Browse by Label: PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)

Artist:	SILVER APPLES
Title:	Contact
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3001CD

This is a reissue of the second album Contact by '60s electronic legends Silver Apples, originally released by Kapp Records in 1969. This enigmatic duo, armed only with percussion, vocals and an early, specialized synthesizer, is often credited with giving the musical world its first electronic album, as well as having a significant influence on bands which followed in their wake; bands such as Ultravox and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark. Silver Apples, named after a W.B. Yeats poem, consisted of electronics wiz Simeon Coxe and percussionist Danny Taylor. Simeon built an impressive collection of electronic paraphernalia (dubbed the "Simeon") which ultimately included a dozen oscillators, six of them tuned to bass notes which he played with his feet, an assortment of sound filters, telegraph keys, radio parts, lab gear and a variety of second-hand electronic junk. Contact ushered in the band's recorded popularity and a national tour was quickly organized. Several tracks on Contact feature bass lines provided by Simeon's banjo playing, but it is the clever use of the lead oscillator and new-found intensity of the lyrics that sets Contact apart from its predecessor. Such was the level of Simeon's growing electronic proficiency that the intro to the album's opening track, "You And I" more than successfully recreates the sound of an airplane taking off. Silver Apples all but disappeared from the musical firmament when Kapp folded in 1970, only to re-emerge in January 1997 to perform before a celeb-packed audience at the Knitting Factory. Again, the critics were unanimous. As the MC waxed poetic during an introduction to the Silver Apples concert in San Francisco, 1968: "You are about to have probably the most unusual musical experience of your life. The music will enter areas of your mind never before opened until now. At times it may be hard to understand, but if you let the music penetrate, you'll dig it."

Artist:	FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND
Title:	Satori
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	ASH 3002CD

Repressed, non-numbered edition. The Flower Travellin' Band's first musical outing, Challenge, was released in 1970 and was essentially a series of covers of Cream, Hendrix, Big Brother and Jefferson Airplane material. However, Satori appeared a year later and forever changed the way the group would be perceived, both in Japan and in the musical world at large. Possessing the vision to select Akira "Joe" Yamanaka as their vocalist, the Flower Travellin' boys elevated themselves above other Japanese bands of the time, whose efforts were largely confined to imitating British and American bands of the era. Satori, which was released in 1971, is a conceptual hard rock/psych album driven by Hideki Ishima's furious guitar licks which erupt and explode over the harmonic heart beat of the drums and bass and Yamanaka's banshee-like vocal style which was turning him into an occidental Iggy Pop or Robert Plant while the band itself was rapidly becoming Japan's answer to Led Zeppelin. Satori is a huge album in every way. From power chords to Eastern-tinged North African six-string freak-outs and crashing tom-toms, the band flexes its collective muscle from start to finish. In short, this is a real rock classic of the type they simply don't make any more. Housed in a limited-edition card wallet.

Artist:	FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND
Title:	Satori
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3002LP

2012 repress. Deluxe LP format; 180 gram pressing. Reissue of the second Flower Travellin' Band album, originally issued by Atlantic Records in Japan in 1971. Satori is a conceptual hard rock/psych album driven by Hideki Ishima's furious guitar licks which erupt and explode over the harmonic heart beat of the drums and bass. Yamanaka's banshee-like vocal style turned him into an occidental Iggy Pop or Robert Plant while the band itself was rapidly becoming Japan's answer to Led Zeppelin. Satori is a huge album in every way. From power chords to Eastern-tinged North African six-string freak-outs and crashing tom-toms, the band flexes its collective muscle from start to finish. In short, this is a real rock classic of the type they simply don't make any more.

Artist:	SILVER APPLES
Title:	Silver Apples
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3003CD

This is a reissue of the self-titled first album by '60s electronic legends Silver Apples, originally released by Kapp Records in 1968. Fresh off their stint as The Overland Stage Electric Band, Simeon and Dan Taylor formed their own extravagant, two-man electronic space-odyssey, Silver Apples, to pretty remarkable critical acclaim. Their debut enjoyed a 10-week stay in Billboard's Top 100 list, and the album's first track, "Oscillations," made the Top 10 list in numerous cities around the U.S. The music critics loved them. "What's so amazing is that they make absolutely mind-shattering music with all this junky equipment" commented one reviewer, quite possibly astounded over the then-mindbending concept of build-it-yourself electronics combined with rock drums. The debut album features lyrics by poet Stanley Warren who met the duo at the Third Annual Avant Garde Arts Festival in 1968, organized by topless cellist Charlotte Moorman. An absolutely essential piece of musical history from electronic/psychedelic/rock music's ground-breaking legends.

Artist:	SILVER APPLES
Title:	Silver Apples
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3003LP

2011 repress. Previously reissued on CD by Phoenix Records, now issued on a limited edition deluxe LP format as well; pressed on 180 gram virgin vinyl. This is the first vinyl reissue of the self-titled first album by '60s electronic legends Silver Apples, originally released by Kapp Records in 1968. Fresh off their stint as The Overland Stage Electric Band, Simeon and Dan Taylor formed their own extravagant, two-man electronic space-odyssey, Silver Apples, to remarkable critical acclaim. "What's so amazing is that they make absolutely mind-shattering music with all this junky equipment," commented one reviewer, astounded over the then-mindbending concept of build-it-yourself electronics combined with rock drums. The debut album features lyrics by poet Stanley Warren and is an absolutely essential piece of musical history from electronic/psychedelic/rock music's ground-breaking legends. Housed in a deluxe gatefold foil sleeve containing the insert from the original release in a numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies.

Artist:	HOLMES, JAKE
Title:	'The Above Ground Sound' of Jake Holmes
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3004CD

When U.S. folk-rock singer/songwriter Jake Holmes opened for The Yardbirds in New York in August 1967, little did he suspect that one of his songs, "Dazed And Confused," would be "commandeered" by guitarist Jimmy Page and become one of his next band's major live showpieces. The band in question is, of course, Led Zeppelin, and although The Yardbirds did incorporate the song into their live set, it is the Led Zep version that provided Holmes with his 15 minutes of fame. Mr. Page, clearly suffering from a temporary bout of amnesia, forgetfully claimed the songwriting credit himself. Holmes had done the rounds of the New York folk scene, working in bands with the likes of Tim Rose before going solo. This, his first recording, originally appeared on the Tower label in 1967. The album is considered a folk-rock masterpiece, and was described at the time as "a songwriter, three guitars and a mirror." The guitars of Holmes and Ted Irwin (later to play with Elliot Murphy, Roy Buchanan and various country singers) are the only backing for Holmes' voice and the 10 short tracks are outstanding, but especially the sparer, stripped-down original version of "Dazed And Confused."

Artist:	HOLMES, JAKE
Title:	'The Above Ground Sound' Of Jake Holmes
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3004LP

Previously issued on CD by Phoenix Records, now available on 180 gram vinyl. When U.S. folk-rock singer/songwriter Jake Holmes opened for The Yardbirds in New York in August 1967, little did he suspect that one of his songs, "Dazed And Confused," would be "commandeered" by guitarist Jimmy Page and become one of his next band's major live showpieces. The band in question is, of course, Led Zeppelin, and although The Yardbirds did incorporate the song into their live set, it is the Led Zep version that provided Holmes with his 15 minutes of fame. Mr. Page, clearly suffering from a temporary bout of amnesia, forgetfully claimed the songwriting credit himself. Holmes had done the rounds of the New York folk scene, working in bands with the likes of Tim Rose before going solo. This, his first recording, originally appeared on the Tower label in 1967. The album is considered a folk-rock masterpiece, and was described at the time as "a songwriter, three guitars and a mirror." The guitars of Holmes and Ted Irwin (later to play with Elliot Murphy, Roy Buchanan and various country singers) are the only backing for Holmes' voice and the 10 short tracks are outstanding, but especially the more spare, stripped-down original version of "Dazed And Confused."

Artist:	HOLMES, JAKE
Title:	A Letter To Katherine December
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3005CD

U.S. folk-rock singer/songwriter Jake Holmes' second album, originally released in 1968 on the Tower label. Phoenix Records' reissue of Holmes' first album, "The Above Ground Sound..." generated an amazing level of interest. Of course, the fact that the album included the original "Dazed And Confused" had quite a lot to do with it, but it soon became apparent that Holmes' music, along with the work of a number of other male singer-songwriters is enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment. A Letter To Katherine December is a record that many critics rate even more highly than his first. This is indeed a great follow-up; an album which easily evades the shadow of its predecessor's success and another recording that, in typical Holmes fashion, defies description. Although Rick Randle, whose bizarre bass playing was such a feature on the first album, is missing on this one, Charlie Fox's immaculate string and horn arrangements more than compensate. Holmes' eccentric songwriting is here in all its rich diversity, the sound quality is outstanding and the production standards superb. As was the case with its predecessor, A Letter... failed to achieve any real commercial impact, so Holmes switched to a more country feel for his next two releases. Obviously, he had perplexed the people at Tower Records enough by this time, and so the label cancelled his contract. Without a safety net, Holmes plunged into the world of TV commercials, which, ironically, is where he was to eventually enjoy his only real financial success. Another great album that comes highly recommended.

Artist:	RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS
Title:	Relatively Clean Rivers
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3007CD

Former Beat Of The Earth leader Phil Pearlman assembled Relatively Clean Rivers in the early '70s and eventually released this excellent rural rock album in 1975. Although Pearlman's first recorded effort was a surf/hot rod 45 entitled Chrome Reversed Rails which appeared on the Fink label in the mid-'60s, it was with Beat Of The Earth that he began to forge a distinctive musical voice. The band was one of the earliest-known experimental bands with a sound reminiscent of their East Coast counterparts, The Velvet Underground, whose influence is often discernable on Relatively Clean Rivers. That said, RCR is recognized by those fortunate enough to have heard it as one of the very finest albums of the era, with a clearly-defined American sound akin to The Grateful Dead in all their American Beauty pomp or CSNY circa D�j� Vu. An album highly recommended to anyone even remotely interested in '70s West Coast music or simply great music in general. This numbered, limited edition CD is housed in a unique gatefold card wallet -- 1000 copies only.

Artist:	H.P. LOVECRAFT
Title:	H.P. Lovecraft II
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3008CD

Having relocated to Marin County in Northern California in the spring of 1968, H.P. Lovecraft's second, and it must be said, superior album, appeared later that same year. Clearly most of the band members (with the exception of Jerry MacGeorge who returned to the band's native city of Chicago to be replaced by former Hezekiah alumnus, Jeff Boyan, who was not only a fine bass player, but who also contributed a distinctive vocal style along with George Edwards and Dave Michaels) thrived in their new location, and the Lovecraft became frequent attractions in nearby San Francisco, playing alongside some of the top Bay Area psych bands of the time. Moving south to L.A. later that year, the band recorded their second eponymous album that contained some fine moments of pure artistry. The sleepiness of tracks like "Spin, Spin, Spin," "Mobius Trip" and "Electrallentando" was reminiscent of It's A Beautiful Day's first album, and their fine version of "High Flying Bird" and "At The Mountains Of Madness" captured the band's outstanding vocal style, very much the hallmark of their first album, to perfection. H.P. Lovecraft II was reputedly the first major label album (both records were originally released on the Philips label) where all those involved in the recording were actually high on acid! The band effectively dissolved after this superb effort, and although various former band members tried to regroup on several occasions, it is by H.P. Lovecraft II and its predecessor, H.P. Lovecraft, that the band will be remembered. Housed in a numbered, limited edition of 1000 copies in a unique card wallet.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	Nipponjin
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3009CD

Regarded by many as the first Japanese progressive rock group, the Far East Family Band featured the keyboardist and future new age composer, Kitaro. A keyboard-dominated space rock band, the Far East Family Band played extended compositions that brought comparisons to Tangerine Dream and early Pink Floyd. Nipponjin (1975), the band's second album under their new name (the trio changed their name from Far Out to Far East Family Band following the release of Nihonjin which appeared on the Denon label in 1973), featured re-recorded material from the previous The Cave Down To Earth (1974) as well as Nihonjin and was produced by Tangerine Dream's Klaus Schulze. The band's synthesizer-drenched sound had much to do with Kitaro and Schultz meeting during a trip to Europe. One of Japan's earliest prog bands, Far East Family Band became hugely popular in Japan and also achieved considerable attention in Europe. The group went on to release two further albums, Parallel World (1976) and Tenkujin (1977), but it is Kitaro who enjoyed lasting fame for his legendary Silk Road albums. Digitally remastered, numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only in a unique card wallet.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	Nipponjin
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3009LP

CD version previously-released on Phoenix Records, now available in a vinyl version. Regarded by many as the first Japanese progressive rock group, the Far East Family Band featured the keyboardist and future new age composer, Kitaro. A keyboard-dominated space rock band, the Far East Family Band played extended compositions that brought comparisons to Tangerine Dream and early Pink Floyd. Nipponjin (1975), the band's second album under their new name (after their Far Out moniker), featured re-recorded material from the previous The Cave Down To Earth (1974) as well as Nihonjin and was produced by Tangerine Dream's Klaus Schulze. One of Japan's earliest prog bands, Far East Family Band became hugely popular in Japan and also achieved considerable attention in Europe. Digitally remastered, numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only.

Artist:	WIZARDS FROM KANSAS, THE
Title:	The Wizards From Kansas
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3010CD

Actually hailing from Kansas, The Wizards From Kansas were an obscure country-influenced outfit whose debut album featured some fine versions of classics from the period, including Buffy St. Marie's "Cod'ine," as well as some excellent originals such as "Misty Mountainside," "Country Dawn" and "She Rides With Witches." The original five-piece band enjoyed considerable local success, eventually finding themselves playing the Fillmore East, a gig which led to a number of offers of record deals which the group turned down. However, towards the end of 1969, Mercury Records finally wore them down, and the band signed to the label, with their eponymous first (and only album) appearing in the summer of 1970. During the album's recording, several of the band members decided they preferred playing jazz and duly departed to pursue their interests, leaving Mercury with a new album, but no band to promote it. Predictably, the label lost interest and the record sunk without trace. There is a lot of fine stuff on this album, which is both extremely collectable and highly recommended. This numbered, limited edition CD is housed in a unique card wallet.

Artist:	FOREST
Title:	Forest
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3011CD

The classic debut album by the UK's Forest, originally released in 1969 by Harvest. As the 1960s progressed, almost every musical genre was affected by the psychedelic boom -- and folk was no exception. Artists such as Bert Jansch, Davy Graham and Donovan had introduced elements of world music into their repertoires by 1965, and in 1966, The Incredible String Band's debut kicked the door wide open for a generation of young musicians to follow. Forest, whose two Harvest albums have long elated listeners and eluded collectors, featured prominently among them, and have become synonymous with so-called "acid folk," inspiring -- alongside Vashti Bunyan, COB and a handful of others -- the current wave of successful underground folk acts. Originally called The Foresters Of Walesby, the band abbreviated their name to Forest and were fortunate enough to meet John Peel at a local gig and he encouraged them to play in London. After a triumphant performance in Notting Hill's All Saints Hall in 1968, Forest were offered a management deal with Blackhill Enterprises, home to amongst others, Pink Floyd and Roy Harper. It wasn't long before offers of record contracts came their way and the band eventually signed to EMI's nascent Harvest label. Their debut album was recorded at Abbey Road early in 1969 and featured completely original material, with their strangely-sculptured melodies and partially improvised accompaniment. The playing is often inspired and the album's recording quality excellent. An essential folk classic and highly recommended. Housed in a numbered, limited edition of 1000 copies in a unique card wallet.

Artist:	INSECT TRUST, THE
Title:	The Insect Trust
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3012CD

Combining elements of rock, jazz, bluegrass, soul, Dixieland, folk, ragga, blues and practically every genre there is, The Insect Trust's classic debut (recorded in 1968) reveals one major difference between them and almost all other U.S. psych bands of the time -- while the majority were in thrall to Eastern sounds, they sound resolutely homegrown. Despite featuring banjos, fiddles and bottleneck guitars, the band still sounded absolutely contemporary, with superb tunes, gorgeous vocals and some mindblowing freakout passages. Tuneful, intelligent and highly musical, they truly forged something new out of the past, and this is one of the most beguilingly strange and original rock albums ever recorded. Housed in a unique gatefold card-wallet format in a numbered edition of 1000.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	Parallel World
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3013CD

Originally released in 1976 by Nippon Columbia, this is the final album by legendary Japanese space/psych-rockers Far East Family Band. Unlike other albums where the band focused on Pink Floyd-esque psych ballads, on Parallel World, the influence of German producer/electronic music composer Klaus Schulze is more pronounced, merging prog rock with electronic music to create something rather weird and wonderful. Although Schulze oversaw the production of the album rather than playing on it (which he definitely didn't!), the synth star here is Masanori Takahashi who was later to find new age fame and fortune under the name of Kitaro. This is space rock at its finest and the band's extended compositions attracted favorable comparisons with both Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd, and even at times the vocal style of the Moody Blues. Unfortunately, this was the band's last album, but they went out on a high, achieving the rare feat of appealing to devotees of both Krautrock and electronic psychedelia alike. Digitally remastered, numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only in a unique LP-replica card wallet.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	Parallel World
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3013LP

LP version. Originally released in 1976 by Nippon Columbia, now digitally remastered, this is the final album by legendary Japanese space/psych-rockers Far East Family Band. Unlike other albums where the band focused on Pink Floyd-esque psych ballads, on Parallel World, the influence of German producer/electronic music composer Klaus Schulze is more pronounced, merging prog rock with electronic music to create something rather weird and wonderful. Although Schulze oversaw the production of the album rather than playing on it (which he definitely didn't!), the synth star here is Masanori Takahashi who was later to find new age fame and fortune under the name of Kitaro. This is space rock at its finest and the band's extended compositions attracted favorable comparisons with both Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd, and even at times the vocal style of the Moody Blues. Unfortunately, this was the band's last album, but they went out on a high, achieving the rare feat of appealing to devotees of both Krautrock and electronic psychedelia alike.

Artist:	MORGEN
Title:	Morgen
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3014CD

Singer/guitarist Steve Morgen and company (bassist Rennie Genossa, drummer Bob Maiman and rhythm guitarist Barry Stock) originally hailed from Long Island, New York. Signed by ABC's short-lived Probe subsidiary, their 1969 debut Morgen teamed them with producer Murray Shiffrin (Steve Morgen is given the co-production credit). After this superb debut, the entire band quite simply disappeared. If you're into heavy psych guitar, then this is for you. While Morgen had a competent, if limited voice, he was a truly amazing guitarist with the likes of Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond becoming a staunch advocate of Morgen's status as a "psychedelic guitar hero." Tracks such as "Eternity In Between," "Welcome To the Void," "Of Dreams" and "Beggin' Your Pardon (Miss Joan)" were simply drenched with fuzz and feedback guitar. Underpinned by Maiman's powerhouse drumming (easily compared with Led Zeppelin's John Bonham) and suitably trippy lyrics, you're looking at a pseudo-classic slice of psychedelia that largely explains the huge asking price of an original copy. This numbered, limited edition CD is housed in a unique gatefold card wallet.

Artist:	MUSHROOM
Title:	Early One Morning....
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3015CD

Original copies of this incredible album by Mushroom, the Dublin duo consisting of Pat Collins (violin) and Joe O'Donnell (everything else), fetch hundreds of pounds on the rare occasions that they actually come up for sale. Musically, Early One Morning...., originally released in 1973 on the Hawk label, is a real one-off, combining brilliant, heavy progressive rock and psychedelic Irish folk with blazing guitar leads battling with fiddle attacks. The results are awesome, fully justifying the hefty price tag of an original. A monster of an album! This numbered, limited edition CD is housed in a unique gatefold card wallet.

Artist:	FIFTY FOOT HOSE
Title:	Cauldron
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3016CD

Cauldron was Fifty Foot Hose's first and most famous recorded work, released on Limelight Records in 1968. Founded by Cork Marcheschi, the band played continuously around the Bay area of northern California throughout the mid-'60s. Marcheschi, who had developed a taste for R&B and the avant-garde music of composers such as Edgard Var�se, started out as the band's bass player, but his interest in experimental music prompted him to develop his own musical instrument, similar in function to the hybrid developed by Simeon Cox, and which was the underpinning of the Silver Apples' sound. The band played a lot of gigs, but the experimental nature of their music tended to perplex audiences unused to such sounds. However, a four-track demo led to the band signing on the experimental Mercury subsidiary, Limelight Records, and under the eye of producer, Dan Healey (later to work extensively with the Grateful Dead), Cauldron appeared in 1969. As the album didn't fit into any particular mold, it largely went un-noticed at the time, but to the modern listener, this is an album that has stood the test of time particularly as Marcheschi used just about every electronic device known to man, including audio generators, echodette, squeaky box, siren, ring oscillator circuits and two Theremins. Given Cauldron's lack of success, the band disintegrated, although several members were to quickly resurface in the musical Hair. However, by the late '70s and early '80s, interest in the band's singular sound was rekindled, with the likes of Pere Ubu, Throbbing Gristle and Chrome all deriving inspiration from its music. An important and influential album. Housed in a numbered, limited edition, unique card wallet.

Artist:	FIFTY FOOT HOSE
Title:	Cauldron
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3016LP

Repressed. Deluxe LP format only; 180 gram pressing. Cauldron was Fifty Foot Hose's first and most famous recorded work, released on Limelight Records in 1968. Founded by Cork Marcheschi, the band played continuously around the Bay area of northern California throughout the mid-'60s. Marcheschi, who had developed a taste for R&B and the avant-garde music of composers such as Edgard Var�se, started out as the band's bass player, but his interest in experimental music prompted him to develop his own musical instrument, similar in function to the hybrid developed by Simeon Cox, and which was the underpinning of the Silver Apples' sound. The band played a lot of gigs, but the experimental nature of their music tended to perplex audiences unused to such sounds. However, a four-track demo led to the band signing on the experimental Mercury subsidiary, Limelight Records, and under the eye of producer, Dan Healey (later to work extensively with the Grateful Dead), Cauldron appeared in 1969. As the album didn't fit into any particular mold, it largely went un-noticed at the time, but to the modern listener, this is an album that has stood the test of time particularly as Marcheschi used just about every electronic device known to man, including audio generators, echodette, squeaky box, siren, ring oscillator circuits and two Theremins. Given Cauldron's lack of success, the band disintegrated, although several members were to quickly resurface in the musical Hair. However, by the late '70s and early '80s, interest in the band's singular sound was rekindled, with the likes of Pere Ubu, Throbbing Gristle and Chrome all deriving inspiration from its music. An important and influential album.

Artist:	FRACTION
Title:	Moon Blood
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3017CD

Los Angeles-based Fraction's heavy psych classic Moon Blood was originally released on the Angelus record label in 1971. Only 200 copies were pressed, so originals are currently worth a small fortune. Fraction, with vocalist Jim Beach, bearing an uncanny vocal resemblance to Jim Morrison (although he was singing on Sunset Strip long before Morrison took to the stage), were often compared favorably with The Doors, although their quasi-religious message would probably not have found favor with the recently-departed Morrison. Indeed, this rather fine record was once famously described as the album The Doors probably wished they'd made! Underpinned by guitarist Don Swanson's superb Ritchie Blackmore-style guitar work, this is an album full of beautiful psychedelia, acid and hard rock, at once emblematic of the era, but not dated by its association. The five original compositions are consistently of the highest quality and the contribution of Beach's now legendary vocals places a stamp of originality on the recording that endures from beginning to end. Monstrously heavy, howling, epic psych that is basically a must-own. A truly excellent album. Limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies only, featuring the original die-cut cover with colored cellophane and printed inner bag.

Artist:	FRACTION
Title:	Moon Blood
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$27.50
Catalog #:	ASH 3017LP

Los Angeles-based Fraction's heavy psych classic Moon Blood was originally released on the Angelus record label in 1971. Only 200 copies were pressed, so originals are currently worth a small fortune. Fraction, with vocalist Jim Beach, bearing an uncanny vocal resemblance to Jim Morrison (although he was singing on Sunset Strip long before Morrison took to the stage), were often compared favorably with The Doors, although their quasi-religious message would probably not have found favor with the recently-departed Morrison. Indeed, this rather fine record was once famously described as the album The Doors probably wished they'd made! Underpinned by guitarist Don Swanson's superb Ritchie Blackmore-style guitar work, this is an album full of beautiful psychedelia, acid and hard rock, at once emblematic of the era, but not dated by its association. The five original compositions are consistently of the highest quality and the contribution of Beach's now legendary vocals places a stamp of originality on the recording that endures from beginning to end. Monstrously heavy, howling, epic psych that is basically a must-own. A truly excellent album. Featuring the original die-cut cover with colored cellophane, and pressed on 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	HENSKE & JERRY YESTER, JUDY
Title:	Farewell Aldebaran
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3018CD

Timely reissue of this late '60s folk/psych classic from husband and wife team Jerry Yester and Judy Henske. Yester had previously enjoyed an element of fame courtesy of his stint with The Loving Spoonful, but following the band's demise in 1969, he set about producing this little gem with acclaimed folk singer Henske and a bunch of pals which were said to have included Ry Cooder and David Lindley. Farewell Aldebaran, which is often heralded as one of the most proficient and creative albums of its genre, with Henske's incredible range of vocal styles (during her short solo career she had effortlessly made the transition from comedian to folk singer and then onto an accomplished rock singer) elevating the album to a higher plane. Her mind-blowing vocals on the opening track, the hard-fuzz "Snowblind," gives an early clue to Henske's talent and range, and although this particular vocal style only features on the one song, the sheer diversity of her singing makes every track on this highly original and experimental album a unique experience. Yester and Henske attempted to scale the same artistic heights with their next collaboration, Rosebud, but sadly, it was not to be, and Yester, fearing that he had already peaked as a musician, turned his attention to production, working with other Californian bands and singers of the time including The Association, The Turtles, Tim Buckley and Tom Waits. Housed in a numbered, limited edition unique card wallet.

Artist:	ZERFAS
Title:	Zerfas
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3019LP

The sole 1973 album on 700 West by the Indianapolis outfit featuring the Zerfas brothers David and Herman, is one of the best and probably best-known self-pressed U.S. psych records ever to have seen the light of day. All the material is self-penned, which comes as a surprise, as the tracks are all uniformly strong, with lots of keyboards, ring modulators, heavy reverb, backwards vocals, random sound effects, and some outstanding harmonies. One pundit was moved to write: "...a stunning psych album [which] can only be described as what might have happened if The Beatles had pushed the psychedelic experiments of Revolver into late-'60s/early-'70s territory," which gives you some idea of what this album's all about. As a fan wrote after discovering the band for the first time, "...as the prelude to the first track slowly faded up -- a wondrously thick mix of layered backwards and forwards voices and sounds -- I remember thinking that this might just be the best thing I'd ever heard. Across the two sides you can get some sense of these musicians laboring for hours in a small studio to get just the right blend of harmony, guitar, drums and organ to reach for that fleeting glimpse of something larger than we are. This is a great LP." And really, there's not much more you can add to that, is there? Pressed on 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	GROWING CONCERN, THE
Title:	The Growing Concern
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3020LP

On 180 gram vinyl. This self-titled album by The Growing Concern curiously first saw the light of day in 1969 on Bob Shad's Mainstream label, an imprint more familiar to jazz and blues fans than devotees of psych/pop. Shad, who had worked as an A&R man for Mercury, Savoy and Emarcy in the '50s, working with the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Blue Mitchell and Curtis Fuller, had the fortune to sign the then-unknown Big Brother And The Holding Company, whose contract, along with that of the band's vocalist Janis Joplin, Shad wisely sold for a not-insignificant sum to Columbia. Perhaps Shad thought he was going to repeat his commercial triumph with The Growing Concern. However, the band was a different proposition altogether with its emphasis on beautiful vocal harmonies and fantastic guitar and organ work rather than the Joplin-dominated R&B of Big Brother. Consequently, Shad only allowed the group into the studio on a single occasion, dropping them from the label after this, their eponymous debut. All in all, this is a fine album. The support of vocalists Bonnie MacDonald and Mary Garstki are an intrinsic part of the band's distinctive sound, and the songs contributed by organist Dan Passaglia, bassist John Pedley and guitarist Ralph Toms are more than equal to the offerings from more illustrious contemporaries such as Mike Hugg ("Mister You're A Better Man Than I") or Stephen Stills ("Sit Down I Think I Love You"). The album, which is brilliantly recorded, is of a consistently high musical quality and the band surely deserved a better fate than the obscurity that Shad's indifference consigned them to.

Artist:	BRAST BURN
Title:	Debon
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3021CD

Phoenix Records reissues Brast Burn's Debon -- a classic of Japanese Kraut obscurity originally released in 1975 on Voice Records, now digitally-remastered. Brast Burn are often linked with Karuna Khayal, with many aficionados concluding that they were actually the same band. Whether this is true or not remains an unsolved mystery, but one thing is for sure: Brast Burn's one and only recorded outing left an indelible stamp on those who were to follow. Nurse With Wound's Steve Stapleton thought highly of Debon and included it on his "legendary list" that appeared on the sleeve of his band's 1979 debut album. Featuring orchestrated fuzz guitar, echo-drenched percussion, reverbed bass, zithers, assorted taped sounds and vocals that are simply inspired, Debon is an album that's a must for headphones and for devotees of the likes of Faust and Can. A rare musical experience and a vital addition to any record collection. Housed in a unique, LP-replica card wallet, in a numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only.

Artist:	SPEED, GLUE & SHINKI
Title:	Speed, Glue & Shinki
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3022CD

Following on from the gutsy blues-rock groove of the band's first and probably only genuine studio release, 1971's Eve, Speed, Glue & Shinki's second release, originally released in 1972 on Atlantic and often referred to as Tiger, brought together a number of tracks not included on Eve, as well as some new recordings that took a very different musical slant. Joey Smith decided that since he could he handle himself admirably on drums, it was time to challenge a new instrument, so he bought a synthesizer. Drafting in friend Mike Hanopol to take over the bass-playing duties from the departed Masayoshi "Glue" Kabe, Smith managed to produce an album of two halves, the first being some of the strongest SGS-esque material ever, the second being some fine electronic instrumentals in the Tangerine Dream mode. Following the release of the album, Smith and Hanopol flew back to Manila to become Filipino superstars, while Shinki Chen eschewed the recording of his music in preference to live recordings and Kabe found alternative employment in the highly popular band, Pink Cloud. However, the band's legacy lives on in Tiger, a compendium of the sound of Eve and a taste of where the band might have gone had time, personalities and huge amounts of illicit drugs not exerted their influences. Housed in a unique LP-replica gatefold card wallet in a numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only.

Artist:	SPEED, GLUE & SHINKI
Title:	Speed, Glue & Shinki
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3022LP

Gatefold 2LP version. Following on from the gutsy blues-rock groove of the band's first and probably only genuine studio release, 1971's Eve, Speed, Glue & Shinki's second release, originally released in 1972 on Atlantic and often referred to as Tiger, brought together a number of tracks not included on Eve, as well as some new recordings that took a very different musical slant. Joey Smith decided that since he could he handle himself admirably on drums, it was time to challenge a new instrument, so he bought a synthesizer. Drafting in friend Mike Hanopol to take over the bass-playing duties from the departed Masayoshi "Glue" Kabe, Smith managed to produce an album of two halves, the first being some of the strongest SGS-esque material ever, the second being some fine electronic instrumentals in the Tangerine Dream mode. Following the release of the album, Smith and Hanopol flew back to Manila to become Filipino superstars, while Shinki Chen eschewed the recording of his music in preference to live recordings and Kabe found alternative employment in the highly popular band, Pink Cloud. However, the band's legacy lives on in Tiger, a compendium of the sound of Eve and a taste of where the band might have gone had time, personalities and huge amounts of illicit drugs not exerted their influences.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	''The Cave'' Down To The Earth
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3023CD

Regarded by many as the first Japanese progressive rock group, the Far East Family Band, whose first album release was under the name Far Out, released "The Cave" Down To The Earth in 1975. Influential in the creation of the band's distinctive psychedelic sound was keyboard player Kitaro, who went on to establish himself as a major new age artist in the '80s. Although the band was often categorized as new age too, their sound was distinctly progressive and often brought comparisons with Tangerine Dream and early Pink Floyd. The ethereal, space-rock quality of the band's music is here in abundance but the centerpiece is without doubt the title track, which starts off in a mellow mood but then becomes a killer guitar jam. For music fans that have yet to discover the delights of '70s Japanese psychedelic rock, "The Cave" Down To The Earth is a fabulous introduction. Housed in a die-cut sleeve with a printed inner bag. Includes the original LP insert.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	''The Cave'' Down To The Earth
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3023LP

180 gram LP version. Regarded by many as the first Japanese progressive rock group, the Far East Family Band, whose first album release was under the name Far Out, released "The Cave" Down To The Earth in 1975. Influential in the creation of the band's distinctive psychedelic sound was keyboard player Kitaro, who went on to establish himself as a major new age artist in the '80s. Although the band was often categorized as new age too, their sound was distinctly progressive and often brought comparisons with Tangerine Dream and early Pink Floyd. The ethereal, space-rock quality of the band's music is here in abundance but the centerpiece is without doubt the title track, which starts off in a mellow mood but then becomes a killer guitar jam. For music fans that have yet to discover the delights of '70s Japanese psychedelic rock, "The Cave" Down To The Earth is a fabulous introduction. Housed in a die-cut sleeve with a printed inner sleeve. Includes the original LP insert.

Artist:	KARUNA KHYAL
Title:	Alomoni 1985
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3024CD

Karuna Khyal's album Alomoni 1985, originally released on Voice Records around 1976, is widely acknowledged as years ahead of its time, preceding other Japanese underground experimental outfits such as Fushitsusha and White Heaven by almost 20 years. The band's musical influences are, if anything, more Germanic than Japanese, with long, hypnotic free-form rock passages, a heavy use of tape loops, electronics, environmental sounds, distortion and backwards tapes underpinning some manic harmonica-playing on some gut-wrenching blues dirges. Can, Faust and Guru Guru clearly had an influence on the band, as did Captain Beefheart and Pere Ubu. Not much is known about the band's line-up, although it is widely thought there was some crossover in personnel with Brast Burn, another significant outfit of the same era which exerted such influence over newer participants in the Japanese psych scene as well as Nurse With Wound. At No.19 in Julian Cope's Japrocksampler publication, this is a true hidden treasure buried deep in time -- unearthed and digitally-remastered by Phoenix Records. Package includes a replica of the original full-color insert in a numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only, housed in a unique card wallet.

Artist:	SPEED, GLUE & SHINKI
Title:	Eve
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3026CD

Phoenix Records reissues on CD Speed, Glue & Shinki's 1971 debut album, Eve. Ex-Food Brain guitarist Shinki Chen, bass player Masayoshi Kabe (also known as M Glue) and Filipino Vietnam war veteran Joey "Pepe" Smith, who doubled as both the trio's drummer and vocalist, released two legendary albums in the early '70s. Eve, the earlier of the band's two efforts, was probably the band's only "real" recording, as the self-titled second release in 1972 was put together by Smith from studio outtakes of Chen's guitar playing and tracks omitted from Eve. This is a bluesy, psychedelic album, with Chen's Hendrix-style guitar playing firmly underpinned by Smith's insistent percussion style modeled on the style and technique of his idol, Ginger Baker. The band dissolved immediately after the release of Eve, as the other two members found Smith's drug-fuelled lifestyle decidedly unappealing (he was a huge fan of amphetamines and diligently applied himself to establishing a prodigious habit). Chen decided he didn't want to record again, and became a successful live artist, Joey went back to the Philippines and started the immensely successful power trio Juan de la Cruz Band, and Masayoshi Kabe would win fame with the band Pink Cloud. In spite of their short-lived activity, Speed, Glue & Shinki were important first and foremost as pioneers of the Japanese psychedelic rock scene. Numbered, limited edition housed in a gatefold LP replica sleeve.

Artist:	SPEED, GLUE & SHINKI
Title:	Eve
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3026LP

2012 repress. Phoenix Records presents the first 180 gram virgin vinyl release of Speed, Glue & Shinki's 1971 debut album, Eve. Ex-Food Brain guitarist Shinki Chen, bass player Masayoshi Kabe (also known as M Glue) and Filipino Vietnam war veteran Joey "Pepe" Smith, who doubled as both the trio's drummer and vocalist, released two legendary albums in the early '70s. Eve, the earlier of the band's two efforts, was probably the band's only "real" recording, as the self-titled second release in 1972 was put together by Smith from studio outtakes of Chen's guitar playing and tracks omitted from Eve. This is a bluesy, psychedelic album, with Chen's Hendrix-style guitar playing firmly underpinned by Smith's insistent percussion style modeled on the style and technique of his idol, Ginger Baker. The band dissolved immediately after the release of Eve, as the other two members found Smith's drug-fuelled lifestyle decidedly unappealing (he was a huge fan of amphetamines and diligently applied himself to establishing a prodigious habit). Chen decided he didn't want to record again, and became a successful live artist, Joey went back to the Philippines and started the immensely successful power trio Juan de la Cruz Band, and Masayoshi Kabe would win fame with the band Pink Cloud. In spite of their short-lived activity, Speed, Glue & Shinki were important first and foremost as pioneers of the Japanese psychedelic rock scene. Gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	PEOPLE
Title:	Ceremony -- Buddha Meet Rock
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3027CD

Phoenix Records reissues a digitally remastered edition of People's sole album, the legendary Ceremony -- Buddha Meet Rock, originally released in 1971 in Japan. Nobody's sure if the musicians on this recording ever performed as a group or whether Ceremony was simply a studio super-project. Certainly, guitarist Kimio Mizutani had already enjoyed a certain amount of critical exposure following stints with Love Live Life + One and Masahiko Satoh's Sound Brakers, and it is Satoh's jazzy fuzz guitar licks that help to lift this album to a higher level. Unfortunately, this was the ensemble's only output, but this conceptual album is an absolute classic. As the title suggests, this recording was an attempt to fuse a Buddhist-influenced spiritual vibe into an innovative form of hypnotic, psychedelic prog rock. All in all, a rather weird record, but the sound is mindblowing -- experimental and trippy, but never too free or over the top, and at times a more traditional Japanese style of music lurks in the background. A monumental album that's never going to go out of style. Numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only, housed in a unique LP-replica card wallet.

Artist:	PEOPLE
Title:	Ceremony -- Buddha Meet Rock
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3027LP

LP version. Previously released by Phoenix Records on CD, now available on digitally remastered 180 gram virgin vinyl, this is People's sole album, the legendary Ceremony -- Buddha Meet Rock, originally released in 1971 in Japan. Nobody's sure if the musicians on this recording ever performed as a group or whether Ceremony was simply a studio super-project. Certainly, guitarist Kimio Mizutani had already enjoyed a certain amount of critical exposure following stints with Love Live Life + One and Masahiko Satoh's Sound Brakers, and it is Satoh's jazzy fuzz guitar licks that help to lift this album to a higher level. Unfortunately, this was the ensemble's only output, but this conceptual album is an absolute classic of hypnotic, psychedelic prog rock.

Artist:	FAR OUT
Title:	Nihonjin
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3029CD

Prior to metamorphosing into Far East Family Band, Japan's Far Out released this sole, space-y, guitar-drenched psychedelic prog album in 1971. Although the Floyd influences are highly apparent, the band produces an original sound which defines its own unique identity rather than being a reflection of the British and American bands that were dominating the genre. Although there is a keyboard-dominated opening, synthesizers are relegated to a supporting role, and their sparse presence is restricted to occasional sound effects. The psychedelic ambiance comes largely from the guitars, electric sitars and intelligent percussion. The original album contained just two single-sided tracks, and the intense guitar soloing, fantastic sound effects, including gongs and howling wind drones, combine to create an album of sparse beauty which effortlessly merges exotic Asian instrumentals with a psych sound occasionally reminiscent of Saucerful Of Secrets. Numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only, housed in a unique LP-replica card wallet.

Artist:	FAR OUT
Title:	Nihonjin
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3029LP

Gatefold LP version. Fully-remastered, first-ever vinyl reissue. Prior to metamorphosing into Far East Family Band, Japan's Far Out released this sole, space-y, guitar-drenched psychedelic prog album in 1971. Although the Floyd influences are highly apparent, the band produces an original sound which defines its own unique identity rather than being a reflection of the British and American bands that were dominating the genre. Although there is a keyboard-dominated opening, synthesizers are relegated to a supporting role, and their sparse presence is restricted to occasional sound effects. The psychedelic ambiance comes largely from the guitars, electric sitars and intelligent percussion. The original album contained just two single-sided tracks, and the intense guitar soloing, fantastic sound effects, including gongs and howling wind drones, combine to create an album of sparse beauty which effortlessly merges exotic Asian instrumentals with a psych sound occasionally reminiscent of Saucerful Of Secrets. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	LOVE LIVE LIFE + ONE
Title:	Love Will Make A Better You
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3031LP

Phoenix Records releases a fully-remastered edition of the 1971 sole album by Love Live Life + One. There were several progressive psychedelic groups in Japan in the early '70s including the short-lived Love Live Life + One. The band played a few live gigs and released this lone album before disbanding. The group consisted of 9 musicians and the "plus one" seems to refer to vocalist Akira Fuse who had been a pop vocalist since the mid-'60s, appearing on albums since 1967. Most of the musicians were obscure except for keyboard player Hiro Yanagida, who was a member of the highly-acclaimed Foodbrain and later Strawberry Path, whose album When The Raven Has Come To The Earth was released the same year as Love Will Make A Better You, and guitarist Kimio Mizutani who was in the band People that released the massively rare Ceremony -- Buddha Meet Rock. Love Live Life + One's only record is a mix of blues-based psychedelia that pushes into progressive and even avant-garde realms at times, while the skronky sax-playing even recalls the edgier end of the jazz spectrum. An original, innovative and extremely rare piece of Japanese psychedelia. Limited edition pressed on 180 gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve with the original artwork and the original illustrated LP lyric sheet.

Artist:	ICHIYANAGI/MICHAEL RANTA/TAKEHISA KOSUGI, TOSHI
Title:	Improvisation Sep. 1975
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3032CD

Originally released on the Iskra label in 1975, Improvisation Sep. 1975 is a mind-bending slice of drone improv from two of Japan's post-war heavyweights; former John Cage student, Juilliard graduate, and Yoko Ono's former husband, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Takehisa Kosugi, considered by many to be the father of what some called "Japanese Krautrock," and Stockhausen percussionist Michael Ranta. Heavy layers of reverbed ring modulators, threaded vocals, melodicas, pianos, violins, gongs and Japanese biwas and shamisens combine to elevate the improvisations into the region of Krautrock and in particular, courtesy of Ranta, into post-Stockhausen-inspired rock � la Amon D��l. An extremely rare and highly important album which bridges the gap between the likes of Taj Mahal Travellers and industrial giants Nurse With Wound. Digitally remastered, numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only in a unique LP-replica card wallet. Includes a Japanese lyric sheet insert.

Artist:	FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND
Title:	Make Up
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$23.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3033CD

When released in 1973, Make Up, with its incredible faux-leather imitation attach� case outer bag, looked every bit the last word in over-the-top packaging and now originals, complete and in good condition, fetch hundreds of dollars in the collectors' market. However, despite the lavish packaging, Make Up did little to enhance the group's already considerable reputation and the various band members went their separate ways immediately after the album's release. Although the album has been described as "inconsistent," there are some definite stand-out tracks, and generally Make Up reflects the varied influences that the band drew on throughout their sadly short career. This double album consists of both live and studio recordings and features keyboardist Nobuhiko Shinohara. 2CD housed in a replica outer slip-case and deluxe gatefold sleeve, including the original LP insert. Numbered, limited edition.

Artist:	STRAWBERRY PATH
Title:	When The Raven Has Come To The Earth
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3034CD

Another lost gem for lovers of Japanese psych and hard rock, this time from the inspirational '70s prog outfit, Strawberry Path. From its extremely cool front cover to the last track, this is an album that will appeal to garage fans, psych heads, mondo music lovers and acid freaks alike, merging as it does a variety of Western influences, ranging from Jimi Hendrix (check out Shigeru Narumo's hard psych guitar) to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Originally released in 1971, Strawberry Path were the forerunners of Japan's Flied Egg, one of the most influential Japanese prog bands to emerge in the '70s. This is hard psych rock at its best, and an album which has soared in value over the last few years. Highly collectable and highly listenable. Digitally remastered. Housed in a unique LP-replica gatefold card wallet in a numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies only.

Artist:	STRAWBERRY PATH
Title:	When The Raven Has Come To The Earth
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3034LP

2012 repress. Another lost gem for lovers of Japanese psych and hard rock, this time from the inspirational '70s prog outfit, Strawberry Path. From its extremely cool front cover to the last track, this is an album that will appeal to garage fans, psych heads, mondo music lovers and acid freaks alike, merging as it does a variety of Western influences, ranging from Jimi Hendrix (check out Shigeru Narumo's hard psych guitar) to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Originally released in 1971, Strawberry Path were the forerunners of Japan's Flied Egg, one of the most influential Japanese prog bands to emerge in the '70s. This is hard psych rock at its best, and an album which has soared in value over the last few years. Highly collectable and highly listenable. All-analog pressing housed in a gatefold sleeve. 180 gram virgin vinyl.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Blind Baby Has It's Mothers Eyes
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3035CD

Legendary Japanese rock outfit Les Rallizes D�nud�s were formed in 1967 and incredibly, for a group that had only one official release (Oz Days Live, a double vinyl compilation release in 1973), played their last gig almost 30 years later in October 1996. The band's name apparently means "fucked up and naked," which more than adequately describes their music. Formed by band leader Mizutani Takashi, the music remained remarkably familiar over the years, and is best described as high volume, raw, lo-fi, repetitive, feedback-drenched guitar-noise fests with nods in the direction of The Velvet Underground and Blues Creation, but without the electronics. Radical left-wing politics were never far from the band's agenda, with one original band member (Wakabayashi) being involved in the Japanese Red Army's hijacking of a flight to North Korea. Consequently, the group's live appearances became less frequent and increasingly clandestine. All the band's albums were released in very small quantities, and because of the group's reputation for secrecy and violence, as well as the difficulty in tracking down their recordings, Les Rallizes D�nud�s has assumed almost mythical status. Blind Baby Has It's Mothers Eyes sits at #11 on Julian Cope's list of top Japanese albums. Limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies only, housed in a unique LP-replica card wallet.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Blind Baby Has Its Mother's Eyes
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3035LP

2012 repress; LP version. Legendary Japanese rock outfit Les Rallizes D�nud�s were formed in 1967 and incredibly, for a group that had only one official release (Oz Days Live, a double vinyl compilation release in 1973), played their last gig almost 30 years later in October 1996. The band's name apparently means "fucked up and naked," which more than adequately describes their music. Formed by band leader Mizutani Takashi, the music remained remarkably familiar over the years, and is best described as high volume, raw, lo-fi, repetitive, feedback-drenched guitar-noise fests with nods in the direction of The Velvet Underground and Blues Creation, but without the electronics. Radical left-wing politics were never far from the band's agenda, with one original band member (Wakabayashi) being involved in the Japanese Red Army's hijacking of a flight to North Korea. Consequently, the group's live appearances became less frequent and increasingly clandestine. All the band's albums were released in very small quantities, and because of the group's reputation for secrecy and violence, as well as the difficulty in tracking down their recordings, Les Rallizes D�nud�s has assumed almost mythical status. Blind Baby Has Its Mother's Eyes sits at #11 on Julian Cope's list of top Japanese albums.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Heavier Than A Death In The Family
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3037CD

Phoenix Records releases the oft-bootlegged Heavier Than A Death In The Family by legendary Japanese rock/psychedelic noise band Les Rallizes D�nud�s. This "album" is in fact, a blistering assemblage of live performances (all recorded in 1977, except for "People Can Choose," which was recorded in 1973) which sits at an esteemed #3 position on Julian Cope's Japrocksampler top 50 list. Reverb so heavy, it will split your frontal lobe in two. Limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies only, housed in a unique LP-replica card wallet.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Heavier Than A Death In The Family
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3037LP

2012 repress. 2LP version. Phoenix Records releases the oft-bootlegged Heavier Than A Death In The Family by legendary Japanese rock/psychedelic noise band Les Rallizes D�nud�s. This "album" is in fact, a blistering assemblage of live performances (all recorded in 1977, except for "People Can Choose," which was recorded in 1973) which sits at an esteemed #3 position on Julian Cope's Japrocksampler top 50 list. Reverb so heavy, it will split your frontal lobe in two.

Artist:	CHEN, SHINKI
Title:	Shinki Chen & Friends
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3038CD

Shinki Chen was one of the leading figures of the Japanese psychedelic rock scene in the early '70s, seen as a Jimi Hendrix-type figure in Japan at the time. This record, released in 1971 was some of his last recorded material (he also recorded with the band Powerhouse and Foodbrain) in addition to the different band line-up known as Speed, Glue & Shinki and their debut Eve released the same year. While the band's style is often compared to its Krautrock cousins, it lacks the dreamy directionlessness that a lot of them have as well as the bore factor of the lighter-weight progressive rock acts. Shinki Chen & Friends might lack Joey Smith's amphetamine-fuelled drumming, but it is generally bluesier with lots of strange keyboard effects, fuzzy bass lines and a relatively weeping guitar sound. Digitally remastered. Housed in an LP-replica sleeve in a numbered limited edition.

Artist:	CHEN, SHINKI
Title:	Shinki Chen & Friends
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3038LP

Gatefold LP version. Shinki Chen was one of the leading figures of the Japanese psychedelic rock scene in the early '70s, seen as a Jimi Hendrix-type figure in Japan at the time. This record, released in 1971 was some of his last recorded material (he also recorded with the band Powerhouse and Foodbrain) in addition to the different band line-up known as Speed, Glue & Shinki and their debut Eve released the same year. While the band's style is often compared to its Krautrock cousins, it lacks the dreamy directionlessness that a lot of them have as well as the bore factor of the lighter-weight progressive rock acts. Shinki Chen & Friends might lack Joey Smith's amphetamine-fuelled drumming, but it is generally bluesier with lots of strange keyboard effects, fuzzy bass lines and a relatively weeping guitar sound. Digitally remastered on 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	MAGICAL POWER MAKO
Title:	Super Record
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3039CD

Super Record, the second of Magical Power Mako's 20-plus recordings, originally released in 1975, is considered by those that know to be his finest, combining as it does strong elements of Japanese folk music alongside innovative psychedelic sounds and broad musical vistas of extraordinary imagination. Mako was born in Shuzeni Izu in Japan in 1956, and he began his musical education at a young age, making his first public performance in 1973 at the age of 16 with his band Genge in the famous Shibuya Club. Based on these impressive public performances, the precocious Mako was invited to play with one of Japan's foremost contemporary composers, Toru Takemitsu, playing alongside the composer on three film scores, Inheritance For The Future, Petrified Forest and Himiko. The response to his performances was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, elevating Mako to almost god-like status in his native country. Mako's music has often baffled pundits keen to place him in a particular musical slot. As one perplexed scribe opined "Mako's music possesses a certain strange kind of texture. It is certainly what they call rock, but contains elements we can't describe so succinctly. It clearly goes beyond the various genres of music and while full of them all, it sends forth a fierce glow." Another critic wrote: "Adding to the variety of folk music from India, Turkey and Russia, his mandolin or Taisho koto, and especially his marvellously-performed guitar, expresses fully the odor of the soil and mankind's universality." This numbered, limited edition has been digitally-remastered and housed in an LP replica sleeve.

Artist:	MAGICAL POWER MAKO
Title:	Super Record
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3039LP

Super Record, the second of Magical Power Mako's 20-plus recordings, originally released in 1975, is considered by those that know to be his finest, combining as it does strong elements of Japanese folk music alongside innovative psychedelic sounds and broad musical vistas of extraordinary imagination. Mako was born in Shuzeni Izu in Japan in 1956, and he began his musical education at a young age, making his first public performance in 1973 at the age of 16 with his band Genge in the famous Shibuya Club. Based on these impressive public performances, the precocious Mako was invited to play with one of Japan's foremost contemporary composers, Toru Takemitsu, playing alongside the composer on three film scores, Inheritance For The Future, Petrified Forest and Himiko. The response to his performances was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, elevating Mako to almost god-like status in his native country. Mako's music has often baffled pundits keen to place him in a particular musical slot. As one perplexed scribe opined "Mako's music possesses a certain strange kind of texture. It is certainly what they call rock, but contains elements we can't describe so succinctly. It clearly goes beyond the various genres of music and while full of them all, it sends forth a fierce glow." Another critic wrote: "Adding to the variety of folk music from India, Turkey and Russia, his mandolin or Taisho koto, and especially his marvellously-performed guitar, expresses fully the odor of the soil and mankind's universality". This limited edition has been digitally-remastered and pressed on 180 gram vinyl with an LP replica sleeve.

Artist:	SATOH & SOUNDBREAKERS, MASAHIKO
Title:	Amalgamation
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3040CD

One of the most tripped-out albums you'll ever hear from Japanese keyboardist Masahiko Satoh, and that's saying a lot, considering some of his other avant sessions of the '70s! This one's from 1971 and a really free-form jam -- recorded so that each of the two long tunes takes up a side of the record apiece -- one with really full-on, frenzied noise courtesy of some ring modulators played by Satoh, undercut with some really heavy drums from Louis Hayes, a surprising entry for a session like this! Side two has a sound that's a bit more organic -- some spare percussion at first -- but the record then moves into noisier territory too, and even features some cool, scatting female vocals. Highly recommended! Numbered, limited edition housed in an LP replica sleeve. Digitally remastered.

Artist:	KOSUGI, TAKEHISA
Title:	Catch Wave
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3041CD

Takehisa Kosugi is an inter-media artist and performer who started his career back in the '60s in Tokyo. With his first band Group Ongaku (free anarchist-conceptual improvisations) he was introduced to the Fluxus avant-garde movement. During the '70s, he was a member of the mystical, psychedelic, droning rock band Taj Mahal Travellers. He co-founded the band in 1969. Since the end of the '70s until now, he has released several solo albums and commissioned works for events and sound installations. His album Catch Wave (1975) is an absolute progressive masterpiece, bringing Takehisa Kosugi's musical talent to territories usually reserved to kosmic Krautrock. Digitally remastered. Numbered, limited edition housed in an LP replica sleeve.

Artist:	KOSUGI, TAKEHISA
Title:	Catch Wave
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3041LP

2012 repress. Takehisa Kosugi is an inter-media artist and performer who started his career back in the '60s in Tokyo. With his first band Group Ongaku (free anarchist-conceptual improvisations) he was introduced to the Fluxus avant-garde movement. During the '70s, he was a member of the mystical, psychedelic, droning rock band Taj Mahal Travellers. He co-founded the band in 1969. Since the end of the '70s until now, he has released several solo albums and commissioned works for events and sound installations. His album Catch Wave (1975) is an absolute progressive masterpiece, bringing Takehisa Kosugi's musical talent to territories usually reserved for kosmic Krautrock. 180 gram vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	CAESAR, J.A.
Title:	Kokkyou Junreika
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3042CD

Tokyo playwright, director and artist J.A. Caesar sprang to prominence in the early '70s largely through his work with Shuji Terayama's Tenjo Sajiki Theatre, specializing in vaguely sinister music reminiscent of a Hammer House Of Horrors soundtrack. 1973's Kokkyou Junreika release, often considered Caesar's finest work, was culled from the 5 hours of music written for the original play, distilled down to an album's worth of ageless chants, Buddhist mantras, heavenly invocations and fuzztone guitar vamps supported by Caesar's droning electric organ and the eerie female vocals of Yoko Ran, Keiko Shinko and Seigo Showa. An album that sits comfortably alongside early Ash Ra Tempel, Cosmic Jokers and Atem-period Tangerine Dream. Those that like their music with a healthy dose of gloom, look no further. Digitally remastered. Numbered, limited collector's edition housed in a gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	FLIED EGG
Title:	Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3043CD

Japan's proggers Flied Egg, consisting of former Strawberry Path alumni Shigeru Narumo and Hiro Tsunoda, supported by former Brush leader, Masayoshi Takanaka, released two albums in the early '70s, Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Machine being the first and undoubtedly the better of the two. Dr. Siegel's..., originally released in 1972, is a much more keyboard-oriented affair, with Narumo adding a Moog, celeste and harpsichord to his usual Hammond and piano line-up. On this album, the musical influences are more Uriah Heep than the previous Hendrix-inspired leanings, although touches of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Deep Purple, Birth Control and even Black Sabbath find their way into the musical m�lange. Dr. Siegel's... presents a rich selection of musical styles, culminating with "Guide Me To The Quietness," a glorious prog epic that brings an inventive and enjoyable album to a climactic finale. Digitally remastered. Numbered, limited collector's edition housed in an LP-replica gatefold card wallet.

Artist:	FLIED EGG
Title:	Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3043LP

Japan's proggers Flied Egg, consisting of former Strawberry Path alumni Shigeru Narumo and Hiro Tsunoda, supported by former Brush leader, Masayoshi Takanaka, released two albums in the early '70s, Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Machine being the first and undoubtedly the better of the two. Dr. Siegel's..., originally released in 1972, is a much more keyboard-oriented affair, with Narumo adding a Moog, celeste and harpsichord to his usual Hammond and piano line-up. On this album, the musical influences are more Uriah Heep than the previous Hendrix-inspired leanings, although touches of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Deep Purple, Birth Control and even Black Sabbath find their way into the musical m�lange. Dr. Siegel's... presents a rich selection of musical styles, culminating with "Guide Me To The Quietness," a glorious prog epic that brings an inventive and enjoyable album to a climactic finale. Digitally remastered. 180 gram vinyl pressing housed in a gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	UCHIDA & THE FLOWERS, YUYA
Title:	Challenge!
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3044CD

Following his self-imposed exile in Britain, soon-to-be Flower Travellin' Band leader Yuya Uchida embarked on the task of creating a hand-picked band in the hope of achieving a home-grown outfit to rival groups he'd been listening to in London. Legendary guitarist Hideki Ishima was his first recruit, followed by steel guitarist Katshiko Kobayashi and then the bravest move of all, the beautiful vocalist Remi Aso was asked to front the band, now named The Flowers. The band's debut LP, originally released in 1968, completely changed the Japanese musical scene, featuring as it did, hard covers of Big Brother And The Holding Company, Cream and Jefferson Airplane songs, and its ground-breaking cover art, featuring the band's members, including Miss Aso, naked in a cornfield, changed the musical landscape for ever. Digitally remastered. Numbered, limited collector's edition.

Artist:	UCHIDA & THE FLOWERS, YUYA
Title:	Challenge!
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3044LP

2012 repress. LP version. Following his self-imposed exile in Britain, soon-to-be Flower Travellin' Band leader Yuya Uchida embarked on the task of creating a hand-picked band in the hope of achieving a home-grown outfit to rival groups he'd been listening to in London. Legendary guitarist Hideki Ishima was his first recruit, followed by steel guitarist Katshiko Kobayashi and then the bravest move of all, the beautiful vocalist Remi Aso was asked to front the band, now named The Flowers. The band's debut LP, originally released in 1968, completely changed the Japanese musical scene, featuring as it did, hard covers of Big Brother And The Holding Company, Cream and Jefferson Airplane songs, and its ground-breaking cover art, featuring the band's members, including Miss Aso, naked in a cornfield, changed the musical landscape for ever. First vinyl reissue, includes an LP insert. On 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Cable Hogue
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$23.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3045CD

Another crucial release from the highly influential and reclusive Japanese psychedelic noise band Les Rallizes D�nud�s. Originally formed in 1967, the band was known for its ties to avant-garde theater groups (as typified by Shuji Terayama's troupe) and leftist political groups, and their feedback-drenched live shows and use of strobe lights and mirror balls onstage earned them comparisons with The Velvet Underground. In 1970, bass player Moriaki Wakabayashi was involved in the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351, orchestrated by the Japanese Red Army. Singer Takashi Mizutani was allegedly offered a role in the hijacking, but he turned it down. Cable Hogue is a CD release compiled by Mizutani from the original tapes he used for the Rallizes video which was released in 1992. Digitally remastered. Housed in a numbered, limited edition 2CD card wallet.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Cable Hogue
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3045LP

Gatefold 2LP version. Another crucial release from the highly influential and reclusive Japanese psychedelic noise band Les Rallizes D�nud�s, now available for the first time on vinyl. Originally formed in 1967, the band was known for its ties to avant-garde theater groups (as typified by Shuji Terayama's troupe) and leftist political groups, and their feedback-drenched live shows and use of strobe lights and mirror balls onstage earned them comparisons with The Velvet Underground. In 1970, bass player Moriaki Wakabayashi was involved in the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351, orchestrated by the Japanese Red Army. Singer Takashi Mizutani was allegedly offered a role in the hijacking, but he turned it down. Cable Hogue is a CD release compiled by Mizutani from the original tapes he used for the Rallizes video which was released in 1992. Housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	Tenkujin
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3046CD

The fifth and final release by Far East Family Band (if you include 1973's Nihonjin, released under the Far Out banner), 1977's Tenkujin was the first of the band's albums to be released in the U.S. on the small and short-lived California-based All Ears label. Without Kitaro, who by this time had departed to pursue a solo career, the band reverted to its earlier ballad-based sound, this time supported on drums by former Samurai alumnus, Yujin Harada. The expected Pink Floyd influences appear in abundance, although this time the songs are sung partly in English and in Japanese. Another solid album from what many consider to be Japan's finest new age/psychedelic group. Digitally remastered. Numbered, limited collector's edition.

Artist:	FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
Title:	Tenkujin
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3046LP

LP version. The fifth and final release by Far East Family Band (if you include 1973's Nihonjin, released under the Far Out banner), 1977's Tenkujin was the first of the band's albums to be released in the U.S. on the small and short-lived California-based All Ears label. Without Kitaro, who by this time had departed to pursue a solo career, the band reverted to its earlier ballad-based sound, this time supported on drums by former Samurai alumnus, Yujin Harada. The expected Pink Floyd influences appear in abundance, although this time the songs are sung partly in English and in Japanese. Another solid album from what many consider to be Japan's finest new age/psychedelic group. On 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND
Title:	Made In Japan
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3047CD

Following critical acclaim but meager record sales in their native Japan after their superb debut album, Satori (ASH 3002CD/LP), Yuya Utchida and his Flower Travellin' Band decamped to Canada following an invitation to open for local jazz-rock outfit Lighthouse. While there, Lighthouse leader and keyboard player Paul Hoffert offered to produce the band's next studio album, the ironically-titled Made In Japan, originally released in 1972, although it must be said, Hoffert's musical vision didn't always reflect the band's. However, Utchida was particularly happy with the results; although again, critical acclaim didn't translate into significant record sales and the band duly parted company following their half-live/half-studio release, Make Up (ASH 3033CD). Numbered, limited edition collector's edition, housed in a gatefold sleeve with slip case and original LP artwork. Digitally remastered.

Artist:	FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND
Title:	Made In Japan
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3047LP

LP version. Following critical acclaim but meager record sales in their native Japan after their superb debut album, Satori (ASH 3002CD/LP), Yuya Uchida and his Flower Travellin' Band decamped to Canada following an invitation to open for local jazz-rock outfit Lighthouse. While there, Lighthouse leader and keyboard player Paul Hoffert offered to produce the band's next studio album, the ironically-titled Made In Japan, originally released in 1972, although it must be said, Hoffert's musical vision didn't always reflect the band's. However, Uchida was particularly happy with the results; although again, critical acclaim didn't translate into significant record sales and the band duly parted company following their half-live/half-studio release, Make Up (ASH 3033CD). Housed in a gatefold sleeve with slip case and original LP artwork. Digitally remastered. Hand-numbered edition of 1000 copies.

Artist:	CAESAR, J.A.
Title:	Jashumon
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3048CD

"This mighty soundtrack for Shuji Terayama's nihilistic movie of the same name contains all the elements necessary to reach J.A. Caesar's intended pleasure-centers. Here, turmoil, mind-numbing repetition, abject misery and grisly partriarchs abound, and all orchestrated by Caesar's damaged proto-metal and choral-led psychedelic sound. Mind-infesting in the truest sense, this soundtrack played in the dark is as certified a Gateway to the Underworld as any acknowledged classic by Faust, Magma, the Cosmic Jokers, Ash Ra Tempel or early Amon D��l." --Julian Cope, Japrocksampler; Digitally remastered. Numbered, limited collector's edition housed in a gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	TAJ MAHAL TRAVELLERS
Title:	August 1974
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$23.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3049CD

Originally issued as a double LP with each of the 4 tracks being roughly the same length as the side of a record, August 1974 presents the Taj Mahal Travellers at their most sophisticated. Although their stunning cosmic music was always improvised, the band, formed in 1969 by "six meta-music creators and one electronic engineer" played regularly throughout Japan and eventually found their way to Europe where they met up with avant-garde musicians such as Don Cherry. 1974 would be the band's last official release as they went their separate ways the following year with all but Takehisa Kosugi, leaving music behind them. Each track is distinct from the others, with several beginning with clearly-defined structure before departing into the realms of the abstract, with violin, harmonica, bass, tuba, trumpet and mandolin dueting in a subliminal and obscure manner. "Voices" both subhuman and supernatural, resonate with a universal inner voice. Digitally remastered, numbered limited edition. Includes LP insert.

Artist:	TAJ MAHAL TRAVELLERS
Title:	August 1974
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3049LP

2012 repress. Gatefold 2LP version. Originally issued as a double LP with each of the 4 tracks being roughly the same length as the side of a record, August 1974 presents the Taj Mahal Travellers at their most sophisticated. Although their stunning cosmic music was always improvised, the band, formed in 1969 by "six meta-music creators and one electronic engineer" played regularly throughout Japan and eventually found their way to Europe where they met up with avant-garde musicians such as Don Cherry. 1974 would be the band's last official release as they went their separate ways the following year with all but Takehisa Kosugi, leaving music behind them. Each track is distinct from the others, with several beginning with clearly-defined structure before departing into the realms of the abstract, with violin, harmonica, bass, tuba, trumpet and mandolin dueting in a subliminal and obscure manner. "Voices" both subhuman and supernatural, resonate with a universal inner voice. Includes original insert. Hand-numbered limited edition of 1000; on 180 gram vinyl.

Artist:	MAKI & BLUES CREATION, CARMEN
Title:	Carmen Maki & Blues Creation
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3053CD

Released at about the same time as Demon And Eleven Children, the album the beautiful Carmen Maki recorded with the band Blues Creation, this 1971 heavy rock guitar monster reminds us that ...Eleven Children isn't the only heavy album from this ensemble. Maki was probably one of the strongest voices of Japanese rock and is featured here doing her finest Grace Slick impression. Lots of brutal, non-stop wailing guitar but some mellow, bluesy psychedelic rock numbers, too. Maki went on to form her own band, Oz, but this is the collaboration for which she will be best remembered. Highly recommended. Features the original LP cover. Digitally remastered.

Artist:	FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND
Title:	Anywhere
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$22.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3054LP

First album from the legendary Japanese rockers fronted by Yuya Uchida. Although an album consisting mainly of cover versions, 1970's Anywhere still exhibited many of the musical traits that were to come to the fore on the band's next release, the classic Satori, an album of original material delivered with panache by the increasingly confident Uchida. An album made memorable by its risqu� cover as well as its ground-breaking approach to Western rock music. Features the original LP artwork and includes the original Japanese insert.

Artist:	SILVER APPLES
Title:	Silver Apples
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3303CD

New, more deluxe version, with special metallic silver foil sleeve (in reference to the original Kapp label pressing, as well as the recent Phoenix LP version), including a replica of original insert in gatefold; this replaces the previous Phoenix CD edition (ASH 3003CD). This is a reissue of the self-titled first album by '60s electronic legends Silver Apples, originally released by Kapp Records in 1968. Fresh off their stint as The Overland Stage Electric Band, Simeon and Dan Taylor formed their own extravagant, two-man electronic space-odyssey, Silver Apples, to pretty remarkable critical acclaim. Their debut enjoyed a 10-week stay in Billboard's Top 100 list, and the album's first track, "Oscillations," made the Top 10 list in numerous cities around the U.S. The music critics loved them. "What's so amazing is that they make absolutely mind-shattering music with all this junky equipment" commented one reviewer, quite possibly astounded over the then-mindbending concept of build-it-yourself electronics combined with rock drums. The debut album features lyrics by poet Stanley Warren who met the duo at the Third Annual Avant Garde Arts Festival in 1968, organized by topless cellist Charlotte Moorman. An absolutely essential piece of musical history from electronic/psychedelic/rock music's ground-breaking legends.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Great White Wonder
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	4CD BOX
Price:	$57.00
Catalog #:	ASHBOX 001CD

Originally released in 2006 on the Univive label, Phoenix Records presents this highly-collectable, numbered limited edition 4CD box set of three live gigs spanning 1974-1977 and one bonus disc of live material from a 1980 gig of legendary Japanese rock outfit Les Rallizes D�nud�s. The group was formed in 1967 and incredibly, for a group that had only one official release (Oz Days Live, a double vinyl compilation release in 1973), played their last gig almost 30 years later in October 1996. As news of new rock music made it to Japan from the UK and the USA -- mostly via rock magazines and music papers, with most LPs tough to find even on import -- something was lost in translation in Japan that allowed it to mutate well beyond its original remit. Rallizes took rock music at its word while envisioning it as both unnecessarily complicated and too stupid by far. In doing so, they formulated an inspirational blueprint that would go on to have a marked effect on everything that came after them in Japanese underground music. It's a music that's as loose as it is uptight, as sophisticated as it is punk-primitive, as radical as it is simplistic. Digitally remastered. Includes a booklet with liner notes.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Great White Wonder
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	5LP BOX
Price:	$88.00
Catalog #:	ASHBOX 001LP

Originally released in 2006 on the Univive label, Phoenix Records presents this highly-collectible, numbered limited edition 5LP box set of three live gigs spanning 1974-1977 and live material from a 1980 gig of legendary Japanese rock outfit Les Rallizes D�nud�s. The group was formed in 1967 and incredibly, for a group that had only one official release (Oz Days Live, a double vinyl compilation release in 1973), played their last gig almost 30 years later in October 1996. As news of new rock music made it to Japan from the UK and the USA -- mostly via rock magazines and music papers, with most LPs tough to find even on import -- something was lost in translation in Japan that allowed it to mutate well beyond its original remit. Rallizes took rock music at its word while envisioning it as both unnecessarily complicated and too stupid by far. In doing so, they formulated an inspirational blueprint that would go on to have a marked effect on everything that came after them in Japanese underground music. It's a music that's as loose as it is uptight, as sophisticated as it is punk-primitive, as radical as it is simplistic. Includes an insert with liner notes.

Artist:	LES RALLIZES DENUDES
Title:	Double Heads
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	6CD BOX
Price:	$67.00
Catalog #:	ASHBOX 002CD

Between August 1980 and March 1981, Les Rallizes D�nud�s (or The Naked Larryz, as the long-lost acetate they are rumored to have recorded for Virgin Records in the mid-'70s dubbed them) played seven concerts in and around Tokyo. Never officially released, illicit ninth generation cassette copies circulated in Japanese fan circles for many years, attaining a whispered, Holy Grail status amongst initiates to the Rallizes cult. High quality soundboard versions were finally released by the secretive Univive label in 2005. Three of the best of these concerts are collected on Double Heads, all recorded at Yaneura, a small club in the teeming neon teen shopping mecca of Shibuya in Tokyo. Together, these three concerts comprise a singularly pivotal moment in Les Rallizes D�nud�s' development -- as well as some of the most glacially psychedelic music of their long career. This numbered, limited edition 6CD box set contains a booklet with liner notes. Digitally remastered.

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