VA Beyond The Sea

 VA Beyond The Sea
Fun surf covers of modern songs. Modern surf groups doing what The Ventures and Shadows did with their contemporary music.

"This is easily one of the most consistently good compilations I've heard in ages. Great bands recorded well with solid rearranging of standards. Inventive and excellent listening." Phil Dirt Reverb Central

Pretty straightforward modern surf styles. There are 2 sequels (coming soon) that stretch the surf instro boundaries into some amazing post rock/avant  territory. Way cool. Stay Tuned.

1. My Favourite Things by The Swamp Coolers
2. Viva Las Vegas by Los Derrumbes
3. Take on Me by The Bitch Boys
4. I'm Not in Love by Don's Mobile Barbers
5. Then He Kissed Me by The Detonators
6. Mexican Whistler by Los Fantasticos
7. Auld Lang Syne by The Glasgow Tiki Shakers
8. Funeral March of a Marionette by The Pyronauts
9. Je t'aime... moi non plus by Kahuna Kawentzmann
10. Rock and Roll High School by Cobalt and the Aquabears
11. Redemption Surf (redemption song) by Estrume'n'tal
12. Barbie Girl by Fudge
13. The One I Love by Nova Surfer
14. You Sexy Thing by Our Flying Saucer
15. Surfer Freak (Super freak) by RNA
16. The SpongeBob SquarePants theme tune by Monkey Versus Robot
17. The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob by The Astroglides
18. Another Brick in the Wall part II by The Vivisectors
19. I Only Wanna be with You by The Muffinmates
20. Hooray for Hollywood by The Urban Surf Kings
21. Cinnamon Girl by The Lost Boys of Penzance
22. Travelin' Man by The Reluctant Aquanauts
23. Dance of the King of the World of Maya (Dance of Maya and King of the World) by Pegleg
24. Blue Velvet by The Cocktail Preachers
25. Bohemian Rhapsody by The Thurston Lava Tube
26. Beyond the Sea by The Aquamarines

waves1

Bonus trax - free downloads from website not included on cd

27. I Only Want To Be With You by The Glasgow Tiki Shakers
28. El Diablo De Polvo by The Swamp Coolers
29. Mar Gaya by Our Flying Saucer
30. The Disadvantages Of You by The Lost Boys of Penzance more details...
31. These Boots Were Made For Walking by The Detonators
32. Obligatory Blues by Scott Colby more details...
33.The Third Man Theme by Monkey Versus Robot

waves2

On The Brink: Return Of The Instro-Hipsters

On The Brink: Return Of The Instro-Hipsters

On the Brink is a collection of 20 previously uncomped and absolutely superb UK instrumentals from the '60s and early '70s, assembled by legendary psych musician and Psychic Circle label-head, Nick Saloman (The Bevis Frond). Presenting session men discovering sitars, orchestras getting into the freaky side of things, hip theme tunes, Hammonds, fuzz and brass. Somehow sophisticated and cheesy simultaneously, these acts created their own musical world of Chelsea apartments, mini-mokes, dark velvet bespoke tailoring and the dolliest birds this side of Battersea Bridge. Welcome to the soundtrack of your own unmade Swinging London movie. Artists include: Mike Vickers, the Jim Sullivan Sound, the Shock Absorbers, Wynder K. Frog, Rita, Offside, the Les Reed Orchestra, David Smith, the Keith Mansfield Orchestra, the Dave Davani Four, the Fidd, Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass, the John Schroeder Orchestra, Trax Four, the Mike Cotton Sound, Lee Mason and his Orchestra, the Vic Flick Sound, the Chris Barber Soul Band, Brian Bennett and Stanley Myers.

From the mid-'60s to the early '70s, there were quite a few instrumental releases recorded in the U.K. that seemed geared toward the easy listening market. Or, if the intention wasn't quite as gauche, they certainly weren't meant for the average rock fan, who likely wanted something hipper with more vocals and guitars. Still, even if the limited audience for these might have been (at least in part) listeners who wanted to feel a little hip without getting too far out, the musicians nonetheless couldn't help but be influenced by the rock, soul, and jazz trends of the day. On the Brink: Return of the Instro-Hipsters is a 20-track compilation of cuts from obscure 1965-1973 releases in this mold, with Swinging London go-go-like organs and brass being perhaps the most common (though by no means only) ingredients in the arrangements. There are a few names here that will be known to serious British Invasion fans, like Mike Vickers (from Manfred Mann), Jim Sullivan (the numero uno British rock session guitarist before Jimmy Page eclipsed him), Wynder K. Frog, the Mike Cotton Sound, the Dave Davani Four, Vic Flick (famous for playing on "The James Bond Theme"), and British senior jazz statesman Chris Barber; others are known as top cats in the British easy listening arena and have already been honored by reissues of their own (Ken Woodman and John Schroeder).

While any compilation that takes such an unusual angle to such a heavily mined reissue field as British '60s pop is to be applauded, you'd have a hard time pushing all of this as essential listening, even within its narrow subgenre. A good deal of it really is kind of mundane background soul-rock instrumental music – something that could have worked satisfactorily on B-movie soundtracks of the era, but which doesn't stand too well on its own two feet. There are occasional psychedelic echoes on sitar and screeching fuzz guitar, but these sound more like cheesy appropriations to make the cuts seem more "with it" than they sound like outbursts of creativity. It's only occasionally that the tracks let rip with the groovy organ and devious spy guitar licks lots of curious listeners will really want to hear, as the Dave Davani Four's fine cover of the "Top of the Pops" theme and the Vic Flick Sound's "West of Windward" do on both counts. As for other gut-grabbers, Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass' "Mexican Flier" would have worked great as a '60s Bond-like thriller theme, and the Chris Barber Soul Band's "Morning Train" (from 1965) has to be the veteran jazzer's most effective stab at the pop/rock market, with some great Brian Auger organ and an edgy jazz-blues fusion that approximates (but doesn't quite match) the sound of the Graham Bond Organisation. Some worthwhile and fun stuff here, then, but there's a significant gap between the best of it and the rest of it.

Review by Richie Unterberger, Allmusic.com

 

 Tracklist:

01. Mike Vickers - On The Brink (02:23)
02. The Jim Sullivan Sound - She Walks Through The Fair (02:44)
03. The Shock Absorbers - It's Your Thing (02:40)
04. Wynder K. Frog - I'm A Man (03:20)
05. Rita - Sexologie (03:17)
06. Offside - Small Deal (02:08)
07. The Les Reed Orchestra - Big Drum (01:58)
08. David Smith - See Me (02:32)
09. The Keith Mansfield Orchestra - Soul Thing (02:59)
10. The Dave Davani Four - Top Of The Pops (02:12)
11. The Fidd - Happy Walk (02:30)
12. Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass - Mexican Flier (02:35)
13. The John Schroeder Orchestra - Nightrider (02:55)
14. Trax Four - Moanin' (02:01)
15. The Mike Cotton Sound - Soul Serenade (02:42)
16. Lee Mason And His Orchestra - Deadly Nightshade (03:03)
17. The Vic Flick Sound - West Of Windward (02:59)
18. The Chris Barber Soul Band - Morning Train (02:28)
19. Brian Bennet - Tricycle (02:50)
20. Stanley Myers - Organ Fantasia in D Major (05:49)

 

hipsville dudes

Devo - EZ Listening Muzak

Devo - EZ Listening Muzak

Happy Mother's Day! Do you know your fondues from your fon-don't's? Fear not spuds, Devo and Futurismo bring you the perfect soundtrack to your space-age bachelor or bachelorette pad with 21 tracks of pure unhinged sophistication. Futurismo repressed this compilation of muzak covers Devo recorded of their own songs and sold via their fan club. This wonderfully bizarre material pushes the witty, eccentric and utterly unique Devo sound in an even more devolishious direction. Whether you're entertaining guests with a bout of cheese and wine by the fire or throwing the cocktail party of the century, these mutated muzak lounge versions of Devo classics such as 'Whip It', 'Jocko Homo' and 'It's A Beautiful World' will be the perfect hors d'oeuvres for an evening of de-evolved fun. Originally created as pre-concert mood setters, popularity and sound board thievery led to EZ Listening Muzak being sold back in the early 80s as two fan club only cassettes. Also included alongside these cherished instrumentals of yesteryear is a brand new EZ version of 'Human Rocket' - recorded exclusively for this release! Bringing the timeline full circle. Isn't it about time you took it EZ? 

TRACKLIST

CD1
1. Gates of Steel
2. Girl U Want
3. Come Back Jonee
4. Whip It
5. That's Good
6. Jerkin' Back and Forth
7. 4th Dimension
8. Shout (Hello Kitty)
9. Mongoloid
10. Pity You
11. Goin' Under

CD2
1. Swelling Itchin Brain
2. Jurisdiction of Love
3. Peek-a-boo!
4. Satisfaction
5. Space Junk
6. Time Out for Fun
7. It's a Beautiful World
8. Jocko Homo
9. Shout
10. Human Rocket (Laughing Gas Version) 

dinnerdevo

Mickey Baker - In the 50s (1952-56)

Mickey Baker - In the 50s (1952-56)

71 minutes. Mostly instrumental greasy, slinky, gut bustin' guitar. GIT IT!

Few rock & roll or R&B guitarists of the '50s and '60s have a more consistently frantic body of work than the great Mickey Baker, though his name isn't nearly as well-known as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, or Ike Turner. Baker did most of his work as a sideman, and his best-known recordings as a headliner found him playing second fiddle to Sylvia Robinson as half of Mickey & Sylvia (whose "Love Is Strange" remains a puzzling delight 50 years after it was recorded), but folks who know and love first-era rock & roll are aware of Baker's greatness, and this collection is a superb overview of his work, both as a bandleader and as a hired gun.

Containing a hefty 31 tracks recorded between 1952 and 1956, In the '50s: Hit, Git & Split runs the gamut from the low-key acoustic blues of Baker's "Love Me Baby" to the wailing electric dread of Larry Dale's "Midnight Hours," the uptempo rockabilly of Joe Clay's "Did You Mean Jelly-Bean," the easy-swinging jump blues of Sam Price's "Rib Joint," a double-time rewrite of Chuck Berry's "Maybellene" on Brownie McGhee's "Anna Mae," and a rockin' re-recording by Louis Jordan of "Caldonia" with Baker's guitar answering the hearty peals of the horn section and Jordan's vocals. The word "Wild" tended to pop up in the titles of Mickey Baker's solo albums, and one spin of this disc will show you why – the man's rough-and-tumble style screamed and hollered the blues whenever he hit the strings, and Baker's solos are death-defying hoodoo magic no matter what cut you cue up. Hit, Git & Split is a thoroughly enjoyable set of vintage R&B that's good and greasy throughout, and a peerless introduction to one of the great unsung heroes of rock & roll.

Personnel & tracklist:
01 - Bill Hendricks - Spinnin' Rock Boogie
02 - Mickey Baker - Love Me Baby
03 - Mickey Baker - Brandstand Stomp
04 - Mickey Baker - Riverboat
05 - Big Red McHouston - I'm Tired
06 - Big Red McHouston - Stranger Blues
07 - Larry Dale - You Better Heed My Warning
08 - Larry Dale - Midnight Hours
09 - Mickey Baker - Shake Walkin'
10 - Larry Dale - Down to the Bottom
11 - Mickey Baker - Greasy Spoon
12 - Larry Dale - Please Tell Me
13 - Mickey And Sylvia - Where Is My Honey
14 - Mickey And Sylvia - No Good Lover
15 - Mickey Baker - Rock With a Sock
16 - Mickey & Sylvia - Love Is Strange
17 - Joe Clay - Did You Mean Jelly-Bean
18 - Charles Calhoun - Runaway
19 - Little Willie John - I Need Your Love So Bad
20 - Titus Turner - All Around the World
21 - Sam Price - Rib Joint
22 - Brownie McGhee - Anna Mae
23 - Eddie Riff - My Baby's Gone Away
24 - Louis Jordan - Caldonia '56
25 - Tiny Kennedy - Country Boy
26 - Mr Bear And His Bearcats - The Bear Hug
27 - Roy Gaines - Worried 'Bout You Baby
28 - Square Walton - Pepper-Head Woman
29 - Champion Jack Dupree - Stumbling Block
30 - Big John Greer - Come Back Uncle John
31 - Young Jessie - Hit Git And Split 

mickeybaby

Shazam! and Other Instrumentals Written by Lee Hazlewood

Shazam! and Other Instrumentals Written by Lee Hazlewood

24 tracks. Shazam! features two dozen vocal-free (give or take the occasional rebel yell etc) nuggets written by the great Lee Hazlewood. Star of the show is twang master Duane Eddy with three great tracks: the title number, the menacing 'Stalkin' and 'This Town', a lesser-known 45 from Hazlewood's stint writing and producing gems for Nancy Sinatra and others at Reprise Records. Other key artists include guitar wiz Al Casey, top Wrecking Crew drummer Hal Blaine, renowned arranger,orchestra leader Jack Nitzsche and ace surf combo the Astronauts, not forgetting Dick Dale with his axe-shredding version of 'Angry Generation'. The most interesting and enjoyable tracks are the final two additives - neither of which rightly belong on this CD - a weird and almost creepy take on 'Some Velvet Morning' (24) and, preceding it, a demo instrumental of 'These Boots' by long-time collaborator Billy Strange which sounds like it could be an outtake from the self-same sessions that produced Nancy Sinatra's million-selling hit, although that is not acknowledged in the booklet so I could be wrong. BTW - The Residents did a wonderfully mutated version of this in their early days and Track 20, 'Zapata' (1964) by Jack Nitzsche is no relation to John Barry's seductive 'Zapata' from three years earlier. You've probably gotten an idea of what this album is all about. If you're into instrumentals from that classic period when they were all the thing, and you couldn't turn on the (AM) radio without hearing this type of music, this is for you.

Tracklist:

1. Duane Eddy – Shazam!

2. Al Casey – The Stinger

3. Duane Eddy – Stalkin'

4. Tony Castle And The Raiders – Salty

5. Al Casey – Surfs You Right

6. The Astronauts – Movin'

7. Hal Blaine & The Young Cougars – Challenger II

8. Jack Nitzsche – Baja

9. The Rhythm Rockers – Moovin' N' Groovin'

10. The Ventures – Rebel-'Rouse

11. The Lively Ones – (Dance With The) Guitar Man

12. The Astronauts – El Aguila (The Eagle)

13. Hal Blaine & The Young Cougars – The Phantom Driver

14. The Astronauts – The Hearse

15. Dick Dale & His Del-Tones – Angry Generation

16. Lee Hazlewood's Woodchucks – Muchacho

17. The Challengers – Johnny October

18. Dino, Desi & Billy – Desi's Drums

19. Duane Eddy – This Town

20. Jack Nitzsche – Zapata

21. The Vanguards – A Stranger In Your Town

22. The Whisk Kids – Bo-Dacious

23. Billy Strange – These Boots Are Made For Walking

24. The Afro Blues Quintet – Some Velvet Morning 

leebuddy

Rondo Hatton Breaking the Sound Barrier

More Rondo:
 Surf music from Louisiana? Really? Yep, a quick listen to Rondo Hatton and you'll almost smell the salt air, feel the ocean's breeze on your face and the sand between your toes. Rondo Hatton is an all instrumental quartet based in Baton Rouge, LA. The group plays a variety of music styles including surf, spy , hot rod, westerns, TV themes , Latin and just about anything else, even polkas!

Track List:

01. Zero Hour [03:20]
02. Blast Off [02:46]
03. Cervesa On Dee Mesa [03:34]
04. Juliana [03:08]
05. OK Boys, Let's Get Western [03:32]
06. Riding The Coffin [03:14]
07. No Tell Motel [02:58]
08. Untitled Pop Anthem [02:39]
09. Fishtail [02:27]
10. Cortina del Fuego [03:42]
11. Socorro [03:43]
12. Storm Surge [02:14]
13. Surf Party [02:33]
14. Backfire [02:46]
15. Switchblade [01:27]
16. Roast That Pig [02:12]

zoundz

Rondo Hatton Destination Fun

More Rondo Hatton. Surf music from Louisiana? Really? Yep, a quick listen to Rondo Hatton and you'll almost smell the salt air, feel the ocean's breeze on your face and the sand between your toes. Rondo Hatton is an all instrumental quartet based in Baton Rouge, LA. The group plays a variety of music styles including surf, spy , hot rod, westerns, TV themes , Latin and just about anything else, even polkas!

The group is fronted by guitarist Bruce Lamb, who also composes the band's original songs. His musical background includes Blugrass and Country, Blues, R & B, Cajun, Exotica and Tex-Mex Conjunto. He has backed the likes of blues greats Silas Hogan and Lazy Lester, as well as Conjunto legends Flaco Jimenez, Mingo Saldivar and Eddie "Lalo" Torres.

Guitarist Johnny Rossetti has a diverse musical background having played Country, Cajun, Blues and Swamp Pop. He was a member of David Allen Coe's road band and spent many years touring with The Copas Brothers and with Hamonica Red.

Bassist Les Leblanc has been the go to guy for groups all over Louisiana for over 40 years. Equally at home on bass, guitar and keyboards, Les has been in demand with R&B and Swamp Pop bands throughout the south.

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Miceli is the man behind the drums. Joe played with John Fred and the Playboys for years. Remember "Judy in Disguise"? It was Joe keeping the beat on this Number 1 hit. Joe has also played with the Copas Brothers as well as Sauce Picante(which featured guitarist Mike Loudermilk, son of famed songwriter John D. Loudermilk).

While Rondo Hatton has limited their performances to the Gulf Coast region, they are now branching out to the rest of the U.S. and at the same time are gaining international recognition.

~ cdbaby

Track List:

01. Thunderbird Beach [02:02]
02. Miramar [02:13]
03. Leo's Roller Rink [03:27]
04. Weekend Getaway [03:50]
05. Cookin [03:43]
06. Quiet Surf [02:39]
07. Big Mack Attack [03:32]
08. Maria Elena [03:43]
09. Oceanside Drive [02:13]
10. Sagebrush Serenade [03:08]
11. El Roll-o [04:22]
12. Tu Besitos [03:35]
13. The Breeze And I [03:17]
14. High Country Surf [02:02]
15. Leadfootin [03:48]
16. Tu Besitos acoustic [03:28]
17. La Bikina [02:12]
18. La Trenecita [02:45]
19. Danson Juarez [03:20]

funfunfun

Harvey Mandel - Shangrenade (1973)

Harvey Mandel - Shangrenade (1973)

Blues rock with funk and jazz rock fusion elements

In the mold of Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and Mike Bloomfield, Mandel is an extremely creative rock guitarist with heavy blues and jazz influences. And like those guitarists, his vocal abilities are basically nonexistent, though Mandel, unlike some similar musicians, has always known this, and concentrated on recordings that are entirely instrumental, or feature other singers. A minor figure most known for auditioning unsuccessfully for the Rolling Stones, he recorded some intriguing (though erratic) work on his own that anticipated some of the better elements of jazz-rock fusion, showcasing his concise chops, his command of a multitude of tone pedal controls, and an eclecticism that found him working with string orchestras and country steel guitar wizards. Mandel got his first toehold in the fertile Chicago white blues-rock scene of the mid-'60s (which cultivated talents like Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, and Steve Miller), and made his first recordings as the lead guitarist for harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite. Enticed to go solo by Blue Cheer producer Abe Kesh, Harvey cut a couple of nearly wholly instrumental albums for Phillips in the late '60s that were underground FM radio favorites, establishing him as one of the most versatile young American guitar lions. He gained his most recognition, though, not as a solo artist, but as a lead guitarist for Canned Heat in 1969 and 1970, replacing Henry Vestine and appearing with the band at Woodstock. Shortly afterward, he signed up for a stint in John Mayall's band, just after the British bluesman had relocated to California. Mandel unwisely decided to use a vocalist for his third and least successful Philips album. After his term with Mayall (on USA Union and Back to the Roots) had run its course, he resumed his solo career, and also formed Pure Food & Drug Act with violinist Don "Sugarcane" Harris (from the '50s R&B duo Don & Dewey), which made several albums. In the mid-'70s, when the Rolling Stones were looking for a replacement for Mick Taylor, Mandel auditioned for a spot in the group; although he lost to Ron Wood, his guitar does appear on two cuts on the Stones' 1976 album, Black & Blue. Recording intermittently since then as a solo artist and a sessionman, his influence on the contemporary scene is felt via the two-handed fretboard tapping technique that he introduced on his 1973 album Shangrenade, later employed by Eddie Van Halen, Stanley Jordan, and Steve Vai. (By Richie Unterberger)

   

Tracklist:

01. What the Funk (Victor Conte) 03:06

02. Fish Walk (Victor Conte) 04:46

03. Sugarloaf (Harvey Mandel) 04:16

04. Midnight Sun II (Harvey Mandel) 03:42

05. Million Dollar Feeling (Coleman Head) 03:32

06. Green Apple Quick Step (Harvey Mandel) 03:09

07. Frenzy (Victor Conte, Coleman Head, Paul Lagos, Harvey Mandel) 04:32

08. Shangrenade (Harvey Mandel) 04:14

harveyman

Jesus Christ Surferstar

Hi all - busy with Holy week so a quickie - as our tradition here at FCCL get your religious groove on with one of the best surf tributes out there.

Easter - time for those who celebrate the occasion to have something other than the standard pious muck to listen to. Grab this and give to the minister, preacher, bishop, evangelist of your choice and freak them out. Hey, now is your chance to "spread the word" --
heeheeheee

Phil Dirt:What a cool concept! Andrew Lloyd Webber's controversial rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar goes to the beach - mostly. 21 instrumentals and a handful of interesting vocals. Most of the instros are surf. The whole package is well done. Vocal tracks on this amazing CD include a delightful faux-pomp performance of "Strange Things Mystifying" by Prawns With Horns, the traditional surf backtracked "Simon Zeabotas" from Pipelines, the heavy garage fuzz and organ pound of Babyshaker's "Damned For All Time / Blood Money," the dry edged power of "The Arrest" from the HiFi Ramblers, and the Texas heavy fuzz of Johnny Vortex's "Juda's Death." Phil DirtThe songs are quite strongly melodic which play very well to the surf structure – they stand up as instrumentals. I wind up adding the lyrics in my head. One of the few tributes that stand out as a solid collection on it’s own and in some ways – depending on your mood – improves on the original. Get the original below and go with the flow on Easter, however the wind blows.
Disc 1
1. Overture - Daikaiju2. Heaven On Their Minds - Urban Surf Kings3. What's The Buzz - The Waistcoats4. Strange Things Mystifying - Prawns with Horns5. Then We Are Decided - Breakfastime6. Everything's Alright - Susan & Surftones7. This Jesus Must Die - Atomic Mosquitos8. Hosanna - El Ray9. Simon Zealotas - Pipelines10. Poor Jerusalem - Lava Rats11. Pilate's Dream - 3 Piece Suit12. Temple, The - Ward 6913. I Don't Know How To Love Him - Crime Factor Zero14. Damned For All Time/Blood Money - Babyshaker

Disc2
15. Last Supper, The - Hypnotic IV16. Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Surfones17. Arrest, The - HiFi Ramblers18. Peter's Denial - Fabulous Planktones19. Pilate & Christ - Capacitors20. King's Herod's Song - Susan & Surftones21. Could We Start Again Please - Noseriders22. Judas Death - Johnny Vortex23. Trial Before Pilate - The Supertones24. Superstar - The Atlantics 225. Crucifixion - Longhorn Devils26. John Nineteen Forty One – Aqualads

set as separate dls for ease 

jcss 1

jcss 2

Automatic Fine Tuning - A.F.T.

In 1976, guitarists Paul A. MacDonnell and Robert Cross, bass player Trevor Darks and drummer/vocalist Dave Ball joined their considerable skills and produced one of the greatest but nearly forgotten heavy progressive projects, Automatic Fine Tuning. Doing an early form of neo-classical instrumental rock that predates the gothic harmonies and Paganini-love of Michael Schenker and Yngwie Malmsteen, the quartet boldly went where few rock ensembles had and recorded one brilliant album before disbanding. ” One of my TOP 10 of ALL TIME. 38 minutes of pure driving guitar, bass and drum. You will not be disappointed.

Happy Easter y'all!

Tracklist:
01. The Great Panjandrum Wheel Pt.One
02. Gladioli
03. The Great Panjandrum Wheel Pt.Two
04. Queen of the Night

greatrarerock

Quantum Fantay - Bridges Of Kukuriku

Quantum Fantay are a Flemish space-rock band, who formed in the early/mid 00s, and in the last few years have released a number of albums (this is their fourth). All of them are excellent and these albums, along with their NEARFest performance, have propelled them into the international arena. Like their obvious heros, Gong and the Ozric Tentacles, there's lots of flute, keyboards, guitars and a supple rhythm section, but they've got a sound that also reflects the 00s and keeps it all new sounding. Great instro long form twang. This is direction I'm moving in this blog - let me know what you think.

Tracklist:
01. Kukuriku Part 1
02. Follow The Star
03. Shiver Moments
04. Portable Forest
05. Counter Clockwise
06. Kukuriku Part 2

spacynicestuff

Va - Singapore A Go-Go

A superb collection of Singaporean 60’s beat, pop, and “off-beat cha-cha” instrumental classics from original vinyl 45’s. These 22 supercharged beat-a-go-go tracks defy a common held belief that the Chinese couldn’t rock, groove, or swing back in the 1960’s. The vocals are sung in the dialects of Mandarin and Hokkien and they soar with catchy hooks atop groovy, clever beats. There’s plenty of electric guitar, organ, and crazy percussion rocking and twisting behind it all, at times reaching quite a mad and freaky state of affairs. The record’s finale “Happy Lunar New Year” sung by Linda Yong may be the weirdest New Year greeting ever recorded. Every single cut is a winner and it never lets up from start to finish. Although most of the lyrics focus on love, innocence, and festive atmospherics, there’s an epic vibe to the music that rivals other extremely well-recorded and unique pop styles emanating from the surrounding Southeast Asian scenes during the late 1960’s. Seminal bands of the period like The Stylers and The Silvertones are well represented here backing up a wide array of popular vocalists with Charlie Electric Guitar Band’s Sound of Japan ripping it up on four brilliant instrumental tracks.

1. Each And Every Flower
2. Tall Mountain Green
3. Good Luck In The New Year
4. Carnation
5. Love Is Like Dew And Flowers
6. Luna, Luna
7. Mimi Cat
8. Tough Time Missing You
9. Congrats, Congrats (New Year Song)
10. (Funny, Funny) Why Do I Fall In Love With You?
11. Si Li Li Li Li Our Hearts Beat As One
12. You Are A Heartless Person (Main Theme From You, Me, Her)
13. Diamond
14. Secretly Love You
15. Riding A Trishaw Around Chinatown
16. Why Are You Not Smiling?
17. Spring Wind Kisses My Face
18. I Hate My Unrequited Love For You
19. Where Is The Lady?
20. Mountain Lady
21. Oh No! [From You, Me, Her]
22. Happy Lunar New Year

orientalexpress

The Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought the Law + KRLA King Of The Wheels

The Bobby Fuller Four was a popular mid-60s American rock & roll band started by Bobby Fuller. With its first incarnation formed in 1962 in El Paso, Texas, the group has went on to produce some of its most memorable hits under Mustang Records in Hollywood, California. The band's most successful songs include "Let Her Dance", "I Fought the Law", and "Love's Made a Fool of You". This CD reissue combines two first albums on 1 CD with a seven bonus tracks - "Souped up cal-tex Rock 'n' Roll from one of the 60's most original & under-rated groups".

“ allmusic.com says
Del-Fi combined the Bobby Fuller Four's first two albums, KRLA King of the Wheels and I Fought the Law, on a single disc. Producer Bob Keane and disc jockeys from KRLA in Los Angeles helped conceive the idea for KRLA King of the Wheels. The KRLA Top Eliminator was a customized dragster made for promotion, and the Bobby Fuller Four provided this 11-song album. The title track is a reworking of "King of the Beach," and an earlier record from the band's days in El Paso, TX. There are three other car songs, a killer version of Buddy Holly's "Love's Made a Fool of You," and two non-original songs that Bobby Fuller hated, "I'm a Lucky Guy" and "The Magic Touch." Meanwhile, the title track of I Fought the Law was an international smash for the group and certainly their most recognized and popular single. Fuller's idol was Buddy Holly, and former Cricket Sonny Curtis wrote the song that first came out on the Crickets 1962 album In Style with the Crickets. "Let Her Dance" was also a hit and is included. Chip Taylor wrote "Julie," a Hollyesque pounder of infectious proportion. Ten of the 12 songs are Bobby Fuller Four original compositions. "Only When I Dream" could have been written for the Everly Brothers, while "A New Shade of Blue" and "Fool of Love" are more moderate ballads that contrast to the upbeat and infectiously danceable quality of the remaining songs. More consistent than KRLA King of the Wheels, it is a masterpiece from the mid-'60s and the best album released in Fuller's lifetime. ”


Tracks:

01. Thunder Reef [Bonus Track]
02. Wolfman [Bonus Track]
03. She's My Girl
04. King Of The Wheels
05. The Lonely Dragster
06. The Phantom Dragster
07. KRLA Top Eliminator
08. Let Her Dance
09. Julie
10. A New Shade Of Blue
11. Only When I Dream
12. You Kiss Me
13. Little Annie Lou
14. I Fought The Law
15. Another Sad And Lonely Night
16. Saturday Night
17. Take My Word
18. Fool Of Love
19. Never To Be Forgotten
20. Love's Made A Fool Of You [Bonus Track]
21. Don't Ever Let Me Know [Bonus Track]
22. My True Love [Bonus Track]
23. The Magic Touch [Bonus Track]
24. I'm A Lucky Guy [Bonus Track]

If you want to program your player so you can hear the two original Bobby Fuller Four albums - this is how:
KRLA King Of The Wheels: 19, 15, 3, 17, 18, 8, 4, 5, 13, 6, 16, 7.
I Fought The Law: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

ifoughtthelaw

The Flaps ST

If you like the breadth of stylistic juxtaposition that the Reventlos engage in, you will like this. The originals are augmented with a very offbeat set of covers from various genres. Very well arranged, recorded, and mixed. It's adventurous, and not really trad surf, but I liked it so much that I just had to include it here.

Astrolabia, The Fuzzard, Haph Kok Wah, Fear, Boogie Stop Shuffle, Lonely Woman, Water, Ouzo, Sexy Girls, House Of Mirrors, Mysterious Game, Big Wayne/Scrambler, Slumber Party


flapperino

Eddie Hazel Games Dames & Guitar Thangs

Eddie Hazel's only solo album has been out of print for too long, and is briefly available direct from Rhino's Handmade line (or was when I wrote this-- www.rhinohandmade.com). Hazel is of course the legendary guitarist from the first few Funkadelic albums, and is one of the most overlooked guitarists out there. The album really is a feature for Hazel's guitar plyaing, and many Funkadelic members show up to help out with this one (including Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Tiki Fulwood, with both Collins and George Clinton contributing songs). Appended to the end of this release is a jam session from 1975 with Buddy Miles on drums originally released as "Jams from the Heart".

If you're familiar with Hazel (and with "Maggotbrain"), then you know what to expect-- his playing is fiery, powerful, and inventive. Musically, the record moves through the sort of funk modes similar to what Funkadelic did, although all the songs here are quite loose to allow a heavy emphasis on guitar soloing--Hazel soaks in different tones, always with his wah-wah close to his heart. There's not much in the way of vocals on this one, but they're not really important. Check out the monster playing from Hazel throughout certainly, but especially on "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"-- words can't describe.

Odds are, if you know to look for this, you know what you're getting yourself into-- if you don't and you're a fan of P-Funk or you just love great guitar playing, this is a fantastic album. Definitely worth checking out, its just a shame it hasn't gotten wider distribution.

1 California Dreamin’ (6:16)
2 Frantic Moment (3:42)
3 So Goes The Story (3:55)
4 I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (9:25)
5 Physical Love (5:32)
6 What About It? (3:46)
7 California Dreamin’ (Reprise) (1:30)
8 Smedley Smorganoff (3:07)
9 Lampoc Boogie (11:47)
10. From The Bottom Of My Soul (12:35)
11 Unkut Funk (2:03)

pfunklivesbaby

Eddie Hazel -Rest in P

"Rest in P" is an essential collection of unreleased solo material recorded by the pioneering lead guitarist of Parliament/Funkadelic. It contains some songs from a previously issued CD titled "Jams from the Heart". However, you would not be disappointed to have both. Actually, "Rest in P" has complete versions of the songs "Unkut Funk" and "Smedly Smorganoff" from the "Jams from the Heart" and much more from George Clinton's vaults. "Rest in P" also has more songs which give it more of an album feel. The song "We Three" is the same song as "From the bottom of my heart" from the "Jams..". However, George Clinton adds some Keyboards from Bernie Worrell on this production which gives it a different feel. This song is the jewel set. Eddie showcases his strong, soulful vocals with his incomparable lead guitar virtuosity. Eddie "puts it down" on this one. "No, It's not" is a strong track that is like an instrumental version of Funkadelic's "Comin round the Mountain". "We are One" and "Juicy Fingers" and also strong cuts. The songs were likely recorded during his sessions for his solo album "Games, Dames and Guitar Thangs. The songs have the same feel and the same musicians such as Bernie Worrell, Billy "Bass" Nelson, Jerome Brailey, Tiki Fulwood and Bootsy Collins on Space Bass. This CD is essential for anyone into "P-Funk" and anyone who loves good guitar playing. Eddie "Maggot Brain" Hazel is in a class by himself. These two make the complete solo output of Eddie.

1. Until It Rains
2. Beyond Word and Measure
3. Relic 'Delic (Purple Hazel)
4. Straighten Up
5. Juicy Fingers
6. We Three
7. Why Cry?
8. We Are One
9. No, It's Not!
10. Until It Rains (Reprise)

ehrr4stfulnot

Duane Eddy - Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel [40th Anniversary Edition]

If Duane Eddy's instrumental hits from the late '50s can sound unduly basic and repetitive (especially when taken all at once), he was vastly influential. Perhaps the most successful instrumental rocker of his time, he may have also been the man most responsible (along with Chuck Berry) for popularizing the electric rock guitar. His distinctively low, twangy riffs could be heard on no less than 15 Top 40 hits between 1958 and 1963. He was also one of the first rock stars to successfully crack the LP market.

Having said this I would also like to praise the remarkable eclecticism of this first and greatest All-Instrumental Rock and Roll album. I have heard this album- at least in sections- for about 20 years now have only recently come to respect the range of styles represented here. Hazelwood and Eddy pulled every possible trick out of their bags in late, great '58: there is real rockabilly ("Cannonball" w/ Al Casey- Duane's truest rockabilly outside of his later "Theme From Dixie"); standard Rock and Roll ("Rebel Rouser"); proto-surf (the legendary "Movin' and Groovin'"); country-rock ("Detour"); standard country ("Anytime"); REAL- (no foolin')- BLUES ("Three-30-Blues"); Rhythm and Blues ("I Almost Lost My Mind"); just a hint of jazz stylin' ("The Lonely One"); and even a stab at what would later be called Folk Rock ("Lonesome Road"). Absolutely incredible!

Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel was his first LP and the album that put Duane Eddy's name on the map. It was the first album of the Rock And Roll era issued completely in stereo and the best selling instrumental rock album ever (2 years in the charts). Sadly only half of the stereo masters could be located and that's why this 40th anniversary remastered edition contains 6 mono tracks. However it includes 3 previously unavailable b-sides as bonus tracks.


Tracklisting:
1. Lonesome Road
2. I Almost Lost My Mind
3. Rebel Rouser
4. Three-30-Blues
5. Cannonball
6. The Lonely One
7. Detour
8. Stalkin'
9. Ramrod
10. Anytime
11. Moovin' 'N' Groovin'
12. Loving You
13. Up and Down - (bonus track)
14. The Walker - (bonus track)
15. Mason Dixon Lion - (bonus track)


twngulation

Pierre Moerlen's Gong - Downwind

The impressive Downwind is the first release from the band under its new moniker, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, as Moerlen assumes creative control and dominance. The release marks a return to vocals/lyrics, which proves only partially successful. Moerlen's voice is a hit on the opener, the rocking "Aeroplane," and the collective vocals on the fast-paced, percussive "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" (popularized by Santana) are right on target. His singing is weak, though, on "What You Know" and detracts from the song's quality. Mick Taylor makes his only appearance here with an exceptional guitar solo. Downwind is also a return to compositions dominated by rock structures and styles, the jazz element minimal this time around. The instrumental cuts are sublime: "Emotions" and "Xtasea" are relaxing; "Crosscurrents" and "Downwind" are energetic and exciting. The title cut is easily the highlight of the album, featuring guest appearances by Steve Winwood (Moog, synth) and guitarist Mike Oldfield. At almost 13 minutes, this thrilling composition resembles the early work of Oldfield, particularly strains of "Tubular Bells, Pt. 1," and specifically the section used for the film The Exorcist. On "Downwind," Moerlen's percussives are ablaze, recalling his "Percolations" performance from Gazeuse. Bassist Hansford Rowe is prominent, and saxophonist Didier Malherbe, a longtime Gong staple, makes his only appearance on the album...AMG

01 Aeroplane
02 Cross Currents
03 Downwind
04 Tin-Go-Lo-Ba
05 What You Know
06 Emotions
07 Xtasea

bangagong

Pink Floyd - Meddled

Pink Floyd Meddler (a.k.a. The Floyd's of London) came from an FM broadcast over the BBC in England. The songs featured were "Fat Old Sun," "One of These Days I'm Going to Cut You into Little Pieces, "Echoes," "The Embryo," and finally a blues instrumental. This show was also performed before a live audience and was later broadcast on Peel's "In Concert" program on the 12th of October. The STEREO dimension adds so much to the recording, you can actually hear very distinctly what each band member is doing. This recoding is just an incredible listen from start to finish. The sound is amazing as is the performance of the Floyd.

You can read all about this Meddler at the following URL:
http://www.pf-roio.de/roio/roio-cd/meddler.cd.html

1. Fat Old Sun (15:27)
2. One Of These Days (07:31)
3. Echoes (26:32)
4. Embryo (10:06)
5. Blues (04:56)

pfmeds

Aerosmith Honkin on Bobo

First impression, strange name, the album is as advertised, Tyler puts his harp to good use in most songs. Although it contains 11 covers and only one original it sounds more like Aerosmith than Just Push Play did. Billed as an album where 'Aerosmith does the blues' do not expect a blues record. It is more closely comparible to the bands work in the 70s when you could still hear there obvious blues influences. Many of the tracks covered here are obscure as well, so the material sounds fresh and new.

The songs range from rockers like the first single Baby Please Don't Go and Shame Shame Shame to slower blues tunes such as Back Back Train sung by Joe Perry no less. In fact Perry lends lead vocals to two tracks on the album with the voice of the talented Tracy Bonham backing him up. This album is a welcome surprise from start to finish, fans of old Aerosmith will not be disappointed and fans of new Aerosmith will be introduced to a whole new world, with no boring power ballads to break the mood.

Honkin on Bobo is a Blooze-Rock record that Rocks with a capital R and would not have been out of place in the early 70's. This is a stunning return to rock and roll form for a band that has made way too many trips to the power-ballad ATM in recent years.

1. Road Runner 2. Shame, Shame, Shame 3. Eyesight To The Blind 4. Baby, Please Don't Go 5. Never Loved A Girl 6. Back Back Train 7. You Gotta Move 8. The Grind 9. I'm Ready 10. Temperature 11. Stop Messin' Around 12. Jesus Is On The Main Line

removed by request