Humus (band)
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Humus is a psychedelic band from Mexico which has been active since the late 1980s.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early history
Humus was founded in 1987 by Jorge Beltran as a one man band, where he played all instruments in home recordings made through the ping pong recording technique. He chose the name "Humus" based the earthy, humus-like sound caused by sound degradation caused by the reduction mixing. During the late 1980s and early 1990s Beltran released five cassettes, causing interest in the underground quarters of Mexico City, where there had been a long history of progressive rock that managed to exist despite all the adversity a Latin American country faces in terms of making independent music business.
Jose Luis Garnica, a long time friend of Jorge's and a rock connoisseur, was very much impressed by the quality of sound of these recordings, but mostly by Beltran's musicianship, so he became producer of Humus's first LP, Tus Oidos mienten in June 1992. The album finally gave recording status to Humus, and soon international reviews from the U.S., Germany, France, and in particular from Italy began to emerge, praising the new band from Mexico.
[edit] Second Album and Lineup Change
From the second album, called simply Humus (released Dec. 1994), the one man band concept changed to a live performing band, which included old time school friend and bass player Victor Basurto, with whom he had formed their first band, Stomago Sagrado in the late 1970s. Victor had designed the cover for Tus Oidos Mienten, and has been in charge for the art of all recordings both musicians have been involved with ever since.
Several local tours took place, and the drum stool was occupied by no less than 8 drummers during the 1990s and well nigh into the 21st century.
[edit] Third and Fourth Albums and Side Project
A third album, Malleus Crease was released in 1995. This album, along with brother Project Frolic Froth 's album Ouroboros were also released in Italy by the D-dabliu label in LP format. Humus 4 degrees, released in 1997, is the band's only album to exist only in CD format, all others were both CD and LP productions. This album was released through Smogless Records and newly formed Nuggetphase productions, and from there all albums produced by either of the bands leadered by Jorge and Victor have been released in the Nuggetphase label.
Also in 1997 Humus found themselves in an international tour of England and Italy . In Exeter They recorded an album with American Dave Tor who became singer for the only vocal album ever made by either Jorge or Victor, and for this project a new name was devised: Euphoric Darkness, since it detached completely from the instrumental approach always favoured by Humus. The resulting album was named Colours You Can Hear and only 100 hundred copies were made.
[edit] Fifth Album - Present Day
In Pesaro they recorded Humus's fifth album, Whispering Galleries, under the production of Italy's doom metal legend Paul Chain, who also contributed to the album. Three hundred numbered copies were made.
Since 1998 Humus has recorded no less than 5 albums, though none has been released yet. The band continues to be active, though members live in different continents: Jorge Beltran lives in Mexico and Victor Basurto lives in The Netherlands. The manage to continue playing together through the use of the new communication technologies. Because of their limited press runs, Humus albums are rare, and some of them reach up to US$250 in international distributor listings.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Cassettes
Sientate y escucha (1988)
Cero Melodico (1989)
Jardines Colgantes (1989)
Sopa Invisible (1990)
Planepantla (1992)
[edit] Lp's
Tus Oidos Mienten (1992)
Humus (1994)
Malleus Crease (1995)
Four Degrees (1997)
Whispering Galleries (1999)
[edit] Other releases
Song: Brylcreem (included in the International psychedelic compilation "Floralia 2"), 1996. On/Off Records,Italy.
Song: El Vampiro (included in the international Horror Movies soundtracks tribute "E tu vivrae nel terror"), 1998, Black Widow Records, Italy
[edit] Humus Related bands
Smoking the Century Away
Frolic Froth
Loch Ness
Semefo
Ascetic Chuckwalla
Stomago Sagrado
