William S. Fischer - Akelarre
WILLIAM S. FISCHER - AKELARRE LPS028 VINYL LP
Satanologysts, wizardologysts, specialists in various types of palingenesis, famed talmudists and other studious of witchery agree to the importance of music in the old akelarres. Having been burnt some of our witches by the roman Inquisition, the others seeked for shelter in their subterranean homes.
A fantastic world was formed then. Basque witches and sorcerers prosecuted by Pierre de Lancre, alied with an old jewish gnome -who claimed to be a cousin of Spinoza- did invoke the underground spirits of black fugitive slaves who escaped from the razzias that our European ancestors, in the name of civilization, took to Africa. (from Sorta’s original liner notes)
Weird and obscure as they come... in 1972 arranger William S. Fischer lands in the basque country and produces some funky reinterprations of popular basque folklore songs and dances, all around the theme of witchery and covens (Akelarre). As crazy and weird as it may sound, this record is virtually unheard of in collector’s circles.
How the musical director for Atlantic Records and arranger for Wilson Pickett, Roberta Flack, Eugene McDaniels, Les McCann , Herbie Mann and countless others got involved with this project is up to everyone’s guess. However what he comes up with is really astounding, a funky as hell workout which will get you screaming for more. Killer go go psychedelic soul which defies categorisation: tight rhythm section, open drum breaks, funky as hell guitar leads, groovy flute, weird electronic sound effects and moog bits (most likely courtesy of Walter E. Sear, who gets a mention in the original liners) alternate with more stylish moments (think Terry Callier or blaxpotation soundtracks of the era like Marvin Gaye's Troubleman) and even some fusion styled groovers.
Fans of his funky jazz rock cum electronics masterpiece "Circles" (released by Embryo in 1970 and feaured on Mojo’s "50 Most Out There Albums of All Time" list) won’t be deceived, for he shows here the same masterful sense of groove and orchestration but in a more danceable, not so avant-garde context. An unknown record that deserves to be brought back to life in this limited reissue of 500 (five-hundred) copies. Get it now or cry later...
A1. Bat bi hiru lau (One, two three four)
A2. Gurea da (It's ours)
A3. Etatiro etatiro (shots & shots)
A4. Pello Joxepe (Peter Joseph)
A5. Euskaldunak gara (We are basks)
B1. Eguntto batez (It was a day)
B2. Iruten ari nuzu (Married you, married you)
B3. Ene Izar maitea (My lovely star)
B4. Xaramangarria (You're charming)
B5. Txori Erresinula (Nightingale)
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