Ptolemaic Terrascope #36
(2007, Magazine)
Ptolemaic Terrascope #36
(2007, Magazine)
From Aural Innovations #38 (January 2008)
Ptolemaic Terrascope is a long lived psychedelic music magazine that for many years was published in the UK by Phil McMullen. But some time ago Phil decided to pass the torch, and when he did it went to this side of the Atlantic, the new editor/publisher being San Francisco based Pat Thomas, who many of you will know as the drummer and bandleader of jazz/psych/kraut/progressive ensemble Mushroom.
As usual the magazine (114 pages!) is well balanced between reviews and profiles/interviews, with the focus being on the more folk oriented side of psychedelic and progressive music. Numerous artists are covered and among the highlights for me are a detailed journey down memory lane interview with Ron Asheton of The Stooges, plus conversations with Vashti Bunyan, Shirley Collins, Davey Graham and Ben Chasny/Six Organs of Admittance. There's also a very interesting article on the 1960s Black Panther movement and the music that influenced them, including an interview with party member/musician Elaine Brown. And the tradition continues of including a compilation CD, with contributions from most of the artists profiled in the mag, plus a new solo recording from Doug Yule of the Velvet Underground. A beautiful mag and an informative read. RECOMMENDED. (There's a notice in the mag that subscriptions are not being taken at this time. So hopefully that doesn't mean it'll be very long before another issue is ready, because this is a gem.)
For more information you can visit: http://www.terrascope.org.
Email Pat Thomas at: normalsf@earthlink.net.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz