Claudio Cataldi – Here She Comes Now (Ltd. Col 7”)

Sicilian songwriter's tribute to the Velvets!

The ever-expanding smorgasbord that is Fruits de Mer's back catalogue gets even more tasty with this latest 7” from Claudio Cataldi, a singer-songwriter based in Palermo in Sicily. He may be familiar to FdM fans from his cover of Syd Barrett's 'She Took A Long Cold Look' which the label released a year or so ago. He's now turned his attention to the Velvet Underground with a beautifully lo-fi bedroom take of 'Here She Comes Now'.

Cataldi's take on the Velvets classic is backed with three Cataldi originals, one of which, 'All My Friends Are Here', is unavailable elsewhere. It mixes US slackerdom with homespun baroque-folk warmth, and will appeal as much to fans of J. Mascis and Elliot Nick Drake as those of Barrett and the Velvets. To my mind it's the best of the label's April releases. Do check it out, along with Claudio's back catalogue via the links below.

Released as a limited edition colour vinyl 7” (600 copies).

Tracklisting

1. Here She Comes Now
2. All My Friends Are Here
3. Final
4. Ropes and Strings

Click here for more on Claudio Cataldi.

Click here for Fruits de Mer Records.

Proud Peasant – Cosmic Sound (Ltd. Col 7”)

Visit the heady days of 1973 via this 7” coloured vinyl disc!

A new band to me but very welcome, Proud Peasant are a perfect fit on Fruits de Mer Records with their brand of '70s-inspired progressive rock. This limited edition 7” sees them give their take on two instrumental tracks from 1973; a taut and driving cover of Eloy's 'Daybreak' on the A-side, with a version of 'Saturn, Lord Of The Ring/Mercury, The Winged Messenger' (originally by Manfred Mann's Earth Band) on the flip.

Despite their love of '70s UK/German music, the band actually hail from Austin, Texas, a city which has its own reputation as a psychedelically creative hotspot. This release further cements that. Virtuosic and even a little proto-punk in places, both sides are a treat for lovers of classic progressive rock. For further investigation check out their critically acclaimed debut LP Flight. More details on the band's website.

Released as a limited edition colour vinyl 7” (600 copies).

Click here for more on Proud Peasant.

Click here for Fruits de Mer Records.

Sendelica - Ziggy Stardust

Welsh spacerockers' tribute to Bowie gets released on 7” vinyl!

As the we adjust to living in a post-Bowie world, and try to work out what that might mean, the column page tributes continue to pile up. Save for Lady Gaga and Lourdes there haven't been that many musical tributes. Fruits de Mer Records released a timely Bowie tribute CD at the tail end of last year for their regular customers. Whether the man himself ever got to hear it is unclear. It's comforting to think he might.

Sendelicahad a live acoustic version of 'Ziggy Stardust' on that compilation but it's a seven minute studio version that's getting a stand-alone release on 7” vinyl next month. It does not attempt to recreate Ronson's crunchy glammed-up guitar chords that give the original it's pomp and purpose, opting instead for a slower, more ethereal and atmospheric take. The yin to Bowie's yang is provided by the layered female vocal. The B-side is an equally enthralling remix by Astralasia's Marc Swordfish. Both sides honour Bowie's preference for the new and experimental over anything tried and tested. David would no doubt have approved.

Released as a limited edition colour vinyl 7” (600 copies).

Click here for more on Sendelica.

Click here for Fruits de Mer Records.

Cabbage – Le Chou EP

Amorality tales from Manchester's latest rising band!

It's a brave band that names themselves Cabbage. The associations of such a word don't do you any favours but there is a perverse bravery in such an act, and if the tunes and are good what's in a name? Cabbage, a band definitely not in a vegetative state, have just released their five track debut EP via Play And Record Records. With lyrics rich in northern humour and mischief, bolstered by brash and bolshy guitar riffs, they reveal themselves as a guitar band whose mission statement is to subvert and have fun in equal measure. Their track “Tell Me Lies About Manchester” (not on the EP though live versions can be found on YouTube), tells you much about the city's love/hate relationship with its musical heritage and will make you laugh in the process.

Their skewed brand of post-punk, pre-corporate indie-rock continues a lineage that connects The Fall, Pavement, The Arctic Monkeys and even perhaps The Blue Aeroplanes. The five state-of-the-nation addresses acknowledge the absurdity of a lot of modern life, be it “Contactless Payment”, or the comfort of “White Noise” in a Tory-run country. Readers of school-attending age may want to opt out of listening to “Dinner Lady” however, a frankly disturbing tale of revenge that involves masturbation, quiche and revenge. I guess you have to listen now eh! Check out the EP via the Bandcamp link or watch the video for lead track “Kevin” below. I dares you!

SMASH Fashion - Junkie Luck (Ltd. 7")

LA's premier junkshop glam outfit return with a brand new 7”!

The current cachet of junkshop glam seems to be spreading. The Italians are well represented by Giuda and Faz Waltz of course, and the UK has Ulysses, but in glam's capital city of LA where glamour and sleaze go together like Jack 'n' Coke, or er... Hugh and Divine, there's the mighty SMASH Fashion, the self-confessed dandy-rockers whose penchant for power chords is matched only by their fondness of the dressing-up box.

Their LP Big Cat Love won over a new legion of fans in 2014 and the band now follow it up with a brand new 7” on lovely bright red vinyl. 'Junkie Luck' turns the feelgood factor up to ten, and features a tale inspired by Lee Harvey Oswald Band guitarist Zowie Fenderblast. If bands with sunglasses indoors, floppy velvet hats, and Flying V guitars is your thing look no further. And this band has tunes made for both FM and AM radio. The A-side is the sonic equivalent of a Chunky Kit-Kat, big on melody and riffs and a real sugar boost! The flip shows the band's roots via an equally enjoyable stab at Golden Earring's Long Blond Animal'. As welcome as a backstage pass! Let's party!

Click here for the band's website.

Click here for SMASH Fashion on Facebook.

Cyanna Mercury ☿ If We Were Blind

Good friends of ours Cyanna Mercury have released a video as a taster for the forthcoming debut LP. The as yet untitled album will be releases later this year but you can sample some of its delights thanks to the video they've made for 'If We Were Blind'. It's a psychedelic rock tune based on the traditional greek dance rhythm of zeimbekiko. Enjoy!

Click here for the band's website.

The Chemistry Set - The Endless More And More

Fire up your Bunsen burners! '80s Brit-psychers return with a brand new studio album.

In the late '80s The Chemistry Set bravely flew the flag for 60's influenced psychedelia. It may have been against the grain of the prevailing trends, out of step maybe with what record labels and the wider public wanted but in music you just gotta follow your heart ain't it!

Fast forward to January 2016 and the reformed Chemistry Set have a brand new long-player for those who keep the faith. With the widened tastes and more open and accepting minds of the internet generation, the time is right for fans old and new to take this record to their hearts. A teasing taste of what you can expect was released last year on the 'Elapsed Moments EP', (also on Fruits De Mer Records). Time may have passed but talent lasts.

Time may have passed but thankfully talent lasts. From the opening fanfare of 'The Splendour Of The Universe' there's a sense of vigour, a renewed sense of purpose. This track in particular is a great calling card, combining a psychedelic mindset with the bombast, swagger and melody of mod-rock.

With all the sonic hallmarks of psych-pop intact (Mellotron strings, snatches of sampled dialogue, fairground organs, backward guitar solos etc.), fans of original '60s era psych can add The Chemistry Set to their approved list of contemporary bands. And Oasis fans will appreciate the cheeky nod to Shakermaker on 'Albert Hoffman' along with the way they house their brand of psych in such sugar-coated, whistle-able, sugar-coated pop tunes.

Limited to 600 copies on gold vinyl in a gatefold sleeve with a special fold-out periodic table poster. Also look out for the very special boxed version in the spring which comes with test-tube filled candy and a selection of experiments. Intriguing eh! You may not have received a chemistry set for Christmas so treat yourself to one of January's best albums instead.

Click here for more on The Chemistry Set

Click here for more on Fruits De Mer Records.

Paolo Spaccamonti - Rumors

A David Axelrod for the alt-rock and electronic generation!

Not a remake of the Fleetwood Mac bestselling LP as some might hope, this is an entirely different beast made up of arty instrumentals. In much the same way that Daxid Axelrod mixed rhythm and blues with third stream music to create something contemplative and with a deeper resonance, Paolo Spaccamonti mixes alt-rock, looped chord sequences and soundscapes that at first listen seem beguiling but over time reveal a transporting power all of their own.

His technique of repetition and layering is at times in danger of being bogged down by its own seriousness but he does do it rather well. Deeper listening shows there to be a myriad of influences and styles at play; post-punk industrial guitars, a nod to OMD's Dazzle Ships, a touch of sludge-rock on the album's heavier moments, and even some Robert Kirby style pastoral strings on the closing track 'Fango'. Spaccamonti already has some impressive collaborations to his name both live and in the studio. This solo outing will cement his already growing reputation.

Click here for Paolo Spaccamonti's website.

Click here for Paolo Spaccamonti on Facebook.

Click here for Escape From Today.

Dreadnaught – Gettin' Tight With EP

Old dogs, new tricks! New Hampshire proggers' latest EP!

It's something of a mystery that Dreadnaught are not more widely known. It's nineteen years since they formed (yep nineteen!) and as their latest EP Gettin' Tight With shows, descending into blandness or stasis is not an option for these chaps. The five-song EP opens with the dense prog calling card of 'Nervous Little Dogs', all intricate virtuoso playing which for all its complicated twists and turns manages to hold together and er.. rock!

The prog tag is somewhat misleading as over the course of the EP there's traces of country rock, skewed funk, jazz fusion and Steely Dan-style sophistication and smoothness to be heard. It's this freedom in their approach which appeals most, along with their sense of humour. You get the feeling they take the music seriously but not themselves. Fans of old school prog bands such as ELP, King Crimson, Genesis and the like will wet their pants over this stuff. As will open-minded fans of good music in general. Get on board!

Click here for Dreadnaught's website.

Click here for Dreadnaught on Twitter.

Click here for Red Fez Records.

The Orphan Brigade: Soundtrack To A Ghost Story

Southern Gothic epitomised. The American Civil War inspires album and documentary.

The American Civil War was a brutal, harsh affair which set brother against brother. It still resonates and haunts modern America as illustrated by the recent controversy over the Confederate flag and its continued use in the Southern states. It still fascinates but is rarely used as subject matter in contemporary roots music. The Orphan Brigade: Soundtrack To A Ghost Story is a suite of songs featured in a documentary about Octagon Hall – a Civil War-era plantation house, reputed to be haunted. Soldiers of the First Kentucky Brigade were stationed nearby, and it's their writings and journals that that have inspired the songs featured in the film and on the accompanying soundtrack album. The musical collective also took their name from the unit's nickname.

The story of the American South is complicated, but the music here will teach you as much as any history book. A project such as this could easily have come across as dry, stilted and worthy but such is the skill of the musicians and writers involved this is not the case. Each song focusses on the personal, human stories that take you into the heart of the subject in a deep and powerful way. The music is mighty fine too, a hugely enjoyable example of Americana, which also displays some European and Celtic roots. It may also contain the finest (and sadly prescient) new Christmas song you'll hear this year, 'We Were Marching On Christmas Day'. Whether you believe in ghosts matters little, but it's difficult to deny how actions and events echo down the years.

Click here for more on The Orphan Brigade.

THE ORPHAN BRIGADE - Soundtrack To A Ghost Story // THE FILM from Neighborhoods Apart Productions on Vimeo.