UPON THE SOLAR WINDS

Space rock is a progressive mindset where often the mood is as crucial as the musicianship, often sacrificing immediacy for more atmospheric elaborations. The term "trip" was a well-catalogued buzz word back in the late 60s and early 70's and rightfully so, where musical technologies expanded as fast as the rock social culture engendering a myriad of experimental music laboratories (Kraftwerk, Eloy, Can,Tangerine Dream, the Berlin and Cologne schools in Germany, as well as Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Khan and Gong are all-oldtime veterans that weaved their magic as the world was racing to the Moon - perhaps even interested in its Dark Side!). This style of prog still thrives today somewhat surprisingly, even though their kids (Electronica, House and Trance) did real well on the market! This 90s San Francisco band really took their exuberant lessons well and learnt about the true values of Space= let it fly, deep into the stars. In their booklet, a charming little sentence goes to explain the general idea behind their craft: "Be sure to wear flowers in your hair 'cos we are a lot of strange people here"! Laying down classic rhythm based grooves, the soloists soar over the vector with vengeance, shifting synths, gritty axe work closer to Hillage than Brock and a series of "space whisper" voices that recall the heady Gong commune. There are in your face tracks like the rambling opener "Laylines from Azimuth" or the Ozric-smelling and aptly named "Venusian Skyline" (a tremendous treat with a binary drum beat that would make Hawkfans cry in their Tang orange juice) and a few serene blissouts like "Scarab Jungle", Harbor of Infinity" and the ambitious jewel "Astral Nemesis" but the core is a series of relaxed experiments in sound and mood, drenched in astral liquidity and deranged obsession. Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come masterpiece "Journey" can come to mind here, strangely robotic but enveloped in cosmic soothing that is hypnotizing , the swirl beguiling. Definitely trip music!

As I mature (okay, gracefully age), I find myself more and more appreciative of Space prog, mainly because of its timeless qualities and the immense propensity for sonic travel. When the music is well played (as performed by the above mentioned), the experience can often be more rewarding than a symphonic,/ Neo/ folk/jazz recording , in that its not as "technical" , preferring a more illuminated resilience . Which explains the sensual qualities of this branch of psychedelia quite adequately. I know I tend to repeat myself but the mood is ideal for sex, full of caress and taste, contemplative adoration and intense passion (the criticality of the relentless bass and the pounding drums), very binary and very loving. The spellbinding "Crystalline World" is the finest example of this, a sexy strut that heaves and howls , the female voice in orgasmic throes as the bubbling synths gush and spew their seed. The tortured guitar weaves among the peaks and valleys of some outer erotic landscape, edging the listener into deep frenzy. This is seriously great music that will please Ozric Tentacles fans as well as all the usual suspects booked by Dano earlier on. Travel well and travel safe but never travel alone! 4 Egyptian queens