship on this record is very good and the song are very good too, so what could be wrong? Nothing is really wrong with this album, i can hear some lost possibilities, maybe concerning on the production. This is real and authentic postfolk from Turku, Finland. In some parts Kosmos reminds me of another Finnisf group "Kuusumun Profeetta".  Vieraat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPW4JvzFViM
Kesä: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B01z5oIUI8c

JW Farquhar - The Formal Female (1972 Shadoks re lately)

Incredibly good music! I don't want to try to describe this soul stealing music, i just want to hear it. This album goes to my top ten even if there might be a bit scrum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_M-p9wxLvs

The Chosen Few . S/T (1969 RCA)

Maybe a bit "Chicago" influenced but strongly organ aided horn soul rock with some jazzy moments. Unusual combination of organ and brass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipTOclrPF-w

Snow - S/T (1968 Epic re 2000 Radioactive)

Cool and some odd way outre´ semi-light psychpop with fuzzy guitar and nice female/male vocals. Easy to listen which does not mean easylistening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDLsyxNPjxM

Buzz Linhart - Buzzy Linhart Is Music (1971 Kama Sutra)

This grade A- record is all musical firework and tight musicianship. The most wonderful piece is the over 18 minutes long, jamming psychedelic hippie raga track "Sing A Joy". I like it. Is this album a compilation of songs from his earlier records or a mix of old and new? Have to sherlock this more... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kjIo5EPxNs

Debbie Au - Clay (1972 Ranwood)

Nothing special on this "Clay". Her way of using her voice was quite generic among american singers in early 70s. From high and loud to toning and limited phrasing. Most of the songs covers of other singer-songwriters: Carole King, Neil Young and James Taylor as example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNL2QbrAaKw

On The Seventh Day... - S/T (1970 Mercury)

Music and narrative about what happened in America in 60s... seriously made pessimistic hippie-gospel. Album begins with an authentic narrative of the moments on the plane when the big bomb was dropped.  By the way this album cover picture was soon replaced by a more conventional one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p6kSfI4vEE

Sarah Kernochan - House Of Pain (1973 RCA)

The title track "House Of pain" is the best one on this moody and mysterious album. Sarah's a bit chilly voice fits well on this music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_48MXrC2Q

Goldie Zelkowitz - S/T (1974 Janus)

A delicious version of Allman Brothers's "Whipping Post". Excellent vocals and musicianship. The first side makes the album, but the other side is meh.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02QkPjT293o

Rhinoceros - Satin Chickens (1969 Elektra)

Decent hard-blues-rock wit some jazzy country flavor.. Bill Mundi played drums with The Mothers of Invention and  guitarist Danny Weiss was member of Iron Butterfly. The tracks don't differ much from each other. After hearing this i got a feeling i had listened to one long track. Ok, not more.

Ferris Wheel - S/T (1970 UNI)

This is a big positive surprise after reading a review written by one of my favourite reviewers "Tymeshifter" on RYM. He is wrong with this peculiar and highly enjoyable album! Linda Lewis sings like an angel from the highness and straight to my bullseye. And so does M Snow. Playful, jazzy, intelligent and odd mix of progressive pop. Is british but sounds a bit american. Instruments: organ, vibraphone, celeste, gong, saxophone, flute and lute. Never heard of Linda Lewis before, but better now than never. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiG5MILfj4w

Fanny Adams - S/T (1971 Kapp)

Good hard-rock-blues. Strong vocals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BjjDQjQt4

Ben - S/T (1971 Vertigo re 2003 Akarma)

I had never heard jazz-rock group and album Ben before i purchased this yesterday. The two first long tracks "The Influence" and "Gibbon" are both quite good clear and light fusion. "The Influence" is the best piece of the album but "Gibbon" does not pale much in comparison. On "Gibbon", there are some delicious Zappaish "Uncle Meat" -like passages. After "Gibbon" the rest music on the album goes minute by minute musically downwards. The whole dragging reverse side is just both light twiddling, exercising and sampling. That was how i liked it yesterday, but after listening the album several times for now i have began to like the other side too. What i like most is many Zappa-like moments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpOCI00TRZo

Juliet Lawson - Boo (1972 Sovereign)

Boo! Very nice singer-songwriter album from British Juliet Lawson and some of The Trees. I'd describe this progressive singer-s-w-music. There's more edge and sophisticated rawness among the beauty on the album than many others on this genre want, can or dare to express. She keeps me awake... on the ball... i mean so much interesting happens all the time. I on the whole like this kind of pure, not overproduced records. If i didn't know i would say she is american, because of her way of singing. An exciting album, diverse but balanced. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g32Ds7BJ1b8