SULA BASSANA & NASONI POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND - VOL. 1

In 2006 the Berlin Nasoni Records label had its 10th anniversary and this album was released for the celebration. Dave Schmidt aka SULA BASSANA gathered members of bands like Liquid Visions, Weltraumstaunen, Johnson Noise and called this temporary project SULA BASSANA AND THE NASONI POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND. A freaky name indeed which forces some questions. Is it a reference to the legendary 'West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band' of the late 60's? It might be - anyhow - it's worth it to check this out. Very interesting songs are offered, played straightforward with much easiness, basically psychedelic/space and kraut stuff, well composed and performed in opposite to endless jams for example.

Mainly known as a bassist SULA BASSANA plays several instruments here. First of all his compelling mix of jazzy and psych guitar work is to mention sometimes reminding me of KRAAN's Peter Wolbrandt but also Jimi Hendrix with the song Pay for freedom. Silke Fugmann, known as Elli Popelli, has an important role on the opener Slowner handling a very unique instrument, the one-string corn-can-violin, and delivering a mysterious voice like Renate Knaup. A trance track with heavy organ and distorted guitar riffs. The Terrascrew is initiated by a dark scary Mellotron and then continues with acid rocking guitars changing to the catching Ridin' - a typical hypnotic krautrock tune with synthy additions.

Go! is grooving a lot. As one might say the only jamming part of the album with Chris Schwartzkinsky's impelling drums, repetitive background vocals and a fantastic guitar contribution plus delay effects. The song later gets near to the early american west coast psych alla JEFFERSON AIRPLANE or THE BYRDS. The same with The night after - a floating melodic piece with a bizarre whispering voice and backward played guitars. Daydreams is dreamy laid-back as the title implies with Mellotron for enhancing a very special atmosphere. Emmerting Spring finally comes with different lengths for the vinyl and digital version. Birds' twittering, jews harp and flute wrapped in a meditative, ambient, melancholic mood.

A pleasant collection of hypnotic beats, trance and spacey soundscapes. If you like 60/70's Psych and Krautrock this album is a top catch.