ASTRO THERAPY BRAIN REPAIR

Here we have the ninth album from PsychoYogi, the fifth I have heard, and I am somewhat amazed to see that to date I am the only person who has reviewed those releases on PA which is nothing short of a crime. PsychoYogi are one of those bands who in some ways really fit the old art rock definition as they are definitely quite different to most of the prog scene, as while they are very English they also incorporate Zappa and Canterbury among some jazz and theatrics, while at all times also channelling plenty of Cardiacs. It seems very strange to me that fans of that band have yet to investigate these guys who are wonderfully active. There has been a slight line-up change from the last album in that Toby Nowell is not involved this time around, with the rest of the guys still here, Chris Ramsing (guitar, vocals), Izzy Stylish (bass), Justin Casey (drums), Ben Woodbine-Craft (violin) and Tim Smart (trombone ? Tim joined The Specials in 2008 and stayed there until the band broke up following the death of Terry Hall in 2022).

The use of both a brass instrument and violin in modern music is always fraught with danger as while in the right hands it can be inspiring, most of the time it just does not seem right so consequently few bands have ever managed to do it successfully (NZ outfit Mice on Stilts being one of the standouts), yet here PsychoYogi make it seem so effortless. Their sound is quite unique in the modern setting, with everything always making sense as it all comes together, and then over the top we have Chris's vocals as the band provide complexity with strange runs and styling which somehow always make total sense. Here we have a band who can truly be said to be progressing music as opposed to always following the same Genesis/Floyd/Crimson/Gentle Giant paths beloved of so many. Every instrument in PsychoYogi has a lead role to play, yet somehow the arrangements come together in a way which would make Tim Smith a very happy man indeed.

PsychoYogi continue to fly a flag for their own peculiar style of progressive rock, and long may they do so as this English theatrical Canterbury infused jazz nuanced melange of music is a delight. The album is out on November 8th.