Bi-Bi-Ba-Ba-Boum-Boum

This time around, it's another release on the Mucho Gusto label: Freak Out Total Volume 3: Quebec-France-Belgique 1968-1973 Psyche Jello [MGCD005]. First things first: there doesn't appear to be a volume 1 or 2 and it's probable that the earlier titles were the Ouba and Les Maledictus Sound, or perhaps the L'Infonie releases. That's just a guess, mind you.

Be that as it may, so what do I hear on this compilation? Some psychedelia, Acid Rock, atypical one-offs, novelty cash-ins and a kazoo tune from a future Star Trek:The Next Generation composer. Oh man, but is this set entertaining!

High points, for me, are the most ridiculous ones: Quo Vadis' s "Zeppelin Party" which is an hommage to you-know-who. "Whoa Ha! Led Zeppeleen! Whoa Ha! Rock and Roll!". I had to listen to the track three times before moving on to Les Sound Track's "S.T.P. #1". There is La Volonte's "CEGEP Blues" which isn't likely to make much sense unless you went to school in Quebec like I did (John Abbott College was my school). I can't leave without mentioning Les Lunours' "Nous Sommes Bi-Bi-Ba-Ba-Boum-Boum" a cheery and spacey pop tune performed by a band who dressed up as bears in spacesuits. That project could only end in tears.

If I had to make a comparison, which I know is lazy as all get out, the set is similar to the Kraut compilations that came out a couple of years ago. Only not German.

Arizona Leviathan

These days you know a band is obscure when they do not have A: a Wikipedia entry and B: no Youtubery. Say hello to the Black Sun Ensemble.

Back in the late eighties, I played the BSE's first two releases on the Reckless Records label to death, they were that good. The self-titled album pictured on the left [RECK 6] (a compilation of their private press lp and several cassette-only releases), and Lambent Flame [RECK 11] were bright spots in an otherwise drab period of music.

Fronted by guitarist Jesus Acedo, the BSE performed exotic psychedelic instrumental rock ragas: think a Tibetan Can via Hawkwind's "Hassan I Sabha". Yeah, basically everything I enjoy in music but isn't recorded nearly often enough.

There were a further two albums released: 1991's Tragic Magic [A Go Go Records AGO 1994-1] which featured one side of live tracks recorded in '89 and a side of acoustic tracks featuring just Acedo on 'acoustic peacock feathers' and Robert Brett on tablas and percussion. It's a good album and a nice compliment to the two Reckless lps. 1990's Elemental Forces [Reckless RECK22] I thought something of a disappointment. Not a bad album, but a somewhat ordinary one with the vocals brought forward and the exoticism pushed to the background.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that after an hiatus, the band is back and very prolific. Follow the link for a review of their latest and an interview.