Back catalogue: Psych/Garage Rock

Review: First came the digital exclusive, then the 7" repress. This newly reissued Numero version of The Belles' 'Melvin' is a throwback to the 1966 garage rock riffer by the all-girl group, known for their releases on two released Tiara Records around that time. A monologuing, excitable song, 'Melvin' hears the girls pine after one local stud, Melvin, who visits the narrator at midnight. The track is flanked by 'Come Back' and 'Unchained Melody', an instrumental jumper and a waltzing paean for Melvin's love, respectively.

Review: Not to be confused with the contemporary songwriter Belles, 1960s Canadian soft rockers The Bells, 1980s British pop rockers The Belle Stars, or the seminal Detroit techno anthem by Jeff Mills, Numero Group invite you to step back in time and experience one of the best under-referenced 'response songs' of all time. Taking a lead from Them's 1965 hit 'Gloria', The Belles rework the format to sing about a guy they like. "M-E-L-V-I-I-I... M-E-L-V-I-N, Meeeeelllvviinn" the chorus kind of goes, backing track set to a lackadaisical, classic, jangling, looped rock 'n' roll stomp. Backed with the B-side, 'Come Back', which sets a lighter but brisker mood with its up tempo vocal quartet, delicate snare rolls and catchy six string chords, this is quite the trip to and through another era.

Review: Composer Matt Berry aims to mimic the classic iconic Library Music label KPM with this new outing on Acid Jazz. It is the first in a series of such releases and it does a fine job of following in the label's tradition of providing the musical bedrock for classic British TV series and international movies. KPM used composers such as Alan Hawkshaw and Keith Mansfield and Berry proves he is right up there with this 7". 'Top Brass' is a funky instrumental with dramatic strings that add a sense of tension to the rude boy swagger of the rhythm. On the flip is a more stripped-back 'Bare Essentials mix' which is just as good and a little more menacing.

Review: Turkey has always had a fascinating funk scene and Beybonlar has been at the heart of its contemoorary scene. HIs 2019 album Gelin Aysem on Arsivplak is a gold standard from the genre and one of its key singles gets serve dup on its own 7" with a special insert. The title track 'Gelin Aysem' opens up with psyched out guitars, plenty of lo-fi drums and wailing Turkish vocals that bring the exotic flavours. On the flip, 'Nenni' is a little harder and darker in its mood and groove.

Review: For seven years, Matasuna Records has been dedicated to uncovering musical gems from the past. Now, they introduce a thrilling contemporary find: Barcelona-based band Bidaide. Their debut 7" vinyl single features two unreleased tracks, 'Batua' and 'Love Me & Give Up', both of which showcase their eclectic blend of soul, funk, psychedelic rock, reggae-dub, and library music. 'Batua' on the A-side delivers an energetic fusion of funky rhythms, agile guitar dialogues, and vibrant brass overlays. On the B-side, 'Love Me & Give Up' offers a soulful, relaxed vibe with Motown-esque charm. Bidaide's evolution from a duo to a vibrant band culminates in this dynamic release.

Review: Peru has enjoyed a thriving and exciting music scene since the mid-1960s. Bands such as Los Saicos, Los Shain's, and Los York's, to name just a few, released a number of brilliant records that drove young fans crazy and set an example for many to follow. The end of the decade brought about an evolution in sound and new music, as Peruvian bands kept an eye on the groundbreaking British and US artists. One of them was Traffic Sound, founded in Lima in 1967. Over a very short period of time the band managed to successfully develop their career, and by 1971 their Latin influences had overpowered the psychedelic prog vibe of their previous records. The song became a local hit and several versions were recorded by different Peruvian artists. On the other side of this single we find Black Sugar, a Peruvian band considered to be a pioneer group in Latin America in mixing funk influences with rock and Latin rhythms. In 1976, following their gig at Coliseo Amauta in Lima, opening the night for the legendary Spanish band Barrabas, they started to show a growing interest in disco music, resulting in some line-up changes with members leaving the project due to their lack of interest in the new sound and new ones joining in. Their own take on 'La Camita' was released in 1978, and adds a modern twist to the original song.