Review by Jason Barnard
It’s easy to think that a vinyl only label featuring psych, prog and folk was an obvious choice in 2008. However only someone brave or foolish would have embarked on releasing obscure covers and new material inspired by labels such as Vertigo, ten years ago.
In this period founder Keith Jones continued to be brave or foolish [delete as appropriate] bringing new tracks from cult legends such as The Pretty Things, nick nicely, Tir na nOg, The Chemistry Set, Stay, Beautify Junkyards, Cranium Pie, Astralasia, Sendelica, Vibravoid, Superfjord, Soft Hearted Scientists and The Honey Pot.
In similarly ambitious fashion to celebrate 10 years, Fruits de Mer present a triple LP of tracks drawn from FdM’s back-catalogue from these artists. Presented in a triplefold sleeve designed in Keith’s own words: “to make ‘Yessongs’ seem like the old newspaper you wrap your fish and chips in, with an extra 7” single thrown in for good measure – which we’ve called ‘the little goldfish’ because it’s not very big.”
Goldfish focuses on Fruits de Mer original mission statement “classic and wilfully-obscure songs taken from, or heavily influenced by, the 60s and early 70s”.
Picking highlights is an impossible job – all these groups are Strange Brew favourites. If I have to mention a few… Crystal Jacqueline’s darkly creepy “Cousin Jane”, nick nicely’s inspired acoustic reinterpretation “Hilly Fields – The Mourning”, Sidewalk Society’s mod-psych-shaking “Strange Roads” and The Chemistry Set’s psych-indie shimmering “Come Kiss Me Vibrate And Smile”.
If that isn’t enough, Fruits de Mer mission rolls on with another release from Permanent Clear Light with three new tracks that furrow deeper into psychedelia. Their new EP ‘Maurice N’est Pas La’ has three tracks that take a thread of an influence from the 60s (The Move and The Doors et al) but launch it forward 50 years.
And there’s live shows – after Fruits de Mer goes to Glastonbury in May to celebrate 10 years (now sold out) they’ll be back in Cardigan for their annual summer festival. Fruits de Mer Records 16th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus August 3-5 is headlined by Nik Turner’s New Space Ritual plus other FDM faves – Sendelica, Fuchsia, Stay, Schnauser, Nathan Hall, The Gold Needles and more.
All Fruits de Mer activities are captured in fascinating detail on Dave Thompson’s wonderful The Incomplete Angler tome.
Information on all FDM activities, ‘Goldfish: 10 years of Fruits de Mer Records’ and Permanent Clear Light’s ‘Maurice N’est Pas La’ are available at:
