Recording: The Cosmic Range

Artist: The Cosmic Range

Song: Love II

Recorded at Christie Pits Park (Bloor Ossington Folk Festival – Day 2), September 18, 2016.

The Cosmic Range - Love II

Unsurprisingly, the fine sunny weather accompanying the festival's final day had the park feeling much more lively and animated with dog-walkers and playground patrons. The tent was also a lot busier from the get-go and as the warm sun held overhead, the rise of the hill beyond was soon filling as well. There was more of a poignant sad undertone to the day, with organizers, bands and audience members all dwelling a little more on the idea that this was the end of the line for the festival. But, as always, the music was a balm and a call to enjoy these moments while they last.

Interestingly, it looks like, for the time being, The Cosmic Range have had founder Matt "Doc" Dunn's name lopped off the marquee — perhaps to make things a bit more concise on a new release from esteemed local label Idée Fixe Records that drops next week. That doesn't change the sense of whose hand is on the tiller of this groove orchestra, who were out in full force on this day, with Dunn joined by Max "Slim Twig" Turnbull (guit), Jonathan Adjemian (synth), Andy Haas (sax), Mike Smith (bass), Isla Craig (vox), Brandon Valdivia (perc) and Kieran Adams (perc) — a groop so expansive that Dunn actually took his place off to the side of the stage. The set ran through the band's series of grooves combining heavy psych and Sun Ra astral projection with everything in blow-the-roof-off form.