“Floating down the Yuba River, hang gliding off the cliffs at Fort Funston, a day at Ocean Beach with the dog, a leisurely stroll in Golden Gate Park, a fat bag of Trainwreck; these are among the many images that come to mind when listening to Mitchell and Manley’s Norcal Values. Inspired by his spiritual advisor, Bettina Richards, Phil Manley recruited the shredding stylings of Earthless’ Isaiah Mitchell to collaborate on a record comprised almost exclusively of a single continuous guitar solo. The recording was made live with no overdubs – completely improvised. This recording exhibits inspiration so pure that it could only come from within. Drawing from the classical Indian music tradition as well as from modern new age music, Norcal Values is the sonic equivalent of fine Californian cuisine. We invite you to dine upon its bountiful aural splendor. Bon appetite!”
Dire Wolves – Jams And The Giant Peace (2010)
“Dire Wolves, currently based in Pittsburgh PA, has a loose membership which often includes Jeffrey Alexander (Black Forest/Black Sea,Avarus, Secret Eye Records), Matt McDowell (Sagas, Dark Yoga, ArcoFlute Foundation), Ian Bonnet, Jennifer Myers, Dan Letson, Davide Manbeard Lifrieri, Joshua Kretzmann and Kenny “K-Doh” Donut. Dudes are on an endless trip of burned-out guitar riffs, stoned basslines, wasted vocals howling at the moon…fuck, I wanna jam! In the back-wash of Fennario, the black and bloody mire/the dire wolf collects his due while the boys sing round the fire.”
Gärden Sound – Black Summit (2010)
“When it comes to blown-out psychedelia, the first current band I want to hear is Eternal Tapestry. When it comes to desolate desert blues, that band is Barn Owl… “Black Summit” is their first charcoal-lined foray into the deep and if you can’t get lost in this haze, there’s not much hope. Desolation takes hold as the molasses drones take shape and form themselves into an unpassable mountain of debris. It’s mind-bending and cathartic; a sonic temple crushed to ash so it can rise again. Gärden Sound prove worthy opponents, ably standing on their own and stomping out their own trail toward the stars.”
Ulaan Khol – III (2010)
“A project by guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Steven R. Smith. Throughout his career as a solo artist, and through membership with the celebrated ensembles Thuja and Mirza, Steven R. Smith has had a hand in creating some of the most compelling and singular instrumental psychedelic music of the past ten years… As Ulaan Khol, Smith digs in deep with a palette of drums/guitar/organ to craft a monolithic & expansive free form, feedback-heavy atmospheric din that bonds the disparate realms of Fushitsusha and High Rise with Popul Vuh and Flying Saucer Attack.”