Lite Storm is a new name for me, though I was aware of their heritage, namely a one Kali Bahlu. Though band leader Johnima Wintergate was from Victoria, Canada, he relocated to Los Angeles and subsequently got caught up in the hippy movement. This is where he met his future wife Kalassu (Kali), Sui-San, and Silver. Yep - it's that kind of commune-like grouping. I had read comparisons to fellow Angelinos' Music Emporium, and that was too much to resist, so I popped for the LP reissue. And really, it's not a bad comparison. While Music Emporium were art school trained, Lite Storm provide a more earthy alternative. And Wintergate's idiosyncratic vocals only add a touch of mystery to the proceedings. He also provides some mean fuzz guitar when called for. All 10 tracks are excellent, and varied including a couple of instrumentals. The music was apparently recorded in 1967 and 1968, and for that era, this is a superb historical document. It was eventually released in 1972, only as a promo. By then a complete afterthought, and the music world had moved on. So yet another great discovery from our America, a country who seemed hellbent on hiding our best talent.
Ownership: LP: 2019 Out-sider / Guerssen (Spain). Recent online acquisition. Single sleeve with an insert containing the original album advert, and a thorough recent interview from UMR's friend Klemen Breznikar (It's Psychedelic Baby). This interview provides us a full history of the band. Originals are scarce and no legit CDs exist.
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