Thepolitical Mind

As a defining point of the U.K. psychedelic/progressive rock crossover, the Open Mind's sole album is the perfect specimen. With a singing style rooted in the freakbeat era, rather than the operatic tenor screams hard rock ushered in, and acidic duel guitars, heavier than those of a typical psychedelic act, The Open Mind filled the gap between the beginning of one era and the end of another. "Magic Potion" is unarguably their greatest moment. Its monotonous rhythm guitar anticipates the stoner rock of Hawkind while double bass drum fills and doom-laden fuzz guitar ragas combine bombastic rock power with Eastern-influenced psychedelia. Magnificent! "Girl, I'm So Alone" - a remake of early Open Mind lineup, mod band the Drag Set's "Get out of My Way" - harks back to a 1967 feel, as do a number of other songs that show the band being not quite as progressive as they intended…

Featuring an all-star eclectic ensemble of like-minded musicians–Jesse Sykes (acoustic guitar, vocals); Dave Alvin (electric guitar); Victor Krummenacher (bass guitar); David Immerglück (guitar/harmonium/mellotron); and Michael Jerome (drums/percussion)– The Third Mind 2, this supergroup's second album, reflects the band members varied musical histories with a “no safety parachute” recording approach using free-form studio techniques, no rehearsals, no preconceived arrangements, and recording spontaneous group improvisations live in studio.

This is a live album made up of highlights from various concerts held at a planetarium in Erkrath, Germany. Recording either as Cosmic Hoffmann or Mind Over Matter, Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock recordings always are a great combination of retro Krautrock analog heaven and mind-expanding space music. As the title suggests, this is music of the more floating, spacey variety. Each track runs about ten minutes, allowing just enough time for it to germinate before the next one ensues. The light guitar echoes in A Night in Mogul's Garden perfectly augment the floating synthesizers and distant wailing wordless vocals. Soft percussion appears as layers develop. This is so peaceful and calm. Delicate, bright sequencing carries Mello(w) Kathmandu along, as well as light tribal percussion, flute,and more fine guitar playing…

Music For Paradise is a phenomenal album where Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock stamps the EM universe with a new seal for the ambient genre. A meditative environment, as creative as progressive, where relaxation music takes on a whole new meaning. When there is rhythm, it's by slow and intuitive visions. When they are atmospherical phases, they are rich and very enveloping, nourishing each moment with a sonic image which takes the form that we think of. Music For Paradise is the astral door of a fascinating universe which will propels Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock to the firmament of the essential figures of contemporary EM.

Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating artists in the field of EM. One never knows what to expect from the astral guitarist who draws his ideas and stories from his many travels and experiences in Asia. In the Hindu religion, an Avatar is a human being sent by God. He appears on Earth when the Divine creation is threatened by fanaticism, injustice and deception. Klaus has seen pictures and representations of Avatars, which inspired him to write this album. From psychedelic to progressive, passing by these superb mellotrons invested with an electronic fluid, the vision of this musician-synthesist, guitarist and mellotron adept defies time and styles while remaining faithful to the Hindu roots that inhabit him and make him so special…