mardi 21 décembre 2010

Hard Horse - Let It Ride / Hang Old Freddy (1972)




Here's your Christmas present folks ! 
Just a warning: this DOPE is very, very addictive !

I first have to say that the band is British but this single was released on many labels, especially on Splendid (from La-Chaux-de-Fonds). It features Paul Thomas (vocals) who played in the band Peppermint Circus (from Coventry, UK). Producers are Ben Findon and Peter Shelley.


Swiss release on Splendid label

The song was originally released in 1971, on "D'Art" label. Other copies were made on different labels, probably for all DJs of the world... Let's say it, between all different covers, the swiss one looks definitely the best ! It shows how the song "Let It Ride" literally kicks ass !  You have now access to the definitive raw psych nugget which will keep playing in your mind for many days. Merry Christmas and "Let It Ride" !


First UK release on D'Art label

French release on Vogue label

German release on United Artists label

Pink Elephant label



lundi 20 décembre 2010

Bruno Spoerri - Rollin' (Überreicht Durch Die Generaldirektion SBB) (1973)



Another one-sided promo single from the magician Bruno Spoerri ! The single is in fact an advertisement for the Swiss Federal Railways (in german SBB = Schweizerische Bundesbahnen). 


Imagine a high pitched melody lead by a deep funky bass mixed with train sounds and announcements... Delirious stuff but precursory for 1973 !






vendredi 5 novembre 2010

Plankton B² - 20 Minutes / Full Flesh / Jam (1996)



Wow ! Just one word: DOPE ! I got this one (format is 7'' 33 rpm) on Ebay recently and I don't regret my purchase ! Just three funky and jazzy tracks led by a killer organ. Very groovy as usual but sadly, very little information about it. Anyway, it's now time to get into the grooves ! 





samedi 23 octobre 2010

Magog - Magog (1974)



A bit of swiss jazz won't hurt. Founded by trumpeter Hans Kennel, this is a high level mix of complex conventional, fusion and experimental jazz. The album was recorded in November 1974 at the Tonstudio Bauer (in Ludwigsburg, Germany) and released on Japo Record in 1976. The album is fairly calm and soft all the way through with some energetic Fender Rhodes and trumpet blows. A mellow marriage which you will love I'm sure !

Songs / Tracks Listing:
  1. Lock
  2. Gogam
  3. Rhoades
  4. Der Bachstelzer
  5. Summervogel
  6. New Samba
Line-up / Musicians:
  • Hans Kennel / trumpet, flute, percussion
  • Andy Scherrer / soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, percussion
  • Paul Haag / trombone, percussion
  • Klaus Koenig / piano, electric piano, percussion
  • Peter Frei / bass
  • Peter Schmidlin / drums, percussion
Download:



mardi 19 octobre 2010

Wiebelfetzer - Live (1971)

 

It all started at the "Weisser Wind" of Zürich, in April 1971. Seven Swiss, three Danes, an American and a Swede, played the whole evening of the 27th, experimenting new sounds and melodies, for all the free jazz lovers... The result is just astonishing, brilliant and out of time !!! That session will always remain timeless, as these sounds (more than music) transports you elsewhere, allowing a long interior mediation. Of course, you can call it free and experimental jazz / rock but I don't think it can properly be classified. This so dense album is properly a chronological history of music: hear it a hundred times, you'll always discover new things in it ! After a few plays, it's to me a subtle and refined melange of Stravinski, Miles Davis (especially Bitches Brew) and Amon Düül. It also makes me think about "Shining" creepy OST.


I recently contacted Mr. Beat Kennel (the owner of the "Wiebelfetzer" rights and Bazillus) to talk about a reissue of that scarce release. As Mr. Kennel said, we'll wait a bit until giving a free link on this blog, regarding the fact that a lot of musicians were involved. In order to respect their work, the link is momentarily removed. I'll let you know about the reissue matter soon.



Songs / Tracks Listing:
  1. Bazillus-Infection
  2. Force Ichha
  3. Viodo
  4. Abrikosmos 


      Line-up / Musicians:
      • Beat Kennel (CH) / drums, percussion
      • Klaus Thalmann (CH) / bass guitar  
      • Fredy Studer (CH) / drums, percussion  
      • Stephan Wittwer (CH) / guitar
      • Düde Dürst (CH) / congas, percussion 
      • Irène Schweizer (CH) / piano, electric piano
      • Jürg Grau (CH) / pocket trumpet
      • Anne Christiansen (DK) / vocals, percussion 
      • John Tchicai (DK) / saxophone alto & soprano
      • Ole Thilo (DK) / organ, piano
      • Runo Ericksson (SWE) / bass trombone
      • Peter Warren (USA) / bass, bass guitar



        I finally found the time to make a high quality video for you folks ! You won't believe your ears !




        Source:
        - http://www.bazillusclub.ch/

        Country Lane - Substratum (1973)



        Not a favourite, just a well known rare gem... This is another "Splendid Records" release, the same label as "Pacific Sound" for instance. In my opinion, this is just a shy prog/folk album not hard enough to represent a major swiss nugget. Too many vocals, maybe too conformist. Just one or two strange dialogs in the beginning of some songs which bring nothing special to the album. I think you got it, I don't like that album which could be just called a joke. Give it a try and make your own opinion !


        Songs / Tracks Listing:
        1. With A Sweet Whistle To My Ears
        2. It's Only Your Memory Playing Just The Thought Of A First Love
        3. Substratum
        4. In The Morning Sun
        5. Good Old Time
        6. Song To Ivan
        7. Letter To A Friend
        8. Captain Bloom
        9. Lilliput's Safari

        Line-up / Musicians:
        • Raymond Amey - guitars, synthesizers, vocals
        • Olivier Maire - organ, piano, spinet, vocals
        • Jean-Francois Donze - drums 
        • Giancarlo Duella - bass
        • Freddy Von Kaenel - rhythm guitar, banjo   


          Download:

          lundi 18 octobre 2010

          Bruno Spoerri - Die Elektroniker Von Lansing Bagnall (Nach Einer 8-Stunden-Schicht) (1971)




          I want to share a promotional single which only contains one magic track by the swiss famous composer Bruno Spoerri. The man experimented a lot in the beginning of the 70's, becoming an electronic music avant-gardist. Spoerri did a lot of TV commercial music after entering the world of Jazz. This advertising single is rather experimental: funky riffs bursting, mixed with Lansing Bagnall forklifts sounds ! The strange gatefold cover is 21 cm wide and 18 cm tall ! Just check out the pictures ! Sorry but no time to translate that one so German speaking people will be glad...


           



          Konzert Für Elektronischen Fahrschalter, Hubhydraulik, Elektrische Guitarre Und Synthesizer



          Here's also an interview of Spoerri playing with buttons in his laboratory.

          dimanche 10 octobre 2010

          The Goldfingers - L'Oeil Bleu (1968)



          Just for you my lucky friends, here's what we could call "la perle rare" !

          It's all about an obscure swiss movie directed by a certain Jacques Sandoz, in 1968. As far as I know, the film was shot in La-Chaux-De-Fonds. I haven't been able to find more information about the scenario so if you have any, just contact me !


          The Original Soudtrack of Sandoz's film was performed by "The Goldfingers" and many other musicians. It is heavy psychedelic stuff but there are some calm passages of jazzy music.
          It's the first time you'll find this album on the web as I recently bought the LP which is impossible to find and much expensive. It was released on the Label "Soundell" and as far as I know, it's a private press of only 200 copies !

          Fortunately for you, my predilection record shop "Belair Records" has just released the first "official" reissue ! You can either go to Lausanne (Switzerland) and buy it or contact them !



          The official reissue has just been released on Itunes ! 


          Songs / Tracks Listing:
          1. Publicity
          2. Pity
          3. Landscape
          4. Deep Down Inside
          5. I Lost My Way
          6. I Found My Way
          7. Aquatique
          8. Love Is A Different Thing
          9. You Know Babe
          10. Mix In The Bistro
          11. Western Thoughts (Part. 1)
          12. Western Thoughts (Part. 2)
          13. Paradise's Devils
          14. La Course
          15. Unmilitary March

          Here are some extracts !



            lundi 27 septembre 2010

            Eruption - The Walls Of Hell / Rondo (197?)



            Wow ! I'm sure nobody heard of that one ! This is another psych/prog nugget I bought at Stigmate Records ! I have a lot of trouble finding a date for that single so I hope you'll help me. Hearing it, it's sounds like 71 or 72 but there's neither any date on the cover nor on the record. The second track is quite a clumsy reprise of Brubeck's "Blue Rondo A La Turk" which abruptly gives way to raw psychedelic guitar riffs...
            I know the first track was composed by a certain "Ronnie Husser" but no idea who were the other members. The cover let us think there were four members so Husser surely was the leader. Thank you for helping me finding more information about the band !








            mardi 21 septembre 2010

            Electric Funeral - The Wild Performance (1970)




            I recently went to Stigmate Records  (a good record dealer in Geneva) in seek of new Swiss treasures. Mauro Bozzi aka. "Bozz", the soul of the shop, showed me quite an interesting LP. An obscure live recording, only released in the 90's which I never heard of ! I was getting more and more excited, seeing that the copy I was holding was numbered #14 out of 200 !!! After a quick listen, I new I needed it for the blog. Really, that's big heavy raw hard rock reminding me of Danish band "Moses". Unfortunately, an annoying persistent crackling noise shows up from the beginning to the end... The fact that it could have been recorded on a cassette explains everything. But anyway, it makes it more raw ! I haven't been able to locate where the concert took place but surely in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (Romandie).
             


            Songs / Tracks Listing:
            1. People
            2. War Funeral Song
            3. Black Pages
            4. Rock Ba Rock
            5. To Be One
            6. We're Gonna Change The World
            7. Fly A Way
            Line-up / Musicians:
            • Dominique Bourquin / vocals
            • Alain Christinaz / guitar
            • Edi Hirt / drums
            • Pierrot Wermeille / bass
            Download:

            vendredi 17 septembre 2010

            Lost Peace - Lost Peace (1977)




            Here's for you another exclusivity ! That one belongs to my favourites and you'll understand why listening to it !  I assume it was formed in 1970 in Bern, as Rateyourmusic says, but unfortunately, we have very little information. Now, I'm calling all the Placebo lovers: you really have to download it. It's so well rhythmed, funky and groovy, maybe the best Placeboesque record from Switzerland... In my opinion, it's far away from "Dizzy Bats" which sound a bit more traditional and formal. An original copy's not so expensive but nevertheless, rather tough to find. Anyway, an excellent jazz fusion release that deserves to be listened to. I assure you won't regret it !

            Songs / Tracks Listing:
            1. Fun King
            2. City West
            3. Einzeiler
            4. Join In
            5. Äs Herbschtelet
            6. Studweid Ballade
            7. Papera
            Line-up / Musicians:
            • Marc Hellman / drums, percussion
            • Willy Müller / piano
            • Peter Lehmann / trumpet, violin
            • Martin Heiniger / tenorsax, clarinet
            • Markus Küng / guitar
            • Claudio Bischoff / bassguitar

                Download:

                jeudi 2 septembre 2010

                Attacks - We Call It Attackology (1967)


                I found the Grail ! This is possibly the rarest and unkown Helvetian album ! The only way to get it was to contact one of its member, Mr. Patrick Herberich aka. Pat Murphy (guitar) who was kind enough to send me a copy on CD. As you won't find the LP anywhere, I really would like to thank him for letting me share that treasure with you... 

                Few information about it, I only know that Patrick Herberich's brother called Mike also played in the band. It was recorded in Riehen (Basel) in 1967 and most likely, a hundred were pressed ! There's only one auction on Popsike ! About the style, let's say it's pop folk with country accents even if some of you will classify it in garage rock because of the period. It's really soft and quiet excepting a few rock'n'roll tracks and an interesting reprise of Hey Joe, sung in French ! To be honest, it isn't a musical revolution but a testimony of a past era and a new artefact for historians and rare LP diggers. The sound quality is a bit poor but I did my best to erase crackles of the original rip I got on CD. But enough talking now, go and listen to it, you won't find it elsewhere...

                Songs / Tracks Listing:
                1. Foot Tapper
                2. Take This Hammer
                3. See See Rider
                4. Tico Tico
                5. Hey Joe
                6. Razzle Dazzle
                7. Dandy
                8. Fall In Love
                9. Zambesi
                10. And The Beat Goes On
                11. Maid Marions Theme
                12. Dear Mrs.Applebee
                13. Blue Suede Shoes

                mardi 24 août 2010

                Round House - 'Scuse Me (1972)





                As I was seeking for new unknown stuff, I bought a sealed copy on Ebay, containing the dope I needed...
                It's called Round House and it's partially Swiss. The dope in question is a mix of a jazz rock and funk with Latin influences. Very little information about that one but I assume it was formed in Zürich in 1969, as stated on Rateyourmusic.

                Out of the six members, I know for sure that J-P. Wuttke and Kurt Weil are Swiss. Gustav Csik and Laszlo Juhasz are hungarian but no idea about Bernd Heil and Ralph Bloch...
                I recommend you to listen to "I Hear You Call" and "'Scuse Me" which are to me, the best ones. Just enjoy it, folks !


                  
                Songs / Tracks Listing:
                1. Motives
                2. Born To Wander
                3. I Hear You Call
                4. Send Me A Letter
                5. Share My World
                6. 'Scuse Me
                7. Sunshine In My Eyes
                8. Thinking Of You
                9. Don't Get Me Wrong
                10. Circle Of Dreams
                Line-up / Musicians:
                •  Bernd Heil / guitar, bass, vocals
                •  Ralph Bloch / drums
                •  Jean-Pierre Wuttke / saxophone (tenor & alto)
                •  Gustav Csik / organ, tenor saxophone
                •  Laszlo Juhasz / trumpet, bass
                •  Kurt Weil / trombone, vibraphone

                     

                    Download:

                    mardi 17 août 2010

                    The Sevens - The Sevens (1965)




                    Now, let's enjoy a garage rock rarity ! In fact, an original can reach about 3000$ nowadays !

                    The Sevens, a Swiss quintet that formed in Basel in 1964 and worked on into 1968, cast themselves firmly in the mold of the then ongoing British Invasion -- the Animals, the Kinks, and the Pretty Things all take a bow in their sound, while their eponymous 1965 debut album included covers of the Newcastle band's "I'm Crying" and Ray Davies' "Don't You Fret." There, however, comparisons run into a brick wall, as the Sevens reveal themselves to be several steps removed from even the craziest import beat boomer. In bassist Michel Bovay, the band boasted a songwriter who was at least the equal of his Anglo counterparts, and in vocalist Pierre Aebischer was a frontman of almost breathtaking style. Together, they collide with an electricity that is as eccentric as it is spellbinding -- there are moments, most notably "The Love of a Bird," where Aebischer slurs so heavily and bellows so loudly that you wonder whether he was even in the studio when the record was recorded. He could easily have been singing drunkenly along later. But that is a part of this remarkable album's charm. "Seven," the band's first single, clashes brooding organ with metallic crashes, beneath Aebischer's foreboding recitation of the things that happened "on the seventh day of the seventh month...." In contrast, "You Should Know" is a brutal R&B stomp, wherein the singer sounds almost completely removed from the band (and some bizarre stereo separation adds to the dislocation), while a brokenhearted drawl through "I'm Gonna Dress in Black" could be a lost Doors demo, as vocals and organ melt together into one slurring liquid blob. This compilation rounds up the Sevens' full 1965 output -- their 12-track LP along with seven non-album A- and B-sides, and it's safe to say there's not a clunker in sight. The gatefold packaging, meanwhile, rounds up 11 picture sleeve singles, a crop of band and hysterical fan photographs, and an all-too-brief band history. All told, the whole package explodes with a freakbeat craziness that is irresistible. 
                    Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide 


                    For more information, here's their entire story: http://homepage.swissonline.ch/featheredapple/sevens.html




                    Songs / Tracks Listing:
                    1. Be My Loving Baby
                    2. I'm Crying
                    3. I'm Gonna Dress In Black
                    4. Talk About Her
                    5. The Love Of A Bird
                    6. Why Don't You Love A Man Like Me
                    7. Panam 
                    8. Pretty Little Angel
                    9. What Can I Do
                    10. You Should Know
                    11. In God I Trust
                    12. Don't You Fret 
                    13. Seven (1965)
                    14. Balla Balla (1965)
                    15. Ju Ju Hand (1965)
                    16. Little Girl I Know (1966) 
                    17. My Mother (1966)
                    18. I'm Not The Right (1966)
                    19. Run Me Down (1966)
                    Line-up / Musicians:
                    • Pierre Aebischer / guitar, vocals
                    • Michel Bovay / bass, vocals
                    • Pino Gasparini / guitar, vocals
                    • Nando Gasparini / drums
                    • Markus Hungerbuehler / organ


                    Source:

                    Rarity Indication


                    Rather common

                    Unearthable

                    Rare

                    Very rare

                    Almost impossible to find !

                    Holy Grail !!!