Marla Monroe The Ghost Riders

This six-CD box contains the whole of their four albums produced between 1985 and 1991: Doublings & Silences Volume I (1985), Doublings & Silences Volume II (1988), World! (1989), and Garama (1991). All properly remastered, including the first two available on CD for the first time, plus a bonus CD containing a selection of previously unpublished material and rare tracks from the same period.

One of the better garage rock recordings of its period, the dozen songs here, cut for Justice Records after the band had placed in the second runner-up spot in a local Battle of the Bands, are full of surprises. For starters, the presence of two rhythm guitarists gives the group a rich, thick-textured sound. The other big surprise is the balance struck between the organist and lead guitarist: Monte Allison and David Marlette make a perfect team of soloists. Allison's organ shifts effortlessly from background to foreground, and Marlette's guitar solos show an engaging, inventive sense of melody. The presence of a handful of very pleasing original numbers only enhances the value of this CD. Excellent sound, too.

One of the better garage rock recordings of its period, the dozen songs here, cut for Justice Records after the band had placed in the second runner-up spot in a local Battle of the Bands, are full of surprises. For starters, the presence of two rhythm guitarists gives the group a rich, thick-textured sound. The other big surprise is the balance struck between the organist and lead guitarist: Monte Allison and David Marlette make a perfect team of soloists. Allison's organ shifts effortlessly from background to foreground, and Marlette's guitar solos show an engaging, inventive sense of melody. The presence of a handful of very pleasing original numbers only enhances the value of this CD. Excellent sound, too.

Started as a project between Francesco Paladino and Pier Luigi Andreoni, The Doubling Riders quickly grew into a collection of sounds that ranged between new age, folk, electronic music and balls to the wall experimentation. "Garama" was originally released on Il Museo Immaginario in 1991. The Doubling Riders make trippy music, their compositions oscillate between a soundtrack to a meditation session and a blissful look at a potentially never-ending painting. This is a wonderfully evocative album of old school , synth infused ethno-ambiance of the highest caliber. A concept album of sorts, it references the ancient Saharan kingdom of the Garamantes, who lived in what is now central Libya. Eerie, melodic, mysterious…