SENDELICA

Instrumental psychedelia of megalithic proportions.

Cromlech are small megaliths that were used as both basic shelters and burial chambers. They were the first stone structures to be built in Wales, where Sendelica hail from, and supposedly predate the pyramids of Egypt.

The album gets its title simply because the studio where it was recorded is near to a cromlech, and the record's attempt to channel the pagan mysticism of yore is slightly undercut by the fact that, in the grand tradition of Jaws 3, it comes with a pair of 3D glasses to view the wobbly vision sleeve with. And yet, the classic underground sound that Sendelica are masterful proponents of – long-form, psychedelic space rock – has a particular resonance in this country, tapping into a tradition of free festivals and free music that might not be as ancient as a Stone Age monument, but embodies the same Arcadian view of history.

Sendelica are a lot more than just your average hippie jam band, though. Much of the music they make has the undeniable aroma of joss sticks and dope smoke about it, but the perfectly judged ebb and flow of the six tracks here is only possible when the players involved are operating at a near-telepathic level of instrumental understanding. For example, just listen to how opener Slow Burner lives up to its title – beginning with a fanfare of lazy guitar, it comes together around a majestically steadfast rhythm, ecstatic sax weaving across an incandescent riff which sounds as though it’s about to burst into Neil Young’s Like A Hurricane at any moment. This is music of celebration and consolation, a pure distillation of the underground spirit, oblivious and impervious to the vagaries of fashion.

In contrast, ‘BS’ comes out swinging with a massive stoner prog riff, King Crimson trying to play 21st Century Schizoid Man after imbibing monster quantities of Red Leb.

Elsewhere, the mood is decidedly more mellow, the reverb and tremolo of 12 Shades Revisited evoking the blissed-out psych mantras of Spacemen 3, smoky sax cutting through the womb-like fug. Starflower Blossom starts with a similar vibe, but gradually pushes itself towards the sky – this is music to live inside, an environment of the senses, a sonic state of mind. But don’t get too relaxed, because here comes the radioactive cosmic metal of Lost City Of Cardiza, which is basically Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun as interstellar battering ram rather than trippy meditation.

Like the cromlech on the cover, Sendelica are a beacon from the past still transmitting into the future.

MUSIC OF CELEBRATION AND CONSOLATION, A PURE DISTILLATION OF THE

UNDERGROUND SPIRIT.