The Dutch-based five piece Heath make their astonishing debut with four extended tracks on Isaak's Marble and yes this band is heavily influenced by the sixties and the seventies - think The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band or The Doors - but who cares as their music is second to none really. Dutchies Mees Vullings (vocals, harmonica), Jordy Bouter (guitar), Dars Hellemond (drums) and "foreigners" Isak Heidenfors (SWE, guitar, vocals) and Steve Lolicato ((AUS, bass guitar) combine prog, psychedelia, rock, and blues rock in expansive jams, very suitable for live performances indeed. The opening title song is an almost pure traditional psychedelic blues rock epic, clocking in at over just ten minutes, and it is a very versatile and varied song packed with emotional harmonica playing by Vullings, lots of amazing riffs and well-played solos indeed. After this more than excellent opener Wondrous Wetlands is definitely more relaxed, as it features a light shuffle jam evolving into a groovy, Doors-like track with organ, keys, and harmonica galore. Strawberry Girl, being the shortest track, is a rather different one as it features sitar, beautiful vocal harmonies and in fact this song really sounds like sixties pop music, how is that for a change.... Finally, Heath, produces their longest and best song called Valley Of The Sun a blend of psychedelia, blues, rock, and funk in optima forma. After a rather quiet and weird musical intro of almost two minutes this track evolves into a rocking psychedelic roller coaster, featuring clear-eyed guitar passages/melodies, flute and marvellous guitar solos at the five minutes and six minutes mark. To really get into the music of Heath you have to listen to the last four minutes of Valley Of The Sun and then you will probably be amazed and hooked, or you might think, this is not really my thing... I truly embraced Isaak's Marble, and the "mini-album" is doing overtime in my CD-player, so give it a shot, play it LOUD and enjoy. Listening tip: Valley Of The Sun! ****+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
