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LP
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MRSSS 542LP
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Vinilisssimo present Maypole's self-titled debut, originally released in 1971. You have probably heard this story before: a great album gets released by the time the label folds and the few copies distributed end up in the dollar bins. Then, a few decades later, some connoisseurs realize what a great record that album was and it becomes collectable and sought after overnight. This is exactly what happened in 1971 when Demian Bell and Paul Welsh saw their debut album as Maypole released on Colossus at the worst possible time... The band was formed in Baltimore, Maryland in late 1969 and they named it Maypole, as in the Nathaniel Hawthorne story, as a symbol of freethinking they also aimed to represent. Their sound has been compared to bands like Cream, Iron Butterfly, or Led Zeppelin, and the similarities between Demian Bell's guitar skills and Hendrix playing have also been remarked upon. The bluesy hard psych vibes on their only US single Show Me That Way/Johnny (1971) certainly back those comparisons. Strong melodies and some nice group harmonies are the other magical ingredients that help making this album an amazing piece of hard rock music. Maypole soon gained media attention and a promo tour followed, including live appearances on national TV shows, the problem was they had no company behind their album. The band relocated to Holland and continued playing gigs with moderate success. Lifestyle excesses resulted in numerous personnel changes until the band finally dismantled in 1972, though several members briefly continued performing as The Flying Circus. Presented in facsimile artwork and pressed on 180 gram vinyl.
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LP
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ANOPH 011LP
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"Anopheles Records is proud to announce our latest archival release, the first ever authorized, high quality vinyl LP reissue of Baltimore, Maryland's Maypole, whose sole album, The Real, was recorded in three days, July 1970, and released in early 1971, shortly before their label folded, dooming the album to stillborn status commercially at the time, and collector want list status today. The LP is an ambitious, 50-minute feast of tight harmonies, powerful arrangements, fluid improvisation, and flat out great songs, and serves as a touchstone for twin guitar-driven, West Coast-styled psychedelia, soaring power pop, and blistering hard rock -- some even call it prog -- everyone wants a piece of the Great One. If you've been looking for an LP to complete an imaginary trilogy with S.F. Sorrow and Parachute, then this is your tonic. The stature of Maypole has been muddied by the previous CD reissues, but this LP edition gets it right. Featuring state of the art remastering and pressing, a high quality full color 'tip on' jacket featuring original artwork, and a full color insert loaded with lyrics, photos, and complete historical notes by Maypole founder, Dennis Tobell, this is the closest to 'classic psychedelia' Anopheles Records has delved in to date, and we're glad we didn't settle for something second rate -- Maypole is The Real."
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