Infected by Records

Polydor PD 5026 / 1972 - bluesy rocker with some inklings of Pacific Gas & Electric. Usage of flutes, saxes, kazoos and pianos highlight the album, but don't set this one into collectible territory. This is a five piece outfit headed by Elliott Randall on guitar, and he really lets it rip on 'prediscovery', but other songs get goofy with post psychedelic nonsense and Who theatrics. This is the band that plays music for Jesus Christ Superstar on funky Broadway. Before that, they toured with John Mayall. the band also includes Gary King on bass, Allen Herman of Ten Wheel Drive on drums, Paul Fleisher on sax and flute, and Pot on piano and organ.

don't get me wrong, i'd play this one again, but i don't think i'd remember any of the songs in an hour. my copy is a white label promo and i don't remember its price. i think it was from the Brooklyn load. I see it on gemm for 6-15 in limited quanity and I would sell it for 8- or 10-.

overall grade is a C+/decent category filler, but by no means a must have. next.

Labels: Rock Filler

Columbia c30381 / 1971 - The trouble with a record like this for me is timing. I can tell that the style of this record shows talent on many levels, from songwriting to singing to musicianship, but I just am not into folk right now, or at least I won't give the required effort to find the goodness among the ramshackle folk tunes that fill this LP. As I mentioned in the previous posting about Emigre, Ian Guenther appears on this LP and offers his fiddle expertise. I just don't care for the style enough to play this one again right now, and I don't know if I ever will. I did enjoy the track 'don't let me down', but the rest was a bit too over-the-top psychedelic folk for me.

Cover art shows Fraser in a cowboy hat and silver cuffed collar while deBolt wears a hippie dress, and damn if she doesn't look just like Michelle, or at least her eyes and smile.

My price was 4- a few years ago, and side one has a visible scratch through three songs. I see on ebay that it sells for 25- or so, and solid viper has a set sale at 45- for this one. overall grade for me is C+/not enough to draw me back, at least not now.

Labels: Canadian Hippie Folk

Chrysalis 1228 / 1979 - Led by production team Willi Morrison and Ian Guenther (Three Hats Production/THP Orchestra), this duo makes likable and funky late 70's disco/funk pop. Guenther plays violin and Morrison on guitars. I am enjoying this record as i review it, which is difficult, because the licks keep on coming, and i'm starting to like this more and more, something like how the Chaz Jankel LP's took hold of me.

The cover for this one and only LP by Emigre shows the bald eagle on a greenish money colored background. It sells on various sites for about 6-15 and it could probably be had for 5- or under at a show. I really liked the song 'Poison' on side 1, with its infectious groove and punk-funk flavor, but the violins are what stand out about this band. There are songs stretching into the dub sound like 'spooky reggae', an upbeat disco violin/plinked piano sound on 'rabbit run' and a slower world music influenced number called 'snake dance' which show that the band is using its production clout to find a hit, but the LP is scattered with themes. This is o.k. in my book, but won't make this a classic.

Ian Guenther is currently a violin teacher in Canada. He was with the THP Orchestra, which produced many disco hits for the Butterfly/Chelsea disco label. There is much to search about THPO on the internet, but this lone LP by Emigre is the only attempt at self production. Earlier, Ian Guenther recorded with Fraser & Debolt on their second LP, which i just pulled from my shelves. It is on schedule for its first spin. That was recorded in 1971 and appears to be highly regarded.

This LP is unpriced, but I believe it cost me under 5-, probably a buck or two. overall grade is a B/has an unusual feel for its genre but not astounding nor super memorable, but has enough value to make a slinky funky impression on a mix tape.

Labels: Funk Punk Finds

A&M SP 4607 / 1976 - Bluesy hard rocker features Jimi Jamison on vocals. He is also the singer of Cobra and Survivor after they recorded "eye of the tiger". Every song on both sides is an uptempo straight ahead guitar rocker in the vein of Rainbow, Whitesnake, Bad Company. I hear a bit of Paul Rodgers in the voice as well. The guitars by Buddy Davis are done well, and the synthesized tracks are used tastefully.

The whole feel reminds me of the movie 'Dazed and Confused' and the song by Free on that album. The lyrics are party oriented and hit driven, as were many LP's on A&M from this period. The look of the band is long hair, feathered, open shirts, party time. A few of the songs are covers including "just a little too much" by Johnny Burnette and "99 1/2" by Steve Cropper/Eddie Floyd/Wilson Pickett. Buddy Davis writes a lot of the tunes as well.

I looked this one up to find values, and there are no copies available from Craig Moerer or ebay, now or in the last thirty days. The Jimi Jamison website says the record is rare and goes for 30-50, but my guess would be around 15-25. I don't remember where or for how much I got this one, but probably from the Brooklyn load even though the typical price sticker isn't on the LP anymore.

Overall grade is B-/steady rocker party time driving or drinking music (not at the same time!)/makes me feel eighteen again/not too much to make it play more than a few times however, and not really all that essential.

Labels: Seventies Rockers

Weird Records VR 001 / 2006 - Sweet piece of double vinyl limited to 1000 pieces, i have #391. This is essential new wave/post punk bands of the time doing retro sounding stuff. I won't get too deep into the details on this one, as its brand new and can be found maybe even in your local record store. Its a big beautiful gatefold with a big beautiful book and it needs to be on your record shelf. I paid $25 for this and I would spend double that. I've only gotten through the first and second sides, and I have heard them twice each. I switched records for a new vibe after that, but this one is a keeper until the end.

Overall grade A-, packaging, material, presentation, price. Go get it, before you don't.

Fontaine House 918 / 1970 - I had high hopes here, to find a Xian folk record that I might like. I was down at Zern's in Gilbertsville, PA digging around and came across this one, and I had never seen it before, so I bought it for $3 (it was marked $4.99). But wouldn't you know, not twenty minutes later, I found it again in another booth for a buck. Needless to say, I am glad I didnt' pick them both up, as this record was a bad Xian folk record, focusing more on folk than funk, and more on Christ than I cared to hear.

This is a midwest piece, probably Cincinnati. I had never seen the label Fontaine House before, and the cover shows Joe Wise in silhouette against a boardwalk railing in the distance. The guitar case is on the ground, looks so damn promising. However, this one is hard to get through more than a song or two. The warbly voice careens around and the instrumentation is straight bible-belt material. Ugh.

Overall grade D+, poor example of what to look for in the category while trying to get lucky and find a new undiscovered funky Xian folkster. I still have yet to get lucky in this category, but I will, I will.

Oh, by the way, I just picked up a really smashing load of Jazz records highlighted by some Blue Note 10" and LP, many private press 60's and 70's avante gardists and some nice early Bethlehem, Savoy, and Columbia Masterworks. On top of that, I also picked up an RCA promo load which includes EVERYTHING on the label dating back to the 1950's. The Warhol covers, the Shaded Dogs, the early 80's Modern Soul, the Living Stereo gems, the early Country, you name it. That's another blog, or ten.

Labels: Xian Folk?

MCA 5268 / 1981 - couldn't stand it. bad version of Journey doing bad Journey-esque songs. I have come across too many from this band lately, it seems a lot of early 80's schwag is floating in our area, like the scum atop of a cesspool. I honestly coulnd't give this one a three song valuation, as during song #3, i just had to say NO. Six piece band, they seem Canadian maybe. Overall grade is D+, as there is much to despise here, as any AOR doubter might know. don't attempt this one, folks.

It's a buck or three you'll wish you had spent on a Charleston Chew.

Labels: Mistakes

Nonesuch 77174 / 1968? - i had heard about this piece for a long time, in that it is essential listening as an early version of modern electronic music. i already own the original copy of Silver Apples self-titled LP which uses oscillations and psychedelic electronics, but as far as this original Subotnick, what's all the fuss about? is this listenable, or is it enjoyable? i don't sample much, and i don't pretend to sample much. this isn't a fun record, and it doesn't make me feel anything other than 'get this thing the F off my stereo'. known famously for one of the first recordings of electronic synthesizer, this piece of music is just plain uninteresting for anything other than novelty purposes to me. i can see how fans of electronic, sampled, IDM, no wave and other similar categories might force themselves into this music, but it just doesnt' interest me enough to flip to side 2.

got a nice copy here, however, in shrink wrap, purchased in Cape Cod for 6-/overall grade C+/not my cup of tea, coffee, or soda.

Labels: Sample My Why?

Virgin Records 2104 / 1978 - pop based prog outfit that made three records, and this is the second one. Features Kenny Young and Herbie Armstrong along with Peter Bardens as a guest keyboardist. What's to like here are the catchy melodies and the keys. It plays somewhat silly, but in a way that caught my attention and made me listen three times in full. I really enjoyed the songs 'flying saucers'. 'up in the balcony', and 'masters of the night', which built up like a B.O.C. or Zebra song that layered the keyboards like 'who's behind the door'. there were some good bass and synth solos by Rod Demick and Pete Bardens, and many times they were overusing the UFO sounds, but i liked it for just that reason. this is one of those records that many collectors would pass up because the cover shows a bunch of over-the-hill goofballs in aviator sunglasses, corny designer jeans, and faux leather jackets. the back cover shows the hot girl in the satin dress with a PUG face, which is just too much to handle when looking for something cool to buy, but yet i bought it....and surprise, suprise....better than expected. 1978 comes through in the pinch.

This record is apparently hard enough to find to demand a 15- and up price tag on the sites i checked. i got mine for 3- in Cape Cod a few months ago. it's a keeper. overall grade B/solid and fun, i want to rate it higher, but i know that in a few months i'll wonder what i was thinking when i listen to it again.

Labels: Don't Judge Me By My Cover

Strange Fruit 066 / 1989 - 4 song ep that plays pretty much like any great Siouxsie material. sloppy and aching. i have been picking up all of the Peel Sessions records that I can find, because John Peel knew what was up. Hong Kong Garden is a classic, and Helter Skelter has some dissonant opening riffs that slow it down to a death march.

I picked this record up for 1-, overall grade B-/don't really find it better than the originals.

Labels: Filling In The Collection

Ze Records 33 / 1979 - this isn't an underground album by any means if you collect in the punk/no wave/new wave/PP categories, but for me, this is my first real introduction. i am in awe. after reading about James White, i went into a long spiral of searches through multiple websites to track down a whole other slew of cd's from artists that i have sadly overlooked including Wire, Black Randy, Theoretical Girls (Glenn Branca), Defunkt, Malaria, and Swell Maps to name a few. I don't even care if I can listen to some of them, I just need to finally say that I have gotten the core of the category for listening. My ass was so crammed with my head in 1979. How else could albums like this "off white" slip by me for 27 years? I have seen other James White, James Black, and Contortions records go by before, and I almost let this one slip through, too.

Its punk, funk, white funk, awesome, and awesomer. My copy was just purchased for less than 1- at a thrift, but that's another story. overall grade A-/original/inspiring/perfectly able to annoy most but gets more beautiful minute by minute. the cd has already been ordered (for too much) from half.com and i expect to make this driving music of the highest order.

Labels: Funk Punk Finds

Single Sound 1978-1980 - Knoxville quartet that apparently started the post punk new wave scene in the area. It has been stated to sound between Richard Hell and King Crimson, and I hear that, but it might be much more than that. this is infectious and very very cool stuff. it has more of an art rock feel but not pretentiously. this 12" 45 rpm has only four songs, and all are terrific songs. the black and white understated cover makes this look cheaply produced, but thats the charm. the cd version of this lone LP has been reissued by Wonderdog Records and includes extra material. this is the only vinyl available and damn if i can find a copy for sale anywhere. its not on ebay, allmusic, musicstack, gemm, amazon, or on google. the cd-r is out there for 25- but not the vinyl. my copy is a Brooklyn find, priced at 4- from 1989.

read about this band. search this one out. here is the website i found.

http://www.lynnpoint.com/balboa/index.htm

my overall grade is B+/strong find/collectible vinyl, i need to get the cd on this one.

Labels: Post Punk Finds

Play it Again Sam Records 1008 / 1988 - Belgian band, a dark spiral staircase of monotone gothic doom. it reminds me of some nick cave, ian curtis and has a rockabilly feel at times too, in a Tito & the Tarantulas vein. this is a later album for the band and was distributed by Wax Trax, which is why i picked it up. there is no listing on allmusic for it, but on musicstack, the record gets 16- to 144-. my copy is from the Brooklyn load, and its priced 5- from 1989.

here is a website about the band from a fan.

http://www.swerquin.net/sigloxx.htm

i like this record, with its pervasive mood and simplistic repeated lyrics. not too far off from songs:ohia in some ways. overall grade is B/need to find the early albums to value this piece against the rest of the collection, and there is some kind of collection which encompasses at least 15 releases in single or LP form.

Labels: Tried It For The Label

Herb Jackson Records 4705 / 1985 - a rather tasty slice of light new wave. good synths, good vocals, good dark bass lines. tough to find much about this band. The Mice which seems like the most popular artist on the label as their cd has been reissued, yet this is the first release from the Cleveland, OH label. four songs here, all strong stuff for the genre. the four members of the band are in white shirts and black coats, nothing too fancy or fruity. this record was from the Brooklyn load, originally priced at 4- in 1989. overall grade B/solid, yet not essential. for fans of deep new wave digs. i can see using each of the four songs, but none of them sticking in your head all afternoon.

Labels: New Wave Finds

Poolbur Records 005 / 1987 - amazing and undiscovered rock talent here. violent femmes/sonic youth/mission of burma are all valid references. this sound takes me to what i was looking for in 1987 but couldn't find enough of to suit me. instead i foolishly turned to heavy metal and turned my back on the real record business at the time. this three piece band from WV includes the Poole brothers (Wesley and Mark) and Todd Burge, who now plays bluegrass.

there is a strong rhythm section and raw rock sensibility. its dirty, bassy, sharp and mean. i got this from the Brooklyn load, and i could find only one copy on the internet for 15-. there was no information on allmusic, gemm, musicstack or ebay except for one lone 45 rpm single. the band has a website up on myspace which is a fansite and it leads you to Todd Burge's site. i didnt' get into all that, but this record is a must for those who like their rock loud and fast and furious but still hanging on to melody and rhythm. small label pressing makes this a tougher find, it comes with lyric insert. i like almost every song for play on mixes and the album flows by just too fast.

overall grade B+/needs to be cherished and played often.

Labels: Post Punk Finds

Spindletop Records 106 / 1985 - funky rock outfit with plenty of drum machines and gloria estefan beats layered over synths galore. but it works. its just the right mix of funky and cheesy to make a desirable listen for those into good pop records. i sense a Mary Jane Girls / B-52's / Rip Rig & Panic influence here. the keyboards go into spooky sci-fi rhythms and almost touches on Au Pairs territory vocally. another reference might be a jazzed out version of Trap Door.

this record was listed as a jazz record on a few sites, but um... no. on google searches, i found a price of 2-, and two prices of 15-. this record is not on ebay and is not the easiest to find. my LP is from the Brooklyn collection, stickered at 5- from 1989. i would buy this sound for 5- again. cover has a spraypainted logo, looks like a heavy metal album. when you flip it over, seven band members including the lead girl Lisa Gamache, and another girl who plays Keyboards, DX-7, Casio, Piano, and synth horns.

i was about to comment on a funky bassline during song '47th street', it is damn funky. i noticed the lead bass players picture, who has the hairdo of the keyboard player from Prince during the 'when doves cry' video. he's the one in the surgeon outfit. you remember, curly mullet? anyway, his wife beater is airbrushed with the saying 'The Bass is Love'. the word Love is written in the style of Arthur Lee's band logo. . .

the lead singer sounds a bit like Debbie Gibson, and the music is so perfectly cheesed out. i like this one. guilty pleasure here folks, but a damn good find from a damn crappy look. overall grade B/needs to be used, but probably not reissued, at least until the world decides it needs more Tanita Tikarim dance beats being made into deluxe edition cd's.

Labels: Funk Punk Finds

T.W. Records 1 / 1980-81 - dark wave, joy division style without the massive production. strumming and shoegazing early 80's a la The Church. several songs are very strong, especially 'the guests have arrived', 'fictional girl', and 'hide and seek', which all arise on side two. this is a three piece outfit led by David Cole. this is good enough to have a cd reissue made for it, and many would enjoy its throbbing sensibilities. my copy has the original lyric sheet, shows a young doctor wearing a stethoscope in a garden, pictured in black and white. the back has an all too 80's chicky missing her nose/mouth which gives a look similar to the meat ground children from pink floyd's movie. this copy came from the Brooklyn load, so its original sticker was 5- back in 1989. i found this one on musicstack for no less than 45- in five locations. craig moerer was out of this one, too. this band has no website, no listing on allmusic, and no items for sale on ebay now or in the last 30 days from this posting. kind of rare to find much information at all for this band. even the label is a murky information hunt at best, as this is the first release on T.W. Records Ltd. overall grade B+/perfect PP companion to many collections, rare and desirable small label pressing. enjoy your hunt, you might need this one.

Labels: Post Punk Finds

Philips 600-308 / 1969 - nifty piece of prog/jazz/psych that doesn't really ever get to Amazing, but it hovers around pretty cool. i felt the highlight was the first track "high why and die company" which had the most interesting bits of psychedelia. there are portions with trumpet and trombone fills and others highlighting piano, which makes the album eclectic and unusual, but not extraordinary. its not too ordinary either. original sticker was 15-, i got it for 8-, and i noticed it on ebay for 17- and up. craig moerer had it for 20-. someone had it as high as 99-. this is their first of two albums. the cover has two cartoon hands catching a ball with an otherwise pink blotchy background. the back cover shows the five band members including one female, ruth romonoff, who plays drums of all things. the songs are all originals, penned by steve margoshes the piano player. this one is probably worth searching out if you are into the oddball psych stuff at reasonable prices. it isn't too common, as this is the first copy i have ever seen. overall grade B/worth more listens/definitely worth capturing the sound of the first song which i noticed is available as a 15- single on ebay.

Labels: Psychedelic/Acid

Mute Records 157 / 1993 - standard fare early nineties dance music, some world beats thrown in. i picked up this one out of category as it featured now famous producer David Holmes, of whom the album 'Cherrystones' is a personal favorite of rare psychedelic songs in a fantastic collage format. Mute is a good label to experiment on as well. this isn't bad, but dance music just isn't my thing, as even though it can be pleasing, it has no surprises. beat, yes? grooves, yes? ok, then you get what you paid for. anything less, you lose. this one was priced 1-/overall grade C+/nothing to search out here.

Labels: Tried It For The Label

Wibble/Polydor 2320101/ 1975 - an all ARP synthesizer LP which covers the entire album of Ringo Starr "ringo". even though i have never heard the original, i enjoy the synth versions of the songs. phil collins is the drummer. overall, it has a mellow grooving feel which would sample well as a Ween interlude. There are gooey synth lines and a driving but laid back feel. some of it even sounds like steel drum island music. price was 8- and i found it on ebay buy it now for 20- to 60- with the low end being craig moerer. an ebay completed search turned up one for about 7-/overall grade is B-/i might use some material, but i won't be listening to the whole too often. more of a novelty and a sample piece.

Labels: Oddball/Experimental