1960s Vinyl 173 Items

A Timeless Reflection on America and Ourselves: Simon & Garfunkel’s Searching Bookends Searches and Asks Big Questions, Includes “Mrs. Robinson” and “A Hazy Shade of Winter”

Mastered on MoFi’s Renowned System and Limited to 4,000 Numbered Copies: Mobile Fidelity’s 180g SuperVinyl 33rpm LP Magnifies the Brilliance of the Original Recording Sessions

1/4" / 15 IPS analog copy to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe

Concept album, career-making moment, industry-defying creation, years-long pursuit of perfection: Simon and Garfunkel’s Bookends adheres to all those descriptions and more, the record at once a defining statement of the late 1960s and salient reflection on relationships, identity, society, and mortality whose enduring relevance attests to its exceptional merit. Ranked by countless sources as one of the greatest records of all time, the 1968 work transcends styles, trends, and generations.

Definitive reissue of Nancy’s debut album Includes the bonus tracks, “The City Never Sleeps At Night” and the previously unreleased “For Some”. Newly remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®–nominated engineer John Baldwin. Vinyl pressed at RTI Q&A with Nancy and GRAMMY®–nominated reissue co-producer Hunter Lea. Never–before–seen photos from Nancy’s personal archive Beautifully packaged and expanded gatefold LP featuring a 20–page booklet.

“Dumb stuff, as Lee used to call it. Dumb doesn’t mean stupid. It means human and understandable. It was the sound of three guitars, drums, and bass. It was simple, very, very simple. I can still see the room, the studio. With Carol Kaye, Glen Campbell, Donnie Owens… I can still see them all sitting there and chunking away. I guess simple was the best way to explain it, uncomplicated.” – Nancy Sinatra

The 1966 debut million-selling debut LP, introduced the sassy, blonde, go-go booted icon. Built around her Lee Hazlewood-penned hits, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and “So Long, Babe,” the folk-rock era milestone album features songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Hazlewood and more. The catchy and jangly pop hooks performed by the famed Los Angeles session musicians, The Wrecking Crew and Billy Strange’s innovative arrangements provided the perfect sound to help Nancy capture the attention of the world. The new reissue includes two bonus tracks recorded during the album sessions, the non-album b-side “The City Never Sleeps At Night” and the previously unreleased “For Some.”

Definitive reissue of Nancy’s debut album Includes the bonus tracks, “The City Never Sleeps At Night” and the previously unreleased “For Some” Newly remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®–nominated engineer John Baldwin Vinyl pressed at RTI Q&A with Nancy and GRAMMY®–nominated reissue co-producer Hunter Lea Never–before–seen photos from Nancy’s personal archive Beautifully packaged and expanded gatefold LP featuring a 20–page booklet CD housed in a digipak and featuring a 28-page booklet Release to be supported by worldwide press campaign in cooperation with Nancy Sinatra “Dumb stuff, as Lee used to call it. Dumb doesn’t mean stupid. It means human and understandable. It was the sound of three guitars, drums, and bass. It was simple, very, very simple. I can still see the room, the studio. With Carol Kaye, Glen Campbell, Donnie Owens… I can still see them all sitting there and chunking away. I guess simple was the best way to explain it, uncomplicated.” – Nancy Sinatra

Light in the Attic is proud to present the next installment of the Nancy Sinatra Archival Series with a deluxe reissue of Nancy’s first album, Boots.

The 1966 debut million-selling debut LP, introduced the sassy, blonde, go-go booted icon. Built around her Lee Hazlewood-penned hits, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and “So Long, Babe,” the folk-rock era milestone album features songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Hazlewood and more. The catchy and jangly pop hooks performed by the famed Los Angeles session musicians, The Wrecking Crew and Billy Strange’s innovative arrangements provided the perfect sound to help Nancy capture the attention of the world. The new reissue includes two bonus tracks recorded during the album sessions, the non-album b-side “The City Never Sleeps At Night” and the previously unreleased “For Some.”

Remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer John Baldwin, the reissue is complemented by a new Q&A interview with Nancy and GRAMMY®-nominated reissue co-producer Hunter Lea.

The CD edition is housed in a digipak and features a 28-page booklet, while each vinyl set is presented in an expanded gatefold jacket (featuring a 20-page booklet), with special color editions available exclusively at NancySinatra.com, LightInTheAttic.net, and independent record stores.

For the first time ever on vinyl here are four original Lennon/McCartney compositions which not many people have heard before. All the performaces here were recorded during the January 1969 sessions and were concidered not good enough for the 'Let It Be' and the 'Abbey Road' albums. 1st generation tapes. The first track which spreads all over side 1 is a fine example of how the Beatles could work together, exploring new ideas as this Lennon original devolpes into a jam session around the line of 'I told you before, get out of my door'. In the middle of this track you can hear John discussing accord changes with George while Paul sings this line as a rugh guide. Ringo is in his best form here, you've never heard him using sticks before like that! It's imortant to indicate that this song is NOT 'I found Out' from Lennon's Plastic Ono Band" album of 1970. The opener of side 2, is a also a Lennon track, the longest version ever to appear, a track that could do well along 'Mean Mr. Mustared' and such. Closing the album are two long McCartney Tracks. Fast rockers in the 'Helter Skelter'/I'm Down' tradition. The last one could not appear on any Beatles album as the Feminist Mafia would ban it!

Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band was considered by many to be Calfornia's answer to the Velvet Underground. The group created psych/rock music that was both fragile and dreamy. 'Part One' (the band's second LP!) was originally released in 1967 on Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records. Though band leader Bob Markley and his companions didn't achieve the fame or notoriety of other bands from the area, they have nonetheless achieved cult status among collectors. For the first time, this legendary records gets reissued in MONO, with sound from the original master tapes.

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

The 12-track Colored Vinyl LP format opens with Brunetta’s prized dancefloor-filler ‘Baluba Shake’ and closes with ‘Pà Diglielo A Mà’, a dramatic ballad by big-voiced Nada. The prolific Mina - queen bee of Italy’s female singers - gets two tracks: folk rock nugget ‘No’ and ‘Se Telefonando’, a sophisto-pop epic courtesy of maestro Ennio Morricone.

Other highlights include the sitar-embellished ‘Il Mio Posto Qual’È’ by Ornella Vanoni, a convincing cover of ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’ by beat girl Caterina Caselli, the pounding ‘Il Geghegè’ by petite dynamo Rita Pavone and breathy-voiced actress Catherine Spaak’s bossa-imbued ‘La Notte È Fatta Per Rubare’.

Swiss label Proxima is very pleased to present the reissue of italo disco classic "Love Me Too / The Dream" by Italian circus performer, singer and tv presenter Ambra Orfei. Originally released in 1986 on a 7inch, those two tracks are brought back to life for the first time on a 12inch record. No full description

This pop art combo hailing from Leatherhead, England were known for their outrageous live concert performances and were 'removed' from a tour with The Who in Germany in 1967 when they 'out-Who'd The Who'. Adding fuel to an already high-octane fire they issued a single that same year "Desdemona", written by Marc Bolan, which was banned by the BBC because of the controversial lyric, "Lift up your skirt and fly." Across the pond their American record label delayed the release of their album, Orgasm for four years from its recording date due to objections from Daughters of the American Revolution (yeah, really). John's Children were out and about being a nuisance for less than two years but in that time, they released six singles and one album, but predictably none troubled the Top 30 pop charts. It wasn't until decades later that they were acknowledged for the impact they had on the music scene by some of the more 'hip' and 'cool' types and those failed to chart singles are now worth a considerable number English pounds to serious collectors - Sir Timothy Trott. o Limited Pressing 750 copies on White Vinyl with flip back sleeve o All tracks remastered in 2020 for vinyl. o Features many tracks with a young Marc Bolan on Guitar & Vocals o Lead Singer Andy Ellison will be issuing his Autobiography in 2021 and this release is part of a series of records to tie in with this book. o Some of johns Children's original singles command huge prices on the collector's market o Reviews expected in Record Collector, shindig, Vive le rock.

Definitive compilation spans solo recordings, rarities and duets with Lee Hazlewood
Newly remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®–nominated engineer John Baldwin
New interviews with the legendary singer, actress, and activist, Nancy Sinatra
Extensive essay by Amanda Petrusich
Q&A interview with Nancy & GRAMMY®–nominated reissue co-producer, Hunter Lea
Never–before–seen photos from Nancy Sinatra’s personal archive
Beautifully packaged Double LP (pressed at RTI) featuring a 24–pg book
Images are mock-ups and subject to change

Light In The Attic Records is proud to present Nancy Sinatra: Start Walkin’ 1965–1976. The definitive new collection surveys Sinatra’s most prolific period over 1965–1976, including her revered collaborations with Lee Hazlewood, over 23 tracks.

Remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®–nominated engineer John Baldwin, the collection is complemented by liner notes penned by Amanda Petrusich (author and music critic at The New Yorker), featuring insightful new interviews with Sinatra, as well as a Q&A with archivist and GRAMMY®–nominated reissue co-producer, Hunter Lea. The CD edition comes housed in a 7”x7” hardcover book (featuring 64–pages) and the two-disc vinyl set is presented in a gatefold jacket (featuring a 24–page booklet).

Nancy’s performance of the Lee Hazlewood–penned song “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” was a huge hit in 1966 and became her signature tune. The pair began a three year run of successful albums, duets, and singles including “Sugar Town,” “Some Velvet Morning,” “Summer Wine,” “Sand,” “Jackson,” and the title track to the 1967 James Bond film “You Only Live Twice.”

Start Walkin’ explores Nancy’s recordings with Lee, her inspired collaborations with songwriter Mac Davis (“Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham”), producer Lenny Waronker (“Hook and Ladder”), and the “should’ve been hit” song with arranger/producer Billy Strange (“How Are Things In California.”)

Over the years, she has been cited as an influence by countless artists, including Sonic Youth, Morrissey, Calexico, U2, and Lana Del Rey. Her haunting song “Bang, Bang” gained a new legion of fans when it appeared in the opening credits of Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 film, Kill Bill Volume 1.

Baby Pop is not only an important album for FRANCE GALL herself, it is also a hugely important record for the entire yé-yé scene. Baby Pop hinted at the musical direction that yé-yé was headed in much the same way Revolver and Pet Sounds did in the UK and USA. Baby Pop is more mature and varied than her earlier more bubblegum releases. You will still find a wonderfully cheesy tracks like “L’Amerique” here and there but with the impossibly infectious title track and songs like the Serge Gainsbourg penned “Nous Ne Sommes Va-T’en” and the groovy Farfissa driven “Faut-Il que Je T’Aime” we welcome a new France Gall and say hello to some of the finest pop music ever released in French or any language. 180-gram vinyl pressing in direct-to-board jackets.

The fantastic soundtrack of the new Tarantino comes in a double gatefold sleeve with inlay and poster.

A phenomenal soundtrack to a phenomenal movie. Tarantino once again proves that he not only has a great taste when it comes to music, but he also takes a good amount of time to dig through record collections to pick gems for his soundtracks and arrange the 22 songs 9 era-specific radio advertisements.
This should become a movie soundtrack classic.

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

“Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim” is a 1967 studio album by Frank Sinatra and Antônio Carlos Jobim. The tracks were arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman, accompanied by a studio orchestra. Along with Jobim's original compositions, the album features three standards from the 'Great American Songbook, ("Change Partners", "I Concentrate on You", and "Baubles, Bangles and Beads") arranged in the bossa nova style. This new edition contains additional bonus tracks.

Experience the hip sounds of 1960s France with “Toujours Chic!”, the latest in our series of groovy Gallic girl-pop. The collection is available on 24-track CD and 12-track LP formats.

Star of the show is series debutante Laura Ulmer, who graces the cover of the CD version and contributes three pure pop tracks in the France Gall mode. Fabienne, Zouzou, Charlotte Walters, Stone, are all also new to the series.
This LP version, features a gorgeous cover photo of Françoise Hardy, is pressed on 180g lavender vinyl and comes with a fully illustrated inner bag.

Energetic Beatlesque ‘68 power pop! With similar melodic stylings as groups like the Merry-Go-Round and the Left Banke, Ellie Pop’s individuality shines through their commonality with superb underground ‘60s pop innovators. Pressed on clear vinyl!

“You can’t beat the classics” and in the Northern Soul world, no label is more renowned than Mirwood. The Sheppards ‘Stubborn Heart’ has been played since the early days of the scene but is still a guaranteed floor-filler.

Its flip ‘How Do You Like It’ has also picked up many spins in more recent years. As is our habit, to distinguish from the originals, we have changed the label colour - this time we’ve gone for a fetching purple and gold.

Originally released in February 1973 on the ABC Dunhill Record label, in the US, and on the UK Philips label in May 1973, Cameo is one of Dusty’s most overlooked albums, featuring some of her greatest vocal performances of the era on material written by major songwriters including David Gates, Ashford & Simpson and Van Morrison. Classic Dusty LP, unavailable on vinyl since 1973! For its 50th anniversary, a special edition replicating the original US gatefold edition with enhanced artwork. Pressed on heavyweight Blue vinyl.

Limited to 4000 copies worldwide. RSD first release.
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Elton John’s sixth studio album Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player featuring lead single Crocodile Rock and major hit Daniel. Exclusive to Record Store Day 2023, the album will be repackaged on splatter /propeller 2LP Vinyl, with an expansive bonus disc of the album’s session demos recorded at the infamous Château d’Hérouville.

Although for many, David Bowie’s story begins with ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969, Bowie had been releasing singles from 1964. Firstly on Vocalion and then after an interlude through Parlophone and Pye with Deram from 1966. These engaging and curious tracks represent a work in progress of an artist on the cusp of genius. This limited 7” singles boxset has been manufactured exclusively for RSD 2023.

Bobby Darin's Atco albums, original copies of which were pressed with yellow 'harp' labels, are collector's items today. He remained with the Label until switching to Capitol in 1962, by which time he had released no fewer than 13 long-players including 'At The Copa', 'Two Of A Kind' (with Johnny Mercer), the dance themed 'Twist With Bobby Darin' and 'Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles'. This compilation picks the best from those albums. Enjoy the fabulous musical fruits of the multi-talented Bobby Darin.

During the 1920's the group hit on a format that provided a winner, each of them imitating a musical instrument: John Jr. vocally provided the sound of a Bass Trumpet; Herbert delivered the sound of Sax, Trombone and Trumpet; Harry mimicked Trumpet and sang Baritone; while Donald sang lead vocals when required, leaving Guitarist John Jr. to donate the only actual instrument sounds heard on their recordings. The brothers were signed to the U.S. Brunswick label following a recommendation from none other than Duke Ellington.

Black Friday Record Store Day 2022 Reissue. Color: Black. Limitation: 2000.

All songs arranged by Hiro Yanagida! The long-awaited reissue of an actress record that plays the finest mellowness! Her 1976 announcement, which is the only work under her own name, is reprinted and reissued in the original specifications! Together with the impactful artwork created by Eiko Ishioka, this is a masterpiece of Japanese music that raises many WANTs. A total of 12 songs gently wrapped in beautiful melodies by Hiro Yanagida’s electric piano. In particular, the mellow modern soul song, “Unexpectedly”, which is short and sonorously sung in less than 2 minutes, is a masterpiece that has been picked up by many DJs.

Ace Records has been the go-to source of 1960s girl group compilations since the release of our “Where The Girls Are”, “Girls About Town” and “Stop, Look & Listen” vinyl albums back in the 1980s. The 10-volume “Where The Girls Are” CD series followed over the next 30 years or so, along with a number of standalone CD collections. These days, however, the 12-inch long-player is back as the format of choice for discerning collectors.

“Look But Don’t Touch!”, the fourth in our current series of gorgeously packaged vinyl girl group compilations, drops this month. The album opens with the discotheque-friendly ‘Hey, Rocky’ by front cover stars the Shirelles of New Jersey, the USA’s most successful girl group until the Supremes broke through and stole their thunder, and closes with the Bermudas’ ‘Chu Sen Ling’, a record sure to appeal to those who favour the ethereal West Coast sound.

Other highlights include the Hollywood Chicks’ dance craze disc ‘Tossin’ A Ice Cube’ (sic), which marks the recording debut of Barry White (on handclaps); great tracks by the Witches, the Pussycats and Linda Laurie from the catalogue of genius songwriter/producer Bert Berns; Mayalta Page’s densely produced rarity ‘Don’t Worry About Me Baby (I Feel Just Fine)’; and, and for the girl group buff who has everything, ‘He Calls Me Child’ by Ohio duo the 2 Of Clubs and ‘A Dumb Song’ by the soulful Delicates, both of which are previously unreleased.

...This compilation gathers some of The Springfield’s greatest hits, along with lesser-known, but equally important number, ranging from their version of the Zulu classic “Wimoweh Mambo,” the Israeli settler song “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” (previously a hit for The Weavers), their take of the hobo anthem “Greenback Dollar” (a hit for The Kingston Trio), and the tale of a thief inspired by romance, “Allentown Jail,” which had been a hit for Jo Stafford a decade before. This is the sound of Dusty Springfield in a folk group setting, on the cusp of greater success.

The movie directed by Baz Luhrmann is just out, so why don’t you pick up on this ? Included on this set are Elvis’ greatest hits from the period 1955-62, among them all of his King singles that reached number one on the U.S. pop charts between 1956 and 1962. Among other smash hits, this release includes both sides of the single “Hound Dog”/“Don’t Be Cruel” (the most successful Elvis single release, with 11 weeks on the charts), Elvis’ second RCA single, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” and the classic rocker “Heartbreak Hotel” (which peaked at number one and remained on the charts for eight weeks after extensive television exposure following its release).

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra co-invented the incomparable „Pop Goes Classic Sound“. This album celebrated the 60's!

Record Store Day 2022 Drop 1 Release.

Record Store Day 2022 Drop 1 Release. On “psychedelic purple” vinyl. Limited to 1,000 copies. First re-release since the 1960s.

2022 repress includes an insert and a poster.

Amália Rodrigues, international star, nicknamed 'the Queen of Fado', has maintained a special relationship with France and Paris in particular. From the end of the 1950s, she found success there and became a popular artist, filling Parisian halls.

Technically Dusty’s seventh studio album, See All Her Faces is a collection of tracks from the late 1960s and early 1970s, and released on the Philips label in 1972. The original album was never released in the U.S., though some of the tracks had appeared on singles there.Amongst the many highlights was the bossa nova-influenced title track, another bossa style number, Come for a Dream, co-written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as beautifully. orchestrated pop ballads, like I Start Counting, and a stab at a Motown-style groover Girls It Ain’t Easy. There were also some deeply soulful tracks, echoing her ‘In Memphis’ LP, such as Tony Joe White’s Willie & Laura Mae Jones, as well as featuring songwriting royalty in the shape of Goffin & King’s That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho), Jimmy Webb’s album-opener Mixed Up Girland Greenwich and Barry co-writes -What Good Is I Love You and Nothing Is Forever. Bonus tracks - This unique package includes an additional LP of rare tracks, recordings from the shelved ‘Faithful’ album along with out-takes from the original album sessions

HiNRG masterpiece and often heard anthem in Mexico's Sonidos movement parties. Originally released in '89 at the tail-end of the HiNRG epoch as “house music” was starting to stake its territory in the charts, this production remained an underground hit by Los Angeles based duo Tyrants in Therapy (aka Dreams Come True). The melodic themes and lyric nuances explored in Sweet Magic make it a unique and unforgettable hymn you'll be humming when you wake up after a night at Patrick Miller. Faithfully remastered from the original master tapes which we managed to find and digitize in Los Angeles. Featuring a new stripped down extended mix by Castro using the original stems from the master tapes.

Cavity-causing Cordovox-driven 1969 girl-group garage! A delightful romp through 'Oye Como Va,' 'Proud Mary,' 'Walkin' The Dog,' 'Son Of A Preacher Man,' their chicle sticky original title track, and so much more! Cordovox organ, trumpet, bass, drums, congas, and tambourine! Not a guitar in sight! Out of sight! Pressed on cloud white vinyl!

The Radio 2 Top 2000 is the largest annual radio event in The Netherlands. The audience of Radio gets to vote for their favourite all-time songs. These (literally) millions of votes come together in the Top 2000, All these 2000 songs are broadcasted back to back from Christmas until a few minutes before New Years Eve, when they air the No.1 of the chart. Radio 2 Top 2000 - The 60’s contains the best hits from the century in which the music industry saw its biggest change. It were the years some of the biggest bands in the history of music rose to fame, like The Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Who, and Fleetwood Mac. Rock, pop, funk, soul and psychedelia all stand side by side on this release, with artists like James Brown, Nina Simone, David Bowie, Etta James, Elvis Presley, and Dusty Springfield. These artists and many more you’ll find on this wonderful 2LP. The Top 2000 bridges the gaps between all musical generation from the Sixties to the present, making it the most eclectic chart out there, and keeping more that half of the country glued to their radio day and night for the whole week it’s broadcasted. And with a daily TV spin-off during its broadcast, it has reached an even bigger audience.

Official reissue of the super rare Spanish EP from 1966, one of the holy grails in the Spanish 60s collector circles, and a key title from the female ye-ye scene.

Includes a nice cover of Stones’ “Get off of my cloud”, and the label has used a song from another EP of Sonia, “Si tuviera un martillo”, replacing the weak “Concierto para enamorados” that was on the record originally.



Has a 4-page full colour insert with extensive linernotes (Spanish only!) and some photos.



Limited to 450 hand-numbered copies.

In that enticing, enthralling school of 1960s “girls with guitars”, Goldie & the Gingerbreads are top of the class. Self-contained and accomplished as instrumentalists, with an eminently soulful vocal prowess, the Gingerbreads remain true pioneers of women in rock’n’roll, and with a fascinating history to boot.

Born in the discotheques of Gotham, Goldie & the Gingerbreads were a popular club act with a handful of recordings under their belt when an admiring Animals caught them on a NYC visit in late 1964. “Imported” into the UK, the group scored a hit with ‘Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat’ and went on to tour with the Rolling Stones, Kinks and others, as well as maintaining a high visibility in the UK on their own. They made several more worthy if unsuccessful discs with producer Shel Talmy before splitting in 1967.

“Thinking About The Good Times” is the first-ever Goldie & the Gingerbreads collection, and it’s a fine testament to their undoubted abilities. Gathering together their sessions for Scepter, Decca and Atlantic, the versatility of the group is quite apparent on tracks that range from chunky beat and R&B (‘Look For Me Baby’, ‘Think About The Good Times’) through dramatic soul balladry (‘That’s Why I Love You’, ‘Little Boy’) to classic girl group sounds (‘Sailor Boy’, ‘Something Beautiful’).

Record Store Day 2021 Release.
Limitation: 1150 copies.

Swan is more than just The Beatles and Link Wray; from the late ‘50s through late ‘60s they doled out a magnificent array of which shaped the early Philadelphia sound. This record celebrates the female voices of the Swan roster. Pressed on colored vinyl!

Record Store Day 2021 Release.
Limitation: 1500 copies.

This exclusive vinyl release is taken from the recently released Deluxe Edition of The Selecter’s‘Too Much Pressure’ debut album.This previously unreleased concert was part of the original 2Tone Tour and has been newly mixed from the original tapes.This version is pressed on clear vinyl.

Record Store Day 2021 Release.

This seventh volume of the ‘Psyché France’ collection is a new tribute to the mavericks and lost heroes of the 1960’s and 70’s French music scene. In this collection – featuring 12 tracks – you will discover a few curiosities such as ‘’Les scandales’ by Gilbert Deflez, ‘Vole, Vole, vole’ by the band Présence, ‘Si je vendais du soleil’ by Quo Vadis, ‘Le pays où l’on vit d’amour’ by Punch and also some Pop gems sung for instance by Richard Contell (‘Donne’) or Edwige (‘Je suis juillet’).

Record Store Day 2021 Release.

Brute Force is the pseudonym of Stephen Friedland, an American singer and songwriter. In 1964, while in New York City as a young adult, he met the producers Hugo and Luigi, who co-wrote the Elvis Presley hit ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’. They introduced Friedland to the Tokens, known for their hit ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’. Not only was Friedland hired as a songwriter for the Tokens’ music publishing company, he also became the group’s keyboardist.

Side A is Brute Force’s version of his song “Nobody Knows What’s Going On My Mind But Me’, better known as a hit for the Chiffons.

In 1967, Friedland recorded as Brute Force with the album “I, Brute Force, Confections of Love”, which was produced by John Simon, later renowned for his work with the Band. In late 1968, Brute Force recorded his song ‘King of Fuh’ which is the story of a mythical king who ruled the kingdom of Fuh. The music and lyrics begin innocuously until they get to these lines: “I said the Fuh King—he went to wherever he wanted to go/Mighty mighty Fuh King/All hail the Fuh King.”

After the song was recorded, a friend of Friedland, Tommy Dawes of the Cyrkle, forwarded it to his manager, Nat Weiss, who knew Beatles manager Brian Epstein. According to Friedland, George Harrison was very receptive to the song and said so in a phone call. But EMI, Apple’s distributor, refused even to press the record, much less distribute it. Eventually, Apple privately issued the single for UK release, planning to stock mail order outlets and selected record shops. The distribution plan never really caught on and the record quickly disappeared.

Connoisseurs of 1960s she-pop have been very well served by Ace Records, particularly those with a predilection for American and British artists. But good music, of course, is not exclusive to the English-speaking world, as those familiar with our collections devoted to the female vocalists of Italy will be aware (not to mention similar projects focusing on Japan, France, Sweden, Hungary and Spain). In a country renowned for its song festivals, most notably the prestigious event held annually in Sanremo, highly orchestrated ballads have always been especially popular in Italy. For this celebratory single, however, we present exemplary uptempo decks by Brunetta and Rita Pavone.

Brunetta was one of the first Italian singers to record rock’n’roll. Among her early releases were the appropriately titled “The Explosive Brunetta” and “Ciclone Brunetta” EPs and the frantic ‘Precipito’, which she performed with wild abandon in the film Urlatori Alla Sbarra. New stars Mina and Adriano Celentano also appeared in the movie, so she was in very good company. Fast forward a few lower-profile years, she released the record for which she would become best remembered. Backed by the Balubas combo, she performed the somewhat non-PC ‘Baluba Shake’ at the Pesaro Song Festival in 1966, scooping top prize. These days, the track is an underground dancefloor favourite, original copies of which change hands for a pretty penny.