GEM JONES - "Symphony In P" c26 (CGI FRIDAY)

   Iowa City's Gem Jones returns with a fresh batch of decade-less whatever wave, in the form of "Symphony in P."If you are familiar with 2011's split cassette with Part Time Cruiser, then already you have some idea as to what you're getting into here, or so you'd think.Recorded straight to 4-track in 2010, Symphony's tunes blaze through a strange universe filled with forgotten genres, flashing it's brights at all sorts of eccentricities along the way, making for a terribly fun and interesting voyage.There is however a subtle, easygoing vibe that pumps throughout this cassette, and somewhere just beneath the rows of glitter cannons and after-hours space discos, this album's actually got a lot of heart and soul.

  Side A comes on strong with "My Nine To Five," a driving, funky tune that oddly resembles the better known 9 To 5.A propulsive, bouncy dance beat carries the layers of 80's synth leads and funky bass lines, and Gem's "psychediva" vocal delivery couldn't be more appropriate.His neon synth lines are loose and infectious, and work nicely with the spaced out guitar interplay.It kinda of sounds like a funkier version of Haunted Graffiti covering a Chic tune..or maybe an LSD influenced Rhythm Nation of sorts, with a hissy, warbled production that brings Gary War's more recent jams to mind.It's strangely addictive and more than a bit of fun, and I actually played this side three times before flipping it over.

  Side B starts off with the mellow, drifting "Ellegua/Black Resin," a shuffling tune bent on jazzy organs and scratchy funk guitars, and when that crawling bass makes it's way in, things are off to very good start.Over the next two tracks, Jones' moods shift and melt into a more sporadic and "jammy" zone, equipped with squealing guitar solos and blissful keyboard wizardry, there's plenty of tempo drops and changes, but it doesn't really ever lose it's soulful momentum.All in all another strange victory for Gem Jones, and another great release to add to CGI Friday's already bangin' catalog.

 Art by Gem Jones.Pro dubbed/printed tapes, mp3 download code included.Get one HERE.

V/A - SUNSET GRILLERS COMPILATION C90 (CGI FRIDAY)

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As I mentioned in a previous CGI FRIDAY related post, this young Portland,OR tape label was birthed from the discovery of 420 used cassettes, each priced at $4.20.They continue to put out killer releases that are both major ear and eye candy, for 4.20..CGI number three comes in the form of a 90 minute compilation cassette.It contains new and unreleased tracks by the likes of Wooden Shjips, Grass Widow, Inca Ore, Run DMT, White Fence and a bunch more of psych's more recent household names.Although this is run on used tapes, there is only a small amount pops n' snaps throughout it.I think the recording's tiny inconsistencies really add to the diy aesthetic of this release.
A slick white cassette with 3D decals comes housed in plastic case with a 2 panel J-card with 3D artwork, with glasses for proper viewing.The 80's hunk in a speedo,grilling up burgers on a beach hotel balcony jumps right off the paper and into your home.An all around great looking/sounding cassette.Can't wait for this label's next batch of releases.

*Get a copy of Sunset Grillers from CGI FRIDAY.

GEM JONES/PART TIME CRUISER -" Split" c44 (CGIFriday)

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  The CGIFRIDAY tape label is somewhat of an experiment.Apparently these dudes found a box of 420 (no joke) used cassettes in a dumpster, all priced at $4.20.This inspired them to launch what is turning out to be a KILLER label, with all tapes priced at...you guessed it $4.20 (+ s&h).
 This 44 minute brain dancer comes to us from a mysterious bunch of strange ones indeed.Gem Jones fills up side a with a slew of melodic drones and subtle ambient washes of synthesizers,guitars, and bursts of distant vocal dirge.It rarely makes it's way into any structured form of song, and that is where it scored big time.The layers of hazy melodies and wild organ runs reminded me of newer Tracey Trance stuff, but way more murky and cavernous.It flows nicely and kept my attention for the duration of side a.Good stuff.
  Side b comes from Part Time Cruiser, a 21 minute crawl through a strange and exotic toxic-wasteland.Green clouds of smoke rain down giant drops of distorted moans and blown out riffs.It has it's share of calm and collected moments,like a trickling creek flowing through a tranquil forest.But it isn't long before the fire gets out of control, and everything is set ablaze.Eruptions of tortured,yet melodic wails swell up and dissolve into tattered loops of fuzz and feedback.There are hints of pop crafting scattered throughout this piece, and you can almost hear an actual song trying to surface from the rubble.An interesting listen for sure.Perfect for night cruising with the T-tops off.Awesome stuff.
Get it here: CGIFRIDAY