by Martin Jacobs

MAGIC BUDDHA debut EP DREAMS OF YESTERDAY’S LIFE drops 6/20/24

Loud and soft– Fast and slow– Heavy and light– Trippy and sober– Wild and tame–

These musical opposites flow throughout MAGIC BUDDHA’s energetic 5 song debut EP “Dreams of Yesterday’s Life.” Comprised of members from two bands from the 1980’s and 1990’s, WHITE MAGIC and BAD BUDDHA and new players from other current bands.

Singer/songwriter Marc Gerson and guitarist/songwriter Howard Nemaizer formed both bands. They have been friends and songwriting collaborators for more than 45 years.

MAGIC BUDDHA features Gerson on vocals/keyboards and Nemaizer on lead guitar and backing vocals. Other members include OCTOBER MOUNTAIN bassist Rob Post, (who is also a former member of WHITE MAGIC and performed at the band’s final show at L’Amour’s in Brooklyn, NY on May 8, 1986), ROOTS OF DECEPTION drummer Sam Cesnak and AMERICAN AMNESIA vocalist/guitarist on rhythm guitar and backing vocals.

The 5 song EP begins with “Black Eyed Wizard,” a fast and heavy song with a punk-like groove and thundering rhythm section. Next comes, “Goodbye to the Night,” a beautiful, haunting power ballad featuring singer/songwriter Abigail Rickevicius’ powerful backround vocals.

“Apparitions” a powerful rock anthem with an infectious bluesy hook follows “Goodbye to the Night.” Next comes the title track, “Dreams for Yesterday’s Life,” a trippy, acid rock number followed by “Circular Winds,” a bluesy, psychedelic tune with no chorus and a brutally heavy decending riff.

“Dreams of Yesterday’s Life” is a reworking of music from that era, produced with a retro eye and an ear to the future. Songs like “Black Eyed Wizard” and “Goodbye to the Night” are modern quite sounding. In a nutshell MAGIC BUDDHA’s debut EP “Dreams of Yesterday’s Life” is a solid collection of songs that deliver.

“Dreams of Yesterday’s Life” was produced and engineered at Darkwook Studio by Sam Cesnak with musical arrangements and orchestrations by Howard Nemaizer.