Speed, Glue & Shinki - Eve

 2010 (1971); 7 tracks hey you wanna buy some speed? you wanna buy some speed?

Here is the debut album by Japanese progressive/psychedelic rock trio Speed, Glue & Shinki.

Eve was originally released on June 25, 1971 but has since been digitally remastered, which is the version I give you.

Some of last.fm's ever-insightful artist description:

"With Kabe's crunching atonal bass runs and Smith's stop-start rhythms creating a unique foundation for Shinki Chen's euphoric blues, combined with Smith's dangerous outlaw lyrics and caustic Iggy Pop-like vocal asides, gave the band an edge that no other Japanese band could (or would have wished to) achieve.

They took their name from Kabe's love of sniffing Marusan Pro Band glue and Joey Smith's obsession with amphetamines, as evidenced by the lyrics of many Speed, Glue & Shinki songs (all lyrics being written and sung by Smith)."

"Eve is a bluesy, psychedelic album, with Chen's Hendrix-style guitar playing firmly underpinned by Smith's insistent percussion style modelled on the playing of his idol, Ginger Baker."

I don't fucking know. I just really love it. It's hazy and reminiscent of some lost era.

イヴ　前夜

Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers - Teenage and Torture

2011; 10 tracks

This is the spine-tingling second album from Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, a bluesy/garage rock band from New York. Teenage and Torture is an abrasive listen, but fully worth it. In the words of one reviewer, it is a "brainy and brawny hybrid, unleashing barbed commentary on consumer culture." Thunderous and exciting, this is yet another 2011 you shouldn't miss. Shilpa has an incredible voice, also.

Download.

Maki Asakawa - 浅川マキの世界

1970; 12 tracks

The first time I ever heard Maki, I fell in love. Literally. Her vocals are honestly breathtaking, and the smoky, dark atmosphere her music creates is beautiful. Click here for more info and a very apt description of her music. Maki's vocals are stunning, especially for a 70s-era Japanese jazz artist. This album in particular puts me in the mood to read some Hemmingway, sit in a "clean, well-lighted place," hear Asakawa's murky, seductive voice in the background and watch old men play cards or a bartender rub his eyes... The smoke of the night is peacefully penetrating my lungs and calming my bloodstream. I lick my lips and close my eyes. My head is empty and my toes are warm. Maki sings...

Download.