mood mosaic vol. 1 - the hascisch party

In order to avoid disappointment, the best way to approach any Mood Mosaic compilation is as a semi professional mix CD made by a mate's older brother's mate with a fantastic record collection who enjoys designing the artwork.As uneven as Vol 1 admittedly is, the first 3 tracks, especially Bob Crewe's psych out cut from the 'Barbarella' soundtrack is worth the price of admission. Klaus Doldinger's 'Sitar Beat' is heavier than a block of cement. Serge Gainsbourg's 'En Melody' is a must hear slice of groovy funk. From track 4 to 9, the comp takes a diversion into light 'n' easy jazz which though fun doesn't make sense; it's not what you would expect or hoped for on a compilation titled 'Hascisch Party'. Fortunately Georges Garvarentz's title track returns us to some blissed out sitar styled funky psych. 'Acka Raga' is a rare (I don't mean hard to find) instrumental from the Dutch band Shocking Blue who breached the charts with 'Venus'. Claude Denjean's 'Kiss This' is one of those tracks that funk 'n' lounge collectors break out in a muck sweat over.Word of warning, the sound is less than pristine having been sourced from vinyl, so expect to hear clicks, crackles, hiss and pop.01 BOB CREWE - Pygar's Persecution/The Black Queen's Beads02 KLAUS DOLDINGER - Sitar Beat03 SERGE GAINSBOURG - En Melody04 MICHEL LEGRAND - Marins, Amis, Amant Ou Maris05 NELSON RIDDLE - Lamento06 GARY McFARLAND - Love For Sale07 GABOR SZABO - Sophisticated Wheels08 PHIL MOORE III - Batucada09 LUIS ENRIQUEZ - Mas Que Nada10 GEORGE GARVARENZ* - Hascisch Party11 SHOCKING BLUE - Ackta Raga12 CLAUDE DENJEAN - Kiss This13 GEORGE SHEARING - Aquarius