E.S.E. MINT PRIVATE PRESS PSYCH PROG LP

	£		40
	$		53

Well, where to start? I was given this lp nearly 20 years ago by an aunt of mine, she'd been clearing out one of the spare bedrooms and came across a pile of albums, I'd just started to deal in records and she thought I could do with some extra stock, and she could do with the extra space. It was quite an eclectic mix of records ranging from original Beatles lp's (I wish I'd still got all that lot), a lot of prog stuff going right through to lp's of whale sounds, could she have been a hippy? anyway in amongst all this lot was this little gem, I didn't sell it at the time (obviously) and I didn't even listen to it, I thought it may be the mating sounds of the giant galapagos tortoise or some other old rubbish.(no offense to fans of the aforementioned tortoise), so it was cast to the depths of the cupboard under the stairs, where it remained. UNTIL NOW!!!!

A couple of days ago I ventured into the cupboard and rediscovered it, and suffering from a bout of insomnia I thought this could be the cure, how wrong I was.

I'll give you the technical info first, then a track listing with a little description of each track just to wet your appetite.

This is a self titled private press lp, by the group E.S.E. and is on their own E.S.E. label. cat. no. E.S.E. 001. Recorded in Rome and pressed in Italy, which is why its not in the record collector price guide, though if it was I feel sure it would catalogue in the hundreds of pounds.

The vinyl is in mint condition (not a mark on it). The front of the sleeve is EX, but does have some rubbing on the spine and bottom edge, the rear of the sleeve I'd have to grade at VG, as there is some light ring wear and the rubbing on the spine is more visible from the rear. Anyway on to the tracks.

SIDE 1

MONSIGNOR (3.37) This starts off as a sort of folky soft rock track, until about half way through they bring in a sax, and it turns into something not disimilar to SOFT MACHINE and KEVIN AYERS

ITS FORBIDDEN (6.00) This is one of my 2 favourites on the LP. This has great organ and keyboards, effects on the vocals and is very similar to CAN in their best period.

ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE (3.15) This is another great track, the vocals have reverb and echo, and theres loads of slow pschedelic fuzz guitar, nearest thing I can think to it would be a cross between FAUST and PINK FLOYD.

A SPACE OF LUNATICS (4.21) The first half of this one is very like TANGERINE DREAM, the second half they turn up the rhythm guitar and get the old fuzzbox out again.

SIDE 2

TO GRATE CHEESE (5.15) Not the best track in my opinion, but does feature, whispering vocals, fuzz and wah wah guitars.

FATHER GIVE ME YOUR LOVE (3.45) Great organ/keyboards, echo vocals and guitar breaks.

TEHRAN CITY (5.50) My personal favourite, great organ/keyboards loads of effects, imagine FLOYD'S Astronime Domine crossed with KEVIN AYERS' Song from the bottom of a well and you're almost there. FANTASTIC!!!!

ISIDE (2.15) Well, what do you do when you're 2 minutes short of filling an lp side? you put this on. Sorry but this is just a throwaway track, unfortunately they didn't throw it away. Still 7 good tracks out of  8, better than the average PROG MONSTER.

So there you have it, an undiscovered classic for you to own.

Oh! a bit of info about the band:

CHEES YORK-keyboard, bass & vocals, MOORE JAMES-drum, acoustic guitar & vocals, JOULE ZARTMANN-electric and acoustic guitar & vocals.

shipping and handling in the UK is £2.50, Europe £3.50 and rest of world £6.00