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Paul Levinson / Press

"What strange music: joyful, optimistic, happy, rich. It sounds like Nick Drake not on a dark side, but on a bright side of the moon. ‘Gentle Blue Cherry Bell’, from this great LP, blooms from the same garden as the one tended by Syd Barrett. And what magnificent orchestration is on this mighty ‘Twice Upon A Rhyme’ album! This joyfully psychedelic LP reminds me of the atmosphere of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the spirituality of The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’, and the works of Cat Stevens and Jethro Tull. But this is not an imitation but a very original thing. This is a brilliant musical lost world, a world that should definitely be rediscovered."

“Welcome Up is ... eight slices of interstellar delight.”

“Welcome Up (Songs of Space and Time) ... hits the ear as the best kind of long-delayed follow-up to a phenomenon of cultish proportions; unstrained, totally comfortable in the present time, but sounding like nothing else on the current scene.”

“Sounding at times like a collect call from another dimension mimicking Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons ... Welcome Up is ... quite triumphant, actually — and any fan of Twice Upon A Rhyme will be overjoyed by it. It’s a testament to Levinson’s innate talents as both a songwriter and storyteller. As otherworldly, mystical and far-out as the subject matter may be, the songs burst with love and warmth and humanity. Check it out, I think you’ll dig it.”

“Welcome Up is a collection of eight songs that beam you up into a creative galaxy where you take on the persona of an astronaut exploring sonic spaces that at times are reminiscent of The Beach Boys on tracks like “Welcome Up” and “Tau Ceti;” and at other times can feel like the MC5 being shot out of a ray gun on tracks like “Samantha.””

“Welcome Up is a stunning folk pop album with gorgeous late 60s elements like vintage velveteen cloth...”

“Sundial Symphony, “Merri Goes Round” (words by Paul Levinson, music by Ed Fox)…Another track where the British Invasion tips its hat to Brian Wilson on the way to San Francisco, circa 1967. This one will feel fresh and familiar to you, all at once. Sundial Symphony, “Looking For Sunsets (In The Early Morning)” (words by Paul Levinson, music by Ed Fox) …The album wraps up with another nod to psychedelic San Francisco, with a Jefferson Airplane dynamic in its sing-along chorus.”

“Paul Levinson writes songs that are catchy and colorful. With a storied career that includes working with songwriting legend Ellie Greenwich, Levinson released folk and pop gems in the sixties and seventies. Fans of Simon and Garfunkel, Del Shannon, Brian Hyland, Spanky and Our Gang, The Zombies, The Vogues, and Strawberry Alarm Clock will love listening to Paul Levinson.”

"I managed to track Paul Levinson down and his Twice Upon a Rhyme album became the first release on the label."

"Best discovery in 2016"

“Tim Hardin meets The Zombies ... a real forgotten gem from 1972 that serves as perfect listening on a Saturday morning in November ... warm and peaceful.”

“Twice Upon a Rhyme (Happysad ‘72): I’ve seen multitudes of folkpsych wannabes hyped to the skies for their garage charm in euro lists that don’t hold a candle to this baby. “Forever Friday” is so amazing and lo-fi real I still get chills when I hear it. And the long track “The Lama Will Be Late This Year” sweeps whatever floor is left in this department.”

“... mixes the psychedelic pop of the ‘60s, a dash of Simon & Garfunkel and some expansive and imaginative arrangements which recall the Beach Boys or even Burt Bacharach in places. There’s a real warmth and love running through these cuts ...”

"Twice Upon a Rhyme from 1972 was one of Shindig’s favourite rereleases of last year."

“The vocals are reminiscent of a live Beatles gig, I haven’t seen them live but my grandma said they are quite good.”

"a musician full of summer sun"

"Superb fuzz guitar irresistibly drizzled across several tracks ... a memorable personality indelibly locked inside the grooves ... the perfect sound track for a lethargic spring day."

“Had this record been released in 1968-1970 and with the support of a major label it would have been hailed as a psych pop masterpiece.”

"romantic, sunshine happy Americana or bluesier ... a handful of good feeling summer breeze love songs ... a touch of Santana exotic elements and a lot more fuzz guitar ... melodic and harmony vocals"

"In recent years the album has gone from an unknown collectors' gem to a much more widely known (and acclaimed) folk-rock recording."

“At their best, Levinson and his crew produce dark, druggy pop music remindful of neighbors The Patron Saints or bayou obscuros Feather Da Gamba.”

"human mystical pop music... wonderful songs"

Taro Miyasugi - Record Collectors Magazine