TRANS UPPER EGYPT - No Dub LP

Highly recommended.

One of 2024's finest albums to date.

We've been fans of Trans Upper Egypt since their North African Berserk on the excellent Texan label Monofonus Press (Spray Paint, Brandy, Led Er Est, Survive and many more killer releases...) in 2012.

It's nice to have them back (and what a return!) on another classy label, Maple Death (Whitney K, Wow, Blak Saagan, Theoreme). Look for a batch of cool new Maple Death/Improved Sequence going into our website today (the Jonathan James Clancy LP is particularly good!)

These Italians have created a fine kraut-like psych sound that blends the styles of bands like Wooden Shjips and Oneida to create some interesting jams. It's a sound heavy with heady effects and repetitive rhythms, not quite a motorik beat, but a definite groove interspersed with the odd flourish.

From phantom jazz-rock, to dazed, chopped and screwed ESG funk and late 70s French OSTs, the trio of Leo Non (WOW), Bob Junior (Holiday Inn) and Simone Donadini (Rainbow Island) have not lost their appetite for tight jams but they’ve managed to construct a psychedelic voyage without using any of the usual tricks to achieve so. Terrestrial psych that steers far from any dub stereotypes, music that is in constant motion, glorious disarray and keeps an eye on celestial heights.