Amazing psychedelic space rock from 1975 recently reissued on limited vinyl. Though the preference from the more rock inclined might be for the b-side Distant Visions, it’s all about the funky drums from jazz dude Joe Vassil, bubbling bass from Greg Whalen, emphatic 70s era vocals by Chris Clow and Burk’s impressively emotional guitars on Synthezoid Heartbreak that makes this a true gem.
The Cincinnati, Ohio formed Maya appeared sometime in 1973, lead by guitarist Burk Skyhorse Price. Initially one would think native American connections with that name, but no, more of a nod to aliens. Yes, Burk had a fascination with extraterrestrials and that would explain the spacey atmosphere and the peculiar sci-fi gurgles of their music. In 1975 they self-released a single to the local market without much success and apparently without much airplay. In 2008 Waxidery wrote a fascinating piece on the record with information from the supposed producer Bob Theissen. In 2013 and then again in 2014 a couple of comments appear from the very much alive Burk. He corrects and updates information as well as mentioning that he was recently in the band Cluster Phunk but wants to record more solo Maya type music.
There are literally hundreds and thousands of records sitting around out there on the planet constantly waiting to be rediscovered. Some of them are more deserving than others. UK record fiend and compiler DJ Cherrystones came across the Maya record several years ago, but now it has finally received a remastered reissue via fellow vinyl collector and producer David Holme‘s based in Belfast label Touch Sensitive. Last year they released his score to Yann Demange’s film ’71.
Check for Cherrystones’ recent Ennio Morricone 2hr mix for NTS radio here. And his excellent horror mix over at Soundcloud, A Dying Tradition.
Maya single available from Touch Sensitive’s BigCartel.
THE LOST WORLD, KATOOMBA 