V.a. Psychedelic Gems

In the CD programme Psychedelic Gems, psychedelic and progressive bands and their background are featured bands, whose overall output of published or unpublished material would not be sufficient to justify a CD on their own. Most of them played during the late sixties and early seventies, having published no more than a demo tape or a single, which is why several of them are presented together on one CD. Each group - so far all of them coming from German-speaking countries - is accorded a full-page colour picture of the cover of their single, a band history in German and English and, if space is available, a photo of their label. In contrast to bootleg labels such as Visions of the Past, Electrick Loosers or Prae-Kraut Pandaemonium, all licenses were legally obtained from the artists or their record companies…

Don Shinn is an English keyboard player, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist. He is known primarily as an organist and pianist, and also plays vibraphone. In the early-mid 1960’s he recorded and performed with British Beat groups The MeddyEVILS, The Echoes (backing Dusty Springfield), and The Soul Agents (featuring Rod Stewart). In 1967 he formed his own band The Shinn, which also featured future Uriah Heep bassist Paul Newton, future drummer for The Nice, Brian Davison, and vocalist Eddie Lamb…

Few label founders loom as large in the history of underground music as P.S.F Record's Hideo Ikeezumi. Over three decades and more than 200 titles, Ikeezumi's intensely critical ear guided and assembled a body of music that transcended genre; he exclusively championed artists that were uncompromising in their visions, unconcerned with trends or commercial success.

This is another great, but completely underrated album by obscure UK rock band (from Liverpool) which wasn't issued in their homeland (in contrast to some of their singles). The same fate met the other British groups from early 70's like Light Of Darkness, Diabolus, lronbridge or Grail. This LP was recorded in London and released in 1971 in USA (by Cadet Concept) and in Italy (by Music Records). The highlight is very moving anti-war anthem ‘Six Days War‘ and the beautiful progressive ballad Lord High Human Being. This fascinating, quasi-progressive and very melodic album contained an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from atmospheric psychedelia, through guitar based soft-progressive to folky ballads - not far away from late 60's The Beatles combined with early 70's The Strawbs and The Moody Blues.

Contains the albums All That Noise (CD 1) plus alternate versions, mixes, instrumentals, demos, bonus unreleased live tracks, and an interview recorded in 1990 (CD 2), Melomania (CD 3), the Mayhem to Meditate EP & (dub) remixes (CD 4), the Lunar Surf EP & the Jukebox at Munsters 45, the previously unreleased lost third album & demos (CD 5).