LIFEBLUD ( LP ) UK

Folk - prog - rock

LIFEBLUD - ESSE QUAM VIDERI Fmt: LP Ltd 500   sclp 006  65033281011248 SEELIE COURT

Ultra rare £3000+ serene folk inflected progressive rock. Cherry Red used one song from a poor condition acetate on a recent compilation. 3 acetate copies were made in 1970, and Seelie Court used the only surviving near mint LP that's owned by an ex-member as source with great audio. The songs
'Oakenshade' and 'Waxing Of The Moon' are poetic genius, using a guitar with a damaged bridge to create a sitar like drone, the vocals have an air of resigned melancholia, and the lyrics connect with a mystical understanding of and reverence for nature. Issued with the full cooperation of all the band. Lifeblud later explored a heavier sound that sometimes hits the level of High Tide. Housed in a gatefold sleeve with band
history, reproducing the original typed lyric sheets, and repro of the acetate labels.

Tracklist

side A

A1 Of Hatred's Hand
A2 The Journey Home
A3 Tenement
A4 Eclipse
A5 Oakenshade

side B

B1 So Be It
B2 Rescue
B3 Raven's Wing
B4 Bridge
B5 Waxing Of The Moon

Musicians 

 Roger Knott (Vocals, Sitar, Guitar), Robbie Burns  (Bass), Alan Culley (Drums ,Percussion)

and Cathie Rowe backing vocal Of Hatred's Hand

lifeblud was conceived as a 'poetry rock' band and recorded this fab acetate lp in 1970, the vocal is serene and melancholic, and the music folky prog, the lyrics are about the majesty of nature and often speak of environmental issues, one line describing mankind as a fungus spreading across the planet. what sounds like a sitar is a guitar with a damaged bridge that created an accidental drone which they use to great effect. 3 copies of the acetate were made at trusound studios, ( which later became sky and then srt) 2 survive, one with hans pokora in trashed condition, the other is in australia. its thus phenomenally rare.

highlights here are oakenshade, ravens wing and the astonishingly beautiful "waxing of the moon" , one of the deepest, moodiest and most evocative tracks of the era.

lifeblud recorded a 2nd acetate lp in 1970 also at trusound, but its been lost. luckily studio tapes of 1971 sessions survive and will be released in 2021, capturing some of their finest songs, and the one survivng track from their heaviest phase, an extended folk rock song awash with high tide like fuzz and distortion.

a live tape recorded on a hand held tape recorder from the back of a hall in 1971 also exists and is being painstakingly restored for possible release.

an exceptionally beautiful band who have remained unreleased for half a century. but hard to define, coming from an isb, donovan, dando shaft direction but with a prog rock feel.

                                                             seelie court

This incredible label will feature some the rarest, most sought after and most expensive British private pressings and acetates of progressive rock and folk rock from 1965-1978.Here are the releases...

vinyl 12" lps, textured covers, pressed by deepgrooves using environmental principles on presses powered by biomass consequently not shrinkwrapped to avoid unnecessary toxic plastic waste

seelie court is a new archival record label with a repertoire of over 50 lps already lined up for release, most are sourced from a private collection of super rare and often completely unknown british acetate and private pressing lps dating from 1965-1978, the most valuable lps that exist. lps like anaconda (post Arcadium) and Barney James (technically a 3rd Warhorse lp) are undocumented and have been kept in a black box for decades the label will issue progressive rock and folk rock 1965-1978 and post punk/new wave 1976-1982 on a sub label.

audio restoration is by Reynolds Mastering, England. engineered and restored by an industry genius who specialises in complex restoration techniques utilising pure craftsmanship acquired from decades of experience, Reynolds projects range from restoring delicate decca classical

recordings to 30 cd wishbone ash box sets, using a treasure trove of invaluable ex BBC studios analogue equipment and the latest digital to work sonic miracles

UK label, famous for re-issuing and releasing unknown archival recordings of very rare, very good, and very British Progressive Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic, Underground , Esoteric, and Jazz Rock albums, 1965 -1978, actively looking for more recordings to release. Owns permanent rights in many LPs so repertoire will stay in print indefinitely at lower price brackets.

Many releases have never been properly issued before so although vintage archival recordings are not technically reissues.

Sleeve notes are usually written by original band members.

Mastering is done from the best available sources given the archival nature of the recordings, Engineering and Audio Restoration is by an industry genius in Essex, using a treasure trove of priceless Ex BBC analogue equipment, specialist stylii, and the latest high end digital. The engineer (Pete) has restored part of Decca' s legendary Classical series and the archives of Wishbone Ash and John Mayall, his work is unparalleled.

Graphic Design by Seelie Court and Bobby Blisters of legendary Post Punk Neo Mod band The Blisters.

Label policy when mastering from vinyl is that a residue of surface noise is preferable to compressing the bejeezus out of the music Many old reissues have destroyed the high frequencies in pursuit of 'silent running' using Cedar declicking programmes etc.

Recordings are issued with band members participation and final approval under contract.

The label has decided to issue a few recordings it considers important where the bands are untraceable or possibly deceased, these lps are in the MMIA SERIES ("musicians missing in action") and are issued with full transparency. It may be the only way to get any surviving members to come out of the woodwork.

Sub Label due in Jan 2021 releasing archival New Wave, Punk and Post Punk albums.

The label does not use Shrinkwrap due to its Environmental policy. Shrinkwrap is an unnecessary pollutant and can also damage lps by shrinking and causing warps, or by being applied before lps have cooled also causing warps.

Founded by a higher order of elves intent on the destruction of mankind and reinstatement of Faery Rule and Earthly Paradise. All monies help arm Goblin Armies to wipe out homo sapien infestation of Midgard