Short Reviews [Various Artists - 2024 - "19th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Live"]

Every summer there is a very important two-day festival which takes place in Cardigan's Cellar Bar where the lucky few (tickets limited to just 150) get to enjoy some of the best bands around around performing style such as classic instrumental progressive rock, psychedelia, space rock, trip-hop, and kosmische synth. Last year, London Underground and Pinhdar flew in from Italy to play alongside the British contingent, and this 10-track double vinyl release is designed to give the listener just a flavour of what they missed out on. The set commences with London Underground performing their version of Brian Auger's "Tropic Of Capricorn", which is now some 55 years old, but brought very much up to date with overlaying synths which take the listener to a different place and time. Spectral Stream provide an improvised number in a similar vein and then we have Sendelica and their version of Funkadelic's classic "Maggot Brain". I admit to only owning one Funkadelic album, but it is the 1971 classic where Eddie Hazel had such an impact, and here Pete Bingham and the guys make it their own, especially with the raucous introduction of "Master of the Universe" some two minutes from the end which was unexpected to these ears and certainly brought a smile to my face. This set has been brought together with care so each track feels related to the one before while also being very different indeed which shows how much attention went into the festival itself. The result is something which any fan of psychedelic, progressive, krautrock etc should go out and get immediately, if not sooner. Ten wonderful bands, but a special mention must be made of Cary Grace and their incredible take on "Venus In Furs" which is menacing in the extreme, bringing the Velvet Underground very much up to date. I have long been a fan of Fruits de Mer Records as they continue to deliver incredible sounds by great bands, and this is a wonderful introduction to their catalogue if you have yet to come across them.