V.A. - African Scream Contest - Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds From Benin & Togo 70s (2008)

After releases by Zimbabwean 70s bands the Green Arrows and Hallelujah Chicken Run Band, the Analog Africa label now delves into the amazing history of music from 1970s Benin and Togo. This compilation highlights forgotten raw and psychedelic Afro sounds, and the well-researched liner notes tell fascinating stories to accompany the mind-blowing music. The essence of Analog Africa is clear; searching in dusty warehouses for forgotten music to keep the sound alive. Label owner & vinyl collector Samy Ben Redjeb arrived in Cotonou, Benin, "without any special expectations, just hoping to lay my hands on few good records--what I found in the process cannot really be described in words".

Like most modern music in French-speaking West African countries, the music of Benin and Togo was influenced by a few main musical currents: Cuban, Congolese and local traditional music, as well as Chanson Francaise. Additionally, the geographical location of Benin and Togo--sandwiched between Ghana and Nigeria--exposed Beninese and Togolese musicians to Highlife music.

The cultural and spiritual riches of traditional Beninese music had an immense impact on the sound of Benin's modern music. Benin is the birth place of Vodun (or, as it is known in the West, Voodoo), and some of the rhythms used during traditional rituals - Sakpata, Sato, Agbadja, Tchenkoumé and many others - were fused to Soul and Latin music as early as the mid-1960s and later to Funk. In the late '60s and early '70s rock and soul music started creeping into the region. In particular, the music of James Brown and Johnny Halladay became immensely popular with university students. It was then that the music scene in Benin really started to take off. That fusion is the essence of this compilation. The CD includes a well researched 44-page booklet & rare photographs. (amazon.com)

1. Lokonon André & Les Volcans - Mi Kple Dogbekpo
2. Picoby Band D'Abomey - Mi Ma Kpe Dji
3. Gabo Brown & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - It's a Vanity
4. El Rego et Ses Commandos - Se Na Min
5. Napo De Mi Amor et Ses Black Devil's - Leki Santchi
6. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Gbeti Madjro
7. Roger Damawuzan - Wait For Me
8. Ouinsou Corneille & Black Santiagos - Vinon So Minsou
9. Orchestre Super Jheevs des Paillotes - Ye Nan Lon An
10. Tidjani Kone & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Djanfa Magni
11. Discafric Band - Houiou Djin Nan Zon Aklumon
12. Le Super Borgou De Parakou - Congolaise Benin Ye
13. Vincent Ahehehinnou - Ou C'est Lui Ou C'est Moi
14. Les Volcans De la Capital - Oya Ka Jojo


African Scream Contest-Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds

Edip Akbayram & Dostlar - Nedir Ne Degildir (1976)

A later gem from the Turkish scene of the 70s -- one that's got a bit more funky touches than earlier Anatolian rock! There's still a fair bit of Eastern styles running through the mix, but most of the rhythms are really straightforward and use heavy basslines that really set the groove nicely -- a bit psychedelic, but almost more funk-inspired at times -- jamming in a way that's progressive, but never too noodly. The blend is a great one, and makes this record one of the best for those searching out the funkier side of the Turkish scene -- and this version has 4 bonus tracks added to the original record! Titles include "Yaralarim", "Arabam Kaldi Yolda", "Adam Olmak Dile Kolay", "Birak Beni", "Dar Agaci", "Mehmet Emmi", "Haberin Varmi", "Affetmem Seni", "Sen Actin Yarayi", and "Zalim Zalim". (dustygroove.com)


1. Yaralarim
2. Arabam Kaldi Yolda
3. Adam Olmak Dile Kolay
4. Dar Agaci
5. Kolum Nerden Aldin Zinciri
6. Ayrilik
7. Birak Beni
8. Haberin Varmi
9. Mehmet Emmi
10. Kaslarin Karasina
11. Affetmem Seni
12. Sen Actin Yarayi
13. Kahpe Felek
14. Zalim Zalim


Edip Akbayram & Dostlar - Nedir Ne Degildir [Audio CD]

The Boots - Smash! Boom! Bang! Beat In Germany - A 60's Anthology (2003)

This is part of Bear Family's Beat In Germany 1960 series.

1. Gloria
2. Dimples
3. But You'll Never Do It Babe
4. Walkin' In The Sand (Remember)
5. In The Midnight Hour
6. Watch Your Step
7. Another Tear Falls
8. Gaby
9. Jump, Back Baby
10. Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut
11. She's About A Mover
12. It Ain't Necessarely So
13. What You Gonna Do About It
14. Got Love If You Want It
15. Boogie Children
16. Enchanted Sea
17. Comin' Home
18. When I Loved Her
19. No Part Of It
20. It's A Man's Man's World
21. I Don't Want To Go On Without You
22. Alexander
23. Aber ich blieb kühl
24. One More Time
25. I Wish You Would
26. Spoonful (Crazy Enough For Me)
27. Wreck My Life
28. Gaby (demo-Karaoke version)

Smash...! Boom...! Bang...!

V.A. - Realistic Patterns - Orchestrated Psychedelia From The USA (2008)

Orchestrated Psychedelia might seem to be something of a misnomer -- given the freak and fuzz usually associated with the psyche genre -- but the name is well-put here, since most of the tracks feature bigger musical backings! And although "orchestral" might be one way of describing the music, the sound isn't the sleepy sort you might associate with classical or dramatic soundtracks -- as most of the arrangements use the added instruments in ways that range from jazzy to driving to exotic, often with some wonderfully trippy touches. The set's one of our favorite so far from the Psychic Circle -- and once again, compiler Nick Saloman has come up with a whole new genre unto itself, by really shedding new light on a host of overlooked tunes. (dustygroove.com)


Tracklist:

1. All Those Who Enter Here - Burned
2. Realistic Patterns - The Subterranean Monastery
3. Brother Lou's Love Colony
4. I Call Her Lady - Bubble
5. Her Sadness Primer - Compass
6. Popcorn Double Feature - Tim Wilde
7. I Had the Notion - The Sound Solution
8. Yesterday Girl - Mystic Astrologic Crystal Band
9. Snowqueen - The Byzantine Empire
10. Dying Daffodil Incident - A Handful
11. Jersey Thursday - Douglas Fir
12. Dominique Is Gone - Gregg Shively
13. Don'tcha Feel Like Cryin' - Nobody's Children
14. Hurry Up Sundown - The Balloon Farm
15. Lydia Purple - Dunn & McCashen
16. Small Town Commotion
17. Glory Train - Drake
18. Pedestals - The 31st Of February
19. Theme from Valley of the Dolls - Natty Bumpo
20. Mr. Tripp Wouldn't Listen - Little Boy Blues


Realistic Patterns: Orchestrated Psychedelia from the USA

The Moon - Without Earth & The Moon (1968 - 1969)

Listen to 'Never Mind':



The Moon was a short-lived late-'60s psych-pop "supergroup," notable for featuring ex-Beach Boy David Marks on lead guitar. 20-year old Marks had, by then, enjoyed quite a career. At 14, circa 1962, he joined the Beach Boys as a rhythm guitarist (the Wilsons were his neighbors in Hawthorne, CA) when Al Jardine left their lineup to attend dentist school. Marks appeared on the first four Beach Boys albums and several hit singles, including "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Surfer Girl." When Jardine returned, Marks, just 16, became the leader of Dave & the Marksmen, who had localized hits with "Cruisin'," "I Wanna Cry," and "I Could Make You Mine." Marks then formed the Band Without a Name, who recorded two singles for Tower and Sidewalk and were the house band at two Sunset Strip clubs, circa 1965-1966. After leaving this group, Marks formed the Moon with organ/pianist/vocalist Matthew Moore, who penned most of the band's songs. Moore's previous group, Matthew Moore Plus Four, had recorded for GNP Crescendo, and also solo material for White Whale and Capitol. The other Moon members were bassist David Jackson (ex-Hearts & Flowers, who had two LPs on Capitol in the late '60s) and drummer Larry Brown (ex-Davie Allen & the Arrows and a veteran of countless film soundtracks and those Sidewalk/Tower releases that were produced by Mike Curb). The members of the Moon literally moved into Continental Recorders in Hollywood, where they recorded two albums — 1968's Without Earth and 1969's The Moon — for Imperial. Today, Marks admits these were produced under the influence of LSD, and sound "like a cross between the Bee Gees, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix." The group's membership also included bassist Andy Bennett and session drummer Jim Keltner occasionally filling in.
After the Moon dissolved, Marks began working as a studio musician with Denny Brooks, Delaney & Bonnie, and others. Marks, Moore, and Jackson later worked together — alongside members of Colours and the East Side Kids — on Buzz Clifford's See Your Way Clear album. Marks also joined Mike Love's Beach Boys, but was forced to leave due to his own battle with Hepatitis C. He founded the non-profit Artists Against Hepatitis foundation and became the national spokesman for the Hep C Hope Foundation. More recently, he still finds time to tour with Beach Party!, made up of former members of the Boys' touring band. Moore, meanwhile, joined Joe Cocker's 1970 Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour, which was captured on vinyl and film for posterity's sake (Cocker performed Moore's "Space Captain"). Moore then went on to have a successful career as a session vocalist and keyboardist, recorded solo albums, and even had his own label, New Decade. David Jackson went on to become the bassist with Dillard & Clark. Larry Brown played with Gunhill Road, Tony Allwine, and was the official voice for Mickey Mouse.


1. Mothers And Fathers
2. Pleasure
3. I Should Be Dreaming
4. Brother Lous Love Colony
5. Got To Be On My Way
6. Someday Girl
7. Papers
8. Faces
9. Never Mind
10. Give Me More
11. Shes On My Mind
12. Walking Around
13. Pirate
14. Lebanon
15. Transporting Machine
16. Mary Jane
17. Softly
18. Not To Know
19. The Good Side
20. Life Is A Season
21. John Automaton
22. Come Out Tonight
23. Mr Duffy
24. Pirate Song (Mono 45 Mix) (Bonus Track)
25. Not To Know (Mono 45 Mix) (Bonus Track)
26. Face In The Crowd (Matthew Moore Plus 4) (Bonus Track)
27. White Silk Glove (Matthew Moore Plus 4) (Bonus Track)
28. Come On Home (Matthew Moore Plus 4) (Bonus Track)


Without Earth and the Moon

Ashes - Featuring Pat Taylor (1970)

The only album ever from The Ashes -- a group who both pre-dated and post-dated Peanut Butter Conspiracy -- morphing into that famous act after an initial 60s run, then changing back to Ashes form with this group featuring female singer Pat Taylor! Taylor's got a style that's folksy, but a bit fierce too -- a quality that almost gives the group a Jefferson Airplane sound on vocals, but a bit lighter overall and not nearly as trippy. Tunes are relatively straightforward, occasionally a bit rootsy -- late 60s California underground work at its best, although more Northern Cali than southern. Titles include "My Life Has Changed", "Sands Of Love", "Sleeping Serenade", "Gone To Sorrow", "Simple Complexities", "Look Around Rock", and "Her Invention". (dustygroove)


Personnel:
AL BRACKETT bs A
JOHN MERRILL gtr A
PAT TAYLOR vcls A
JIM VORGHT drms A


ALBUM:
1(A) THE ASHES (Vault 125) 1966 R1


45s:
1 Is There Anything I Can Do?/Every Little Prayer (Vault 924) 1966
2 Dark On You Now/Roses Gone (Vault 936) 1967
3 Homeward Bound/Sleeping Serenade (Vault 973) 1971



The above line-up is that featured on the album. This Los Angeles band's original drummer was, of course, Spencer Dryden, before he joined Jefferson Airplane. The remaining members, aside from Taylor, later teamed up with Bill Wolff, Lance Feat and Sandi Robinson to become The Peanut Butter Conspiracy.

The Ashes also have four tracks (both sides of their first two singles) on the 1967 Vault compilation, West Coast Love-In (LP). Every Little Prayer, Is There Anything I Can Do?, Dark On You Now and Roses Gone are all characterised by the distinctive melodies that typified so many mid-sixties English bands like The Fortunes. They feature Sandi Robinson rather than Pat Taylor on vocals. Their album is well worth a spin. A very hippyish sixties album with nice lead vocals. (Fuzz, Acid & Flowers)

The Ashes were a folk-rock group formed in 1965 that included John Merrill (guitar/ vocals), Alan Brackett (bass/ vocals), Barbara Robison (vocals), Spencer Dryden (drums) and Jim Cherniss (guitar/ vocals). Before they were known as the Ashes, the group called themselves the Young Swingers and released two long lost 45s under that name: "Love Her Every Day" b/w "Or Else You'll Cry" (Courtney 746) and "Let's Take Our Love" b/w "The Winds Up High" (Portafino 901) . From the summer of 1965 up until May of 1966, the Ashes served as the house band at a club in Santa Monica called the Waleback. They released their first single under their new moniker in 1966: "Is There Anything I Can Do?" b/w "Every Little Prayer" (Vault 924). The a-side was written by Jackie DeShannon and featured a fine lead vocal from Barbara Robison. This 45, along with its follow-up "Dark on You Now" b/w "Roses Gone" (Vault 936), also appeared on the 1967 compilation WEST COAST LOVE-IN (Vault 7980). Around the time of the first Ashes single, Spencer Dryden left to replace Skip Spence in Jefferson Airplane. Jim Cherniss also exited the group at this time.

With the addition of two new members, the band was transformed into the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, who of course recorded two albums for Columbia in 1967. John Merrill resurrected Ashes in late 1968, around the same time that Alan Brackett was working on the tracks that would ultimately constitute the PBC's FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES album. The new Ashes recorded their debut LP for Vault Records that year; it stands today as a staple of the collector's market, routinely fetching $50 or more on eBay. The album also featured singer Pat Taylor standing in for Barbara Robison (who could not appear on the record due to contractual obligations). The LP's release was delayed until 1970, while two songs from the record-- "Homeward Bound" b/w "Sleeping Serenade" (Vault 975)-- were issued as a 45 in 1971.

--Jason Penick


Ashes

Peter Stark - Mushroom Country (1976)

Another private pressing from a band that recorded a single record only to disappear without trace immediately after. Peter Stark's Mushroom Country, with its unusual phallic mushroom artwork and 'cosmic folk' groove, has become an extremely collectable album of late. Recorded at The Mike studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the album appeared on the Montage label in 1976, although for some reason no catalogue number was assigned. The album features 8 original works by Stark and his brother Ben, and a particularly fine cover of Donovan's 'Hey Gyp'. Musically, the album takes us on a tour of genres, from the instrumental 'Raga For Bayleaf', the folky 'You Make Me Feel' and the blues of 'Searching'. There is a real charm about Mushroom Country, with its varied instrumental accompaniment to Stark's vocals and fluid guitar and a 'we're having a great time doing this' vibe that pervades throughout. Hippie folk? Well, possibly, but none the worse for that. (Forcedexposure.com)

Personnel:
WENDALL BIGELOW drms A
HAL DAVIS gtr A
DAVE MASON gtr A
RICK ED ROB perc A
PETER RUTH hrmnca A
WILLARD SPENCR banjo A
BEN STARK gtr, vcls A
PETER STARK gtr, vcls A


ALBUM:
1(A) MUSHROOM COUNTRY (Montage ) 1976


From Ann Arbor, Michigan, this album contains acid folk music, with a cover of Donovan's Hey Gyp, some ragas (Ragas For Bayleaf) and fluid guitars. Housed in a nice sleeve, the album is now extremely rare and sought after.

(Stephane Rebeschini/Clark Faville)


Mushroom Country