The Smell of Incense | Artist
The Smell of Incense is a Norwegian psych-folk band formed 1986 in Arendal, Norway, by SigneLine Lundstrom aka Bumble B. (viola, vocals), Ernie Chung (guitar, bass, vocals), Han Solo (bass, organ, Mellotron, piano), Cool Kat (drums, percussion, Theremin), Lumpy Davy (guitar, sitar, vocals, tapes), and Mickey Moog (Mellotron, Hammond, Fender Rhodes, harpsichord). Taking their name from the 60’s LSD induced psychedelic single “Smell Of Incense” by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, The Smell Of Incense's music floats aimlessly down that same lysergic laced stream, where their sound blossoms and ebbs with warm hypnotic musical meanderings and vocal harmonies. Stylistic comparisons could be made with In The Land of Grey and Pink era Caravan, or mid-period Renaissance, laced with a hint of Barrett/Floyd psychedelia. The band's 1994 debut album All Mimsy Were the Borogoves consisted mostly of a number of little-known as well as irreverent covers, while their later releases focused more on original material reflecting both the psychedelic traditional and experimentation present in much of modern Scandinavian progressive music. The band released two further studio albums; Through the Gates of Deeper Slumber (1997), and Of Ullages and Dottles (2007), plus one compilation A Curious Miscellany (2010). All four albums are recommended, if you can find them. In addition, Bumble B issued her own solo album Flight Of The Bumble B. (2003) which, although highly obscure, attracted several strong ratings. Perhaps it's because their record company went defunct, or maybe it's simply because they want to stay low-key, but for whatever reason, details about the band or their present day activities are impossible to ascertain - and their tracks are unavailable on both Spotify and Apple Music. So let's close with one glowing review from RYM: "Mostly covers, but tripped out like none I've ever heard. On their first album, Norway's TSOI turn the Kinks' "Fancy" into a stunning raga, give ISB's "Witch's Hat" the full-on Fairport treatment, and take "Interstellar Overdrive" out for a spin far beyond the red line. The original material is just as good. Whoah. This is fantastic!
Artist Website : discogs/Smell-Of-Incense
Featured Albums: The Smell of Incense
Related Artists: Bumble B, Famlende Forsøk
Not on Apple Music
Not on Spotify