ONCE UPON THE WINGS

If you should already know where Robbi Robb and Paul Pott are coming from, and hereby I don't think of where they are residenting primarily, you won't be seriously surprised about their album 'Once Upon A Time'. Okay, the cover art might reveal a bit, the astronaut is giving a clue at least ... but why fallen, and probably dead? Painted by Jeremy Geddes the entire setting seems to be somewhat mysterious. I have ignored that for some time, but this is definitely some food for thought, right? Anyway, really important to know is that both musicians have an experienced background while playing with several psych/space bands, at present and in the past.

Robbi got relatively famous as the guitarist and vocalist for Tribe After Tribe, starting with South Africa as the homebase, later settling in the US. He also founded the band 3rd Ear Experience, which meanwhile have some excellent albums in the back. When it comes to Germany it's impossible to imagine the relevant psych/space community without Paul Pott. Besides other tasks he has played the bass for Zone Six and currently is busy with the band Space Invaders. Both once met at Burg Herzberg, made friends, and the idea to produce some songs together, by handling all the instruments on their own, was on the run sooner or later.

Released on the praised Nasoni label the album consists of studio songs, four out of five at least, which are equipped with a rather unique flair, not really related to what they are playing with their regular bands. This is more of an acid style, the opening Flesh 'n Steel shows some Hawkwind leanings. The drumming is very straight, I assume Paul is responsible here. The extended Grass comes as a Lemmi cover, including an interlude with gripping overdubbed guitars and a speech contributed by Amitrakripa. As the title promises Space Ear marks another sharing product, their first ever to be precise. The hypnotic bass certainly convinces.

Besides these proper heavy psych tunes Prophecy #1 shines as the album's highlight. Here we have an extended space jam with remarkable support on keys (Joshua Adams) and drums (Dennis Gockel), taken live 2015 in Germany. A fascinating affair, predominantly due to the repetitive mantra-like guitar, though constantly modifying over the course. This one especially proves Robbi's empathic live presence, very impressing. Eh ... number #1 implies a follower? We will see. I definitely can hear that they had a lot of fun together. Despite not every song completely meets my taste, this is a good album quite obviously. To be checked on their bandcamp page.