The Underground of Happiness

A wonderful archive compilation of this Canadian group’s output from the early 1970s. There’s an ecstatic quality to tracks like ‘Aurora spinray’ and ‘Tilicum’, a great kosmische bounce that borders on Eden Ahbez-like exotica in places, in others approaching the blissful pastoral haze of Cluster. Elsewhere you’ll find the gorgeous stretched out electronic jazz trails of ‘Hollywood dream trip’. All round a thoroughly fantastic slice of the 70s underground (although unexpectedly accessible) and a great piece of work by RVNG Intl . Full details below. The two instrumental albums that Syrinx issued in the early 1970s sound little like the psychedelic music prevailing Toronto’s rock venues at the time, and are even further removed from the electronic tape experimentations spooled by a younger John Mills-Cockell. Instead, the path of Syrinx whimsically veers away from the dominant mode of ‘70s subculture, charting surprising commercial success. Tumblers From The Vault...

There’s an automatic association for Steely Dan, I think, a kind of signature sound. It’s electric piano and of course Donald Fagen’s creamy and nasal vocal tones. These are also the key touchstones in this intoxicating single from Chris Cummings of Toronto who goes under Marker Starling (he previously used Mantler ). He’s been a stalwart of the underground Toronto scene for quite a few years but I think this is the first music of his I’ve heard. Sombre electric piano chords and a fine lived-in croon (somewhat reminscient of Donald Fagen) introduce a song that seems at first to be about a semi-absurd encounter with a stag group on an airplane. However, over the course of a few short verses the focus shifts onto the protagonist himself, prompting a kind of philosophical meditation. There’s a delicious jazz-pop key change midway through with meandering vibes solo and the woodwind/reed backing rising to the fore which is followed by a distinct deviation in lyrical tone. “...

Jennifer Castle is a new name on me but she’s a well-seasoned session musician and vocalist in Canadian - specifically Toronto - circles, as well as having several albums of her own under her belt (this is the second under her own name, previously she used Castlemusic ). This wonderful opening tune on her new album has managed to stop me in my tracks every time so far, it’s hard to get past it. ‘Truth is the freshest fruit’ starts out with a ghostly folk tinge but takes on a brighter, more uptempo feel courtesy of a sublimely warm and throbbing string arrangement by Owen Pallett . There’s something about it that reminds me of one of those Bobbie Gentry cautionary swingalongs - maybe a slightly muted version – full of drama and intrigue while remaining brilliantly low-key. And even while sounding like a folk song, there’s a lovely AM radio quality to her voice, a smoothness, a restraint. Just when you think it can’t get any better, later on there’s a glorious dash of sun-dap...

Light and airy, but full of an irresistible pop sweetness. Garage pop gems like ESP, Brahma and the title track don’t come along every day and should be cherished when they do. The first psychedelic wave may be a major musical influence but the presence of Daniel Lee’s smooth croon adds extra depth and intrigue. Make it your soundtrack for the summer.

Been enjoying listening to new Full Time Hobby signings Hooded Fang , from Toronto . They released their second album, Tosta Mista , on Daps Records in Canada last year, it'll be available this side of the Atlantic in March. FTH are giving away a free download of album track ESP through their website on this link http://www.fulltimehobby.co.uk/home/hooded-fang/ or directly on soundcloud here. Hooded Fang - ESP by fulltimehobby It's like a jumpy 60's garage Nugget dug out of the archives, with a fantastic fuzz bass and unexpectedly (but brilliantly) smooth pop vocal. Below is another album track, the equally great Highway steam , which had me from the second the triumphant ascending trumpet line kicked in. Check the rest of the album on soundcloud here, it's well worth your time. http://soundcloud.com/hoodedfang/

Portishead's Chase the tear gets a 12" vinyl release through XL on November 14th, all proceeds going to Amnesty International . It's a fantastic blast of krautrock with Beth Gibbons' signature downbeat vocal. There's also a version (re-imagining, officially, with more of an electro feel) by Toronto's Doldrums , which moves things from the autobahn to the racetrack - it's also worth your time. The label actually had 200 signed copies of this at the Independent Label Market in Brooklyn over the weekend just gone - I'm assuming they are now gone. So you'll have to make do with this lovely B&W video.

This is something worth taking 19 minutes out of your day to listen to. Memoryhouse are a duo from Toronto , consisting of Evan Abeele (composer) and Denise Nouvion (vocals). They originally self-released most of these songs in 2010 on digital only. Those songs are now getting CD and LP treatment, with a couple of extra tracks added, and everything re-recorded/mixed/mastered from scratch. And of course the considerable support of Sub Pop . What you have below is fairly unusual - the whole EP, as a stream with accompanying film. I'd say it's dream pop, but whatever you want to call it, it's intoxicating stuff. That word isn't out of place actually because there's a certain narcotic quality to it that you wouldn't be wrong in associating with a Panda Bear or a Beach House . There's more of an ambient drift underneath this, mind you. I just feel like lying down really and letting its reverbed gorgeousness wash over me all day. At the risk of overdosing your se...