Black Country, New Road – For The First Time. This lot have been getting older Quietus readers / Slint fans rather excited. And fair dos, it’s really good: https://blackcountrynewroad.bandcamp.com/album/for-the-first-time
Dale Jenkins – Undesirable Element. Whenever I read “outsider, self-recorded bedroom artist” (or suchlike), I tend to hurriedly move along, but this, from 1985, is genuinely great – hard to describe, but the best stuff is like Wipers meets Faith-era Cure, with some significant flash forwards to Slint (them again). Even the more standard-ish singer songwriter stuff is good: https://guerssenrecords.bandcamp.com/album/undesirable-element
Hattie Cooke – The Sleepers. Hauntronica, but with some welcome oomph to it – Pye Corner Audio fans listen to this now: https://hattiecooke.bandcamp.com/album/the-sleepers
The Heartwood Institute – Witchcraft Murders / Ringstone Round. Same deal as above, but the album made less of an impression. This, however, is essential for fans of the ITV Quatermass: https://theheartwoodinstitute.bandcamp.com/album/ringstone-round
Squadra Omega – s/t / Materia Oscura. Keep forgetting about this lot, then rediscovering them. MO highlights their habit of mixing half Kraut/prog grooviness with half avant meh, but the debut is all gold: https://squadraomega.bandcamp.com/album/s-t
James Holden & The Animal Spirits – s/t
Robert Calvert – Live At The Stars & Stripes, CD2 / Test-Tube Conceived
Robert Fripp – Exposure / God Save The Queen/Under Heavy Manners. Committed performance from Peter Hammill here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE9F5HvIkRQ
Sensation’s Fix – Fragments Of Light. From 1974, Italian space rock/kosmische. Interesting rather than revelatory, though sounds remarkably like Boards Of Canada in places: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41TJFp1nNT4
High Tide – Open Season
Marsupilami – s/t. I think I have a reasonable knowledge of the late 60s/early 70s proto prog scene, but I had never heard of these guys before until coming across them in a vintage Melody Maker. And they made two albums! Imagine if Caravan had tried to be VDGG or vice versa. Some of this is actually rather good, such as: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLq39fwW0jw&list=RDSLq39fwW0jw&index=1
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