Review: Heavy Jazz returns with Ellis Island, their latest instrumental offering following the success of 'Indian Rope Man'. This new release highlights Brian Auger's signature jazz prowess, delivering another intricate and powerful workout. The flip side honours the late Zoot Money with the first-ever 7" release of 'George Bruno Money'. This limited edition comes in a carefully designed sleeve featuring foldout flaps and a cutaway rear. It's an essential piece for jazz lovers and collectors alike, brimming with soulful rhythms and nostalgic nods to jazz legends.
Review: Blackwater Holylight sacrifice their latest EP 'If You Only Knew' to the Suicide Squeeze gods, providing an intermezzo of cosmos and sludge. A chthonic dark psych explosion if we've ever heard one, we hear metal, shoegaze, and psychedelia culminate to an iconoclastic crunch point, as strange auraic statues of Cthulhu shatter before our eyes, evoking the god beast in actuality, not just representation. Lead track 'Wandering Lost' hears the band tear up constellate skies, as producer Sonni DiPerri shapes the track's many shifting structural tides, evoking the many emotional turmoils and stretching-thins of life; Sunny Faris (vocals, guitar, bass) further emphasises its point, that is, to embrace the inequitable unknown.
Review: Discodelic comes correct again with a new 7" that features a pair of rather lesser-known and brilliantly obscure Latin psych-rock gems. Conjunto Raza' 'African Dream' is all crackly and immediately nostalgic because of it, with noodle acoustic guitar sounds making way for a more upbeat and driving 60s garage rock sound but all in loveable lo-fi. Add in a red-hot vocal and you have a flame cut full of funk. On the reverse, The Scepters 'Message' is another well-aged jam that brings rawness and emotion in equal measure.
Review: The Scepters, formed in 1967 in Paraiso by guitarist Celso Spencer, were a popular Panamanian band known for their energetic performances across military bases and high school dances in the Canal Zone. Alongside Lionel Best and Jose James, they covered Top 40 hits and iconic rock bands like Santana and Jimi Hendrix. They released two 45s, including 'Message,' which debuted at Panama's first National Soul Music Festival in 1971 and features next here to a jam from Conjunto Raza, another project led by Agustin Leiro, this one with rotating musicians. They released a single 45 on Onda Nueva in the mid-70s and it blends Zonian and Panamanian talent with aplomb.
Review: You know what to expect from The Cramps - punk, rockabilly and garage rock colliding in a gloriously sleazy pile up of distorted twang and deviant attitude. The A-side is a trademark take on those late 50s/early 60s tunes dedicated to the twist dance craze, enough said. It comes backed with the garage-powered 'Confessions of a Psycho Cat' and the more pscyhobilly-slanted, thoroughly howling 'No Club Lone Wolf'. Capturing a raw energy that channels the rebellious spirit of classic rock & roll with gritty guitar riffs, infectious rhythms and an undeniable sense of fun, this is a standout late-career highlight.
Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - "Indian Rope Man" (3:22)
Brian Auger & The Trinity - "Black Cat" (3:23)
Review: Heavy Jazz Records has licensed this very welcome reissue of one of the most iconic Hammond Mod dancefloor bangers of all time. This limited edition new 45 rpm features Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity's 'Indian Rope Man' on one side, a track packed with driving chord work, vibrant guitar licks, and passionate, intense vocals. On the flip side, Mod enthusiasts will find another gem in the form of 'Black Cat.' This track races forward with raw brass, hard-edged vocals, scintillating drums and epic chord progressions. A true pair of heavy-hitting tracks from the vault, sure to thrill collectors and dancers enthusiasts alike.
When The Apples Blossom Blooms In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Valentine (Dope Jams Kaatskill Mountain take) (5:37)
Review: This special green slab of wax brings together two Emerson, Lake & Palmer tracks, one of them with a fresh twist from a legendary US record store. The classic ballad 'From the Beginning' is rich in warm acoustic guitar and Greg Lake's evocative vocals so it stands as one of the band's most beloved and accessible moments. On the flip, 'When the Apple Blossoms Bloom...' receives a bold Dope Jams Kaatskill Mountain take, which flips it into a sprawling, psychedelic-drenched remix that infuses the instrumental with hypnotic grooves and experimental textures. With both cuts on one 12", this one is both a nod to prog rock's legacy and a bridge to new sonic frontiers.
Review: Mahal by Glass Beams melds a diverse array of influences into a unique and enchanting soundscape. The Melbourne-based trio, shrouded in mystery with their mask-wearing anonymity, lets their music speak volumes. Built around founding member Ranjan Silva, their sound draws from the rich heritage of Ravi Shankar, Bollywood, Electric Light Orchestra, and traditional blues.Inspired by repeated viewings of 'The Concert For George', Silva's vision for Glass Beams seems to echo the fusion George Harrison envisioned when introducing classical Indian music to Western pop. The EP opens with 'Horizon,' setting a serene tone before leading into the title track 'Mahal,' an instrumental piece that envelops the listener in its mystical charm. 'Orb' follows with a riveting bass riff, while 'Snake Oil' delves deeper into Indian classical territory, showcasing evocative vocals. The EP concludes with 'Black Sand,' a dramatic and beautiful track featuring interwoven vocals and guitar. As their second EP, following Mirage, Mahal solidifies Glass Beams' distinct place in music, defying categorisation and quietly demanding attention with its almost otherworldly quality.
Review: One of several debut singles by Khruangbin, 'White Gloves' sweltered in with a mellow sway that would soon become their calling card. 'White Gloves' rode a wistful bassline and slackened drums, built around a hazy guitar riff and Laura Lee's near-whispered vocal - "she was a queen" - as much lullaby as lament. As ever drawing from Thai funk, 60s surf and gospel, the track established Houston trio's knack for folding global references into something spare and dreamlike. Now again released via Late Night Tales offshoot Night Time Stories, it marked the start of their partnership with producer Steve Christensen, whose hands-off touch would help sculpt their fluid, lo-fi feel across their early run.
Review: Some six years (give or take a few months) on from the release of their superb debut album Psychedelic Disco Cumbia, self-styled 'NYC tropical supergroup' Locobeach are back! This time round, they've treated us to a genuine rarity: a rarely spotted double seven-inch EP. All four tracks have, apparently, been extensively road-tested in their live sets and become, in their words, "fan favourites". They begin in stellar fashion via a head-nodding, cumbia-powered cover of Cure classic 'Close To You' (it's genuinely great - one of the best covers we've heard for a while), before imagining a suitably tropical spy chase on the urgent and percussion-rich 'Idea Desesperada'. On 45 number two you'll find the cheeky cumbia-soul-meets-yacht-rock cheekiness of 'Isabella' and the surf-flecked, high-octane tropical fun of 'U.S Marshall'.
Review: Discodelic and Groovie Records unveil a pair of rare 1970s Panamanian gems here with forgotten tracks from The Meditators, and Los Misticos. Originally recorded for radio and left in storage, these Latin psych funk bombs capture the underground spirit of Panama's vibrant music scene from more than 50 years ago. Licensed through Tamayo Records, these songs have been beautifully mastered and now the long-lost recordings, which barely made it to vinyl the first time around, become available for all who are keen to drop the heat and learn about Panama's hidden musical treasures at the same time.
Review: These two rare 1970s Panamanian gems are long-forgotten tracks from The Meditators and Los Misticos that now get pressed up to a very colourful 7", though we also have a plain black version. These Latin psych-funk recordings were created for radio but were stored away for many years and now listening back they offer a glimpse into the vibrant, underground scene of Panama. Beautifully remastered and licensed through Tamayo Records, these rediscovered songs are now available after originally being pressed in extremely limited quantities. These tracks provide a unique chance for listeners to experience Panama's hidden musical treasures while adding some heat to any collection.
Review: Trip To The Moon by Los Sabios kicks off this cosmic 7" with its hypnotic rhythms and swirling synths, blending classic cumbia with spacey, psychedelic vibes. The A-side track is a journey into the unknown, pulsating with infectious grooves that feel like they've been beamed in from another galaxy. On the flip side, Los Eliceos deliver 'La CabaNa,' a more grounded yet equally entrancing tune, driven by tight percussion and warm, melodic guitar lines. Both tracks offer a fresh take on traditional cumbia, making this release a must-have for collectors and dance floor enthusiasts alike.
Review: Los Syn were formed in 1966 in Chile by four young Americans whose parents were stationed in the South American country. All attended Santiago's Nido de Aguilas school and decided to form a band to perform at a school dance. Following their debut, they entered and won a battle of the bands contest, securing a record deal prize. Their sole legacy remains this single, released by Philips in Chile in a very limited run. Finding an original copy is nearly impossible. It's a treasure showcasing the talent and brilliance of four teenagers who, for just over a year, were enchanted with genuine garage music infused with tenderness and finesse. This small miracle returns to life through a limited and numbered edition of 500 copies, including a booklet recounting the band's story by member Gary Pilgram.
M Hawk - "Beat Me Till I'm Blue" (No Horns version) (2:41)
The Mohawks - "Beat Me Till I'm Blue" (Horns version) (2:42)
Review: 'Beat Me Till I'm Blue' is a wonderfully funky classic by The Mohawks presented under the M Hawk alias, the Hawk in question being none other than KPM Music Library overlord Alan Hawkshaw, who wrote the themes from everything from Grange Hill to Countdown. It was a real cornerstone of the late-1960s library and soul-infused grooves of the sort that diggers still fawn over today, and sample fiends still search out. The track delivers Hawkshaw's distinctively driving Hammond organ riffs, tight drum breaks and irresistible rhythms, all of which have made it a favourite among DJs for decades. Two versions are served up here, one with the iconic horns and one with them stripped away, and both offer plenty of energy. .
Review: This is a very special gold vinyl version of the soundtrack for the tokusatsu science fiction superhero television series Spectreman. It ran in the early 70s and had three seasons in all with a cult following who will go nuts to finally have these sounds on wax all these many decades later. It has one Japanese side and one American side and is the work of Ricardo Cruz and Kunio Miyauchi. Instrumentals and the theme song all feature to make this a real retro classic.
Review: The Nut Jumpers is a collaboration that brings together Helen Shadow, Ricky Lee Brawn (of The Stargazers and The Big 6), and 'Mr. Dynamite' aka Jake Calypso, and it finds them blend their talents into a diverse yet authentic rock'n'roll experience. With Helen's stellar guitar, Ricky Lee's dynamic drums, and Jake's vocals, harmonica, and bass, their sound spans rockabilly, rock'n'roll, blues boppers, and sixties vibes with effortless cool. They fuse these influences seamlessly, occasionally evoking guitar riffs reminiscent of Link Wray in a way that means The Nut Jumpers deliver a rich musical tapestry that resonates with classic authenticity and a contemporary edge.
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