Browse by Artist: THE SPOILS OF WAR

Artist:	THE SPOILS OF WAR
Title:	The Spoils of War
Label:	SHADOKS MUSIC (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	SHAD 001CD

"CD version of this 1969 'psych-concrete' masterpiece (previously issued on Shadoks as an über-pricey LP/7" EP set as well as an LP edition "as texture sleeve plus 7" EP, 25 numbered copies") that would certainly qualify for 'private-press' status were it originally released in 1969. Spearheaded by James Cuomo, a student of Professor Herbert Brün (WDR studios heavy during the 50's; worked alongside Beyer/Eimert, Stockhausen, Gottfried-Michael Koening, later taught at the university of Illinois... 4 recent CD's on EMF fill in a few gaps) whom also designed the original cover (CD/LP reissue cover uses Malcolm Smith's 1954 'Imagination' painting to rather appropriate affect). Includes the 3 aforementioned 7" tracks (credited solely to James Cuomo) from 1970. Some rather inspired promotional muckery would lead you to believe: "Never pressed before so you don´t have to look for originals, folks. Heavy Psych with tiny folky edges plus electronic soundscapes like first album by Mothers of Invention. Has a connection to Mormos but only the musicians, not the music. This is real heavy Acid stuff, weird and twisted, stoned to max, pure LSD (Loud Screaming Distortions), Warning, people with fragile heart condition and emotionally unbalanced should not play this album....". It actually sounds nothing like that (although the Mothers reference isn't too off base), but contains some rather twisted musique concrete interludes (what could be more ideal than the tonal vocabulary of tape music fed through the medulla of a Cest-Coast-wannabe hippie-freak beatnik circa 1969?) that weave throughout some pretty damaged era-ideals-in-song-form replete with O/T guitar solo bits, flute, organ & the rest." -- Hrvatski.

Artist:	THE SPOILS OF WAR
Title:	II
Label:	SHADOKS MUSIC (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	SHAD 033CD

Originally released in 1968/70, and headed by Jim Cuomo, this is a follow-up album of unreleased live and studio material from The Spoils of War, previously released as a double LP. The Spoils Of War made some of the most inspiring but strange music from the '60s, in the same awe-inspiring vein as early Mothers Of Invention. This is music with a hearty intellectual background, combined with well-crafted and well-performed music in the key of Zappa. Other influences might indicate early Soft Machine, Slap Happy, Henry Cow and Faust. For open-minded listeners, The Spoils of War are a must: experiments with electronic sounds, compositions and performances of beautiful harmonies and songs, and all circa 1967/68. How in the world could he make music like this so early? Well, it must have been the inspiring influence of Jim Cuomo's musical teacher John Cage. Even today the music of The Spoils Of War goes far beyond most other modern pop music and will be inspiring for many years from now.

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