The Magic Forest (More Pastoral Psychedlia & Funky Folk 1968-1975)

Somewhere in the ‘60s, the folk movement and the psychedelic rock scene intersected and a new sound emerged combining mellow acoustic sounds with further-out ideas that broke from folk traditions. This psychedelic folk-rock sound was wide-ranging, from the more straightforward sounds of bands like Fairport Convention and early Jethro Tull to the acid-tripping bliss of communal groups like the Incredible String Band. The Magic Forest is the second entry in a series of compilations that began with 2022’s Deep in the Woods, again collecting artifacts of enchanted, pastoral psychedelic folk from between 1968 and 1975. Cherry Red’s anthologies generally intersperse obscure acts among the better known artists of the genre or topic they’re focused on, but this series sticks primarily to the rarer artifacts of the woodland folk underground. The 62 tracks here still go all over the place, from the orchestral chamber folk of Fresh Maggots’ “Rosemary Hill” or the gothic and ceremonial energy of Shelagh McDonald’s “Stargazer” to more moody and rocking songs from Fat Mattress and Mellow Candle. Psychedelia is the thread that holds The Magic Forest together. Even the folkiest numbers here, like Heron’s mandolin- and acoustic guitar-based “Yellow Roses” or the Coterie’s “Dawn” have a surreal tint to their gentle delivery, making them feel more ethereal and dreamlike than the average Peter, Paul, and Mary tune. These milder songs are counterbalanced by far more experimental fare from acid pop acts like Honeybus and Ithaca, and progressive rockers like Comus and Jade Warrior. The absence of many big-name artists or easily recognizable hits enhances the mysterious aura that builds as The Magic Forest goes on. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a long hike through misty terrain, an epic Dungeons & Dragons session, or to simply enjoy for its deftly curated flow and the witchy, beguiling atmosphere it creates. ~ Fred Thomas