Classic Rock Vinyl 255 Items

In 1969, Locksley Hall, a psychedelic band from Washington, recorded a full album at Audio Recorders in Seattle produced by Sonics Engineer Kearney Barton and long time Northwest guitarist Ned Neltner (Mark Five, Gas Company…).
Never released at the time, this is a great example of West Coast styled psychedelia / acid-rock, featuring female vocals, prominent organ, hard guitar, excellent songs…

LOS Cirros are one of the most obscure Spanish rock bands from the late 60s. Coming out of a tiny village in one of the smallest provinces of the country sure helped them being fully ignored, but how cool those guys proved to be when discovered in compilations such as “Viñedos” or “Pentecostés Vibrations”!!! They released two seven inches (1969 and 1970), both very very rare and featuring pretty cool songs in a blend of garage, light psychedelia and pop. Now, these two 45s are reissued (marketed together, not to be sold separately!), including an unreleased bonus track and with the usual attention to detail of the Madmua label, with the addition of an insert and two postcards. Limited to 500 copies.

The following year, 1968, "Docena 3" would see the light of day, highlighting the LSD world on the cover, in which they added more accentuated lysergic moments, the use of the Indian zither, plus Jorge Pomar on rhythm, and other technical novelties such as reverse tape effects, including anti-war and love messages. The album brings together some captivating songs of their own, plus surprising covers with surrounding sound arrangements.

Shortly thereafter, the band would break up, but not before leaving us with another album to fulfill their contract, entitled "Instrumental's" (1968). The members would go on to separate careers with Pico's Los Nuevos Shain's, and Gerardo Manuel's The (St. Thomas) Pepper Smelter. They would reunite again in 2007, but it was not until this year 2021 that, thanks to Discos Monterey, these two late sixties Peruvian rock summits are once again available with excellent sound and respecting the original artwork.

After consecutive reissues of Peruvian garage and psychedelic rock from the sixties and seventies, Discos Monterey couldn't miss the chance to resurface two of the most emblematic records of the period: "Segundo Volumen" (1967) and "Docena 3" (1968) by Los Shain's, the "conjunto de conjuntos" (the band among bands), as they were called back then. Those fifteen-year-olds started in mid-1964 and would go on to make an impressive musical career that would make history with just four records for the Iempsa label.

They recorded their first LP "El Ritmo De Los Shain's" (1966), halfway between instro rock and garage. Its main architects - Enrique "Pico" Ego Aguirre, on guitar, and Gerardo Manuel Rojas, on lead vocals - introduced psychedelia in their second work called "Volumen 2" (1967). They were accompanied by Beto Tataje on second guitar, Juan Carlos Barreda on bass, and Carlos Manuel Barreda on drums. The album contains, for the most part, their own songs, standing out their luminous melodies and a certain beat they themselves considered to be a product of the "enfermedad" (sickness), immersed as they were in "la onda", the groove of the era. An impressive album that also stood out for its sound and for the pioneering presence of the "fuzz tone" among other effects such as the tape echo or a harmonic distorter that were revolutionary in their day and that today still have an impact due to their enormous power.

Originally released in late 1968, La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar was Los Shaker’s psychedelic masterpiece. Inspired by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - a milestone that would change the face of pop music forever back in 1967 – Los Shakers created a fundamental album in the history of South American rock music, a seminal record for many artists to come, full of pleasant surprises, magic sounds and sense of humour. It offers a complex fusion of styles, with elements from both rock and jazz, plus the use of exotic instruments like the bandoneon–widely used in tango music but unprecedented until then in pop/rock adventures. It all makes the last album by Los Shakers an essential, innovative record for any collector and aficionado. Sounding as fresh and original today as it did back in the late sixties, here’s the first ever vinyl reissue.

Guerssen and Little Butterfly proudly present the first long playing record from 1965 by the fabulous LOS Shakers, the legendary band formed in Uruguay in the mid 1960s, in the wake of the Beatlemania phenomenon.

Their songs had little to envy to those of their heroes from Liverpool. Tempo, chord progressions and rhythms boiled in a magic, infectious sound!

Get ready to enjoy the songs of Hugo, Osvaldo, Caio and Pelin… Los Shakers!

Originally released in 1966, Shakers For You was the second LP by Los Shakers, the legendary beat/pop band from Uruguay. An album clearly influenced by Help!, Rubber Soul and Revolver, but showing a band that were more than mere copycats, offering some revolutionary compositions and influences such as bossa-nova. The songs on Shakers For You take us through incredible musical mixtures that, while keeping a strong early/mid Beatles feel, give us clues of what would come later in pop music with psychedelia just around the corner. This is the first ever vinyl reissue of one of the greatest beat LPs from the 1960s.

Los Syn were born in 1966 in Chile, formed by four young lads from the US whose parents were working in Santiago at the time, and they released this sole 45 before all going back to the US next year. The record is practically nowhere to be found, and such an amazing example of teen garage folk-punk the way we all lose our head for.

Limited reissue of 500 copies, with an insert with liners by Gary Pilgram (bass player), and two postcards with unseen photos!

After 53 years of oblivion, Walkin Up con Los Walkers, the fundamental work of Argentinian garage-psych is being reissued again in Argentina from the original mono master tape. An iconic LP from “the other” youngster music—the one that was known as “beat music"—it was originally released in 1969 and has never been reissued in its original format until now. The band had previously released two LPs and several 45s which contained an exquisite selection of covers, from The Rolling Stones material to songs by Astor Piazzola, but with Walkin’ Up they entered history as excellent songwriters and conceptual artists. With a great use of studio production, unseen before in Argentina, they laid down a wide range of psychedelic sounds and structures that decades later are be considered as the Buenos Aires version of Los Shakers’ La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar—both albums under a huge influence from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s. Limited edition of 300 copies on 180-gram vinyl with the careful restoration and printing of the original artwork. Includes a printed postcard and a lavish 4-page booklet with photos and liner notes by journalist Víctor Tapia.

Four Sail is the fourth album by the American Rock band Love, released in 1969. By mid-1968, Arthur Lee was the only remaining member of the Forever Changes line-up of Love. Three LPs worth of material were recorded in a makeshift studio in a Los Angeles warehouse, released as Four Sail and the Blue Thumb LP Out Here. This expanded edition of Four Sail includes three bonus tracks.

180g vinyl.

The Polydor label released a few singles in the late 1960s that became very obscure and unknown, even to researchers. Most of these 7 inches are super psychedelic and very creative, but totally anti commercial. Own compositions, recordings and good productions, always with a top team. These works were not promoted or publicized by the label and very few copies circulated at the time. The impression is that the intention was to freeze or disappear with the artist in question. Vermelho is one of them, a work that is little talked about or known but that always attracts the attention of those who have access to these two tracks. Arrangement by Rogério Duprat, who was proud to have participated in these recordings, with Rafael Moreno on bass, Alberto Niccoli Junior on drums, Bolão on Sax and Marcos Ficarelli, the “Vermelho” on guitar and vocals.

Marcos already knew well the ways of recording and producing an album, having participated in historical groups of Brazilian rock in the 60's such as Top Sounds, Código 90 and Loupha, to name a few. At this stage, he had already acquired good knowledge of recording and studio management. Excerpts such as “And in the hole of the corners, to look for, is what I try in vain” presents the listener with the mood of the dark times of that time, and today seems a premonition about the difficulty of finding this single, even in private collections.

“Parabéns Meu Bem” and “Gira-Gira” are tracks with an advanced rhythm for the time. Drums very well marked, with an original take and very close to North American funk. The bass is consistent and strong and the guitar full of effects and very reminiscent of the sound and energy of Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Blood Sweat & Tears. There is yet another musical layer created by Duprat, who managed to insert a mini orchestra along with the sound mass created by “Banda do Vermelho”.

The Polydor label released a few singles in the late 1960s that became very obscure and unknown, even to researchers. Most of these 7 inches are super psychedelic and very creative, but totally anti commercial. Own compositions, recordings and good productions, always with a top team. These works were not promoted or publicized by the label and very few copies circulated at the time. The impression is that the intention was to freeze or disappear with the artist in question. Vermelho is one of them, a work that is little talked about or known but that always attracts the attention of those who have access to these two tracks. Arrangement by Rogério Duprat, who was proud to have participated in these recordings, with Rafael Moreno on bass, Alberto Niccoli Junior on drums, Bolão on Sax and Marcos Ficarelli, the “Vermelho” on guitar and vocals.

Marcos already knew well the ways of recording and producing an album, having participated in historical groups of Brazilian rock in the 60's such as Top Sounds, Código 90 and Loupha, to name a few. At this stage, he had already acquired good knowledge of recording and studio management. Excerpts such as “And in the hole of the corners, to look for, is what I try in vain” presents the listener with the mood of the dark times of that time, and today seems a premonition about the difficulty of finding this single, even in private collections.

“Parabéns Meu Bem” and “Gira-Gira” are tracks with an advanced rhythm for the time. Drums very well marked, with an original take and very close to North American funk. The bass is consistent and strong and the guitar full of effects and very reminiscent of the sound and energy of Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Blood Sweat & Tears. There is yet another musical layer created by Duprat, who managed to insert a mini orchestra along with the sound mass created by “Banda do Vermelho”.

‘Faithfull Forever…’ is a 1966 studio album by Marianne that was only issued in the United States. This RSD pressing marks its first U.K release and it has not been re-issued on vinyl in the U.S. In 2024 Marianne celebrates her 60th anniversary in music, and for fans of her Decca catalogue ‘Faithfull Forever…’ is a must. All tracks have been remastered from the original tapes by Andrew Batt, and this special RSD release comes with detailed sleeve notes featuring exclusive commentary by Marianne herself and new artwork based on the original sleeve shot by the master French photographer Jean-Marie Perier.

The holy grail of turkisch surf-rock.

RidingEasy Records has teamed up with Permanent Records in Los Angeles to bring this very special heavy psych rocker back into the fold for RSD 2023. New York City based African-American & Latino hard rock/psych trio Maximillian released their sole self-titled album on ABC Records in 1969, then promptly vanished. It has remained a collectors’ conversation piece ever since. Maximillian combined elements of beat poetry, a little bit of The Fugs, a hit of Funkadelic, a lick of Cream and a vibe of Hendrix worship with an ambition that seems to have jumbled these influences. The Maximillian album is a rare artifact of late-60s psychedelic rock whose appeal is not the skill of their musicianship, but the downright strangeness of it. While at times it sounds like the trio is playing entirely different songs at the same time, it’s said that producer Teddy Vann had a hand in the album’s sometimes confusing production. Gatefold

Obscure psychedelic gospel act Methuselah had its roots in Scunthorpe ‘Beat’ group the Dimples, which became Gospel Garden, whose only 45 infused Northern Soul with psycheleanings. Regrouping as Methuselah, the group signed to Elektra for this sole religious rock concept LP, their sound deceptively American, with vocal harmonies evidencing bluegrass influences; guitarist Les Nicol is never short of excellent. Certain members would later form Amazing Blondel, but Matthew, Mark, Luke And John has a unique flavour, and our edition includes two rare bonus tracks. This slice of obscure psyche must be heard to be believed!

Mighty Baby evolved out of the Action, club favourites who released a number of poor-selling singles. Dropped by Parlophone, musical chairs saw Ian Whiteman (keyboards/flute) and Martin Stone (guitar) join and the music now blended progressive psychedelia with longer pieces dominated by instrumental prowess rather than Reggie King’s soulful vocals. King departed and guitarist Alan King and Whiteman began to share vocal duties on newly penned material like ‘Egyptian Tomb’ and ‘House Without Windows’ that, in retrospect, can be seen as reflecting light from the dark star of the Grateful Dead.

“Mighty Baby” was first released on the Head label on 7th November 1969 in a superb gatefold sleeve with artist Martin Sharp serving up the arresting front cover that looked like a lion being showered in blood. The album received positive reviews, with International Times stating “The music has a hundred characters… Eastern, Oriental, country, folk, rock, blues, pop etc. etc… At this moment in time Mighty Baby’s record is simply THE best thing in its class.”

The album is now seen as a progressive rock classic; cohesive, with no low spots, the inventiveness and musical prowess on a par with the equally revered, albeit jazzier, prog rock band Cressida. This latest edition from Ace, not only replicates the gatefold sleeve of the original but also contains an inner sleeve replete with memorabilia from the collection of Richard Morton Jack

“Mighty Baby” is a must-have purchase not only for fans of the band but those who want to discover this classic progressive rock album for the first time.

Moby Grape were formed by Alexander "Skip" Spence (who switched from drums to rhythm guitar) after his divorce from Jefferson Airplane. Launched with a pompous hype on the wave of the hippie phenomenon, Moby Grape debuted in June 1967 with an album of eight songs. The album tried to appeal to hippies, with eclectic and eccentric songs such as Hey Grandma , Fall On You , As In The Morning , Changes. It was an album of songs, in a period in which acid-rock was producing its most daring experiments .

Hits like "Let You Down" started success for NF in the States for two years and internationally. With over 180 million YouTube views the 26-year-old rapper from Michigan is also the first address for many, because he describes real problems - torn families, various traumas, abuse, addiction, overdose of the mother. His language so eloquent plain text talks like no other representative of his guild.

The debut solo album (and second sb.Jdio LP) by German singer Nico, Chelsea Girt was released by Verve Records in October 1967, following Nico's collaboration with the Velvet Underground on their 1967 debut sb.Jdio album. The title is a reference to Andy Warhol's 1966 film Chelsea Girls, which Nico starred in. Born Christa Paffgen in Cologne in 1938, Nico was a singer, songwriter, actress and model. Besides working with Warhol, she had roles in several films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vila (1960). In the 1980s, she toured extensively. She died in Ibiza on July 18, 1988, as the result of a cycling accident at the age of 49. Musically, Chelsea Girl can be described as a cross between chamber folk and 1960s baroque pop. Al/Music reviewer Lindsay Planer gave it four and a half out of five stars, stating tha???? "Nico's inherently bleak delivery is similar to the more modern contributions of Laurie Anderson, Ann Magnuson, and Patti Smith. An unqualified masterpiece." Produced by Tom Wilson, much of the album features instrumental work and songwriting credits from Velvet Underground members Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, and John Cale. "I'll Keep It with Mine" was written by Bob Dylan, while three other songs are by Jackson Browne.

The Story of Simon Simopath is the debut album by British psychedelic band Nirvana, released by Island Records in 1967. Described by Melody Maker's Chris Welch as a "science fiction pantomime album", the songs are linked with a story on the back cover which details the dream of Simon Simopath to fly. "Pentecost Hotel" was released as a single with the non-album b-side, "Feelin' Shattered". "Wings of Love" was the next single, also with a non-album b-side, "Requiem to John Coltrane. In a retrospective review on AllMusic, Stewart Mason feels that the "unashamedly twee early concept album", with its "deliberately childlike tone", despite being "a collection of unconnected songs forced together" in a "rather silly story", is a "uniformly solid set of well-constructed psych-pop tunes". The Story of Simon Simopath was selected for The Mojo Collection as one of the most significant albums in musical history.

2024 repress of "nora Guthrie - Emily’s Illness / Home Before Dark" (7") has been announced, and this time in Clear Blue Vinyl!! The new edition features a new binding design, a new label, a new jacket format, and a completely new edition that includes valuable photos and lyrics that could not be included in the previous edition! The long-awaited reissue that will bring tears to the eyes of psychedelic and soft rock fans alike! This is a must buy! Repressed for the first time in over 14 years. The new edition features a new binding design, a new label, a new jacket format, and a completely new edition that includes valuable photos and lyrics that could not be included in the 2009 edition! The daughter of American folk musician Woody Guthrie, sister of singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie, and granddaughter of noted Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt, Nora Guthrie released her only and treasured single in 1967, at age 17.

The sole album by cultish psychedelic pop band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They formed in 1964 and split up after their debut, which appeared on prestigious label Decca in 1968. The lines "Is it much too much to ask / Not to hide behind the mask?" from "If You Only Had the Time" weree sampled on MF Doom's 2005 song "The Mask". All along with classic blues standard ‘Tobacco Road‘ (covered by anyone from The Animals to Brother Jack McDuff via Jefferson Airplane) and contemporary folk number ‘Morning Dew’ (originally penned by Bonnie Dobson) the record shows a series of original numbers verging on the happiest side of jangle-rock with a ‘nuggets’ feel all in all.

180 gram vinyl

‘O’Seis’ are the core members of the mighty and legendary ‘Os Mutantes’ – namely Rita Lee and brothers Arnaldo and Sérgio Baptista, accompanied here by Raphael Vilardi, Maria ‘Mogguy’ Malheiros and Luiz Pastura. The record features anthemic, heavyweight, psychedelic rock on ‘Suicida’ b/w deeper, tripped-out MPB-folk on ‘Apocalipse’. Both tracks were written by Rita Lee, assisted by Tobe and Vilardi respectively. The term ‘holy grail’ is a little overused these days perhaps, but this definitely is one. Originally pressed and released by the band themselves in 1966, apparently only a handful of copies are known to exist (sources/numbers vary). The record has changed hands for up to a staggering $5000! Ouch.
Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed courtesy of Warner Music UK LTD.

Orphan Egg were a short lived group who were formed in 1967 in San Jose California. Their sole self-titled album was released in 1968 on the small independent company Carole Records. Essentially a garage-psych album – in the tradition of future iconic compilation like Nuggets or Pebbles – Orphan Egg was recorded by a bunch of students at Saratoga High School in Saratoga. Occasionally they won the Vox Battle of the Bands, a nationwide competition. They also appeared on the soundtrack of the classic bike-movie ‘Cycle Savages’ with 3 tracks.

One album into their career in 1969, Mutantes showed few signs of musical burnout after turning in one of the oddest LPs released in the '60s. Similar to its predecessor, Mutantes relies on an atmosphere of experimentation and continual musical collisions, walking a fine line between innovation and pointless genre exercises. The lead track ("Dom Quixote") has the same focus on stylistic cut-and-paste as their debut LP's first track ("Panis et Circenses"). Among the band's musical contemporaries, Mutantes sounds similar only to songs like the Who's miniature suite "A Quick One While He's Away" -- though done in three minutes instead of nine, and much more confusing given the language barrier. The album highlights ("Nao Va Se Perder por Ai") and ("Dois Mil e Um") come with what sounds like a typically twisted take on roots music (both Brazilian and American), complete with banjo, accordion, and twangy vocals. Though there are several other enjoyable tracks, including "Magica" and a slap-happy stomp called "Rita Lee," there's a palpable sense that the experimentation here isn't serving much more than its own ends. If the first album's relentless eclecticism did in fact occasionally result in dry passages, it's especially true here

Procol Harum is the eponymous debut studio album by the English rock band Procol Harum. Originally released in 1967 it now celebrates its 50th year anniversary.

Shine On Brightly is the second studio album by English rock band Procol Harum. The title of the epic "In Held 'Twas in I" is an acrostic, taking the first word from the first movement as well as the first word from a verse later in the movement as well as the first word from each of the three successive movements as shown in the track listing.

First ever official vinyl reissue of this bluesy psychedelic hard-rock album from 1969.

Reissue for the 1969 live album for Quicksilver Messenger Service, recorded live in 1968 at the Fillmore in San Francisco.

Quicksilver Messenger Service's debut effort was a little more restrained and folky than some listeners had expected, given their reputation for stretching out in concert. While some prefer the mostly live Happy Trails, this self-titled collection is inarguably their strongest set of studio material, with the accent on melodic folk-rock. Highlights include their cover of folksinger Hamilton Camp's "Pride of Man," probably their best studio track; "Light Your Windows," probably the group's best original composition; and founding member Dino Valenti's "Dino's Song" (Valenti himself was in jail when the album was recorded). "Gold and Silver" is their best instrumental jam, and the 12-minute "The Fool" reflects some of the best and worst traits of the psychedelic era. (all music)

The third long-player from San Francisco psychedelic icons Quicksilver Messenger Service (qms) is a direct contrast from their previous discs. Shady Grove (1969) is comprised mostly of shorter and self-contained pieces as opposed to the long and extended jams that were so prevalent on their self-titled debut (1967) and Happy Trails (1969). Ironically, the one stretched-out instrumental is courtesy of their latest acquisition -- Brit recording session guru Nicky Hopkins (keyboards). Another possible reason for the shift in style as well as personnel is the conspicuous absence of Gary Duncan (guitar) -- who is rumored to have been a "guest" of Bay Area law enforcement at the time. The band incorporate a number of different styles on the album. Kicking off the disc is an up-tempo rocking version of the traditional Appalachian folk song "Shady Grove." The QMS reading is highlighted by John Cipollina's trademark fluid fretwork and a familiar "Bo Diddley" backbeat -- reminiscent of both "Who Do You Love" and "Mona" from the live ensemble LP Happy Trails. (all music)

Rare Bird are perhaps best remembered for having the distinction of being the first act to be released on Tony Stratton Smith’s gloriously eclectic label Charisma records (also the home of Genesis, THE Nice and VAN DER Graaf Generator to name but a few) and for their excellent 1970 hit single ‘Sympathy’. Like fellow future Charisma stable mates Van Der Graaf Generator, Rare Bird was formed around the principle of keyboard dominated progressive rock which eschewed the use of guitars. In December 1969 their eponymous debut album was released to great critical acclaim.

Limited to 2000 copies.

Limited to 1000 copies.

The Rationals are one of the cornerstone bands of Detroit’s ever-storied rock history. Artists such as Bob Seger, Ted Nugent and Brownsville Station were influenced by The Rationals. Coming out of Ann Arbor in 1964, The Rationals gave an authentic R&B twist to the new rock ‘n roll styles of the British Invasion. They broke through on Jeep Holland’s A2 label in 1965 and found a hit with a cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect” on the Cameo Parkway label in 1966—reaching a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. By 1967 The Rationals were firmly embedded in the Detroit music scene alongside such contemporaries as MC5, The Stooges, Bob Seger System and the Amboy Dukes. They were frequently featured on bills at the legendary Grande Ballroom, and acted as supporting act for Cream, Jimi He ndrix, and Pi nk Floyd around the Detroit area. Their sole studio LP was self-titled and released by Crewe Records in 1970. Their matured sound included touches of soul, hard rock, psychedelia, and the blues which spawned originals like “Guitar Army,” and showcased their soulful talents on covers such as “Temptation ‘Bout To Get Me”.

This Record Store Day 2022 reissue of the 1970 LP has been newly remastered and pressed on orange and yellow splatter vinyl at Third Man Pressing in Detroit.

Barefootin' Temptation 'Bout To Get Me Guitar Army Something's Gotta Hold On Me Deep Red Sunset Glowin' Handbags and Gladrags Ha Ha Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah (Bonus Track)

Sacred Mushroom -- led by future Pure Prairie League member Larry Goshorn (guitar/vocals) and featuring brother Danny Goshorn (vocals) -- were a short-lived rock/blues quintet based in Cincinnati, OH. Their efforts coalesce on this, the band's self-titled debut (and only) long-player. The album contains a blend of proficient originals as well as a pair of well-chosen cover tunes, such as the blues standard "Mean Old World" and the Kinks' "I'm Not Like Everybody Else." While their name conjures images of late-'60s psychedelic or acid rock, Sacred Mushroom's roots were decidedly more bluesy than trippy.

Siren was the debut album by Kevin Coyne with Siren, the band he founded with former Bonzo Dog Band bassist Dave Clague and pianist/guitarist Nick Cudworth. The album was originally issued on John Peel’s Dandelion label in 1969. An artist who would later inspire John Lydon, Sting, Ben Watt and Will Oldham and would collaborate with Robert Wyatt, Andy Summers, Dagmar Krause, Brendan Croker, Gary Lucas and The Mekons’ Jon Langford, Kevin Coyne deserves a royal place between the likes of Syd Barrett, Peter Hammill and Daevid Allen. Standing on the verge of british blues, folk and rawk’n’roll Siren could have been easily labeled as the british answer to Canned Heat, but there’s even more. ‘And I Wonder’ is clearly an anticipation of what would happen next, with the solo career of Coyne, more focused on acid folk songwriting. “Most of the album is good time rock-on-out-music a la the Flamin’ Groovies… one of those (albums) you keep coming back to when the night gets cold and the wine is almost out. I play it a lot, and that’s the nicest thing I can say about an album.” Ed Ward – Rolling Stone “Siren just came as a breath of fresh air really, in the same way that like a generation later The Ramones did. When you just thought ‘Thank God for that!’ You hadn’t realised how bored you’d become…” John Peel.

Debut album by the English rock band The Soft Machine (named after William S. Burroughs' novel), one of the best known exponents, along with Caravan, of the "Canterbury Sound". This masterpiece was released in 1968 and features the trio of Robert Wyatt (drums & vocals), Mike Ratledge (organ & piano), and Kevin Ayers (bass, vocals & piano). This was the only album by the band showcasing Ayers. Additional personnel includes bassist Hugh Hopper (who would later become a permanent member after Ayer's departure), and the NYC vocal group The Cake. The Soft Machine was one of the first albums recorded at the legendary Manhattan studios The Record Plant, which had been inaugurated with Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland that same year. The album was given a 5-star rating on AllMusic by reviewer Richie Unterberger. The group is considered one of the most influential underground bands of their era.

The Stormy Six debut album is, in some ways, the mirror of an era with simple atmospheres and an almost like ‘messa beat’ feel. The harmonies are kinda elementary and the general setting is strongly influenced by the Beat origins of the group. The "Stormy Six" formed as a sextet in Milan in 1965, right along that student environment that had already given birth to Maurizio Arcieri's "New Dada". The album is an eccentric mixture of Beat, Psychedelia and proto-prog in the vein of Moody Blues "In the search of the lost chord" or even early Genesis. The songs are almost written by the Rocchi-Fabbri duo even if, in retrospect, it was assumed that three of them belonged to Rocchi alone: ‘Ramo’, with a mystical indian flavor, ‘I Tuoi Occhi Sono Tristi’ – much in the vein of Brian Auger- and the poignant ‘Sotto I Portici Di Marmo’.

Produced by David Briggs (Neil Young, Alice Cooper) and recoreded at famous Wally Heider Studio 3 in Hollywood, CA during 1969, their self-titled album features ten original compositions, with essential contributions from the four members of the band. Summerhill certainly spotted a late-1960s West Coast vibe, including Hendrix-Rock style ("Bring Me Around"), sunshine pop ("Soft Voice") and even a touch of ‘flower-jazz’ ("What Can I Say").

Prog-psych / acid-folk lost classic from 1969 by this short lived London trio. Now lovingly reissued on vinyl with fantastic remastered sound and including insert with rare photos / memorabilia and detailed liner notes by Steve Krakow aka Plastic Crimewave. Named after a Cannonball Adderley track, Synanthesia formed thanks to a Melody Maker ad placed in 1968 by guitarist/vibes/vocalist Dennis Homes, answered by Jim Fraser (who played sax, oboe and flute) and Leslie Cook (an Incredible String Band fan on bongos, violin and mandolin). With their particular blend of folk, jazz and psychedelia, the trio played all the key underground venues and clubs, sometimes alongside top acts like Floyd, King Crimson or Fairport Convention. Their sole album was recorded at Sounds Technique studio in Chelsea (which was where Pink Floyd were recording their albums at the time) and subsequently released by RCA. The cover featured the trio climbed onto a tree at the same park where the Beatles filmed their “Strawberry Field” promo film. Despite the good reviews and the support of DJs like John Peel, the album was considered too far out and psychedelic and eventually flopped, only to be re-discovered several decades later by acid-folk fans and collectors.

It happened in 1967... ‚The Summer of Love’ may date back 50 years, but ’Tages – Studio’ will remain a timeless classic. Every household should get its copy!!!
Tages (pronounced "tah-guess") are universally known as the best sixties pop band from Sweden. They struck it big early, hitting the Swedish #1 with Sleep Little Girl in 1964! Their efforts in the psychedelic era would be their last. ’Studio’ should sit comfortably next to other masterpieces of the year 1967, a few notches closer to ’Odessey & Oracle’ than ’Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.
Thanks to the tape cuts, orchestration, harmonies, and studio tricks, it sounds like the guys got their hands on a copy of Brian Wilson's then yet unreleased ’Smile’ tapes. Certainly, anybody willing to spend enough time exploring all the rabbit holes in the Beatles’ catalog owes themselves a trip through this marvelous record
Have You Seen Your Brother Lately
The album opener, Have You Seen Your Brother Lately, proves how apt the name ’Studio’ is for such a creatively produced statement. Few won't be sold within the first few seconds, hearing a looping string quartet surrender to a commanding rhythm highlighted by pounding drums and boxy plucked bass lines. Delicate touches of grand piano and kazoo bust open the door to an album rife with auditory treats and excellent craftmanship. Vocals are good, reminding of an edgier Colin Blunstone, with plenty of fine backup parts.
’Studio’ comes across of rather diverse nature. It's My Life, the second track growls out dark guitar distortions straight from the Move arsenal under workout vocal leads. The drums stand out, consistently providing ahead-of-their-time, vicious beats.
Tunes are often loaded with orchestration like the soft ballad, People Without Faces, and bouncier brass marches like What's The Time and She's Having A Baby Now. Tasteful psychedelic treatments abound in backwards guitar leads, weird stomp boxes, and sound effects sprinkled throughout the record.
First time on DVD, ever
The accompanying previously unreleased DVD of ’Dalamania’ was produced by Swedish national TV, SVT and shows the Tages on the height of their psychedelic career. This little piece of rock history appears to be such a thing as the Swedish version of the UK Beatles movie, ’Magical Mystery Tour’. Since its original broadcast in 1968, ’Dalamania’ has remained unnoticed on the shelfs of SVT. First time on DVD, ever.
An album like ’Studio’ should have propelled the Tages to the top 500 lists, worldwide, rather than remain a Swedish Rock ’n’ Roll footnote. Members of the Tages would form Blond in 1969 a band that disbanded in 1970.
1-LP (Gatefold sleeve) with 8-page booklet 25x25 cms) plus bonus DVD in cardboard sleeve (DVD5, b&w, 30 mns, English, 4:3, NTSC, region: 0)