Rock 'n' Roll 218 Items

Les Dynamites make a jubilant return to Batov Records" Middle Eastern Grooves series of vinyl 45s with two irresistible instrumentals capturing the spirit of the Mediterranean surf rock renaissance, "Uzi Kinrot" and "Sea Gull".

Julissa, the Woman Who Was Censored in Mexican Rock! Rock and Roll in Mexico had an impact practically all over the world, yet it was never free from censorship. Several songs made it to the radio, and among them was the track "Ven Cerca," performed by Los Spitfires and their singer Julissa. Julissa entered the entertainment industry at a very young age, as she was only 13 years old when she started singing with The Spitfires, a rock and roll group formed by her brother Luis on bass, Juan Ramón Sordo on drums, José Luis de la Huerta, and Manuel González Galindo, better known as Johnny Dynamo, on guitars. Los Spitfires, a band originating from Mexico City and formed in 1960, were one of five winning groups in a contest organized by CBS Columbia and the Radio Éxitos station, held in November of that same year. Los Escupefuego were the runners-up, as first place went to Los Hooligans, who, in addition to recording an album, would also appear in a movie. The other groups that won the opportunity to record an album with CBS were: Los Loud Jets, Los Blue Caps, and Los Sparks. Los Spitfires only recorded two tracks: "Loco Amor" and "Ven Cerca," Spanish versions of Paul Anka's "Crazy Love" and Johnny Restivo's "Come Closer." Although these songs are not widely known, except among true fans, they serve as a reference to the early rock being made in Mexico during that time. At the time, all rock musicians were copying foreign hits, including the musical arrangements, and simply translating the lyrics into Spanish. For Julissa, this task wasn't difficult, as she was fluent in English. "Ven Cerca" ("Come Closer") with its highly suggestive lyrics, was the first song she recorded with her group. She translated the lyrics exactly as Johnny Restivo sang them in English. It began like this: "Come closer, just a little bit closer, because I want to hug and kiss you, come closer." Julissa sang it with whispers and sighs, and with the microphone so open, all her breaths and gasps sounded like genuine moans. Very soon, the record was pulled from the market. Interestingly, she had no idea what those suggestive expressions implied, as she was almost still a child. That record 45s it is very difficult to find and is a rare piece sought after by collectors from around the world!

Talking about Bubblegum Music brings us back to America at the end of the Sixties. In a world where the music industry was at its very peak and the 7" format singles production was rather schizophrenic. The worldwide success of Ohio Express's "Yummy Yunmmi Yummi" and 1010 Fruitgum Company's "Simon Says", opened up the doors to a plethora of new bands ready to take the chance of this new born phenomena. Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz were the two producers behind many of these projects, while the bands were mostly formed by the same group of studio musicians including the unmistakable nasal voice of singer Joey Levin (Joey Ramone's main inspiration). Avoiding the classics, this compilation will get us through a dozen of rare and unknown productions. Twelve stellar Pop gems dated between 1968 and 1971 and a bunch of great simple melodies, sticky like chewing gum. Yummy!!! Come and taste it.

Farnak. The inspirational nihilist and perpetual droog is the sound of bedroom rock experimentations and insightful lyricism in this 7" single. Lend your ears a listen and give yourself a break.

Joyce Harris was born in Kentucky in 1939 and moved to New Orleans with her family when she was 13 years old. Harris learned to play guitar, write songs and was soon performing duets with her younger sister Judy. They released three singles – ‘He’s The One’ / ‘Hey Pretty Baby’, ‘Washboard Sam’ / ‘Nursery Rock (Beedle De Bop)’ and ‘Hey Little Baby’/ ‘Rock And Roll Kittens’ – as Judy and Joyce in 1958. When her sister got married, Harris spent a year singing in restaurants in Mexico and a first solo single ‘It’s You’ / ‘The Boy In School’ was released on New York’s U.T. Records at the end of 1959. A talent spotter saw her in Mexico and was impressed enough to secure her an audition with the Austin, Texas-based Domino label. Harris was soon in the studio with Tommy Kaspar and Don Burch of Domino’s vocal quartet, the Slades, to record ‘I Cheated’ / ‘Do You Know What It’s Like To Be Lonesome?’ (r-903) in October 1960. ‘No Way Out’ / ‘Dreamer’ (r-905) followed in January 1961 and sold strongly enough to be licensed to Infinity Records. On 7 April 1961, Harris performed ‘No Way Out’ live on TV on American Bandstand. Three more singles would be issued on different labels between 1963 and 1966.

Discodelic and Groovie Records present two incredible singles / amazing finds of musical archeology. Four recordings made in Panama in the 70s and lost in time, we finally managed to license these Latin Psych Funk gems through Tamayo Records in a deluxe limited edition. These four groups Conjunto Raza, The Meditators, The Scepters and Los Misticos, were groups that barely recorded a single, which were only used for radio stations and forgotten in warehouses, they represent the most underground and forgotten Panama!

Discodelic and Groovie Records present two incredible singles / amazing finds of musical archeology. Four recordings made in Panama in the 70s and lost in time, we finally managed to license these Latin Psych Funk gems through Tamayo Records in a deluxe limited edition. These four groups Conjunto Raza, The Meditators, The Scepters and Los Misticos, were groups that barely recorded a single, which were only used for radio stations and forgotten in warehouses, they represent the most underground and forgotten Panama!

This release is handmade and numbered silk screen cover. Reprint of Radio Martiko’s 2nd single from 2015.

"Louie Louie" by Belgian schlager legend Joske Harry's (aka Joe Harris) blows The Kingsmen's original version away. Absolute dancefloor-filler.
There must be about 11,283 versions of "Tabou." This ultra-rare gem by Burt Blanca just might be the ultimate version... or maybe not. Anyway, this is a must-have for your collection.

Acid Jazz group label Countdown Records is excited to announce the next release in our Mod Classics series – the fantastic, super-hip R&B of North London Group The Bo Street Runners, with an exclusive coupling of their ‘Bo Street Runner’ b/w ‘Baby Never Say Goodbye’. To those of us who grew up on the ’80s mod scene, they are two iconic tracks that filled floors from East London’s Regency Suite to Sneakers in the West.

The Bo Street Runners formed in 1964 and made their name playing at the Railway Hotel in Harrow – the same venue where The Who made their name. They recorded a super rare self funded EP on OAK before signing to Decca after winning the Ready Steady Win! competition. Their debut single was the Bo Diddley inspired ‘Bo Street Runner’ with its frenetic Harmonica.

When this didn’t chart the band’s contract was sold to Columbia who released their final three singles. The pick of these was the jazzy ’Baby Never Say Goodbye’ – which featured Mick Fleetwood on drums, on his way to greater success elsewhere.

Presented in the new Countdown Mod Classics monochrome geometric housebag and pressed on white vinyl. Limited to 500 copies.

Despite a scant recorded legacy, the Royal Chessmen were one of the more popular 60s bands of the Mid-Ohio area.

Originally named for their hometown, 25 miles south of Canton, the Dover Chessmen, or simply the Chessmen, were assembled in 1965 by 15 year-old guitarist David Bird along with Dover High classmates Ken Weigand on bass, Keith Whiddon on guitar and Jeff Gintz on drums.

By 1967 Rich Bellanco of rival band the Pendletones had replaced Gintz, and Dave’s older brother Rodney Bird, a junior at Ohio State, was recruited on organ.

As they began to pick up local gigs they added equipment manager Edward Hardesty. They also MOD-ified their moniker to the more regal Royal Chessmen.

Two previously unreleased tracks have been rescued from the vaults by B-W label owner Matt Baker and are presented in this handsome gatefold sleeve.

Another great R’n’B dancer from the Dolemite!

Elvis Presley’s self-titled debut album forever changed popular culture on release in 1956, its earthquake aftershocks still felt some 65 years later. Gritty adaptations of Carl Perkins’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’ Ray Charles’ ‘I Got A Woman’ and Little Richard’s ‘Tutti Frutti’ helped make it the first Rock ‘n’ Roll album to top the Billboard charts, where it remained unchallenged for a full ten weeks. The iconic cover image with its distinctive lettering, showing Presley brandishing his acoustic guitar, helped embed the instrument in rock mythology too, indelibly changing how we conceive of the genre and its axemen. Elvis Presley proved that our hero was already the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, just as he still is today.