KAHVAS JUTE Wide Open '73 ORIGINAL heavy Cream psych LP

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MEGA RARE ORIGINAL pressing of Australian heavy psych rock band Kahvas Jute’s “Wide Open”, from 1973 on the Infinity label.  Featuring two former members of Tamam Shud, and a bassist who would later go on to play with Ozzy Osbourne and Richie Blackmore (Bob Daisley).  Cream fans upset that Cream released only 3 and a half albums during their brief tenure should check out this little obscurity – it’s practically “Wheels of Fire” without the 20-minute drum solo.  I’m not kidding – Kahvas Jute sounds JUST LIKE Cream in about half these songs, no doubt in part due to the fact that the lead vocalist sounds JUST LIKE Jack Bruce.  His name is Dennis Wilson – and no, it’s not THAT Dennis Wilson – obviously a big Cream fan since the songs Dennis wrote are the most Cream-like (and the best).  And since four of his six songs appear on Side 1, the album is extremely frontloaded.  Opener “Free” sounds like Cream if they had gone for an earthier, West Coast vibe – a la Quicksilver Messenger Service or Mad River.  Me, I always preferred Cream when they were at their heaviest and raunchiest, so I prefer Kahvas Jute’s downright evil “Odyssey”, a big monolithic pummeling blues riff that sounds like “Politician” on steroids.  Now THIS is exciting stuff, especially for all you guitar freaks, with dual guitars taking center stage, along with a bass player who can’t sit still for one second, diving and swooping and bending his notes like John Entwistle with ADD.  Things perk up even more for the speed demon blues funk workout “She’s Hard to Shake”, which sounds like the second side of Steppenwolf the Second when it starts building up a good head of steam near the end.  Two guitars once again create a streamlined sound-barrier-breaking wall of sound, punctuated by a few massive sonic booms of echoed-out guitar noise.  The last Dennis Wilson song on Side 1 is also the best of the lot – the proggy Valhalla epic “Vikings”, which manages to combine Led Zeppelin’s “Achilles Last Stand” with Cream’s “Tales of Brave Ulysses” into one giant epic of Frank Frazetta proportions.  It’s Kahvas Jute’s macho masterpiece, all Norse god mythology brought to life by a KILLER over-the-top guitar solo that’s got more wah wah than a dozen Electric Prunes Vox radio spots.  A great unexpected low register fuzz guitar riff weaves and twists underneath the chorus and adds just the right amount of mystery to this epic tale about the three-time-losing Minnesota football team.  And that’s only the first side we’re talking about here.  As you’d expect from former Tamam Shud members and future Ozzy collaborators, this Australian band’s heavier than Ayers Rock.  File next to Human Instinct and later Masters Apprentices, and wear a helmet when listening for your own safety.  Original 1973 pressing on the Australian Infinity label.  Original gatefold sleeve is in VG++ shape with some corner bending, small seam split on top edge (1 inch).  Minor spine wear.  Vinyl plays VG to VG+ with steady crackle, noticeable but music generally overpowers it.    

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