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 !



            Rarity Indication


            Rather common

            Unearthable

            Rare

            Very rare

            Almost impossible to find !

            Holy Grail !!!