Underdogs - Get Down On Your Knees / Surprise, Surprise. 1966 USA ~ Detroit, Michigan

This past weekend I found a pack of ten 45s for 70 cents total, or 7 cents each. This and the four below were part of it. All in near mint shape. If there were more like this, I couldn't find them in the bins. Of those ten, this was the heavy hitter from a financial perspective, though I enjoyed some of the others a bit better. All the same, the a) side is a strong punk garage cut with gnarly guitar (what a title for the era!). The b) side is more from the rock & roll or surf school though the vocals maintain that nasty nasal tone we tend to associate with the raw side of garage music. Note that Bob Seger is one of the writers. Good one.

Own.

7/21/25 (new entry)

Jesse Anderson - I Got a Problem / Mighty Mighty. 1969 USA ~ Wichita, Kansas

Heard of Marvin Gaye? So has Jesse Anderson. And that's the story of the a) side. But here we go again - it's the b) side that has those-in-the-know nabbing this one for a relatively cheap price. This has some of the heaviest beats and breaks one will ever hear. And with the slow wah wah rhythm guitar, it's about as smooth as it gets. Once the flute is introduced as the lead instrument, followed later by some psych guitar (not overly amplified), one can only wish it went on for ten more minutes. And that's the only flaw for the instrumental - it's way too short. 

Own.

7/21/25 (new entry)

The Jaggerz - I Call My Baby Candy / Will She Believe Me? 1970 USA ~ Pittsburgh, Pennyslvania

The tale of two sides. The a) side is a trite bit of bubblegum boogie soul and is scant worth mentioning. I suspect that's where most everyone gets off this train. But hang in there folks, as it gets really great, really fast. On the six minutes flip (yep, six) you are treated to some early fuzz, followed by some funk rock, and then a lengthy organ, bass, drums jam reminding me of Sugarloaf or even first album Santana. The side closes as it starts with more fuzz. A great track hidden on the cushy side of the gum on your shoe. Don't miss this one, and it's common as raisins.

Own.

7/21/25 (new entry)

Wes Henderson - In Bed / Rea Lity. 1969 Canada ~ Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver based musician Wes Henderson has this one release under his own name and it's a goodie. The a) side is a familiar type of 60s soul rock with a passionate chorus and some fine electric guitar. It's the b) side (known as 'Rea Lity' on my copy) that seems to have gone unnoticed so far. Excellent driving psychedelic funk, not too far from the label's namesake Rare Earth. More focused than that with some stinging guitar work. Great drum fills as well. To be discovered.

Own.

7/21/25 (new entry)

Jeff Bond - Man and His Mountain / Alone. 1971 USA ~ Denver, Colorado

Very interesting two sider here. The a) side is a pleasant piece of sunshine pop with piano and horns. Bond has a soothing voice. Very professional sounding. It's the b) side that I think would have collectors going wild if they only knew about it. Definitely downer folk with flute, tympani, and chimes. Haunting.

There's mixed information out there on who Bond is. 45Cat says his real name is Neal Bond and he plays with the modern southern rock band Braxton Bragg Band from Portland. I'm pretty sure that's not correct.  RYM had him mislabeled as the more famous author, most notably for the music of Star Trek. I've fixed that.

The label MARK also doesn't show up other than one entry in 45cat by a band called Blackbird. 

Own.

3.0 / 4.0