Tracey Trance Pyper Kub OKF 006 LPAVAILABLE NOW
In today's world of "internet presence," the music of Tracey Trance is as "real people" as it gets. When Tracey (AKA Tyler, longtime resident of Hangtown, USA) does happen to get on a computer, it's only to spin rainbow colored poetry to a friend or figure out the next spot he's gonna park his truck. Although he's been granted releases on such taste making labels as Not Not Fun and Night People, he's turned in lo-fi home recordings that are difficult to pin down in any one time, place or genre. Pyper Kub is his debut long playing vinyl and it is a startling and heartfelt departure from the hypnagogic keyboard recordings that many have enjoyed over the last few years. This is a song based record, focusing mainly on guitar, bass and vocals. There's a little Slang Tang, some serious wah-wah, a dollop of Joe Walsh circa But Seriously, Folks... and there's a lot of Tyler's odd, elfish spirit. A collection of road songs that plays out in some sort 70s mirror universe. My favorite finds our hero contemplating the fine line between freedom and imprisonment while a K-9 unit searches his truck. This record has a way of growing on you, and I've played my copy of the original ultra-limited cassette release countless times. Nifty vinyl co-release with Trd W/d, Hot Releases, Feeding Tube Records, Faux Pas Recordings, L'animaux Tryst & Canada Goose Tapes. Edition of 700 cream colored vinyl. Each label will provide a different limited edition sticker to go on the front cover. Stream two songs or download the complete album on the One Kind Favor bandcamp.
Daniel Bachman Oh Be Joyful OKF 003 LPThey say that Fredericksburg, VA is the most haunted city in America and it's sons have surely been imbued with the spirit of the American Primitive guitar. The distinct sounds you will hear on Oh Be Joyful are inspired by the traditions and lore of Fredericksburg, also the hometown of Jack Rose (may God watch over his soul). This is the second full length LP by steel string guitarist Daniel Bachman (who formerly recorded and performed as Sacred Harp). Though young in years, he plays with a technical facility and emotional depth equal to that of the greatest fingerstylists. His discography is already full of strong releases, but this new recording is the first I've heard to fully capture the intimate beauty that many have witnessed in his live acoustic performances across the country. Authenticity has been a issue that has plagued folk music for much of the 20th century and these days anyone can pick up a style that was previously known only to a few mountainfolk. While Bachman's playing is surely reminiscent of the spiritual searching sound of Robbie Basho, and indeed the spectre of Fahey looms large, he is no Johnny-come-lately. There is a real open and, dare we say, "Psychedelic" vibe to Bachman's playing that elevates it out of the realm of tradition and into the "now." Limited edition one time pressing of 500 copies. Stream or download the complete album from the One Kind Favor bandcamp.
Often considered the Holy Grail of "real people" records, Kenneth Higney's "Attic Demonstration" was never actually intended to be an official release. It was recorded in New York City by Higney and his accompanist Gordon Gaines (R.I.P.) as a vehicle with which to sell Higney's songs to other artists and was only pressed to vinyl in 1976 when he grew tired of duplicating cassette tapes. Apparently the Jandekian dissonance of the "A. Demo." sound was an unintended by-product of the one take demo sessions. Be that as it may, "Attic Demonstration" is a strange sonic world all of it's own. Acoustic guitar ballads of nearly atonal desolation mix readily with rock 'n' roll numbers featuring hiccuping drums and alien sounding electric guitar. All this from a New Jersey truck driver! Official reissue on high quality vinyl remastered from the original tapes with liner notes by Kenneth Higney. Second and final pressing of 400 copies available now (identical to first pressing of 500, which is sold out). If you order the LP you'll get a free copy of the reissue of Higney's 1980 single Funky Kinky. You can also order the 7" separately. Listen.
Kenneth Higney Funky Kinky b/w I Wanna Be The King OKF 004 7"
Official reissue of Kenneth Higney's 1980 private press 45rpm single. Compared to "Attic Demonstration," the recordings are much more polished. Synthesizers and "pop sensibility" have found their way into Higney's music, and the more I listen to it, I'm convinced this could have somehow taken the world by storm in some sort of post-No Wave context. Don't get me wrong, this is still incredibly strange stuff, with Higney triple tracking his vocals in different registers. "Funky Kinky" is an especially unique come-on to a lady and "I Wanna Be The King" is an "ode or tribute, whatever you'd like to call it, to the NYC punk scene of Max's Kansas City and CBGB's in general and Johnny Thunders (the "King") in particular," according to the artist. "I wanna be the king, I wanna play guitar. I hate the sissy music of John Den-var." Higney goes on to say:
In June of 1980 Kebrutney released a seven inch single of "I Wanna Be The King" b/w/ "Funky Kinky." This was my shot at being a performing writer and these were my first recordings done with the intent of being released to the general public. They were not demos. My thinking was to release a "double A side," which was reflected by the catalog numbers on the label: "KBH-516RAS" for "I Wanna Be The King" was the rock ("R") side and "KBH-516FAS" was the funk ("F") side. A monster record which drowned in the swamp after being chased by the villagers.
Limited edition one time pressing of 500 copies in paper sleeves with polybag. Listen
Sound Ceremony s/t OKF 002 LP We're sold out but you can order from Forced Exposure
"We bring to your attention, an invitation to the bizarre." Released in 1979, this record surely fits somewhere into the UK punk explosion of the day, but it's also looks back to the mid-sixties rock that singer and guitarist Ron Warren Ganderton cut his teeth on and ahead to some sort of maniac future form of entertainment that perhaps has not been invented yet. Ganderton's mildly "out of it" stream of consciousness lyrics show a clear lack of self-censorship and that's really one of the albums strongest assets. He has created this character of himself as a huge rock star and a sex symbol, and who are we to deny his claims? The band chugs along amiably as Ganderton covers such topics as his beating heart (it's made of rock), his distaste for education (he'd prefer to teach a lesson in bed) and his electric brain (which happens to be insane). If you've never heard a singer do a count-off all the way up to seventeen, then now is your big chance! Features what is perhaps the greatest anti-cigarette song of all time. Official reissue on high quality vinyl with outstanding remastered sound. Limited edition one time pressing of 500 copies. Stream or download the complete album on the OKF bandcamp page. More info and photo galleries here.
Deep Thoughts
You can find hundreds of new and used records, tapes and CDs in the discogs store for Deep Thoughts, my new record shop. All One Kind Favor releases are listed in the store for your convenience in combing orders.
