Friends Of Mescalito - Nagual Music For Tonal People

This is an ongoing recording project of Scott Prato, working in the area of improvised composition. Trying to be psychedelic, spiritual and inspired, each release has a thematic undercurrent that is enhanced by the players chosen for the recording. Although there are song structures, (usually known only to Scott), each player creates their own part for the composition on the spot, during the recording session. This is done within one or two takes, that's it.

All very dangerous when done badly, but this has moments where the spirit of improvisation takes flight into realms of psychedelic mastery, so called jam bands can only dream about in their little pot head pixie minds. Influenced by Frank Zappa, Soft Machine, Captain Beefheart and others, there's even moments garage rock.

There's psych guitars, stoner bass riffs, sometime Amon Düül like, sometimes pure spacerock ("Raised For The Slaughter"), there's "They Plan To Leave", one of two Sun Ra covers, along with "Call Of The Other Ones", complete with kitchen sink dynmaics that leaves you wanting more.

Contact via snail mail c/o Friends Of Mescalito; 45 First Avenue #5-0; NYC, NY 10003.

Bartles - Mating Songs Of The American ALcoholic

Album number 972 (probably) from the low rent Beefheart, this is a compilation of his finest(?) drinking songs, which means there's room for such classics as "The Night I Drank Myself Into Oblivion" from "Piss On It", "I Poured A Pitcher On My Baby" from "Banal Fixation", and the finest of them all, "I Feel Like A 12 Pack" from "Born To Lick Salt".

Bartles has a love it or hate grave, a wicked sense of humour, no place for political correctness, and an affinity for recycling old blues riffs. Songs like “Drinkin’ In The Bible Belt” with its morality tale of a girl getting fresh with a Corona, before the inevitable arrival of vomit.

These are the kind of songs you hear in your own head, just before they come to lock you down for the last time. You really ough tot get acquantied. From a very safe distance.

Bartles, PO Box 106, Livonia Center, NY 14488, USA

Xinema - Different Ways

This is decidely old school, residing firmly in the realms of heavy progressive symphonic rock.

There are some achingly awesome moments, usually helped along by that marvel, the Hammond organ. Redolent in places of Saga and early Styx, but with (oddly) Chicago type vocals, Xinema have the potential to make a mark, especially in power metal mad mainland Europe.

"In The Scent Of The Night" is one of the strongest tracks on offer, rocking away, and providing one of the more Saga like moments. For contrast, the title track "Different Ways" is a melodic almost 'pop' song, that could easily earn some radio play. "Across The Styx" (nice title!) is also a gentle, sometimes meandering track, topped off with a killer guitar solo.

Sven Larsson’s guitar is a constant highlight, but guitars alone do not make an album (right Yngwie?), and fortunately Xinema have the songs as well. Highly recommended.