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In the Summer of the Mushroom Honey — In the Summer of the Mushroom Honey
(Aether AELLP-005 / AECD-105, 1999, CD / LP)

by Dane Carlson, Published 2000-05-01

In the Summer of the Mushroom Honey Cover art

In the Summer of the Mushroom Honey – An Album of Inspired Improvisational Music is the full title, and a definite clue as to what kind of music you will find on it. This record is the result of a jam session, no script. The players are all Aether Records artists. The result is a mixed bag, ranging from boring tribal drumming to intense psychedelic chants. The star of this for me is Richelle Toombs — this woman can sing and send your brain spiraling back down your helix. “I am Aware of My Heart” is very cool; a groove is set up with drums, bells, and organ. All the while Richelle recites from Christian texts. This kind of music can easily grab you, intensely spacy. The killer track is next, “Deep Beneath the Water” has Richelle on lead vocals, coaxing, beckoning, and taking you wherever she wants you to go. Her voice is the prime instrument here, creating a feedback loop in your head as she sings. There are some nice guitar pieces here and a 20-minute Middle Eastern free-for-all. People afraid of off tunings and smoke-filled rooms had best steer clear, unless you’re afraid your mind may open. And as much I would prefer to have a big Bob Marley going for this, it wasn’t necessary; the music tweaked my head as it was. This release was transcribed from vinyl and lacks a bit of fidelity, but it really doesn’t matter.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 19, 1999 releases

Related artist(s): In the Summer of the Mushroom Honey

 

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