Salzedo Meyer Grey by London Percussion Ensemble – A 1969 UK Banger That Still Hits
Alright, let’s cut the crap. Salzedo Meyer Grey isn’t your typical snooze-fest classical record. Released in ‘69 on Philips (yeah, THAT Philips), this thing hits like a sledgehammer wrapped in velvet. It’s weird, wild, and totally unapologetic—a relic from an era when musicians weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. The London Percussion Ensemble? These dudes didn’t mess around. They brought raw energy to every track, and it shows.
Now, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend all five movements are life-changing masterpieces—because they’re not. But two tracks? Holy hell, they stuck with me like gum under a table.
First up: "3rd movt. Arloso." This one sneaks up on you. Starts off slow, almost lazy, but then BAM—it punches you right in the gut. There’s this hypnotic rhythm that builds and builds until you’re practically drowning in it. The percussion work here is INSANE. Like, how do human beings even think of stuff like this? By the time it ends, you're left gasping for air, wondering what just happened. Trust me, once you hear it, you won’t forget it.
Then there's "5th movt. Finale," which feels like someone took everything cool about '60s experimental music and cranked it to eleven. It’s chaotic as hell, but in the best way possible. Imagine being chased through a jungle by a pack of drummers wielding timpani mallets—that’s this track. Every beat lands hard, every cymbal crash feels like thunder, and the whole thing leaves you breathless. If this doesn’t make your heart race, check your pulse, bro.
The other tracks ain’t bad either—"Preludio" sets the mood, "Scherzo" keeps things interesting, and "Antifona" has its moments—but damn, those two really stand out. They grab you by the throat and refuse to let go.
So yeah, Salzedo Meyer Grey might be nearly 55 years old, but it still smacks harder than half the garbage flooding Spotify today. And honestly? That says something about both the album AND modern music. Maybe we’ve lost our edge. Or maybe albums like this remind us why taking risks matters.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth, blast “Arloso” at them. Either they’ll surrender immediately or start headbanging. Either way, win-win.
