Produced by Kim Fowley and Michael Lloyd (of West Coast Pop Art Experimental fame) this album is a real gem. It's an amalgam of soft psychedelia and pop-sike on a high level. Nearly every song is a winner, only "The Hobbit Symphony" lose its bearings. Strangely the only known reissues were on EMI Greece (Sidewalk/EMI 062-2610441 / 1986) where this rip is from and recently on CD on the South Korean Acid Ray label. Read more about The Smoke here.
Tracklist: - Cowboys And Indians - Looking Thru The Mirror - Self-Analysis - Gold Is The Colour Of Thought - The Hobbit Symphony - The Daisy - Intermission - Fogbound - Song Thru Perception - Philosophy - Umbrella - Ritual Gypsy Music Opus 1 - October Country - Odyssey Personnel: Michael Lloyd (lead vcls, bs, keyb'ds) Stan Ayeroff (gtr) Steve Baim (drms) Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US)
Discographie: Albums: 1. The Smoke (Sidewalk ST 5912) 1968
You all might know that the Fantastic Dee-Jays from McKeesport/Pennsylvania later transformed into the legendary Swamp Rats. Their one and only album from 1966 contains their great version of "Fight Fire", the strong self compositions "Get Away Girl" and "Love Is Tuff" as well as competent covers of "What A Shame" and "What You're Doing". "Apache" on the other hand sounds like it was taped at their first practice session. The other stuff is in the beat/garage style. The sound is pretty crude but this shouldn't scare you away. The tracks were taken from the reissue on EVA records (EVA 12028 / 1984).
Tracklist: - Fight fire - Get away girl - Shy girl - Mr. Sad - Two tymes two - Apache - You're the one - What a shame - What you're doing - Love is tuff - Just a boy - This love of ours Personnel: Dick Newton (gtr, vlcs) [AB] Denny Nicholson (gtr, vcls) [AB] Tom Junecko (drms) [A] Bob Hocko (drms, vcls) [B] Band origin: McKeesport (Pennsylvania/US)
Discographie: Albums: 1. (B) The Fantastic Dee-Jays (Stone 4003) 1966
45's: 1. Apache/This Love Of Ours (Sherry 309) 1965 2. Love Is Tuff/Two Tymes Two (Fleetwood 1096) 1965 3. You're The One/Two Tymes Two (Red Fox 102) 1965 4. Fight Fire/Get Away Girl (Tri Power 421) 1966 5. Love Is So Tuff/Just A Boy (Stone 044) 1968
The second installment of this series (Technicolor Dream T.D.R. 002 / 2001). This time they treated the european psychedelic scene from 1967-1971.
Tracklist: 01. Frank Stein & B.G. System - My Lady taken from the single My Lady/Mysterious Barricades (Diamond DI 1725) 1969 Personnel incl.:Ekard Kissling (vcls) [A], Richard North (gtr) [A], Jean-Claude Tschannen (bs) [A], Bernard Gugelmann (drms) [A], Jean-Jacques Egli. Band origin:Geneva (Switzreland) 02. Neptune's Empire - Witchita Falls taken from the album Neptune's Empire (Polymax PXX 01) 1971 Personnel:Charles Forbes (vcls), Bjørn G. Gjerstrøm (vcls), Arne Dahlø (vcls). Band origin:Oslo (Norway) 03. Shakespeares - Burning My Fingers taken from the single Burning My Fingers/Something To Believe In (RCA 54-4025) 1968 Personnel:Martin Piggot (vcls), Chris Kritzinger (lead gtr, vcls), Chris Stone [Chris Sox] (rhythm gtr, vcls), Alan Escombe (bs), Johnny Kreuger (drms). Band origin:Brussels (Belgium) 04. Klan - And I Love It So taken from the single Fifi The Fly/And I Love It So (Palette PB 22528) 1967 Personnel:Luc Hensill (gtr, vcls), Dany Longlegs (gtr), Christopher John Lühr (bs, vcls), Jack Hitchin (drms). Band origin:Brussels (Belgium) 05. Cedars - Hide If You Want To Hide taken from the single For Your Information/Hide If You Want To Hide (Decca F 22720) 1968 Personnel:Albert Haddad (lead gtr), Joe Shehadeh (rhythm gtr), Raymond Azoury (bs), Zad Tarmush (drms). Band origin:Beirut (Lebanon) → relocated to London (UK) 06. George Cash - Nightingale taken from the single Nightingale/Splat (Philips JF 336108) 1970 Personnel:Johnny Frederiksz (vcls), Ron Meyes (gtr), Roel Smits (bs), Hessel de Vries (vcls, organ, piano), Paul Lagaay (drms). Band origin:Amsterdam (Noord Holland/Netherlands) 07. Berry Window & The Movements - I'll Wait For You taken from the single I'll Wait For You/Hear Me, Help Me (Intercord 209-02) 1968 Personnel:Barry Window [real name Urs Fenster] (vcls), Ronald Bryer (lead gtr), Peter Gisske (bs), Joel Vandroogenbroeck (organ, flute, sitar), Wolfgang Paap (drms). Band origin:Basel (Switzerland) 08. Amsterdam - Indian Pipe taken from the single Indian pipe/Blue Steel 44 (Polydor 2050005) 1970 Personnel:Donald van Os (gtr, vcls), Michel van Dijk (gtr), Egon Verhoeven (bs), Martin van Os (drms). Band origin:Amsterdam (Noord Holland/Netherlands) 09. Motions - Green Chewing Gum Machine taken from the album Impressions Of Wonderful (Havoc HALP021) 1968 Personnel:Rudy Bennett (vcls, gtr), Leo Bennink (gtr, vcls), Henk Smitskamp (bs, vcls), Gerard Romeyn (bs, vcls), Sieb Warner (drms, vcls). Band origin:York The Hague (Zuid Holland/Netherlands) 10. Les Sauterelles - Montgolfier taken from the single Montgolfier/Big Old Sun (Decca D 19973) 1968 Personnel:Toni Vescoli (gtr, vcls), Rolf Antener (gtr, back vcls), Peter Rietmann (bs, back vcls), Fritz Trippel (keyb'ds), Düde [Kurt] Dürst (drms, back vcls). Band origin:Zurich (Switzerland) 11. Calcium - Elle Regarde Et Elle Rit taken from the single Elle Regarde Et Elle Rit/Il Fait Jour (Odeon C006-10557) 1969 Personnel:Zouzou [real name Danièle Ciarlet] (vcls), Stephen Villar (gtr, vcls), Christopher Vilar (gtr, vcls), Patrick Greussay (keyb'ds), Jacques Zins (bs), Alain Sirguy (drms). Band origin:Paris (France) 12. Motions - Make It Legal taken from the single Nellie The Horse/Make It Legal (Havoc SH 137) 1967 Personnel:Rudy Bennett (vcls, gtr), Gerard Romeyn (gtr, vcls), Henk Smitskamp (bs, vcls), Sieb Warner (drms, vcls). Band origin:The Hague (Zuid Holland/Netherlands) 13. Tower - In Your Life taken from the single In Your Life/Slow Motion Mind (Decca AT 10364) 1968 Personnel:Boudewijn de Groot (vcls, gtr), Eelco Gelling (gtr), Herman Deinum (bs), Kees Kranenburg (drms). Band origin:Amsterdam (Noord Holland/Netherlands) 14. O.P.M.C. - The Head taken from the album Amalgamation (Pink Elephant 877.001) 1970 Personnel:Barrie Webb (vcls, gtr), Teun van der Slikke (vcls, harp, autoharp, gtr), Peter van der Sande (bs, piano), Onny Lopulalan (lead gtr), "Mighty Max" (drms), Herman Erbe (gtr). Band origin:Noord Holland (Netherlands) Get it here(Artwork included / vinyl rip)
Mandrake Memorial's second album could have been one of the great records of late sixties psychedelic rock. Could have, because after the incredible opener "Snake Charmer" and the terrific "Witness The End/Celebration" the songs become pretty dull. Whilst the relaxed "Last Number" and the acid-rocking "Smokescreen" keep a good standard the thumbs going down on the remaining numbers. Especially the tedious "After Pascal" and "Cassandra" make you feel that it's time to go to bed. The band was from Philadelphia and this reissue came out on Collectables (Collectables COL-0692 / 1996).
Tracklist: - Snake Charmer - Witness The End/Celebration - Other Side - Last Number - After Pascal - Smokescreen - Barnaby Plum - Cassandra Personnel: Craig Anderton (gtr, sitar) Randy Monaco (vcls, bs) Michael Kac (keyb'ds, vcls) Kevin Lally (drms) Band origin: Philadelphia (Pennsylvania/US)
Discographie: Albums: 1. The Mandrake Memorial (Poppy 40002) 1968 2. Medium (Poppy 40003) 1969 3. Puzzle (Poppy 40006) 1970
45's: 1. Musical Man/Something In The Air (Poppy 90103) 1969
You know their superb folk-punker "Going All The Way". You loved their sugary Beau Brummels styled "Go Ahead". Now here's more of that great garage band from Bristol/Connecticut. In 1986 Crypt (Crypt LP 008) released an album that contains not only their unreleased songs but their first 45 under the moniker The Rogues. This early incarnation of The Squires produced the outstanding punker "It's The Same All Over The World". And even if you think you have heard "Gloria" a thousand times, give the version of the Squires a try.
Tracklist: - Going all the way - It's the same all over the world - Oh no! - I can't do it - Gloria - The original - Go ahead - We can try - Walkin' - Rink bash - It's the same all over the world [demo] Personnel: Tom Flanigan (lead gtr) Jim Lynch (gtr) John Folcik (bs) Kurt Robinson (keyb'ds) Mike Bouyea (drms, violin, vcls) Band origin: Bristol (Connecticut/US)
Discographie: 45's: 1. It's The Same All Over The World/Oh No (Peyton P-1001) 1966 2. The Original (Blue Echo acetate) 1966 3. Going All The Way/Go Ahead (Atco 6442) 1966
A group of Sioux Indians from Albuquerque/New Mexico. This album collects their early work in the sixties as they were known as the Lincoln Street Exit (nevertheless it was released under their then known name Xit). It contains their great acid punk-rocker "Sunny Sunday Dream" as well as some unreleased material. "Half A Man" for instance is a cool late sixties rocker, "Open Doorway" and "She's Upon Her Way" are pretty much in the sunshine-pop mould whilst "Orange Benevolence" and "Forever Or Not At All" are melancholic soft-rock ballads. Only the boring "Soulful Drifter" (their last 45 as Lincoln Street Exit) and the standard bluesy numbers "Mississippi Riverboat Gamblin' Man" and "St. Louis Mama" are a waste of time. All in all much better than their "Drive It" album. This is the re-release from 1996 (Sound Of America Records SOAR-145-CD).
Tracklist: - Half a man - Open doorway - Yellow man of Paris - She's upon her way - Orange Benevolence - Mississippi Riverboat Gamblin' Man - Sunny Sunday dream - Soulful drifter - St. Louis Mama - Forever or not at all - She's my everything Personnel incl.: Tom Bee (drms) [ABC] R.C. Garis Jr. (ld gtr, vcls, keyb'ds) [AB] Lee Herrera (drms, vcls, perc) [ABC] A. Michael Martin (vcls, gtr) [A] Mac Suazo (bs) [ABC] Tyrone King [B] Jomac Suazo [C] Obie Sullivan [C] Chili Yazzie Band origin: Albuquerque (New Mexico/US)
Discographie: Albums: 1. (A) Drive It! (Mainstream S/6126) 1970 2. (B) Plight Of The Red Man (Rare Earth R 536 L) 1972 3. (C) Silent Warrior (Rare Earth R 545 L) 1973 4. (A) Entrance (Canyon C 7114) 1974 5. ( ) Relocation (Canyon C 721) 1978
[1. as Lincoln St. Exit]
45's: 1. Who's Been Driving My Little Yellow Taxi Cab/ Paper Place (Lance 109/110) 1966 2. The Bummer/Sunny Sunday Dream (Ecco ER 1001) 1967 3. Whatever Happened To Baby Jesus part 1 /part 2 (N/K) 196? 4. Mississippi Riverboat Gamblin' Man/St. Louis Mama (Souled Out 104) 196? 5. Soulful Drifter/Time Has Come, Gonna Die (Mainstream 722) 1969 6. Open Doorway/Orange Benevolence (Audio Recording acetate) 196? 7. Nihaa Shil Hozho (I Am Happy About You)/End (Rare Earth 5044) 1972 8. Reservation Of Education/Color Nature Gone (Rare Earth 5055) 1973 9. I Need Your Love (Give It To Me)/Movin' From The City (Motown 1304) 1974 10. Renegade/Cement Prairie (Motown 1320) 1974
This one's by request. Don't expect psychedelic music here. The album is comprised of late sixties heavy rock, but in a good way (even it's not my favourite music). The best songs to my ears are the melancholic opener "I'm Alive" and the heavy psych-rock stomper "Whiskey Fire". The band was from Hamilton (Ontario).
Tracklist: - I'm Alive - Whiskey Fire - If I Should Ever Love Again - Changes - Cry Cry - Circles - Sunshine Man - Back To Toronto - Me & Mr. Hohner - Summertime Personnel: Frank Rondell (vcls) Rita Rondell (vcls) Wade Brown (gtr) Brian Kirkwood (bs) Paul Benton (organ, piano) Sonny J. Milne (drms, perc) Band origin: Hamilton (Ontario/Canada)
45's: 1. I'm Alive/Sunshine Man (Columbia C4-2980) 1970 2. Whiskey Fire/Circles (Columbia C4-3004) 1971 3. Who Turned The World Around/Ohio And Sun (Columbia C4-3030) 1971
This Norwegian group from Oslo were working predominately as studio musicians for EMI. Despite its year release this is pretty much of a beat affair (and NOT somewhat of a freakbeat classic as in "Scented Gardens Of The Mind" stated). Only the doomy "Goodbye To This World" and the unusual "This Rain" differ from the other songs. But if you have an ear for early Kinks (like I do) you will be pleased with this album, that was reissued on Orange Doubledome (Orange Doubledome NCLP 5) in 2000.
Tracklist: - Don't throw stones - Why have I that feeling - Let me tell you - Little girl - Goodbye to this world - More and more each day - It's no matter how I try - Trying to make you see - I can't find nobody - Baby, go on home - Hemmeling agent - Don't believe them - Jack the ripper - Alone again - Funny things - I never knew the sun could shine so brightly at night - This rain - The girl that I depend on - Crying - I didn't know Personnel: Yngve Bjerke (vcls, gtr) [ABCDE] Øystein Bråthen (gtr) [ABCD] Jan Arild Rikdal (bs) [A] Bjørn Løkkeberg (drms) [AB] Walter Bjerke (bs) [BCDE] Aage Mjøs (drms) [C] Arild Hansen (drms) [DE] Ole Petter Engebretsen (hrmnca) [D] Bjørn Borg (gtr) [E] Band origin: Oslo (Norway)
Discographie: Albums: 1. (E) Firebeats Inc. (HMV NCLP 5) 1967
45's: 1. Don't Throw Stones/Why Have I That Feeling (HMV AL 6125) 1964 2. Let Me Tell You/Little Girl (HMV AL 6132) 1965 3. Hemmelig Agent/Vi Skal Ikke Klage (HMV AL 6136) 1966 4. Alone Again/Trying To Make You See (HMV AL 6141) 1966 5. Oh, Carol/Be My Baby (HMV AL 6156) 1968
This is by request. Although The Cleves' album was highly rated by some and sought after, I do not feel much comfortable with progressive music and this one doesn't make an exception. But the two bonus tracks are pretty good pop with hints of psychedelia. I think other people are happier with them than I am. The band was originally from New Zealand and relocated at Sydney. This reissue was released on Vicious Sloth Collectables (Vicious Sloth Collectables VSC009 / 1998).
Tracklist: - Work out - There is a place - Keep trying - Time has come - Summertime - Wait for a moment - For a time - Waterfall
[Bonus tracks] - You and me - Music from Michael Personnel: Gaye Brown (bs, vcls, organ) [ABC] Graham Brown (drms) [AB] Ron Brown (gtr) [ABC] Milton Lane (bs) [A] Rob Aitkin (bs) [BC] Ace Follington (drms) [C] Vince Melouney (gtr) [C] Band origin: Sydney (New South Wales/Australia)
45's: 1. Tintookies 2000 (The Push Theme)/Endings Happy (Marionette PRS 2189) 1968 2. Sticks And Stones/Don't Turn Your Back (Festival FK 3306) 1969 3. You And Me/Cassie (Festival FK 3489) 1970
E.P.'s: 1. (A) A Taste Of Energy (Infinity MX-36307) 1970 2. (A) Music From Michael (Infinity INX-11736) 1971
This compilation was relased in 1999 on the Technicolor Dream label (Technicolor Dream Records 001). It's mainly psychedelic-pop on the menu (and NOT that stupid Toytown-Pop that some labels/dealers want to sell you as psychedelic), and if you're a fan of that music you won't be disappointed. One word to the Beloved Ones: they used this name for UK releases and for the US they have chosen the name Arch Of Triumph. In fact they were teenage classmates at the American School of Paris and better known in France as Les Irresistibles. My favourite is the Whatt Four track "Dandelion Wine".
Tracklist: 01. Fourmyula - I Know Why taken from the single I Know Why/It's Only Make Believe (HMV HR 335) 1968 Personnel:Martin Hope (lead gtr, vcls) [ABC], Wayne Mason (gtr, organ, vcls) [AB], Chris Parry (drms) [ABC], Ali Richardson (bs, vcls) [ABC], Carl Evenson (lead vcls) [BC], Paul Pryde (gtr, organ) [C]. Band origin:Upper Hutt (New Zealand) 02. Los Yorks - Mi Mente En Ti [When My Mind Is Not Live] taken from the single Mi Mente En Ti/Insignia (Virrey V 3334 F) 1970 Personnel incl.:Pablo Luna Mansilla (vcls), Roman Palacios (lead gtr), Walter Paz (rhythm gtr), Jesus Vilchez (bs), Robert Aguilar (drms). Band origin:Lima (Peru) 03. Philwit & Pegasus - The Elephants Song taken from the single The Elephants Song/Pseudo Phoney Mixed Up Croney (Chapter One CH 137) 1970 Personnel/Musicians:John Carter (vcls), Peter Lee Stirling (vcls), Roger Greenaway (vcls), Guy Fletcher (vcls), Chas Mills (vcls), Martin Kershaw (gtr), Joe Moretti (gtr), Chis Bedding [aka Spedding] (gtr), Roger McKew (gtr), Clem Cattini (drms), Rex Bennett (drms), Terry Cox (drms), Randy Jones (drms), Les Hurdle (bs), Adrian Cros (piano, organ), Mark Wirtz (production). Band origin:London (UK) 04. Twilights - Comin' On Down taken from the single Tell Me Goodbye/Comin' On Down (Columbia DO-8448) 1968 Personnel:Paddy [Clem] McCartney (vcls) [ABC], Glen Shorrock (vcls) [ABC], Mike Sykes (vcls) [A], Frank Barnard (drms) [B], Peter Brideoake (gtr) [BC], Terry Britten (gtr) [BC], John Bywaters (gtr) [BC], Laurie Pryor (drms) [C]. Band origin:Adelaide (South Australia/Australia) 05. Lighthouse - Little Kind Words taken from the single One Fine Morning/Little Kind Words (GRT 1230-10) 1971 Personnel incl.:Dick Armin (cello), Ralph Cole (gtr), Don Dinovo (violin), Paul Hoffert (keyb'ds, vibes), Keith Jollimore (sax, flute), Bob McBride (vcls), Peter Pantaluk (trumpet), Skip Prokop (drms), Howard Shore (sax, flute), Larry Smith (trombone), Louis Yackniw (bs), Victor Cauvin. Band origin:Toronto (Ontario/Canada) 06. Young Idea - Mr. Loving Luggage Man taken from the single Mister Lovin' Luggage Man/Room With A View (Columbia DB 8284) 1967 Personnel:Tony Cox (piano, gtr, vcls), Douglas MacCrae-Brown (gtr, vcls). Band origin:London (UK) 07. Whatt Four - Dandelion Wine taken from the single Dandelion Wine/You're Wishin' I Was Someone Else (Mercury 72716) 1967 Personnel:John Langdon (lead gtr), Tom Bitters (gtr), Greg Sanders (bs, vcls), Tom Ference (drms). Band origin:Riverside (California/US) 08. Rotary Connection - Paper Castle taken from the single Paper Castle/Teach Me How To Fly (Cadet 7007) 1968 Personnel incl.:Bobby Simms (vcls), Judy Hauff (vcls), Minnie Riperton (vcls), Mitch Aliota (vcls), Sidney Barnes (vcls), Tommy Vincent (vcls). Band origin:Chicago (Illinois/US) 09. Angel Pavement - Green Mello Hill taken from the single Baby You've Gotta Stay/Green Mello Hill (Fontana TF 1059) 1969 Personnel:Clive "Alfie" Shepherd (lead gtr) [ABC], Graham Harris (bs) [ABC], Mike Candler (drms) [ABC], Paul Smith (lead vcls) [ABC], Dave Smith (gtr) [A], John Cartwright (gtr, trumpet) [C]. Band origin:York (Yorkshire/UK) 10. Neil MacArthur - She's Not There taken from the single She's Not There/World Of Glass (Deram DM 225) 1969 Personnel:Neal MacArthur [aka Colin Blunstone]. Band origin:Hatfield (Hertfordshire) 11. Beloved Ones - My Year Is A Day taken from the single My Year Is A Day/She And I (Date 2-1618) 1968 Personnel:Jim McMains (lead vcls, keyb'ds, gtr), Tom Arena (lead gtr), Steve McMains (bs), Andy Cornelius (drms). Band origin:Paris (France) 12. Vipers - Town Of Tuxley taken from the single Looky Looky/Town Of Tuxley (Basart BB 641) 1970 Personnel:Guido De Ley (lead vcls), Geert De Vuyst (gtr), George Bracke (bs), Marc Malyster (organ, vcls), Maarten Geerts (drms, vcls). Band origin:Ghent (Belgium) 13. Angel Pavement - Baby You've Gotta Stay see Track 9 14. Living Daylights - I'm Real taken from the single Let's Live For Today/I'm Real (Philips BF 1561) 1967 Personnel:Curt Cresswell (gtr), Garth Watt-Roy (gtr, vcls), Norman Watt-Roy (bs, vcls), Roy Heather (drms). Band origin:Newcastle (Tyne and Wear) Get it here(Artwork included / vinyl rip)
Rare, original and hard to get music is the demand of that blog here. If a record is still available through mailorders I won't post it (but I make exceptions if I get the feeling the dealers force up the prices). Enjoy the music and... ...leave comments (or leave me alone).
Produced by Kim Fowley and Michael Lloyd (of West Coast Pop Art Experimental fame) this album is a real gem. It's an amalgam of soft psychedelia and pop-sike on a high level. Nearly every song is a winner, only "The Hobbit Symphony" lose its bearings. Strangely the only known reissues were on EMI Greece (Sidewalk/EMI 062-2610441 / 1986) where this rip is from and recently on CD on the South Korean Acid Ray label. Read more about The Smoke here.
