"The 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: link coming soon

"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

"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!!!

ΚΑΛΗ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ!!!

"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!!!

"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

"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

"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

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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