hippy-djkit

2012-01-27T05:10:00.000-08:00

"Hugh Masekela - Waiting For The Rain-1985 Botswana":

Hugh Ramopolo Masekela (born April 4, 1939) is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.
Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa.
Began playing trumpet with South African dance bands while a teenager, was a member of Alfred Herbert's African Jazz Revue, 1958-59, formed his own band the Jazz Epistles in 1959, studied music in England and in the United States, 1960-64.
Masekela was a co-founder of Chisa Records, 1965 and leader/member of numerous musical groups.
He left United States for Botswana in 1982, joined the Kalahari Band and founded the Botswana International School of Music in 1986.
Masekela and his excellent Band rip through 8 tracks in "Waiting For The Rain", played in their unique afro-jazzy style. Mostly Masekela's own tunes apart from Fela Kuti's "Lady"."Coal Train (Stimela)" is one of my favorites.
Recorded in Gabarone, Botswana in 1985. (by request)

-by dj fanis: here

2012-01-27T04:04:00.000-08:00

"Duke Ellington-Ellington '66-1965 US":

"Ellington '66" is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Reprise label in 1965. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance - Large Group or Soloist with Large Group in 1966.
"Ellington '66" is another example of how the change in popular music toward an all rock & roll format found jazz musicians attempting crossover material with varying degrees of success. While much of the music here is standard American Popular Song à la "Satin Doll" and "Red Roses for a Blue Lady," other tracks such as the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" are clearly attempts at reaching a younger record-buying audience.
Recorded at Fine Studios, New York on May 19, 1964 (tracks 2, 3, 8 & 9), January 19, 1965 (tracks 4, 7, 10 & 11) and January 21, 1965 (tracks 1, 5, 6 & 12).

-by dj fanis: here

2012-01-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

"Felix Pappalardi - Don't Worry, Ma -1979 US":

Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. (December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983) was most famous as the producer of Cream and the bassist for one of the first American hard rock acts, Mountain sadly, he's also remembered for the tragic shooting that claimed his life at age 43.
Pappalardi was born in the Bronx, New York. A classically trained musician, he graduated from New York City's prestigious High School of Music & Art, and attended the University of Michigan.
As a producer, Pappalardi is perhaps best-known for his work with British psychedelic blues-rock power trio Cream, beginning with their second album, "Disraeli Gears". Pappalardi has been referred to in various interviews with the members of Cream as "the fourth member of the band" as he generally had a role in arranging their music. He also played a session role on the songs he helped them record.
Pappalardi released his first proper solo album, "Don't Worry, Ma", which reflected his growing interest in funk, jazz fusion, and reggae, with host of top session players, including Eric Gale, Chuck Rainey, and Bernard Purdie.
Pappalardi was shot and killed by his wife, Gail Collins Pappalardi, on April 17, 1983 in their East Side Manhattan apartment.

-by hippy-djkit: here

Jimmy Castor R.I.P.

2012-01-22T07:09:00.000-08:00

James Walter "Jimmy" Castor (June 23, 1940 – January 16, 2012) was an American pop and funk musician. He is best known as a fun disco/funk saxophonist, with his biggest hit single being 1972's million seller, "Troglodyte (Cave Man)".

Castor started as a doo-wop singer in New York. He wrote and recorded "I Promise to Remember" in 1956. Castor then replaced Frankie Lymon in The Teenagers in 1957 before switching to the saxophone in 1960. He had a solo hit with "Hey Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You" on Smash Records in 1966. Castor also played sax on Dave "Baby" Cortez's hit "Rinky Dink."

He formed the Jimmy Castor Bunch in 1972 and signed with RCA. As leader of The Jimmy Castor Bunch in the 1970s, and also as a solo artist, he has released several successful albums and singles. The group reached the peak of their commercial success in 1972 with the release of their album, It's Just Begun, which featured two hit singles: the title track and "Troglodyte (Cave Man)," which was a large hit in the U.S., peaking at #6 in the Billboard Hot 100. The track stayed in the chart for 14 weeks and was a million seller by 30 June 1972, and received a gold disc award from the R.I.A.A.

Many of the group's tunes have been heavily sampled in films and in hip-hop. In particular, the saxophone hook and groove from "It's Just Begun" and the spoken word intro and groove from "Troglodyte" (namely, "What we're gonna do right here is go back...") have been sampled extensively.

Jimmy Castor died in 2012 from heart failure.

2012-01-18T04:45:00.000-08:00

"Hearts And Flowers -Now Is The Time For Hearts And Flowers-1967 US":

Hearts And Flowers were one of the most eclectic groups on the Southern California folk-rock scene in the '60s, skewing more to the folk side of the equation and often adding flourishes of psychedelia and, most importantly, bluegrass and country music. The lineup included Larry Murray (vocals, guitar), Dave Dawson (vocals, guitar, autoharp) and Rick Cunha (vocals, guitar). Eagles' founding member and guitarist-songwriter, Bernie Leadon replaced Cunha on their second album in 1968. After recording two albums," Now Is the Time for Hearts and Flowers(1967)" and "Of Horses, Kids and Forgotten Women(1968)", the group disbanded in 1968.

-by dj fanis: here

Sean Bonniwell R.I.P.

2012-01-17T04:24:00.001-08:00

Thomas Harvey "Sean" Bonniwell (August 16, 1940 – December 20, 2011) vocalist of early garage rock band the Music Machine, has died after battling lung cancer. He was 71. According to the Los Angeles Times the vocalist died on Dec. 20 at a Visalia, Calif. medical center.

Sean Bonniwell was the singer/songwriter and chief visionary of the Music Machine, one of the finest garage-psychedelic bands of the 1960s. The Music Machine's achievements and records are described more fully in their own entry. In brief, though, it can be noted that Bonniwell was by far the most important member of that group, penning their torturous but catchy, riff-driven songs of psychological ecstasy and confusion, even if just one of them ("Talk Talk") became a hit. Bonniwell was also their lead singer, usually using a gripping, throaty tone that could reach a hair-raising intensity, though occasionally he could switch into a surprisingly smooth if moody croon. The original Music Machine lineup broke up as they were getting their second album together, and much of the second album and some of their final singles are primarily the work of Bonniwell, with assistance from some other musicians.

Sean Bonniwell Interview by psychedelic baby here

2012-01-13T03:41:00.000-08:00

"Kaleidoscope - Bernice- 1970 US":

Kaleidoscope's fourth and final album (as a band), "Bernice" released in 1970, including "Chocolate Whale", "Another Lover" and "Sneakin' Thru The Ghetto".Their sound here is more electric than the earlier albums and has more country influence. There were further personnel changes, adding singer-guitarist Jeff Kaplan, and bassist Ron Johnston who replaced Brotman during the making of the album. Feldthouse also left the band.

-by dj fanis: here

2012-01-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

"Kaleidoscope - A Beacon From Mars- 1968 US":

Kaleidoscope's second album(the working title for the album was Bacon from Mars) is the best non-compilation showcase of their legendary eclecticism and versatility. It takes in a blues-rocking cover of Willie Cobbs' "You Don't Love Me", Doug Kershaw's Cajun "Louisiana Man", a scary old folk song ("Greenwood Sidee," about a woman who kills her two babies), a hilarious country-ish indictment of marriage ("Baldheaded End of a Broom"), two good acid-folk originals ("Life Will Pass You By" and "I Found Out") and two completely dissimilar ten-minute-plus originals: the Middle Eastern "Taxim," and the psychedelic workout "Beacon from Mars."
Every one of these disparate styles is performed with authority and commitment, and the result still has the power to amaze. "A Beacon from Mars" is an album of '60s West Coast psych can afford to miss. (by request)

-by dj fanis: here

2012-01-07T06:30:00.000-08:00

"Influence-same-1968 Canada":

Walter Rossi joined Montreal based Influence in 1967. In 1968 the band released their self-titled debut but split up soon after despite their popularity touring in Toronto and New York. Rossi would go on to join Luke And The Apostles (1970-71), Charlee (1972) and The Bombers (1978) before branching off into studio work (Nanette Workman, Gino Soccio) and a successful solo career with Aquarius Records.(by request)

-by dj fanis: here

2012-01-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

"Olympic Union & the Athenians -Zorba's Disco Dancing-1978 Germany-Greece":

In an attempt to cash-in in the disco craze the producers H.G. Moslener and M. Oberdörffer released this album of Greek hits using disco beats and synthesizers along with bouzouki with an unknown Greek band Olympic Union & the Athenians in 1978 in Germany. The song "Dirlada" became a disco hit.

-by dj fanis: here

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011-12-31T07:27:00.000-08:00

ΚΑΛΗ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ!!!

2011-12-30T05:10:00.000-08:00

"VA- Sugar Lumps (vol. 1) A Psychedelic Selection Of Groovy Movers And Sweat Freakbeat-2005 UK":

The last album for 2011 ia a collection of rare psychedelia plus some later nuggets from psyche-leaning groups in the underground – a few for the first time ever on LP. It does an impressive job of blending rare tracks from the late 60s and early 70s with contemporary ones no doubt schooled in such classics – tracks steeped heavily in the work of characters like the Creation, 13th Floor Elevators and Syd Barrett.
14 tracks in all: "Space Travel" by Soul Hooligan, "Food For Soul" by the Evergreen, "Path Through The Forest" by the Factory, "Ten Feet Tall" by the Argonauts, "Candlelight" by Grantchester Meadow, "These Eyes" by Jarvis Humby, "Early Roller Machine 4444" by Quiet Lemon,"The Champ" by Delta 72 and more...

01.2005
02.2005
03.1968
04.2004
05.1965
06.2005
07.1971
08.2004
09.2005
10.2005
11.1971 (feat.Rod Stewart and Art Wood)
12.1997
13.1968
14.2003

-by dj fanis: here

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

2011-12-24T06:16:00.000-08:00

2011-12-22T05:37:00.000-08:00

"ANNABOUBOULA-Immortal Water-2010 US-GR":

Annabouboula are a Greek-American musical trio that flourished in the 1980s and 1990s. Its members were Anna Paidoussi, George Sempepos, and Chris Lawrence, who are based in New York, New York and in Athens, Greece.
The group's style was steeped in eastern Mediterranean music and in Greek music in particular. This is their last album recorded in 2010.
PS: ΤΟ ALBUM ΑΝΕΒΑΙΝΕΙ ΣΤΟ BLOG ΥΣΤΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΔΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ Chris Lawrence.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-12-22T04:05:00.000-08:00

"Dino Valente -same-1968 US":

Chester (Chet) William Powers, Jr. (October 7, 1937 – November 16, 1994) was an American singer-songwriter, and a member of the rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service. He was also known by the stage name "Dino Valente" and, as a songwriter, as Jesse Oris Farrow. He wrote the famous 60s song "Get Together".
What was going on in 1968 when Dino Valente recorded this album? Well, he had already written "Get Together" for the Youngbloods, been in and out of jail a couple of times, and put in time as lead vocalist for San Francisco's Quicksilver Messenger Service. While bouncing around Manhattan's East Village, Valente then teamed up with famed Dylan producer Bob Johnston to record his only solo effort. This album typifies the hippie-folk-troubadour syndrome with strumming, reverb-laden 12-string guitar and romantic odes of passion and heartbreak. Valente's pliant warble practically floats alone on these 10 strange songs.
While this music is folkish in nature, Valente's vocals display an offbeat, almost jazzy inflection reminiscent of the late Tim Buckley.
Powers underwent brain surgery for an AVM (arterovenous malformation) in the late 1980s. In spite of suffering from short-term memory loss and the effects of anti-convulsive medications, he continued to write songs and play with fellow Marin County musicians.
His last major performance was a benefit at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall. He died suddenly at his home in Santa Rosa, California on November 16, 1994, leaving behind a younger sister, Katherine (Kay), and two sons, Joli and Sterling.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-12-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

"P.L.J. Band-Armageddon-1982 Greece":

The album "Armageddon" by the formation PLJ Band is often considered as the most acclaimed Greek progrock music. It was released in ’82 but immediately forbidden because of the blasphemical lyrics and the albums had to be destroyed.
Fortunately at about 300 records survived and ended as highly sought after ‘collector items’ (value more than US $ 300,00) in the arms of some very lucky and wealthy progheads many years later! The sound is very unique: a captivating progressive blend of acoustic and electric folk and (space) rock with a strong psychedelic undertone. (by request)

Members:
Laurentis Macheritsas (lead vocals, 12-string guitar and keyboards)
Anthony Mijelos (lead guitar, acoustic guitar)
Jimmy Vasalakis (bass, backing vocals)
Paul Kikrilis (rhythm and classical guitar)
Tolis Skamatzouras (drums and percussion)

-by dj fanis: here

ES AEI LIVE

2011-12-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

A GREAT BLUES-ROCK BAND LIVE AT ES AEI CAFE.
THURSDAY 15 DEC.-8 STAIKOPOULOU ST. NAFPLION

2011-12-08T06:23:00.000-08:00

"Various Artists-The Autumn Records Story-1986 UK":

This compilation includes tracks by Bobby Freeman,Sly Stewart,Great Society, The Mojo Men, The Beau Brummels, The Charlatans, The Knight Riders and The Vejtables.
Autumn Records was started, by DJs Tom Donahue and Bob Mitchell, towards the end of 1963, after they met Sylvester Stewart (Sly Stone) who became the label producer and A&R man.
They had early commercial success with Bobby Freeman and the Beau Brummels. Further releases included The Vejetables, Mojo Men and Sly himself. In 1965 the label became a magnet for aspiring groups in the nascent San Francisco rock scene. The Charlatans, Great Society, Dino Valenti and Grateful Dead (as The Emergency Crew) all recorded tracks for the label though of these only the Great Society succeeded in getting anything released. Financial problems saw the end of the company in the early months of 1966 and the groups contracted to the company were sold to Warner Brothers.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-12-01T06:55:00.000-08:00

"Doc Severinsen - Doc Severinsen's Closet-1970 US":

Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen (born July 7, 1927) is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. During the 1970s, Severinsen released several albums that have a pop rock basis, some of which include electronic instrumentation components like "The Court of the Crimson King" a cover of King Crimson and "Abbey Road Medley" with cover songs of Beatles.
The album arranged and produced by Don Sebesky.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-12-01T05:52:00.000-08:00

"Mose Jones - Get Right-1973 US":

Mose Jones only released three albums, but it was enough for them to enter in Southern rock history.The two first ones "Get Right" & "Mose Knows" were released on the Sound of the South label, produced by Al Kooper.
Al Cooper even wrote a few songs, background vocals on 2 songs and synthesizer on one song, also has the great late Lowell George of Little Feat on slide guitar on "Ole Man Trouble" written by the great Booker T. Jones.
Al Kooper had been visiting Atlanta since he played the first Atlanta Pop Festival in 1969. The southern rock scene was exploding, and Kooper had noticed the abundance of talent in and about Atlanta.With the backing of MCA Records, he launched the Sounds Of The South label with the initial deal calling for four new artists-three of which returned out to be Los Angeles funk band Elijah, Kooper's own reformed Blues Project, and the Atlanta bar band Mose Jones.
It was on Mose Jones' recommendation that the final spot was filled by Skynyrd.Kooper jammed with the group at Funochios, and after some initial hesitancy, Lynyrd Skynyrd signed on.
Plus Mose Jones opened concerts and played with just about everybody back in their day, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Frank Zappa, Little Feat, Boz Scaggs, Doobie Brothers, Rory Gallagher,Santana,Marshall Tucker Band and Atlanta Rhythm Section. Unfortunately Mose Jones never made it big, but "Get Right" it is a very nice album.

Members:
Bryan Cole : Drums & vocals
Randy Lewis : Bass & vocals
Jimmy O'Neill : Guitars, Mellotron & vocals
Steve McRay : Keyboard & vocals

-by dj fanis: here

2011-12-01T04:56:00.000-08:00

"Don Ellis Orchestra - The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground- 1969 US":

Don Ellis (July 25, 1934 - December 17, 1978) was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of unusual time signatures.
Later in his life he worked as a film composer, among other works contributing a score to 1971's The French Connection and 1973's The Seven-Ups.
In early 1969, Don Ellis Orchestra was in Columbia Studios to record "The Don Ellis Band Goes Underground", a collection of several pop songs (arranged by Ellis) and some Ellis originals. The album inexplicably features a vocalist named Patti Allen on songs by Laura Nyro, The Isley Brothers, and Sly Stone. The album also features "Bulgarian Bulge", a composition based on a Bulgarian folk tune in 33/16 time.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-11-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

"The Sound Explosion -Teen Trash Series vol. 14 From Athens Greece -1994":

The Sound Explosion were formed in Athens, Greece, in May 1991 by four young gentlemen obsessed with all the great mid 60's garage and beat bands from all parts of the world.
The line up was John Alexopoulos (vocals, 6 and 12 string Vox guitar, harmonica), Jim Dimopoulos(Eko bass, backing vocals), Stelios Drissis(Farfisa organ, maracas, backing vocals) and Stavros Dactilas(drums, tambourine).
The band started playing alone and together with other bands, such us the Fuzztones, Dead Moon, the Marshmallow Overcoat and the Others. Their wylde stage act attracted the attention of garage freaks from all over the globe. As a result, the band started recording and releasing various 45's and a full length LP, which got rave reviews from fanzines and magazines and considerable airplay from radio stations worldwide. (by request)

-by dj fanis: here

2011-11-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

"The George Benson Quartet-The George Benson Cookbook-1966 US":

This is basically the George Benson quartet, with Smith and Cuber, but trombonist Bennie Green and percussionist Pucho were added on some tracks, giving them a bop flavor that delighted dedicated jazz fans and critics. Green worked with Gene Ammons and Charlie Ventura in the forties, and sporadically with Earl Hines between 1942 and 1953.

Benson's quartet was modeled after Jack McDuff's, with baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber, organist Lonnie Smith, a powerhouse player who deserved more attention than he ever received, and Jimmy Lovelace or Marion Booker on drums.
The sonorous tone of Cuber's baritone gives the quartet a richer, more dense texture than that obtained by McDuff, who used a tenor, but the overall sound is the same. At twenty-five, Ronnie Cuber was an alumnus of Marshall Brown's celebrated Newport Youth Band, he had spent the previous two years with Maynard Ferguson's very loud and brassy orchestra, which may account for his aggressive style, but Cuber's approach also emphasized rhythm, and that was precisely the ingredient called for by a "soul jazz" group of this kind.

Taken at a brisk clip, "The Cooker" lives up to its title. Benson goes first, delivering a long, beautifully structured solo with stop-time bridges. Next, Cuber keeps up the pace, throwing in quotes from "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee" and Bird before the ensemble brings the swinging to a well-timed, abrupt end.

Trombonist Bennie Green kicks off "Benny's Back," then Cuber, followed by Smith and, finally, Benson.
You might recognize "Benson's Rider" as an old blues standard called "See See Rider." Taken at a medium tempo, it starts with Benson stating the theme, then improvising on it. Smith solos next, Benson takes it out.

The fad was all but over in 1966, but Benson clearly had an affinity for the bossa nova's gentle rhythm. With percussionist Pucho helping drummer Jimmy Lovelace maintain a mellow foundation, Benson is heard at his lyrical best throughout "Bossa Rock."

-by dj fanis: here

2011-11-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

"V.A- Raw Blues-1967 US":

This is not, strictly speaking, a John Mayall album, but rather a various artists album containing among its 12 selections six recorded by Mayall, plus four tracks by Otis Spann and two by Champion Jack Dupree. A magic album featuring the best of 60s blues.
"Long Night" features "Steve Anglo" who is actually Steve Winwood. The Peter Green track is also memorable. The solo by John Mayall, "Burn Out Your Blind Eyes" highlights how good John Mayall was and is.
Clapton features on several tracks, playing in a style which is reminiscent of early 30s guitar, raw and vivid. An album not to be missed by any early blues fan.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-11-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

"Sergio Mendes and Brasil '77 - Pais Tropical- 1971 Brazil":

Sergio Santos Mendes (born February 11, 1941 in Niterói, Brazil) is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk.
Changing their name and style with the trends of the decade, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '77 assume a brighter, perhaps more garish sound that tries to get closer to what was happening in North America, even when exploring Brazil. Gracinha Leporace had replaced Lani Hall completely on lead female vocals by now, like many Brazilian voices, her grittier, Portuguese-accented tone is a bit off-key and it definitely alters the group's sound.
Mendes kept on coming up with great Brazilian material like "Asa Branca" and "Tonga," and he gives himself an extended jazz piano showcase on Edu Lobo's wordless tour de force "Zanzibar."

-by dj fanis: here

2011-10-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

"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 roll 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

2011-10-07T04:48:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

"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

photoidol.blogspot

2011-09-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Some beautiful and strange photos in this blog. Check!!!
http://photoidol.blogspot.com/

2011-09-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

"Cal Tjader -Along Comes Cal -1967 US":

Callen Radcliffe Tjader, Jr. a.k.a. Cal Tjader (July 16, 1925–May 5, 1982) was a Latin jazz musician, though he also explored various other jazz idioms. Unlike other American jazz musicians who experimented with the music from Cuba, the Caribbean, and Latin America, he never abandoned it, performing it until his death.
Tjader primarily played the vibraphone. He was also accomplished on the drums, bongos, congas, timpani, and the piano. He worked with numerous musicians from several cultures. He is often linked to the development of Latin Rock and Acid Jazz. Although fusing jazz with Latin music is often categorized as "Latin Jazz" (or, earlier, "Afro-Cuban Jazz"), Tjader's output swung freely between both styles.
He won a Grammy in 1980 for his album La Onda Va Bien, capping off a career that spanned over forty years.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-09-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

"Liz Damon's Orient Express-S/T-1970 US":

Liz Damon's Orient Express was a 1970s band from Hawaii, featuring lead singer Liz Damon, two female backup singers and a rotating backup band. The name apparently derived from the original backup band being entirely Asian. Their only song to make the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 was "1900 Yesterday", which made it to #33 on the U.S. and #16 on the Canadian charts in early 1971. Most impressively, it peaked at #4 on Billboard's Easy Listening survey.
Liz Damon's Orient Express first album is a masterpiece of Sunshine Pop and features not only their U.S. smash hit "1900 Yesterday" but also a cracking Soft Pop rendition of "Bring Me Sunshine," the song with which Eric & Ernie closed many a classic Morecombe and Wise, show in the '70s.

-by dj fanis: here

ΠΩΛΕΙΤΑΙ ΠΑΡΑΔΟΣΙΑΚΟ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΟ ΚΑΦΕΝΕΙΟ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΛΙΑ ΠΟΛΗ ΤΟΥ ΝΑΥΠΛΙΟΥ

2011-09-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

ΠΩΛΕΙΤΑΙ ΠΑΡΑΔΟΣΙΑΚΟ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΟ ΚΑΦΕΝΕΙΟ ME THN ΕΠΩΝΗΜΙΑ ¨ΜΕΛΙ ΓΑΛΑ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ" ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΛΙΑ ΠΟΛΗ ΤΟΥ ΝΑΥΠΛΙΟΥ.

ΒΡΙΣΚΕΤΑΙ ΑΠΕΝΑΝΤΙ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΣΠΙΤΙ ΤΟΥ ΛΟΓΙΟΥ ΑΓΓΕΛΟΥ ΤΕΡΖΑΚΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΟΔΟ ΑΓΓΕΛΟΥ ΤΕΡΖΑΚΗ 25.

ΜΟΝΟ ΣΟΒΑΡΕΣ ΠΡΟΤΑΣΕΙΣ!!!

ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΣΤΟ EMAIL:hippydjkit@gmail.com

2011-09-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

"Les Baxter- Brazil Now-1966 US":
Les Baxter (March 14, 1922 – January 15, 1996) was an American musician and composer.
Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer. At the age of 23 he joined Mel Tormé's Mel-Tones, singing on Artie Shaw records such as "What Is This Thing Called Love?".
Baxter then turned to arranging and conducting for Capitol Records in 1950 and was credited with the early Nat King Cole hits, "Mona Lisa" and "Too Young", but both were actually orchestrated by Nelson Riddle.
In later releases of the recordings the credit was corrected to Riddle. In 1953 he scored his first movie, the sailing travelogue "Tanga Tika". With his own orchestra, he released a number of hits including "Ruby" (1953), "Unchained Melody" (1955) and "The Poor People Of Paris" (1956).
He also achieved success with concept albums of his own orchestral suites: "Le Sacre Du Sauvage", "Festival Of The Gnomes", "Ports Of Pleasure", and "Brazil Now", the first three for Capitol and the fourth on Gene Norman's Crescendo label. The list of musicians on these recordings includes Plas Johnson and Clare Fischer.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

"Baden Powell - E De Lei -1972 Brazil":
Baden Powell de Aquino (August 6, 1937 - September 26, 2000) usually known simply as Baden Powell, was one of the greatest Brazilian guitarists. He explored the instrument to its utmost limits, playing it in a distinctive, unique manner, incorporating virtuoso classical techniques together with popular harmony and swing. He performed in many styles, including Bossa nova, Samba, Brazilian jazz, Latin jazz and Música Popular Brasileira. He often performed on stage during most of his lifetime, and recorded an extensive discography comprised by LP and CD albums produced in Brazil and Europe, particularly in France and Germany.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-09-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Lester Bowie-Hello Dolly (Fast Last)-1974 US":

Lester Bowie (11 October 1941–8 November 1999) was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the AACM, and cofounded the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
"Hello Dolly" is an 80s repressing of the album "Fast Last" (1974), one of the excellent avant sides for Muse from the early 70s, and a record that features Lester Bowie playing in a number of different settings, all with a sound that's different from his Art Ensemble recordings. One track has him playing a duet with pianist John Hicks, another has him in a percussion quartet with Philip Wilson, Jerome Cooper, and Charles Shaw, and some have him in a larger group with players like Cecil McBee, Hicks, Julius Hemphill, and brother Joseph Bowie.
Tracks include "Fast Last C", "F-Troop Rides Again", and "Lonely Woman".

-by dj fanis: here

2011-08-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

"Blood, Sweat & Tears-No Sweat-1973 US":
Blood, Sweat & Tears (also known as "BS&T") is an American band, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles. What the band is most known for, from its start, is the fusing of rock, blues, pop music, horn arrangements and jazz improvisation into a hybrid that came to be known as "jazz-rock".
"No Sweat" is an album by the band, released in 1973.
By mid-1973, Steve Katz, one of the founding members of BS&T had left the band as the members leaned further towards jazz fusion. "No Sweat" continued in the jazz-fusion vein and featured intricate horn work.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-08-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

"Morning-S/T-1970 US":

A fine Los Angeles-based group, originally known as The Morning and The Evening. The group was formed after Jay Lewis, also known as Jay Donnellan, had been fired from Love by Arthur Lee. Jim Hobson also appeared on Love's "Out Here".
When the band signed a recording contract with Vault they retained complete control of the writing, engineering, arranging and producing of their first album, which is an underrated folk-influenced gem. It has a crisp, yet often sleepy sound, which is at its best on "And I'm Gone" and "Sleepy Eyes".
The album closes with a ninety second country gem "Dirt Roads" (the only track written by Jim Kehn) which is worthy of comparison with the title track of Quicksilver's "Happy Trails".

-by dj fanis: here

2011-08-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

"Flash & The Dynamics - The New York Sound -1971 US":
The one and only album from this ultra-hip Latin Soul combo, an outfit that has a sweet swinging sound, soulful lead vocals, and some nicely tripped-out guitar.
The style here is a bit different than some of the other New York groups of the time, as these guys bring the focus more on the guitar than on the piano, or horns and go for a style that's clearly influenced as much by rock and soul of the time as it is by the general changes on the Latin scene.
The groove changes up often over the course of the album, making for a record that's got a really unique feel, and a sound that stays fresh moving way beyond boogaloo and shing-a-ling into some really tripped-out territory.
A great Electric Latin Soul album.

-by dj fanis: here

hippy dj-kit goes latin

2011-07-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

hippy dj-kit spins rare 60s bossa nova and 70s salsa records from his vinyl collection!!!

meli-gala cafe, Nafplio

2011-07-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

"Julian Jay Savarin - Waiters On The Dance- 1971 UK":
Julian Jay Savarin is a British musician, songwriter, poet and science fiction author.
Born in Dominica, Savarin moved to Great Britain with his family in 1962. He recorded a solo album, "Waiters On The Dance" (1971) and was the leader and main songwriter in "A Time Before This" (1970, but some sources claim 1969, 1971 and 1973), which was the only album recorded by his group, Julian's Treatment.
As a writer, he is best known for his science fiction trilogy Lemmus: A Time Odyssey. The first work in the series, "Waiters On The Dance", tells of the Galactic organization and Dominions, which existed long before earth's historic times.

Members:
Lady Jo Meek - vocals
Julian Jay Savarin - story, arrangements, keyboards
John Dover - bass
Nigel "Zed" Jenkins - guitar
Roger Odell - drums

-by dj fanis: here

2011-07-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

hippy-djkit spins his vinyl every night in meli-gala cafe in nafplio!!!

2011-07-12T03:16:00.000-07:00

"The Open Mind-S/T-1969 UK":

The Open Mind were a London-based psychedelic rock band active in the 1960s and 1970s.
The band was formed in the mid 1960s by four musicians from Putney, South London. Initially named The Apaches formed by Tim du Feu, Mike Brancaccio and Philip Fox and their friend Ray Nye. Nye left in 1965 and another friend joined instead Terry Schindler. The band became The Drag Set, who released a little-known single in February 1967, "Day and Night" / "Get Out of My Way". Shortly thereafter, they changed their name to The Open Mind and in July 1969 released a self-titled LP which has since become a highly sought-after collectible. The band, however, is best known for its druggy August 1969 single, "Magic Potion" (which also marked the introduction of double-bass drums in rock music), which did not appear on the album.
The Open Mind disbanded in 1973, its members wanted to move into jazz-influenced music, but The Open Mind was too well-known as a psychedelic band.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-07-05T05:20:00.000-07:00

"The Moody Blues-The Beginning-1966- 1970 UK":
The Moody Blues formed on 4 May 1964, in Erdington, Birmingham, England. Ray Thomas, John Lodge, and Michael Pinder had been members of El Riot & the Rebels. Soon, the band obtained a London-based management company, 'Ridgepride', formed by ex-Decca A&R man Alex Murray (Alex Wharton), who helped them land a recording contract with Decca Records in the spring of 1964.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-28T05:25:00.000-07:00

"The Rising Storm - Calm Before...- 1967 US":
The Rising Storm was a rock group which was active at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts between 1965 and 1967.
The original members of the group were Bob Cohan, Todd Cohen, Charlie Rockwell, Tom Scheft, Tony Thompson, and Rich Weinberg.
The Rising Storm is most notable for their first album, "Calm Before", as being "one of the rarest and most respected garage band albums".
More than forty years after its recording, original mint copies of "Calm Before" can fetch 4 figures among record collectors interested in the garage rock era. Covers of The Remains "Don't Look Back" and Love "A Message To Pretty" make this a classic. (REPOST BY REQUEST)

-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

"Isaac Hayes - ...To Be Continued-1970 US":
Isaac Hayes (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American songwriter, musician, singer, and occasionally an actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the mid-1960s. Hayes, Porter, Bill Withers, the Sherman Brothers, Steve Cropper, and John Fogerty were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of writing scores of notable songs for themselves, the duo "Sam & Dave", Carla Thomas, and others.
"To Be Continued" is a studio album by Isaac Hayes, issued in 1970 on Stax Records' Enterprise label. The LP includes Hayes' cover of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition "The Look of Love", which was issued as a single in an edited form, peaking at number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The "To Be Continued" album as a whole peaked at number one on the Billboard Black Albums and Jazz Albums charts, and at number 11 on the Billboard 200.
Released in late 1970 on the heels of two chart-topping albums, "Hot Buttered Soul" (1969) and "The Isaac Hayes Movement" (also 1970), Isaac Hayes and the Bar-Kays retain their successful approach on those landmark albums for "To Be Continued", another number one album. Again, the album features four songs that span far beyond traditional radio-friendly length, featuring important mood-establishing instrumental segments just as emotive and striking as Hayes' crooning.
The album's most epic moment opens with light strings and horns, vamping poetically for several minutes before Hayes even utters a breath then, once the singer delivers the song's orchestral chorus, the album hits its sentimental peak, Hayes elevating a common standard to heavenly heights once again. Elsewhere, "Our Day Will Come" features a nice concluding instrumental segment driven by a proto-hip-hop beat that proves just how ahead of his time Hayes was during his early-'70s cycle of Enterprise albums.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

"60's-70's Funk from the movies":
Here is a compilation i made a few years ago with funk songs from the movies.Repost by request. Enjoy!!!
-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

"The Hollies - Butterfly - 1967 UK":

"Butterfly" is the second studio album released by British band The Hollies in 1967. It was also the last new Hollies album to feature Graham Nash until 1983's "What Goes Around". This, like its predecessors for "Certain Because" and "Evolution", featured songs written solely by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks.
This album was really a Graham Nash-led project, and he featured as lead vocal more than on any prior album.
As with "Evolution", none of the songs on the album were selected for single or EP release in the UK. In the U.S., "Dear Eloise" was issued as a single A-side while "Try It" and "Elevated Observations?" were issued as B-sides of the "Jennifer Eccles" and "Do The Best You Can" singles, respectively.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

"Gil Scott Heron - Pieces Of A Man -1971 US":

Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s, and for his collaborative works with musician Brian Jackson.

His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues, and soul, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. His own term for himself was "bluesologist", which he defined as "a scientist who is concerned with the origin of the blues".

"Pieces Of A Man" is the debut studio album of American soul artist and jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron, released in 1971 in stereo format on Flying Dutchman Records in the United States. It was also issued in the United Kingdom on Philips Records in 1972. Recording sessions for the album took place at RCA Studios in New York City on April 19 and 20 in 1971. The album serves as the follow-up to Scott-Heron's live debut album, Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970), and it features compositions by Scott-Heron that were recorded in a more conventional song structure rather than the spoken word style of his previous work.
The album marked the first of several future collaborations by Scott-Heron with musician Brian Jackson. It is one of Scott-Heron's most critically acclaimed albums and one of the Flying Dutchman label's best-selling LP's. Earning modest success upon its release, "Pieces Of A Man" has since received retrospective notice and praise from critics. Music writers have noted Scott-Heron's and Jackson's musical fusion of soul, jazz-funk, and proto-rap styles on the album and its influence on subsequent dance and hip hop music.

-by dj fanis: here

RIP Gil Scott-Heron

2011-06-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

I just realised that on the 27th of May The Godfather of rap Gil Scott-Heron died aged 62.

A great artist, i still remember the night i saw him live in London with Jamiroquai.

He would be missed.

In later years, he struggled publicly with addiction. Since 2001, Mr. Scott-Heron had been convicted twice for cocaine possession, and he served a sentence at Rikers Island in New York for parole violation.
Commentators sometimes used Mr. Scott-Heron’s plight as an example of the harshness of New York’s drug laws. Yet his friends were also horrified by his descent. In interviews Mr. Scott-Heron often dodged questions about drugs, but the writer of the New Yorker profile reported witnessing Mr. Scott-Heron’s crack smoking and being so troubled by his own ravaged physical appearance that he avoided mirrors. “Ten to 15 minutes of this, I don’t have pain,” Mr. Scott-Heron said in the article, as he lighted a glass crack pipe.

RIP Gil

by hippy-djkit

2011-06-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

"Vanilla Fudge - Renaissance-1968 US":

"Renaissance" (ATCO Records 33-244) is the third album by the rock band Vanilla Fudge. Released in summer 1968, it was the band's first album to feature mostly original material, with five of its seven tracks penned by band members.
The original album's two cover tunes are Essra Mohawk's "The Spell That Comes After" (erroneously credited on original pressings of the LP to Frank Zappa's art director Cal Schenkel), and "Season Of The Witch," originally written and performed by the Scottish folk singer Donovan. The band also interpolates lyrics from a second Essra Mohawk song, "We Never Learn," into their rendition of "Season Of The Witch."
The album peaked at #20 on the Billboard album charts in July 1968.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

"Tomita- Snowflakes Are Dancing -1974 Japan":

Back in the '70s, the rapid development of synthesizers and electronic keyboards had a huge impact on popular music, with Isao Tomita among the leading exponents of multimedia, surround-sound events associated in Western Europe with such very different musicians as Rick Wakeman and Jean-Michel Jarre.
The present album has less grandiose aims, being a well-balanced selection of, to quote the original liner notes, "Virtuoso electronic performances of Debussy's beautiful tone paintings." It's easy to scoff at the concept behind Tomita's approach, take some of the most poetic music around and give it the consistency of aural cotton wool, yet there's no denying the skill with which he translates Debussy's soundworld, preserving the harmonic interest of the piano originals and bringing out many subtleties of texture. Inevitably the slower numbers come off best,"Clair de Lune" or "Reverie" could easily become chill-out favorites.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-06-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

"Henry Mancini - The Latin Sound Of Henry Mancini-1965 US":

This is a 1965 album for RCA by the easy listening composer. Features 12 tracks, including ''Senor' Peter Gunn" and "Tico-Tico".
"The Latin Sound" have a groovy sound thanks to some great arrangements from the legendary Henry Mancini.The album's less a straight Latin date than it is a new approach to the grooves Mancini was laying down on his 60s soundtracks, a mix of bossa and cha cha-inspired themes that sparkle wonderfully with warm jazzy touches from a host of LA players who include Dick Nash on trombone, Harry Klee on flute, Ted Nash on alto and tenor, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Laurindo Almeida on guitar, and Gene Garf on organ, all working beautifully under Mancini's direction.

Lots of tracks have some nice groovy organ, which gives the arrangements a cool lively sound and titles include "Preciosa", "Baia", "Carnavalito", "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars", "Tico Tico", and the nice "Senor Peter Gunn", a Latin remake of Mancini's big hit.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-05-31T06:37:00.000-07:00

"Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Expansions -1975 US":

Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr. (born December 28, 1940 in Richmond, Virginia) is an American jazz, soul, and funk musician who played with important free jazz artists such as Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before forming Lonnie Liston Smith And The Cosmic Echoes, recording a number of albums widely regarded as classics in the fusion / Quiet Storm / smooth jazz and acid jazz genres.
"Expansions" is a completely funky soul-jazz album. Of the seven compositions here, six are by Smith, and the lone cover is of the Horace Silver classic, "Peace." The lineup includes bassist Cecil McBee, soprano saxophonist David Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Donald Smith (who doubles on flute), drummer Art Gore, and percussionists Lawrence Killian, Michael Carvin, and Leopoldo.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-05-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

"Titanic-Sea Wolf-1971 Norway":

Titanic was a rock band from Norway, which also included a British member in its line-up. It was first active from 1969 to 1979, and also reformed twice.
The group was made up of Kenny Aas, Kjell Asperud, John Lorck, Janne Løseth, Roy Robinson (lead singer) and for a short time around their chart success, John Williamson. They formed in 1969, and released several successful albums and singles before disbanding in 1979.
The main composer was the group founder Janne Loseth, with Roy Robinson supplying the primarily English language based lyrics. In October 1971 Titanic reached Number 5 in the UK Singles Chart, with their instrumental track, "Sultana".
It was performed in the style of the then popular band, Santana. The tune also appeared on their Titanic's album "Sea Wolf ".

-by dj fanis: here

2011-05-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

"Brian Auger & The Trinity - Definitely What!... -1969 UK":

"Definitely What!" was Auger's first solo recording and his unique keyboard skills and offbeat humour are apparent throughout. Recorded in late '60s, the music still holds up well after 40 years. ''George Bruno Money'' illustrates this brilliantly. This is the broad-minded musical attitude that really led to fusion or jazz-rock.

There are tracks from Beatles " A Day In The Life" , "Red Beans And Rice" an old Booker T. and the MG's and "Bumpin' On Sunset" a Wes Mongomery tune.

"Red Beans And Rice" truly rocks here, "Bumpin' On Sunset" and "A Day In The Life" shows Auger at his jazzy best. (by request)

Members:
Brian Auger (vocals, keyboards)
Dave Ambrose (bass guitar)
Clive Thacker (drums, percussion)

Additional personnel include:

Gary Boyle (guitar)
Ray Swinfield (flute)

-by dj fanis: here

2011-05-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

"Joe Pass-The Stones Jazz-1966 US":

Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua) (January 13, 1929 – May 23, 1994) was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. His extensive use of walking basslines, melodic counterpoint during improvisation, use of a chord-melody style of play and outstanding knowledge of chord inversions and progressions opened up new possibilities for jazz guitar and had a profound influence on future guitarists.
"The Stones Jazz" is an album by jazz guitarist Joe Pass, recorded July 20, 1966 in Los Angeles, CA. It features Pass playing Rolling Stones covers on electric guitar backed by a large West Coast jazz orchestra, arranged and conducted by Bob Florence, with the only other identified musician being tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins.
Pass' performance is stellar (check his reading of "Paint It Black"), with his trademark taste and elegance and technique galore, while Florence's arrangements combine everything from Latin to rock, pop, and progressive big-band sounds.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-05-11T02:31:00.000-07:00

GREAT PSYCHEDELIC COMPILATION IN FOUR LESSONS !!!
Lesson 4 Compiled by dj fanis

by dj fanis: here
or here

2011-05-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

"Volker Kriegel- House-Boat -1978 Germany":
Volker Kriegel (24 December 1943–14 June 2003) was a German jazz guitarist and composer born in Darmstadt, Germany, perhaps most noteworthy for his contributions to the European jazz rock genre and for his collaborations with the American vibraphonist Dave Pike.
On this jazz-rock album Volker Kriegel meets Wolfgang Schluter, another German musician, who plays marimba, vibraphone, percussion and similar instruments.
Members:
Volker Kriegel-Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Wolfgang Schluter-Vibraphone,Marimbaphone,Congas
Thomas Bettermann-Synthesizer,Clavinet
Hansi Stroer-Bass Guitar,Bass Synthesizer
Evert Fraterman-Drums

-by dj fanis: here

2011-05-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

"The Tremeloes - Rick, Chip, Alan, Dave-1967 UK (Argentinian Press)":
The Tremeloes are an English rock and roll band founded in 1958 in Dagenham, Essex, and still active today. They formed as Brian Poole and the Tremoloes (the name soon being changed thanks to the spelling mistake of a local newspaper) influenced by Buddy Holly and The Crickets. On New Years Day, 1962, Decca, looking for a "Beat" group, auditioned two promising young bands: Brian Poole and the Tremeloes and a somewhat similar combo (also heavily influenced by Buddy Holly) from Liverpool called The Beatles. Decca chose the Tremeloes over The Beatles. The Tremeloes proved to be a very talented band in their own right and had a successful career. Like the Beatles, every member of the Tremeloes was a strong singer and the band seamlessly combined rock and roll with a variety of other genres.
The original quintet consisted of lead vocalist Brian Poole, lead guitarist Ricky West, keyboardist Alan Blakely, bassist Alan Howard and drummer Dave Munden.
When Poole and Howard left the band in 1966, Alan Blakely took over leadership of the group, and Len "Chip" Hawkes, father of 1990s hitmaker Chesney Hawkes, replaced Howard. Poole pursued a career as a solo artist.
The group's second LP of 1967, is a finely crafted mix of cheerful psychedelia, emphatic white British soul, fine musicianship, and exquisite singing from beginning to end. It's about as enjoyable as any record the Beatles released from 1966 through the end of 1967.

-by dj fanis: here

ΘΒ R.I.P

2011-05-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

Ο μεγάλος μας ηθοποιόs Θανάσης Βέγγος έφυγε σήμερα λίγο μετά τις 7 το πρωί στο νοσοκομείο Ερυθρός Σταυρός. R.I.P

2011-05-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

"Willie And The Red Rubber Band-We're Comin' Up-1969 US":
From Shreveport, Texas, Willie and The Red Rubber Band issued two albums of their own mix of Rock, R&B and Psych. On both albums, the tracks are generally short (under three minutes). Although some arrangements sound very dated now, the guitar and keyboards parts are generally interesting and the albums are pleasant. Here is their second album.
Members:
Willie Redden -Vocals,Guitar
Glen Ballard-Bass
Charles Addington -Keyboards,Piano,Cello
Conley Bradford -Drums
Lanny Fiel -Guitar

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

"Sir Douglas Quintet -+ 2 = (Honkey Blues) -1968 US":

Sir Douglas Quintet was a blues/rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.They came out of San Antonio, Texas. In the middle sixties, the band relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area and absorbed features of the San Francisco Sound, including the loud and lush electric-bass tone and freer percussion and guitar stylings.

Band members also explored musical elements specific to modern jazz at that time. For studio recordings, they sometimes added an extra musician or two, often to flesh out the brass dimension of a track's sound. Good examples of the ecstatic synthesis they achieved when they absorbed the new jazz and psychedelic elements into their music can be found on this first album.

-by dj fanis: here

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!

2011-04-22T05:29:00.001-07:00

The Zombies Live In Greece!!!

2011-04-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

6 Μάιου Gagarin 205- ΑΘΗΝΑ
7 Μάιου Block 33 - ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ
More info here

2011-04-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

"Ben Sidran - Puttin' In Time On Planet Earth -1973 US":
Pianist Ben Sidran grew up in Racine, WI. In the early '60s, he played with Steve Miller and Boz Scaggs in a band called the Ardells at the University of Wisconsin. After Miller moved to San Francisco and secured a recording contract, he called on old friend Sidran to join him in the Steve Miller Band following the departure of original keyboardist Jim Peterman.
Sidran contributed on the keys and as songwriter on several Miller albums beginning with "Brave New World" in 1969, co-writing the classic "Space Cowboy" and three other tunes on that LP.
Since 1972, he has released a number of solo albums in a cool, easy swinging style.
"Puttin' In Time On Planet Earth" is one of them, recorded at Paragon Recording Studio, Chicago, Illinois, mixed at Sound Labs, Hollywood, California and originally released on Blue Thumb Records in 1973.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

"Monty Alexander Featuring Ernest Ranglin - Cobilimbo - 1978 Germany":
Monty Alexander (born Montgomery Bernard Alexander on June 6, 1944 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a jazz pianist and melodica player. His playing has a strong Caribbean influence and swinging feeling, but he has also been influenced by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly, and Ahmad Jamal.
Alexander and his family moved to Miami, Florida in 1961 and he went to New York in 1962 and started to play at the jazz club Jilly's. In addition to performing with Frank Sinatra there, he also met and became friends with bassist Ray Brown and vibist Milt Jackson.
Alexander recorded with Milt Jackson in 1969, with Ernest Ranglin in 1974 and in Europe the same year with Ed Thigpen. He toured regularly in Europe and recorded there, mostly with his classic trio for MPS Records.
Ernest Ranglin O.D. (born June 19, 1932 in Manchester, Jamaica) is a Jamaican guitarist and composer. Best known for his session work at the famed Studio One, Ranglin helped give birth to the ska genre in the late 1950s. Some credit Ranglin with the invention of the core style of guitar play (sometimes known as "scratching") found in nearly all ska music.
"Cobilimbo" is one of Monty Alexander's more creative sets of the 70s, recorded Sept. 8.-9.,1977, at MPS Studio Villingen, with a strong Caribbean groove overall and with guitar from Ernest Ranglin and steel drums from Vincent Taylor.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

"The Gaturs Featuring Willie Tee- Wasted-(Rare Early 70s Recordings)-Tuff City Records 1994 US":
The Gaturs were not as well known as The Meters and not as minimalist in their take on funk, but like that group they created a distinct sound based on the party atmosphere for which New Orleans is famous. Led by veteran session musician Willie Tee, the Gaturs' jazz-inflected funk and soul only made it to a handful of singles, but did pave the way for Tee's next project as bandleader for the festive chants of Mardi Gras Indians The Wild Magnolias.
This is a compilation with some awesome raw funk music, with great instrumental and vocal tracks.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-14T03:59:00.000-07:00

"Ray Charles - Doing His Thing -1969 US":
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), better known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums.
While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company.
Here Charles gave up on the Mantovani strings and shifted to contemporary soul, with most of the tunes written by Jimmy Lewis. The first side is packed with furious uptempo R&B featuring sparely-used horns and great riffs , "Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers," "Come And Get It" and especially "The Same Thing That Can Make You Laugh (Can Make You Cry)."
Side two is a bit slower, and heavily Motown-influenced, particularly in the rhythm section: "That Thing Called Love," complete with doubled guitar licks, sounds like a Marvin Gaye hit, except for Charles' hoarse vocals. Throughout, Charles' shouting and piano and organ playing are in top form, and he throws in plenty of wry offhand comments.
Long out of print, this album is very good, recorded at RPM Studio, 2107 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, California in 1969.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

"Donald Byrd- A New Perspective- 1963 US":
"A New Perspective" is a 1963 album by jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd released under the Blue Note label as BLP 4124 and BST 84124. The album is mostly performed in a hard bop style, but is particularly notable for featuring a gospel choir.
Apropos the project, Byrd said: "I mean this album seriously. Because of my own background, I've always wanted to write an entire album of spiritual-like pieces. The most accurate way I can describe what we were all trying to do is that this is a modern hymnal. In an earlier period, the New Orleans jazzmen would often play religious music for exactly what it was - but with their own jazz textures and techniques added. Now, as modern jazzmen, we're also approaching this tradition with respect and great pleasure."
Members:
Donald Byrd - trumpet
Hank Mobley - tenor saxophone
Herbie Hancock - piano
Kenny Burrell - guitar
Donald Best - vibraphone, vocals
Butch Warren - bass
Lex Humphries - drums
Duke Pearson - arranger
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson - choir direction

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

"Bobby Hutcherson- Natural Illusions-1972 US":
Bobby Hutcherson (born January 27, 1941, Los Angeles) is a jazz vibraphone and marimba player. "Natural Illusions" is an album by Bobby Hutcherson recorded in 1972 and released on the Blue Note label.
Vibes and orchestrations, a combination that makes for one of the coolest Bobby Hutcherson albums of the 70s, a really magical set that expands the sound of Bobby's work in ways we wouldn't have expected. The style is similar to that used with Grant Green and Lou Donaldson at the time on Blue Note, a style that's clearly trying for the more sophisticated sounds of CTI, and which beautifully balances the modes of presentation, so that there's still plenty of soulful moments and slyly funky bits alongside the strings and woodwinds in the orchestrations.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-08T07:25:00.000-07:00

"Phillip Lambro-Murph The Surf-1975 US OST":

Phillip Lambro was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He began studying music during his early teens in Boston where at seventeen he made his debut performing Chopin at the Pianists Fair in Symphony Hall.
Lambro has composed and conducted his music for several motion pictures."Murph The Surf" was a movie staring Robert Conrad, best known for the TV show "Bah Bah Black Sheep" and his battery commercials, based upon a real jewel thief.
The music is what you would expect from such a movie with some heavily orchestrated mood pieces, starting with the "Main Theme". Also good is "Boat Chase" that builds up as it progresses, and the vibes, wah wah guitar, and flute playing on the upbeat "Murph The Surf ".
-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

"Hugo Montenegro -Love Theme From The Godfather-1972 US":
Hugo Montenegro (September 2, 1925 - February 6, 1981) was an American orchestra leader and composer of film soundtracks.
One of his best examples of his unique style is 1972's "Love Theme From The Godfather", an album that transformed a diverse array of pop tunes and film themes into exotic easy listening through arrangements that piled on space-age synthesizer and wild sound effects designed to show off quadrophonic engineering techniques. The experimental tone is established from the get-go with "Norwegian Wood," which transforms the Beatles' Indian-styled pop tune into a lush, heady cinematic fanfare full of swirling strings, swinging brass, and rumbling percussion.
Other standout moments include "Me And My Arrow," which is transformed into synth-driven carnival music complete with crowd-noise sound effects, and the title track, which layers on fuzz guitar and trippy electronics to transform what was a delicate film theme into a surging, funky instrumental that would fit in on the soundtrack of a '70s cop show. Montenegro also throws a couple of originals in, the standout being the album closer "Stutterology", this quadrophonic-engineering showcase alternates a light, cheeky theme played on xylophone and keyboards with dark, suspenseful string passages over a rumbling percussion track.
"Love Theme From The Godfather's" combination of strong material and fearless experimentation makes it one of the most entertaining and consistent albums in Hugo Montenegro's catalog.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

"Oscar Brown Jr.,Jean Pace, Sivuca - Joy-1970 US":
"Joy" is a legendary musical out of print, opened January 27, 1970 at the New Theatre in New York. The songs have a Afro-blues-and Brazilian sound, written mostly by Oscar Brown, Jr. and performed by Brown and by Jean Pace (Mrs. Oscar Brown, Jr.), Sivuca and Norman Shobey. This actually stands simply as a great Oscar Brown Jr. LP, and the production is nice and intimate, and sounds just like an ordinary studio album. Sivuca's great, and his breathy voice and playing really open up Oscar Brown with some great Brazilian touches. And as usual, the writing's great, especially on tracks like "Brown Baby", "Mother Africa's Day", "Funky World", and the great version of "Afro Blue", featuring Oscar's classic lyrics. Also features a wonderful version of Johnny Alf's "Sky And Sea", done by Sivuca with an incredible lilting groove.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

ChrisGoesRock new link: here

2011-04-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

"New Colony Six - Colonization -1967 US":
Chicago's New Colony Six originally emerged as a tough, British Invasion-styled outfit prominently featuring Farfisa organ and a novel (at the time) Lesley guitar. The songs saw the band gradually abandoning their roots for middle-of-the-road pop with horns and strings.
Original members were Ray Graffia (vocals), Chick James (drums), Pat McBride (harmonica), Craig Kemp (organ), Wally Kemp (bass), and Gerry Van Kollenburg (guitar). Ronnie Rice (vocals, keyboards, guitar) joined in 1966, replacing Craig Kemp. "Colonization" was their second album, originally released in 1967 on Sentar Records.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-04-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

"Ramsey Lewis-Back To The Roots-1971 US":
Ramsey Lewis was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Ramsey Lewis, Sr. and Pauline Lewis. Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four. At 15 he joined his first jazz band, The Cleffs. The seven-piece group provided Lewis his first involvement with jazz, he would later join Cleffs drummer Isaac "Redd" Holt and bassist Eldee Young to form the Ramsey Lewis Trio.
"Back To The Roots" is one of Ramsey's excellent funky piano records for Cadet, featuring his second trio with Cleveland Eaton on bass and Morris Jennings on drums.
Charles Stepney plays a bit of organ on the album, and Henry Gibson gives the group a nice kick on on congas and percussion and there's a couple of excellent cuts with a good hard funk sound like: "Back To The Roots", "Candida" and "Up In Yonder".
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

"Osibisa-S/T-1971 UK":
Osibisa is a British Afro-Funk band, founded in London in 1969 by four expatriate African and three Caribbean musicians. Osibisa were one of the first African bands to become widely popular, leading to claims of founding World Music. Here is their first album.

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

"Chico Hamilton-The Dealer introducing Larry Coryell-1966 US":
"The Dealer" is a 1966 release by jazz drummer/bandleader Chico Hamilton. It was first released by Impulse Records (AS-9130). All tracks are originals, composed by Hamilton and some arranged by Jimmy Cheatham. The exceptions are "Larry Of Arabia" composed by Larry Coryell where legend has it that this was his first recording and from where Mick Taylor of Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones fame got some of his licks later used with The Stones and "For Mods Only", composed by free jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp, who features on the track playing piano.
Members:
Chico Hamilton - drums, percussion, vocal on #6
Larry Coryell - electric guitar
Arnie Lawrence - saxophone alto
Richard Davis - bass
Featuring:
Archie Shepp - piano on #2
Ernie Hayes - organ on #4 and #5

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

"Womb-S/T-1969 US":
This San Francisco-based band released two albums, a self titled and "Overdub", both in 1969.Their albums were essentially crossovers between the psychedelic and progressive eras.
On the first "Conceptions Of Reality II" is notable for Karyl Boddy's soothing vocals but the stand-out track is "Happy Egotist", a fine imaginative slice of psychedelia. (by request)

Members:
Karyl Boddy - piano, guitar, vocals

Ron Brunecker - drums

Rory Butcher - congas, percussion, vocals

Christopher Johnson - bass

Roluf Stuart - saxophone, flute

Greg Young - guitar

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

"The MG's-S/T-1973 US":
Booker T. & the M.G.'s is an instrumental R&B band that was influential in shaping the sound of southern soul and Memphis soul. Original members of the group were Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), Steve Cropper (guitar), Lewie Steinberg (bass), and Al Jackson, Jr. (drums). In the 1960s, as members of the house band of Stax Records, they played on hundreds of recordings by artists such as Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Sam & Dave, Carla and Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor.
Before the "Melting Pot" album was recorded in 1971, Booker T. Jones had left Stax. In fact, part of the album was recorded in New York , not the Stax studio. Steve Cropper had also become unhappy with business affairs at Stax and soon left. Dunn and Jackson remained on and did session and production work.
"The MG's" is a 1973 album recorded by The MG's for Stax Records. Both frontman Booker T. Jones and guitarist Steve Cropper were estranged from Stax by 1973. Remaining members Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson, Jr. recruited Bobby Manuel to replace Cropper and Carson Whitsett to replace Jones. Billed as The MG's since Jones was not involved with the project, the group released two singles, "Sugar Cane" and "Neck Bone". The singles and the album were not commercially successful, but were critically well-received.
Members:
Donald "Duck" Dunn - electric bass
Al Jackson, Jr. - drums
Bobby Manuel - guitar
Carson Whitsett - piano, organ

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

"Bobby Hackett - Billy Butterfield - Bobby Billy Brasil-1968 US":
Robert Leo "Bobby" Hackett (January 31, 1915 – June 7, 1976) was an US jazz musician who played trumpet, cornet and guitar with the bands of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman in the late thirties and early forties.
Billy Butterfield (January 14, 1917 in Middleton, Ohio – March 18, 1988) was a band leader, jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and cornetist.
The Verve LP was the result of a long friendship between Bobby Hackett and Billy Butterfield, who, in their early careers, were vitually indistinguishable (as pointed out by Richard Sudhalter in "Lost Chords"), although by this time their individual styles had evolved to become uniquely their own. All of the selections are rendered in bossa nova style, quite popular in the 60’s.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

"The Mariachi Brass Featuring Chet Baker -A Taste Of Tequila -1965 US":
Versatility is one of the greatest attributes of any acknowledged jazz star: The ability to bring his musicianship to new concepts in arrangements and overall sound. Chet Baker has this attribute.This album demonstrates it.
This album is more than a taste of that rejuvenating beverage, tequila (straight with salt and lime). It is really a generous sampling of Mexicana, with a few Norte-americano touches, such a "Tequila" of course, in which Chet's horn is in a decided Miles Davis vein, and also "Hot Toddy". (from back cover)
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

"Flora Purim-Flora e M.P.M-1964 Brazil":
Flora Purim (born March 6, 1942 in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian jazz singer known primarily for her work in the jazz fusion style. She became prominent for her part in Chick Corea's landmark album "Return To Forever". She has recorded and performed with numerous critically acclaimed artists, including Stanley Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, The Grateful Dead, Santana, Jaco Pastorius, and her husband Airto Moreira.
Purim began her career in Brazil during the early 1960s. During this period, she made a recording, titled "Flora e M.P.M.", in which she sang bossa nova standards of the day by Carlos Lyra and Roberto Menescal.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

"Telegraph Avenue-S/T-1971 Peru":

In 1970, Telegraph Avenue were formed after lead guitarist Bo Ichikawa returned to Peru, after having stayed half a year in San Francisco, where he had been exposed to the vivid local hippie rock culture. On his return he assembled all kinds of American influences, in a very convincing powerful way, with songs in English, but with ideas for arrangements which were more typical for the best Peruvian bands from those days.

The full arrangements are incredibly contrasting.There were two percussionists in the band. The first percussionist is Walo Carrilo (drums, percussion, maracas, tambourine), who, before Telegraph Avenue, had been a bandleader from Los Holy’s.

The additional percussionist is called Chachi Lujan (acoustic guitar, bongos, piano). The final member is the bass player Alex Nathanson (who also plays acoustic guitar, clavichord, piano). The styles of the songs are very varied, have bluesrock, Californian feelings, influences of soulrock and sixties flavoured styles. The psychedelic element is rather unique and can only be heard in the top Peruvian bands. (by request)

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-18T05:51:00.000-07:00

"Tea and Symphony-An Asylum For The Musically Insane- 1969 UK":

This group developed a weird but wonderful breed of acid or psych folk, but took it so far that they are best described as Folk Prog. They released only two albums on the Harvest label and both are now much sought after. Their debut album "An Asylum For The Musically Insane " shows off their experimental ideas on nine enchanting tracks including "Armchair Theatre", "Feel How So Cool The Wind" and "Nothing Will Come Of Nothing".

Tea and Symphony is one of the most bizarre act to find in the Folk Prog sub-genre, along with Comus, Dukes De Grey and Spyrogira.

Members:

Dave Clempson - guitar
Jeff Daw - flute, guitar, vocals
Gus Dudgeon -drums
James Langston -guitar, vocals, woodwinds
Nigel Phillips - keyboards, vocals, percussion

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

"Liquid Smoke - S/T- 1970 US":
Rare late 1960's US hard rock with great organ and psych guitars. The New York band's sole self-titled album is now a minor collectable. Consisting of original material written by Vince Fersak and some covers like "Hard To Handle", " It's A Man's World" and also a No. 82 in the U.S. version of "I Who Have Nothing".
Members:
Vince Fersak-guitar
Mike Archeleta-bass
Sandy Pantaleo-vocals
Benny Ninmann-keyboards
Chas Kimbrell-drums

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

"Jackson Heights-King Progress-1970 UK":
Jackson Heights were an English rock band, led by bassist and vocalist Lee Jackson, that ran from 1970 to 1973. When Keith Emerson disbanded The Nice, Lee Jackson decided to hang up his bass guitar and go back to 'simpler' music. With this in mind he gathered together some musicians he had known for a number of years: Charlie Harcourt, Tommy Slone and Mario Tapia. The result being the first Jackson Heights album "King Progress", on which Jackson sang and played acoustic guitar. The debut album by Lee Jackson & co., originally released in the U.K. on Charisma Records in 1970 and in the U.S. on Mercury Records. Seven tracks, including a cover of The Nice's "Cry Of Eugene".
Members:
Lee Jackson - 6 and 12 string guitars,harmonica, vocals
Charlie Harcourt-electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, vocals
Tommy Slone-drums and percussion
Mario Enrique Covarrubias Tapia - bass and Spanish guitars, vocals

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

"Renaissance-S/T-1969 UK":
"Renaissance" was the self-titled debut album by progressive rock band Renaissance.
In January 1969, former Yardbirds members Keith Relf, and Jim McCarty organised a new group devoted to experimentation between rock, Folk, and classical forms. This quintet, Relf on guitar & vocals, McCarty on drums, plus bassist Louis Cennamo, pianist John Hawken, and Relf's sister Jane Relf as an additional vocalist released a pair of albums on Elektra (US) and Island (UK), the first one, titled simply "Renaissance", being produced by fellow ex-Yardbird Paul Samwell-Smith.
Members:
Keith Relf - vocals, guitar, harmonica
Jim McCarty - percussion, vocals
John Hawken - piano, harspichord
Louis Cennamo - bass guitar
Jane Relf - vocals, percussion

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

"Merrel Fankhauser and H.M.S. Bounty - Things Goin' Round In My Mind-1968 US (Time Stood Still Records, 1985 UK)":
After cutting some fine folk-rock and psychedelia on ultra-rare records with his group The Exiles, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Merrell Fankhauser moved to Los Angeles, retitled his backing group H.M.S. Bounty, and recorded a fine slice of pop-psychedelia in 1968, "Things Goin' Round In My Mind".The diverse offerings on the group's sole LP recalled such fellow Californian heavyweights as The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape, and even Captain Beefheart.
One of the all- time 60’s classics, coming out from California central coast where H.M.S. leader Merrell Fankhauser stayed in 1967- 68. This was released on Uni in late 1968, and it’s a killer!!!! Flower power psychedelia, great all original songs, this is one of these albums you shouldn’t miss under any circumstance.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

"The Masked Marauders-S/T-1968 US":

After the appearence of the first rock bootleg, Dylan's "Great White Wonder", rock critic Greil Marcus wrote a tongue-in-cheek review in 'Rolling Stone Magazine' of a non-existant bootleg album featuring a band comprised of Lennon, Jagger and Dylan. The review actually fooled some readers into believing that this mythical LP actually existed and record stores across the U.S. were flooded with requests.
On reaction, Reprise quickly had The Masked Marauders album recorded and it soon appeared on the "Deity" label (as the review had described). Musically, it mixes some rock numbers with vocals a lá Jagger or Dylan, another cover of Donovan's "Season Of The Witch" and doo wop classics "Duke Of Earl" and "The Book Of Love".The musicians were probably members of The Cleanliness And Godliness Skiffle Band together with other musicians.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-05T05:38:00.000-08:00

"The Bonniwell Music Machine-S/T- 1967 US":

The Music Machine (1965-1969) was an American garage rock and psychedelic band headed by singer-songwriter Sean Bonniwell and based in Los Angeles. The band sound was often defined by fuzzy guitars and a Farfisa organ. Their original look comprised of all-black clothing and black moptop hairstyles .
After a promotional tour of the U.S. the rest of the original line-up, which included Ron Edgar (drums), Mark Landon (guitar), Keith Olsen (bass) and Doug Rhodes (organ), left Bonniwell, due to internal conflicts. In 1967 , Music Machine (essentially only Bonniwell at this point) were signed to Warner Bros and re-named The Bonniwell Music Machine.
The name was changed to give more prominence to the band's core member, songwriter and vocalist Sean Bonniwell. A self-titled LP was released that year, made up mostly of previously recorded singles with the original line-up. (by request)
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

"Sweetwater- Melon-1971 US":
In the late 60's the USA Psychedelic/Proto Prog movement was full of great artists ahead of their time but the band that pioneered the fusion of Rock, Classical, Folk and Jazz was a modest group of kids from Los Angeles called Sweetwater.
This is their third album and marked the end of the line for Sweetwater until they re-formed in the late ’90s. Still, there are some great moments here, and the band’s always superior musicianship shines through. "Melon", described by some people as a blend between Jethro Tull, Santana and Jefferson Airplane.
Members:
Fred Herrera - bass, vocals
Albert B. Moore - bass, vocals, flute
Nanci Nevins - guitar (acoustic), vocals, guitar
August Burns - cello
Elpidio Cobian - percussion, conga
Alex Delzoppo - harmonica, piano, keyboards, vocals
Alan Malarowitz - drums (Track 4 & Track 10)
Ricky Fataar -drums on all other tracks
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

"Bodast -The Bodast Tapes Featuring Steve Howe-1969 UK (Cherry Red Records, 1981 UK)":
Steve Howe was born in London on April 8, 1947. When he began playing guitar he had quite a few influences, chief among them was Chet Atkins. His first band was a Chuck Berry-infused band called The Syndicats. He began playing with that group in 1964. They released several singles before Howe left the group. His next band was The In Crowd, which eventually became Tomorrow. Under the newer name they released two singles in 1967 and an self-titled album the following year.
When the group broke up in 1968, Howe went on to a band called Bodast. Bodast built up quite a following and recorded an album. However, when their label went bankrupt, the still unreleased album was scrapped and the band eventually became a casualty breaking up fairly shortly thereafter. The album would not see release until 1981. After Bodast, Howe began trying to find his next band. By 1970, Howe became the new guitarist in Yes.
Members:
Steve Howe-Lead Guitar
Clive Skinner-Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Curtis-Bass, Vocals
Bobby Clarke-Drums

-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

"Montage- Featuring Mike Brown Of The Left Banke-1969 US (Bam-Caruso Records-1986 UK)":

As the chief songwriter for The Left Banke, Mike Brown composed an array of songs that conflated Baroque style classical music with rock ‘n roll reminiscent of popular British bands such as The Zombies and The Beatles. The string-heavy "Walk Away Renée" peaked at #5 in 1966 on the Billboard charts, and with the help of Brown’s father, The Left Banke released an album on Smash/Mercury Records in 1967.
In January 1967, Brown walked out on The Left Banke to be a studio auteur. Montage is what became of Brown’s aspirations, Brown wrote a majority of the band’s songs, played the keyboards, and produced the record. Montage is exactly what you’d expect of Brown, meticulously crafted pop songs drenched in strings, harmonies and the occasional horn section.
Members:
Mike Brown (keyboards and vocal arrangements)
Bob Steurer (lead vocals)
Vance Chapman (vocals, drums)
Mike Smyth (lead guitar, vocals)
Lance Cornelius (bass, vocals)
-by dj fanis: here

2011-03-01T05:20:00.000-08:00

"Twentieth Century Zoo-Thunder On A Clear Day-1968 US":
This is band's sole release stands as one of our favorite slices of mid-'60s psychedelia. A middling late-sixties psychedelic group, Twentieth Century Zoo were the first such band from Phoenix to get an album released and nationally distributed, even if that LP was on a small L.A. label, and not many people would hear it. The band evolved from The Bitter Sweets, which had a couple of local singles in 1966 and 1967. In 1967 and 1968, Twentieth Century Zoo had a couple of singles on the small Caz label, the first of these, "You Don't Remember, " being respectable psych-punk in the mold of the Music Machine.
In late 1968, the group recorded their sole album in Los Angeles for Vault Records, "Thunder On A Clear Day", featuring elongated fuzz-sustain riffs and heavy organ.
At times there was also a hard blues-rock feel, which could break into tedium on longer tracks, such as a ten-minute cover of Little Walter's "Blues with a Feeling."
Twentieth Century Zoo got to open for several bigger bands in Phoenix, such as Iron Butterfly and Blue Cheer, and did one more single for Vault before breaking up in 1970.
-by dj fanis: here

2011-02-25T09:23:00.000-08:00

"Terry Brooks And Strange-Raw Power-1976 US (Psycho Records 1984 UK)":
This heavy Florida-based seventies psychedelic rock outfit is worthy of investigation. All of the material is written, arranged, directed and produced by Terry Brooks.
On Raw Power, "Fields And Fields Of People" and "Love Me" are quite strong vocal numbers. "Are You My Friend?" and "To The Far Side Of Time" are space rock and the title track, a powerful psychedelic haze. The whole of Side Two is taken up by the 19 minute long "Life Jam".
(This album is the Reissue from UK label Psycho Records -Psycho 21,1984) more info here
Members:
Terry Brooks-Guitar, Vocals
Bob Griffin-Bass
Don Haste-Drums
Donald L. Hall -Strings Effects

-by dj fanis: here

2011-02-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

"Bethlehem Asylum-Commit Yourself -1970 US":
Bethlehem Asylum originated from the Clearwater/Tampa area in Florida although they toured extensively all around the South and had a good live reputation and were often double-billed with The Allman Brothers.
This band released two albums, "Commit Yourself " in 1970 and a self titled in 1971 on Ampex label. Both albums are worth a listen with the first being the better of the two. It contains lots of jazzy instrumentation and the better tracks are "Sea Rider"," Sailboat Ride" which features some nice sax and flute," Earth" which also has some good flute pieces and jazzy piano and the final cut "It's About" starts with some rather discordant guitar work.
Members:
Charles Dechant (vocals, saxophone, flute)
Christian Gandhi (keyboards, saxophone, trombone, alto flute)
Danny Finley (vocals, lead guitar)
Jimm Neiman (vocals, bass)
Buddy Helm (drums, percussion)
-by dj fanis: here