This is the 180 gram pressing of the 2000 Alive release 'Sweep The Desert' compiled by Nikki Sudden with the help of Richard Earl and Jowe Head. And here is Nikki presenting the Swell Maps : Swell Maps began in 1972. They were formed by brothers Epic Soundtracks and Nikki Sudden together with their friend David Barrington. Jowe Head, Richard Earl & John Cockrill came on board over the next few years. Richard and Jowe stayed - the others became more temporary members. In September 1977 the Maps went in the studio for the first time - although many home recordings were made - and still exist! Swell Maps were (are) seen as being a cross between Can and T.Rex by the members of the band. Others may disagree but that's their loss. All the band's singles (4) and albums (2) went to number one in the British independent charts. Swell Maps broke up in mid-1980 for many reasons - some known - many others unknown. Apparently they have influenced many bands including Sonic Youth, Pavement, Pussy Galore... but don't blame them for this. Swell Maps played 50 shows during their lifetime. They were supposed to tour the States during 1980 but broke up too soon. After the demise of the band in the early '80s, Epic Soundtracks played with These Immortal Souls & Crime And The City Solution, ultimately recording solo, while Nikki Sudden was pursuing his own solo career, collaborating with a wide range of artists, from REM to Wilco. Epic Soundtracks died in 1997. RIP. Nikki Sudden died in 2006. RIP.

1. Full Moon In My Pocket
2. Blam!
3. Full Moon (Reprise)
4. The Graveyard Shift
5. Big Maz In The Desert
6. Midget Submarines
7. Bridge Head (pt. 9)
8. Never To See Any Other Way
9. Collision With A Frogman Vs. The Mangrove Delta Plan
10. Doomette
11. Cave Mines
12. Avalanche
13. Big Empty Field
14. Raining Room