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Episode 013: Thirteen Limericks For Limerence Feb 14, 2021

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Episode 013: Thirteen Limericks For Limerence
The Nazz - Hello It’s Me (US 1968)
Philadelphia’s pride and joy, The Nazz were fronted by the very prolific Todd Rundgren who led them through three stellar albums before embarking on a solo successful career, during which he would cover this song into a top 10 hit. Written about a lost high school love, the original is a hauntingly slower and somber affair than it’s more famous re-recorded sibling.
The 13th Floor Elevators - Splash 1 (Now I'm Home) (US 1966)
Infamous for the much documented tortured life of their enigmatic leader Roky Erickson, these Austin freaks are essential to the story of American garage and psychedelia. Though known for their fuzz guitars and bizarre electric jug, Roky proves that he can write a ballad that’s as affecting as anything in their bulletproof catalog.
Steve Miller Band - Dear Mary (US 1968)
One of San Francisco’s finest and a key band in forming the sound synonymous with the area, Steve and the boys slowed it way down for this beautiful tune from their sophomore LP. The tempo and descending lines are inline with the Whiter Shade of Pale influence of the time, but the delicate nature of the vocal give it a timelessness that makes still sounds fresh today.
The Velvet Underground - Candy Says (Mono Closet Mix - US 1969)
No other band took a decidedly drastic left turn than these kings of New York noise. with their third album. After continuing their sonic experiments and art guitar feedback for two consecutive albums, the Velvets decided they had done all the weird things they could do save for write normal songs. Thus, their self titled album is filled with slow and gentle ballads which was an unexpected move at the time. This sparse and fragile masterpiece sounds like it may fall apart at any time which is part of its beauty. This is the original “closet mix” that Lou Reed did before it was later replaced with a more balanced mix.
The Feminine Complex - Are You Lonesome Like Me? (US 1969)
These ladies from Nashville made one PERFECT album that has shockingly clear and defined production which at times makes it seem as though some of the songs could have been released within the last two decades. This sweet tale of new love captures the uncertainty of those first initial steps.
Fairport Convention - Decameron (UK 1968)
Though not garage per se, these UK folk-rock heroes showed a strong west coast acid rock influence on their debut. They showed their gentler side on this sad stunner, which is one of the few originals on their essential debut album.
Love - A Message to Pretty (US 1966)
These Los Angeles Sunset Strip regulars had a an early hand in developing the American garage sound with their pioneering singles and was led by Arthur Lee who also shared songwriting duties with second guitarist Bryan Maclean. Maclean’s songs were the softer of the two, and here it seems like his influence has spilled over to Lee who tries his hand a love ballad for his mysterious “pretty”.
The Byrds - Here Without You (US 1965)
What’s to be said about this band other than Los Angeles owes them their own holiday? This Gene Clark original from their debut strangely seems like the inspiration for their later psych classic Eight Miles High. This heartbreaking tune is one of the first he ever wrote for the band, stemming from their previous incarnation The Jet Set, and captures the melancholy feeling of loneliness from an unrequited love.
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - I Won’t Hurt You (US 1967)
A truly magnificent minimal love song by a strange Los Angeles underground oddity with a checkered past. Nonetheless, this song is light years ahead of it’s time and one of the band’s catalog defining highlights amongst many.

Episode 012: Hour Hands at Twelve O'Clock Feb 01, 2021

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Episode 012: Hour Hands at Twelve O'Clock
01 Stevie Wonder - Look Around (US 1971) Covered in what sounds like an electric harpsichord, this beautiful and contemplative tune by Stevie from his often overlooked 1971 album Where I'm From simultaneously addresses the ills of the world while reminding us that the world itself is an illusion. Wonder would continued to pepper his 70's classic albums with psychedelic touches here and there, but one may argue that he came the closest to a true psych-out with this one.

02 Allen Touissant - Southern Nights (US 1975) Ultra-classic tune from a New Orleans legend that would eventually be covered by Glen Campbell into a massive chart topper. Touissant's original features the infamous Leslie cabinet speaker effect on this voice, at once giving it a psychedelic edge not too often heard on soul songs from the era. This combined with the languid nature of the track and lyrics filled with vivid southern imagery make it a bonafide psych-soul staple.
03 Cymande - Changes (UK 1974) This UK band created some of the most unique and celebrated funk music of the time. Combining elements from their rastafarian faith along with a distinct socially conscious soul sound, they would go on to release three albums during their prime, all of which are stellar. This gorgeous mellow number is a bit somber, but nonetheless shows their power at creating a deep and contemplative ballad that grooves.
04 Manu Dibango - Hibiscus (Camaroon 1972) Taken from his breakthrough album Soul Makossa that features many a dancefloor scorcher, saxophonist Manu Dibango also shows a deeper side to his sound filled with wah-wah guitars and a bass propelled groove. Something in Manu's playing and the overall syrupy vibe of the track makes me wonder if they were drinking from the same THC filled stew Fela concocted. Nonetheless, Manu and co are able to communicate a heady space without a single word.
05 William S. Fischer - Patience is a Virtue (US 1970) Fischer wastes no time getting this one going with a list of women whom he'd like to communicate his simple yet effective chorus to. This wonderful riff based groover is taken from his 1970 debut Circles which is filled with electronic and psychedelic soul experiments. Fischer went on to release three obscure albums in 1972 that are all worth seeking out.
06 Ike White - I Remember George (US 1976) We end this episode with a true journey. Singer Ike White released his sole album in 1976 while in the midst of serving a murder sentence at San Quentin. The album is a stunning long lost classic - and while that is an accolade often thrown around, it is never more fitting that in the case of this LP. This track goes through multiple movements - beginning with the sounds of inner space before launching into a mellow introduction that culminates with an uplifting middle section that nods to Stevie Wonder. Wonder would also provide the liner notes to the album, lending even more folklore of the origins of the album. After a campaign to overturn his case, White was eventually was released from prison in 1979.

Episode 011: And Eleven Moons Jan 18, 2021

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Episode 011: And Eleven Moons
01 Love - Dream (US 1969) Love are Los Angeles legends and often credited as one of the first interracial rock bands of the 60's. Led by the enigmatic Arthur Lee, the original quintet fell apart after releasing their classic Forever Changes album. Lee quickly reassembled a new band and recorded two albums, the first of which would complete his now expiring contract with Elektra and from which this somber rocker is pulled.

02 P.P. Arnold - If You Think You’re Groovy (US 1967) Los Angeles born Patricia Ann Cole started life in the Ikettes before striking out on her own with a relocation to London. Capturing the hearts of the Immediate records crew, she was thrust into the spotlight as one of the darlings of the UK mod scene. She recorded 2 albums with Andrew Loog Oldham featuring his trademark orchestral pop sound before heading back to the states.
03 Jimi Hendrix - One Rainy Wish (US 1967) A masterpiece in every sense of the word, this swirling psychedelic nugget is one of many highlights found on the Experience's sophomore album. Filled with cascading guitar lines that don't let up til the last seconds, this exquisite piece shows that Hendrix created things as pretty and light as he did heavy and dark. It's safe to say that no other musician pushed the sound of psychedelic guitar further than Jimi.
04 Bobby Calendar - Nature (US 1968) Mr. Callendar cut his teeth on a few pop singles before morphing into the psychedelic mystic that produced this mind melter from his debut album. Bobby dipped into all the colors of the era, creating wonderfully delicate and soft harmony psych one minute before taking a left turn with a sitar drenched dirge the next. He would go on to produce another 2 albums before calling it quits in 1972.
05 Black Velvet - The Clown (UK 1969) B-side to the debut single by these UK psychedelic funk freaks that brings a heavy downer vibe with this ode to a mysterious clown. The band released 3 albums during their 4 year life span and are all worth investigating.
06 Nina Simone - To Love Somebody (US 1969) The title track to Nina's stunning album of 60's rock classics shows her wiling to take on the burgeoning pop scene with both appreciation and mastery. Good luck getting your song back after she covers it! Her version of the Bee Gees' lament to lost love beefs up the rhythm while retaining the sense of loss the original captures so well
07 Eugene McDaniels - Welfare City (US 1970) Eugene first found fame as Gene McDaniels in a more traditional pop singer mold before using his full name once signing with Atlantic in 1970. Along with his new label, he also found a new sound fueled by the political climate of the time. Taken from his Outlaw album, this song sounds like a long lost folk-rock number backed by a heavy rhythm section.
08 Parliament - Silent Boatman (US 1970) George Clinton founded this band in 1965 as the Parliaments before dropping the s and his first doses of Owsley in 1969. The yin to his twin group Funkadelic's yang, these misfits came mighty close to a pastoral psych sound with this track from their 1970 debut. Written by frequent collaborator, UK songstress Ruth Copeland, this beautiful number is covered in acoustic guitars, bagpipes and an heartfelt vocal.
09 Rotary Connection - Amuse (US 1970) Chicago's finest psychedelic soul export that featured a young Minnie Ripperton, this severely underrated group released 7 albums in their 4 year career and are all worth seeking out. This acoustic beauty is a rare solo Minnie acoustic track that is free of Charles Stepney's wall of sound production. It also strangely foreshadows her future hit "Loving You" in it's sparseness.

Episode 010: This One Goes to Eleven Jan 04, 2021

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Episode 010: This One Goes to Eleven (featuring guest set from Hymnal)
The first set is dedicated to Rex Thompson AKA Tartarex who inspired me to collect psychedelic music.
01 The Petards - Tartarex (Germany 1969) This German pop band's finest moment and the tune that Rex took on as his moniker.

02 The Gods - Real Love Guaranteed (UK 1969) As heard on Episode 002, this 45 only scorcher by these UK heavies features future members of Uriah Heep.
03 Kippington Lodge - Turn Out the Light (UK 1968) Before evolving into their guitarist Brinsley Scwarz's namesake, this quartet released five singles that are fine examples of the genre.
04 The Pretty Things - Talking About the Good Times (UK 1968 - US Promo 45 Mix) A rare mix from these UK legends sourced from a promo only US 45 that would have fit perfectly on their classic SF Sorrow LP.
05 Shy Limbs - Reputation (UK 1969) Sublime UK pop-psych by this obscure outfit that featured Greg Lake of King Crimson and ELP fame.
06 The End - Shades of Orange (UK 1968) Produced by the Stones' Bill Wyman and bearing a striking resemblance to their work of the time, these dashing lads would eventually greet the 70's as hard rock titans Tucky Buzzard.
07 The Syn - Flowerman (UK 1967) UK flower power at it's finest, the Syn features a pre-Yes Chris Squire and Peter Banks.
08 Rob De Neys - Bye Bye Mrs. Turple (UK 1967) Dutch pop star who released this bizarre exploito single that actually quite works despite it's truly nonsensical lyrics.
09 People - Glastonbury (UK 1971) A one off studio creation for a single on Deram that features haunting harmonies and a hard hitting percussive rhythm section.
10 Time Machine - Turn Back the Time (France 1971) Surprisingly common 45 by an obscure French combo that may be a studio creation. The flip is a stunning backwards take of the A-Side.

Hymnal Guest Set:
01 Strange-Annihilation (US 1973). Florida Guitar Rock band fronted by Terry Brooks. Non LP single on Brook's private label Outer Galaxie (Narration by Edmond Goode).
02 Weasel-24th Goodwill Street (US 1971 promo) Sole release by this midwestern heavy rock outfit from El Dorado, Kansas. Recorded at Soundville Records in Houston, Texas,
and released by Westpark Records. This is the rare DJ advance copy with the song writers' names mismatched. Fewer than 20 copies of this single are known to exist.
03 Bob Goodsite-Faze I (Phase One) (US 1972) The A side of this single, a cover of ‘Our House’ by Graham Nash, cannot prepare you for the the compressed and phased-out slab of instrumental guitar-rock that is ‘Faze I.’ Recorded at Sound Patterns in Farmington, Michigan. The explosive grip of this brief track will make you hunger for a larger project in this style.
04 Joe Rosanova & The Vineyard-Dreams of You (US 1971 single test pressing) Named after the drummer Joe Rosanova, this soft rock lounge band from Tennessee creates a psychedelic masterpiece worthy of The Cream. This version is a 1971 single test pressing from their 1968 LP & appears to be the only way to get this song on a 45.
05 Cucumber-Under (US 1968) No details on this obscure band but for the composer, a Robert Esposito. Let the use of extreme fuzz as a compositional tool here be instructive to many a modern shoe-gaze producer. On the Cobblestone label. Thank you Mr. Esposito.
06 Medusa-Temptress (US 1976) Released on the Pepperhead label out of Oak Park Illinois, this Chicago band produced this drifting mid-tempo stoner-rock ballad laden with echoey vocals. This single is the groups only official output, however, 4-track tapes of a full LP have recently surfaced.

Episode 009: Nine Degrees Below Dec 21, 2020

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Episode 009: Nine Degrees Below
01 The Tremeloes - Suddenly Winter (UK 1968 - Mono Mix) One of the key groups to break through during the British Invasion, this UK outfit caught the psychedelic bug like so many in 1968 and managed to come up with a few contributions to the era. This album cut with it's searing backwards guitar work is probably the finest example they ever laid down.

02 The Marmalade - I See the Rain (UK 1967 - Mono 45 Mix) Another UK pop group responsible for many hits during the psychedelic era, this single has the distinction of being Jimi Hendrix's favorite for the year of 1967. It's a pity he never recorded his own version, as the main riff is one of the best of the time and most certainly would have proved an interesting launching point for him. The Marmalade continued to churn out the hits well into the 70's and have a catalog worth digging into.
03 Gloria - The Storm (Netherlands 1969) Dutch group that started in the mid 1960's specializing in a very European brand of epic pop as heard on this thundering - pun intended - B-side that grows more and more dark in imagery and intense in tempo until its final notes. They recorded three albums and many singles before calling it quits in the mid 70's.
04 The Troggs - When Will the Rain Come (UK 1967) Another British Invasion staple - infamous for their era defining hit single and garage standard "Wild Thing" - the group would morph with the times and dip their toes into psychedelia with the flower power single "Love is All Around" of which this moody number graces its flip.
05 Mid Day Rain - Welcome to the Rain (US 1970) Mystery US combo that released only one song during their existence. Quite a pity, as this incredibly smooth stunner makes one only imagine what a whole LP may have sounded like.
06 Toast - Flowers Don't Bend in the Rainfall (UK 1970) Obscure UK outfit that also recorded only one single in their lifetime. The A-Side is this wonderfully produced cover of a Simon & Garfunkel B-side.
07 The Easybeats - Come in You'll Get Pneumonia (Australia 1967) The most famous Aussie export during the 60's beat boom, the Easys went on to record several albums that reflect the changing times and sounds of the era. This cold-hearted - pun intended - pop-psych classic has all the usual studio tricks of the era but with a soaring chorus sets itself apart as something only they can pull off.
08 Majority One - I Don't Mind the Rain (UK 1971) Also featured on our previous episode, these UK harmony pop freaks found more success on the continent versus their native land. This pop-psych beauty sounds like it was recorded three years prior and can be found on their stellar debut LP.
09 Strawberry Alarm Clock - Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow (US 1967 - Mono Mix) The most famous group of the exploitation psych era, the Clocks wore their flower power loud and proud by storming onto the charts with the bubblegum classic "Incense and Peppermints". This album cut from their debut shows that they could write a convincingly lysergic pop song when given the chance.
10 Tommy Roe - It's Now A Winter's Day (US 1967) Mr. Roe hit the charts with a string of bubblegum classics from the early 60's, beginning a career spanning four decades. In 1966 he teamed up with producer Curt Boettcher who was putting together his harmony pop super group The Millennium and thus used them as background vocalists on Roe's albums. He also used this an opportunity to cut his teeth on his brave sonic experiments that would come to full fruition on the Millennium's debut. This delay drenched title track to their second album collaboration of 1967 shows his studio wizardry already in full swing as well as the unmistakable harmonies of the Millennium.

Episode 008: Eight Shattered Ornaments Dec 07, 2020

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Episode 008: Eight Shattered Ornaments
01 The Rolling Stones - Cosmic Christmas (UK 1967) This unlisted track ends the first side of The Stones' sole psychedelic effort.

02 Claudine Longet - I Don’t Intend to Spend Christmas Without You (France 1967) Thanks to our friends at RPM International for contributing this fantastic Christmas love song by France's soft-voiced starlet. This single only offering is a sparkly pop wonder with pristine production typical of the time.
03 The Rotary Connection - Christmas Child (US 1968) Minnie Riperton and company offer this groovy holiday original written by producer Charles Stepney, taken from their 1968 Christmas album Peace. A combination of soulful takes on classics and originals make it a perfect soundtrack to the season.
04 Twice As Much & Vashti Bunyan - Coldest Night of the Year (UK 1968) This British duo of Dave Skinner and Andrew Rose recorded two albums for Immediate records of which this classic wintry tune graces their second. Originally by Nino Tempo and April Stevens, the duo teamed up with folk chanteuse Vashti Bunyan during per pop singer days to produce their version of this perfect pop nugget.
05 The Chamber Brothers - Merry Christmas, Happy New Year (US 1969) Along with Sly Stone, the Brothers Chamber were one of the first bands to send psychedelic soul to the pop charts. This single only offering is indebted to the aforementioned legend, combining his trademark fuzz guitar groove with rotating lead vocals into a psych-funk holiday workout.
06 Paul Revere & The Raiders - Rain, Sleet, Snow (US 1967 - Mono Mix) A fuzz-laden holiday banger from one of America's greatest garage pop successes, this ode to the pangs of working for the US Postal Service during the holiday season is taken from their 1967 Christmas LP.
07 The Majority - All Our Christmases (UK 1968) Beginning life as Majority One, these British lads laid down many a fine single as well as a stellar LP during their brief two year career. This waltzy number shows a strong Hollies harmony pop influence.
08 Wild Silk - Toymaker (UK 1969) Mysteriously released as Basil in the US, this UK obscurity is a classic example of toytown psychedelia. Thought not explicitly about Christmas, there is only one night of the year in which this toymaker must frantically work to meet his deadline. The band released four singles of fine UK pop over their two year existence.
09 Saturday’s Children - Christmas Sounds (US 1966) A sweet holiday pop number by this Chicago area band who recorded three singles for the Dunwich label from 1966 to 1967 before calling it quits.
10 Bee Gees - First of May (UK 1969) The Australian brothers' 1969 concept album Odessa shows a band in flux from their Beatle-esque pop-psych era into more orchestrated pop territory before finding their true calling with soul and funk-rock in the 70's. This beautiful number tells the heartbreaking tale of lost love using Christmas trees as a metaphor.
11 Robin Gibb - Lord Bless All (UK 1970) During the brief time that this brother Gibb left The Bee Gees due to lead vocal disputes, he recorded a solo LP that proved years ahead of its time. Though not the most consistent set, it showed some of the earliest drum machine experiments in rock. This gorgeous track washed in reverb showcases what Robin would have continued to experiment with had he not returned back to his original band later in the year,
12 Simon & Garfunkel - 7 ‘O Clock News/Silent Night (US 1966 - Mono Mix) We end things with this somber take on a holiday classic by the masters of folk-rock. This striking rendition closes their classic Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme album.

Episode 007: Seven & Seven Is Nov 23, 2020

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Episode 007: Seven & Seven Is: Sounds from Los Angeles
01 Love - 7 & 7 Is (1966 - 45 Mono Mix) This proto-punk stunner is still years ahead of its time and set the bar for what could be done within the confines of a 2 minute single. Led by the enigmatic Arthur Lee, Love is responsible for some of the greatest music to come from the city.
02 The Byrds - Why (1966 - 45 Mono Mix) The kings of Los Angeles jangle took off for headier sounds with their single “Eight Miles High” of which this is the b-side. This take differs from the album version and packs a more immediate punch, capturing the Coltrane-esque solo they were going for better than the flip.
03 Lee Mallory - That’s the Way (1966 - 45 Mono Mix) This harmony pop rocker is the first collaboration between producer Curt Boettcher and singer Lee Mallory, laying the groundwork for legendary pop psych band The Millennium. Their unmistakable harmonies are already in place and the bridge provides the perfect pallet for Curt's sonic experiments.
04 West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - If You Want This Love (1967) Brothers Dan and Shaun Harris recruited pal Michael Loyd to form a band that was then co-opted by scenester Bob Markley. This fuzzy folk rocker is taken from their first album which, like most of their catalog, is a mix of earnest pop-sike by the brothers and strange ramblings from Markley.
05 Kim Fowley - Bubblegum (1968) Speaking of scenester, Kim Fowley may be the reason the word exists. A constant on the scene, he involved himself with many a band from the city in some form or fashion. His solo efforts are patchy affairs, but this early hard rock number featuring Mars Bonfire of Steppenwolf finds him finding his muse.
06 The Standells - Did You Ever Have The Feeling (1967 - Mono Mix) Unlike may of their contemporaries, the Standells are one of the few bands that were unaffected by trends. The slight eastern overtones in this song are the closest the band would come to experimenting with psychedelia, as they called it a day before the flower power bandwagon appeared.
07 The Hook - Son of Fantasy (1968) After his time in the Leaves, Bobby Arlin teamed up with Buddy Sklar to form the more hard rock inclined The Hook. They produced two albums for Uni before calling it quits, of which this dark riff heavy tune graces their first.
08 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy - Dark On You Now (1967 - Mono Mix) Classic jangly folk-rock from this band formed from the demise of The Ashes. The band called it a day after two albums for Columbia and one for local label Challenge.
09 Spirit - Uncle Jack (1967 - 45 Mono Mix) Sounding like a long lost UK psych 45, this early single by these LA legends is uncharacteristic of their usual sound, which combined moody and introspective songs with guitarist Randy California's epic fretwork.
10 The Monkees - For Pete’s Sake (1967 - Mono Mix) Although often maligned for being a "fake band", the Monkees eventually came into their own. This song is the first written by Peter Tork and features Mickey Dolenz on vocals.
11 The Merry Go Round - Time Will Show the Wiser (1967 - Mono Mix) Led by Emitt Rhodes, this South Bay band recorded one magnificent album before Rhodes embarked on a solo career.
12 The Electric Prunes - Wind Up Dolls (1967 - Mono Mix) This SFV based band found early success and recorded two albums for Reprise in 1967 before splitting up. Their following two releases were produced by David Axelrod and feature none of the original band members
13 Buffalo Springfield - Everydays (1967 - Mono Mix) Recorded live at Gold Star studios, this stunning number shows both Stephen Stills strength as a song writer as well as Neil Young's fearless guitar experiments.

Episode 006: Six Feet Deep (Diggin' Up the Daisies Vol. 01) Nov 09, 2020

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Episode 006: Six Feet Deep (Diggin' Up the Daisies Vol. 01)
1. The Rascals - My World (US 1968 - Mono Mix) Classic feel good tune from this New Jersey band that had a string of hits in their early days as The Young Rascals. This is taken from their 1968 pop-psych LP Once Upon a Dream that is strung together with trippy effects and features many highlights. It's an interesting sample to become a rap song, as it doesn't have a strong drum element but the melodic elements are ripe for the picking.
2. Eric Burdon & War -Magic Mountain (US 1970 - Mono Mix Radio Edit) This one chord jam is the b-side and twin sister to hit single "Spill the Wine" and features a super punchy bass-heavy groove and classic harmonica intro that became a defining statement once re-imagined as a rap tune. It would also reappear on a "trip-hop" classic later in the next decade.
3. The Grass Roots - You and Love are the Same (US 1968) Making a splash with their flower power anthem "Live for Today", this studio project for songwriters Lou Adler and PF Sloan eventually became a real band. This album cut ended up on a volume of 80's sample fodder series Ultimate Breaks and Beats and thus turned into a classic rap tune shortly after. I wonder who was the first person to have the patience to find that pounding little bridge?
4. Sly & The Family Stone - Trip Through Your Heart (US 1967) This tune is one of Sly's few overtly psychedelic tunes and is taken from his band's debut that fell on deaf ears. Filled with lyrics aimed to appeal at the hippie crowd and trippy band made sound effects, this tune shows Sly starting to stumble on the formula that would eventually make him successful.
5. The Bubble Gum Machine - I Wonder (US 1968 - Mono Mix) Starting life as the Fabulous Fakes, this band of siblings and local friends changed their name before recording their lone album for Senate. The groove on this one is prime sample material and shows how deep some beat makers were getting into one-off obscurities at the time.
6. Mashmakhan - I Know I’ve Been Wrong (Canada 1970) Surprised with a hit single from their debut album, these Canadians specialized in epic blue-eyed soul heavy on the brass arrangements. This gem features a catchy organ riff that served as inspiration for a classic golden era album cut. After a brief two year stint and follow up album the band called it a day.
7. The Rotary Connection - Memory Band (US 1968) Chicago's finest featuring production from the late and great Charles Stepney, the Connection also served as the first creative outlet for young singer Minnie Ripperton, whose soaring vocals can be heard throughout this sparkling tune. The four note sitar melody on the intro would provide inspiration for not one but two classic 90's hip-hop staples.
8. Elephants Memory - Mongoose (US 1970) Initially finding success scoring late the late 60's classic Midnight Cowboy, this bad of misfits eventually found success as John Lennon and Yoko Ono's backing band for a spell. In between, they'd cut an album of heavy rock from which this classic breakbeat track is taken.
9. Music Machine - Come On In (US 1966 - Mono Mix) Sean Bonniwell lead this band to success with their hit single Talk Talk that was featured on their debut LP along with this groovy number. The intro served as the bridge to a gangster rap classic and shows that beat diggers on the west coast were tuned in to a sightly different frequency when it came to sample fodder.
10. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? (UK 1967 - Mono Mix) To further the last point, this hallmark of music production became source material for both a west coast bohemian rap staple and - if you listen carefully- gangster rap anthem.

Episode 005: Five Days 'til Allhallowtide Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Episode 005: Five Days 'til Allhallowtide
01 De Maskers - Death (Netherlands 1967) Dutch beat combo that dabbled in psychedelia in the late 60’s, De Maskers bring an over the top sense of drama for their eerie ode to death. They would continue on releasing singles until calling it quits at the dawn of the 70's.

02 Jason Crest - Black Mass (UK 1967) Speaking of over the top, even in a genre hell bent on effects and experiments, this song stands out as one of the most truly demented of its time. With a completely backwards backing track and shrieking witch-like vocals, this otherwise cheerful pop quintet from the UK do their best to summon the dead on tape. While only active for a year, their singles and demos are revered as some of the finest examples of the UK pop-psych genre.

03 Cape Kennedy Construction Co - Armageddon (UK 1969) Has the end of the world ever sounded so beautiful? A one off UK obscurity that paints a bleak yet exquisite picture of our earth’s demise, the phased explosions are a particularly delightful part of the kitchen sink.

04 Los Gatos - En El Año 2000 (Argentina 1970) One of Argentina’s top rock exports, these freaky felines gave their take on the end of time in their native tongue. The organ player’s generosity with atmosphere and effects makes this a stand out in their already stellar catalog.

05 Os Mutantes - Ave Lucifer (Brazil 1970) Brazilian’s finest mastered the evil tune across their trio of first releases, as evidenced on this gem from their third LP. All of their albums and various solo efforts are well worth investigating.

06 Pookah - Rain on My Grave (US 1970) An outstanding moody number from an American trio that was lucky to have their sole album receive prime major label production courtesy of United Artists. Not much is known is of this mysterious band though they appear to have New York roots.
07 Druids of Stonehenge - Six Feet Down (US 1968) The Druids hailed from New York City and added the "of Stonehenge" to their name once moving to the west coast, eager to join the burgeoning psychedelic scene. Their lone 1968 LP for pop-psych label Uni has long been a sought after garage/psych gem. This Doors-esque number is heavy on the downer vibes and represents the headier side of the album.

08 Bermuda Jam - Good Trip Lollipop (US 1969) A freakishly twisted mind melter from an otherwise tame outfit, this is the lone standout from their mediocre LP. But what a stand out it is, with hellish sound effects and clanging chains as their backdrop, they manage to pull off a trippy eploito track that still spooks.

09 Fifty Foot Hose - Cauldron (US 1968) Not for the faint of heart, these genuinely experimental electronic wizards gave two shits about the pop charts, although a whiff of the Airplane can be heard on a few of their tunes. If a seance was committed to tape, it may sound like this. One of the finest bands to incorporate electronics into their sound, their LP for electronic label Limelight is solid all the way through.

Episode 004: Fourth Floor Elevators Oct 12, 2020

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004 Fourth Floor Elevators: All Hallows' Eve Selections Part One
01 Larry's Rebels - Halloween (New Zealand 1968) Quite a success in their homeland, this quintet laid down many fine singles and an album during their brief four year span. This fun Halloween theme isn't quite spooky, but the earnest vocal and hilarious sound effects give it a bizarre appeal that could only come from the 60's.
02 The Rattles - The Witch (Germany 1969) This German band's career spans four decades beginning with the early 60's beat boom. Their psychedelic work is laced with hard rock as heard on this scorcher featuring sound effects that too sound like a hoot to make in the studio with a head full of hashish.
03 Griffin - I Am The Noise In Your Head (UK 69) One-off band that features members of Skip Bifferty and Bell + Arc plus future Yes drummer Alan White. This demented number is a perfect example of the pre-hard rock that many long haired bands would pursue before fully committing to the sound or seeking more progressive pastures.
04 Alice Cooper - Fields of Regret (US 1969) Before finding success with his brand of shock rock, Alice Cooper was a band led by Vincent Furnier who would later adopt their name as his government. This epic piece from their debut shows a band worshiping at the altar of Syd-era Pink Floyd while being freshly influenced by label boss Frank Zappa's twisted form of virtuoso rock.
05 The Doors - My Wild Love (US 1968) This "work song" styled dirge by the LA kings of doom laden psychedelia features no instruments from the band, as they grew tired of trying to make the music work and opted instead to clap, stomp and hum their way through the backing track. The result is one of their most haunting and unique songs.
06 Fever Tree - Death is the Dancer (US 1968) This Houston band's sound grew from their folk rock beginnings into an organ driven psychedelic stew that they cooked across four albums and numerous singles. This proto-prog number incorporates a bit of a Doors influence but beefs up the rhythm section a few decibels.
07 St. John Green - Goddess of Death (US 1968) Exploito psych at its finest produced by shady LA scenester Kim Fowley and West Pop Experimental Pop Art Band member/producer Michael Lloyd. Encouraged by Fowley to explore the "Canyon Sound" that he was pushing on bands at the time, these Pasadena based misfits produced one of the earliest forms of occult rock ever released.
08 Les Sauterelles - Heavenly Club (Switzerland 1968) A smash hit in their homeland, this Swiss band produced two albums and a few singles of beat and pop-psych before calling it quits in 1969. This Bee Gees inspired tune is a strange story of a man's near death experience that leaves him insane and features such a soaring chorus that the nonsensical lyrics are easily forgiven.
09 The Salt - Lucifer (US 1968) A funky pop ode to Beelzebub by an alias of bubblegum producer Joey Levine, who was also in Ohio Express and wrote their classic hit "Try It". This song proves that the most skilled pop songwriter can take the darkest of subject matter and produce an ear worm.
10 The Flying Machine - The Devil Has Possession of Your Mind (UK 1969) Though the title suggests possibly the darkest psych single ever recorded, we instead find another bubblegum tune that draws parallels between the man downstairs and a cheating lover. This band started life as Pinkerton's Assorted Colours and specialized in breezy UK harmony pop.
11 Childe Harold - Brink of Death (US 1968) Truly warped in every sense of the word, this cover of Bert Sommers' downer masterpiece features every production trick available at the time plus some. The band seems to be an alias project by electronic wizard Wendy Carlos.
All songs recorded from vinyl and curated by Elvin Estela.

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