Children Song

Ancient Grease is a clever moniker for a band, although Strawberry Dust were rather baffled to find themselves so named on their 1970 debut album, Women and Children First. Dust's reputation as a rousing live act was already cemented by several years of plying cover songs around the South Wales club circuit, which is where drummer John Weathers came across them. Impressed, he oversaw their demo, which landed Dust a deal at Mercury, then co-wrote, arranged, and co-produced their full-length. And thus begins the Racing Cars story, for Dust/Grease featured both the band's future frontman, Gareth "Morty" Mortimer, and guitarist, Graham Williams.

Some albums won't give you life-changing experiences, but they will at least pass the time effectively enough. When it comes to the realm of ambient techno, such an approach is actually more welcome than most. Children of the Bong actually care about beat as well, but though they fool around with dub touches and some often heavy beats, the feeling is more about sweet float a la the lighter side of the Orb. Indeed, that band is the obvious touchstone for what the Children are doing, but lacking the insane, out-of-nowhere touches which transform the Orb into true experimental monsters of odd…

Ancient Grease were originally known as Strawberry Dust featuring Gareth “Morty” Mortimer (vocals), Graham Hedley-Williams (guitars), Jack Bass (bass) and Dick Owen (drums), they were spotted by Eyes of Blue drummer John Weathers brought them to the attention of Mercury Records head Lou Reizner who changed the name of the band while Weathers assumed the role of producer for the band’s sole album. The sessions also featured keyboard player Phil Ryan. Featuring a wonderful blend of powerful psychedelic and progressive rock, the album was issued on Mercury in July 1970. Although it failed to make a commercial impression upon its release, the album is now highly sought after by collectors and fans of the Welsh rock scene and Man aficionados. This Esoteric Recordings edition has been remastered from the recently located original master tapes for the very first time, (previous releases having been taken from vinyl), and presents this legendary album in the best ever sound quality.

Orioxy's music is fragile, ephemeral and dreamlike. Lead singer Yael Miller and harpist Julie Campiche set the tone for the group's ever-evolving musical exploration. These two young women are the soul of the ensemble. Percussionist Roland Merlinc and base player Manu Hagmann keep them grounded, something akin to pulling on the silken string of a soaring kite gone wild.
The world of Orioxy is a world of contrasts where sweetness and intimacy mingle with wild organic energy. Their every composition is an imaginary creaking universe. Orioxy is a patchwork of diverse musical styles, film art, poetry and political news! From music box to oriental rhythms, via rock and electro-acoustic, they invite us to share in an adventure of delicate madness.

Stanley Clarke's debut solo effort was issued when he was already a seasoned jazz veteran, and a member of Chick Corea's Return to Forever, which at the time of this recording also included Joe Farrell on soprano sax and flute, and the Brazilian team of vocalist Flora Purim and drummer/percussionist Airto Moreira. Produced by Corea, who plays Rhodes, clavinet, and acoustic piano on Children of Forever, the band included flutist Art Webb, then-new RtF drummer Lenny White, guitarist Pat Martino, and a vocal pairing in the inimitable Andy Bey and Dee Dee Bridgewater on three of the five cuts – Bey appears on four. Clarke plays both electric and acoustic bass on the set; and while it would be easy to simply look at this recording as an early fusion date, that would be a tragic mistake.