ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΤΖΑΝΕΤΑΚΗΣ & MEDOOSA – Free (2026, LP, B-Otherside Records) 

RELEASE INFO:

Label: B-Otherside Records

Format: LP, Album, Limited Edition (comes with a 2-page insert containing photos and the artist’s history), 300 copies (numbered)

Release Date: May 2026

History is full of forgotten recordings waiting patiently for the right moment to resurface, and “Free” is undoubtedly one of those remarkable rediscoveries. Released by B-Otherside Records in May 2026, this fascinating compilation shines a long-overdue spotlight on the musical journey of Michalis Tzanetakis, one of the most overlooked figures of the Greek rock diaspora. Spanning his early solo psychedelic recordings and the adventurous work of Medoosa, the album uncovers a unique chapter where Greek-language Rock, Psychedelia, Jazz and improvisation met thousands of miles away from home, in the vibrant musical melting pot of New York City during the first half of the 1970s.

Michalis Tzanetakis began his musical career in 1968 with Spartans, initially performing contemporary Rock music before turning to the Greek repertoire for the expatriate community in the United States. In 1972, he independently wrote, arranged and recorded the psychedelic singles “Sweet Morning / Καινούργια Μέρα” and “I Don’t Know What I’m Going To Find / Κορίτσι Μου”, using a simple reel-to-reel recording setup in a small Brooklyn studio, layering guitars and vocals himself. Two years later, following the dissolution of Spartans, he formed Medoosa alongside drummer George Michaelides, bassist Takis Spitambalous and jazz pianist Bob McHugh. Their daring fusion of Greek rhythms, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz improvisation and Progressive ideas quickly attracted attention in New York’s jazz scene, leading to performances at the legendary Ali Baba East and prestigious support slots for Chet Baker and Art Blakey. In August 1975, the band entered Electric Lady Studios, the iconic recording facility built by Jimi Hendrix, where they recorded six remarkable tracks intended for an album titled Ali Baba Night. Although the recordings were never officially released at the time, they remained one of the great “lost albums” of Greek underground music…

With “Free”, limited to just 300 numbered copies, B-Otherside Records finally brings together the complete surviving recordings of Michalis Tzanetakis, both as a solo artist and with Medoosa. The album opens with “March Of The Centaurs”, a delightful instrumental where Jazz Fusion meets irresistible Greek rhythms, instantly setting the tone for a journey full of imagination and musical freedom. “Free” introduces vocals, unfolding as a gentle, melodic Jazz-Rock piece whose subtle mood changes and inspired piano work create an atmosphere of effortless sophistication. “Queen From Knossos” is another absolute gem, a magnificent instrumental overflowing with Greek traditional color while embracing the adventurous spirit of Jazz Fusion. Rich in melody and beautifully arranged, it almost feels like something Vangelis could have dreamed up during his most inspired years, with the entire band performing at an exceptionally high level.

The geographical journey continues with “Istanbul Express”, where the quartet heads east, weaving Anatolian grooves into an experimental Fusion framework. Improvisation is the key here, allowing Middle Eastern flavors and Jazz-Rock spontaneity to coexist naturally in one of the album’s most adventurous moments. “Island Belis” follows with an almost cinematic grandeur, its expansive instrumental passages elevated by the unmistakable sound of the bouzouki, which reinforces the album’s strong Greek identity while seamlessly blending into the Fusion landscape. “Gypsy Man” offers a lighter, summery mood, combining soft vocals with elegant Jazz harmonies and a gentle Bossa Nova pulse, resulting in one of the record’s most charming and relaxed performances.

The final two tracks take us back to Michalis Tzanetakis’ early recordings. “Κορίτσι Μου” is a fascinating slice of early Greek-language Psychedelic Rock infused with Jazz and Funk elements, its warm groove making it sound surprisingly timeless. The closing “Καινούργια Μέρα” follows a similar path but leans further towards Rock, wrapping its psychedelic spirit around memorable melodies and proving why these long-lost recordings deserve their place among the hidden treasures of Greek underground music.

More than a retrospective, this release rescues an extraordinary musical story from obscurity, revealing an artist whose creative vision effortlessly crossed the borders between Psychedelia, Progressive Rock, Jazz, and Greek musical tradition long before such fusions became commonplace. TimeLord Michalis

Tracklist

Links

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Check B-Otherside Records Official Web