Amoeba Split - Dance of the Goodbyes. 2010 Spain

Amoeba Split are one of two current Spanish bands (that I'm aware of anyway) playing in the Canterbury styled jazz rock space. The other is the more known Planeta Imaginario. Of the two, I'd say Amoeba Split are the more purest when referring to the classic bands of Soft Machine and National Health. The instrumentation is right out of the 70's: Hammond organ, piano, Mellotron, Mini-Moog, flute, sax, guitar, bass, and drums. The major differentiator here is the female vocals, which are admittedly a bit shrill. Her slightly accented delivery is a bit odd, but I have a feeling that will add to the charm on repeated listens. She's really not that far from some of the early 70's shrieks of Sandrose and Joy Unlimited. But it is unusual in this setting, where we're used to the soft affected tones of The Northettes. Amoeba Split score well on both of the style's major attributes - melody and complexity. A no-brainer pickup for fans of the 1970's UK Canterbury scene.

Ownership: CD: 2010 Creative Commons. Housed in a fine mini-LP sleeve with booklet. Numbered edition (#311 / 500). Purchased new not long after release.

4/24/11 (new entry); 10/12/23