
Kanguru are an Australian hippy band from around the early to mid seventies. They were based in
Northern New South Wales in Nimbin and Byron Bay. Most of the musos still play music locally in
other bands. It is a rare lp that I quite luckily picked up numerous copies of yesterday and
will be selling slowly on ebay.
Four mainly instrumental tracks are featured on this very rare Aussie album,the only known
product from this band. From the artwork through to the music this looks and sounds like
something produced by a bunch of guru worshipping hippies, and it well might be. However on
colder inspection it is possible that this was produced by a group of guys who made it with
their tongues firmly implanted in their cheeks. Firstly it is released on Larrikin records, a
small Aussie label better known for Aussie blues and bush bands. Secondly, the members of the
band offer some amusing alias’s:
future Sirocco member Guy Madigan is 'Koalananda'; Paul Gibson is 'Sri Wombat', former MacKenzie
Theory violinist Cleis Peace is 'Clear light' and Keith Manning is 'Professor'.
Not the typical alias's that you would expect. Thirdly the label shows that it was produced in
1980, although sounding like it was recorded in the late 60 or early 70s. Fourthly, it seems
more than a coincidence that Guru Guru released an album called Kanguru years earlier (also
four long tracks). Notwithstanding, the quality of musicianship is excellent. This album is
part meditative, part ambient and heavily Indian influenced.
~ by: blackcatbone
"Four mainly instrumental tracks are featured on this very rare Aussie album, the only known
product from this band. From the artwork through to the music this looks and sounds like
something produced by a bunch of hippies who worship an Indian guru, and it well might be.
However on colder inspection it is possible that this was produced by a group of guys who made
it with their tongues firmly implanted in their cheeks. Firstly it is released on Larrikin
records, a small Aussie label better known for Aussie blues and country bush bands. Secondly,
the band’s names are not typical of guru converts; Paul Gibson alias Sri Wombat and Guy Madigan
alias Koalananda certainly don’t sound very South Asian to me. Thirdly it is reported to have
been released in 1980, although sounding like it was recorded in the late 60 or early 70s.
Fourthly, it seems more than a coincidence that Guru Guru released an album called Kanguru years
earlier (also four long tracks). As we say in Australia, I think these guys are ‘taking the
piss’.
Irrespective of how genuine the band actually are, this album is part meditative, part ambient
and heavily Indian influenced. All in all an Aussie oddity. Full artwork included."
~ by: prognotfrog.blogspot.com
1. Ras Lila (Prayer Of Reincarnation) (0:00)
2. Waves Of Aquarius (12:39)
3. Kanara Prakar (Evening Raga Of Devotion) (22:35)
4. Invitation To Dance (34:54)
Guy Madigan [aka Koalananda] - phakawaj, tanpura
Keith Manning [aka Professor] - tabla, flute, percussion
Paul Gibson [aka Sri Wombat] - electric sarde, vocals, 14-string guitar, didgiridu
Cleis Pearce [aka Clear Light] - electric viola
Ashia White - vocals