TONHOTEL

Paul Lamb is a California based musician, always searching for new horizons, definitely successful in having uncounted collaborations with like-minded fellows in his career. Probably bestknown for his band BURNT NOODLE and the charming 'hit single' Day By Day from the year 2006. Important to know, in general he's going up for an experimental attitude and jamming all over the place. And so TONHOTEL appears to be a single album project, named after the recording studio in Hamburg where this improvs took place. It must have been 2007 or 2008, sees him playing the bass and some mellotron, featuring the cooperation of German studio musicians, plus Shawna Miller serving some rare vocal support.

It has been about 10 years ago, I was really delighted, because Paul sent me different edits of the songs. Never thought that the music would be released, but surprise, surprise, in 2017 this went official finally. Excellent move! Music-wise you are getting close to relaxed meandering jams, which means we have an absolutely unique atmosphere with jazzy drums, sensitive guitar, as well as great rhodes piano and moog contributions all over. The track Datake sums up all their qualities, which may be described best as an inspired blend of Canterbury and space rock. I really adore this special TONHOTEL mood. It's definitely worth it to get closer to Paul Lamb's musical approach. You just have to enter his official bandcamp page.

A great surprise.

Ranging from psychdelic to Canterbury, what we have here is a very interesting album constructed from improvisations that will delight those looking for this calm mood that only the first Caravan or Soft Machine albums could create. There are sections that could have fitted perfectly in Third (Seventwothree), while others can be reminiscent of modern new age artists such as Tino Izzo or Gandalf (Lucky moments). You get also your dose of Pink Floyd with spacious interludes and gilmouresque guitar breaks (End Longing) or Krautrock moments (Dolomites), all without losing its originality and freshness.

Extremely recommended. Four solid stars.