Sendelica - Nirmata II, Journey to the Stars

 Fruits de Mer Records (Friends of the Fish 101)

Nirmata II, Journey to the Stars seems to be the last album by Welsh psych/space/impro/ambient rock band Sendelica. It was recorded earlier this year before the sad passing of the band leader, guitarist Peter Bingham, who was a good friend of mine and also played on a few Astral Magic albums. I really miss him, so it feels pretty hard and emotional to even listen to this album. I'm still very glad that the remaining band members Colin Consterdine, Glenda Pescado and Lee Relfe decided to finish the album in loving memory of Pete.

The totally instrumental album starts with "Severing the Tether" that is a bit heavier and more rocking, great piece. Lee delivers excellent saxophone like always. According to the promo sheet, this is about the "breathtaking moment of release: the breaking of gravity, the bittersweet unmooring that allows soul  to rise, and begin its true voyage". Deep stuff. "Beyond the Shallows of the Sun" is very ambient in nature and is about the journey of human consciousness to the starlit oceans of the wider cosmos. On side B we also have just two long tracks. "The Expanse of Sunyata" has a programmed, groovy drum beat at the beginning, but gets spacey, ambient and experimental after a couple of minutes until the rocking starts again. The track ends with some pretty Nik Turner styled freaky sax and space sounds. Very cool stuff! The last piece "Di Ankh Djet Neneh" is an invocation from ancient Egyptian cosmology and very beautiful, melancholic and peaceful stuff. A wonderful ending for a marvelous album, and possibly, 25 years of stellar music career. 

www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/nirmata2

sendelica.bandcamp.com