This whole thing came up today in FB memories...spooky given the timing...👽
The Inaugural Voyage of Ambassador Hazy and "Glacial Erratics" 2020 (self released). Sometime in late 2020, I got an email from Josh Schulz from the American psych rock band Traveling Circle (great band btw.). Josh's buddy Sterling DeWesse from New York State had a very ltd. self released LP and wanted to send me a copy. I sent Josh my address and forgot about it...
the original FB review...January 25th, 2021...
So Zeus is outside going off like a rocket while I'm having a smoke and my postie Chris zooms up the snowy driveway. I see through the slats in the cedar fence the telltale sign of an exciting delivery! Being a white cardboard 13 x 13 inch record mailer it can only mean one thing! Like a kid in a candy shop; despite being 60, I'm tingling (this feeling never gets tired) ! This is a record by an obscure underground band from New York state who are called Ambassador Hazy and this is the FANTASTIC debut entitled "Glacial Erratics". It immediately got "cracked" and spun and I was sold after the first track! You can check out, if inclined, the links I post in my first comments, but suffice to say, my aforementioned "tingling at 60" above has proven an accurate thermometer as usual. I get very few free LPs, and feel super honoured when I do. I would never be so presumptuous to EVER ask for "free" anything...especially records, cuz I fucking get it!
Ambassador Hazy has unleashed a small run release which embodies for me, all that is right about why one is in a band, makes music and bothers to release in physical format. I suspect based on personal experience, that upon hearing the finished session, that all involved sat around, listened and said to one another..."fuck this is great, we should release this"... that is the way it works! This album encompasses a shitload of influences and time spans and is not simply put in a box! There is a psych of now, but also psych of yore, that spans 5 decades, I hear it. I hear Sebadoh (who i never listen to anymore: o.d.'d in the 90's but still love what they tabled). I hear a variety of obscure 60's psych influences (weird Pink Floyd), but others, too many to mention and it's mixed with a lopey, lazy funkiness (Circuit Rider scuzzy biker thingy) saddled right against warped west coast pop sensibilities. All influences are brought up to the "NOW". To these old ears I guarantee, this is not an accidental album! The playfulness throughout the entire record, is arguably it's most endearing quality and coupled with a sense of an understated heaviness is super appealing as well. The pieces are short and indicate to me that $10. says Ambassador Hazy can jam out and stretch shit to endless mind bending extremes in a live setting with ease! I have to thank Josh for being a conduit here, otherwise I may never have had the privilege of experiencing this really fucking excellent record so please give it a listen!
The addendum...
There we go and as a side story; Sterling was actually here in Ottawa last August/'22 which weirdly coincided with a rare gig for The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol and joined us on stage for a few pieces (check one out in the link above) !
Lovingly and oddly coincidentally enough... Pre-Sales are LIVE this Friday January, 27th, 2023 with Ambassador Hazy - Glacial Erratics (Cardinal Fuzz / Feeding Tube Records) being re-issued to a wider audience, as well as Sterling's new and 3rd record: "The Door Between" (Cardinal Fuzz / Feeding Tube Records). RESPECT ! 💕👽
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