Classic Rock 145 Items

Classical infused psych from NY groovers Ars Nova! Through their creative use of medieval modes, hook-driven pop, & trombone, Ars Nova delivers psychedelia within a classical & prog rock lens, a style that’s their own, yet recalls bands like Left Banke, Honeybus, and Aphrodite’s Child - all who were experimenting with the short-lived baroque pop craze. Pressed on green vinyl! Ars Nova was something totally different for the musical ears of 1968, and still sounds fresh and exciting today, when you think of the great albums of ‘68, like Abbey Road, White Light/White Heat, The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, The Move, Electric Ladyland, This Was or Wonderwall Music shows how influential the year was and yet, Ars Nova with its wide sphere of influences has nothing in common with the trends of the year. The only albums that it can be vaguely compared to is either the Velvet Underground or United States of America, both bands that, like Ars Nova, bucked against existing trends and the end of psychedelia, instead preferring to go their own unique way. This is American progressive music, and takes the art of music making into a different genre, an alternative alleyway. The intelligence and musical nous that spans [this album] is really worth diving into and enjoying. It’s always great to get to hear albums like this, as it provides a counterpoint to the contemporary of the time and gives a real insight into the underground and alternative scene of that era. The beauty of being underground and away from the mainstream is that something that is not of its time ends up being timeless.

Classical infused psych from NY groovers Ars Nova! Through their creative use of medieval modes, hook-driven pop, & trombone, Ars Nova delivers psychedelia within a classical & prog rock lens, a style that’s their own, yet recalls bands like Left Banke, Honeybus, and Aphrodite’s Child - all who were experimenting with the short-lived baroque pop craze. Pressed on green vinyl! Ars Nova was something totally different for the musical ears of 1968, and still sounds fresh and exciting today, when you think of the great albums of ‘68, like Abbey Road, White Light/White Heat, The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, The Move, Electric Ladyland, This Was or Wonderwall Music shows how influential the year was and yet, Ars Nova with its wide sphere of influences has nothing in common with the trends of the year. The only albums that it can be vaguely compared to is either the Velvet Underground or United States of America, both bands that, like Ars Nova, bucked against existing trends and the end of psychedelia, instead preferring to go their own unique way. This is American progressive music, and takes the art of music making into a different genre, an alternative alleyway. The intelligence and musical nous that spans [this album] is really worth diving into and enjoying. It’s always great to get to hear albums like this, as it provides a counterpoint to the contemporary of the time and gives a real insight into the underground and alternative scene of that era. The beauty of being underground and away from the mainstream is that something that is not of its time ends up being timeless.

Essential double-LP-collection of tracks by the turkisch fuzz-master!

One of the furthest experiments in library music, first official vinyl reissue under Sonor Music Production license. ‘Chitarre Folk’ was conceived in July 1974 and produced by the small publishing company Nike, the album is brilliantly propelled by the two six-string players Bruno Battisti D’Amario and Silvano Chimenti (long-time collaborator of I Gres, Pulsar and Piero Umiliani E La Sua Orchestra), touching avant-folk themes surrounded by Maestro Sandro Brugnolini’s lush arrangements and Edda Dell’Orso’s ghostly vocals. Ethereal psych-folk melodies akin to the imaginary landscapes of John Fahey and Robbie Basho.

"The Coffee Plant Demos" serve as a testament of the artistic chemistry and a journey towards musical stardom. These recordings remain cherished among fans as a rare treasure, offering a glimpse into the early days of two iconic musicians before they embarked on their legendary careers with Fleetwood Mac.

"The Coffee Plant Demos" serve as a testament of the artistic chemistry and a journey towards musical stardom. These recordings remain cherished among fans as a rare treasure, offering a glimpse into the early days of two iconic musicians before they embarked on their legendary careers with Fleetwood Mac.

The appetite for The Zombies material has increased over the years, and has continued to grow since their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. They have now become the subject of a soon to be released major documentary covering their ongoing career called ‘Hung Up On a Dream’ directed by Robert Schwartzman. Disbanding before their seminal Odessey & Oracle album was released, Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone have revived the band with a new touring line-up and album, while original bass player Chris White has continued his career as a songwriter and producer. The Best of The Chris White Experience is a limited edition 12” album release for Record Store Day 2024, featuring 10 tracks from Chris’ considerable production and writing catalogues. Produced on heavyweight 180g vinyl, it comprises selections from throughout the last 50 years and contains rare and unreleased performances. Including appearances from The Zombies, Argent, Diana Dors, Colin Blunstone and more remastered and available on vinyl for the very first time. This release will not be available in any other physical or digital formats.

Simulacra - Cloud People is a six-piece band from Bergen, Norway. Since its conception, the band’s mission has been to experiment with new sounds and musical expressions - fusing the energy and improvisational nature of the jazz and rock bands we love with the tight, understated elegance of electronic music. Cloud People is inspired by everything from Bonobo, Kaytranada and Todd Terje to Motorpsycho and Pantera. Simulacra is the result of this - dynamic and varied, full of rhythmic motifs, melancholic melodies and euphoric climaxes. Cloud People is very eager to release this new music into the world, mesmerize music lovers and produce jaw-dropping live shows.

Vivid peyote-induced psychedelia from Texas sounding like an impossible meld between the Elevators and the Velvet Underground but possessing a strongly unique disposition.

Recorded in 1970 but never released at the time, featuring future members of Roky Erickson’s backing band Bleib Alien / The Aliens.

Formed in Austin in the late 1960s by visionary lyricist and autoharp player Billy Bill Miller and his friend Tom McGarrigle on guitar, Cold Sun evolved from a band called Cauldron (later Amethyst) which at one point featured drummer John Kearney from Roky Erickson’s first band The Spades. Miller, a proto-Goth figure always dressed in black, highly influenced by Joe Meek and vintage sci-fi / horror movies, started to experiment with weird noises out of his electrified autoharp, favoring the audio-oriented drug mescaline over the LSD associated with hippies. Amethyst jammed with musicians such as Benny Thurman from the 13th Floor Elevators and Steve Webb from the Lost And Found (another International Artists band). The definitive Amethyst line-up, with Hugh Patton on drums and Mike Waugh on bass, played at venues like the I.L. Club, a historical landmark of Austin blues & psychedelic music.

It was through Mike Waugh’s friendship with Elevators drummer John Ike Walton that Billy Miller and the band (still unsure about their name but calling themselves The Daily Planet, changing it to Dark Shadows, and then to Cold Sun) hooked up with the local label / studio Sonobeat (Mariani, Wildfire, Johnny Winter…), who expressed interest in recording an album with the intention to shop it to a major label: thus, the now-legendary Cold Sun album was born. The band, driven by Miller’s strange electrified autoharp sounds plus the massive fuzz guitar of McGarrigle, dressed with feedback and futuristic lyrics, laid down several tracks in between rehearsals at Miller’s house on Castle Hill (west Austin). The album opens with “South Texas” (“the ultimate psychedelic track,” according to Patrick “The Lama” Lundborg), climbing to a psychedelic summit with the final 11 minutes of the fervently intoxicated “Ra-Ma”.

Never released at the time, the Cold Sun album languished in oblivion and the musicians moved on to other things. Billy Bill Miller along with drummer Hugh Patton founded Bleib Alien (later The Aliens), the famous backing band of Roky Erickson, with Billy being essential in bringing Roky back to music after his stay at Rusk Mental Hospital.

It wasn’t until 1990 that the Cold Sun album was finally released on vinyl by the Rockadelic label (in a tiny edition of 300 copies), followed by a new edition on German label World In Sound in 2008, now out of print.

For this new edition on Guerssen, we’ve tried to imagine how the Cold Sun album could have looked like if it had been actually released in 1970. It comes in a hard cardboard sleeve with vintage styled artwork by psychedelic illustrator Callum Rooney.

Sourced from the same audio master as the original Rockadelic LP, the sound has been vastly improved thanks to the meticulous and careful restoration / remastering by audiophile engineer Ezra Lesser, who has also penned the definitive story of Cold Sun for the liner notes.

*Hard cardboard sleeve with vintage styled artwork by Callum Rooney *Audiophile restoration / remastering by Ezra Lesser *Insert with detailed liner notes and photos *Download card

“One of the most important psychedelic records, and unlike any other one.” – Paul Major

“Cold Sun is an anomaly in Texas psych history. As significant as Bubble Puppy or Moving Sidewalks but in no way similar, the Austin quartet cut one cult classic in its brief existence, the spell-binding Dark Shadows, which Jello Biafra called “the best psychedelic album I know of.” – Austin Powell (Austin Chronicle)

“Billy Miller invented Post-Punk in 1970” – Julian Cope (Head Heritage)

Vivid peyote-induced psychedelia from Texas sounding like an impossible meld between the Elevators and the Velvet Underground but possessing a strongly unique disposition.

Recorded in 1970 but never released at the time, featuring future members of Roky Erickson’s backing band Bleib Alien / The Aliens.

Formed in Austin in the late 1960s by visionary lyricist and autoharp player Billy Bill Miller and his friend Tom McGarrigle on guitar, Cold Sun evolved from a band called Cauldron (later Amethyst) which at one point featured drummer John Kearney from Roky Erickson’s first band The Spades. Miller, a proto-Goth figure always dressed in black, highly influenced by Joe Meek and vintage sci-fi / horror movies, started to experiment with weird noises out of his electrified autoharp, favoring the audio-oriented drug mescaline over the LSD associated with hippies. Amethyst jammed with musicians such as Benny Thurman from the 13th Floor Elevators and Steve Webb from the Lost And Found (another International Artists band). The definitive Amethyst line-up, with Hugh Patton on drums and Mike Waugh on bass, played at venues like the I.L. Club, a historical landmark of Austin blues & psychedelic music.

It was through Mike Waugh’s friendship with Elevators drummer John Ike Walton that Billy Miller and the band (still unsure about their name but calling themselves The Daily Planet, changing it to Dark Shadows, and then to Cold Sun) hooked up with the local label / studio Sonobeat (Mariani, Wildfire, Johnny Winter…), who expressed interest in recording an album with the intention to shop it to a major label: thus, the now-legendary Cold Sun album was born. The band, driven by Miller’s strange electrified autoharp sounds plus the massive fuzz guitar of McGarrigle, dressed with feedback and futuristic lyrics, laid down several tracks in between rehearsals at Miller’s house on Castle Hill (west Austin). The album opens with “South Texas” (“the ultimate psychedelic track,” according to Patrick “The Lama” Lundborg), climbing to a psychedelic summit with the final 11 minutes of the fervently intoxicated “Ra-Ma”.

Never released at the time, the Cold Sun album languished in oblivion and the musicians moved on to other things. Billy Bill Miller along with drummer Hugh Patton founded Bleib Alien (later The Aliens), the famous backing band of Roky Erickson, with Billy being essential in bringing Roky back to music after his stay at Rusk Mental Hospital.

It wasn’t until 1990 that the Cold Sun album was finally released on vinyl by the Rockadelic label (in a tiny edition of 300 copies), followed by a new edition on German label World In Sound in 2008, now out of print.

For this new edition on Guerssen, we’ve tried to imagine how the Cold Sun album could have looked like if it had been actually released in 1970. It comes in a hard cardboard sleeve with vintage styled artwork by psychedelic illustrator Callum Rooney.

Sourced from the same audio master as the original Rockadelic LP, the sound has been vastly improved thanks to the meticulous and careful restoration / remastering by audiophile engineer Ezra Lesser, who has also penned the definitive story of Cold Sun for the liner notes.

*Hard cardboard sleeve with vintage styled artwork by Callum Rooney *Audiophile restoration / remastering by Ezra Lesser *Insert with detailed liner notes and photos *Download card

“One of the most important psychedelic records, and unlike any other one.” – Paul Major

“Cold Sun is an anomaly in Texas psych history. As significant as Bubble Puppy or Moving Sidewalks but in no way similar, the Austin quartet cut one cult classic in its brief existence, the spell-binding Dark Shadows, which Jello Biafra called “the best psychedelic album I know of.” – Austin Powell (Austin Chronicle)

“Billy Miller invented Post-Punk in 1970” – Julian Cope (Head Heritage)

Bluesy rust-belt psych from Ohio's December's Children! Bouncing between male and female vocalists, tight harmonies, country flavor and rock 'n' roll style, their sound fit the transition between pop and heavy rock in the late '60s. Pressed on pink vinyl!

This country-blues psych album was originally released near the end of 1970, and though it was their sole album, December's Children are a good example of how music was changing between the end of the '60s and beginning of the '70s. Accented by psychedelic keys & organ (especially in "Trilogy"), it's been described as Texas garage rock, with funky, hook driven guitar - particularly in "Sweet Talkin' Woman" and "Last Monday Night."

Opting for a more straight forward rock 'n' roll sound, the band never considered themselves psychedelic (though that was being pushed at the time), and though they weren't as heavy as Blue Cheer, their country-blues sound is nearly a precursor to later albums by Savoy Brown and Blodwyn Pig.

DSD was founded in the beginning of the Earth year 2011 in Oulu, Finland, on band members’ mutual love for 60’s and 70’s kraut, prog and psychedelic rock. This is the 6th full length album (4th on Space Rock Productions) by the Finnish Space Rock masters from the north! It features 6 high energy space rockers, originally released digitally in April 2023 but now it appears on Vinyl. It features several special guests including Dr Space from Øresund Space Collective. The album opens with the high energy track ‘Spaced and Confused’, with the classic DSD sound and vibe. ‘Beyond the Cosmic Wall’ has a bit of a Kingston Wall vibe and quite a psychedelic mix. ‘Void Oscillations’ is a very spacey and floating number. ‘Indigo Blue’ starts side B with a more mellow vibe for the first 3 mins and then rocks into a cool spaced out jam. ‘Matkalainen’ is sung in Finnish and features some nice flute playing on this great track. The album ends with ‘Nymphaea Tetragona (Forever Floating)’ a more relaxed track, but the end has this sort of heavy bluesy stoner vibe. Cool way to end the album. Another classic space rock record.

DSD was founded in the beginning of the Earth year 2011 in Oulu, Finland, on band members’ mutual love for 60’s and 70’s kraut, prog and psychedelic rock. This is the 6th full length album (4th on Space Rock Productions) by the Finnish Space Rock masters from the north! It features 6 high energy space rockers, originally released digitally in April 2023 but now it appears on Vinyl. It features several special guests including Dr Space from Øresund Space Collective. The album opens with the high energy track ‘Spaced and Confused’, with the classic DSD sound and vibe. ‘Beyond the Cosmic Wall’ has a bit of a Kingston Wall vibe and quite a psychedelic mix. ‘Void Oscillations’ is a very spacey and floating number. ‘Indigo Blue’ starts side B with a more mellow vibe for the first 3 mins and then rocks into a cool spaced out jam. ‘Matkalainen’ is sung in Finnish and features some nice flute playing on this great track. The album ends with ‘Nymphaea Tetragona (Forever Floating)’ a more relaxed track, but the end has this sort of heavy bluesy stoner vibe. Cool way to end the album. Another classic space rock record.

The last, and previously unreleased, recordings from the legendary and world renowned Swedish psychedelic organist Bo Hansson before he passed away. (Jimi Hendrix was a fan and recorded his song “Tax Free”). Here you can listen to Bosse in fine form together with his lively organ student and keyboardist extraordinary; Eric Malmberg, joined by drummer Niklas Korsell, creating mesmerizing and ethereal space jazz. The music seems to contain information about a deep perspective that questions both time and space and recognize the universe unfolding its abstract process of creation.

Zappa zaps Munich! 1980 live set ignites with genre-bending jams ("City Of Tiny Lites"), scorching guitar, and satirical wit. Dive into musical mayhem - face melting guaranteed.

Zappa zaps Munich! 1980 live set ignites with genre-bending jams ("City Of Tiny Lites"), scorching guitar, and satirical wit. Dive into musical mayhem - face melting guaranteed.

Apollon Records proudly presents Bebé K’awiil, the latest album by Gaute Storsve Band, scheduled for release on February 23rd. This album is a musical journey inspired by ancient Maya gods, masterfully blending Nordic jazz with Latin rhythms. The thematic inspiration for this album stems from Gaute Storsve's profound engagement with Mayan culture and archaeology, spanning over 25 years. His deep appreciation and understanding of this rich heritage have significantly shaped the band's innovative musical direction, culminating in this vibrant new release. Featuring Cuban percussionist Angel Terry Domech from the Buena Vista Social Club, Bebé K’awiil is enriched with authentic Latin rhythms, adding a vibrant dimension to the album. "Oración a Ixchel" showcases the stunning vocals of Patricia Morales, with lyrics penned by Guatemalan writer Christina Violeta Thrane Storsve. The cultural richness of the album is further enhanced by the exquisite ceramic artwork of Mayan artist Francisco Javier Iquic Garcia Gaute Storsve Band, which evolved from the Gaute Storsve Trio, has long been a significant presence in the Nordic jazz scene. The Trio's first album, Attention: This Is Not a Toy, For Adult Collectors Only, laid the groundwork for the band's distinctive fusion of Nordic jazz and Latin American music. Their previous album El Gran Gotzilla (Apollon Records, 2022) has enjoyed regular airplay on the domestic radio channel NRK Jazz.

Lady Lake is the second album by British progressive rock band Gnidrolog. Originally released in 1972 offers fans an immersive experience into the band's unique blend of intricate melodies, complex arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics. Gnidrolog's Lady Lake showcases the band's exceptional musicianship and songwriting skills. The album seamlessly combines elements of progressive rock, folk, and classical music to create a captivating sonic journey.

Summoned by the elders of Krautrock and re-defining their sound through occult rituals and old witchcraft, Hodo Gaia 保土谷化 gives a first glimpse into a captivating soundscape with their debut single Collarbones. Motorik rhythm and gut punching bass forms the cauldron that holds a psychedelic brew with bewitching vocals floating on the surface. Influences of non-western sounds and musical concepts enrich the taste and round up the intoxication. The more delicate side that lives from haunting minimalism is the other part of the experience. Get high and calm down.

Another lost gem from the non-jazz Verve catalogue, Color Him In is a daydream experience from loner singer/songwriter Bobby Jameson. Released in 1967 the album is an orchestrated psychedelic trip, no surprise then Jameson had a part in the cult film Mondo Hollywood. Produced by Curt Boettcher the album had several psych-pop numbers with rare female vocals harmonization.

Mega rare UK private album (99 copies originally pressed in 1969) by singer/songwriter Jeremy Harmer, featuring David Costa of psych-folk band Trees on guitar.

Melancholic, introspective psych-folk with chamber/ baroque feel. Guitar, flute, viola, bass, drums…

Jeremy Harmer started singing and playing at school and university, where his circle of friends included aspiring folk musicians like Nick Drake and pre-Trees David Costa. Jeremy has a long history as a singer/songwriter and performer, along with his work in the field of English language teaching.

“Idiosyncratics and Swallows’ Wings” was recorded one night in 1968 at the studios of Anglia Television, Norwich, while Jeremy was at the University of East Anglia. Along with Jeremy singing and playing guitar, the album features a mini-chamber ensemble of flute, viola, bass and drums with orchestral arrangements written by John Trevitt from the School of Fine Arts. Jeremy’s friend David Costa (prior to forming the psych-folk band Trees) played guitar on several tracks and co-wrote “Tuesday P.M.”

Only 99 copies were pressed at the time and all were sold to people at the University, making it impossible to find now.

*Original artwork in hard cardboard sleeve *First ever vinyl reissue *Insert with liner notes and photos *Download card

Riyl: Nick Drake, John Cale, Bert Jansch, Incredible String Band, Will Malone…

Mega rare UK private album (99 copies originally pressed in 1969) by singer/songwriter Jeremy Harmer, featuring David Costa of psych-folk band Trees on guitar.

Melancholic, introspective psych-folk with chamber/ baroque feel. Guitar, flute, viola, bass, drums…

Jeremy Harmer started singing and playing at school and university, where his circle of friends included aspiring folk musicians like Nick Drake and pre-Trees David Costa. Jeremy has a long history as a singer/songwriter and performer, along with his work in the field of English language teaching.

“Idiosyncratics and Swallows’ Wings” was recorded one night in 1968 at the studios of Anglia Television, Norwich, while Jeremy was at the University of East Anglia. Along with Jeremy singing and playing guitar, the album features a mini-chamber ensemble of flute, viola, bass and drums with orchestral arrangements written by John Trevitt from the School of Fine Arts. Jeremy’s friend David Costa (prior to forming the psych-folk band Trees) played guitar on several tracks and co-wrote “Tuesday P.M.”

Only 99 copies were pressed at the time and all were sold to people at the University, making it impossible to find now.

*Original artwork in hard cardboard sleeve *First ever vinyl reissue *Insert with liner notes and photos *Download card

Riyl: Nick Drake, John Cale, Bert Jansch, Incredible String Band, Will Malone…

The short but intense initial phase of Jumbo’s career, marked by the release of three albums in 1972/1973, revealed their distinctive approach to Italian progressive rock and rapid artistic growth.

“Vietato ai minori di 18 anni?”, released in 1973, represents the peak of this era, showing the band’s evolution from an English beat-related beginning to a more mature and meaningful work for Italian prog fans.

The album stands out for its investigation of controversial and taboo themes, such as physical and psychological discomfort, prostitution and alcoholism. Alvaro Fella, with his lively interpretation and touching lyrics, gives the songs an intense and captivating edge.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this masterpiece’s release, Jumbo were invited to the prestigious Prog and Frogs festival, where they performed the entire album live, enriching the experience with interesting explanatory introductions for each track. During the show, Jumbo amazed the audience, displaying the same drive and passion as they used to fifty years ago.

The treasured Japanese soft rock album produced by Haruomi Hosono is finally reissued in analog LP format! The only album "Aiiro no Kisetsu" (The Season of The Color of Love) (original release date: July 1975) by the group "Kaze Chorus Dan" (Wind Chorus Group) from the Yamaha Popular Song Contest is reissued on analog vinyl. Haruomi Hosono participated fully as producer, lyricist, composer, arranger, and player. The beautiful chorus work of mixed voices, the tight performance by the Tin Pan Alley family, and the Western taste and groove that is like A&M are the best kept soft-rock treasures.

From one of the last few concerts of King Crimson’s final US tour of the ‘70s, “usa” was issued as an epitaph for the band in Spring 1975 as a single album, at a time when doubles or even triple live albums were considered more the norm for live releases. Deleted towards the end of the vinyl era in the mid-1980s, it remained unreleased in the CD era until the expanded edition was finally issued in October 2002. In common with much of Crimson’s output, it was not well received by critics when originally released, though its critical reputation grew immeasurably in the intervening years to the point where a review of the “21st Century Guide to King Crimson” boxed set in 2004 identified the album as the point

"How does one create three minutes of music that somehow tweaks the soul and seems mysteriously in sync with the most private dreams and longings? On "12 In A Room", Marc Jonson offers an able demonstration of how it's done." Kristine McKenna Self-recorded and produced, Marc Jonson's second album came out in 1992, two decades after his debut, the psych folk/baroque pop masterpiece "Years". "12 In A Room" was another brilliant display of his gift for beautiful pop music, now available on vinyl for the first time. Presented in updated artwork and pressed on 180g vinyl. Includes CD.

Obscure psychedelic gospel act Methuselah had its roots in Scunthorpe ‘Beat’ group the Dimples, which became Gospel Garden, whose only 45 infused Northern Soul with psycheleanings. Regrouping as Methuselah, the group signed to Elektra for this sole religious rock concept LP, their sound deceptively American, with vocal harmonies evidencing bluegrass influences; guitarist Les Nicol is never short of excellent. Certain members would later form Amazing Blondel, but Matthew, Mark, Luke And John has a unique flavour, and our edition includes two rare bonus tracks. This slice of obscure psyche must be heard to be believed!

"Graveyard Club Music" Moku. Selected and edited two self-produced EPs, and announced the first nationally distributed album "MokuROKU / MokuROKU 2". The four-piece band "Moku" sings pure Japanese lyrics that are strongly influenced by folk music over a gloomy dance beat that makes ghosts dance. The dub elements, which are as deep as the roots in the ground, seem to take them in a completely different direction from the artists who came before them, while still retaining the dim but tasteful psychedelics of Shintaro Sakamoto and Kikagakumoyo.

Re-issue of the Canadian band's only album released back in 1973 on the small Kot'Ai label. Moonstone came from Winnipeg, Manitoba and were a small cult band active in the early 1970's. They played mainly acoustic folk rock with psychedelic overtones and beautiful harmonies.