Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jade - Faces of Jade (us 1970)

Jade - Faces of Jade (us 1970)

Formed: Cincinnati, OH, United States

Members:
* Jim Aumann (keyboards, vocals),
* Randy Morse (guitar),
* Tim Nixon (drums, percussion),
* Nick Root (bass, vocals)

Tracks:
01. Prelude Willow's End 6:42
02. Blue Ways 3:23
03. Well 2:24
04. We (Got to Make It Through) 4:00
05. My Mary (More Than Ever) 2:41
06. My Honey 2:26
07. Rest of My Life 3:13
08. All Alone 2:09
09. Flying Away 2:23
10. Wait Till I Come Home 3:53

It`s late 60s Brit-psych/pop of the McCartney/Roy Wood variety transplanted to 1970s Cincinnati, serving up plenty of innovation, fun and a fair amount of label $$$ on hand. Opens with dreamy psych mini-epic that recalls the 2nd Fallen Angels album, the rest holds a middle ground between London`68 and the clever pop that Ohio would become famous for, leaving the listener to decide if this is a late 60s lytepsych LP or in fact an Anglo-retro 70s trip. Lots of piano, "Penny Lane" fanfares, high-pitched teen harmonies and unexpected studio tricks. " Cincinnatti`s Jade were another one of those elusive early 70`s psychedelic acts who left behind only one private pressing before vanishing into the mist. Virtually nothing is known about the band, but collectors have been swarming record fairs and pillaging eBay for years in the hopes of snagging this relic. So does the album live up to its hype? Mostly, yes...
Considering the modest budget of such a DIY undertaking in 1970, the mix is well done and the material is very well constructed. Blending the Beatles, Blossom Toes and a number of other pop/psych acts of the era, Jade create a formidable aural tapestry. With slight folk leanings, each track breezes along quite nicely throughout the duration of the album. The engineering trickery in places here are subtle reminders that Jade were foremost Beatles influenced. Perhaps the strangest track is "My Mary" which is absolutely mindblowing. This ingenius piece of music features backwards accompaniment along with warped vocals that sound deceptively reversed but are actually sung forward. The outcome is like a bent merry-go-round, wobbling in circular motion while the seasick vocals spill out over the arrangement. It`s truly a sound to behold. The rest of the album is mostly just as satisfying and any lovers of quirky psych will find alot to enjoy in "Faces of Jade".
~ Robots For Ronnie.

Download Links:
http://www.mirrorcreator.com/files/1XWJT82W/Jade_-_Faces_of_Jade__us_1970_.rar_links

...and also...

http://www.multiupload.com/L424Z45KT4
Jade - Faces of Jade (us 1970).rar (72.41 MB)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Tyme-Machine
First download and first comment on your blog of undoubt fashion.
I have been the 158th downloader of this album and perhaps the only one to remain not impressed by this record. I deleted the pack after only one listening. Yes, there are some Beatles, Doors, Jefferson Airplane or America harmonies, but in general is just nice music and not as impressive, genial and innovative. Furtherly, the vocal choruses are simply tedious. The review leave to think at great things. In truth, there's so much in the underground of that period, late 60 and first 70s, that is very valid than this one.

I hope do not hurt your sentiments in music, these are only my tastes, i can't do nothing if i-don't-like this band.
I have seen a huge quantity of great bands on your blog, so don't be worry.

Best regards

ge said...

this is a Great Album; i already got it and have enjoyed for years now...they got Lennon-McC homage down pat but are plenty original also

Hugo Sleestak said...

I keep listening to "My Mary" over and over, and at times have been on the verge of tears. The rest of the album is fine, but there's something that "My Mary" tapped into that is just remarkable, in its own strange, quiet way.

Anonymous said...

Thanx a lot!