This scarce record (GEpH094) was released in 1970 as an attempt by Gecophonic to capture the fashionable ‘easy-pop’ style of the day. Judged by this criteria, even the most generous of critics would deem this record as a complete failure, however, it has generated itself a curious reputation among certain collectors due in no small part to its endearing oddness.

According to the sleeve notes, Mountain Music seems to have been a concept LP that equates a mountaineering expedition with the intricacies of romance. As the opening track, ‘Breathtaking’ fades in, some degree of success is achieved, as even the most casual of listeners will be experiencing sensations of vertigo and quite possibly nausea.

Any attempt at coherent ‘pop’ stylings are effectively sabotaged by the insistent and almost fanatical use of echo-plate reverb to coat the music in an aural ‘hall of mirrors’. Perhaps the most unusual track is ‘Altitude of Love’ (track two, side two), where barely decipherable lyrics:

‘The atmosphere of romance / Thinning in my mind / Respiration Desperation / is your love imagination?’

bounce backwards and forward over a rhythm section that is failing to catch up with itself, while a lush string section loops itself into a narcoleptic haze. Add to this quagmire various electronic ‘bleeping’ and ‘swoosh’ effects and you have a record destined for the box labelled ‘Curiosities’ rather than any remote region of the hit parade.

Mountain Music's limited release of 200 copies puts it’s estimated value at £75 english pounds, although this may be accounted for due to the presence of noted session musician Alan ‘Blackmilk’ Boonetooth on Clavichord and backing VVSP300.

According to recently unearthed information, Wistful refused to give up the ghost and released two more long playing records, ‘82% Hydrogen’ (GEpH112) and ‘We didn’t do anything wrong, Hardly’ (GEpH124). No copies of either opus have ever been discovered.

If anyone has any pertinent information regarding such items, please contact the usual address.

Stanley Mykle Radio Waves 1975