GLISSANDO SPIRIT

INVISIBLE OPERA COMPANY OF TIBET is the project of Brazilian guitarist Fabio Golfetti from the band VIOLETA DE OUTONO. The name INVISIBLE OPERA COMPANY OF TIBET was coined by Daevid Allen as he wanted to have this global Gong franchise of like-minded bands from around the world participating under this banner. Fabio contacted Daevid about being part of that and man he took it and ran with it to the point this is by far the best music I've heard from any of these GONG related bands. They were calling themselves the Tropical version of this GONG conglomerate.

Getting a private message from Fabio back in 2011 was a starstruck moment for me and having him thank me for the review I did of "Volume 7" that his band VIOLETA DI OUTONO created was a thrill. He then asked me if I'd heard of this project I'm reviewing now which I hadn't moving him to send me "UFO Planante" from 2010 an absolute masterpiece of psychedelic/canterbury music. I was able to track down some lesser known stuff later on like this 1993 release "Glissando Spirit" which is pure psychedelia. A different lineup than that 2010 release but Fabio adds so much with that Glissando guitar plus synths and some vocals. There's keys, drums and sax too from this trio.

A long one at 71 1/2 minutes but the original vinyl was under 40 minutes so nine songs were added from those sessions and they are worthy additions to say the least. Especially "Inner Voice" one of my favourites and reminding me a little of HAWKWIND when they are mellow. Another favourite of the add on tracks is "Wizard's Garden" the longest piece at just under 10 minutes. Of the original tunes there's five that really stand out including the opener "Landing" along with "Electric Bird", "Baliman-Energy", "Stars Can Frighten You" and "Eastside" that has become the closer of the expanded disc. This is a very spacey record with the Glissando guitar crying out often plus the synths and even the sax are all creating atmosphere. Not much in the way of vocals at all.

A beautiful album of spacey music what's not to like? Easily 4 stars.