"Gus Vali - Motion Picture Music For Belly Dancers-1965 US":

American-born of Greek parents, Gus Vali (aka AUGOUSTINOS VALIS-ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΙΝΟΣ ΒΑΛΗΣ) studied at the Manhattan School of music and performed with Louis Prima, Artie Shaw, Johnny Long, Sonny Dunham, and Jan August. Leading his own group, he became the leading exponent of authentic Greek music, including its overlap with the traditions of neighboring regions. Accomplished on the flute, clarinet, and saxophone, he brings a unique Greek sensibility to a field dominated by artists considered more “oriental.”
Through various labels and projects Vali tried many different styles and featured different vocalists. During his late period as “Admiral of the Navel Academy,” his exotic flute meshed wonderfully with the oud of George Mgrdichian.
Gus Vali’s records are important for several reasons. First, he is the chief exponent of the Greek variety of oriental music. Second, his leadership with flute and clarinet are unusual in a field dominated by oud and derbecki players.

-by dj fanis: here

"Yma Sumac - Miracles-1971 Peru:

Yma Sumac was born on September 13, 1922 Ichocán, Peru as Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo. A singer with an amazing fouroctave range, Yma Sumac was said to have been a descendant of Inca kings, an Incan princess that was one of the Golden Virgins. Her offbeat stylings became a phenomenon of early '50s pop music.
In 1971, she released a rock album, called "Miracles" produced by Les Baxter and then returned to live in Peru.Yma wails, moans and twitters her way through a groovy electric guitar backing.
It's the Peruvian lounge goddess doing her wild, wordless 5 octave vocalizations and this is her only album backed by a rock band.
There are no lyrics here, just Sumac's vocal flights which ride over rock textures. Although the rock here sounds like it is straight out of the Berklee College of Music, jazz influenced organ courtesy of Richard Person, Chuck Cowan's guitar, the bass of Roger Cowan and Skippy Switzer's drums, all shine here.

-by dj fanis: here

"Yma Sumac-Mambo-1954 Peru":

Yma Sumac (September 13, 1922 – November 1, 2008) was a noted Peruvian soprano. In the 1950s, she was one of the most famous proponents of exotica music. She became an international success based on her extreme vocal range, which was said to be "well over four octaves" and was sometimes claimed to span even five octaves at her peak.
Capitol got on top of two '50s fads at once by issuing an album of Sumac tackling Mambo. Yma (characteristically) held nothing back, and the result was one of her more enjoyable LPs, with respectably swinging mambo grooves crafted by Billy May. "Five Bottles Mambo" is one of her most astonishing vocal workouts, dropping into guttural growls that are downright bestial, and making one wonder how exactly they got away with that in the conservative milieu of the 1950s. (by request)

-by dj fanis: here

"Johnny Rivers-John Lee Hooker-Whisky A Go-Go Revisited-1967 US":

Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella, November 7, 1942, New York City) is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. His styles include folk songs, blues, and revivals of old-time rock 'n' roll songs and some original material.
"Whisky A Go-Go Revisited's" first side was very much in the manner of his other live albums, with Rivers and his combo (including the great Larry Knechtel on organ) stomping through a handful of dance-friendly rock and R&B numbers, with Rivers' muscular guitar work and confident vocals making the most of songs like "Sunny," "C.C. Rider-Got My Mojo Working," and "When a Man Loves a Woman".
Things get a bit more interesting on side two, devoted to a 15-minute workout on "John Lee Hooker," with Rivers and the band digging deep into the boogie.
While side two is about groove as much as anything, this set still rocks on out, and offers further proof that Rivers was one of the best American rockers of the 1960s.

-by dj fanis: here

"James Brown - Sings Out Of Sight-1964 US":

"Sings Out Of Sight" originally recorded by James Brown in 1964 for Smash Records but due to legal issues with King Records not released until 1968.
"Out of Sight" was one of Brown's first recordings to feature the playing of saxophonist Maceo Parker. "Out of Sight" appeared on a Smash album of the same name, which was quickly withdrawn from sale for legal reasons. The withdrawn album was re-released on King in 1968.
High points are "Maybe the Last Time," a gospel-ish R&B,"Nature Boy" and an interesting, jazzy take on "I Got You".

-by dj fanis: here

"The Little Boy Blues - In The Woodland Of Weir- 1968 US":

This Chicago band release only this album in 1968. Most cuts feature orchestration and range from light Sgt Pepper through brassy R&B workouts to heavier fuzzed moments and pedestrian Fudge-like pomp... seriously arty and very '68.
"Is Love" is a punchy Left Banke-ish ditty except for a midpoint crescendo of noise, with gut-wrenching guitar. "It's Only You" is fuzzy acid-rock.

-by dj fanis: here