"S.O.U.L.-What Is It-1971 US":
From Cleveland, Ohio, the first album of Sounds Of Unity and Love (S.O.U.L). Incredible work from a group who've definitely earned their name.This was an instrumental and vocal group, featured Lee Lovett on base,Walter Winston on guitar, Gus Hawkins on Sax and Flute, and Paul Stubblefield on drums and of course they all did vocals.

These guys are funky monsters, with a real talent for a hard heavy sound that was rarely matched by other combos. The band have a great drummer, with a good talent for the funky break, but also a jazzy flourish that works well on SOUL's mellower numbers and apart from the usual bass and guitar riffing, the album also features some great funky flute, in a mode that's similar to some of Jeremy Steig's excellent early work.

A funky soul essential... Enjoy!!!
-by dj fanis: here

"Xristina-O Magos-Χριστίνα-Ο Μάγος-1973 Greece":
Xristina was a 70s Greek beat-pop singer. The album contain some great songs like: "O Magos","Thelo Na Gelo","O Kirios Zaxos","Ta Heria" and more.
The album requested by my friend George. Enjoy G. !!!
-by dj fanis: here

"The Harvey Averne Dozen -S/T- 1971 US":
The Harvey Averne Dozen second album is a great piece of Latin Soul Boogaloo , with a background of punchy brass and wild-man electric piano solos.

The Harvey Averne Dozen alternates vocal tracks with some hot instrumentals, more in a funk vein than salsa.

The album wins out with instrumentals like the original "Dynamite" , the Beatles cover "I Feel Fine," Sonny & Cher's "The Beat Goes On" who has great brass and a stretched out tempo and vocal tracks like "Girl That I Love" and "Central Park".
-by dj fanis: here

"Mad-S/T-1972 Greece":
Rare and very good Greek prog-rock album.Their sole album from 1972 sound like Akritas.
Members:
Nikos Antoniadis:Guitar,Vocals
Takis Tsonis: Guitar,Vocals
Costas Mpalomas:Bass
Vangelis Koutsotolis:Sax
Giorgos Mihailidis:Drums
-by dj fanis: here

"Mariza Koch-Mia Sto Karfi Kai Mia Sto Petalo -Μαρίζα Κωχ-Μια Στο Καρφί Και Μια Στο Πέταλο- 1973 Greece":
For those who like Mariza Koch here is her second album from 1973 with some great songs like:
"Oi Palioi Mas Filoi","Tou Iliou Ta Tragoudia","Ela Vrady Agapimeno" and "Magiki Mastiha".
-by dj fanis: here

"Mariza Koch-H Mariza Koch Kai Dio Zigies Paihnidia- Μαρίζα Κωχ-Η Μαρίζα Κωχ Και Δυό Ζυγιές Παιχνίδια-1974 Greece":
Mariza Koch is a Greek folk music singer who has recorded 18 albums since starting her career in 1971.This is the Sandy Denny of Greek folk music (although her father was a German). She had a superb voice.
Her albums consisted of a collection of traditional Greek folk songs blended with unusual beats from traditional and modern electronic instrumental sounds. One could even term the sound as folk rock. On the other hand Mariza's unique vocals became the center piece of the music which on more than one occasion needed no accompaniment.
Mariza Koch began her musical career in 1971 with an album titled "Arabas". More albums followed with the sound eventually mellowing back into the original folk sounds of the past, where traditional instruments are used in there entirety.
At the third album "H Mariza Koch Kai Dio Zigies Paihnidia" included elements of traditional Greek music, Folk Rock and Jazz Fusion.
The highlights here is "Oi Magoi"," Oi Rizes" and " Dimosthenous Lekseis".

Ο τρίτος προσωπικός δίσκος της Μαρίζας Κωχ κι αυτός που καταδεικνύει και παγιώνει τον τρόπο της μουσικής της έκφρασης. Έπειτα από δύο πολύ επιτυχημένα άλμπουμ («Αραμπάς» και «Μια στο καρφί και μια στο πέταλο), η δημιουργός, ερμηνεύτρια κυκλοφορεί τον Δεκέμβριο του 1974 άλλο ένα, μέσω του οποίου δίνει σε μεγαλύτερο βαθμό το προσωπικό της στίγμα. Σε αυτό το δίσκο συναντάμε τις καθιερωμένες πλέον διασκευές της Κωχ πάνω σε γνωστά δημοτικά τραγούδια, αλλά και τρία από τα πιο γνωστά του Διονύση Σαββόπουλου σε δεύτερη εκτέλεση. Η ορχήστρα πειραματίζεται πάνω στους ηλεκτρονικούς ήχους που τότε είχαν αρχίσει να κάνουν έντονη την παρουσία τους στα μουσικά δρώμενα και η Κωχ ξεδιπλώνει όλο το πάθος και την τεχνική που έχει στη φωνή της.
(by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"Peloma Bokiou -Πελόμα Μποκιού-S/T-1972 Greece":
A short-lived underground band that released only one album in 1972 and three singles (1970-71). Their self-titled album is one of the best Greek prog-rock albums, with great organ and guitar work. Some of the songs are in the mood of Santana. (by request)
(Tracks 1 - 10 from Lp -Tracks 11 - 16 from singles)

Οι Πελόμα Μποκιού δημιούργησαν το 1970 και παραμένουν μία από τις γνωστότερες και σπουδαιότερες μπάντες της χώρας μας. Το πρώτο τους single «Γαρύφαλλε Γαρύφαλλε» τους άνοιξε αμέσως τις πύλες προς την καταξίωση και παραμένει κλασικό μέχρι σήμερα. Το ‘72 και μετά από μερικά ακόμη singles βγαίνει και το μοναδικό ομώνυμο LP τους. Έπαιζαν heavy progressive με έντονες επιρροές από Santana. Ήταν κατά τη γνώμη μου το πιο άρτια κατηρτισμένο μουσικά ελληνικό γκρουπ με τον πιο επαγγελματικό ήχο.
Members:
Takis Androutsos- el. guitar,acoustic guitar,lute
Nikos Daperis - el. guitar,vocals
Elias Marinakis-bass
Takis Marinakis - drums,percussion
Vlassis Bonatsos -vocals,percussion
George Stefanakis -organ,piano

-by dj fanis: here

"Azteca-S/T-1972 US":
Azteca was a Latin Rock band featuring former members of Santana such as Coke Escovedo and Neal Schon that was founded in the early '70s. Thomas "Coke" Escobedo and Pete Escovedo formed this eighteen-member band during early 1972, and by September of that same year they had recorded and released their debut self-titled album. (by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"The Harvey Averne Dozen -Viva Soul- 1968 US":
This is a great Latin Soul LP by Harvey Averne, one of the heaviest hitting producers of the New York scene of the late 60s. These soul tracks, written with all the warm chord progressions of Motown or a Jerry Butler/Gamble and Huff album of the period.
The album's one of the few that Harvey issued under his own name, and it features him on piano and vibes, working with arrangements by Marty Sheller, and a tight batch of studio players who cook up the grooves in a classic Fania/Tico style.
The album's got some very groovy originals like: "The Micro Mini", "You're No Good", "My Dream", and "You Mess My Mind Up" plus some sweet covers, like: "The Word","Monday Monday", and "Wishing And Hoping".
-by dj fanis: here

"Nico Gomez And His Afro Percussion Inc.-Ritual-1971 Belgium":
Nico Gomez is a Belgian writer/composer who is famous for his Latin-American sounds. He conducted the famous Nico Gomez Orchestra and also wrote for Los Chakachas, another well known Belgian group.
"Ritual" recorded in the early 70s in Belgium its a tasty batch of Latin funk grooves, with a deep Afro-soul sound thrown into the mix, and some slight Chicano rock touches, like fuzzy guitar and heavy organ.
It includes fantastic funk versions of two Perez Prado groovers "Caballo Negro" and "Lupita"the latter of which is the monster dance floor mash up but the whole album really rocks.
-by dj fanis: here

"Cold Blood- First Taste Of Sin-1972 US":
Here is the first album for Reprise (and third overall) by San Francisco-based r&b/ jazz-rock group Cold Blood. Originally released in 1972, the record was produced by Donny Hathaway. Every cut is precious, good arranging, fabulous vocals.
-by dj fanis: here

"Cold Blood - Sisyphus -1971 US":
A San Francisco-based R&B band originally formed by guitarist Larry Field as the "New Invaders" in the wake of the Summer of Love, Cold Blood had the key elements of strong female vocalist, a fine guitarist, and a powerful horn section.They have also gone by the name Lydia Pense and Cold Blood due to the popularity of their lead singer, Lydia Pense.
Their initial four albums, "Cold Blood", "Sisyphus", "First Taste of Sin" and "Thriller" remain their best known work.
"Sisyphus" is their second album released in 1971 on the San Francisco label, includes a great version of the Hayes/Porter soul classic "Your Good Thing" (featuring the Pointer Sisters on backing vocals).
-by dj fanis: here

"Lonnie Smith - Move Your Hand - 1969 US":
This is Lonnie Smith not Lonnie Liston Smith whom many people mistake him for. Both of these artists play the Hammond organ. Lonnie has that essential groove that remains through the whole album.
On the Title track "Move Your Hand" Lonnie matches his organ brilliance with unique heart felt vocals. On "Sunshine Superman" Lonnie continues the saga. The man is backed by awesome performances on guitar by Larry Mcgee and Rudy Jones on Tenor Saxaphone as well as many other musicians also giving excellent performances.
-by dj fanis: here

"The Gabor Szabo Sextet-The Szabo Equation: Jazz/Mysticism/Exotica-1968 US":

Born in Hungary in 1936, Gabor Szabo began playing guitar when he was 14 and often played in dinner clubs and secret jam sessions while still living in Budapest. He relocated to the United States in 1956, after serving as a Freedom Fighter in Hungary. Settling in California, he attended Berklee College between 1958 and 1960.Gabor died on the 26th February,1982 in Budapest, after being hospitalised on his final visit home and shortly before his 46th birthday.
Gabor Szabo was one of the most original guitarists to emerge in the 1960s, mixing his Hungarian folk music heritage with a deep love of jazz and crafting a distinctive, largely self-taught sound.
This is an awesome lp from the master of gypsy- jazz guitar Gabor Szabo. Gabor's hypnotic guitar playing is the perfect thing to listen. His jazz guitar has a one of a kind surreal, psychedelic coolness to it that's never been duplicated. I recommend this album to fans of jazz guitar that want to hear something that is a little different.
Members:
Gabor Szabo (Guitar)
Jim Stewart (Guitar)
Mike Melvoin (Organ)
Louis Kabok (Bass Guitar)
Jim Keltner (Drums)
Hal Gordon (Percussion)
-by dj fanis: here

"Killing Floor - S/T-1969 UK":
The South London-based Killing Floor was originally a pop duo formed by lead guitarist Mick Clarke and vocalist/harmonica player Bill Thorndycraft. During the British blues boom of 1968-1969, they decided to form a "straight blues" group, recruiting prospective members from the classified pages of Melody Maker.
Joining them were piano player Lou Martin, bassist Stuart MacDonald, and drummer Bazz Smith. Taking their name from Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor" (Wolf's cover was itself a version of Robert Johnson's "The Lemon Song"), the band played just one gig before ex-Radio Caroline DJ and ardent blues fanatic John Edward offered to manage them. Here is their first album. (by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"Kostas Hatzis -Petra Kai Fos-Κώστας Χατζής - Πέτρα Και Φώς -1972 Greece":

Kostas Hatzis is a Greek Roma singer, songwriter and musician. Hatzis is regarded, indisputably, as one of the best and, at the same time, most pioneering creators. He is the one who substantially imposed the“voice-guitar” style, and for the first time wrote ballads with social messages.
Kostas Hatzis was born in Livadia. His grandfather was a great popular clarinetist, and his father also played the dulcimer very well. Therefore, it didn't take Kostas long to follow in his family’s footsteps. When he was sixteen years old, he’d go along with his father and sing at weddings, christenings and other events, where folk music was mainly played.
After travelling in the countryside for five-years he came to Athens, where he was a stranger among strangers.
This is the time when he tries to survive and find his own path. His efforts are met with terrible adversity, bitterness and disappointment and soon he will realize that the path he has chosen is full of thorns and traps hidden in each step he makes. This results, however, in him becoming one of the most representative artists of the modern Greek song. After eight harsh years, he performs on stage in the club “Tipoukeitos” and one year later in “Roulotta”. Two years later his first album is released and along with it comes recognition.
His talent is quickly discovered by the great composers of the time (Theodorakis, Hatzidakis, Xarhakos, Plessas, Markopoulos) with whom he later cooperated and performed their songs, in his own particular way adding strongly his personal style and particular sensibility, which add melody and meaning in the lyrics of the songs.
If the 60’s made Kostas Hatzis known, the 70’s established him as one of the most important composers and performers.
At the end of that decade Kostas Hatzis in one of his tours visits America for concerts addressing expatriate Greeks. It is worth noting that his fame as a singer for peace has reached the White House and the then US President invited him to meet him and congratulate him.
Kostas Hatzis was and is the quintessential representative of a restless youth that never grows old...and never goes out... (Long live Kostas and greetings for your name-day).

Ο Κώστας Χατζής θεωρείται απ’ τους κορυφαίους και συνάμα πρωτοπόρους δημιουργούς στο κοινωνικό τραγούδι. Είναι αυτός που ουσιαστικά επέβαλε το στυλ«φωνή-κιθάρα» και για πρώτη φορά ακούστηκαν μπαλάντες με κοινωνικά μηνύματα.
Ο Κώστας Χατζής γεννήθηκε στη Λιβαδειά. Ο παππούς του υπήρξε μεγάλος λαϊκός κλαρινετίστας αλλά και ο πατέρας του έπαιζε πολύ καλό σαντούρι γι’ αυτό και ο Κώστας δεν άργησε ν’ακολουθήσει τα βήματα της οικογενείας του. Στα δεκαέξι του κιόλας χρόνια τον έπαιρνε ο πατέρας του και τραγουδούσε σε γάμους και βαφτίσια και σε κάθε εκδήλωση που ήταν απαραίτητη η δημοτική κυρίως μουσική και μετά από πενταετή περιπλάνηση στην επαρχία έρχεται στην Αθήνα άγνωστος μεταξύ αγνώστων.
Είναι η εποχή που προσπαθεί να επιβιώσει και να βρει το δρόμο του. Την προσπάθεια του αυτή θα την πληρώσει με τρομερές στερήσεις, πίκρες και απογοητεύσεις και γρήγορα θα καταλάβει πως ο δρόμος που διάλεξε είναι γεμάτος αγκάθια και παγίδες που καιροφυλαχτούν σε κάθε βήμα.
Αυτό όμως έχει σαν αποτέλεσμα να αναδειχτεί σε έναν από τους πιο αντιπροσωπευτικούς καλλιτέχνες του ελληνικού τραγουδιού. Μετά από 8 χρόνια γεμάτα πίκρες και απογοητεύσεις, εμφανίζεται στη μπουάτ «Τιπούκειτος» και ένα χρόνο αργότερα στη «Ρουλότα». Δυο χρόνια μετά έρχεται ο πρώτος του δίσκος και μαζί με αυτόν η καθιέρωση.
Αν η δεκαετία του ’60 καθιέρωσε τον Κώστα Χατζή, η δεκαετία του ’70 τον ανέδειξε σαν έναν από τους πιο σπουδαίους συνθέτες και εκτελεστές.
Ο Κώστας Χατζής εν μέσω περιοδείας επισκέπτεται και την Αμερική για συναυλίες στον απόδημο Ελληνισμό. Αξιοσημείωτο είναι πως η φήμη του ως τραγουδιστή της ειρήνης έφτασε μέχρι και τον Λευκό οίκο όπου ο τότε Πρόεδρος τον προσκάλεσε για να τον γνωρίσει και να τον συγχαρεί για το έργο του.
Ο Κώστας Χατζής ήταν και είναι ο στοχασμός μιας ανήσυχης νιότης που δεν γερνάει ποτέ...και ποτέ δεν σβήνει...
( Ο "Πέτρα Και Φώς" είναι ένας από τους καλυτερους δίσκους του,ειδικά το ομώνυμο τραγούδι είναι άπαιχτο και να του ευχηθώ με την ευκαιρία ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ για την ονομαστική του εορτή.Στον πρώτο δίσκο και στην πρώτη πλευρά τους στίχους του Ηλία Λυμπερόπουλου "ντύνουν"στοιχεία της Δημοτικής αλλά και της τότε σύγχρονης μουσικής ,ενώ μέρος των τραγουδιών ηχογραφήθηκε σε γύφτικο σιδεράδικο). dj fanis
(by request)
part 1: here
part 2: here
part 3(bonus track of the video above): here

"The Clique- Sugar On Sunday-1969 US":
The Clique are a late 1960s U.S. sunshine pop band from Houston, Texas. The group was centered around record producer/songwriter Gary Zekley, who often employed session musicians.
Pena, Templeton and Cope joined this band from The Lavender Hour and Mike Teaque and Steve Headley from the same band were also briefly members of The Clique, who operated in Texas between 1966-71.
Their sole album, released by White Whale Records, featured the singles "I'll Hold Out My Hand" and "Sugar on Sunday" which reached #45 and #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, respectively. As it turned out, however, The Clique are not remembered today for "Sugar on Sunday," but for the song "Superman." Out of the ordinary for The Clique in its cool paisley moodiness and forceful guitar strumming, it was covered in 1986 by R.E.M. on "Life's Rich Pageant", their version has become far more famous than the original.
"Sugar On Sunday" was a cover written by Tommy James and The Shondells. Most of the White Whale 45s are from the album, but they may also have recorded a non-LP 45 from Laurie.
Members:
Tommy Pena-Bass
Sid Templeton-Guitar,Keyboards
Jerry Cope-Drums
Mike Teaque
Steve Headley
by dj fanis: here

"A Euphonious Wail -S/T-1973 US":
Heavily influenced by San Francisco bands (Big Brother and The Jefferson Airplane ), the Santa Rosa, California-based A Euphonious Wail was roughly five years behind creative and popular tastes. Built around the talents of drummer Doug Hoffman, keyboardist Bart Libby, singer Suzanne Rey, singer/guitarist Steve Tracy and bassist Gary Violetti, the band's self-titled 1973 debut teamed them with producer Brian Ingoldsby. Rare lost California psych rock album with great female vocals.
Members:
Suzanne Rey (percussion, vocals)
Bart Libby (organ, piano)
Steve Tracy (guitar, vocals)
Gary Violetti (bass, vocals)
Doug Huffman (drums, vocals)
-by dj fanis: here

"Peter Bardens -The Answer -1970 UK":
Peter Bardens (June 19, 1944 - January 22, 2002) was one of the founding members of the British progressive rock group Camel, playing keyboards.
Born in Westminster, South London, England, he often played the mellotron and synthesizer while working with the band, and wrote the majority of the songs while he was there (usually along with guitarist Andrew Latimer).
In 1965 he was the keyboard player with Them. Between 1966 and 1967 he was with the Shotgun Express, a group featuring Rod Stewart, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood. His band Pete B's Looners (or the Pete B's) also included Green and Fleetwood.
Three years before he formed Camel, his 1970 solo debut, "The Answer", is poised halfway between progressive rock and psychedelia. While post-psychedelic bluesy, wah-wah-laden riffs abound, touches like the semi-classical keyboard work on the title track foreshadow the prog-rockheights Bardens would soon hit with Camel.
Members:
Pete Bardens - Organ, Piano, Vocals

Steve Ellis - Vocals
Andy Gee - Guitar
Reg Isadore - Drums
Linda Lewis - Vocals
Alan Marshall - Percussion, Vocals
Bruce Thomas - Bass
David Wooley -Vocals and "Antiques"
Peter Green - Guitar (not credited on sleeve)
by dj fanis: here

"Killing Floor-Out of Uranus-1970 UK":
Killing Floor were one of the original British blues rock bands, part of the "Blues Boom" of the 1960s, and contemporaries of bands such as Free and Black Sabbath. The band toured with Texas blues legend Freddie King and released two albums "Killing Floor" and "Out of Uranus" which have both become cult classics.
Killing Floor came together in 1968 when singer Bill Thorndycraft and guitarist Mick Clarke met up in a South London blues band. After one unsatisfactory gig with the band the two decided to form a new unit together...Bill suggested the name Killing Floor.
Bill had already met drummer Bazz Smith while touring in Germany, and ads in the "Melody Maker" music paper brought responses from bass player Stuart McDonald and pianist Lou Martin.
The band rehearsed hard in various South London pubs and rehearsal rooms, learning a repertoire of Chicago blues standards, but adding their own rock influences. Their first live performance was at London's "Middle Earth" with Captain Beefheart, and soon the band was playing at all the blues clubs of the time, including appearances at London's Marquee club with The Nice and Yes.
The first album was released in 1969 on the Spark Label, a subsidiary of the Southern Music publishing group, and licensed in the USA by Sire Records.
In March 1970 the band played at the Easter Festival in Hamburg with The Nice, Black Sabbath and many others, and in the summer they spent a relaxing six weeks working in the South of France.
On their return from France the band went back to Pye Studios in London to record their second album, "Out of Uranus", released on Larry Page's "Penny Farthing" label. There was also a single released, "Call For the Politicians",which received heavy airplay on BBC Radio 1, and also sold well in Germany.
The first album "Killing Floor" is regarded as a classic of British blues from the 60s and achieves high prices for original vinyl copies. The second album "Out of Uranus" has become known as a classic of "psycho heavy blues".
-by dj fanis: here

"Jonathan Swift-Introvert -1971 UK":
Jonathan played with various groups in London for about 18 months before meeting his present manager Brian Lane, who listened to his songs and then set about securing for a recording contract. By the release of his first LP on CBS "Introvert " he has also been touring with Leon Russel and Yes. All the songs but one on the nine track album have been written by Jonathan who sings and accompanies himself on six string and 12-string acoustic guitar.The album is in a folk-rock mood.
-by dj fanis: here

"Los Mac's - Kaleidoscope Men - 1967 Chile":
Los Mac's were formed in Valparaiso, Chile, in 1962 by the Mc Iver brothers. They soon moved to Santiago, where Willy Morales and Eric Franklin joined the band.
"Kaleidoscope Men" was their third album and they consider it 'The best psychedelic album ever produced in Chile'. Influenced by "Sgt. Pepper's" , with a superb production and a band musically skilled and ready to go one step beyond, this is a MUST-HAVE album for any 60's music lover.
Members:
David Mc Iver (guitars, vocals)
Carlos Mc Iver (bass, vocals)
Willy Morales (guitars, keyboards, vocals)
Eric Franklin (drums)
-by dj fanis: here

"Oscar Brown Jr. & Luiz Henrique - Finding a New Friend-1966 US":
Oscar Brown, Jr (October 10, 1926 – May 29, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, and civil rights activist. Luiz Henrique Rosa (Tubarão, November 25, 1938 - Florianópolis, July 9, 1985), also known as Luiz Henrique, was a Brazilian singer and musician.
"Finding a New Friend " is a nice, subtle readings of (largely) Brazilian material, mostly in the bossa nova vein, with a few original compositions by Oscar. This effort emerged out of a friendship between Oscar Brown and Luis Henrique, whom he met at Greenwich Village's Cafe Au Go Go in August 1965.
The album also includes a few Brazilian standards like "Laia Ladaia" and "Manha de Carnaval" as appetizers before the collaboration begins in earnest. The multi-talented Brazilian Sivuca is responsible for three of the soft-focused arrangements, while Henrique takes charge of the rest. While neither hard bossa, nor Brown's usual fiery stuff, is a nice mellow blending of two rich voices.
-by dj fanis: here

"Luiz Henrique & Walter Wanderley -Popcorn -1967 Brazil":

An excellent collaboration between 2 of Verve's best Brazilian artists of the late 60s, the groovy organist Walter Wanderley and the breezy breathy vocalist Luiz Henrique.

The set is a perfect example of the way that Verve took bossa playing and gave it a groovy production twist turning it into something that was just a little bit different, in a mode that became America's best contribution to the bossa era.
The legendary Sivuca puts in a great guest appearance on a few tracks, further enhancing the sound with his "singing" style of accordion work and the whole thing bounces along in a magical groove that's hardly been duplicated again!

Titles include a very unusual funk-based take on "Happy Birthday" one that has a bit of a break to it, plus "Dusty Road", "Popcorn" (not the Perry-Kingsley hit), "Florianopolis", "In My Automobile", and "Blue Island".
-by dj fanis: here

"Miriam Makeba-Pata Pata-1967 South Africa":
Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 - 10 November 2008) was a South African singer and civil rights activist. Zenzile Miriam Makeba was born in Johannesburg in 1932. Makeba first toured with an amateur group. Her professional career began in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers, before she formed her own group, The Skylarks, singing a blend of jazz and traditional melodies of South Africa.
In 1959, she performed in the musical King Kong alongside Hugh Masekela, her future husband. Though she was a successful recording artist, she was only receiving a few dollars for each recording session and no provisional royalties, and was keen to go to the United States.
Her break came when she had a short guest appearance in the anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa in 1959 by independent filmmaker Lionel Rogosin. The short cameo made an enormous impression on the viewers and Lionel Rogosin managed to organise a visa for her to leave South Africa and to attend the premiere of the film at the Venice Film Festival.
Makeba then travelled to London where she met Harry Belafonte, who assisted her in gaining entry to and fame in the United States. She released many of her most famous hits there including "Pata Pata", "The Click Song" ("Qongqothwane" in Xhosa), and "Malaika".
"Pata Pata" is Miriam's biggest hit! "Pata Pata" is the name of a South African dance. It is written in the Xhosa language and means something like "touch touch".
Miriam Makeba wrote "Pata Pata" as a young woman in 1957, before she ever left South Africa. But it was not until 1967, that she recorded and released the song in the US."Pata Pata" entered the American music charts and was very successful.
In 1966, Makeba received the Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording together with Harry Belafonte for "An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba". The album dealt with the political plight of black South Africans under apartheid. She discovered that her South African passport was revoked when she tried to return there in 1960 for her mother's funeral. In 1963, after testifying against apartheid before the United Nations, her South African citizenship and her right to return to the country were revoked. She has had nine passports, and was granted honorary citizenship of ten countries.
On 9 November 2008, she became ill while taking part in a concert organized to support writer Roberto Saviano in his stand against the Camorra, a mafia-like organisation local to the Region of Campania. The concert was being held in Castel Volturno, near Caserta, Italy.
Makeba suffered a heart attack after singing her hit song "Pata Pata", and was taken to the "Pineta Grande" clinic where doctors were unable to revive her. Several reports gave her cause of death as cardiac arrest, apparently quoting a death certificate signed by a licensed physician: most physicians regard cardiac arrest a symptom of death, rather than a cause. In Makeba's case, the cause would be a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
-by dj fanis: here

"Shango-S/T-1969 US":
Shango consisted of Malcolm Evans (St. Croix, Virgin Islands), Richard Hernandez (Torrance, California), Joe Barile (Ischia, island off of Italy), and Tommy Reynolds (St. Croix, Virgin Islands). Shango, pioneers of combining rock with Jamaican reggae, came on the scene in 1969 with the single "Day After Day (It's Slipping Away).
Their first self titled album has a superb arrangement on "A Taste of Honey," while "Hey Jude" is a rolling marimba instrumental. Other great cuts include a cover of Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" and Curtis Mayfield's "Um Um Um Um Um Um".
-by dj fanis: here

"Julie Driscoll - 1969 -1971 UK":
Recorded in '69 but shelved by Polydor until January of 1971, Julie Driscoll's "1969" is truly a lost classic. Recorded following the disbanding of Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity, who scored a worldwide hit with their highly imaginative cover of Dylan's "This Wheel's on Fire".
The sessions featured a stellar cast of guest musicians from the worlds of jazz and rock, such as Elton Dean, Nick Evans, Karl Jenkins and Marc Charig (all former members of Soft Machine), Brian Godding, Jim Creegan, Brian Belshaw (from the legendary group Blossom Toes) and other celebrated lumini, including Chris Speeding, Bob Downes and Keith Tippett, Driscoll's future husband.
Her debut solo album "1969" is a unique work, veering from folk influences to experimental free form jazz, showcasing the vocal ability of Julie Driscoll, surely one of Britain's greatest ever female vocalists.
-by dj fanis: here

ChrisGoesRock new adress:
http://chrisgoesrock2.blogspot.com/

"Kaleidoscope-S/T-1969 Mexico":
No relation to bands of the same name from California or from England, this album recorded in Mexico. Contains mind frying fuzz guitars, electronic psychedelic effects, swirling keyboards and drugged lyrics/vocals in English. The original members came from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Spain.Their sole album is an incredible mind expander from the late '60s.
Members:
Francis Tirado, Bass and Vocals, Puerto Rico
Rafi Cruz, Drums, Dominican Republic
Julio Arturo Fernández, Organ, Dominican Republic
Pedrín García, Guitar, Spain
Orlando (Orly) Vázquez, Guitar and Bass, Puerto Rico
-by dj fanis: here

"Ambros Seelos His Electrical Saxophone And Orchestra - Fire - 1968 Germany":
Ambros Seelos is a German music composer, singer, arranger, conductor, beginning in the 1960s. Ambros Seelos and His Orchestra performed Big Band sound music.
The highlights here is their cover of "Peter Gunn" with organ,sax & horns, Arthur Brown's "Fire" and the interesting soul jazz track "Swingle Beat".
-by dj fanis: here

"Danny McCulloch-Wings Of Man- 1969 US":
Daniel 'Danny' McCulloch (born 18 July 1945) is an English musician, best known for having been the bassist of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Eric Burdon & The Animals.
He started his career as a member of Screaming Lord Sutch's band and in 1967 joined Eric Burdon and the Animals. In late 1966, after the breakup of the original incarnation of The Animals, McCulloch joined in for being the first "New Animal" of frontman Eric Burdon's new formation.
It released a series of albums and hit singles, the latter including "San Franciscan Nights", "Monterey" and "Sky Pilot". Band members guitarist Vic Briggs and McCulloch were fired from the band to put in future Police man Andy Summers for the last New Animals album, "Love Is", in late 1968.
McCulloch and Briggs started a duo career. In 1969 they released the album "Wings of a Man" produced by Briggs, for Capitol Records in U.S and for EMI in U.K. Like late 1960s albums, this one featured a weird mixture of English and American influences. Tracks like the remake of "Orange and Red Beams", "Glistening Windows", "Close of Life" and the pretty ballad "Mirror of the Sky" were quite commercial, but also sported a psychedelic feel, complete with phasing and other studio effects.
-by dj fanis: here

"The Deidre Wilson Tabac-S/T-1970 US":
Kind of a hard album to describe, a bit too horny to be folk funk, but a bit too whussed out to be horn rock.The highlights here is definitely their cover of the Beatles "Get Back" a fantastically funky cover of the Beatles tune, done with snapping percussion and organ remaking the whole thing into a really great funk track and Al Kooper's "I Can't Keep From Cryin' Sometimes", features guitar leaping over skittish snare drums, all setting the pace for a really hip jazzy vocal, one that swings with an incredibly catchy hook. Most of the other tracks here they have a cool, beat-heavy sound with a singer/songwriter meets Stax/Volt sort of feel.
-by dj fanis: here

"Design - Tomorrow Is So Far Away-1972 UK":
"Tomorrow Is So Far Away" is the 2nd of their two albums for Epic by the sunshine psych pop band Design. Superb musical backing from among others Alan Hawkshaw,Alan Parker,Clem Cattini,Syd Dale,Chris Spedding and Herbie Flowers.
The opening track, "Take A Boat" is sensational. There is an artful cover of the Beatle's "Strawberry Fields Forever" and a lush and faithful cover of The Groop's "The Jet Song".
One more cover is Paul McCartney's "Man We Was Lonely" that the group does beautifully by a sight better than Paul himself did with this substandard, throw-away tune. Also of note is the album's title track, the lovely and tender "Tomorrow Is So Far Away".
-by dj fanis: here

ABOUT GREEK CRISIS

"Tobruk -Ad Lib-1972 Brazil":

Tobruk were a five-piece who recorded in Brazil, and released this album in 1972. There has been a rumour that this band was really from America, but as it turns out it was a group of Brazilians pretending to be American to help push lp sales???
Obviously their country of domicile did not influence their music, as the album consists of fairly mainstream US 70's rock. "I'm In Love With You" is a fairly low-key opener, with a laidback vocal style giving it a West Coast Feel. "Theme From My Mind" employs a different singer, with a somewhat unusual vocal sound, but it does have some more inventive guitar-work than previously, and a weird spoken outro.
The almost side-long "Ad Lib" itself has a scat-sung central piece, spoken word soliloquy, chanted vocal backing, and an extended coda, which might sound like a bit of a mish-mash but actually works quite well. "Send It For Tomorrow" goes back to the mainstream rock approach to finish off the album, although once again the vocals let it down slightly.
It's a pretty good psychedelic album with an astounding, original sound based in fuzz, organ, psychedelic effects and an eerie atmosphere.It's completely sung in English as well.
-by hippy-djkit: here

"O Tzimakos Kai Oi Mousikes Taksiarhies-Ο Τζιμάκος Και Οι Μουσικές Ταξιαρχίες-Disco Tsoutsouni-1980 Greece":
Tzimis Panousis is a Greek Rock musician and stand-up comedian born in Athens on February 12, 1954. His fans often refer to him as “Tzimakos” (little Jim).
Panousis made his first appearance in the mid 1970s, performing in various pubs, with his band "Mousikes Taksiarhies" (Musical Brigades). Panousis was the vocalist and main composer of the group. Their first (unofficial) album was "Disco Tsoutsouni" (Disco Weenie) released in 1980 on tape, with songs recorded before 1977. It was an illegally published tape, many songs of which were later rerecorded for the band's official debut, their eponymous album in 1982. In 1986, Mousikes Taksiarhies was disbanded and Panousis went solo.

Ανεξάρτητη παραγωγή των Μουσικών Ταξιαρχιών που κυκλοφόρησε το 1980 σε κασέτα και περιέχει 10 τραγούδια ηχογραφημένα πριν το 1977. Οι τίτλοι των τραγουδιών είναι καμουφλαρισμένοι με τίτλους ταινιών.Στο 10 τραγουδάει η Λίλη (γυναίκα του Τζίμη).Τα 1,2,7,8 ξανακυκλοφόρησαν σε επανεκτέλεση στο δίσκο "Μουσικές Ταξιαρχίες" το 1982.
Members:
Spiros Pazios-Σπύρος Πάζιος (guitar)
Vaggelis Vekios-Βαγγέλης Βέκιος (drums)
Akis Daoutis-Άκης Δαούτης (bass)
Vaggelis Svarnas-Βαγγέλης Σβάρνας (sax,guitar)
Dimitris Papanikolaou-Δημήτρης Παπανικολάου (piano)
Tzimis Panousis-Τζίμης Πανούσης (vocals,lyrics)
(by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"Cymande-S/T-1972 UK":

Cymande (Sah-mahn-day) formed in 1971 in London, England by musicians from Guyana and Jamaica. The name Cymande is derived from a Calypso word for Dove, which symbolizes peace and love. The group developed a subtle and complex, deep funk style influenced by calypso rhythms, jazz, African music, American soul and UK rock of the time.
Cymande was accidentally discovered by English producer John Schroeder in a Soho, London club where they were rehearsing. He soon signed the band and recorded their initial single "The Message." The single was released by Janus Records, a division of Chess Records. The track reached number 20 on the US R&B and Pop charts. This set the stage for Cymande's self titled release in 1972. By the mid-70s the band members were going their separate ways and the group was disbanded in 1974. The band released three LPs for Janus: "Cymande" in 1972, "Second Time Round" in 1973 and "Promised Heights" in 1974.
Cymande can now be seen as one of the most sophisticated of the funk acts that evolved in the early 1970s.
Members:
Ray King - Vocals/Percussion
Steve Scipio - Bass
Derek Gibbs - Soprano/Alto
Pablo Gonsales - Congas
Joey Dee - Vocals/Percussion
Peter Serreo - Tenor
Sam Kelly - Drums
Mike Rose - Alto/Flute/Bongos
Patrick Patterson - Guitar
-by dj fanis: here

"O'Donel Levy-Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky -1973 US":
O'Donel Levy plays tight and funky guitar, and also sings a bit on the set, working with a tight combo that features Charles Covington on keyboards, and some great electric funk arrangements by Dave Matthews. The album's got a more full-on funk approach than some of Levy's more laidback efforts from the time and the instrumentation's all very hard-grooving, with lots of sweet electric touches. Among the surprizes include a really uptempo but funky version of "Will It Go Round Circles".The title track actually beats Lou Donaldson's classic version and "Living For The City" again cranks uptempo and "Marbles" is some prime early '70s fusion funk at its best.
-by dj fanis: here

"Dr. John - In The Right Place -1973 US":
Although he didn't become widely known until the 1970s, Dr. John had been active in the music industry since the late '50s, when the teenager was still known as Mac Rebennack. A formidable boogie and blues pianist with a lovable growl of a voice, his most enduring achievements have fused New Orleans R&B, rock, and Mardi Gras craziness to come up with his own brand of "voodoo" music.
In the late '50s, Rebennack gained prominence in the New Orleans R&B scene as a session keyboardist and guitarist, contributing to records by Professor Longhair, Frankie Ford, and Joe Tex.
After a gun accident damaged his hand in the early '60s, he gave up the guitar to concentrate on keyboards exclusively. Skirting trouble with the law and drugs, he left the increasingly unwelcome environs of New Orleans in the mid-'60s for Los Angeles, where he found session work with the help of fellow New Orleans expatriate Harold Battiste. Rebennack renamed himself Dr. John when he recorded his first album, "Gris-Gris" in 1968.
In 1973, he got his sole big hit, "In the Right Place" which was produced by Allen Toussaint, with backing by The Meters.
-by dj fanis: here

"Wendy & Bonnie - Genesis - 1969 US":
The sister duo of Wendy Flower and Bonnie Flower (their real names, not aliases), Wendy & Bonnie recorded one album in the late '60s. "Genesis" is pleasant, if naïve, harmonized light rock with psychedelic, jazz, and folk influences. It is impressive given their tender ages, Wendy Flower was just 17, and Bonnie Flower only 13, when it was recorded in late 1968, and the pair wrote all of the material on the LP.
The Flowers grew up in a musical family in the San Francisco Bay Area, and prior to recording on their own, did a couple of garage-psychedelic singles as part of Crystal Fountain, Wendy sang lead, and Bonnie played drums. Jazz star Cal Tjader put them to the attention of a jazz label he recorded for, Skye, which made the Wendy & Bonnie LP its lone venture into rock.
"Genesis" was pretty sparsely produced, the arrangements highlighting their harmonies and pensive paisley tunes, but did benefit from backing by some top Los Angeles session musicians, including drummer Jim Keltner and guitarist Larry Carlton.
-by dj fanis: here

"Akido-S/T-1972 US":
This is an afrobeat/psychedelic funk album.It's mostly instrumental, with powerful, but repetitive African drum rhythms, and excellent heavy guitar.
Members:
Backing Vocals - Danielle Delon , Fayi Crown
Bass, Vocals - Biddy Wright
Congas - Jeff Whittaker
Guitar - Peter Andrews (Foxy)
Percussion - Speedy (Neemoi) Acquaye
-by dj fanis: here

"Dom - Edge of Time - 1971 Germany":
"Edge of Time" is a very dreamy & mysterious album with lots of organ, acoustic guitars and hand percussion. Drugs obviously played a part in the creation of this. "Edge Of Time" was Dom's sole album.Originally released in 1971, Dom was a four-piece with members that came from Hungary,Germany and Poland. Α true lost/little known krautrock/progressive must-have for any and all true fans of such. Electronic progressive hippie psychedelia at its finest.
Μembers:
Laszko Baksay- bass & vocals
Gabor Baksay-flute, percussion & vocals
Hans Georg Stopk- organ & vocals
Reiner Puzalowski- guitar & vocals
-by hippy-djkit: here

"101 Strings - Astro Sounds From Beyond the Year 2000-1968 US ":

Throughout the `60s, 101 Strings recorded several albums of easy listening instrumentals. But in 1968, when the space race was in full swing and psychedelia was sweeping the globe, 101 Strings let its hair down for a full-blown exotica freakout.
A version of this music was originally released in Europe in '67 with the title "The Animated Egg". For the US release, the producers (David Miller and Alan Sherman) gave the tracks some additional over-dubbing of spacey strings and deep-space gimmickery and released the LP as "Astro-Sounds from Beyond The Year 2000".
Fuzz-ed out guitars, heavy drums and strings all collided to create what has become one of the top cult classics of the psychedelic era. A classic and much sought-after psychedelic groover "Astro Sounds from Beyond The Year 2000" from 101 Strings. The bonus tracks are sexy-excellent!!!
- by dj fanis: here