Five tracks vol. 4: psychedelic special

I adore '70s psychedelic rock, so that's today's theme.  Good for afternoons and stuff. 

Savanna Silver Band - Like I Do

Huge thanks to the great Tamas Jones of Hey Convict! for sharing this Australian psych relic way back in a Test Pressing podcast. There's plenty on the album that's A-grade, but Like I Do in particular is pure bliss in the order of The Sopwith Camel's Fazon. The fact that this syrupy jewel came out of Aus makes me feel a bit proud. 

Paladin - Third World

Fuckloads of cowbell? Yes. Setting up a ripping groove with only bass, percussion and vocals? Yes. Lots of WOOOOs? Yes. Inexplicably ending the track seconds after one of the most awesome piano entries ever? Yessss. I'd give 40 million dollars to hear an extended session of this 1971 masterpiece, but the teasing just makes me want to listen to it again and again. 

Neal Francis - Changes Pts. 1 & 2

I'm a bit of a 'they don't make music like they used to' grouch, so hearing modern stuff like this makes me so happy. All the best elements of 70s psych rock, produced with a super warm sound - if I was told this was recorded 45 years ago I wouldn't question it. Bonus points for mister bass man who absolutely cuts sick. Can't say the rest of Neal Francis's stuff I've heard has hit me in the same way, but I'm very pleased this track is out there.

Mark-Almond - The City

This featured on Lexx's magnificent Lovers Lane mix many years ago and always stuck out to me as a perfect slice of groove tranquility. I discovered recently it was a refresh of the band's 1971 unplugged-style original song that's super beautiful in its own right, but the plodding bass of the 1978 version probably tips it slightly ahead for me. Both stunners, though. 

Shoot - Mean Customer

Firstly, who the fuck designed this album cover? Surely even in 1973 this looked dated and bizarre. But, pull the record out of the monstrosity of a sleeve and you'll hear this very fine meeting of psychedelic, folk and soft rock released as a one-off by Shoot, a group helmed by Yardbirds drummer Jim McCarty. It's good. 

BAND-AID TIME

Shit guys, sorry for being so rubbish, my business quota has been filled for the next 16 years, especially considering I'm a world class procrastinator. On top of that, I've practically just been listening to old Beatles and jazz records for the past couple of months and I've got fuck all new stuff to share. Although I think I will do a bit of a jazz Delishcast to catalogue things.

First up - one of the reasons I've been so busy is our endless string of Picnic parties, culminating in this weekend's gig with Horse Meat Disco. It's our fourth birthday and it's going to be bloody fantastic, so if you're in town then click this flyer and get down!


Here are a couple of boss tracks to cruise into your weekend with - a complete and utter JAM from Michael Wycoff's second album, and a track by Paladin which fills me with complete and utter joy. Both superb.

Michael Wycoff - Still Got The Magic (Sweet Delight)

Paladin - Third World

Aside from that, it's been all mixes happening on my stereo. Here's a trio, all very different, which I can't recommend highly enough. A Moodymann rollerdisco set from RBMA in London which is crammed full of CLASSICS - Kenny Dixon Jr. playing a Jamiroquai record? Blew my mind. Then two consecutive RA podcasts which are universes apart: Harvey's whacked out journey that stinks of mescaline and self-indulgence, the kind of mix I thought he'd never record again; and Floating Points' gorgeous mix which covers all flavours of disco and electronic music in a seriously classy way. All three are brilliant, in my opinion. If you don't already subscribe to the RA Podcast, well, that's upsetting. It always has and always will be killer, and I'm not just saying that because I work for them. I hope my boss sees this.

Moodymann - RBMA Rollerskating Jam, 2010

DJ Harvey - RA Podcast 300

Floating Points - RA Podcast 301

Sorry for being a bum. If you're ever feeling lonely, go listen to one of the Test Pressing podcasts and you can bet that I'll be listening too. It'll be magic.