Tower Recordings

New York’s the Tower Recordings have always comprised a sort-of who’s who of the city’s psych-folk scene. As the ensemble’s individual members (Samara Lubelski, Matt "MV” Valentine, Tim Barnes, PG Six) continue to branch out on their own and achieve greater recognition for constantly refining their sensibilities and growing solo discographies, it’s only now that this has come to be known on a wider scale. When the Tower Recordings began their varied and always evolving existence, back in the mid-’90s, these names weren’t nearly as well-known or heralded as they are today by psych-folk loving folk far and wide. So what better time than now to relish in and revere the Tower Recordings for their airy, free and mysterious combination of raga-like drones, curiously soul-searching arrangements and breathy, harmonic vocals? Though these sessions (recorded in an upstate New York church) took place a few years ago (around the time they recorded 2001’s Folkscene), this music still sounds vital today — especially in light of Samara Lubelski’s recently released debut, the gorgeous The Fleeting Skies. The Galaxies’ Incredibly Sensual Transmission Field might not be as beautifully ramshackle as earlier Tower albums like Fraternity of Moonwalkers or Furniture Music for Evening Shuttles, but it could very well be their most defining statement yet and its many high points soar bird-like. A welcome reunion session from a quilt of astounding talents that’s since split to showcase the strength of its individual seams.