Lemon Twigst

The Lemon Pipers were somewhat of an anomaly in the 1960s bubblegum community because the group actually had creative aspirations. Unfortunately, their high-water mark came with their first single, the infectious "Green Tambourine" (written by the team of Paul Leka and Shelley Pinz), which hit the number one spot on the pop charts in 1968. The follow-up singles (also written by Leka and Pinz) "Rice Is Nice" and "Jelly Jungle" added in interesting orchestrated Baroque pop elements, but ultimately failed to attract much attention. This compilation from Camden Records includes the Lemon Pipers' only two albums, Green Tambourine and Jungle Marmalade, and is the most complete single-disc collection of the group available (the Lemon Pipers recorded 26 tracks in their short history, and 20 of them are here).

Capturing all the intimacy and the amp-hum in its unfussy, impromptu recording sessions, Lemon Law is dripping with atmosphere. The buzzing of that cable, that weird phase-y sound from the un-gated mic. It's all here. The lack of overdubs might even make Neil Young jealous. The complexities and the intricate arrangements feel easy and natural, and naturally nostalgic. It's all vaguely familiar and new at the same time.

If you have ever wondered what a cross between Primal Scream, Amon Duul and Jethro Tull sound like then Psychic Lemon may just be the band for you. A curious amalgamation of sounds, their entire album is akin to freewheeling out of the cosmos on a wave of flutes and thumping bass lines. Throw in a huge dose of Bobby Gillespie style vocals circa Vanishing Point and you have an album fit for the title of most stupendous psych release last year. Right from the off Psychic Lemon throw everything at you but also make sure it is sublimely funky and melodic. It’s like some lost relic from the 70’s which turns up at boot sales once in a while inviting you into the mysterious workings of an underground band…