What Are You Listening To? (Part Deux)

Umbra was founded in 1969 and continued to solidify into 1970. Steve describes Umbra as “a progressive, psychedelic, jam group”. I had the privilege of listening to the band’s “garage” recordings from that period and have to say this was a very diverse and talented ensemble. Steve recalled that the tracks were put down on a 4 track and a 2 track recorder and recorded at a band member’s home.

Most of the band members were from local Denver area high schools with the exception of Nick Melliadis who came from New York. Steve attended South High School which wasn’t a good fit for him back then. “I didn’t care much for high school so I dropped out to pursue my music.” It was a decision that worked very well for Steve. He did achieve his GED, but more importantly acquired a rich and deep education in music with his adventures from Umbra up to the present day.

The name “Umbra” was selected by the band while perusing the dictionary – an exercise common with bands back then (and maybe even now). “Umbra translates to “shadow on moon”, stated Steve. “We wanted a name that was short, mysterious, easy to remember, and sounded cool.”

Local Stev Jochum on CD;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE2rMBc98pM&list=RDLE2rMBc98pM&start_radio=1

Pink Floyd 8-tracks CD;

A big find for me 😀
The Cheerful Insanity Of Giles, Giles And Fripp

Earthforce is a mystical UK acid folk-rock band created by Steve Bayfield. Originally released as a private cassette in 1977, their self-titled album blends English folk, eastern trance, sitar, and synths. It offers a spacey, magical sound similar to Popul Vuh and Gong.Album Highlights. The Sound: A freaky, meditative, and cosmic blend of acoustic and electric fuzz guitars, fretless bass, sitar, tablas, harmonium, and Moog.The Vibe: An out-of-step gem from the punk age. The music maps a journey through the course of a single day, from dawn to moonrise.Genre: Acid folk, UK progressive, and space rock.

Ten Years After - Undead - 1968
Their second album. Live.

Tim Weisberg: Dreamspeaker
A&M Records SP-3045
{Vinyl, LP, stereo, 1973}
thrift store acquisition 75¢

Hiroshi Suzuki: Cat
Columbia COCB-54118 • Deep Jazz Reality / Dig Deep Columbia
{CD, stereo, released 1975, reissued remastered 2014}

Jacco Gardner’s Somnium

New arrival CD

Santa y Su Gente is a Chilean jazz-rock and Latin-funk project led by percussionist Santiago "Santa" Salas. Formed in 1974, the group is celebrated for releasing Urgente, a rare, underground album blending salsa, Afro-Latin rhythms, and funk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSGX3tPvGS8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1xFNCMuf2g&list=RDG1xFNCMuf2g&start_radio=1


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX1L2JqtFBE&list=RDG1xFNCMuf2g&index=3



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn_dw0JOXRg&list=RDG1xFNCMuf2g&index=7

Wapassou was a pioneering French progressive, psychedelic, and art-rock band based in Strasbourg. Active from 1972 to 1986, the band is highly regarded for their unique, avant-prog hybrid sound.
Key highlights of their legacy include:
* The Sound: Their early work (like their obscure eponymous 1973 debut) had a heavy psychedelic flavor. Later, they shifted into complex, neo-classical and chamber-rock styles.
* Instrumentation: A signature trait of their trilogy of classical/mystical suites was the complete absence of traditional percussion, relying instead on interlocking guitars, violins, and keyboards.
* Discography: They released six major albums between 1974 and 1986, including the acclaimed large-scale works Salammbô (1977) and Ludwig (Un Roi Pour L'Eternite) (1979).