Effervescent Elephants
Ganesh Sessions

The epic journey of the Effervescent Elephants is a piece of Italian psychedelia history. The group led by Lodovico Ellena, a dynamic character passionate about '60s culture, owes its name, as everyone should know, to a song by Syd Barrett. During the full '60s revival in the '80s, the Elephants were undoubtedly one of the few groups that could be described as “psychedelic” alongside No Strange, Technicolour Dream, Birdmen Of Alkatraz, and Steeplejack. Their “Something To Say” released by the legendary Electric Eye of guru Claudio Sorge in 1987 is a small classic of the genre. Ellena also published a book titled “History of Italian Psychedelia,” a must-read for anyone wanting to understand how our country had its own glorious and obscure history in this field. How can we forget Le Stelle di Mario Schifano and Chetro e Co? Or a character like Claudio Rocchi who later collaborated with the Elephants in 2011? Over the years, Ellena has also been active with other groups, all aligned with the psychedelic ethos, including the acoustic and mystical Folli di Dio and Astral Weeks. Now Area Pirata from Pisa publishes “Ganesh Sessions,” an essential CD documenting inspired recordings from 2013 made in Alice Castello, the group's hometown. The lineup includes, besides Ellena on vocals and guitar, Aldo Casciano on drums, the “visionary” Sergio Monti on bass, and Lorenzo Proverbio on guitar and keyboards, all historical members of the Effervescent Elephants. The music shines with ancient classics of the group like “Indian Side,” the captivating and “Arabesque” “Radio Meuzzin” and “It’s Raining,” as well as two inspired covers: “Astronomy Domine” from the first legendary Pink Floyd album and “Maize” from the second Syd Barrett album. But “Confusion Is Marrakesh” and “Astral Raga” are other tracks rich in oriental and lysergic flavors that reveal a genuine “feeling” for psychedelia. As a bonus track, there is also an electronic remix of “Apollo e le muse” from the collaboration with Claudio Rocchi. Don't hesitate; if you have a psychedelic heart, make this CD yours. It can be listened to on Bandcamp at the following link: https://areapiratarec.bandcamp.com/album/ganesh-sessions.