Ah, two of my most favorite things in the whole world: Italy and psychedelic music. Little known fact: I studied Italian for two years! Sure, I wasn’t very good at it towards the beginning of my studies, but I became proficient enough to hold a conversation, right Marika? I never got below a B+ in any class…It’s a shame I didn’t follow through with my plan to travel to Italy after college, because now I’ve forgotten about 90% of what I learned. Oh well. At least I can translate all the words (title, artist, song names) on this album! It’s about time I found my purpose in life…
Gli Astrali, which roughly translates to “The Astral Men” recorded — I think — only one record worth of material, 1967’s psychedelic voyage Viaggio Allucinogeno, or Hallucinogenic Journey. The music was not released at the time of its recording, but finally saw the light of day in 1995 thanks to the record label Destination X. According to a blog specializing in rare Italian progressive/psychedelic artifacts (which is written mostly in Italian), legend has it that Gli Astrali were jailed after a concert once for either having sex on stage, or pretending to have sex on stage. I know there’s a fine line between having sex on stage and just pretending. I really don’t know if the story is even accurate, so my bad translation shouldn’t really matter either way.
The four-piece band of acid-fried Italians recall early Pink Floyd and The Velvet Underground. Furthermore, the band’s driving rhythms and organ seemingly owes a large debt to US garage rock acts. If you like the Mario Schifano record I posted, you will most definitely dig this gem. The record contains eight songs, three of which are covers: the opening track, “Non Siamo Come Voi” is a cover of the Yardbirds “Mr. You Are A Better Man Than I.” “Vado Su In Alto” is a cover of the Byrds “Eight Miles High”. “Credi” is a cover of The Standell’s “Rari”.
The titles below are in Italian, and I’ve done by best to translate them. If I’m wrong about anything I’ve translated, Marika, let me know.
Gli Astrali
Viaggio Allucinogeno
MediaFire Download Link
Tracklist:
01. Non Siamo Come Voi (“We Are Not Like You”)
02. Viaggio Allucinogeno (“Hallucinogenic Journey”)
03. Improvvisazione (“Improvisation”)
04. Credi (“Believe”)
05. Vado Su In Alto (“I Go Higher”) (?)
06. Una Notte Al Bar (“A Night At The Bar”)
07. La Libertà (“Freedom”)
08. Un Altro Viaggio Allucinogeno (“Another Hallucinogenic Journey”)
