THESE TRAILS - THESE TRAILS (PP 1973) Kor mastering cardboard sleeve

Reissuing a rare, privately pressed Hawaiian LP from 1973, These Trails' self-titled debut documents a singularly exotic strain of acid-folk. Ethereal male/female harmonies soar over rich melodies and traditional island instrumentation to create gorgeously verdant psychedelia that captures the very essence of tropical paradise. In addition to conventional Hawaiian elements like slack guitar and swaying rhythms, These Trails integrate Far Eastern sounds like tabla and sitar into the equation, further expanding the music's otherworldliness. From its effortless evocation of ocean waves to lush arrangements that capture the beauty and mystery of jungles glistening in the morning dew, no other record sounds quite like this one. ~ Jason Ankeny
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These Trails was never really a band; it was an album of music originally birthed upon the world in 1973 made by everyday-people-type inhabitants of Hawaii. Nonetheless, it was a powerful expression that stands with up other recently discovered heroes of the private press world, such as Linda Perhacs & Gary Higgins, whose singular musical endeavors stand with the best of what the hippified 1970s had to offer.
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Liner Note Authors: Rob Sevier; Margaret Morgan.
Recording information: Sinergia, Inc., Honolulu.
Photographer: Joseph Martin.
Arranger: David Choy.
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Personnel: Patrick Cockett (vocals, guitar, slide guitar, tabla); Margaret Morgan (vocals, guitar, dulcimer); Carlos Pardeiro (vocals, guitar, sitar); Eric Kingsbury (guitar); David Choy (recorder, ARP synthesizer).
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JONATHON ROUND - JONATHON ROUND (WESTBOUND 1971) Kor mastering cardboard sleeve

Overbaked cackling. Sound effects of hellish winds and thunder. Lyrics recited like a mad actor more than sung like a rock star. Wow, what a great version of "Sympathy for the Devil!"
The "Devil" was the only song that interested critics when Jonathan Round's album arrived. That is, if anybody reviewed it at all. A few also commented on Round's album actually being die-cut in a round shape, which was quite an uncommon trick. Even so, the years passed, the album disappeared, and so did the artist.
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The Rolling Stones cover version is the best thing on the album, although the rest isn't bad journeyman rock. On a gospel shout like "Don't it Make You Wanna Go Home" he aims for a male Janis Joplin (modern listeners might say this ground Round sounds like Meatloaf.) The throaty soul affectations dominate the rock tunes, but on a softer folkie piece, like "Tolu" (all about "saving karma," man) he sounds like he could've been a slightly hoarse warm-up act for Gordon Lightfoot or Cat Stevens. [http://illfolks.blogspot.com/]
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HOLLINS AND STARR - SIDEWALKS TALKING (OVATION 1970)

This is a perfectly produced and arranged popsike concept, an ode to the free mind structured by intelligent reconsiderations. It is an album that grows in depth with each listen. The songs are working on a different, almost meditative level, at times directing towards awareness in advance of a conscious dream state, with gateways of instrumentals like paths that direct this way, with a fundament of strummed guitar and flute improvisations, and lots of arrangements. “Hard Headed Women” is one of the most ambitious and longest tracks, starting with a more rockier singing, and with parts of almost classical & contemporary classical arrangements of brass with and without percussion, and another part with drums and kettle drums, while turning this again into something (prog)rockier, on “Home?”, in a progressive and ever changing way. This is followed by another flute part which sounds like a baroque improvisation, which is a Bach composition returning to a classical foundation. “Digress” is more up tempo and rockier as well, is almost avant-garde with its lyrics, like an anti-intellectual-chitchat song, powerful again, just like an ode to real expressions, evolving over a sound collage of thunder and street noises to a somewhat jazzier laid back song. The whole albums is mixed like a perfect musical story with lots of facets hanging together on many levels from a variety of experiences..[review]
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The sole album by this Chicago based duo is a treasure trove of strong melodies and dreamy vocal harmonies, which originally appeared in 1970 on the Ovation label. Expect a gorgeous, ethereal blend of psychedelic folk and offbeat pop
supported by an odd assortment of instruments including flute, bells and fuzz guitar.
‘Sidewalk Talking’ is sure to appeal to all fans of overlooked acid folk and popsike.
No wonder it has been sampled by DJ Shadow.
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