Arachnid Records

Featured Album Rufus Harley Re-Creation of the Gods

2011-12-28T16:34:00.012Z

RUFUS HARLEY RE-CREATION OF THE GODS ANKH 0001 1972

Now this is something else an original Ankh pressing of Rufus Harley's Re-Creation of the Gods.

Take some funk, gospel, the Sufi message, add Hammond Organ and sprinkle liberally with Bagpipes and believe it or not you get one amazing album!! Got to say I'm not a fan of bagpipes usually but Rufus gets this kind of mystical drone out of them thats amazing.

If you think I'm talking crap check out the following track from the album:

I rest my case m'lord.

Buy it now at Arachnid Records

Arachnid Records Christmas Update

2011-12-08T16:58:00.007Z

Seasonal greetings. This last Arachnid Records update of 2011 contains 37 items mainly of the Prog/Psych persuasion. You will need to visit the Arachnid Records Website for a full hit but here is a taste of what's up there.

First up a very collectable piece of 60's pop psych IDLE RACE Birthday Party LBL 83132 Rare mono Blue Liberty gatefold cover.

AUDIENCE House on the Hill CAS 1032 Original Pink Charisma gatefold cover

BLACK WIDOW Black Widow CBS 64133 Original CBS press with gatefold cover

JEREMY SPENCER Jeremy Spencer RSLP 9002 Original Tri coloured Reprise lovely thick vinyl.

HAIR Rave Up NSPL 18314 Original Blue Pye With Alex Harvey

Other bands included in the update include Frank Zappa, Can, Hard Meat, Family and Andwella. Plus lots more.

Hope you find something of interest and have a great Xmas.

Fruits De Mer Update December 2011

2011-12-07T22:00:00.004Z

The following new Fruits De Mer releases will be arriving this week.

On its way as I speak, or rather type, another cracker from the Fruits De Mer crew. 'Keep Off The Grass' will be a double LP of psych, fuzz, sunshine pop, garage, freak-out, and all things in between and either side thereof. It will include covers of tracks originally by The Byrds, Skip Spence, The Nazz, Tomorrow, John's Children, Chocolate Watch Band and lots, lots, LOTS more! To pre order contact me at enquiries@arachnidrecords.com. Price £22.

Also due a 2 X 7" Xmas annual from FDM including tracks fromAVibravoid, Permanent Clear Light, Beau and many more. Classic covers like Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick + new original killer compositions. To pre order contact me at enquiries@arachnidrecords.com.Price £8

Check out the Vibravoid track

Last but not least the third festive release by FDM, Do Not Adjust Your Set 7". Classic 60's and 70's TV themes given the Fruits De Mer twist. Like the other 2 releases also on coloured vinyl and strictly limited. Track listing: Fireball XL5, Sky At Night, Ace of Wands, Robinson Crusoe Captain Scarlet and White Horses. To pre order contact me at enquiries@arachnidrecords.com. Price £5

For your listening pleasure the Ace of Wands theme

US Psych

2011-11-21T16:50:00.012Z

Just bought in some original US psych albums on UK and US labels which I should be adding to the site soon. H P Lovecraft's first two LP's, Fugs Virgin Fugs plus Fugs 2 , Moby Grape debut album + 69, Mind Garage S/T and Jeremy and the Satyrs.

Also got a couple of nice reissues, Marcus From the House of Trax. Ya Ho Wa 13 Savage Sons of Ya Ho Wa and the Fugs It Crawled Into My Hand.

Just in case you've forgotten, how good is this!! Amazing swirling psych.

Rattles Teenbeat Volume 1 Decca EP

2011-10-29T14:31:00.005+01:00

Best find of the week was this little beauty Rattles Teenbeat 1 EP ex/ex apart from very slight edge warp which doesn't effect play. UK Decca (DFE 8560) copy from 1964. Track listing: Everybody Loves A Lover / I'm Talkin About You / Money / MemphisTennessee.Did a bit of digging and came up with this info on the group's early day, courtesy of http://dm-musicstations.blogspot.com.

"Rattles were the pre eminent German Beat band of the Sixties and Seventies. Their genealogical tree shows the backbone of the Beat scene in Hamburg at this time. Without a doubt they were the figurehead and the melting pot for musical talent. They were founded in 1960 by Achim Reichel, who was training to be a waiter, and Herbert Hildebrandt who was an apprentice panel beater.

Here's how it started: Manfred Woitalla, who later owned the Star Palast chain, was the one to arrange the first decent-paying jobs for Rattles, as he did for the Phantom Brothers. By Friday April 13, 1962, when the Star-Club opened its doors, with the Beatles being one of the acts, Rattles had already gained a lot of experience from their performances in and around Schleswig-Holstein andHamburg."

If you want more info or are interested in buying the EP contact me at enquiries@arachnidrecords.com

Nick Drake Arranger Robert Kirby

2011-10-23T12:22:00.006+01:00

Had a good day at Mold Record Fair yesterday, the highlight of the day however was somewhat unexpected. Got talking to a lady who I had never seen at fairs before and she asked me whether I had a copy of Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left as her copy was somewhat the worse for wear.

Further conversation revealed she had gone to Cambridge University with Nick Drake and became the girl friend of Robert Kirby, Drake's friend, who went on to do the string arrangements for some of the songs on Five Leaves Left and Bryter Later. She got to know Nick and was there at some of the recording sessions of the albums.

She told me she had some photographs of Nick which I would have love to seen and her account of him fits in very much with all that's written about him. She split up from Robert in the 70's but got back together with him after his marriage was dissolved, unfortunately he died soon after in 2009. I could have chatted to her all day but a busy record fair is not the best environment.

I hope she visits us again, but she appeared a very private person and I've a feeling that fleeting conversation will be it. Just shows you never know who you will bump into at a local record fair.

Mold Record Fair Saturday 22nd October

2011-10-17T20:34:00.003+01:00

Coming ready or not

VOD musics Mold Record Fair coming up this Saturday and if you are anywhere near North Wales it's well worth a trip. I've been doing them for about 18 months/2 years now and have been bowled over by the interest shown and the numbers attending. Mold Fair often draws over 400 punters which is incredible for a small North Walian market town.

I gave up doing fairs at the turn of the century, just wasn't worth getting out of bed for even for events in Manchester and Liverpool, numbers dropped and so did takings. Never thought record fairs would take off here I remember taking £27 at one of Chris Savory's fairs in Wrexham. how times have changed.

Almost all the credit must go to Colin from VOD Music who runs the smallest record shop in the world in Mold (well worth a visit) and organises the N Wales fairs. He promotes the fairs with real flair and enthusiasm and without his commitment they wouldn't be half the success they are.

Arachnid Records update October 16th 2011

2011-10-15T17:17:00.029+01:00

Bugger missed

First up this week...

Sundance Rain, Steam Speed. TXS 111

Sundance can be placed in the same genre as the likes of Brinsley Schwarz, Help Yourself, Cochise etc. Sundance were heavily influenced by the Band and this their rare debut album from 1973 features some great tracks and fine musicianship.incidentally the drummer later joined Judas Priest! Leader Bob Bowman wrote some terrific songs, lead tracks 'I See The Road' and single 'Coming Down' still sound untouched by the passing years

Buy it £20

Nino Ferrer Blanat LTA 01

Nino Ferrer teamed up with Marc Bolan's ex side kick and guitarist Mickey Finn in 1979 to bring out this album on a small independent label Free Bird.The album has several influences from prog, jazz to gospel with a superb laminated psych cover. Getting very hard to get hold of these days.

Buy it £20

Dick Heckstall-Smith Dust in the Air Suspended Marks the Place

Where a Story Ended ILPS 9196

Dick Heckstall-Smith's solo album retained close links with his former band. Colosseum drummer Hiseman produced and played on the set, as did Colosseum members Mark Clarke, Chris Farlowe, and Dave Greenslade. Former boss Graham Bond also guested on the collection. With guitarists Chris Spedding and Caleb Quayle also employed this Lp is packed with virtuoso musicians. The album itself is a mix of Prog, Jazz-Rock and even a bit of blues. Well worth dipping into your pocket for.

Buy it £25

Curved Air Second Album K46092

Curved Air's second album neatly titled Second album is housed in a gimmix fold out cover. A wide range of instrumentation is employed by this very talented group of musicians coupled with the amazing voice of Sonja Kristina. Back Street Love is the most famous track but the 12 minute Piece of Mind is the progressive highlight of the LP.

Buy it £18

Pentangle The Pentangle TRA 162

Pentangle's debut album. I was lucky enough to see Bert Jansch a couple of times in recent years and he was still a joy to listen to. This is an original 1^st Issue 1968 UK Stereo Lp housed in a laminate sleeve. Not a lot to say about this piece as I'm sure you all know it. Equally comfortable with traditional songs, instrumentals, and originals, with musicians of the quality of Renbourn, Jansch, Thompson and Cox plus Jacqui McShee vocals you can't go wrong.

Buy it £20

The LUCK of EDEN HALL EP

2011-10-07T22:05:00.012+01:00

We're currently waiting for delivery of a 7" by this fine US band that combines two original Luck of Eden Hall tracks with two stunning 60s covers that will be exclusive to us, and therefore to you - Love's 'She Comes In Colours' and The Association's 'Never My Love'

The 60s covers are:
'She Comes In Colours' (originally by Love)
'Never My Love' (originally by The Association)

Limited Edition 7" colour vinyl, on the Winkle label ( Fruits De Mer)

Reserve a copy. Price £5 Available from 10th October

New Fruits De Mer Wicker Man Release

2011-10-07T18:19:00.016+01:00

US & THEM Summerisle - Songs from 'The Wicker Man' 4 track EP

Take THE all-time classic 1970s UK folk-horror cult movie, with an unforgettable acid-folk soundtrack that added to the mystery, myth and magic of the film…

...and a brilliant Swedish acoustic duo who spent long, dark, cold winter months reinterpreting four of the songs to mesmerising effect...

...then add in the subtle, atmospheric keyboard sounds of a UK-based mellotron wizard to help recreate the eerie tension of the original film...

....and deliver it all on an exclusive, 500 pressing, colour-vinyl 7" single

Track listing:

1 Corn Rigs

2 Gently Johnny

3 Fire Leap

4 Willow’s Song

Reserve a copy. Price £5 Available from 10th October

Arachnid Records Update October 4th 2011

2011-10-04T19:16:00.001+01:00

I think he went that way

This week's offerings include rare British 60's Jazz, US psych, classic Pink Island FolkRock, Canterbury scene prog and US Stax tinged Southern rock

Don Rendell Ian Carr Quintet Phase III SX 6214

The culmination of four years of playing together this album showcases some of the cream of 60's British Jazz. Led by Don Rendell and Ian Carr including Michael Garrick, Dave Green and Trevor Tomkin. Rendell plays flute, soprano and clarinet as well as tenor and his armoury of instruments is largely responsible for the wideranging spectrum of tone colours. It includes Garrick's Black Marigolds.

The album is also fully signed by the quintet to futher add to the rarity value of this copy.

Buy it

Hatfield and the North Hatfield and the North V 2008

Hatfield & The North could be thought of as a Canterbury scene super group with its members having played with Canterbury Bands ie. Gong, Egg, and Caravan just to mention a few. This is their debut album from 1974. Richard Sinclair's great voice and whimsical lyrics mixed a with liquid and melodic jazz fusion. The Northetts (female vocal trio) add an ethereal choral sound. All in all a superb piece of prog rock housed in a beautiful laminated gatefold cover.

Buy it

Fat Fat LSP 4368

1970 US pressing by this Massachusetts-based quintet.They play 60's style hard rock with strong West Coast/Bay Area influences. The superb guitar work plus some of the arrangements are reminiscent of mid-period Quicksilver.There are occasional progressive passage in there as well. Fat were a very competent band with powerful songs, interesting arrangements, high quality guitar, and excellent vocals. Housed in a fully laminated cover and pressed in very small quantities.

Buy it

Fairport Convention Full House ILPS 9130

1970 Pink i release on Island records. Recorded after Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings left Fairport this is a powerful and vibrant album, highlighting a superb level of musicianship, both moving and exciting. This incarnation of the group were noted for stunning live concerts and this studio album is testament to their prowess.

Buy it

Delaney & Bonnie Accept No Substitute EKS 74039

This is a first pressing of the second album by Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, their only release on the Elektra label . The album features many of the "friends" that would form the core of their best-known 1969-70 touring band, including Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Rita Coolidge.

The album is steeped in the Stax soul sound, the duo's recordings set the scene for the gospel-tinged, southern rock sound that became so popular in the 70's.

Buy it

Arachnid Records Update 27th September

2011-09-27T17:30:00.032+01:00

Going to a glo-glo everbody

Second update of the month bit of prog, bit of psych, bit of 60's!

ART Supernatural Fairy Tales ILP 967

Later reissue? (the album was released in 1967 on Pink Island eyeball then Pink rim never the Pink i label) from Art, the group which was metamorphosing from the VIP's into Spooky Tooth. Not dissimilar to early Spooky Tooth recordings but a bit more psych/poppy. Difficult to find even on this label.

Buy it

Blonde on Blonde Rebirth LDUS 17254

Rebirth is the second and best of Blonde on Blonde's albums an excellent Lp which will greatly appeal to lovers of melodic progressive rock. Originally released on Ember in 1970 it did not sell well which was not to surprising given the amount of amazing bands around at the time! The group hailed from Newport South Wales but gigged at prestigious venues like the Roundhouse supporting the likes of Jefferson Airplane and the Doors. This is a later European reissue, vinyl top condition.

Buy it

Galdriel Airborne PSS 191 LP

Released on the very collectable Pennine label in strong ex condition and including the rare insert. Pressed in very small numbers these Pennine releases are very difficult to find especially in such fine condition as this copy. English folk beautifully arranged.

Buy it

Creedence Clearwater Revival Bayou Country LBS 83621

Released in 1969 Creedence Clearwater Revival's second album contains some superb southern fried swamp rock. This fully laminated first pressing is a great example of this classic 60's LP with iconic tracks such as Born on the Bayou and Proud Mary. This album established Creedence's unique sound driven by John Fogerty's songwriting.

Buy it

Graham Bond Bond in America Phillips 6382010

1971 Phillips pressing Bond in America in laminated cover. The songs themselves are heavily organ driven as you would expect though there are flashes of guitar, but overall a very fine funky piece, not though in the same class as the Graham Bond Organisation albums. The tracks were recorded a couple of years earlier during his sabbatical in the USA, hence the title.

Buy it

Stones Let It Bleed.Unique Copy! With Boxed/Unboxed Labels!

2011-09-21T17:05:00.008+01:00

Let It Bleed is one of my all time favourite albums. For me that run of Stones LP's from Satanic Majesties Request through Beggars Banquet to Let It Bleed were stunning as a teenager growing up in Bath during the sixties. I still think they stand the test of time, though I know many people have little time for Satanic Majesties these days, I still find it magical and other worldly, sad but true!!

I bought a copy of Let It Bleed a couple of years ago a very clean near mint boxed Decca stereo from Raves From the Grave in Frome Somerset. (3 floors of collectible vinyl well worth a visit) It was only whilst sorting through some later purchases that I took another look at it and discovered, to my great surprise, that one side of the album has a boxed Decca label the other side is unboxed

I know this a rare press but cannot find any real info about it. Side one matrix is XZAL 9363 P 5W side two XZAL 9364 P 4W. It came with censored blue inner sleeve. I would love to find out more about this pressing so if you can help please contact me.

I posted this a couple of years ago but did not receive any info. I'm open to offers for this album if anybody is interested.

Arachnid Records September 2011 Update

2011-09-20T20:18:00.002+01:00

ARACHNID RECORDS UPDATE SEPT 2011

Some girls have all the luck

Mainly prog orientated pieces in my latest update, four from 1970. First up:

PROCOL HARUM HOME SLRZ1014 (1970)

Procol's fourth album is a classic prog rock release with surreal gothic lyrics showcasing the band at their most adventurous. This copy is a first press on red Regal Zonophone including the rare insert. It was released in1970 .The black shiny vinyl in superb condition graded strong ex with only a few very light lines visible under 100w light. The cover is also graded vg+ with light general wear a bit of light ringwear to back cover. (see photos)

Buy it

Rare Bird. As Your Mind Flies By. CAS 1011 (1970)

This, the bands second album from 1970 features keyboard driven prog rock with Steve Gould's powerful vocals. Side 2 is given over to a single track, 'Flight', divided into 4 movements. This is a Pink Charisma first press from 1970. The gatefold sleeve has just a bit of ringwear. Vinyl looks ex but there is a little surface background on quieter passages therefore graded vg+.

Buy it

Skid Row Skid CBS 63965 (1970)

Skid Row were an Irish powerhouse blues rock trio featuring a teenage Gary Moore on lead guitar. This is their first album released in 1970. A previous single was recorded with Phil Lynott on vocals but he subsequently left the band. Graded ex/ex.

Buy it

Spooky Tooth The Last Puff ILPS 9117 (1970)

Another 1970 release, one of four in this update, featuring a Spooky Tooth shorn of Gary Wright keyboard player and mainstay of the band. Still a very listenable album with a couple of covers thrown including a brave and ambitious cover of I Am the Walrus! This is a first press from 1970 Pink-i Island label. Great copy. Vinyl in superb condition strong ex only a few very light lines visible under 100w light.

Buy it

Spirit Spirit CBS 63278 (1968)

First album from 1968 with laminated front cover. heavily influenced by Beatles Sgt Pepper and Sid era Floyd. 1968 Vinyl in superb condition strong ex only a few very light lines visible under 100w light, cover ex.

Buy it

Check back next week for another update.

Cranium Pie LP Mechanisms Pt1 Now Available

2011-09-12T18:42:00.005+01:00

Great new release from the Fruits De Mer crew on their Regal Crabomophone label. If you've not heard Cranium Pie before then think Pink Floyd inspired space/prog rock, though there are other influences in there.

If you fancy a copy of this superb prog LP on a very collectable label you can get a copy from my site.

Catherine Howe What a beautiful place First Press!

2011-09-11T17:02:00.008+01:00

Catherine Howe What a Beautiful Place Reflection REFL 11

(Unenhanced photos of the album)

Once in a blue moon, in amongst the James Last and Genesis LP's you can come across a real gem. This summer I had the good fortune to purchase a copy of Catherine Howe's superb debut album What a Beautiful Place on the Reflection label. I won't insult your intelligence by banging on about what a rare and beautiful piece this is because if you are reading this I'm sure you already know that. For those not in the know try this link for a balanced review.

Rare is often a misused adjective but in the case of this LP it is not. Check out POPSIKE only 4 have turned up for sale since 2005.

The vinyl looks excellent apart from one noticeable mark on Side 1 track 5 Up North. It plays through beautifully with hardly any background noise at all apart from the track with the mark but even there any interference is not too intrusive. So 90% strong ex to m- sound quality, the one marked track vg+.

The front laminated cover is in strong ex condition with just minimal slight corner wear. The seam is crisp, sharp and clear with all print clearly visible. The seams are in similar top order. The white back unlaminated cover has very light signs of wear and ok written in very small letters on the bottom right. Graded ex. It also has the original mispress sticker.

Overall not a perfect copy, but only very slight imperfections. Only 4 copies have surfaced in the last 6 years!! A great opportunity to buy one of Folks crown jewels. Available at Arachnid Records.

Jonesy No Alternative LP

2011-08-26T16:41:00.005+01:00

Just returned from holiday with a few interesting pieces. Very pleased with a couple I found on Jersey especially a superb copy of Jonesy's first Lp on Dawn No Alternative. Mellotron driven prog rock in the same style as Gracious and Court of the Crimson King. A promising debut with intricate arrangements and fluid guitar work. Check out the track Heaven below.

One track Ricochet was actually issued as a single on Pye and is more blaxploitation than prog and none the worse for it. Indeed some think it the beast track on the album, all depends what floats your boat. Listen and make up your mind.

Mold Record Fair

2011-08-07T13:51:00.004+01:00

Had a good day yesterday at the Mold Record Fair both buying and selling. Punter numbers were a bit down on last time (over 500) but considering it was early August still a very respectable turn out.

Sold a wide range of gear from Eddie Cochran and Elvis EP's to a visiting Japanese dealer, through Incredible String Band LP's, to those great Fruits De Mer label singles. Also about 50 LP's out of my £1 box which has had a small but positive effect on my garage space!

Buying wise picked up a really nice original US copy of 13th Floor Elevators Bull of the Woods on International artists which you don't see every day. Not quite as psychy as earlier albums with less involvement of Roky but still a great listen

Plus Idle Race The Birthday Party mono Blue liberty, vinyl in great nick cover a bit worn, but very listenable pop psych from a magical era.

All in all another pleasant day at a VOD Record Fair. Many thanks again to Colin for organizing yet another great event.

Vinyl revival

2011-08-03T22:10:00.003+01:00

Interesting article in the Times yesterday noting the continuing demise of the DVD,

sales down 20% in the first quarter of 2011, and other disc formats. Incredibly, or not, the only 'disc' to buck the trend was good old vinyl with sales up a whopping 55%!

Yes I know in terms of sales volume it's still a drop in the ocean compared with other formats but in the download age vinyl seems to be the only 20th Century technology proving a success in the new millennium.

I presume the figures are for new vinyl but it can only have a positive knock on effect for dealers of used vinyl. I'm guessing that not all these purchases are being made by my generation (Baby Boomer or maybe Grumpy Old Git), which is also encouraging. Clutching at straws, I hope not.

Morgen LP US Psych

2011-07-29T11:58:00.005+01:00

Couple more reissues gone up on the site today. First off the amazing Morgen's self titled psych masterpiece, probably the best US psych album of all time. Hype you might say but I really love this slab of vinyl, some stunning fuzz guitar, wigged out lyrics and not a dud track on it. Unlike a lot of supposed US psych albums with one half decent cut and the rest filler. If you don't believe me try this

See I told you. Had an original last year with the insert which I picked up from Denbigh record fair !!!! greed got the better of me and I sold it to my good mate Anthony from Whiplash records, kinda regret that. If you fancy a gatefold reissue + insert click here

Sun Dial Other Way Out

2011-07-28T16:26:00.004+01:00

First bought a copy of this in the early 90's. Had just subscribed to the Ptolemaic Terrascope mag catching up with Prog/Psych/Folk after a 15 year hiatus in the musical wilderness. Sun Dial's Other Way Out along with Al Simones Corridor of Dreams and White Heaven's Out were the stand out albums for me as I reacquainted myself with the music of my youth and related Neo psych artists.

Side 1 of the album is incredibly strong with the first track Plains of Nazca a real stunner

The production of this album was spot on giving it the authentic feel of a bygone era especially Gary Ramon's fluid and exhilarating guitar work.

If you fancy a copy click here

Acid Folk & the Emperor's New Clothes

2011-07-19T16:21:00.006+01:00

While I'm on the subject of musical genres if you think Prog rock is misrepresented by dealers what about Acid Folk! Jeanette Leech's excellent and highly informative book 'Seasons They Change' is a must read for lovers of acid folk or those just curious about what it is and it's development over the decades.

It seems every collectible folk album over £30 in price is an 'acid folk masterpiece', if it has beautiful soaring female vocals it is a 'lost acid folk gem'. If an album is pressed on a private label it's an 'unheard of acid folk monster'. Admittedly things are not as bad as they were at the end of the last century when some truly appalling folk LP's fetched extortionate prices (three figures for the Liverpool Fishermen on the Mushroom label man)

Don't get me wrong I'm very partial to folk LP's and many sought after folk albums are worth every penny BUT why don't people fess up and describe them as Celtic, traditional etc. Why because put Acid in front of Folk and you invariably get more dosh for the album. How do I know, well being a hypocrite (as confessed in my last post) I've done it.

The weird thing is nobody sends them back saying 'hang on a minute there's not a jot of acid on this slab of vinyl'. It's a bit like the emperor's new clothes perhaps, not wanting to appear foolish and ignorant of the intrinsic acidness of Weird Woods epic 15 minute track Falmouth Sea Shanties Medley.

I promise to turn over a new leaf and refrain from using acid. Actually that Blue Water Folk album I picked up recently now that's acid folk or is it.......

Anyway check my folk catalogue for folk or acid folk!!

Prog Rock or Not Prog Rock

2011-07-18T17:36:00.005+01:00

Sometimes you just have to own up to being a hypocrite. Let me give you an example, what should be classified as Prog Rock, are Led Zeppelin, the Who, Little Feat or Steely Dan prog bands, I would suggest not. Yet you find you them and many other artists classified on E Bay and many other sites as Prog Rock. I have wasted so many hours at record fairs wading through Prog rock sections containing little or no Prog LP's.

Why, well perhaps if you slip in Blues rock or Heavy rock or Folk items in you might have a better chance of selling them! Prog rock sells and it's very tempting to prog up a bog standard heavy rock piece in order to get a sale I suppose. Just checked my own listings and found Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (dubious) and Peter Green (no file under blues) sitting in the Prog/Psych section. Hence my confession of hypocrisy.

If you want to check out my prog errors or just browse my vinyl click the following link Arachnid Records Prog/Psych vinyl

Blue Phantom Distortions Album

2011-07-11T18:06:00.004+01:00

Came upon a neat copy of Blue Phantoms Distortions on Kaleidoscope recently. Quite a lot has been written about this Library album from 1972. You have to agree it's reminiscent of a late 60's early 70's thriller/quirky action movie soundtrack. Couple of the intro's, notably on Distillation, are steals from Black Sabbath's first Lp, still there is some tasty fuzz guitar and interesting orchestral scores that make it well worth a listen. If you want to know where Bon Jovi got the intro to Living on a Prayer check this out.

Kinesphere All Around You LP

2011-07-06T19:00:00.006+01:00

All in all a good weekends buying especially on the Folk front, apart from the Blue Water Folk also came across another couple of sought after pieces including Kinesphere All Around You on Hardwick.

Big disappointment however was I only found the vinyl no cover (sob) Not dissimilar to Blue Water Folk, though not quite as rootsy or authentic to my untrained ear. Still if you like your folk sweet with some beautiful female/male harmony then you will love it. Indeed checking current site prices for this LP a lot of people do.

Listen to the title track:

Contact me at enquiries@arachnidrecords.com if you want more information about this album.

2011-07-05T18:50:00.002+01:00

Had a good weekend selling at Vodmusic's Prestatyn Record Fair. Prog rock LP's, as usual, were the top sellers, Pete Bardens 2nd album, Robert Calvert, several Pink Floyd pieces, Led Zep 4, nice Fruit Der Mer sampler + Paul Revere and other assorted slabs of vinyl.

So Sunday was buying day and picked up some interesting pieces especially for Folk collectors. First up Blue Water Folk's Self titled LP on Folk Heritage (1970) now in the new Hans Pokora book with a 4 * rating. Beautiful mix of female and male vocals covering a wide gamut of English and Celtic music. A very tough album to find and a richly rewarding one for lovers of UK folk. Nice ex/ex condition visually, sound quality ex+ crystal clear reproduction, Aural Ecstasy.

Contact me at enquiries@arachnidrecords.com if you want more information about this album.

New Prog Vinyl

2010-10-31T15:39:00.022Z

After concentrating on selling original collectable prog/psych/beat vinyl arachnidrecords.com are branching out into the reissue market. Our first four reissues are on the Golden Pavilions label which specialise in rare overlooked late 60's and 70's psychedelic, progressive, acid-folk & art-rock music. Well worth a listen. Details are listed below:

DRAGON- Same- (BELGIUM 1976- UK Release only)- GP1003LP- The Belgium group that self-produced this album in 1976 in the UK on the Acorn label. A lost jewel of prog with awesome mellotron, killer guitar and excellent vocals. This is the 3rd Golden Pavilion reissue. Fully licensed & limited to 100 in transparent red vinyl. This reissue comes in a beautiful gatefold cover & pressed on 180gm virgin vinyl.

Price £30 Buy Now

UNIVERIA ZEKT- The Unnamables- (FRANCE 1971) GP1005LP- A mythical MAGMA album recorded in 1971, during the “1000 centigrades” period. The album aims at introducing wider audiences to the Zeuhl feel, with a less hermetic sound, favoring a more groovy jazz-rock approach. Features the vocalist of ERGO SUM on one track as well as Tito Puentes on trumpet, otherwise this is pretty much the same line-up as in their previous album. A few dreamy moments with acoustic guitar and flutes (the track “Clementine”), and other typically dense moments with pulsating bass lines, mad sax and weird Vander screams punctuated by furious drumming with a groovy edge. Fully licensed exact reissue in gatefold cover and 180gm. Limited to 600 copies in black vinyl . Comes with newly designed coloured labels.

Price £16 Buy Now

VESPERO- Liventure #21- (RUSSIA- 2010) GPS001LP- First release in Golden Pavilion’s new “Silver line”. A southern Russian wonder band formed in Astrakhan, playing a blend of dark psychedelic and prog textures with delightful spacey sounding instrumental passages and an underlying krautrock feel. This is the new official live album that features the instrumental highlights of the band's various stage performances in the course of 2009. This collector’s vinyl edition includes an extra track not available anywhere else. Especially mastered for this edition by Alisa Coral (a brain-master of SPACE MIRRORS and PSI CORPS) Limited vinyl release of 300 copies in stunning original artwork by ZonderZond, with mouth-watering gold foil & textured cover. Comes with newly designed color labels.

Price £22 Buy Now

YVES RAKOTOMALALA- Ce matin encore- (FRANCE- 1981) GP1008LP- Yves Rakotomalala from the acclaimed “Yves, Serge & Victor” album “Cagibi” recorded this elusive album a few years after he left the group. Musically we are in the same vein as “Cagibi”: A delicate fragile westcoast-tinged psych-folk with acoustic/ electric backing & amazing vocals, very close in sound and style to Neil Young in his “After the gold rush” period. Every track is excellent with one side sung in English and the other in French. Originally released as a private pressing of 200 units. This is a fully licensed exact reissue limited to just 300 copies in black vinyl . Comes with newly designed color labels.

Price £16 Buy Now

Let It Bleed boxed unboxed Decca labels

2008-09-14T13:57:00.004+01:00

Let It Bleed is one of my all time favourite albums. For me that run of Stone's LPs from Satanic Majesties Request through Beggars Banquet to Let It Bleed were stunning as a teenager growing up in Bath during the sixties. I still think they stand the test of time, though I know many people have little time for Satanic Majesties these days, I still find it magical and other worldly, sad but true!!

Anyway the point of this confession is I cannot pass up on an opportunity to buy these albums if I come across them at a decent price (not a regular occurrence these days!) Truth be known I have five copies of Let It Bleed, an assortment of mono and stereo Decca pressings on both boxed and unboxed labels (apologies to any normal person reading this, I wont bore you with the significance of the difference).

The last copy I bought earlier this year was, so I thought, a very clean near mint boxed Decca stereo bought form Raves From the Grave in Frome in Somerset. ( 3 floors of collectable vinyl well worth a visit) It was only whilst sorting through some recent purchases that I took another look at it and discovered, to my great surprise, that one side of the album has a boxed Decca label the other side is unboxed.

I know this a rare press but cannot find any real info about it. Side one matrix is XZAL 9363 P 5W side two XZAL 9364 P 4W. It came with censored blue inner sleeve. I would love to find out more about this pressing so if you can help please contact me.
Such an interesting find makes all those of digging worth the effort, honestly!!

Arachnid Records Officially Launched

2008-09-13T17:07:00.001+01:00

It's been in development for over a year now, but the Arachnid Records music store is now officially open for business. If you are looking for Prog or Psych, Soul or Funk, Rock or Folk, Metal or Punk and many more genres on CD's, Vinyl LP's and Singles, then this is the site for you. Sign up for the mailing list and receive regular updates when we get new stock in.

Now that the necessary plug is out of the way, the purpose of this blog is to post a more editorial and opinion based side to the site, covering mainly music and popular culture. Also the occassional shameless promotion when something important is happening on the store.

Thanks for reading and happy hunting, check back soon for some interesting new musings!