LIVE FROM THE 7TH PSYCHEDELIC NETWORK FESTIVAL 2014

West Wales-based Sendelica bring plenty of reliable psychedelic/space-rock sounds to their colourful instrumental journeys on the double CD/vinyl set `Live from the 7th Psychedelic Network Festival 2014'. Recorded on Friday the 28th November 2014 at the Cairo Club in Wurxburg, Germany, the group for this performance was comprised of core members Pete Bingham (guitars, electronics), Glenda Pescado (bass), Lee Relfe (sax) and Meurig Griffiths on drums with Lord Armstrong Sealand on theremin and synths.

For those unfamiliar with the sound of the group, think the tough guitar of Hawkwind chugging around mysterious sax strains ala Gong (and maybe just a tiny pinch of Soft Machine jazziness here and there), with a punchier and more streamlined approach than something like another modern space-rock act the Oresund Space Collective. There's a constant driving momentum to their spacey instrumental voyages, a wonderful reinterpretation of a beloved early Pink Floyd classic and even a relentless 47 minute blowout with a super proggy self-indulgent title to keep deep space travellers happy here!

The amusingly titled opener `Spaceman Bubblegum' saunters with a bluesy guitar drowse, synth trickles percolating around plodding chunky bass strolls, fiery drums attacks and hazy sax. `Standing on the Edge' is a Hawkwind-aping two-minute heavy metallic guitar grind, then there's plenty of atmosphere and build throughout the near eighteen minute `Manhole of the Universe', a whirlwind of slow-burn smouldering electric guitar, wavering theremin wisps and swirling synths with brief reggae diversions. The cheekily-titled instrumental reinterpretation of classic Pink Floyd piece `Set the Controls for the Heart of the Buddha' has gorgeous drifting sax permeating dusty Eastern-flavoured bazaar moods, and it's everything a cover version should be - a complete reinvention that sounds like an original piece from the new band performing it, as if it's one of their very own works!

A standout of the set takes up the majority of the second disc, and the forty-seven minute `Master Benjamin Warned Young Albert Not to Step on the Uninsulated Air' (Yes, really, and phew!) is a delirious mess of a vacuum of noise contrasted with more sedate yet brooding passages that shows the band at their most unhinged and exciting. Constantly pounding drums and an up-tempo energy sustain almost the entire length of the piece with echoing guitar chimes and erupting murmuring bass, and there's several spots that are great highlights. An early rush of sax snaps like a furious whiplash, and the section at around the twenty-one minute mark where the synths spiral into crystalline infinity is a real moment. The soothing come-down before a bluesy finale is a nice way to finish, then the band closes the set with ` Magical Ninin' that makes for a belting encore.

Sendelica may not be setting out to reinvent the space-wheel here, but traces of original ideas and their own unique character frequently emerge throughout this addictive 101 minute set, and it especially impresses with constant repeated spins. Despite always staying lively and energetic, the playing rarely resorts to aimless freeform jamming, so it would likely make for a pretty ideal introduction to the group for newcomers. `Live from the 7th Psychedelic Network Festival 2014' is a showcase for a group of talented players offering music of great colour, and psychedelic/space rock followers will find several moments of captivating beauty here.

Four stars.