Mushroom – Joint Happening/Yesterday, I Saw You Kissing Tiny Flowers…
(This originally appeared in Rock-a-Rolla)
On every release, Mushroom has a different purpose stated throughout their musical excursions. At some points they do want to sound is if Krautrock was a validly popular musical offshoot. And at others, the sound of their city, San Fran, in past days becomes the focus. These two releases, Joint Happening and Yesterday, I Saw You Kissing Tiny Flowers…, shows the structural elements of the bands compositions being based around themselves and then someone else’s talents. On Joint Happening, the band is joined by Eddie Gale. With this addition the band doggedly attaches itself to early ‘70s fusion. Mushroom’s explorations often seem looser, if that’s possible, then much of what was being birthed in the ‘70s. Frequently the sound is not as tough and funky, “Our Love” for example. But on “I was Torn Down at the Dance Place, Shaved Head at the Organ”, the entire groove is based around the break beat. Now, all of these things occur organically, but on Yesterday, the band occasionally submits their sound to the leadership of Levy. Her performance won’t necessarily interest fans of the instrumentals even when Afro-beat, Kraut jams and somewhat sloppy grooves are all present.
