SUNWATCHERS
MUSIC IS VICTORY OVER TIME
TROUBLE IN MIND RECORDINGS/ 2023
My first exposure to this crew comes via their most recent effort, the aptly titled MUSIC IS VICTORY OVER TIME, a collection of flowing instrumental jams that hit ecstatic and majestic heights from the word go. I've heard their name about and I love a lot of the stuff that Trouble In Mind releases but I just never got around to checking them out 'til recently. This one is really doing it for me, its rock solid rhythms and expansive sax/guitar workouts run the gamut from stormy and heady freaks to some more contemplative wanders. The presence of the sax doesn't limit them to a reductive "jazz rock" tag nor is their music constructed that way (to these ears anyway). Tracks like the shuddering TUMULUS and TOO GARY hit big grooves and swaggers whilst never going on for too long and wearing out their welcome. Call it soundtrack/ cinematic/ improv-ish/ full on rawkin whatever you will, it's a winner all around. I ,for one, am going back to check out some of their other stuff for sure. Beauty.
Music Is Victory Over Time | Sunwatchers (bandcamp.com)
THE ROYAL FAMILY
SELF TITLED
WEHERENOW/ CARDINAL FUZZ/ ECHODELIK
2023
Just in time for that western Canadian winter (tho as of writing nary a snow flake on the ground here in Saskatoon!) to settle in and cover us for awhile, here's a bucolic and comfortable LP that nods in the direction of Fairport/ Donavon/ ye-ye and other late 60s/early 70s post hippie vibes. The Royal Family assembled in the last while in Toronto and member play in other great groups from the area like ROY, Wine Lips, The John Denver Airport Conspiracy and others. A French and English group mix, and a very eclectic mix of sounds blended and mixed over the last couple years, this one hits on all counts. When I Was A Butterfly's early Floyd-isms and melodic wafts approximate the leafs blowing around on a fall day, or the curl of cigarette smoke that hovers over a kitchen sink. Top recommend for this one if the above stokes yer flame. In a climate of "psych" bands seemingly everywhere, this LP stands out due to its songwriting and production chops, both of which are far above most current "sike" groops. Seek out and buy now.
The Royal Family | The Royal Family | We, Here and Now! (bandcamp.com)
DONALD BYRD
ETHIOPIAN KNIGHTS
BLUE NOTE
1971
Recent reissue extreme heat warning here. Been into Donald's early 70s stuff in a big way as of late, mainly thanks to my brother Keith's tip. Featuring most of the early Crusaders line up, you know this one is going to be stellar and , sure as shit, it most certainly is. Prob my favorite funk album of all time (for whatever that's worth), this one is most definitely focused on the one. File it with Les McCann/ Herbie (Mann and Hancock) and other early 70s classics of forward motion and near telepathic group jams. Three tracks in total and not a wasted second. The 15 plus minutes of opener The Emperor lays out a carpet for everyone to clear their heads and get right, blissful next level stuff (and that over worn phrase is on point here). 10/10. Yikes.
(1) Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights (1972) - YouTube
As always, thanks to John Westhaver at Birdman Sound for the solid grips.
See you next Monday with some more heat. Peace!
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