WILD HAVANA - S/T

Mental Experience present a reissue of Wild Havanas self-titled album, originally released in 1977. Obscure Dutch private pressing of laid-back instrumental psychedelic/progressive sounds with jazz-funk-groove and abstract/experimental/Latin-indigenous touches. Stoned homemade atmosphere with treated/distorted electric and acoustic guitars, flute, electric piano, primitive drum machines/homemade electronics... Much in the vein of the experimental-underground scene of France and Germany during the early 70s but actually recorded and released in Holland. Wild Havana was the project of guitar player Johan Smith, helped by his brother Cor on flute. Influenced by artists like Zappa and Herbie Hancock, Johan recorded the Wild Havana album at his home studio on a 4-track, using effect devices developed by himself, like a modified proto-drum machine taken from a Hammond organ. He also used effects like phase shifter, chorus, etc. and experimented with putting wool on the guitar strings and electric effects on the mandolin. The result sounded like nothing else at the time. Buried for many years, were excited to bring to life this unique album. RIYL: Herbie Hancock, Richard Pinhas, Christian Boule, Orexis... Insert with liner notes by band member Johan Smit. ...a beautiful, strange psych-prog LP with abstract compositions ,experimental edges and some funk hints" - Mutant Sounds.