Fruits de Mer Records [Release date 28.11.22] www.fruitsdemerrecords.com

For several years now Keith Jones from Fruits de Mer Records has kindly supplied us with samplers, singles and albums from his eclectic and enterprising label.  Keith seeks out obscure bands from around the world and promotes others more directly.  The emphasis is on psychedelia and prog.  Every year a festival in West Wales celebrates the label and its artists.

Welsh band Sendelica have been a fixture on the label for a decade or more and specialise in jammed instrumental prog/psych workouts.  On the latest album, four long pieces demonstrate the band’s prowess.  It’s a concept too, exploring when exactly Man became Man following 2021′s ‘And Man Created God’ which explored the relationship between Man and Religion.

Of course as this is an instrumental album any lofty concepts are hardly intrusive.  At times, with a mix of fuzzed guitar (Pete Bingham) and rampant saxophone (Lee Relfe), the band  recall Van Der Graaf Generator and Hawkwind.

And elsewhere the usual suspects early Pink Floyd and the hypnotic rhythms of Kraut-rockers Can come to mind.  On the opening track ‘The Dawn Of Man’ even classic Steppenwolf is referenced.

‘Neanderthal and Homo Sapien’ looks to more recent grooves such as The Orb and Ozric Tentacles, propelled by Colin Consterdine’s keys and Glenda Pescado’s bass (a strong feature throughout).   On the final track ‘Future Man – Homo Superior’ the insistent and atmospheric repeat motif  is set against a sci-fi/Tangerine Dream backbeat.

Throughout, riffs are stated, repeated, and extemporised.  Like the label itself, the album is both infectious and idiosyncratic.  Probably best enjoyed with a massive bong.  And I mean that in the nicest way possible to ensure total immersion.  ****

Review by David Randall

Footnote: Regular customers of Fruits de Mer Records (or “club members”) are treated to free samplers when purchasing commercial releases.  The latest of these – ‘The Sign Of The Crab’ – reflects the label aim of introducing new music not necessarily on the FdM label. It is available in November.

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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