$16.00
***SOLD OUT***
a NOD & SMILE records release, Japan's 20 Guilders meet USA's We Have Heaven on this limited edition vinyl. This is WE HAVE HEAVEN's second 12" LP. 20 Guilders (members of Acid Mothers Temple, Zeni Geva, Overhang Party, Miminokoto) turn in a side of psych folk, while We Have Heaven's half is a swirl of rural raga psychedelia. Limited to 500 copies, packaged in sleeve that pays homage the Faith/Void split LP. Real deal acid tinged folk for heads.
WE HAVE HEAVEN usa = RACHEL LAMBDIN VIOLIN, KYLE PAGE PERCUSSION, DAVID KRESGE GUITAR, ERIC de JESUS GUITAR LOOPS & SPOKEN WORD
20 GUILDERS japan = TABATA MITSURU, SUZUKI JUNZO
review from Ptolemaic Terrascope magazine
I was thinking the other day that a slab of split vinyl is the perfect way to hear underground music, Fans of one band will at least enjoy half the record and may well discover some excellent music, the bands get to split costs and don't need to commit a whole album's worth of recording to the project and they just look cool. Bearing this in mind I can see no reason why anyone should not want to own this fine slab of vinyl.
Featuring Tabata Mitsuru (Acid Mother, The Boredoms) and Suzuki Junzo (Minimokoto), The 20 Guilders offer 4 slices of downtempo, electric / acoustic, psych that creeps under the skin becoming better with each spin until you suddenly realise this is one of your favourite sides of vinyl right now. Opening with a slow blues riff. “Waving My Hands In The Dark Blues” (titles in English, lyrics in Japanese) has the claustrophobic feel of that Skip Spence record, an emotion drenched electric guitar singing its pain over the acoustic picking and mumbled vocals. On “The Mystery of the Pyramids” the duo bear a remarkable resemblance to Norwegian band Ring, the seemingly simple guitar riffs overlaid with subtle playing and soft melody, this feel continued on “Under the Red Roof” although this time the electric guitar plays a more prominent role especially in the second half of the tune, as some fine psychedelic fretwork takes you soaring to the skies, both musicians playing in unison for maximum effect. Finally, “Gravity Bong” has a relaxed hippy feel, laid back guitar blending with the vocal line, reminding me of a Gorkys B-side, but maybe that is just me. Either way this is a quality side of music well worth exploring.
Over on the other side, We Have Heaven grab your attention quickly with the hypnotic drone of “Cardinals”, a violin adding an eastern feel to the Can like groove, subtle changes to the piece creating interest without losing its meditative haze. Creating a slower pace of life with its drifting melodies and relaxed feel, “I Was On My Way To Summerland” also features a surreal narration that shimmers like a heat haze, giving the track the appearance of a dream. After this slice of loveliness, “Stay Psychedelik” succeeds in slowing life down again, that lysergic shimmer present in its short and delightful life cycle.
To be fair, by this time the listener may well find themselves completely immersed in the wonderful music on offer with “You Are The Way” continuing the ambience of the disc, guitar and violin writhing seductively together over a warm pulse of percussion the track building slowly into a passionate and entrancing track that is as beautiful as a sunrise. Finally, “Rennes Le Chateau” is a gently floating cloud of bliss, the music warming and healing, leaving you feeling completely content and ready for the day.
With both sets of musicians at the top of their game this is a release well worth finding and spending some time with, the two sides working well together to create a most satisfying whole. (Simon Lewis)
http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Reviews_February_14.htm#Home