Mops

Among hardcore 1960s rock collectors who have an interested in Japanese bands of the period, the Mops are one of the biggest acts in the genre, even if that genre is barely known to English-speaking listeners due to some linguistic barriers, and its general obscurity outside of Japan. Their 1968 album Psychedelic Sounds in Japan is certainly the Mops LP that's gained the widest international exposure, as it's the one with the most garage-psychedelic style and has rewarded the efforts of avid collectors around the world. In fact, the Mops were even marketed as "the first psychedelic band in Japan" in their homeland, though as psychedelia goes, it's pretty raw, verging on garage-punk at times. In truth, it's more attractive for the crazed energy of the performances - and the odd juxtaposition of the earnestness of the singing and playing with the unhinged bent of the arrangements - than for the originality of the music…

Founded in 1966 by high-school students, Japan’s The Mops originally were a garage rock band in the style of their heroes, US instrumental / surf rockers The Ventures. On the suggestion of their manager, The Mops later adopted a psychedelic direction and released their first album in this style in 1968. Rock and pop music tastes and trends changed again, The Mops changed their style and their record label, and by 1970 had become a blues-influenced hard rock band that, paradoxically, combined a deranged edge with a desire to please listeners by covering amazingly schlock-rock pop numbers in case the rugged stuff might be too much for sensitive ears…

Christophe Rocher, Joe Fonda, Harvey Sorgen - New Origin (2019) {Not Two Records MW985-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 352 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 162 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2019 Not Two Records | MW985-2
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Structured Improvisation / Clarinets / Bass / Drums

As the title implies, New Origin represents a fertile coming together, the principals in this case being the veteran American rhythm team of bassist Joe Fonda and drummer Harvey Sorgen, with French clarinetist Christophe Rocher. Fonda and Sorgen share a lengthy association, which encompasses the long-running Fonda/Stevens Group and a trio of more recent vintage with pianist Marilyn Crispell among others. Rocher, a generation younger, has risen on his native scene and also featured alongside the likes of flautist Nicole Mitchell and cornetist Rob Mazurek.