Velvet Illusions

[Clear Light]

Finally, the Velvet Illusions will see a long awaited vinyl LP release, from Moi J'Connais Records, sometime this autumn.

 

[Clear Light]

It's out next week. Not sure about the promo blurb the label has put together though - it's almost like they didn't read the liner notes I sent them...

http://www.moijconnais.com/catalog/velvet-illusions

 

[Clear Light]

Here's something you won't read in the liner notes. I've just discovered that the final five piece line up of the Velvet Illusions that recorded the 'Mini Shimmy' and 'Lazy' 45s included Roland Bautista who would go on to Earth Wind & Fire. He's the one responsible for that wild fuzz guitar work. I guess these may have been his first recordings. I didn't pick up on it originally because I was told his surname was Batista, otherwise I would have tracked him down. Sadly he is now RIP. Another bizarre post script to the VI story is how Randy Bowles (AKA "Jimmie James") ended up in a country bar band with two members of Japan's Flower Travellin' Band. You couldn't make it up!

 

[captainsalty]

while it's great to see the band's output on one LP, I'd rather not use windows paint when creating artwork.

 

[Clear Light]

while it's great to see the band's output on one LP, I'd rather not use windows paint when creating artwork.

We tried to steer them towards something more visually appealing but they had their own ideas. The actual sleeves are screen printed and look pretty crude. I'd actually wanted to do the vinyl issue off my own back, but I just wasn't able to raise enough money to do it before this label came along and licensed the material - nixing my own plans

 

[captainsalty]

don't get me wrong, it's always refreshing to see something off the beaten path.
sorry to hear that your involvement was nixed by money.