"Louis Ramirez And His Latin Jazz Ensemble-A Tribute To Cal Tjader -1986 US":
Louis Ramirez (born 24 Feb. 1938, Manhattan, NYC of Puerto Rican descent- died 7 June 1993, Queens, NYC played timbales, vibes and keyboards) was one of NY salsa's most successful and imaginative arrangers and producers, rightly described as "El Genio de la Salsa"(The Genius of Salsa) and the Quincy Jones of salsa.
The vibes player Cal Tjader became one of the most important pioneers of the modern Latin Jazz scene and in 1986 (after his death in 1982) a large group of top Latin musicians were assembled by the virtuoso vibes player & arranger Louie Ramirez to record a tribute album to his great hero. The result is this fabulous session featuring the amazing Paquito D'Rivera on alto sax, the veteran Cuban flautist Jose Fajardo, Isidro Infante on piano, percussionist Jose Mangual Jr.,Ray de La Paz on vocals and 15 other top players. The music on this inspired part-improvised session draws from bolero, cha-cha and mambo as well as bebop Afro-Cuban and salsa. (by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66-Fool On The Hill-1968 Brazil":
Sergio Mendes rode the Brazilian craze of the mid-1960s and became one of Herb Albert's signature artists, even as the hits dried up and the records started going psychedelic. This album presents a second version of Brasil '66, including the excellent Brazilian musicians Rubens Bassini, Sebastiao Neto and Dom Um Romao. The string arrangements were written by Dave Grusin. Before he became a slick popster, he was a pretty fair bossa pianist, but his real talent lay in contemporizing (ethnicizing) Up with People-type vocalists and laying commercial Brazilian tracks behind the Beatles' title track and Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair", as well as some of Brazil's own.
-by dj fanis: here

"Circus 2000-S/T- 1970 Italy":
This is the first and rarest of two LPs by this progressive psychedelic band, featured strong and beautiful female vocals with English language lyrics. Circus 2000, from Turin, was one of the few american sounding Italian band, were formed in 1970 and released late that year both their first album and single. Total psych monster here, one of my favorites record from Italy and one of the top creations from the entire European continent.

Members:
Silvana Aliotta (vocals, percussion)
Marcello "Spooky" Quartarone (guitar, vocals)
Gianni Bianco (bass)
Roberto “Johnny” Betti (drums)
-by dj fanis: here

Chris Goes Rock New Blog : HERE

"Garybaldi-Astrolabio- 1973 Italy":
Garybaldi was an Italian progressive rock band founded in the early 1970s. They were founded as Gleemen by guitarist Bambi Fossati and apart from Fossati, they included Maurizio Cassinelli (drums and voice), Lio Marchi (keyboards) and Angelo Traverso (bass). In 1971 they changed their name to Garybaldi, under which they published their first LP in 1972, entitled "Nuda" (Naked). Inspired by both Jimi Hendrix and rock progressive style, it featured a notable cover by artist Guido Crepax.
In 1973 Marchi and Traverso left, Sandro Serra entering as bassist. Under this new formation the band released their second LP, "Astrolabio", where the rock progressive influence was more evident. The band broke up after its release.
-by dj fanis: here

"Kim Jung Mi -S/T -1974 Korea":
This is a 1974 album by groovy Korean psychedelic pop singer Kim Jung Mi, known throughout as the the "Francois Hardy" of Korean pop. The tracks on this self-titled album have a deep thumping bass lines,horns, groovy organ and some strings, including a cover version of Janis Joplin's "Move Over" (titled "I Really Don't Know").
-by dj fanis: here

"Mulatu Astatke And His Ethiopian Quintet-Afro-Latin Soul-1966 Ethiopia":

Mulatu Astatke is perhaps the most important and influential musician to come out of Ethiopia in the second half of the twentieth century. Mulatu is a multi-talented musician, composer, arranger, and has created a new sound "Aftro-Latin Soul". He has taken the ancient five-tone scale of Asia and Africa and woven them into something unique and exciting. A mixture of three cultures, Ethiopian, Puerto Rican and American.
This 1966 LP by Astatke it is more in the Latin soul-jazz sound of the mid-'60s. His inspired synthesis of jazz and afro-cuban styles with the musical traditions of his home country has produced a body of work that stands alone in the fields of spiritual jazz and soulful, meditative grooves.On his own compositions and arrangements (which comprise about half the LP), sometimes more exotic and African colors bubble closer to the surface, as on the eerie vibe parts he lays on "Mascaram Setaba".
The album recorded in Brooklyn, NY.
-by dj fanis: here

"Donny Hathaway - Live -1972 US":
Donny Edward Hathaway (October 18, 1945 – January 13, 1979) was an American soul musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music." His collaborations with Roberta Flack scored high on the charts and won him the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the duet, "Where Is the Love" in 1973. Six years later, his body was found outside the luxury hotel Essex House in New York City, his death was ruled a suicide.
"Live" was recorded in 1972 at two concerts, tracks 1-4 at The Troubadour in Hollywood, and 5-8 at the The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. It features only one song penned by Hathaway, "The Ghetto", with the rest of the set consisting of cover songs. The album features some traditional soul anthems, such as Marvin Gaye's 1971 hit "What's Going On", but also Carole King's folk standard "You've Got A Friend".
Members:
Donny Hathaway- vocals, keyboards
Phil Upchurch- lead guitar (1-4)
Cornell Dupree- lead guitar (5-8)
Mike Howard- guitar
Willie Weeks- bass
Fred White- drums
Earl DeRouen- conga drums

-by dj fanis: here

"Tim Buckley-Dream Letter- Live In London 1968":
This tour document, which features guitarist Lee Underwood, British bassist Danny Thompson and vibraphonist David Friedman, captures a potentially awkward transitional moment for Buckley—he is thinking in expansive, free-form terms, while his audience is expecting the saturnalia dreamscapes and wordy confessions of "Goodbye nd Hello". He manages to satisfy all here, looking both forward and backward in a way that makes "Dream Letter" a concise and ideal introduction to his work. Buckley serves up gorgeously pliant, questioning treatments of his familiar material as well as new songs in which his bliss-seeking voice is enhanced by Underwood, who sprinkles guitar serenity in the margins.
Several times he juxtaposes verses from different originals together. After a strong verse of his literary "Pleasant Street," he launches into a passionate rendition of the Motown hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On." It's a stroke of genius, the linking of crazy abstraction with a hook so urgent and universal it lights up everything around it. The album recorded 10 July, 1968 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall,London,Egland.
-by dj fanis: here

"Mandrill -S/T-1970 US":
Mandrill is an American funk band formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1968. The band was formed by three brothers: Carlos Wilson (trombone, vocals), Lou Wilson (trumpet, vocals) and Ric Wilson (sax, vocals). The brothers were born in Panama and grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn.
Their songs have been sampled by many hip-hop acts such as Johnny D, Public Enemy, Shawty Lo, Big L, Kanye West, Jin, Eminem, and 9th Wonder. They combined funk with many other styles like Latin, salsa, rock, blues and soul.Their first three albums were recorded at Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios in New York’s Greenwich Village. During the recording of their first selftitled album in 1970 they often shared the facility with Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix and other notable artists. Plans to perform with Jimi Hendrix were thwarted by his untimely death.
-by dj fanis: here

"Morton Stevens Orchestra-Hawaii Five-0-TV Soundtrack-1968 US":
"Hawaii Five-O" was an American television series that starred Jack Lord and James MacArthur as detectives for a fictional Hawaii state police department. The show ran for 12 seasons, from 1968 to 1980, making it the longest running crime show on American television.

The theme music composed by Morton Stevens and his Orchestra became especially popular. Enjoy!!! (by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"Esther Phillips with Beck- For All We Know -1976 US":
This 1976 Kudu date under Esther Phillips' name is notable for two major reasons, and both of them are Joe Beck. While Creed Taylor produced the date, all of the sets arrangements were done by Beck, who wove an entire band's sound around the smoking, soulful grooves of his guitar. His playing is the other reason this set is so memorable. Beck is at his most inspired and fluidly funky, he is present everywhere in the mix but nonetheless crafts the strengths of the ensemble around Phillips' unusual voice. Other players include the Brecker Brothers, Don Grolnick, Fred Wesley, Will Lee, Bobby Lyle, Steve Khan, and many others.
Highlights include the title track, her up-tempo rave-up of "Unforgettable," with killer breaks by Beck and Michael Brecker, the dirtiest, funkiest version ever of Jackie DeShannon's "Pure Natural Love," and a Latin-tinged read of "Goin' Out of My Head."
However, in spite of all the promotional efforts by the CTI team, "For All We Know" did not yield any huge hit a la "What A Diff’rence A Day Makes", although two tracks "Fever" and "For All We Know" received heavy airplay.
-by dj fanis: here

"Kellee Patterson -Kellee-1976 US":
Born in the midwest just outside Chicago, Kellee Patterson grew up in Gary, Indiana.

Kellee Patterson's rise into the public eye came in 1971 when she was the first black girl to become Miss Indiana when she entered the Miss America pageant with merits for her singing talents.
When she attended college, she sang with a group called Groovy And The Electra's, Kellee got to sing the covers of Aretha Franklin and Glady's Knight tunes of the day. Shortly after being in the band, Kellee won the Miss America Pageant in her home town. This led to several recording contract offers.
After considering Motown, she signed to Gene Russell's Black Jazz Records label. Here she cut an album called "Maiden Voyage", which was based around the Herbie Hancock tune.
Following this release, Black Jazz decided to become a production company, so Russell signed Kellee to Shadybrook Records. Here Kellee recorded one album called "Kellee" in 1976.
Her version of the Barry White tune, "I'm Going To Love You A Little More, Baby", being highly popular.
-by dj fanis: here

"Jesse Colin Young-Light Shine-1974 US":
Jesse Colin Young producing some of the best music coming out of Northern California, with his unique voice. This album is a followup to "Song For Juli", with more mellow jazzy blues songs, of the same jazz influenced ground as Van Morrison.
-by dj fanis: here

"The Ventures - Swamp Rock-1969 US":
The album is The Ventures' attempt to make a set of down-home country and rock using Creedence Clearwater Revival as a template. Two John Fogerty songs, "Green River" and "Proud Mary," are performed on the record, as are Hank Williams' "Jambalaya," Jim Ford's "Niki Hokey (Speedway)," The Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" and Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds."
"Swamp Rock" it's still an entertaining record and one of their more enjoyable efforts of the late '60s.
-by dj fanis: here

"Jeannie C. Riley-Harper Valley P.T.A-1968 US":
Jeannie C. Riley (born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson, October 19, 1945) is an American country music singer. Riley is best-known for her 1968 hit, "Harper Valley P.T.A." The song made her the first female singer to have a song go to No. 1 on both the country music and pop music charts simultaneously. The record quickly became one of the most well-known country music songs of all time. Written by Tom T. Hall, the song was released by Plantation Records.
She had moderate success with country music, but never duplicated the success of "Harper Valley P.T.A".
-by dj fanis: here

"The Isley Brothers-Rock Around The Clock-1975 US":
This is a compilation album which contains some late 50's and early '60s songs by Isley Brothers, released in 1975 by RCA records. (by request)
-by dj fanis: here

"Ray Anthony-Swim, Swim, C'mon Let's Swim-1964 US":
Ray Anthony was born Raymond Antonioni on January 20, 1922, in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania.
Band leader Ray Anthony has been an immense presence on the swing scene for over 50 years. He cut his teeth as a trumpeter, performing first with Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey during the 1940s before embarking on a successful solo career. During the 1950s and 1960s he appeared in numerous movies and on television shows.
Rock & roll, teenage dances, screaming electric guitar and sax solos. That's the sound of dance band leader Ray Anthony rolling with the punches and staying true to his dance format in a modern context. "Swim, Swim, C'mon Let's Swim" shows how far afield the big-band veterans could stray in their attempts to sell records in a changing world.
Besides Beatles songs and half an album of exhortations to "Do The Swim," Ray Anthony covers a few rock oldies and turns in an exciting instrumental version of "Twist And Shout."
"Swim, Swim, C'mon Let's Swim" is one of his most unusual albums, produced by Bill Miller and Dave Axelrod.
-by dj fanis: here

"Ultimate Spinach - Ultimate Spinach III -1969 US":
The Ultimate Spinach was a psychedelic/hard rock/blues band originally from Boston.Composed of keyboardist/guitarist Ian Bruce-Douglas and singer Barbara Hudson was a band of Boston's alternative scene in the second half of the 1960s.
The third and final Ultimate Spinach studio album belongs to the band in name only, all members save singer/guitarist Barbara Hudson having departed by this point.This album leaves behind the psychedelic effects that characterised the Bruce-Douglas period and developing a generic sound more reminiscent of such acts as The Byrds, The Monkees and the '68-era Beach Boys.Hudson’s vocals are still quite striking, but the rest of the lineup consisted of journeyman studio musicians and MGM label stringers, and the tenor of the music is far removed from the commercial-leaning psych pop the band had churned out on their previous records.
One of the musicians who played on the album was guitarist Jeff Baxter, future session man for Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers.
Members:
Jeff Baxter- Lead Guitar, Steel guitar, Vocals
Barbara Hudson-Vocals,Guitar
Michael Levine-Bass
Russ Levine- Drums, Percussion
Ted Myers-Vocals, Guitar
Tony Scheuren-Keyboards, Acoustic & Bowed Guitars, Vocals
-by dj fanis: here

"Eyes Of Blue - In Fields Of Ardath- 1969 UK":
Formed in Neath, Wales, Eyes Of Blue line up consisted of guitarist Ritchie Francis, singer Gary Pickford-Hopkins, keyboardist Phil Ryan, drummer John Weathers and bassist Ray Williams.
The group's second album "In Fields Of Ardath" released in November and is generally regarded as the more successful and 'progressive' of the two albums released under the Eyes Of Blue name. Quincy Jones supplied the sleevenotes this time, and commented "All the ethnic qualities which I had recalled about the people of Wales were manifest in that tape. There was a native sensuality in their playing. Eyes Of Blue was musically curious."
The record has also been described as having Pop, R&B jazz, classical, psychedelic and Eastern influences. The best tracks are: "Merry Go Round" (from the 'Toy Grabbers' soundtrack), which is a keyboard-dominated progressive piece with some good guitar breaks and much classical influence, Graham Bond's "Spanish Blues" with some jazzy organ and "Door", with its spooky vocals.
They also recorded an album in October 1968 as the backing band to American singer-songwriter Buzz Linhart (Buzzy). Phil Ryan later played in Man, whilst Weathers went onto play with Pete Brown and Piblokto! and Gentle Giant. Ritchie Francis later made a solo album in 1971. The band later recorded as Big Sleep and aided Ancient Grease on their sole album.
-by dj fanis: here

"Babe Ruth -Amar Caballero-1973 UK":
Babe Ruth are a rock music group, primarily active through the 1970s, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. Their characteristically 'heavy' sound is marked by powerful vocals from Janita (Jenny) Haan and full arrangements by Alan Shacklock. They are acknowledged as having more commercial success in North America than in their home country.
When the group was first formed in 1971, they were called Shacklock after their guitarist Alan Shacklock. Members included Janita Haan and Dave Hewitt, with Dave Punshon and Dick Powell later joining.
The first release was their single "Elusive" and their first album, "First Base", went gold in Canada. In 1973, Ed Spevock replaced Powell and Chris Holmes replaced Punshon on their second album "Amar Caballero". The title song is the highlight on this album.
-by dj fanis: here

"Hugo Montenegro - Good Vibrations-1969 US":
This 1969 album finds Montenegro working comfortably in that vein as he tackles a diverse array of pop songs, novelties, and film and television themes. As the liner notes state, Montenegro goes to great pains to incorporate a unique array of instruments and recording techniques while keeping his arrangements tight and catchy.
New sounds of the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and interpretations of themes from TV and movies such as: "Another Time, Another Place" (from the TV series The Outcasts), "Tony's Theme" (from the movie Lady In Cement) etc. Recorded at RCA's Music Center Of The World, Hollywood, California 1969.
-by dj fanis: here

"V.A. Blow Up Presents Exclusive Blend Vol. 1-1968-70 UK":
This is the groovingest organs-and-guitar London funk from the late 60's and early 70's library music that was used in TV and films. Featuring the cream of the KPM Music Library , writers including Keith Mansfield, Alan Hawkshaw, Alan Parker and Johnny Pearson.
"Exclusive Blend Volume 1" takes us on a journey deep into the library's vaults, starting with the pounding uptempo of "Move, Move, Move" through the Hammond-heavy "Beat Me Til I'm Blue" and "Rocky Mountain Runabout" (versions of both featuring on the legendary Mohawks "The Champ" album) to the sitar 6Ts club sound of "Delhi Discotheque" and "Come Here Calcutta".
Since its original 1996 release "Exclusive Blend Volume 1" has continuously been re-pressed and perfectly captures the London's famous "Blow Up" club sound whilst still remaining a ground-breaking introduction to the world of the Music Library and an inspiration to djs, collectors and a million imitators.
-by dj fanis: here

"Mike Jackson and the Soul Providers - The Revenge Of Mister Mopoji-1974 US OST":
This is a brilliant funk soundtrack from 1974. "The Revenge Of Mister Mopoji" was released as a soundtrack to a fictitious Kung Fu movie. This is heavy funk with raunchy horns, gritty organ and a pounding rhythm section, in the vain of James Brown and Funkadelic.
-by dj fanis: here

"Hair:an American Tribal Love-Rock Musical (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording)-1967 US":
"Hair" is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement. The musical's profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality, its irreverence for the American flag, and its nude scene caused much comment and controversy. The musical broke new ground in musical theatre by defining the genre of "rock musical", using a racially integrated cast, and inviting the audience onstage for a "Be-In" finale.
So here is the first recording of the musical "Hair", released in 1967 featuring the off-Broadway cast.
by dj fanis: here

"Wilson Das Neves-Samba-Tropi - Ate Ai Morreu Neves-1970 Brazil":
Wilson Das Neves (Born June 14, 1936, Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian Percussionist. He is a key figure in the history of Brazilian music having played with many of Brazil's greatest musicians across many decades and featured on numerous important recordings.
During his career Das Neves worked with many great international artists including Sarah Vaughan, Toots Thielemans, Sy Oliver and Michel Legrand. In Brazil he played with key musicians from the MPB movement such as Roberto Carlos, Chico Buarque, Eumir Deodato, Elizeth Cardoso, Clara Nunes, Elza Soares, Elis Regina, Alcione and Beth Carvalho.
"Samba-Tropi" is a great jazz-funk-samba album released in 1970 by this extraordinaire drummer. It contains some killer groove dj tracks such as super-funky "Sarro" and "Cloud Nine", plus "Evil Ways"," Come Together"," Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" and "Venus".
-by dj fanis: here