Comments so far

Plum/Croxley
Ilona Balina - Dudievins - Beautiful Latvian Psychedelia written by Imants Kalniņš who made some great soundtracks, see also 'Blow wind blow' for incredible orchestral strings with heavy guitar fuzz.

Nick/Rugby
Good to see a mention for Louis Phillipe. He recently produced and arranged an absolutely extra-ordinary mini-LP by the previously unknown Louise Le May. A song from that could be included in such a module.

Gary/ Dartford
Heavens, I've unintentionally been brought into a tussle about a little known and probably rarely heard album - Albert One - with a University of the Strange correspondence student all the way from Santiago de Chile. Maybe something was lost in the translation, but I had intended to convey a sense of being charmed by the said artifact. When I picked up the lp in question all those years ago , the only name I recognised was the producer. And unfortunately production by Eddie Offord does not in itself guarantee a good time - it just offered a veneer of prog rock respectability gleened from close attention to all those Yes and ELP record sleeves. It may have been a silly thing to say, but overblown tosh is surely a prerequisite of prog rock. Wouldn't have been the same with a more circumspect approach - Rick Wakeman in a tank top; Greg Lake on a rag rug; The Lamb Lies Down on Clapham Common; Pictures at a Municipal Library Display; Tales from Pornographic Notions? Doesn't bear considering.

Audio Voyeur, Liverpool
Hey Prof, word-up! How about a module covering the new collection of obscurities 'Psych Funk 101 - A Global Psychedelic Funk Curriculum' on Stones Throw. It features obscurities recorded between the 60's and 70's from Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Korea etc. Peace!

Plum / Croxley
Zacepin, Alexander (Russia)Mystery of the Third Planet (1981) (soundtrack)This soundtrack is incredible and highly recommended for a Russian Freak Zone..

Steve, Manchester
how about a module on odd sports themes, like doug wood's bizarre, neu-ish "cranes" which was the theme for darts and brian bennett's wholly inappropriate "holy mackerel" which used to be the theme to bbc's "rugby special"? there's a great john cameron snooker theme on that "girl with a suitcase" cd that would fit nicely too (as well as one of the doug wood cues on trunk's "g-spots" comp, but i can't remember what its called at the moment).

Steve, Manchester
Clothilde's two EPs from 1967 would be nice as part of a broader French pop thingie. Very odd stuff indeed, especially the song about the boa constrictor.Also on the topic of French music, the prog band Catharsis are also worth a nod or two.

south elmsall,west yorkshire,frozen north
good afternoon,i would like to hear a module on the russian music on bones,self pressed/cut flexi disc's scene. dig!

Stuart, Radcliffe
Nino Ferrer - although not obscure in France, he made no impact here and he's brilliant

NYC, NY (by choice), Mexico City by birth, L.A. &
Selections from the soundtrack for NYC-cult classic "LIQUID SKY" would be much appreciated in near-future Freak Zones. I love Freak Zone! Saludos! Regards! from Loisaida (Lower East Side, Manhattan, NYC). Heading to London for a visit Mid-May, let us know of interesting Freak'ish events.

pete ..yorkshire
i recommend anything by hella but preferably from there "hold your horse is" album its very freaked out spazz-math rock, also have you played any deerhoof ?

Jo Butler, Wiltshire.
Hello thereNot obscure, but I think that Paul Williams deserves a look at on your show - listened to Phantom of the Paradise for the first time in a couple of years this weekend and it's still fantastic. Plus his other film soundtracks, TV themes and stuff he wrote for other artists makes him a brilliant allrounder.Thanks very much,Jo Butler

Deepinder Cheema Birmingham
I would say that the young Justin Ruskin has raided his dad's electic wardrobe, why visit a time warp string theory bose-einstein condensate continuum, when you have a mad nutter in your household with all the correct theramin references. I wonder what the Rupert and Justin creche was like.. oh to be a fly on the nappy...

Steve Morris, Manchester
Why not a module on the career of Louis Philippe? Though the show occasionally features his records for el from the 80s, Louis has made a remarkable series of records since - every one of which has been cruelly and bafflingly ignored by the press and radio. Now his new album An Unknown Spring - arguably one of his very best - is meeting the same fate, despite being raved about by people like Robert Wyatt, Sean O'Hagan, Cathal Coughlan and the Clientele - people whose opinions usually count for something. I reckon it's up there with Ys and Person Pitch, but if the Freak Zone won't play it, who else will?

tony walker leicester
have you been wafted in from the 1960's through a time space continuum? do you know where i can get a similiar stripery t shirt? LOLBEST WISHES TONY

Daremo Sensanome, Santiago de Chile
Concerning "Albert One" by National Head Band, that little gem produced by Eddie Offord, despite of some silly things said by some Gary of Dartford (...some of the rest is overblown tosh...) is still an unhearted marvel of British progressive. IMHO this release set a link between The Beatles and more elaborated prog stuff... sounding like their last releases due to the moog and the great vocal arrangements; the 9 songs of "Albert One" covers several styles in a very fine way, all of them played by very talented musicians. Is not just Lee Kerslake is also Jan Schelhaas who do an awesome work on keyboards.A funny things is that the song "Too much country water" has been credited many times to Uriah Heep.Anyway "Albert One" deserves by far a better coverage.

darknesstraveller, newcastle
thanks for clearing the confusion deepinder. according to dave, “what happened with arzachel was this: we - the members of egg - knew a guy who had a demo studio in gerrard street, soho. this chap, peter wicker, knew a foreign gentleman called zack, who had a record label (evolution) & was anxious to release some of this ‘psychedelic’ music which was currently fashionable. we knew how to play this psychedelic stuff, having spent many happy hours at the middle earth club listening to bands like love sculpture & sam gopal dream. a deal was struck. we were to record an album in an afternoon. as we had just signed an exclusive deal with decca, we thought it would be advisable to use a different name, so we settled on ‘arzachel,’ the name of a crater on the moon that mont spotted on an astrological poster on the wall of his toilets. we also called in our old mate steve hillage to play guitar, sing & generally make things even more psychedelic. we rehearsed for a day, then whipped out the album in about eight hours.”

Andrew Howson, Lima, Peru.
All very good. Please keep on promoting the new weird. Please play Daevid Allen's Saw Doctor; at least a little of it. And how about a bit of rare Funkadelic? Finally, I would love to get hold of some of the stuff your other writers have mentioned. Freak Zone blogg anybody?

Deepinder Cheema Birmingham
A "Meemo" to Darknesstravellor of Newcastle regarding his query about Arzachel. I have the LP, and for years have been fascinated by it. All the chaps had pseudonyms. The guitarist Simeon Sasparilla is really Steve Hillage. The keyboards was Dave Stewart; Egg, Hatfield & the North, Barbara Gaskin et al . Not the guitarist of the same name (from Sunderland?) who was partner to Annie Lennox. Interestingly..the guitarist on 'Something in the Air' Thunderclap Newman was Jimmy McCulloch who was 16 in 1969, but before he made a psychedelic record called Fredereek Hernando/Double Sight as One in a Million when he was 14. He was from Newcastle (where I found the record..a major rarity now)

Maria from Wolvo
Thank you Daddy Freak Zone and Professor Spear for the super soaraway sounds at the Glee Club - had a fab time. Serge, Os and Popcorn - marvellous music to my ears. Do visit again soon!

Graham Beniston Coalville, Leics.
Justin, I would like to suggest a Univ. Strange piece on Louis and Bebe Barron, if there hasn't been one yet. They surely qualify just on the soundtrack to the film forbidden planet - one of my favourites that I think influenced me to become a Physicist. How can you listen to track 15 of the soundtrack album (see amazon!)"Krell Shuttle Ride And Power Station" and not want to be a physicist? Louis and bebe were also apprently the first people to put electronic music onto tape - see the excellent Wikipedia entry. PS saw yur dad's exploding wardrobe a couple of times in the early 70s with King Crimson.

Maria, Rochdale.
I can't tell you how gutted I am that you chose Birmingham for the 6th. I'm a single mum and I just can't stay over for the night. Next year, please choose Manchester. Or even better, Rochdale.

J. D. in Washington, DC
To Martin from York: The Plastic People of the Universe are still performing, though with only a couple of the original members. I live in the U. S., and had the good fortune of seeing them perform in Washington, DC about one year ago.

napo Israel
dear professor and all i wanted to recommend on a cd! it's called "days of hunger" it's a folk-psy cd and it was made by an Israeli artist call "Geva Alon" absolutly dvine . i dont know if you can find it in england but type it in google and i guess you'll find it. one of the best album to come out of Israel since the "jricho jones" . lovely day to you all

Paul, Liverpool
There is a great interview with Bobby Beausoleil by Truman Capote. I think it can be found in some editions of Music for Chameleons. It is worth tracking down and is extremely sinister.

darknesstraveller, newcastle
arzachel, i'm told, featured a teenage guitarist who had later hits with annie lennox in the eurythmics. t'other members originated from further afield than sunderland. anyone care to confirm?

Craig Reid, Wallasey
You could do a feature on imaginary song titles/groups. I would like to nominate "River Deep, Mountain High" by the Lemmings.

Alison Clamp Birmingham
I have really enjoyed Justin's recent modules on Dandelion Records, and the waxing from Norway brought to our attention from the new imprint Sunbeam Records : Oriental Sunshine . Both these programmes give an insight and touch upon How Record companies work, especially the type of money sloshing about in the 60's.

tony leicester
i never hear much about the polish music scene. There are a lot of poles here but they dont speak english so i cant ask them! Perhaps the pubs in WARSAW are host to lots of new bands trying to be the polish equivalent of Razorlight or Kasabian etc. Adverse political conditions are good for artistic development discuss? its so quiet because people are too happy?

David Jennings, London
We greatly enjoyed the prof's colloquium in the DJ tent at the Green Man festival and wondered if a tracklist could be made available - particularly that instrumental track that got lots of horizontal people to go vertical, about 20-25 minutes in?

Frankie in Sunny Eastbourne
How about doing something on "Dandelion" records as a Peel tribute sometime in October, I used to be rather rather fond of the 2nd Principle Edwards Magic Theatre Album

Johnny Boy - Cadishead, Manchester
To Ian - Oxford. I think you may be thinking of Beauregarde, he was the wrestler in question. Check out zenorecords the following which has what I presume is some of his music too!

Deepinder Singh Cheema Birmingham
I bought the eponymous Arzachel Lp on Evolution for 20p in 1978, when I was doing my O'levels. The most famous track is Queen St Gang theme, which I reckon has been incredibly influential. A bit of sleuthing tells me that this was a Kids TV programme. Then I heard the tune on Eurothrash?!!, then I bought the LP with 'House of jack' by James Royal on CBS 1967. It is the same tune..then I look at the credit Keith Mansfied!!!!! it was Library music all along

Martin from York
I would like to hear a Freak Zone special on Eastern European contributions to 60s/70s music. I was dusting off my old Plastic People of the Universe LPs the other day and wondered whatever happened to them? Rock was not very popular with the 'authorities' at the time and these musicians risked lengthy jail terms just for being caught playing Zappa covers. It would be great to hear that they are still playing but I fear the current ultra commercial culture East of Munich has probably achieved what the secret police never managed.

Eddie Lewis from Leeds/Bolton
My favourate soundtrack has to be 'Psycadellic Super Pjoter'. It seems to be a Ukranian Sex Film (from a loose A4 sheet inside) from the 70's (?). The tracks include artists such as George and the Beathovens, Illes (which appeared on the Cherrystones Rocks Unmixed LP) and Czervone Gitar (Red Guitar) . This is an extra great find as I got it from a clearence sale from a shop in bolton. Also picked up the Zombii (GOblin) soundtrack) for a £5!!!! (what were they thinking??)) I'd love to see a lecture on Bernard Estardy, worked with Nino Ferrer - Moog-tastic! loveee the show!

Singh, Erdington, Birmingham
I must point out that Olav Wyper [isn't that a superb name] worked as head of Marketing for E.M.I in the '60s. He was instrumental in setting up the Tamla Mowtown label in the UK, when previously the detriot sangs were released on Oriole, and Stateside..but more importantly he moved to Philips and Created the Vertigo label, and within 2 years moved to RCA and launched NEON imprint. So what! I hear some say. It is the creative vision of this man who married Design (the logo by Linda Glover) with art, the covers by Keef, Teen burger(barney bubbles) Hipgnosis and so on with the Music. It may have had a short and relatively unsuccesful life with the original plan, but I feel it helped to foster a change in styles of music and affected a load of 15 year old plus+boys irrevocably!! The same, but not so dramatic effect with the Neon label. All the LP's are collectable for reasons that vary between the Music, the cover art,but always the label design graphic.

Stephen/ East Kilbride
Can we have a module on the amazing singing of Edda Dell'Orso, the voice on all of Morricone's best soundtracks?

Roger Nicholls Petersfield, Hants GU31 4ER
I've only just discovered the freakzone - a great find! Great to hear some Neil Ardley yesterday, particulary as had e mailed Stuart last week about Harmony of the Spheres which must have come out around '79. It's the only Neil ARdley album I have but after yesterday's show I'm now keen to collect some more!

DeepinderCheemaagain Birmingham
I am looking forward (19th March) with the Professori.I have been collecting British Jazz recordings ever since I had my Saturday Job[1979] washing Dishes at The 'Bistro' Lewis's Dept store Birmingham. I used to visit Reddingtons, and the Vacuum Cleaner Shop..DALE VAC, for some reason they always had a box of used records. My pride and Joy was the Gordon Beck 1969 LP Gyroscope on the Morgan Label. Morgan Studios had their own Label, and later in the '80s HoBo..I paid £0.30.it still hasn't got a sleeve, but the music is spectacular. A heady mix of Mr Beck, Jeff Clyne,Tony Oxley.But this album , as with others at the time were striding to form a british sound without worrying about feeling inferior or tied to across the pond. I think that this LP could have been the genesis of the style with which John McLaughlin made Extrapolation with the same sidemen. I like to regard these as those early urgent'Guerilla outfits' of the Jazz scene, and certainly before the Free scene became more fully mature..and remarkably Beck was produced by Morgan boss..the '50s Crooner Monty Babson! Can we have an appraisall of the unsung Giant of the industry, with the most brilliant name.. Olav Wyper

deepindercheema@gmail.com Birmingham
My previous comment was in reference to the Indian guitarist Amancio D'Silva, I should have stated this clearly from the outset, sorry!

deepindercheema@googlemail.com birmingham
This man was a very talented guitar player, as well as salesman, with a twist(he was voted best British! jazz guitarist above mahavishnu john in the MM 1969) A D'Sil used to work in a guitar shop , soho soundhouse, he was showing a customer a Fender Twin Ampifier, he really went to town by showing the customer what innovations Fender went to to make the Amp as Reliable and as good sounding as it was, he did this by showing him the circuitry and components and why they were so good. Excellent went the customer. and promptly bought it. Little did the famous musician who shall be un-named coz he is still alive, is that the Amp wasn't working, so Amancio went through this ruse in front of the famous musicians eyes all the while unbeknowest that D'Silva was in the process of in fact Repairing the amp! That to me is the best anecdote from all the lexicon of guitar shop related lore that I know. And I know this is true -- Deepinder

Gary/ Dartford
Professor Spear, isn't it time that "Albert 1" by the National Head Band was unearthed and dusted down for reconsideration. I found this one years ago in a junk shop and despite the horrible garish cover it's really a neat little microcosm of circa 1970. It's got a few "names" in tow - Lee Kerlsake later thumped the tubs with Uriah Heep and Jan Schelhaas turned up elsewhere in Caravan et al. But "Ilsington Farm" is a charming little hippy-trippy tune with wheezy harmonium and "Too much country water" is Van Morrison on happy tablets.Okay, some of the rest is overblown tosh - but isn't that part of the the charm of a found object?

Barn/ London
Prof, what about something from the amazing 1973 psychedelic folk album 'These Trails' by These Trails? A very strange affair with full-on electronics over spooky acoustics and alternateley scary and gentle vocals, made in Hawaii by some very gifted if slightly strange hippies. Not unlike Linda Perhacs, but stranger. Os Mutantes and United States of America fans might like it too.

Tim/Portland
Hey Prof, How about something on Rogério Duprat, who was to Mutantes what George Martin was to the Beatles? I've heard stories that when Mutantes 'went electric' they caused protests and riots... shades of Dylan, or just a rock 'n' roll myth?

Toby/Croxley
To Ian of Oxford - The Yo Yoz version of 'In the Past' is on the latest Chocolate Watch Band compendium and is a mighty fine version..The story behind the bands is also on there. Paul of Brum UK.. If you liked Gilberto Gil, check out Os Mutantes and particularly 'Bread & Circuses' which is an extraordinary song that I think Gil & Caetano Veloso had something to do with. Have been listening to Caetano Veloso's first l.p. which is well worth tracking down. On a completely different tangent.. Has anyone managed to find the cartoon film 'The Point' that Harry Nilsson made in the 70's? I think it may be lost!

Ian-Oxford
To Toby of Croxley-In The Past was originally done by We The People on Psychedelic Microdots Vol 1-my favourite version. Not heard the Chocolate Watchbands version if they did one though they did cover loads of classic psych stuff Ian

Ian-Oxford
Re Ted Gannon's enquiry-Manson is supposed to have written Cease To Exist for The Beach Boys which became Never Learn not To Love buried away on a B side. Was Bobby Beausoleil a wrestler? If so he had a connection with Greg Sage of The Wipers in Seattle. The Wipers could do with having a programme all to themselves. Most famously Kirk Cobain said they were a big influence. Buy any LP and you won't be disappointed but there is a box set out there. Youth Of America is a good starting point. Ian

Ian/Oxford
I would like to know the story behind the "Change of Address" single sent out by Island Records which featured an instr. by Blind Faith. I guess it's the Winwood connection but how did it come about? I have 2 copies! Ian

Toby of Croxley
I heard an amazing track by the Yo-yoz the other day called 'In the Past' - What is the link with this to the Chocolate Watch Band?

James McKeown, Bristol
Hello Prof, how about a module regarding the works of Curt Boettcher and associated bands - The Millenium, The Ballroom, Sagittarius and solo album. Legendary producer, master of harmony vocal production/sound. The Millenium album 'Begin' is fantastic and I know The Freakzone has played some tracks. I feel a lecture of this nature will greatly benefit other students of the Zone.

Ted Gannon, Brooklyn
Dear Prof.- How about a lecture on the music of the films of Kenneth Anger? There's some really fascinating stuff involving Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger and Manson Family member Bobby Beausoleil. While you're at it, how about some info on the music of Anton Levey? He was part of a truly wierd music scene that included Anger, the Beach Boys, Charles Manson and, if you belive the rumours, Kristof Komeda.

Gav / Leeds
Dear Prof. I remember a few one-hit-wonders of the late seventies. Here is a couple. Nutz and Bagger. Their albums probably stink and don't stand up today, but must must have something as I still remember them. I liked your dip into Hawkwind - it takes me back to concerts at Edinburgh's Usher Hall in the 70s.

Dunk / London
Dear Prof. How about doing a future lecture on Library labels like De Wolfe, KPM, Bruton. Or even better, some of the really obscure ones. Maybe even some German or French labels?? So much great stuff. Perhaps that should be a whole show in its self!

Paul, Brum, UK
Dear Prof, how about Gilberto Gil's career? I possess an eponymous album whereby he tackles mushroom eating & a cover of Blind Faith's Can't Find My Way Home. What else did he do in similar folk/psych mode, and how does he fit in to the whole Tropicalia scene - anything of interest to westudents of Strange Music Module I?