Search - Mashmakhan :: Mashmakhan / Family

Wonderful band

Sam King | Concord, New Hampshire United States | 06/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mashmakhan was originally a 3 piece backup group, called the Triangle, for Trevor Payne, a Canadian R & B singer. With the addition of Brian Edwards, singer and bass player, they became Mashmakhan. Anyone who saw them live (especially with the Joshua? light show) can attest to their simmering, moody feel. The songwriting has an original take on standard song formats. Of interest to guitarists are "Days when we are free", and "the Prince"(with its Clapton from Mars solo). Rayburn Blake is one of the great unsung Canadian guitar talents. Pierre Senecal was a fine songwriter, wind player and...one of those Hammond/leslie guys! Somewhat reminiscent of traffic. Also, letter from Zambia, with its Osibisa/Santana like percussion, would be quite contemporary in today's world music scene. These guys were simply the best Canadian act of the period. My only complaint is the omission of Mr. Tree from this compilation (the reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars). Great playing on that song. If you can find a vinal copy, burn a CD of that song."

High quality representative of the genre

Jake Trevick | Great Barrington, MA | 04/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, so they only really put out one album and Grateful Dead bootlegs have sold more copies, but Mashmakhan is just about the highest quality set of musicians to emerge from the late-sixites/early-seventies. With out a doubt they are the best Canadian band of that era, and I would put them in my top 5 Canadian bands of all time (sorry Roch). Although Mashmakhan's lyrical content is relatively amateurish and overly cerebral, the rhythmic structure echoes that of Santana and their chord and melodic patterns often through the listener a delightful and unexpected loop. All around their songs are smart, catchy, and interesting. If you want to know what psychadelic rock should sound like, pick up some Mashmakhan."

Amazing And Stupid At The Same Time!!

L. Philadelphia | 03/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know why there are two albums packaged on this CD. The self titled Mashmakhan album is simple one of the best albums on the planet. A classic and revolutionary album right up there with the Beach Boy's 'Pet Sounds' album. The vocal arrangements are very tight, the chord progressions are so unique and seemless. I love the way most of the songs switch into differnt tempo and emotional expressions, none so more evident than the song 'Shades of Loneliness.' Simply amazing!! Big shout out to Jerry Mercer the drummer, what an awesome job he does on this album. I love the way the drums were recorded as if in a concert hall, and not in some sterile and sound proof recording room. When reading the linear notes, it speaks of the groups sharp demise into oblivion. How is this possible? Well dare to let the CD move onto track 11, the start of "The Family' album and you'll hear a sharp decline in creativity!! All the hard work and genius that went into their debut album simply vanished! They worked so hard to be so different from all the 'bubble gum' pop rock of the day, but just like the Beach Boys, they could only pull off this level of genius on one album, sadly to be followed up with 'bubble gum' pop rock failures. It hurts my ears to even listen to 'The Family.' Take 'The Family' off this album and you've got a five star classic!!"