Unexplored Cosmos [Import]

unexplored cosmos [import]

Track Listings

1. Running Out Of Time

2. Same Old Me

3. Cardboard Man

4. Try To Believe Me

5. Fade Away

6. Sell The Goat

7. Long Long Long

8. Souvenir

9. Distant World

10. Hitchhiker

11. Try Too Hard

12. Sleepy Dream

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Debut Solo Release from the Former Grapes of Wrath, and Ginger Bassist/Songwriter/singer.

Unexplored Cosmos,Tom Hooper,Bullseye,Rock

Unexplored Cosmos [Import]

Average customer rating:

Lazy Days
"Sit on the Porch and Swing"
Deadbeat Club
Great music, but can't import into iTunes
Only 45 reviews for "Cosmic Thing?"

Cosmic Thing
The B-52's
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The B-52's
Wild Planet
Time Capsule: Songs For A Future Generation
Whammy!
Bouncing Off The Satellites

ASIN: B000002LGY
Release Date: 1989-06-06

Tracks:

Cosmic Thing
Dry County
Deadbeat Club
Love Shack
Junebug
Roam
Bushfire
Channel Z
Topaz
Follow Your Bliss

Amazon.com

Nirvana made a lot of things irrelevant when Nevermind was released in 1991. Among the most unfortunate casualties caught inside the blast radius were the B-52's. Just two years prior, they had released their very first mainstream breakthrough album, Cosmic Thing. This album was featherweight, sun-kissed, playfully pansexual and, most importantly, danceable. Tracks like "Love Shack" and "Roam" reminded us there could be fun without responsibility. Alternately kitschy and lazy (I still insist that "Deadbeat Club" was a slacker anthem long before Beck's "Loser"), Cosmic Thing took the B-52's signature Trekkie-camp sensibility and slowed it down just enough to click on MTV and portable radios wonderfully. And let's be honest, anyway: would you rather road-trip to Kurt's sad refrain of "Well, whatever, nevermind" or Fred Schneider belting out, "The whole shack shimmies!!" at the top of his lungs? On second thought, don't answer that. --Todd Levin

Customer Reviews:

Lazy Days.......2006-11-22

This is an essential must have album from the '80's for your "spring collection." I have always loved the hamonies of Cindy and Kate, handfuls of honey in cups I must say and for all the craziness in all of us the "I-Am- really singing - Fred Schnider" I am sure I spelt his last name wrong.

The album starts with a full powered tune to get you in the mood - "Cosmic Thing" with Fred snarling about the "genuine faux pearl ring" he might get you if you shake your "Honey buns" Mid into the album we hear the radio friendly "Love Shack" and "Roam" and ends on a slower song "Follow Your Bliss" which is an instramental with Kate and bass player Sara Lee humming and awing.

A must have for die Hard B-52's fans. For those who love the power house Cindy tunes you'll love her singing in "Deadbeat Club" and "Love Shack." For the Kate fans you can follow her in "Bushfire" and " Junebug"

All the songs are great but my most favs are: "Deadbeat Club" "Topaz" and "Dry County"

So go grab this album and B-Happy! (stupid joke) :P

"Sit on the Porch and Swing".......2006-11-20

"Cosmic Thing" is The B-52s best known record, originally released in 1989, containing the hits "Love Shack", "Roam", "Channel Z", and "Deadbeat Club". I'm pretty sure "Bushfire" got some airplay back in the day too (at least here in Australia, anyway). It's colourful 1980s pop, and every track is fun and full of personality. I'm not in a B-52s mood all the time, but when I am, I can listen to the tracks on "Cosmic Thing" over and over. Being a kid in the late 1980s/early 1990s, the music of this album has a lot of memories for me attached to it (along with Phil Collins, John Farnham, etc) which helps too.

There's a lot more production and effects on this album than say, on the B-52s first, self-titled album, (which is more bare and minimal). It all adds to the catchiness and poppiness of the tracks, I think. There's a lot to like about this album. I love the harmonies between Kate and Cindy (the female vocalists) on "Deadbeat Club", "Roam" and especially on "Topaz", and their "go, go, go!" chant toward the end of "Junebug" is so energetic its infectious. Fred Schneider, the male vocalist, is a lot of fun as well, helping to make the famous "Love Shack" as catchy as it is. He's a character, he really is. The instruments are played pretty well, and their instrumental "Follow Your Bliss", though fairly simple, has just as much personality as any other of their songs.

A pretty good slice of 1980s pop music. A decent one for parties too.

Deadbeat Club.......2006-11-03

Deadbeat Club is my favorite song. I was 27 when it was released.
I'm now 44 and it's still my all time favorite. What a fun song and video!

Great music, but can't import into iTunes.......2006-08-25

The music on this disc is worth at least 4 stars, but the "anti-piracy" features are preventing me from slurping this into iTunes.

Only 45 reviews for "Cosmic Thing?".......2006-08-23

I'm shocked there aren't more reviews of "Cosmic Thing," but I'm happy to see the CD get such rave reviews here. Yes, this is light fare - danceable, quirky and worry-free pop. The CD was one of a few released in 1989 that was a great ending to a lousy decade.

I was excited about buying "Cosmic Thing" when it was first released because: 1. It was on a compact disc and not an album (CDs were still in their infancy in '89), and 2. I really enjoyed the video for "Roam" on MTV (truth be told, I wasn't too crazy about "Love Shack," although I found that a cute novelty song). Once I listened to the entire CD, I loved it (and I still have my original copy all these years later - in great playing condition despite being played numerous times over the years).

I don't know about anyone else but it takes a lot for me to like an entire album/CD. For any consumer to be able to hit "Play" and just let the CD go until it stops is saying a lot for the musician. "Cosmic Thing" passed that test for me (as a 13 year-old in 1989 and today as a 30 year-old).

Besides liking "Roam," I like the far-out lyrics of "June Bug" and I agree with our star reviewer that "Dead Beat Club" was the slacker song before Beck's "Loser" (The B-52's beating Beck by half a decade, although "Dead Beat Club" didn't catch on nearly as much as "Loser!").

I agree with the previous reviewer in that you can't hate this album. There's really nothing to hate - it's not serious, it's just a collection of really good pop songs.

It's refreshing to be able to pop this in the CD player and just be lighthearted for about an hour. - Donna Di Giacomo

Average customer rating:

Progressive decline in creativity by T.C.
From the Cosmos
Good music, but hidden
Another Classic
ecclectic mix

The Cosmic Game
Thievery Corporation
Manufacturer: Eighteenth Street
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Versions
Brazilian Girls
When It Falls
Simple Things
DJ-Kicks

ASIN: B0006ZXJ3E
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

Marching the Hate Machines (Into the Sun) featuring the Flaming Lips
Warning Shots featuring Sleepy Wonder and Gunjan
The Revolution Solution featuring Perry Farrell
The Cosmic Gate
Satyam Shivam Sundaram featuring Gunjan
Amerimacka featuring Notch
Ambicion Eterna (Eternal Ambition) featuring Verny Varela
Pela Janela (Through the Window) featuring Gigi Rezende
Sol Tapado featuring Patrick de Santos
The Heart's a Lonely Hunter featuring David Byrne
Holographic Universe
Doors of Perception featuring Gunjan
Wires and Watchtowers featuring Sista Pat
The Supreme Illusion featuring Gunjan
The Time We Lost Out Way featuring Loulou
A Gentle Dissolve

Amazon.com

There's always been a psychedelic edge to Rob Garza and Eric Hilton's Thievery Corporation project. 2000's Mirror Conspiracy is a downtempo classic precisely because of its druggy expansiveness; sober listeners and saucer-eyed trippers alike could find common ground. Similarly esoteric and nocturnal, The Cosmic Game floats around the room on a wave of mystic beats and guest vocals from Perry Farrell, The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, and David Byrne. Garza and Hilton are less devoted to non-electronic sources here than they were on The Richest Man in Babylon or The Outernational Sound, though their fascination with dub rhythms and world music remains intact. A fair amount of armchair travel is involved as you go from the late, late-night, beach-club-in-Jamaica sound of "Amerimacka," to the Brazilian percussion of "Ambicion Eterna" and "Pela Janela." But more than anything, the record feels like a return to the duo's own ethereal sonic roots. It's a nice blend of their music over the last half-decade for longtime fans, and a hazy glide down the rabbit hole for newcomers. --Matthew Cooke

Album Description

The most fully-realized Thievery set to date, their fourth studio record packs an all-star punch, with cameos by FLAMING LIPS, PERRY FARRELL, DAVID BYRNE, and more of their usually lovely futuristic bossa/lounge/downtempo sound. Check out ThieveryCorporation.com to launch soon.

Customer Reviews:

Progressive decline in creativity by T.C........2007-05-24

It seems that since the Mirror Conspiracy, all these guys do is turn out endless variations of the same played-out sound

From the Cosmos.......2007-02-11

Only one word fully describes this album: Wow. Where do they get the inspiration, the creativity, the magic? Who knows. Just be thankful that they keep making beautiful and innovative music. TC just keeps getting better with each new album. If you thought RMIB was original, wait till you hear the collage of sounds compiled onto this tapestry of music. Some standout tracks: Warning Shots, Heart's a Lonely Hunter, Amerimacka, and the knock-out The Supreme Illusion. Holy cow, this song will floor you. It's almost too good.

If you own any other TC album and you like it, go out immediately and but The Cosmic Game. It's even better.

Good music, but hidden.......2006-10-25

Certainly a good solid album, and worth the listen from beggining to finish. Found myself really liking most of the tracks, but after a few listens there are some repepetitive elements that are hard on the ear. On most, if not all, of the tracks there is a heavy triplet delay effect that becomes extremly annoying after a few minutes. There is a lot of good music in this album, a shame that the smooth rythms, ecclectic vocals, and svelt textures are drowned in the delay. If this was a mastering descision, someone should shoot the engineer in the foot.

Another Classic.......2006-09-15

Context: I own a lot of music from Thievery Corp. , K&D, Moby's instrumental work, Rob Dougan and others. But of all the different kinds of "groove" I listen to and work to all day long, Thievery are my favorite artists / duo. If you own and enjoy the Mirror Conspiracy, you're going to love this IMO.

These guys are truly incredible the way they manage to integrate a wide variety of sounds into a completely seamless and natural sounding whole. This CD flows together as a single work probably better than any other that I own. And I own a ton of instrumental music. Urban, Jazz, Ethereal, you name it. It's just impossible to get sick of this music. It reveals something new almost every time I listen to it, which is not always true of modern instrumental music. Often it just fades away into the background after a while. Not this, however....

I don't often use the word "rewarding" in reference to music, but this CD qualifies in almost every respect. Worth every penny.

ecclectic mix.......2006-03-08

with so many different artists collaborating on this cd, i don't know where to begin

i must say though, that having the flaming lips open with ' marching the hate machines into the sun' was a great beginning..

retaining a classic 'theivery' feel, you can really get the 'world music' vibe, with hints of reggae, indian, alt rock , etc

each track is well produced, and at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, there's none that i woudl skip over; the cd was just mastered so well that they all flow into each other

they've always been on my radar ( since i first heard the french version of lebanese blonde ) but this is my first disc from them, and i have no regrets

Average customer rating:

Vicar of Dibley Anniversary Collection
Best Bela Fleck CD of All
I don't want to enter a title.
I scratched my first cd and quickly went out to buy another
A Flight of Fleck Finery and a Flecktone Favorite

Flight of the Cosmic Hippo
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002LOZ
Release Date: 1991-06-11

Tracks:

Blu-Bop
Flying Saucer Dudes
Turtle Rock
Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo
The Star Spangled Banner
Star Of The County Down
Jekyll And Hyde (And Ted And Alice)
Michelle
Hole In The Wall
Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo (Reprise)

Customer Reviews:

Vicar of Dibley Anniversary Collection.......2006-11-10

I have to admit that I am slightly disappointed in this DVD. I love the Vicar and after quite sometime still laugh at the lines from the regular shows, but this collection does not have the same feel or rhythm. Something is off.

They are enjoyable and to those who love the Vicar of Dibley I recommend adding this to your collection but be prepared....it is not quite the same as the old shows.

Best Bela Fleck CD of All.......2006-07-17

Bela Fleck pioneered the fusion of bluegrass and jazz. I don't know of anyone else out there who has more effectively combined these two highly disparate art forms.

This CD, though, is the best one he has done to date. The title track is just so-so, but almost all of the others are just amazing for sheer jazz energy and virtuousity. If this CD would be your first exposure to this music, you're geting the best of all right up front.

I don't want to enter a title........2006-04-27

I'm not sure if other people have had this problem, but the copy I received is so full of flaws as to be pretty much unlistenable. It almost sounds like someone took a needle and just scratched out a few seconds every minute or so; it's full of blips and gaps. At several points on the second track the music just cuts off for a full 15 seconds. As for the parts which are actually still there, musically it's great, like everything else from this group; there are the expected odd time signatures, creative melodies, and impressive basslines, but this disc itself seems to be one of the most damaged I own, and it's brand new. You ripped me off, Amazon.

I scratched my first cd and quickly went out to buy another.......2006-02-16

This is one of the best CDs the Flecktones have put out. This has to be one of the most interesting mixes of musicians I have heard to date. Not only do they work well together, the music played on here stretches the boundaries of modern music with so many injections of different genres, some of which I wouldn't even know how to classify.

I first got into the Flecktones because of Victor Wooten. This stuff was so odd from the start that I really didn't know how to take it. Boy did it grow on me! All the thought that was put into each song is very evident...from Howard Levy using a paper cup to muffle his harmonica on the track "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" to the patriotic rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" that may leave you standing with your chest in the air. This is modern music done in a way many havn't heard before...the Flecktone way.

Very progressively refreshing stuff!

A Flight of Fleck Finery and a Flecktone Favorite.......2003-01-02

How can I describe this genre bending CD. Five stars isn't enough, I can tell you that. Not a bad track on here at all.
Is this 'Funk-grass' or 'Jazz-grass' or 'New-Grass'????? Defies definition and therefore satisifies the longing for superb music.
Buy it you won't be disappointed. Wonderful rendition of the Beatles 'Michelle'... excellent re-tooling of our National Anthem ... super version of Star of the County Down...marvelous original compositions as well.
Why haven't you heard more of Fleck?
American Radio only seems to cater to the mediocre ... Fleck is not.

Average customer rating:

My Favorite Musician
Jean-Luc's best?
JLP's last really good disc
Atmospheric textures
Right Up There With the Big Guys

Cosmic Messenger
Jean-Luc Ponty
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Enigmatic Ocean
Imaginary Voyage
Civilized Evil
Mystical Adventures
A Taste for Passion

ASIN: B000002I9J
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Cosmic Messenger
The Art Of Happiness
Don't Let The World Pass You By
I Only Feel Good With You
Puppets' Dance
Fake Paradise
Ethereal Mood
Egocentric Molecules

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite Musician.......2007-03-13

Jean Luc Ponty has been my favorite musician since I was fifteen. At that time, I was fascinated about how Jean took a symphonic instrument and made it jazzy. I have almost everything he made on vinyl, so now that I am finally upgrading to a mp3 player, I have to get new CD's. Jean Luc sounds just as good today as he did when I first started collecting him back in 1975. I almost have the complete collection now and it sounds outstanding, probably better now than back then.

Jean-Luc's best?.......2006-04-30

This CD has spellbinding rhythms in the more ethereal tracks - the kind of relatively slow-paced tracks that artfully establish early on that 'moment of connection to the music' that somehow liberates the listeners's soul as the artist's vision behind the musical track comes to life and we are transported to another place. On the whole it's a unique blend of the familiar and the exotic - the ethereally exotic rhythms wedded to the lucidly logical melodic lines. This often-tried experiment is, here, quite successful. Other tracks are high energy - very inspired, and all are infused with a brilliant, pleasingly-structured, readily-identifiable sense of jazz fusion. Stylistically this may be Ponty's singularly most cohesive work. Given his output, that spans well beyond his most prolific stint during the 1970's and '80's, that may well be saying something. I haven't heard everything by him, but, if your looking for something else that, IMHO, gives "Cosmic Messenger" a run for it's money, may I suggest "Mystical Adventures" - another knockout of his. If you look at it like I do, an unresolved toss-up of this magnitude is nothing but a blessing for music fans in general, fans of Jazz fusion in particular or anyone curious to know just what a five string electrified violin can do. I also enjoy "A Taste For Passion", "Civilized Evil" and "Enigmatic Ocean". In any case, Ponty is arguably THE world champion of the five string electrified violin. Not that this instrument is the only feature of merit on the album. Ponty, in this time frame, surrounds himself with truly comparable talent on percussion, an incredible electric bassist and, here, two superb lead guitarists. I don't truly know for myself yet if this is Jean-Luc Ponty's best album, but, so far, I can say it's my favorite. Highly, highly recommended.

JLP's last really good disc.......2004-09-22

1977's "Enigmatic Ocean" was indeed a tough act to follow, given the improvisational and sonic brilliance of one Allan Holdsworth on guitar. So, instead of trying to replicate that disc, Ponty wisely leaned more in a rockier/funky direction for "Cosmic Messenger", knowing that NOBODY could match Holdsworth's unique contributions or even get close.

What results is a collection of songs that retain a lot of the characteristics of Ponty's earlier efforts but a bit leaner and meaner sounding. Of the 2 guitarists, Peter Maunu definitely comes up the most distinct sounding with his soaring melodic bluesy rock sound. What I really enjoyed though was the huge punchy sounding rhythm section of drummer Casey Schurrel and bassist Ralphe Armstrong (I especially loved Ralphe's huge thick growling fretless tone here, deeeeeelicious!). Allan Zavod provides all the appropriately spacey textures with a bank of synths. Have to admit though I would've loved to hear more acoustic instruments as well to balance it out, as it was a bit synth/electronics heavy.

As for the highlights, "Ethereal Mood" is beautifully hypnotic with not much more than acoustic violin, chiming acoustic guitars, fretless bass and tablas, very beautiful haunting melody. On the funkier/rocky side, "Art of Happiness", "Don't Let The World Pass You By" and "Fake Paradise" come out swinging.

The one low point for me is the ending tune "Egocentric Molecules" (corny title BTW!), which sounds more like a mathematical exercise more than it does music. Not one of Ponty's better compositional moments in this Owl's opinion.

Overall, a solid album worth having, but not groundbreaking by any stretch. After this, JLP would seem to just keep making the same record over and over again.

Atmospheric textures.......2004-07-02

These enchanting sounds are made up of electric base, guitars, piano and violin, plus organ, drums, percussion, synthesizers and acoustic guitars. The sound ranges from orchestral and ambient to funky and jazzy.

The music impresses with its varied textures, like the bubbly, rhythmic track The Art Of Happiness that is followed by the more ethereal Don't Let The World Pass You By with its urgent rhythm against a mellow background of synths, or the gentle, evocative I Only Feel Good With You. Puppet's Dance has a jazzy texture, whilst the gentle Ethereal Mood creates just that with its beautiful melody.

The album concludes with Egocentric Molecules which has a full and powerful rock sound driven by electric guitar. The virtuosity of the players is breathtaking. Ponty and team successfully explore various musical avenues on this highly enjoyable album that should appeal to all lovers of ambient and intelligent electronic music.

Right Up There With the Big Guys.......2004-01-21

Of course I've only heard a small fraction of all the music that exists,but of what has come my way,the phenomenal ensemble playing here 'avec mélodie',I find rarely to be equalled[off the top of my head I can only think of 'Earth,Wind & Fire',but of course their respective 'genres' differ]."Great Album"status right close to the very top of my whole humble 120-odd collection.It motors along at a great rate of knots but never strays far from the/a melody...perhaps the musicians being Gallic accounts for there being something refreshing about it too [after a virtually unremitting diet of Anglo-American musical inputs]...

Average customer rating:

Lonnie, Lonnie. Lonnie
One of my all time favorites
For Fans of Herbie, Isaac Hayes, and Marvin Gaye
Badd&Slammin"
Expand your mind

Expansions
Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Renaissance
Blacks and Blues
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ASIN: B000005MLY
Release Date: 1995-05-23

Tracks:

Expansions
Desert Nights
Summer Days
Voodoo Woman
Peace
Shadows
My Love

Customer Reviews:

Lonnie, Lonnie. Lonnie.......2005-09-15

Another great. I was a Teenager when a lot of this material was made........on Vinyl.

One of my all time favorites.......2004-09-10

This disk is timeless. Anyone who likes funk-jazz, smooth jazz, hard bob or plain good music will like this disk. Lonnie Liston Smith is one those forgotten about guys who got lost in the void of the 70's. However this disk just proves that great music is always being made no matter how bleak the scene may be. As The previous reviewer said there are elements of smooth jazz but I don't think that's fair. Smooth jazz evolved from music like this so while there are similarities it is just one influence. Kinda like comparing rock and roll to the blues. That being said my favorite tracks are summer days and shadows the solos by Smith on them are great. Unfortunately as much as I love this disk I always skip over peace (Check out Horace Silvers Blowin the blues away for the real version) and my love. However the other songs more then make up for this. Give this one a shot if you want to hear something truly original for its time.

For Fans of Herbie, Isaac Hayes, and Marvin Gaye.......2004-03-20

This album occupies a middle ground between the all out jazz/funk of Herbie Hancock's "Headhunters" and the soul/R&B of Marvin Gaye.

Be warned: there is a strong element of "smooth" jazz here. There's a good amount of soprano sax and breeziness that may be off-putting to you if you're not thorougly into EVERYTHING from the 70's.

But to be fair, the Cosmic Echoes' sound here is equally characterized by some very dank bass lines, excellent drumming, latin percussion, and the great piano/electric synthesizer work of Smith himself. At many points, just when the music seems about to sway into the schmaltz realm, Smith shows up with some spacey organ to remind you that this is more about a lazy, burnt-out afternoon by the pool than a trip to Sears.

Smith's brother contributes some high pitched, Marvin Gaye-esque vocals on a couple of tracks that some people may like, while some people may wish weren't there. The lyrics to these songs are pretty idealistic, which is a nice way of saying "dated," and the delivery again is breezy--- almost at odds in certain points (particularly on the title track) with the knotty funk being laid down by the rhythm section.

But given time and taken on its own terms, "Expansions" reveals itself to be a great summer album. It's happy, it's bright, it's silky, it's funky.

Badd&Slammin".......2002-03-16

I have followed Lonnie Listen Smith's Albums&Career for quite a while.His Solo Albums are slammin as He is Rocking the Keys here.Bringing His own Unique touch to Jazz&Funk.from His tough Grooves with Pharoah Sanders to His Stand Out Jams here.this is another in a long list of Must Have Jams from Him check it out.

Expand your mind.......2001-10-20

Everything between Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, Lonnie takes you on a journey of his own. A combination of funk, jazz and some psychedelia, Expansions shares a time in place with such artists as Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Herbie Mann, and Freddie Hubbard just to name a few. Lonnie and his Cosmic Echoes will take you on a mind trip with the title song "Expansions. A song with spacious keyboards a funky beat and peace loving lyrics. A real treat.

Average customer rating:

To Error Is Human
From pop star to has been
The Mystic Minstrel of the 20th Century
Finally on CD!

Cosmic Wheels/Essence to Essence
Donovan
Manufacturer: Diablo Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Open Road
7-Tease/Slow Down World
Barabajagal
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HMS Donovan

ASIN: B0001CVBJQ
Release Date: 2004-03-01

Tracks:

Cosmic Wheels
Earth Sign Man
Sleep
Maria Magenta
Wild Witch Lady
Music Makers
Intergalactic Laxative
I Like You
Only the Blues
Appearances
Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth
Lazy Daze
Life Goes On
There Is an Ocean
Dignity of Man
Yellow Star
Divine Daze of Deathless Delight
Boy for Every Girl
Saint Valentine's Angel
Life Is a Merry-Go-Round
Sailing Homeward

Album Description

UK twofer combines both the British folk-rock icon's 1973 albums, 'Cosmic Wheels' produced by Donovan & Mickie Most along with 'Essence To Essence' produced by Andrew Oldham & Donovan. 21 tracks. Edsel. 2004.

Album Details

In 1973, Donovan Signed to Cbs and Released "Cosmic Wheels" which Reached #15 in the UK and #25 in the is Album Charts. In the Producer's Chair, He was Reunited with Mickie Most, Producer of all his Greatest 60s Successes, who Hired Top Session Guitarist Chris Spedding, Along with Yes Drummer Alan White and Rolling Stones Saxophonist Bobby Keyes. The Album features "The Intergalactic Laxative" which Donovan Still Performs Live in Concert. "Essence to Essence" Issued in 1974, was Co-produced with Erstwhile Stones Manager Andrew Long Oldham, and features a Stellar Line Up of Guest Musicians (Carole King, Peter Frampton, Steve Marriot, Tom Scott, Danny Thompson, Henry Mccullough and Danny Seiwell of Wings).

Customer Reviews:

To Error Is Human.......2007-06-22

This is where things start to change . . . and NOT for the better. Did you ever have the feeling that producer Micki Most and guitarist Jeff Beck undertood Donovan and his music a lot more than they ever recieved credit for??? Change is inevitable, but production values are still production values and guitar licks are still guitar licks. The essence of Donovan starts to disappear here. For the next few albums, Donovan seems intent on a "change of direction" that leads him FAR away from what he does best. He trades his unique poetry and celtic charm for something that seems alot less than he is capable of. The magic has dwindled . . . and the fairy dust has scattered. The acoustic Donovan seems to appear, disappear, and reappear at the most inopportune times. All of these albums are uneven and need more love from Donovan and a lot less interference. It makes you wonder if anyone ever listened to any of his previous work on Epic.

From pop star to has been.......2006-01-12

Cosmic Wheels was Donovan's last LP to chart in the top 40 (#25 in the U.S.). Essence to Essence only made it to #174, and a few years later Donovan slid off the charts for good. While there are many reasons why this happened (and it happened to many of the 60s stars), Cosmic Wheels certainly has to take some of the blame. It really isn't that good when compared to his fabulous albums from the 60s. His lyrics lack the whimsy and poetry of his previous songs (something he wouldn't fully regain until his "Beat Cafe" CD 31 years later!), his music is lackluster, and the whole LP is just not compelling.

To top it off, the LP also contains the worse song that Donovan ever wrote - "Intergalactic Laxative." I like to think of this song as one of the final nails in the coffin, the song that instantly pushed Donovan from popular to has been. In an instant, Donovan goes from whimsical to crude, from hip to insipid, from mystical to juvenile. It's truly an embarrassing song, and it blights the entire LP.

So why 3 stars for this CD? Actually, it's for the Essence to Essence part of it because that LP has always had a certain charm to it. Certainly it can't hold a candle to his 60s LPs or to "Beat Cafe", but it's more consistent than Cosmic Wheels, and while the lyrics still aren't great, his music has a playfulness to it that makes it fun to listen to. Worthwhile songs include "Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth," "Yellow Star," and "Life is a Merry-Go-Round."

If you're just starting to get into Donovan, don't buy this CD. Start with one of his excellent best of CDs, either his greatest hits, or "Try for the Sun" or "Troubadour." If you want to explore Donovan's music further, try any of his masterpieces from the 60s, and get the remastered imports because the sound is fantastic. I also highly recommend "Beat Cafe" his 2004 CD which compares favorably with his 60s music. But if you're a Donovan die-hard, you might as well get this CD too.

The Mystic Minstrel of the 20th Century.......2005-03-19

I was glad to find these two albums paired together. I don't have to sell anyone on Cosmic Wheels, one of Donovan's better efforts from the 70's. But Essence to Essence has always been slammed as a weak album, with so-so production and subpar material. However, there are always hidden gems and this LP has a few. Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth and The Divine Daze of Deathless Delight remain two of my personal favorites. But if you are a true Donovan fan, or just now beginning to discover the wonder of his talent, then There Is An Ocean and
Sailing Homeward are absolute musts to have in your collection.
They both have minimal accompaniment and in my opinion that is when Donovan is at his best. Although he has made some great electric music over the years, all he really needs is an acoustic guitar and that great built-in vibrato voice of his to bring goose bumps to your skin. Listen and enjoy.

Finally on CD!.......2004-02-28

Cosmic Wheels was issued in Europe on CD for a very short time in the 1990s and went out of print shortly thereafter. Finally it's re released and available, this time as a twofer with Essense to Essense, the followup CD. Cosmic Wheels is Donovan's last great album, featuring his whimsical but still lyrical concerns with the earth, stars, astronomy, astrology, etc. There are some amazing and powerful orchestrations on this album, particularly on the title track, arranged by Chris Spedding. Great musicianship and songwriting on this overlooked and underrated album. Essense to Essense has some interesting material but is not nearly as good as Cosmic Wheels either in consistency of songwriting or in performance. Sound quality is good, thank God they refrained from using noise reduction, and this CD sounds quite acceptable.

Average customer rating:

Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky
Earthless
Manufacturer: Tee Pee Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000OHZK36
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Godspeed: Amplified/Passing/Trajectory/Perception/Cascade
Sonic Prayer
Cherry Red

Average customer rating:

YOUR HONOR! I DIDN'T DO IT!!!!

Cosmic Slop
Funkadelic
Manufacturer: Westbound Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AXWV2W
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

Nappy Dugout
You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure
March to the Witch's Castle
Let's Make It Last
Cosmic Slop
No Compute
This Broken Heart
Trash a Go Go
Can't Stand the Strain
Cosmic Slop [Single Version][*]

Album Description

This classic Funkadelic album (from 1973) has been remastered from its original master tapes for the first time in 15 years. This is the first album with Gary Shider and marks the beginning of the tighter, more commercial, Funkadelic albums of the later Westbound years. It includes a number of dance floor favorites such as the title track "Cosmic Slop" and the much-sampled "Nappy Dugout". This 2005 CD includes the full nine tracks of the original album plus the substantially different single edit of the title track. The in-depth sleeve notes by funk expert and series consultant Dean Rudland include details of the history of the band and this recording, including information taken from an exclusive interview with original Parliamentarian Fuzzy Haskins. The CD booklet includes a full color reproduction of Pedro Bell's classic album art and contemporary adverts, pictures and memorabilia. Westbound U.S.

Customer Reviews:

YOUR HONOR! I DIDN'T DO IT!!!!.......2007-05-23

Cosmic slop means to "dance with the devil to pay your bills". Do what you don't want to do but you have to do something to survive. Bottom line. The liner notes talk about prostitution and how pimps lure young women into selling themseles. Deep liner notes.
This 5th installment with Westbound records is an all time classic. No two Funkadelic albums are alike. The opening song "Nappy Dugout" is a nice slow jammin groove with a little taste of DC in there! "You Can't Miss What U Can't Measure" is actually a cover song. It was originally by thier alter ego "THe Parliament" from a song named "Heart Trouble". The opening line was a catchy one "Worryations got a hold on me". "Witches Castle" Is about not only the nightmare of the vietnam war, but the nightmare many of the fellas' came home too. For instance. You come home to your wife, but she had remarried becaue she was under the impression that he was dead. It's an overal great album. My favorite is "Trash a go go". Don't know why it has that title but it's a song of a pimp in court sayin "Your honor, I did not do it"...lol. As another writer put it. It's HOlland Dozier HOlland on some acid. Great album.

Average customer rating:

Zodiac Cosmic Sounds Forever
I didn't think they'd have THIS one!
Zodiac - 'Cosmic Sounds' (Water) 3 1/2 stars
Great to see on CD, but LP sound is better
Happy Happy Leo!!!!

Cosmic Sounds
Zodiac
Manufacturer: Water
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000066AUH
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Aries - The Fire-Fighter
Taurus - The Voluptuary
Gemini - The Cool Eye
Cancer - The Moonchild
Leo - The Lord Of Lights
Virgo - The Perpetual Perfectionist
Libra - The Flower Child
Scorpio - The Passionate Hero
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Capricorn - The Uncapricious Climber
Aquarius - The Lover Of Life
Pisces - The Perfect Piper

Album Description

Reissue of 1967 Elektra album of psychedelic mood music/spoken word. Featuring the first use of a Moog synthesizer on a commercial recording. 2002.

Album Details

Re-issue of 1967 Elektra Album of Psychedelic Mood Music and Spoken Word. Includes First Use of a Moog Synthesiser on a Commercial Recording.

Customer Reviews:

Zodiac Cosmic Sounds Forever.......2007-05-17

Believe it or not, I have the records - both monarual and stereo versions of this classic piece. I have been listening to it since 1969...and have forced and coerced many friends and lovers to listen to this...even used it to help my young son fall asleep.

I listen to it several times a week...and now, thanks to getting the CDS, I can listen to it in my car...and until the days prior to my death.

Listen to it in the dark for sure...listen to it while in bed with someone special...listen to it.

I didn't think they'd have THIS one!.......2007-03-09

Fine assemblage of sounds befitting the 1967 scene. Some truly unique sounds from esoteric instruments, and some of the first uses of electronic
(moog type) instruments. Good music, narrated, not sung or rapped, one "song" for each of the twelve signs. And, if you are into astrology, you'll have more to talk about. (I don't know enough about it to critique it, but my own sign fits me fairly well)

Zodiac - 'Cosmic Sounds' (Water) 3 1/2 stars.......2007-02-24

Recorded in 1967, but released on CD in 2002. Only album that was put out from this 'experimental psychedelic' artist. I assume it was a basically a one man project with back-up musicians. Only name I could find was Cyrus Faryar, the one who provides the well done spoken word. 'Cosmic Sounds' is okay. No masterpiece but decent enough to give a spin every now and again. Some snippets of this CD's twelve cuts have been heard in the background of an occasional Dragnet episode (like the one with 'Blueboy' + five other drug associated episodes they had), the film 'Riot On Sunset Strip' and several biker movies. Might appeal to fans of Timothy Leary, Tomorrow, Honeycombs as well as other bands produced by the late eccentric Joe Meek.

Great to see on CD, but LP sound is better.......2007-01-27

It is really good to see some reviewers being honest about the sound. However, I imagine that few people have a turntable to say nothing about having a copy of the LP, although you can find it pretty easily and not too expensive. Just to have this on CD is a real good thing. It was considered pretty much exploito stuff at the time, but it was mildly interesting and worked well within certain radio formats. The music is a good example of the times.

Happy Happy Leo!!!!.......2007-01-03

I've had the record for Cosmic Sounds for a looong time now and had despaired of *ever* getting it on CD. I was 5 when it originally was released but fell in love with it anyways. Was I estatic when I found it on a sister-site to Amazon. I promptly informed my cousin (another big fan of the album). Then it was simply a matter of hinting broadly and often until the CD ended up in my stocking this Christmas. It's just like I remembered it except without the scratches and pops from the old stereo. Lovely. It doesn't need to be played in the dark but I could use a good blacklight and some velvet fuzzy posters!!

Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy/Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow

Average customer rating:

Space is the place!
Truth In Advertising
Not his best
nothing else like it
Don't start here to get acquainted with Sun Ra

Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy/Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow
Sun Ra
Manufacturer: Evidence
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000014JO
Release Date: 1992-11-20

Tracks:

And Otherness
Thither And Yon
Adventure-Equation
Moon Dance
Voice Of Space
Cluster Of Galaxies
Ankh
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Customer Reviews:

Space is the place!.......2007-04-05

"Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy" tops the list for all-time greatest album title (tied with "Weasels Ripped My Flesh"). The thought of these sonic vibrations from outer space reconfiguring your neural synapses is actually quite appealing. This stuff really does sound like it's from "out there"! The echo and reverb drenched and somewhat low-budget sound actually gives it extra charm.

The music on "Cosmic Tones" is very abstract. It sounds quite bizzare in 2007, so I can only image what it must have sounded to people in 1961 - not even Ornette Coleman or Cecil Taylor we doing stuff this far out in 1961.

"Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow" is a transitional work between straight jazz and the free space music of "Cosmic Tones". It's certainly enjoyable music, but for me it's less interesting.

I was lucky to see Sun Ra Live in 1988 and 1990, and actually had a few words with him in 1990. Despite being wheelchair-ridden he still had tremendous presence and a projected a very joyful vibe. This joyfulness comes across in all of his music, which is one of the things that most appeals to me.

This album is as good a place to start as any, if you are interested in exploring Sun Ra's universe.

Truth In Advertising.......2006-05-17

Cosmic Tones For Mental Therapy and Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow by Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra is quite a formidable title by any measure - and yet - when you actually listen to this astonishing piece of work you will find yourself thoroughly convinced - indeed - it is the only possible name for it.

They say that for an alcoholic, one drink is too many and one thousand aren't enough. I have discovered the same to be true of Sun Ra CDs, which seem to be breeding on my wall. Hearing one is too much because once you've listened it's too late to pretend you haven't heard what you've heard. One thousand aren't enough because each is different, the product of a man who explored constantly, driven by an inspired and fearless abandon.

Sun Ra CDs seem to break down into two categories, the really sharp old school jazz CDs and the intergalactic travel CDs. While I have praised Heliocentric Worlds Volume 1 in the past, I now think this is the indispensable Sun Ra CD - the one you simply MUST own. More than any other I've heard it bridges the gap between the two worlds of Sun Ra, in fact, listening to this CD it's difficult to tell which world you're in. At times it might be Morocco, other times it might be a spaceship rounding Venus, then again, some moments feel like a Cuban nightclub in the 1950's.

Maybe that's the real poetry of Sun Ra, you can never be really sure of anything. I may be back soon to revise my opinion again, after probing deeper into the enchanted world of Sun Ra. I wouldn't be at all surprised if I were again surprised.

Not his best.......2006-01-24

This CD is really for the completest among avid fans of Sun Ra. If that describes you, then this release is a treat: two of Sun Ra's early albums that were not easy to come by on vinyl even back then, unless you lived in New York City.

The music, however, is of questionable quality, even when considered within the proper context of genre and period. Don't get me wrong: I'm all for the avant garde, but these recordings grated even on my nerves and I'm no stranger to dissonance. My favorite orchestral composers are Penderecki and Carl Stalling, some of my favorite jazz records are by Ornette Coleman, I own several CDs by the likes of Captain Beefheart and Xenakis, my favorite rock record is by Mr. Bungle, I've enjoyed concerts by Rene Lussier and Andre Duchesne...but this purchase was a disappointment to me, regardless of price.

The dissonance in this recording was just not at all musical to my ears. I'm not exactly sure what Sun Ra intended with these pieces but they had no emotional impact on me, nor did they even have any kind of rhythmic or hypnotic effect say like `Fire' by the Third Ear Band from their elements album. The interest here is purely intellectual and not worth repeated listening, in my opinion.

I agree that Sun Ra was a great musician and composer who made an important contribution to the avant guard in general, but these particular recordings are not among his finest achievements.

nothing else like it.......2005-12-29

free jazz with form...or something like that. The composer in question is, Sun Ra, one of the most forward looking musical talents of the 20th century. This is one of his first truly 'out there' albums. In the 50's he was an innovator in a sort of big band style that incorporated some of the most strange and beautiful compositions with truly futuristic solos from the likes of John Gilmore (who pioneered the 'sheets of sound' style that John Coltrane would become famous for). 'Cosmic Tones/Art Forms' is something else completely. As other reviewers have said - you cannot define it. It is free - yet so different from what artists like Ornette Coleman were doing at the time. It has an organic almost folk like quality - it sounds almost ancient. It is closer to classical chamber music than to most jazz records. You can't even really compare it to Mingus - this is something else... Just listen and meditate on this one - so strange and beautiful.

Don't start here to get acquainted with Sun Ra.......2005-08-12

This is great Sun Ra, but by all means don't start here. Its crazy, surreal, and inaccesible, more so than "Space Is the Place" or "Easy Listening for Intergalatic Travel". However, if you are familiar with Sun Ra, but considor yourself a casual fan than this is an album to buy. It will help you delve into the world of the greatest Jazz artist who ever lived. Back in 8th grade I took a general music class, which was all about learning the history of jazz to attempt to make all the kid's taste in music better (it, for the most part, alienated them ever further). One of the albums our teacher played was this one, and the reaction of the class was pretty much the same. "Is this music?" As my tastes have matured, I grew to appreciate avant-garde music, the deconstruction and often times lack of a central rhythm. The music here isn't catchy, and it may appear to many as unlistenable. However, if you have a taste for weird and unusual music, you will fall in love with this album. This is more for fans of The Shaggs and Captain Beefheart than it is for fans of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Don't get the impression that Sun Ra and his band is merely jamming here however - its all part of a great artistic vision.

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