Swami Land: J.K. & Co. – Suddenly One Summer

To know that Jay Kaye was 15 years old when he crafted this amazing piece of psychedelia blows my mind. It blows your mind too. Outstanding Beatles influenced Baroque-Pop Psychedelic music record in Vancouver by Las Vegas native Kaye. I don’t care to say anything else about this record. Dude was 15 yrs old, guys. That’s all you’ll be saying after you hear this.

J.K. & Co. – Suddenly One Summer

Swami Land: Mice Parade – Mokoondi

We could discuss all day how Tortoise are amazing innovators and progressively took post-rock to another level. But what many people have failed to understand is genius that is Mice Parade. Moreover, the genius that is Mice Parade’s Mokoondi. Such an amazing balance of polyrhythm (some of the best duel drumming on tape) and melody. This, in my opinion, is Mice Parade at their (or should I say his? After all Adam Michael Pierce is the brainchild of the project) best.
Although MP’s music evolution took them further from the jazz/fusion/post-rock that initially enticed me to them Mokoondi will always be there to remind me why I love this band so much.

Mice Parade – Mokoondi

Swami Land: Alain Goraguer – La Planète Sauvage

Soundtracks tend to be some of my favorite records. This Alain Goraguer record for the 1973 French animated film La Planète Sauvage is no exception. Beautifully crafted tunes, perfectly melding the worlds of psychedelia, blaxsploitation funk & soul and classical french essence. This record probably has the best and smartest use of a wah pedal in my opinion: so incredibly rhythmic and overused to all hell. Maybe you might not like wah pedals but I do and I sure appreciate someone who will use it A LOT. You might’ve heard this stuff sampled by Quasimoto. After listening to this record (and David Axelrod) you might also think “Whoa! I TOTALLY get Portishead/Stereolab now!”

Alain Goraguer - La Planète Sauvage

Swami Land: Faust – IV

Classic. Just download it. That’s it.

Faust – IV

Swami Land: Pharoah Sanders – Karma

This is the daddy of ‘em all. Karma was the record that set me off on an epic journey through space and time. It was my gateway drug into world of Impulse! Records and beyond. It helped me discover Alice Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Don Cherry and Lonnie Liston Smith. It was the music that I was hearing in my head for so many years but never heard for real.
This post is really just an ode to my favorite musician of all time, a thank you to his continuing brilliance and a “paying it forward” if you will.
Download this record (if you don’t have it already) and listen to it endlessly. It was about this time of the year when I first heard it. Then buy everything Sanders released on Impulse! Records…. Then buy everything that was released on Impulse! in the 70’s. I’m telling you: gateway drug.

Pharoah Sanders – Karma

Swami Land: More Arnaud Rodrigues

Click image to download. Enjoy!

Swami Land: Arnaud Rodrigues – Som Do Paulinho

Som Do Paulinho

Some of the best Tropicalia/Samba Rock from the 70’s. This Arnaud Rodrigues record is so smoooth that you’ll forget about everything in your life and find yourself zoning out and thinking you’re on a sail boat off the shore of Southern Brazil smoking a doobie and eating a giant bowl of Acai with some vegabond who’s been chilling there since you were born. Makes sense once you understand who’s behind the genuis of this record. Rodrigues’ solidified himself (and his steez) as a legend in the Tropicalia movement with his group Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos. Awesome summer music. Really far out stuff.

Arnaud Rodrigues – Som Do Paulinho

*Edit: Updated New Download link! No longer need a password!

Swami Land: David Axelrod – Songs of Experience/Songs of Innocence

 

Songs of Experience

Songs of Innocence

Two absolute classics by David Axelrod. I really don’t think that these records need any sort of introduction. You’ve probably heard snippets of them in your favorite Tribe Called Quest song… Or you probably have these records already.

 

David Axelrod – Songs of Experience

David Axelrod – Songs of Innocence

Swami Land: Eddie Gale – Black Rhythm Happening

 

Black Rhythm Happening

Eddie Gale’s second Blue Note Records release is a perfect blend of the swami/cosmic jazz he might’ve taken with him after playing with Sun Ra and Cecil Taylor, classic 60’s psych jazz grooves (thanks to Elvin Jones) and a hypnotic spiritual element that reminds me of Hannibal and the Sunrise Orchestra. 
I think Gale’s secret weapons are the female voices in his band. Their harmonies echo through out the entire record sometimes referencing a Jefferson Airplane quiver but maintaining a unique voice that lifts the melodies on this record into outer-space. Beautiful, concise songs that leave you wanting more. 

 

Eddie Gale – Black Rhythm Happening

Swami Land: Eugene McDaniels – Headless Heros of the Apocolypse

 

Headless Heros

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any records. I figure this Eugene McDaniels record is a great one to restart the posts. Headless Heros of the Apocolypse is an astounding excerpt of powerfully inspiring music. Both in its musicality and lyrical content. 
As music, Headless Heros is a great escape from reality: soulful, fuzzy, funky. Always keeps your head nodding and your ears happy. Its message isn’t any less prominent. McDaniels has a lot to say and does it so elequently. Hear it for yourself. Great introduction to the official summer of recession.

Eugene McDaniels – Headless Heros of the Apocolypse