The Psychedelic Aliens

Psycho African Beat
Academy Annex Records
1969-1971

Well I woke up today and decided to take a trip to somewhere I’ve never been before. Somewhere really green and exotic and has the infinite spirit of animal, nature, and its energies combined. I’m thinking somewhere like Africa, maybe even Ghana to be more specific. Although I don’t even have to leave my house, because I’m going to be traveling through my surround sound with the use of my ears. It’s the feeling I get when I listen to the Psycho African Beat by the Ghanaian group, the Psychedelic Aliens. I put this album on for literally the first five seconds and instantly I’m traveling through to a different continent. The first thing that grabs my immediate attention is the drummer. His beat is so filled with nuances it really makes me get up on my feet and moving. Whether it’s my own dance or simply just pacing around the room. As the first track fades away and the next one starts, I am grabbed immediately by the psychedelic quality of the guitar playing. There are parts in this album where the organ comes in so thick and colorful that it almost sounds like waves from an ocean. The really loud ones that crash against the shore and never quite stop. It gives the listener a real sense of energy and the ultimate spirit of said energy.

As the album plays on, the tracks delve deeper into the traditional African music sentiment, with poly-rhythms and lyrics of native tongue. It is also to be noted that a couple of the tracks are also spoken in the English language, which further implicates the point of the Psychedelic Aliens capturing the essence of their fellow Western neighbors (across the pond). This is honestly summer music, to me. It screams good zeal, it motivates people to get up and dance, it’s a very healthy music on all sides of the spectrum. What’s incredible is that these lush and colorful tracks were all recorded in the period of 1969-1971. This makes it obvious to many that the influence of Hendrix was ultimately realized by the Aliens. You can also listen closely and hear the inspiration that Fela Kuti had on the Aliens whilst listening to this music. Back in March ’71, there was a beautifully organized African music festival set in Ghana which invited the likes of super stars, Wilson Pickett, Ike and Tina Turner, and of course the mighty Santana. It was a serious trip for the Aliens to be opening for their idol, Carlos Santana, and the energy from that night is readily portrayed in their music for years to come. Please do yourself a favor and get up and dance to this music by the Psychedelic Aliens. -Pouya G. Asadi

1 – Blofonyobi Wo Atale
2 – Hijacking
3 – We’re Laughing
4 – Extraordinary Woman
5 – Gbe Keke Wo Taoc
6 – Gbomei Adesai
7 – Homowo
8 – Okponmo Ni Tsitsi Emo Le

Order the album from Academy Annex Records in LP and CD

From Academy Annex Records:

Psycho African Beat – contains the complete recordings of this virtually unknown and amazing group. Their unprecedented music combined soul, psych, funk and garage rock with African rhythms and melodies for a unique and incredible sound.

This is the first-ever reissue of these unbelievably rare recordings – licensed directly from the band and released with their full participation. 32 page booklet w/ liner notes written by band-leader Ricky Telfer and numerous photos of the band in their heyday.

Bass – Lash Laryera
Congas – Patrick (tracks: 5 to 8 )
Drums – Smart “Pozo” Thompson
Lead Guitar – Carl Ricky Telfer
Liner Notes – Ricky Telfer*
Organ, Vocals – Malek Crayem
Rhythm Guitar – Reyad Couri (tracks: 1 to 4)
Backing Vocals [Backup Vocals] – Carl Ricky Telfer (tracks: 3, 5, 6), Malek Crayem (tracks: 3, 5, 6), Reyad Couri
Vocals – Lash Laryera (tracks: 4, 7), Smart “Pozo” Thompson (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6)