Rock & Indie 296 Items

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!

180 gram pressing!

Another lost gem from the non-jazz Verve catalogue, Color Him In is a daydream experience from loner singer/songwriter Bobby Jameson. Released in 1967 the album is an orchestrated psychedelic trip, no surprise then Jameson had a part in the cult film Mondo Hollywood. Produced by Curt Boettcher the album had several psych-pop numbers with rare female vocals harmonization.

A Twangy Touch On 1960s Hits!

As one of America’s most influential guitarists, Duane Eddy’s famed twangy, reverb-drenched guitar shines on a wide variety of pop-rock hits, standards, and more!

Backed by two drummers, four more guitars, organ, piano, bass, saxes, and that's just the beginning, Duane goes unafraid at the kind of tunes that normally are "one person songs" Like "Ballad of the Green Berets" which becomes a twang-bang march under Duane's banner. Like "Monday, Monday" which was "The Mamas and Papas" and now has the wild newness of Duane Eddy.

After rising to fame in the late ‘50s with “Rebel Rouser,” Eddy’s influence on radio inspired musicians like George Harrison and Bruce Springsteen. Rockabilly and country music were both major factors in Eddy’s trademark sound; heavy, catchy guitar riffs over a ska-type beat. His hits included “Peter Gunn,” “Because They’re Young,” and “Twistin’ ‘n’ Twangin’.”

As music morphed into melodic sunshine pop, Eddy adapted his sound to fit chart hits of the ‘60s in his own twangy style.

Blisterin’ bleach blonde garage punk from Long Beach’s Emperors!

Previously limited to a handful of singles, this full length LP includes all of their material, including 4 unissued tracks! From the maniacal laughter on “Laughin’ Linda” to their foot-tappin’ cover of the Zombies’ “You Make Me Feel So Good” it’s easy to see why this group of teens were hailed as Long Beach’s favorite group.

Susan Gilmore, an Emperor fan, recollects, “The highlight of the dances were when they played. While attendance was pretty good for other bands, the Emperors packed the place every time. The buzz would start during the week at school. ‘The Emperors are playing this weekend. Are you going to go?’”

The wild teenage sound of the original Emperors is still the greatest. “It's just a lifetime experience,” concluded Randall. “In a way, I felt that we were ahead of our time. The way we played and the way we presented everything on stage, nobody was shy. It was a wonderful experience.”

A new version of the band rebranded as simply Emperor, led by Steve Watts and Randy Budihas, would record for RCA, then Private Stock during the ‘70s. After a 20-year break, The Emperors reformed in 2002 and are still performing and entertaining fans today.

Surfers’ Choice is a true landmark of surf rock, being the album that established the genre more than any other release. First issued in 1962 and mostly recorded at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa Beach, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, it has rollicking surf anthems like ‘Surf Beat,’ ‘Shake ‘N Stomp,’ ‘Surfing Drums’ and ‘Take It Off,’ as well as Dale’s adaptations of ‘Night Owl,’ ‘Fanny Mae’ and a strangely orchestrated take of ‘Sloop John B.’ With a soaring guitar that’s drenched in reverb at centre stage and Dale’s gritty vocals varying the action, this is the enduring start of surf rock and a blistering start at that!

Classical infused psych from NY groovers Ars Nova! Through their creative use of medieval modes, hook-driven pop, & trombone, Ars Nova delivers psychedelia within a classical & prog rock lens, a style that’s their own, yet recalls bands like Left Banke, Honeybus, and Aphrodite’s Child - all who were experimenting with the short-lived baroque pop craze. Pressed on green vinyl! Ars Nova was something totally different for the musical ears of 1968, and still sounds fresh and exciting today, when you think of the great albums of ‘68, like Abbey Road, White Light/White Heat, The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, The Move, Electric Ladyland, This Was or Wonderwall Music shows how influential the year was and yet, Ars Nova with its wide sphere of influences has nothing in common with the trends of the year. The only albums that it can be vaguely compared to is either the Velvet Underground or United States of America, both bands that, like Ars Nova, bucked against existing trends and the end of psychedelia, instead preferring to go their own unique way. This is American progressive music, and takes the art of music making into a different genre, an alternative alleyway. The intelligence and musical nous that spans [this album] is really worth diving into and enjoying. It’s always great to get to hear albums like this, as it provides a counterpoint to the contemporary of the time and gives a real insight into the underground and alternative scene of that era. The beauty of being underground and away from the mainstream is that something that is not of its time ends up being timeless.

Classical infused psych from NY groovers Ars Nova! Through their creative use of medieval modes, hook-driven pop, & trombone, Ars Nova delivers psychedelia within a classical & prog rock lens, a style that’s their own, yet recalls bands like Left Banke, Honeybus, and Aphrodite’s Child - all who were experimenting with the short-lived baroque pop craze. Pressed on green vinyl! Ars Nova was something totally different for the musical ears of 1968, and still sounds fresh and exciting today, when you think of the great albums of ‘68, like Abbey Road, White Light/White Heat, The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, The Move, Electric Ladyland, This Was or Wonderwall Music shows how influential the year was and yet, Ars Nova with its wide sphere of influences has nothing in common with the trends of the year. The only albums that it can be vaguely compared to is either the Velvet Underground or United States of America, both bands that, like Ars Nova, bucked against existing trends and the end of psychedelia, instead preferring to go their own unique way. This is American progressive music, and takes the art of music making into a different genre, an alternative alleyway. The intelligence and musical nous that spans [this album] is really worth diving into and enjoying. It’s always great to get to hear albums like this, as it provides a counterpoint to the contemporary of the time and gives a real insight into the underground and alternative scene of that era. The beauty of being underground and away from the mainstream is that something that is not of its time ends up being timeless.

Legend On Legend!

Eddy’s superb reverb-drenched renditions of Dylan’s biggest hits gives your ears a fresh take on these familiar favorites. Full of twang and gut bucket harmonica, this collection of 12 songs encapsulates the ‘60s in a way only Duane Eddy could.

Originally released in 1965, the album has remained one of the rarest and hard-to-get collectibles for Duane Eddy fans everywhere. Produced by Lee Hazelwood, the album is completely instrumental and showcases Eddy’s individual stylings of the 1960s.

Eddy’s guitar romps and soars through Dylan’s brain waves – translated in this album into notes which build and explode into bar lines of enjoyable melodies. By instrumentally interpreting 12 of the significant songs of the 60’s, Eddy proves there is quality and richness in popular music, too often knocked down for its tendency toward shrillness and over-amplification.

What Bob Dylan is capable of saying with his magical way with words, Duane Eddy is capable of saying instrumentally. As you will undoubtedly hear, it’s a happy marriage.

Ultra-rare 1966 solo album by singer/songwriter Trevor Lucas of Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, and Election. This Australian born folk legend recorded his own songs and a handful of covers – mostly solo acoustic, occasionally accompanied by bass, concertina, and fiddle. First ever authorized reissue (by his estate) of this gem.

"Their music reaches from blues to jazz into space", proclaimed the original liner notes to this highly collectible record, just released in 1968. Hailing from Boston, the Far Cry were a talented seven-piece blending psych rock and r&b, in the vein of Blood, Sweat & Tears and Rare Earth, with a further look into the realms of Beefheart Magic Band and John Cipollina Quicksilver Messenger Service. Their sole album still maintain a distinctive sound, melting acid guitar, sax and even vibraphone, organ and conga.

Les Marquis were an Austrian band active in the 1967-1971 period. Their debut single - Fire Horses - released in 1969, is one of the best Garage/Folk-Rock European gems of the late sixties. Limited edition of 400 copies.

Dark Horse Records and Record Store Day are excited to announce a multi-year partnership to release limited Zoetrope picture disc pressings of George Harrison’s entire studio album catalog. The first two titles in the RSD exclusive series — Wonderwall Music and Electronic Sound — will be available on Record Store Day in April 2024. Limited to 8,000 units globally and exclusive to Record Store Day, each unit is individually numbered in silver foil and includes an insert reproducing the original artwork. Released in November 1968, George Harrison’s Wonderwall Music was the first solo album released by a member of The Beatles and the first LP to be released by Apple Records. The soundtrack music for director Joe Massot’s debut feature-length film, Wonderwall, the predominantly instrumental album is an intricate, vibrant tapestry of Western rock music and compositions in an Indian classical style.

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.

To celebrate 60 years since its original release, The Rolling Stones, ‘uk’ edition, is being released in a special bespoke package for RSD 2024.The band’s debut studio album, was released in the UK on 16 April 1964. The American edition of the LP, with a slightly different track list, came out on London Records on 30 May 1964, subtitled England’s Newest Hit Makers, which later became its official title. The remarkable, ground-breaking album arrives like a jet-fueled rush of white hot R&B. Pressed on stunning 180gm blue + black swirl vinyl / includes lithograph print with images by renowned photographer Terry O’Neill / limited edition stamp-numbering on outer sleeves

Sir Tom Jones UK No.1 single It’s Not Unusual, first released in 1965, is an international megahit. Written by Les Reed and Gordon Mills, the song also made waves in the US reaching No. 10 in the charts paving the way for Sir Tom’s global success. Released for the first time on 7” vinyl since 1965, this limited edition amber record is key to any fans collection.

‘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 Seeds’ second album released in 1966 is a pop-art garage rock classic. ‘Mr Farmer’ was to become a Billboard Hot 100 single in 1967 and the second side of the album features the 14-minute epic ‘Up In Her Room’. This deluxe gatefold edition features the original stereo mix along with an 8-page insert. “Web Of Sound” deluxe comes with a second LP stuffed with mono versions, outtakes and more.

Ultra loud heavy psychedelic rock from Colorado, late 60s, with loads of fuzz guitar all over.

Dragonfly were actually a band called The Legend, who changed their name just when they were recording their self-titled album. Originally released by the Megaphone label in 1968, Dragonfly is a hard-psych classic, highly sought-after by collectors since day one. Back in 2012 we did the first official vinyl reissue and we now present a new, improved repress with expanded liner notes and newly sourced / remastered audio, sounding better than ever.

*Official reissue with original artwork in gatefold sleeve *Newly audiophile restoration / remastering *Insert with liner notes and rare photos *Repro of the elusive original sticker

“This album is sure to share space at the top of your shelf with Plastic Cloud, Savage Resurrection and SRC for those special moments when you want to teach a young, unsuspecting psych convert just what that acid rock guitar thing was all about” - Aaron Milenski

The lost tapes have surfaced, bringing with them a walloping new stereo mix! A sonic cocktail of acid garage, blues & psych rock from one of Detroit’s finest – featuring Ted Nugent! Dominated by gritty head-swirlers and heavy, fuzz guitar licks, their debut is considered to be an early innovator of heavy metal. Their five and a half minute version of “Baby Please Don’t Go” is an absolute acid garage classic with some fantastic feedback and great guitar sustain. Nugent creates some serious guitar noise on this number and shows off his brilliant chops. The album closes with another garage classic, “Gimme Love.” This song has some laser fuzz guitar riffs and angry Mike Drake vocals. In between these two garage monsters are many other great compositions. There are a few covers, two work really well (the splendidly bluesy “Let’s Go Get Stoned” and the gritty Who cover “It’s Not True”). They also hit real hard with “Colors,” a furious acid rock song with some sinister soloing. “Phillip’s Escalator” is very Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd with brit vocals, clanging chords and first class guitar scrape. It’s a true classic on this exceptional outing. The guitar freakouts, Who-like energy and great songs make this debut a prime slice of early Detroit rock. – The Rising Storm

The debut album by the Boston psychedelic power trio, originally released in 1968 on ABC Records. The album consists of a rather awkward mix of Jimi Hendrix inspired heavy guitar rockers, peppered with smoother, jazzy crooners. The standout track on the record is the epic "Just Let Go", with her jazzy nightclub feel, turning soon into a guitar laden Eastern psychedelic jam. An authentic cult finally unleashed!

A Twangy Touch On 1960s Hits!

As one of America’s most influential guitarists, Duane Eddy’s famed twangy, reverb-drenched guitar shines on a wide variety of pop-rock hits, standards, and more!

Backed by two drummers, four more guitars, organ, piano, bass, saxes, and that's just the beginning, Duane goes unafraid at the kind of tunes that normally are "one person songs" Like "Ballad of the Green Berets" which becomes a twang-bang march under Duane's banner. Like "Monday, Monday" which was "The Mamas and Papas" and now has the wild newness of Duane Eddy.

After rising to fame in the late ‘50s with “Rebel Rouser,” Eddy’s influence on radio inspired musicians like George Harrison and Bruce Springsteen. Rockabilly and country music were both major factors in Eddy’s trademark sound; heavy, catchy guitar riffs over a ska-type beat. His hits included “Peter Gunn,” “Because They’re Young,” and “Twistin’ ‘n’ Twangin’.”

As music morphed into melodic sunshine pop, Eddy adapted his sound to fit chart hits of the ‘60s in his own twangy style.

Legend On Legend!

Eddy’s superb reverb-drenched renditions of Dylan’s biggest hits gives your ears a fresh take on these familiar favorites. Full of twang and gut bucket harmonica, this collection of 12 songs encapsulates the ‘60s in a way only Duane Eddy could.

Originally released in 1965, the album has remained one of the rarest and hard-to-get collectibles for Duane Eddy fans everywhere. Produced by Lee Hazelwood, the album is completely instrumental and showcases Eddy’s individual stylings of the 1960s.

Eddy’s guitar romps and soars through Dylan’s brain waves – translated in this album into notes which build and explode into bar lines of enjoyable melodies. By instrumentally interpreting 12 of the significant songs of the 60’s, Eddy proves there is quality and richness in popular music, too often knocked down for its tendency toward shrillness and over-amplification.

What Bob Dylan is capable of saying with his magical way with words, Duane Eddy is capable of saying instrumentally. As you will undoubtedly hear, it’s a happy marriage.

Legendary and rare folk-psych private press record from 1967 that holds up well. Furthermore, the LP is legendary in a literal sense: until recently, few collectors really even knew it truly existed. And Roger Salloom? imagine Jack Kerouac, John Belushi, Lord Buckley, and Lenny Bruce, then throw in Leadbelly, Jimmy Reed, Lonnie Johnson, and Geoff Muldaur… all rolled into one person, and you have a glimpse of poet, singer-songwriter Roger Salloom. Salloom was in the center of the 1960s San Francisco psychedelic scene, playing the Fillmore with Santana, Van Morrison, BB King and Procul Harum. In the 1970s he moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting, then disappeared for two decades to raise a family as a single parent and draw a syndicated cartoon. There is a story here. A story so intriguing that it enticed an award-winning filmmaker to make a film about the subject. So Glad I Made It, the Saga of Roger Salloom, America’s Best Unknown Songwriter, won six awards, was on the 2006 Grammy ballot, and received rave reviews across the U.S.

Officially reissued for the first time on vinyl here's a definitive pop psych masterpiece, originally released in 1968 on Dunhill Records. It's not a legend that John Lennon named the band after an art book by Yoko Ono. The Beatles were closely involved in their early career, signing them to Apple Publishing. Lennon and McCartney produced their single "Lullaby". Here's their debut album with extra tracks taken from their 1967-1968 London Session Apple.

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.

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.

Let’s take a trip to the zoo, in mono! Labeled as a part of the Bosstown Sound, these Boston psych rockers take listeners along for the ride - their freak-out arrangement of “Gloria” and a slew of outtasite originals showcase their intricate psych pop sound. Got your lava lamp bubbling yet? Originally from Swansea, MA, the Tangerine Zoo formed just six months before writing and recording their first album. Once they turned down RCA and Atlantic for Mainstream, the group agreed to do one single and an album, one that’d take just 13 hours to complete. Inspired by Vanilla Fudge and the hippie scene in Greenwich Village, the band’s acid rock captured the same psychedelic sound bands like Orpheus, Ultimate Spinach, and Beacon Street Union were creating in Boston. After a promotional tour, the band went on to make just one other album before dissolving at the end of the ‘60s, leaving a true Bosstown artyfact behind. “Tangerine Zoo may be an orange happening, and have to be seen to be believed. They make the claim that ‘your eyes and ears will throw a party for your mind.’” – Fall River, Mass. Herald News Feb. 13, 1968

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)

This freakbeat jelly belly delight showcases the Bandits’ vaudeville humor, garage rock & catchy psychedelic pop! Considered a cult classic, this mixed bag of candy-coated fuzz is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Our favored stereo mix, pressed on yellow vinyl! Newburgh, New York psych-punks the Jelly Bean Bandits formed in 1966. Originally known as “The Mirror,” the band regularly packed area nightspots like the local Trade Winds, Poughkeepsie's Buccaneer Nightclub, and Burlington, Vermont's Red Dog. In due time, they recorded a three-song demo reel that resulted in a three-album recording contract with Mainstream Records – however, unknown to Mainstream, these three songs represented the sum total of the Jelly Bean Bandits' repertoire, forcing the band to write enough additional material to flesh out a full-length LP in the course of a week. Amazingly, their eponymous 1967 debut is excellent, a freakbeat cult classic distinguished by emotive guitar and some innovative production techniques – all the more impressive, the album was recorded in a single 12-hour stretch. Mainstream hated the end result, however, and dropped the Jelly Bean Bandits just as they were commencing work on the follow-up – only one song was completed before the sessions were aborted, leaving just one ‘60s studio album from these confectionary con-artists. – Jason Ankeny

The long lost 1968 debut album by singer-songwriter, Scott Fagan, once tipped to be bigger than Elvis, is set for release on 9th February 2024 via Earth Recordings. 'South Atlantic Blues' will be reissued for the first time in its original artwork, with an iconic portrait of Fagan by famed rock photographer, Joel Brodsky, following a widely celebrated 2015 release.Revisiting his mystical, mythical, and deeply soulful masterpiece, this psych-folk gem doffs a Tropicalia hat direct from downtown New York. "His songs embrace a broad sonic fantasia, swirling in '60s New York R&B and '40s jazz, as well as the Caribbean rhythms of calypso, meringue and Pachanga." New York TimesScott Fagan's story is worthy of a movie in itself. A swinging hipster who landed in 60s Greenwich folk scene, escaping the abject poverty of his U.S. Virgin Islands upbringing, Fagan found himself mentored by the Brill Building's Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, and feted as the next big thing. "Forget Rodriguez, forget Searching for Sugar Man," says Sharyn Felder, daughter of the late Doc Pomus, the legendary songwriter who signed Fagan to management in 1964. "Scott was so much more. He was cut from a different cloth."'South Atlantic Blues' is the perfect soundtrack to this tale, an epic song cycle wrapped around an impassioned love story, driven by Fagan's dense, allusive lyrics, and production by Elmer Jared Gordon (Pearls Before Swine) and rich arrangements by Horace Ott (Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, The Shirelles). The Earth Recordings reissue coincides with a resurgence in activity for Fagan, with a new album in the works - the never-recorded soundtrack to 'Soon', the 1971 Broadway rock musical he co-wrote and starred in - and a documentary 'Soon: the Story of Scott Fagan' currently filming through Scissor Kick Films, from director Marah Strauch, writer Chris Campion (who rediscovered the singer-songwriter in 2015), and producer Eric Bruggeman.Classic Black Vinyl + DLC

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.

The story of Japanese psychedelic band Apryl Fool and their eponymous debut album is simply extraordinary. It was the vehicle by which bassist Haroumi Hosono first came to prominence, years before he became known as the “Godfather of Japanese electronica” as the founding member and leader of Yellow Magic Orchestra, though this musical titan had work released prior to the group’s 1968 founding, such as the song “The Sea Of Summer Day,” recorded with Yuko Okuyama and released by King Records the year before. Drummer Takashi “Rei” Matsumoto was a Beatles maniac that had covered songs by Them and Sam & Dave in his earlier group, Burns, while pioneering prog-rock keyboardist Hiroyoshi Yanagida and guitarists Chu Kosaka and Eiji Kikuchi had all been part of a group called The Floral, formed in 1967 through the Japanese wing of the official fan club of The Monkees (whom they supported during a Japanese tour enacted in October 1968). In September 1969, Apryl Fool played behind musical theatre group Tokyo Kid Brothers, the recording issued in minute quantity as the Love & Banana EP, issued on Columbia Japan’s Musicolor subsidiary; Apryl Fool’s own LP, also issued on Musicolor that year, had extended spacey psychedelic freak jams in the form of “Tanger” and “Pledging My Time,” marathon blues-rock tracks such as “April Blues” and “Honky Tonk Jam,” with the employed English sounding fairly credible, though both parts of epic opus “The Last Mother Land” feature Japanese lyrics. Of course, the day that the LP was actually released is reportedly the day that Apryl Fool announced their termination, giving this scarce release another level of legend for connoisseurs.

After briefly replacing Eric Clapton in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, guitarist/bassist Geoff Krivit formed Doctor K’s Blue Band with pianist Richard Kay and singer/harmonica player Mick Hasse, the lineup completed by bassist Harold Vickers, slide guitarist Roger Rolt and future Steve Hillage drummer Eric Peachey. Their self-titled debut had top-notch renditions of blues classics such as ‘I Can’t Lose,’ ‘Key To The Highway’ and ‘Pet Cream Man,’ as well as spirited originals such as ‘Strobe Lemming’s Lament’ and the piano stomp ‘Crippled Clarence,’ but the album failed to break through. Grab a copy of this rarity to be blown away!