From the Top Drawer LVII - Magic Mushroom Band

 
It's that time of the year (at least in the UK) when weird funguses are blooming across the land and inspiring folks to walk fields, parks, golf courses, hillsides etc (best to try where cattle have been kept, but not necessarily) in search of these little helpers and guides which open the Doors of Perception and lead the intrepid traveller a merry internal dance beyond the veil...

The Magic Mushroom Band were originally founded in 1982 in Bracknell, UK as a "psychedelic space pop" band by Gary Masters (Gary Moonboot, guitar), Kim Russell (Kim Oz, vocals) and guitarist Gary Twining. Wayne Buaku (bass) and Jim Lacey (drums) completed the band.

Later they formed their own label Fungus Records and started working together with the Magick Eye Records as well. Kim Russell married Garry to became Kim Masters.

Soon after Marc Hunt (AKA Swordfish) replaced drummer Jim Lacey in 1989, they began to explore the Ambient-Dub (and eventually Goa/Trance/House) territory with their side-project Astralasia. While the members still considered themselves mainly as being the Magic Mushroom Band, Astralasia was a huge success from the start, and they soon spent more time on the side project than on the original formation.

After the founding members Gary Moonboot and Kim Oz left, the band has been "on hold" since 1995. The side-project Astralasia is still alive and active. (Discogs page on the band)

This tape is 'Live 1989' and was ripped @320kbps as two side-long tracks
Songs are as above on the artwork. As you can see there are a few cover versions included...and the set features an appearance from the ubiquitous Joie Ozric on keyboards.

Get a copy HERE

Garry has written a book about his life and experiences in the band and beyond...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mushrooms-Moonboots-Garry-Moonboot-Masters/dp/1477461841

Magic Mushroom Band playing 'Living In A Dream' at Reading Town Hall - 1983-ish

From the Top Drawer XLVIII - Astralasia

Back in the saddle again after a bit of a hiatus, here we are with a new post.
Happily I have been lent a box of cassettes by an old friend (thank you Michael!) which contains a number of gems from back-in-the-day and I shall be ripping them to upload over the next months along with scanned artwork etc. (filehosting and copyright claims permitting!).

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Astralasia are a dance and ambient act who started off as an offshoot of the Magic Mushroom Band, a well-loved group who played many psychedelic gigs and festival appearances from 1982 into the 1990s.

Soon after Marc Hunt (aka Swordfish) replaced drummer Jim Lacey in 1989, members of the band began to explore Ambient-Dub (and eventually Goa/Trance/House) territory with Astralasia. While the members still considered themselves mainly as being the Magic Mushroom Band, Astralasia was a huge success from the start, and they soon spent more time on the side project than on the original formation until Astralasia took over and as far as I know, the (affectionately known) Mushies have been 'on hold' since 1995.

'Originally founded as a dub-oriented side-project to the UK's legendary psychedelic rock-ensemble Magic Mushroom Band, Astralasia have quickly gone on to outlive and creatively outflank their former mothership. The group's music is a high-energy concoction of trance-infused electronic wizardry, intoxicating live-grooves and well-chilled moments of sheer sonic bliss. In 1993, the project garnered international attention thanks to their classic remix of Porcupine Tree's breakthrough track 'Voyage 34' and since then, the six-piece have never ceased to further develop and refine their sound.' (from their own website - http://www.astralasia.co.uk/)

'Vol.2' is an early but ahead-of-its-time 1990 cassette release from this ambient/dance act who have gone from strength to strength and sophistication over their more than 20 years existence. It features an appearance by David Jackson of Van Der Graaf Generator on sax & flute.

('Tracklisting is very similar to that of the "Astralasia" album. "Astralasia (ambient mix)" appears as "Astralasia Pt.2" on that release.' Discogs)

Ripped as two side-long tracks @320kbps

Get a copy HERE