The Mutants - Grave Groove

The Mutants - Grave Groove

Mixture of 60's garage rock, surf, porn funk and manic psychedelia, the instrumental madness of The Mutants is a lost soundtrack for Russ Meyer's, Tarantino's and Aki Kaurismäki's films. Impossible to categorize, they call it "afro-garage-mambo".
The Mutants were founded in 1998 by Weijjo a.k.a Abnormal, who wanted to form an instrumental band after getting tired of difficult singers. Members were picked partly from his previous punk band "Isebel's Pain" and from locations you don´t want to know about. The sound of The Mutants has been wonderfully weird from the first beginnings, only to get seriously sicker since. After the first chaotic gigs with the usual rock instrumentation + organ, they needed to sound bigger. A Saxophone and percussion were added. The originally punk/surf/garage -based stuff is now smashed through Parliament/Funkadelic filter. The beats have been funkier since. You will love it with leather and rubber.

 Tracklist:
01. Wham
02. Outerspace Odyssey
03. El Matador del Diablo
04. Queen of the Meadow Hill
05. Kalkutta
06. Nacht im Cafe Ohne
07. CMC (Carlos Muchas Cervezas)
08. Dark Galaxy

groovyman

The Mutants - Voodoo Blues

The Mutants - Voodoo Blues
Mixture of 60's garage rock, surf, porn funk and manic psychedelia, the instrumental madness of The Mutants is a lost soundtrack for Russ Meyer's, Tarantino's and Aki Kaurismäki's films. Impossible to categorize, they call it "afro-garage-mambo".
The Mutants were founded in 1998 by Weijjo a.k.a Abnormal, who wanted to form an instrumental band after getting tired of difficult singers. Members were picked partly from his previous punk band "Isebel's Pain" and from locations you don´t want to know about. The sound of The Mutants has been wonderfully weird from the first beginnings, only to get seriously sicker since. After the first chaotic gigs with the usual rock instrumentation + organ, they needed to sound bigger. A Saxophone and percussion were added. The originally punk/surf/garage -based stuff is now smashed through Parliament/Funkadelic filter. The beats have been funkier since. You will love it with leather and rubber.

Tracklist:
01. A Caligula
02. High Ride
03. Voodoo Blues
04. Sin Hipster
05. Lumbago
06. Stampede Caravan
07. Southern Far Out
08. Papa Simba
09. Move Along!

voodooyou

Music For Zombies

Trick or Treat - Remember the Warren magazines you read as a kid? You know, titles like VAMPIRELLA, EERIE, CREEPY, and FAMOUS MONSTERS? Remember the ads for all the great stuff, such as the Don Post line of movie monster masks, and records like An Evening With Boris Karloff, Dr. Druids Haunted Seance, and Vampyre at the Harpsichord? Well, those masks and music albums have one thing in common: they were all produced by make-up artist and musician Verne Langdon. He is back with his first album of weird and disquieting music in many years. Music for Zombies is an excellent CD to get for the Halloween season. It is a mix of classic Langdon and new offerings, containing six tracks of new music and three tracks from previous albums.

The opening piece of music, Zombie Sonata, is a spare and memorable composition on piano.. Images from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari came into my mind as I listened to it. It is easily one of Mr. Langdons best pieces.

Other compositions are played on a Wurli-Morton Theater Organ or a steam calliope. On Spirit Symphony, first heard on his album Music for Magicians, Mr. Langdon uses the bell-like celeste of the theater organ (in a way that suggests the innocence of childhood) against a sinister bass line. The composition was used recently in the daytime soap, Passions.

The theater organs vibrato is used to good effect on Hypnotique, creating an eerie sound similar, but more expressive than, the theremin. Here Mr. Langdon juxtaposes a strange melody of lingering notes against a march-like accompaniment of drums.

Carnival of Souls sounds like music you might hear at a circus for the insane. It is a diverting, even raucous piece. Those folks who find clowns scary will be especially disturbed by it.

His longest piece of music on the album is Zombie Suite, which is divided into three movements. This is the most symphonic sounding piece, with swelling horn and string sections. The music here struck me as more melancholy, even romantic, than creepy. After hearing it, I wondered why Mr. Langdon has not gone into composing for film. His compositions are better than some of what I hear at the movies these days. He certainly has the creativity required for music that touches and underscores emotions.

Mr. Langdon is known for his sense of humor (he used to be a gag writer for television) and he has some jokes here: the CD opens with the sound of a coffin opening and it ends with the sound of one closing. One track begins with a rather human-sounding wolf howl and another with a snippet of a funeral march. The CD is subtitled Grave Music for Brave People. Despite all that, the music is not treated lightly, but is well done and worth adding to your collection. I have a lot of music in this vein (no pun intended) and this one ranks with my favorites.

1. Opening 2. Zombie Sonata 3. Flowers Of Evil 4. Hypnotique 5. Spirit Symphony 6. Carnival Of Souls 7. Tombs Egyptian 8. Zombie Suite - 1st Movement 9. Zombie Suite - 2nd Movement 10. Zombie Suite - 3rd Movement 11. Closing

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Harry Stoneham - Hammond Hits The Highway

Born in West Ham, Harry's started learning the piano at an early age, studied at the London College of Music and switched his attention to the organ in 1962. During the 1960s he worked with several name bands -- notably Johnny Howard's -- and enjoys playing any kind of music, if it's good. "I like to break up the TV film and recording sessions by working on cruise-liners and in clubs; for me, entertaining 'live' is still the most important aspect of show-business: recording studios lack atmosphere!".

This vinyl collection includes many famous tunes (Big Spender, Pink Panter, Russian Trojka, I Will Wait For You, ets.), often played in a funny way as medlies. Incredible assortment of hits, tv themes, movie titles and exotica. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. WAY FUN.


Tracklist
A1a Delicado A1b Manana (Is Soon Enough For Me) A1c South American Way A2a I Love You Because A2b Welcome To My World A3a Big Spender A3b Pink Panther Theme A3c The Stripper A4a Acapulco 1922 A4b Tijuana Taxi A4c So What's New A5a For All We Know A5b On Days Like These A6a Those Were The Days A6b Casatschok A6c Troika B1a Limon Limonera b1b Dancing In The Sun B2a I Will Wait For You B2b Watch What Happens B3a Aquarius B3b Freedom Come, Freedom Go B4a Tabu B4b Quiet Village
B5a The Mogul Theme B5b I Spy B5c The Avengers Theme

harryhiway

Booker T and the MG's – definitive collection

This collection illustrates how Booker T & The MGs helped define, almost more than any other single factor, the spare, economical and groove-heavy sound of Memphis soul music. I am always concerned with sound quality and I like the mastering on this. The background noise is all gone, the instruments are all clear, and someone has finally gotten smart and not cranked the bass out of proportion as has been done on a lot of remasters of 60's and 70's music. This is an excellent compilation. I would highly recommend it for anyone just getting to know Booker T or long time fans.

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1. Green Onions 2. Behave Yourself 3. Jellybread 4. Home Grown 5. Chinese Checkers 6. Mo' Onions 7. Tic-Tac-Toe 8. Soul Dressing 9. Con't Be Still 10. Terrible Thing 11. Boot-Leg 12. Outrage 13. Be My Lady 14. Summertime 15. Jingle Bells

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D2

1. Hip Hug-Her 2. My Sweet Potato 3. Booker-Loo 4. Groovin' 5. Slim Jenkin's Place 6. Soul Sanction 7. Pigmy 8. Red Beans and Rice [Live] 9. Soul-Limbo 10. Hang 'Em High 11. Time Is Tight 12. Mrs. Robinson 13. Slum Baby 14. Something 15. Melting Pot

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The Civil Tones – Vodka and Peroxide

The Civil Tones are back! Their third cd for Pravda Records is a great continuation of their soul-groove, jazzy influenced 60's vibe that they have perfected on all three of their cds. Vodka and Peroxide takes sudden twists and turns in tempo, feel and style, all within a catchy groove and Hammond organ laced melody. Recorded in their home town of St. Louis, "Vodka and Peroxide" adds horn arrangements to the guitar stylings of Robin Allen and organ grooves of John Holt. The rhythm section of Dave Hilditch on bass and John Kosla on drums rounds out the sound that sometimes reminds you of an old record on Stax out of Memphis. The trademark Civil Tones sound has been heard on many television shows such as Sex In the City and the Osbournes. Pour yourself a dry martini and enjoy...

1.Vodka and Peroxide 2. Gin Soaked Olive 3. Wasabi 4. Papaya 5. Junior's Back 6. Pocket Watch Chain Gang 7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (tv theme) 8. Mole 9. Happy Feet 10. Swingster 11. Checkmate 12. Super Love Bomb

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The Civil Tones – Soul Bucket

More good groove instro.

1. Soul Bucket 2. Tubed 3. Joe Flamingo 4. Sarcasm5. East Of East St. Louis 6. Papa Burger 7. Road Rage 8. The Return Of Sugar Dumplin' 9. Wings For Wanda 10. A Short Hello And A Long Goodbye 11. Billy Juarez 12. Strawberry Hill 13. Soul Bucket (Southside)

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The Civil Tones – Rotisserie Twist

The debut cd for the Civil Tones out of St Louis, MO is an instrumental tour de force that combines the instrumental sounds of soul, R&B, rock groove, and jazzy surf, to create a cd loaded with catchy riffs and guitar-organ grinds. The arrangements are the kinds of style you may find on an old Stax or Hi-Records disc. Sudden twists in tempo, feel, and style make this an interesting listen from start to finish. The Hammond organ, guitar, bass, and drums are the key instruments here, with a major groove at every turn.

1. Rotisserie Twist 2. Onions Only 3. Hurricane 4. Trepidation 5. Jug-R-Not 6. Sensible Shoes For Barbie 7. "H" Is For Harlot 8. The Bailiff 9. Dia De Los Muertos 10. Mall Driver 11. Gin Rummy

ctrt

Hammond - The Golden Age of the Hammond Organ 1944-1956

This collection is a fine example of the very first Hammond Organ recordings, back at the 40ies or so. The style on many of the tracks is the fundamental melody/chords/pedal, yet still played with gusto and skill by some of the superstars of the day – Ethel Smith, ken Griffin and Lenny Dee. The sound quality is acceptable for these early recordings. Really fun for those who remember skating rinks.


The Galloping Comedians - Ethel Smith 2. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Medley: Isnt This A Lovely Day / Cheek To Cheek - Wilbur Kentwell (organ) 3. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Medley: Top Hat, White Tie And Tails / Let Yourself Go / Lets Face The Music 4. Tico-Tico - Ethel Smith & The Bando Carioca 5. Blues In The Night - Harry Farmer (as Chris Hamalton) 6. Dizzy Fingers - Chris Hamalton & His Hammond Organs 7. Herthquake Boogie - Milt Herth & His Trio 8. Twelfth Street Rag (Boogie-woogie) - Milt Herth & His Trio 9. Dinora (Samba) - Ethel Smith & The Bando Carioca 10. The Harry Lime Theme Ethel Smith 11. Monkey On A String Ethel Smith 12. The Velvet Glove - Robin Richmond (At the Electric Organ & Clavioline) 13. Theme from the film Time Of His Life - Robin Richmond (At The Hammond Organ) 14. Some Like It Hot - Robin Richmond (At The Hammond Organ) 15. Plantation Boogie Lenny Dee 16. Birth Of The Blues Lenny Dee 17. Ferryboat Serenade - Ken Griffin 18. There Are Dreams In Your Eyes When We Dance Barry Snow 19. April In Portugal Ethel Smith 20. Kitchen Rag - Harry Farmer (as Chris Hamalton & His Hammond Organs) 21. Tunes Of The Times: Here In My Heart / Somewhere Along The Way / Half As Much Harry Farmer 22. Answer Me Harry Farmer 23. Cruising Down The River Ken Griffin 24. Yours - Ken Griffin 25. Peg Leg - Harry Farmer (as Chris Hamalton & His Hammond Organs) 26. Love Is Just Around The Corner - The Harry Farmer Rhythm Ensemble 27. The Syncopated Clock Ken Griffin 28. Till I Waltz Again With You Ken Griffin

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Ron Levy’s Wild Kingdom- B-3 Blues and Grooves

Ron Levy is known to blues aficianados for his organ and piano playing and production work on hundreds of records. Since the early '70s, he has toured the country with Albert King, B.B. King, and Roomful of Blues. Between production ventures for others, Ron found time to fire up his Hammond B-3 organ and lay down a record that recalls everything from the organ trio sound of Jimmy Smith to the slinky instrumentals of Booker T. & the MGs.

If you're new to the B3 sound (and even if you're not) this is the album for you. From mellow to funky, Ron Levy puts the instrument through its paces in a sometimes playful and all-times soulful way. A little more to the acid side than some staunch B3 enthusiasts might like, because he doesn't keep it screamin' all the time, he actually plays it melodically. Check it out! Sweet.

1. Levtronic Blues - Ron Levy, Levy, Ron 2. Summertime - Ron Levy, Gershwin, George 3. Smoke N' Fire 4. Gimme a Break - Ron Levy, Levy, Ron 5. Prayin' the Blues, Pt. 1 6. Funk Finger 7. Eema's Song 8. 'Mo Chain Smokin' 9. Meter Made 10. Rooseveltin' 11. Prayin' the Blues, Pt. 2

ronny

Jimmy MCGriff - Greatest Hits

This is an excellent compilation of Jimmy McGriff's sides from 1963-1971. This includes material from Sue, Veep, Solid State, Blue Note and Capitol. Jimmy McGriff is one of the funkiest blues organ players around. If you are familiar with him through his recent Milestone releases then you already know what I'm talking about. This compilation contains some of his earliest material. It includes his two biggest hits "I Got A Woman" and the extremely funky cut "The Worm." Some of my favorite cuts include a cover of James Brown's "Ain't It Funky Now", "Blue Juice", "Criss Cross" and "Gospel Time." The material from his funky Solid State years is much appreciated because those albums are out of print at the moment.
Fans of gritty blues/soul jazz organ will find much to enjoy with this set.

1. All About My Girl 2. I've Got a Woman (Parts 1 & 2) 3. Discotheque U.S.A. 4. Kiko 5. See See Rider 6. Cash Box 7. Gospel Time 8. Where It's At (Live) 9. The Last Minute 10. Blue Juice 11. Step One 12. Chris Cross 13. South Wes 14. Black Pearl (Live At The Golden Slipper) 15. The Worm 16. Ain't It Funky Now 17. Fat Cakes

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Jack McDuff – Moon Rappin’

Jack McDuff's organ has a very funky and fat sound but not in the "full speed ahead" Jimmy Smith style. Moon Rappin' is an atmospheric delight. Much of this album has almost a lounge feel to it. It almost plays like a concept album with its spacey textures and subtle backing vocals. There is plenty of experimentation with sounds here and all of the tracks work well, something like a soundtrack for late 60's interplanetary travel. Complete with wah-wah guitars & flutes. Overall I found this to be very worthwhile, easy to listen to, funky with enough intrigue to make it worthwhile listening to in detail..don't pass this up.

1. Flat Backin' 2. Oblighetto 3. Moon Rappin' 4. Made In Sweden 5. Loose Foot
moonie

Men From S.P.E.C.T.R.E. - The Living Eye

There's just something about the band name the Men from S.P.E.C.T.R.E. that puts listeners in mind of a fantasy collaboration between the Television Personalities circa Mummy Your Not Watching Me and Thee Milkshakes at the height of their garage-stomp powers. The exceedingly mod-trippy cover art only adds to the high expectations. It's a bit disappointing to report that in fact The Living Eye is nothing of the sort; on the other hand, what it is is in fact pretty cool. This German instrumental combo is all about the organ (note the title of their record label), and The Living Eye contains 11 tracks of funky Hammond organ rock with some soul-jazz and lite-psych tendencies. Rather than trying to recreate the 60's mod sound, the men are incorporating a more modern vision while staying true to the roots of the movement they further. Their songs are layered with multiple levels of sound, impeccable timing with sound effects that work with the music and don't stand out as cheap sonics, and the rhythms are both groovy and psychedelic at the same time. Plenty of mojo to go around. This album has good flow while each song is very polished and fluid in it's own right. No dead spots. Focus rotates around the band on most tracks and any of them could step into the soundtrack of a movie as there's lots of motion implied by the sound. Bonus points for song titles like "Purple Pill People" and "Electric Tiger Snake." Way groovy. Get shakin’.

1 Black Tank 2 The Luck of Teela Brown 3 Purple Pill People 4 The Living Eye 5 Apartment 23 6 Wild Driver 7 Mercury Wall 8 Electric Tiger Snake 9 The Robbery 10 White Russian 11 Astralkörper

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Organ-Ized - A Tribute to The Hammond B3

High Street/Windham Hill's Organ-Ized is nothing less than a salute to the classic Hammond B3 organ by some of the preeminent mainstream practitioners of the instrument in the late '90s. If you love the Hammond B3, you'll love this collection. A great sampling of various styles, each with it's own "twist". While this might not showcase the idiosyncrasies of the instrument, that's fine, because this delivers exactly what most Hammond diehards want — funky grooves and licks from the likes of Joey DeFrancesco, John Medeski, Art Neville, Michael Omartian, Jimmy Smith, Reuben Wilson, and Mike Weaver, among others. Some cuts cook more than others, but there are no duff tracks here — only Jack McDuff. For organ-heads looking for a little more of what they love, this is a good sampler to sample.

1. Ashley Blue - Joey DeFrancesco 2. Swamp Road - John Medeski
3. Micky Fick - Art Neville 4. Say Something - Michael Omartian
5. My Little Humidor - Galactic 6. There Will Never Be Another You - Jimmy Smith
7. Just A Little Bit - Mike Finnegan 8. Drop Shot - Ricky Peterson
9. I've Got To Find My Baby - Tommy Eyre 10. Moodbird - Larry Goldings
11. Yes Sir - Reuben Wilson 12. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Mick Weaver
13. Misty - Jack McDuff

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