Linda Cohen - Leda (USA, 1972)

 

Linda Cohen was a Philadelphia-based guitarist, who made three albums of instrumental music for classical guitar, augmented with various electronic instruments and effects. Sadly, she passed away recently, but was well-known in Philadelphia both as a musician and a guitar instructor. (Her obituary can be seen here.) Other members of the Philadelphia music scene help out on all her recordings: notably, Craig Anderton and Michal Kac of legendary psych group Mandrake Memorial, as well Charles Cohen, a modular synth player who is well-known to anyone familiar with the Philly underground scene of the past few decades. Leda was followed by Lake of Light (1973) and Angel Alley (1982); of the three, Leda seems to be the most sparse, with the warm nylon-string guitar of most tracks being subtly augmented by bass or synth sounds which remain in the background. Like of Light is available at this Soundcloud page. Although the arrangements of Lake of Light are sometimes more engaging, I think the songs of Leda are stronger, ultimately making it a more enjoyable album. Calm, reflective, psychedelic, and slightly melancholic music, reminiscent of Führs & Fröhling. 

Linda Cohen - Leda

LP, Poppy Records, 1972

A1    Arroyo
A2    Promenade
A3    Leda
A4    Madman Samba
A5    Wisteria
A6    Valentine Suite
B1    Fantasia Inca
B2    The Dust
B3/4 Two Themes     
B5    The Old Castle
B6    Sixth Sense

Link