Classic Rock 184 Items

All in all the debut album by cultish japanese freak-rockers Flower Travellin’ Band, then called Yuya Uchida & The Flowers. Released in 1969 it features mainly cover songs of influential Western bands such as Cream, Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jefferson Airplane. It was named number 34 on Bounce's 2009 list of 54 Standard Japanese Rock Albums.

Five Live Yardbirds – 1964, their first live album contains some of Eric Clapton's earliest recordings. It was recorded at the legendary Marquee club in London. This lineup features Eric Clapton/lead guitar, Keith Relf/ lead vocals & harmonica, Chris Dreja/ rhythm guitar, Paul Samwell-Smith/bass and Jim McCarty/drums. This deluxe package includes color vinyl, an OBI side spine and printed inner sleeve.

First ever band-sanctioned reissue of this legendary ‘Pebbles’ garage-psych 45 from 1967. William Penn Fyve aka William Penn & His Pals were a regular presence on the early Bay Area scene, opening for the likes of Jefferson Airplane, Paul Revere & the Raiders and Them. Their line–up included lead singer / organist Gregg Rolie, later of Santana / Journey. In 1966 they recorded their lone single, "Swami" / “Blow My Mind”, for the Thunderbird label. The A-side (written by guitar player Mike Shapiro and famous for being included on “Pebbles-The Acid Gallery”) is early acid-punk with fuzzed-out raga guitars and hilarious lyrics about a guru. The flipside is an energetic garage-punk number with swirling Vox organ and a fuzz rave up á la Yardbirds.

Due to high demand, Svart Records will release represses of Wigwam's early works on vinyl once again. The Finnish legends in Wigwam are no strangers to fans of Progressive Rock around the world. Their debut album Hard N’ Horny from 1969 and the following Tombstone Valentine from 1970 are a couple of cornerstones among many in their impeccable discography. The previous Svart editions of these absolute classics by the pioneers of early progressive rock date back to 2019, so it was about time to bring back these must-haves to the market.

Hard N’ Horny started the legacy of Wigwam. Album’s A-side is jazzy, early prog-rock by the keyboardist Jukka Gustavson, with an exception on the first track written by the original bass player Mats Huldén. Lots of heavy organ, jazzy piano, and some vocal parts by Gustavson. The B-side is ‘60s psychedelia written by the British-born vocalist Jim Pembroke. It consists of songs about a man called Henry, together forming a mini Rock opera.

Due to high demand, Svart Records will release represses of Wigwam's early works on vinyl once again. The Finnish legends in Wigwam are no strangers to fans of Progressive Rock around the world. Their debut album Hard N’ Horny from 1969 and the following Tombstone Valentine from 1970 are a couple of cornerstones among many in their impeccable discography. The previous Svart editions of these absolute classics by the pioneers of early progressive rock date back to 2019, so it was about time to bring back these must-haves to the market.

Hard N’ Horny started the legacy of Wigwam. Album’s A-side is jazzy, early prog-rock by the keyboardist Jukka Gustavson, with an exception on the first track written by the original bass player Mats Huldén. Lots of heavy organ, jazzy piano, and some vocal parts by Gustavson. The B-side is ‘60s psychedelia written by the British-born vocalist Jim Pembroke. It consists of songs about a man called Henry, together forming a mini Rock opera.

Released in 1967 on Reprise Records as a follow-up to 'Part One', 'Vol. 2' (the band's third LP!) takes the band into more ambitious and psychedelic territory than the '66 debut on Fifo Records and the first Reprise full-length, 'Vol. 2' maintains their unique pop sound mixed with ominous fuzz guitar, jumping from graceful folk-rock to wailing guitar freakouts, to multilayered avant-garde compositions at a moment's notice. This legendary LP sees its first ever reissue in mono, with sound taken from the original master tapes.

Limited to 100 copies on green vinyl. Only available at hhv.de

Enchanting and sunny 1969 psych folk by San Francisco teenage sisters Wendy & Bonnie Flower. A cult album that would later inspire bands like Stereolab, with dreamy vocal harmonies as the main attraction, laced with Brazilian splashes and soft-rock strains. Pure timeless psychedelic pop perfection, awash in serenity and haunting reverie floating in the ether above airy soundscapes that convey a sophistication that belies the artists' tender age: 15 and 18. Alongside them are top-notch musicians such as guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Randy Sterling and organists/pianists Mike Melvoin and Mike Lang. Originally produced by Gary McFarland, Gábor Szabó and Cal Tjader.

Enchanting and sunny 1969 psych folk by San Francisco teenage sisters Wendy & Bonnie Flower. A cult album that would later inspire bands like Stereolab, with dreamy vocal harmonies as the main attraction, laced with Brazilian splashes and soft-rock strains. Pure timeless psychedelic pop perfection, awash in serenity and haunting reverie floating in the ether above airy soundscapes that convey a sophistication that belies the artists' tender age: 15 and 18. Alongside them are top-notch musicians such as guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Randy Sterling and organists/pianists Mike Melvoin and Mike Lang. Originally produced by Gary McFarland, Gábor Szabó and Cal Tjader.

Velvett Fogg are a psychedelic rock band hailing from Birmingham, England. Active during the late 1960’s, Velvett Fogg were one of the many new bands from the Birmingham underground scene trying to take pop and rock music to a higher level of creativity. They were given a record deal by Pye Records, through which they released their first and only studio album, the self-titled Velvett Fogg. The original package was accompanied by a quote from U.K. disc jockey John Peel, who commented that “there is a lot of good music on this record. Remember Velvett Fogg - you will hear the name again”. Ironically the band broke up shortly after release. The album has since become a much sought after title.

Velvett Fogg is available on black vinyl.

140 gram clear purple vinyl reissue!

reissue on 180g vinyl with three bonus tracks

... one of the greatest albums of all time! ... 180 gram vinyl with bonus track 'chelsea girls'

After Steve Winwood jumped ship from chart toppers The Spencer Davis Group and quit the bright lights in favour of the countryside and jam sessions with Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood, in wake of these events Traffic were formed, it was Birmingham, April ,1967. Traffic began as a psychedelic rock group and diversified their sound through the use of instruments such as keyboards like the Mellotron and harpsichord, sitar, and various reed instruments, and by incorporating jazz and improvisational techniques in their music. Soon after in December 1967 Traffic would release Mr. Fantasy their debut Album on Island records. Rolling Stone called the album “one of the best from any contemporary group” and has become a staple on almost any best album poll from the 20th and 21st centuries!

Re-Issued individually from the phenomenal 2019 Traffic – The Studio Albums 1967-74 Boxset. Remastered from the original tapes, pressed on 180g heavy weight vinyl and artwork caringly overseen and interpreted, this album is a must for any newcomer or indeed, seasoned Traffic fan.

180 gram gatefold cover vinyl reissue incl. various bonus tracks!

Led by explosive guitar player Chris (later Christa) Bond, Thunder and Roses was a power-trio from Philly in the best tradition of Cream or the Jimi Hendrix Experience. This is their sole album, originally released in 1969. A cult psychedelic hard-rock classic, including “White Lace and Strange”, famously covered by Nirvana. Thunder and Roses (named after a story from The Astounding Science Fiction Anthology) started to take form when genius 18-years old guitar player Chris Bond and bassist Tom Schaffer met heavy drummer George Emme (previously of The Electric Power House). Rehearsing six days a week the trio gelled quick and soon they were playing memorable shows at venues like Electric Factory and the Trauma. Recorded at Sigma Sound by Joe Tarcia, “King of the Black Sunrise” was released by United Artists in 1969. Dominated by Bond’s outstanding fuzz-wah guitar playing, the album featured seven original songs plus a storming cover of Hendrix’s “Red House”. Sadly, the record label took a wrong decision when refused to release the killer “White Lace and Strange” as a 45 to promote the album, choosing the mockery “Country Life” instead. After Thunder & Roses split, guitar player and main songwriter Chris Bond had a successful career as producer, songwriter, arranger and session musician, working closely with Daryl Hall & John Oates as well as other top artists. Later in his life, Chris eventually transitioned from male to female and changed her name to Christa. She sadly passed away in 2019.

Following recent super-deluxe editions and multi-format releases of classic Who albums – ‘My Generation’, ‘Tommy’ and ‘Quadrophenia’, and the success of ‘Live at Fillmore’, we follow with The Who Sell Out – this set shaping up to be the most superlative of all…!! Released in December 1967 – the album reflected a remarkable year in popular culture. As well as being forever immortalised as the moment when the counterculture and the ‘Love Generation’ went global, 1967 produced tremendous musical upheavals as “pop” metamorphosed to “rock”.

Originally planned by Pete Townshend and the band’s managers, as a loose concept album including jingles and commercials linking the songs styled as a Radio London broadcast – born out of necessity as the band’s managers wanted a new album and there weren’t enough songs.

The original plan was to sell advertising space on the album – Jaguar cars, Coca-Cola etc. The jingles pay tribute to the pirate radio stations and expose the myths of ‘pop-culture’ and mock consumer society – way ahead of their time…

The homage to pop-art is evident in both the advertising jingles and the iconic sleeve design – created by David King (art director at the Sunday Times) and Roger Law (who invented Spitting Image) producing four giant images for each band member – Odorono deodorant, Medac spot cream, Charles Atlas and Heinz baked beans (Roger apparently caught pneumonia from sitting in the cold beans for too long).

Photography by renowned portrait photographer David Montgomery (rare out-takes included)

The album is a bold depiction of the period in which it was made – the tail-end of the ‘swinging-60s’ meets pop-art mixed with psychedelia and straight-ahead pop craft. It’s glorious blend of classic powerful Who instrumentation, melodic harmonies, satirical lyrical imagery crystallised for what was only the group’s third album – the ambition and scope is unrivalled by the Who, or any others from that period.

Within the bold concept, were a batch of fabulous and diverse songs – I Can See for Miles (a Top Ten hit) is a Who classic, Rael, a Townshend ‘mini-opera’ with musical motifs that reappeared in Tommy and the psychedelic blast of Armenia City in the Sky and Relax are among the very best material of the 1960s.

One of the most extraordinary albums of any era – it’s The Who’s last ‘pop’ album. Two years later came Tommy – a double concept album about a deaf, dumb and blind kid…

“We were hoping to get free Jaguars. We got fifty tins of free Baked Beans”

Pete Townshend

Flower power psych pop that’ll blow you away! Exploring the jangly folk and garage sounds of the late ‘60s, the Superfine Dandelion picks a wide variety of colorful folk, country and jug band influences and puts a psychedelic tint on their all-original compositions. Our favored stereo mix, pressed on blue vinyl! Formed in 1967, this Phoenix, AZ band would only last for a year before parting ways, leaving behind just one album – a fate many Mainstream artists ultimately faced, no matter how quality their style and sound was. The Superfine Dandelion features Mike McFadden (formerly of the garage rockin’ Mile Ends) and Rick Anderson (founding member of the Tubes) showcasing the sound of the Summer of Love – kaleidoscopic, sunny & groovy! “While the cheeriest cuts have the sunny folk-pop/rock feel of, say, some of the L.A. folk-rock issued by the Dunhill label (‘Don't Try to Call Me’ recalls P.F. Sloan) or the Monkees, their self-titled LP had a good deal of sub-Jefferson Airplane folk-psych-rock, with plenty of minor chords, harmonies, and wistful lyrics. Then ‘Janie's Tomb’ and ‘It's Raining’ have a jokey jug band vibe, like a cross between the Charlatans and the Lovin' Spoonful.” – Richie Unterberger (AllMusic)

Once The Shain´s had disbanded a new project was born, St Thomas Pepper Smelter. Recorded in 1969, with practically the same band members as The Shain´s, the band explored darker and psychedelic sounds with covers from Vanilla Fudge, Cream, Hendrix and Music Machine, as well as various amazing songs of their own. This album was to be the transition towards their new projects more progressive and 70s style than before and lead to Gerardo Manuel y Humo!

The Serpent Power were amongst the many bands that emerged during those heady days of 1967 but, unlike many of their contemporaries who went on to build solid careers, their arrival was only to be a brief spell in the sun as this delightful album was to prove their sole release as a full band. There is no doubt that it stands proudly alongside other better known works of that time.

"Let me hear you say YEAH!!!". We’re proud to bring you the first official reissue of this essential 60s garage classic, after several bootlegs hitting the market in recent times and its appearance in countless compilations in the last 20 years. Done in cooperation with surviving band members Pat Walters and Danny Huntley, the single receives the usual deluxe treatment at Altercat and comes housed in a brand new picture sleeve, with a 12-page booklet with the band’s story written by Mike Stax (Ugly Things magazine) and previously unseen pictures. Sound mastered by Tim Warren (Crypt Records / Back From The Grave). We aim to get these to you Asap so they are available for the Christmas period. Read on below

Sitar-laden raga rock-xotica! Light the incense, turn on and tune out to this acid folk blend of electric oud, minitar and melodica - its genuine organic blend of both Eastern and Western sounds make this band truly sound like no other. Pressed on seaglass blue vinyl!

The Open Mind was an English psychedelic rock band formed in London, and active in the 1960s and 1970s. The band was formed in 1963 by four musicians from Putney, South West London. Initially named The Apaches and formed by Tim du Feu, Mike Brancaccio and Philip Fox and their friend Ray Nye. Nye left in 1965 and another friend, Terry Schindler, joined instead. The band became The Drag Set, who released a little-known single in February 1967, "Day and Night" / "Get Out of My Way". Shortly thereafter, they changed their name to The Open Mind and in July 1969 released a self-titled LP which has since become a highly sought-after collectible. The band, however, is best known for its druggy August 1969 single, "Magic Potion", which did not appear on the album. Despite their paucity of recorded material, The Open Mind have proven to be influential in the psychedelic rock genre, their single "Magic Potion" having been covered by bands such as The Seers, Sun Dial and The Damned.

Analogue Productions präsentiert eine weitere Uhqr - den Jimi-Hendrix-Klassiker "Are You Experienced". In Zusammenarbeit mit Quality Record Pressings ist diese Wiederveröffentlichung ein echtes Sammlerstück - eine Ultra High Quality Record (Uhqr) Veröffentlichung!

Diese Uhqr-Stereo-Wiederveröffentlichung ist auf 20.000 Exemplare limitiert und hat einen mit Goldfolie einzeln nummerierten Umschlag.

Bei seiner Erstveröffentlichung im Jahr 1967 stellte "Are You Experienced" die Musikwelt auf den Kopf, denn Hendrix zeigte allen, was es bedeutet, "erfahren" zu sein. Hendrix synthetisierte verschiedene Elemente der modernsten Rockmusik von 1967 zu einer Musik, die sowohl futuristisch klang als auch in den besten Traditionen von Rock, Blues, Pop und Soul verwurzelt war. Die meiste Aufmerksamkeit erhielt natürlich seine atemberaubende Gitarrenarbeit, mit der er neue klangliche Territorien in Bezug auf Rückkopplung, Verzerrung und schiere Lautstärke erschloss. Das hätte jedoch nicht viel bedeutet ohne sein hervorragendes Material, ob psychedelische Raserei ("Foxey Lady", "Manic Depression", "Purple Haze"), instrumentale Freak-Out-Jams ("Third Stone from the Sun"), Blues ("Hey Joe") oder zarte, poetische Kompositionen ("The Wind Cries Mary"), die die Bandbreite seines Songwriting-Talents demonstrierten. Nicht zu unterschätzen waren die Beiträge von Schlagzeuger Mitch Mitchell und Bassist Noel Redding, die der Musik einen rhythmischen Puls gaben, der Teile des Rock und des improvisierten Jazz verschmolz.

Was Jimi über die Neuauflage seines Debütalbums in den USA durch Reprise Records dachte, die "The Wind Cries Mary", "Purple Haze" und "Hey Joe" in die ursprüngliche 11-Track-Liste aufnahmen, ist nicht ganz bekannt. Aber Jimi äußerte bei späteren Bühnenauftritten seine Enttäuschung darüber, dass "Red House", seine großartige Original-Blueskomposition, aus dem US-Album gestrichen worden war.

Die US-Version des Titels wurde im August 1967 veröffentlicht. Enthalten sind auch die ersten drei britischen Singles der Gruppe: "Purple Haze", "Hey Joe" und "The Wind Cries Mary".

Diese Uhqr wurde von dem legendären Bernie Grundman von den originalen analogen Masterbändern remastert. Jede Uhqr wird im Presswerk von Acoustic Sounds, Quality Record Pressings (qrp), auf handselektiertem Clarity Vinyl® gepresst, wobei auf jedes einzelne Detail geachtet wird. Diese Platten weisen das gleiche flache Profil auf, das die ursprüngliche Uhqr so begehrenswert gemacht hat. Von der Einlaufrille bis zur Auslaufrille weist das Profil keine Neigung auf, so dass die Abtastnadel des Kunden wirklich senkrecht zu den Rillen von der Kante bis zur Mitte spielen kann. Clarity Vinyl ermöglicht die reinstmögliche Pressung und die visuell beeindruckendste Präsentation. Jede Uhqr wird nach Abschluss der Pressung von Hand geprüft, und nur die wirklich makellosen Exemplare werden auf den Markt gebracht. Jede Uhqr wird in einer Deluxe-Box verpackt und enthält ein Booklet, in dem der gesamte Herstellungsprozess einer Uhqr beschrieben wird, sowie ein handsigniertes Prüfzertifikat. Dies wird ein wahrhaft luxuriöses Sammlerprodukt sein.

All time classic album, including 'Hey Joe' & 'Purple Haze'!

Audiophile 180 gram pressing, approved by the Hendrix family!

"Some people think this record is unlistenable, while others consider this one of the key documents of the American music underground" - Byron Coley -55th Anniversary edition, one time pressing of 1500 foil numbered 2xLP copies -2 disc collection including original album remastered and Live in 1965 -Half-speed mastered vinyl cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios -Live in 1965 (Disc 2) remastered by Ryan Schwabe and available on vinyl for the first time -Comprehensive liner notes by Jesse Jarnow (Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America) and Peter Stampfel The year 1967 proved to be a strong point of the ’60s generation culture and the ever growing New York underground music scene. Steve Weber and Peter Stampfel provided a blithe sendup of musical Americana as they mined this tradition, while introducing outrageous and zany virtuoso turns on acoustic guitar, banjo and violin. Their lyrics and vocals are uniquely their own. Their personalities were profoundly incompatible, like those of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Possibly one of the first crossover jazz-rock album ever, ‘Out of Sight and Sound’ was released in 1967 by ABC Records. The album was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder and produced by Bob Thiele. Featuring a stellar line up comprised of young talented guitar player Larry Coryell (soon to be a proficient solo artist on Vanguard) the record was a true expression of the musicians lifestyle and artist heritage. With drummer Bob Moses (Compost, Steve Kuhn) on board, second guitarist Columbus "Chip" Baker, saxophonist Jim Pepper (a native American who’s debut on Herbie Mann Embryo is still regarded as a masterpiece) and bassist Chris Hills, Free Spirits were possible the first fusion group around !

Limited edition of 100 copies!

A vocal band that made it through, the Free Design have been more than an exception in the glittering world of the psychedelic circus. That was the Age of Aquarius in the end, but in the long run the 4-piece had an enormous impact on the younger generation. Released in 1969 “Heaven/earth” is a cornerstone on its own and 30 years later the band had a sort of epiphany, thanks to the spanning interest of artists such as Cornelius, Beck, Stereolab and crate digger master Madlib. By now the Free Design are considered in the same league of The Beach Boys and The Carpenters. Under the influence of the Hi-Lo’s and Peter, Paul and Mary, The Free Design rose through the folk scene of the Greenwich Village coffee houses, achieving national prominence with the enchanting ‘Kites Are Fun’. They would prove to be at least the artistic equals of such popular contemporaries as The Association, The Mamas and the Papas, The Fifth Dimension and Harper’s Bizarre, but without quite matching their commercial success. Rather than be dictated to and diluted by the majors, they chose to commit to the artistic freedom and potential to develop offered them by the producer Enoch Light through his independent set up Project 3 Total Sound.

A vocal band that made it through, the Free Design have been more than an exception in the glittering world of the psychedelic circus. That was the Age of Aquarius in the end, but in the long run the 4-piece had an enormous impact on the younger generation. Released in 1969 “Heaven/earth” is a cornerstone on its own and 30 years later the band had a sort of epiphany, thanks to the spanning interest of artists such as Cornelius, Beck, Stereolab and crate digger master Madlib. By now the Free Design are considered in the same league of The Beach Boys and The Carpenters. Under the influence of the Hi-Lo’s and Peter, Paul and Mary, The Free Design rose through the folk scene of the Greenwich Village coffee houses, achieving national prominence with the enchanting ‘Kites Are Fun’. They would prove to be at least the artistic equals of such popular contemporaries as The Association, The Mamas and the Papas, The Fifth Dimension and Harper’s Bizarre, but without quite matching their commercial success. Rather than be dictated to and diluted by the majors, they chose to commit to the artistic freedom and potential to develop offered them by the producer Enoch Light through his independent set up Project 3 Total Sound.

Pioneers of psychedelic rock, Jackpot Records is thrilled to offer the first-ever vinyl reissue of The Fallen Angels’ debut album! An unsung classic of ’60s psychedelia, The Fallen Angels, originally released in 1967, showcases the frenetic energy and melodic mélange of early garage and psych rock. Hailing from the Washington, D.C. area, The Fallen Angels masterfully blended driving guitar solos, groovy basslines, and playful distortion, with lead vocalist Jack Bryant’s bluesy and charismatic vocals. Standout tracks like “Introspective Looking Glass”, “Room At The Top”, and “No Way Out” are replete with punchy horn sections, raucous drums, and just enough reverb-stricken sitar for that true late-’60s flavor. Pressed on limited edition color vinyl at RTI and mastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes

Cykle produced one album's worth of solid garage rock, and it certainly proves that the band was an enthusiastic bunch of musicians. Much closer to late 60’s garage (proto) punk than psychedelia, the album was released in 1969.

They were best known for their 1966 song "Red Rubber Ball" (written by Paul Simon) which went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The band was discovered and managed by Brian Epstein and given the unique spelling of their name by John Lennon. The group was formed by guitarists and lead singers Don Dannemann and Tom Dawes (bass guitar), who met while studying at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The other members were Earl Pickens on keyboards and Marty Fried on drums.

incl. 'flute thing' sampled by Beastie Boys for 'flute loop'

Essential ‘60s British beat, R&B, Mod album from 1966 by this band fronted by Art Wood (elder brother of Birds/Rolling Stones/Faces guitarist Ronnie) and featuring a young, pre-Deep Purple Jon Lord on organ, plus Keef Hartley (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) on drums, Derek Griffiths on guitar and Malcolm Pool on bass. Now reissued for the first time ever in Mono, just like the 1966 original.

Essential ‘60s British beat, R&B, Mod album from 1966 by this band fronted by Art Wood (elder brother of Birds/Rolling Stones/Faces guitarist Ronnie) and featuring a young, pre-Deep Purple Jon Lord on organ, plus Keef Hartley (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) on drums, Derek Griffiths on guitar and Malcolm Pool on bass. Now reissued for the first time ever in Mono, just like the 1966 original.

Prompt reissue of the only album released by The Aggregation, a Los Angeles psych rock combo, who licensed the album on LHI - Lee Hazlewood company - back in 1969. The story goes like that: the band used to perform cover songs at Disneyland attraction park but also produced a bunch of originals to get along with Disney rides and exhibits. Hence their concept album in which "funhouse" is a metaphor for exploring the brain frontiers. A must have!

After collaborating with Gabor Szabo on such influential ‘rare groove’ albums as ‘More Sorcery’ and ‘Dreams’, bassist Louis Kabok and drummer Hal Gordon further embraced jazz-rock fusion under The Advancement monicker. Their self title album from 1969 opens with the moody expressiveness of "Juliet" moving on "Moorish Mode" on more interesting drums break. Their heady melting pot of jazz, hard rock and psychedelia is anyhow well described on closing number "Fall Out"

180 Gram Reissue!

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)

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’.

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.

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)

Limited to 2000 copies.