Album review: SENDELICA – One Man’s Man…

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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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)