Album Notes

Soul Pagan contains seven original instrumental compositions including long suites like it's title track and the 8 min. plus action cinematic Watching Mr. Chubbs. These are moods and grooves inspired by the grease of vintage funky soul, the textures of psychedelic rock, and the spaciousness utilized by European soundtrack composers like Ennio Morricone and Serge Gainsbourg. For the recording, vintage Guild electric guitars were played through mid 60's Gretsch and Silvertone amps resulting in a snaky, animistic guitar mood that twists and weaves through raw soul grooves, slowly pulsing beneath loungey washes of psychedelic sound. Bill Fleisher (combo organ, clavinet, synth) builds his own tube amps and owns over a dozen vintage organs. His imaginative playing is inspired by the mod sound of the British Invasion as well as some of the lesser known session keyboardists of 60's psychedelia. Soul Pagan features Bill on rare, vintage organs by Farfisa, Panther, Doric and Rheem. Dave Miller (bass, vocals) is a veteran of Austin's funk and Jazz scenes. He is also the drummer for the Monkey Power Trio, who have been featured by John Peel on his BBC Radio One show. Ellis Read (guitar, piano, synth, percussion, vocals) played in Fury III, Girl and Energy Fools. His uncle, Richard Read was a drummer and an early member of The Crickets. Ellis' guitar influences include Funkadelic's Eddie Hazel, Steve Cropper and Grant Green.