TRANSMISSION FROM SOGMORE'S GARDEN

I feel lately that i'm always one step behind BrufordFreak when it comes to reviews of releases from the last couple of years, and i've also become aware of new bands because of his reviews as in the case of this group MAGIC BUS. These guys are from the UK and are listed here under Canterbury. The band they most remind me of is SMELL OF INCENSE, in fact i'd put them under Psychedelic/ Folk if we had that as a sub-genre. I do get the Canterbury tag, especially with the distorted organ that brings CARAVAN and other like bands quickly to mind but this is Hippy music all the way. My youngest daughter who i'm so proud of is a Hippy and she would completely agree with the lyrics here. If you don't agree with the lyrics you might find them a little corny but I like them. VIOLETO DI OUTONO also came to mind with the floating organ here and also GONG at times.

"Sunflower" is just too happy with plenty of floating organ as the Hippies sing about the sunflower sitting outside their window. We get a flute solo half way through and check out that distorted organ before 3 minutes, so good! That's followed by a guitar solo as the organ floats. "Ballad Of Lord Sogmore" does sound like KHAN as BrufordFreak mentions. Some nice organ, flute and guitar early on. A change after 1 1/2 minutes as these Grabriel-like vocals with strummed guitar and flute take over. Man this is so uplifting as the organ floats along. An Eastern vibe arrives after 2 1/2 minutes with some relaxed flute then back to that earlier full sound before 4 minutes. I like the guitar solo as well.

"Cosmic Rays Of Dawn" has some very psychedelic lyrics and intricate sounds. Every time the vocals stop the flute takes over. There's even a Celtic flavour before 2 1/2 minutes then it picks up. Great sound. "Three Days" opens with floating organ before it picks up with vocals. Steve Hillage comes to mind here. This is one of my favs and it's quite catchy with some nice flute. A change after 2 minutes with processed vocals then back to that earlier sound. Another change after 4 minutes as melancholic flute with piano lead the way before it kicks back in. The uplifting guitar after 5 minutes is a treat then we get flute and a jazzy vibe a minute later. Ahhh there's that distorted organ again before 7 minutes.

"Jupiter 3AM" is another favourite of mine and it has this spacey intro that gives way to reserved vocals, strummed guitar and flute. Organ too and then electric piano(nice) joins in with some intricate guitar as a beat arrives with bass. The melancholic flute before 3 minutes reminds me of SINKADUS. The mood then suddenly brightens, so uplifting. The melancholic flute is back as these contrasts continue. Great track! "Seven Wonders" is spacey with some harp before it settles in with vocals, a slow beat and more. Some cool vocal harmonies 3 minutes in and the distorted organ after 4 1/2 minutes is so CARAVAN-like.

"Morning Mantra" opens with a very BEATLES-like "love, love, love, love..." vocal part before the vocals start to sing the lyrics that are just so happy, especially the chorus. I can just see my daughter and fellow Hippies saying these words in the morning before they start the day. Lots of flute in this one and the drums and bass standout more than usual after 2 minutes. Themes are repeated. "Earthpod" has an impressive mellotron intro before strummed guitar takes over and reserved vocals also join in. Pleasant flute comes in after the vocals stop in this laid back number.

Probably closer to 4.5 stars and it's so cool to hear a modern band play in this late sixties to early seventies style.