Luxus - Brown Matter / The Thinker. 1977 USA-Cleveland

An exciting new find here! Based on very recent data (as in since I purchased this only a few months ago), it appears Luxus were from Cleveland and they recorded this one single (33 RPM) in 1977. It's 12 minutes long, so an EP length really. And what a 12 minutes! This is such a bullseye for the Midwestern progressive rock sound, it practically defines it. Starts off a bit slow on 'Brown Matter' with a proggy AOR ballad like sound. Have no fear, as once the guitar gets to riffing, we never turn back. Brilliant proggy hard rock, with complex meters and great solos. This is only the setup to the sublime 'The Thinker'. No messing around this time, as the guitar gets to blazing right away. Rush seems to be an influence here, which is a little early for that band's influence to begin creeping into the garage. The progressions are more complex though, similar to Yes, Gentle Giant, or even Yezda Urfa. It's hard rock in the same way as Seiche or UHF, that is to say this is thinking person's heavy music for sure (as the title indicates) - but it's also mid 70s progressive rock in spirit. Keyboards play a minor role, mostly what sounds like an ARP string synth. It's the killer guitar breaks and solos that makes this one so special. Would be great if they had more material. It would be considered a top tier archival release for sure.

Ownership: SP: 1977 M.T.R. Online acquisition. 

4/23/20 (first listen); 7/20/20 (review / new entry)

Highway - Special Love / Why Me. USA

'Special Love' is a fine pop psych track with melodic trumpet, and a superb jazz tone guitar solo. Great singing, and the perfect kind of sunshine pop tune. 'Why Me' is definitely darker in mood, and also features an excellent lightly amplified guitar solo. This track is more psychedelic and less on the horn rock. Superb. These guys must have some jazz school in them. Musically could be compared to the Ides of March, though it doesn't feature a full brass section and there's no fuzz. Considering this last point, Whoa Nelly if it did, from a collector's standpoint. Doesn't matter to me, I'm keeping it!

Best guess is this 33 RPM single (as you can see - at 7:38 minutes for both tracks) is from 1969 or 1970. Absolutely no clue where it's from, though the USA at least is a good bet.

Ownership: SP: 19?? Karma. Online acquisition. 

4/19/20 (first listen); 7/16/20 (review / new entry)

The Slapp - Naughty Little Secrets / Paper Woman. 1981 USA-Chicago

The Slapp, of unknown origin (possibly the Chicago area), definitely have the sound of the early 80s. More of a straightforward, hard driving rock, that reminds me of Cheap Trick at times. The songwriting on both tracks is a cut above the usual, and could easily have been radio hits in their era. Best of all is each track features a raw hard rock guitar solo, more rooted in the mid 70s which recalls Ted Nugent or even Frank Marino at times. Excellent little pickup here.

Ownership: SP: 1981 Rock Candy. With picture sleeve. Online acquisition.

6/25/20 (first listen / review / new entry)

Damrod - Once Again / Twelve Hour Man. 1975 USA-Chicago

Damrod were one of those classic proggy hard rock bands we often find in the Midwest part of the USA, though very few ever made much of a splash in their era. Similar to early 70s Uriah Heep but mixed with a mid 70s progressive rock awareness. Great organ, fuzzed electric guitar leads, and synthesizer. One SP is their total output and both tracks are excellent. Would love to know more about these guys - and do they have more material? Presumed to be from Chicago since that's where the label is from.

Ownership: SP: 1975 Ruby. Apparently a stash of new copies had been discovered in the last few years. I just bought one of them. Seems to be going out of stock again.

6/25/20 (first listen /  review / new entry)

Last Episode - Take a Second Look (short and long). 1975 USA-Detroit

Last Episode lyrically - and in harmony - remind me of The Temptations circa 'Papa was a Rolling Stone'. Socially charged that is to say. But the music is hard funk, just the way I like it, with great guitar, horns, and keyboards. It's the same song on each side, but the longer version (by about a minute) has more instrumental work.

I can't find any history of the group. Both Wade Marcus and Melvin Davis were said to be in Detroit by this time, so we'll go with that until further notice.

As far as I know it's never been comp'd. It was a promo only with no accompanying LP. 1975 was probably just a tad late for this kind of angry-on-the-streets sound, as good-times disco was on the horizon. This is exactly the type of 45 that find themselves going for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. But there's plenty of supply, so it remains bargain basement. If you're a collector of such music, this comes as an easy recommendation.

Ownership: SP: 1975 A&M. From a garage sale (2019)

8/15/19 (first listen); 6/18/20 (review / new entry)

King Midas and the Muflers - Mellow Moonlight / Tramp. 1968 USA-Kansas

This 45 leaves off the RnB from the predecessor and gets down to garage funky psych business, which is more to my tastes. From McPherson.

Ownership: SP: 1968 Kanwic. From a local estate sale.

6/14/20 (first listen / review / new entry)

King Midas and the Muflers - Sadim (Beaver Shot '69) / Get Down With It. 1967 USA-Kansas

Full name of Side 1 from the 1967 release is 'Sadim (Beaver Shot '69)'. Sooo... what's that supposed to mean? Ha... it looks like it may have been a title of a book. Anyway, this track is a solid instrumental funk number - the type of music that The Budos Band brought back to life in the 2000s. The other side 'Get Down With It' is a bit more typical funk / RnB with vocals. Despite the title, the general consensus is this 45 is from 1967.

King Midas and the Muflers (great name!) were from McPherson (been there many a time as it turns out). 

Ownership: SP: 1967 Chrome. From an estate sale. Thinking the homeowner must have lived in the area once as there was little else like it in the collection.

6/14/20 (first listen / review / new entry)

Musical Science - Frame of Mind / Secrets.1983 USA-South Carolina

Pretty much what the genre tag offers is what you get with Musical Science. It's not exactly Thomas Dolby styled new wave, but one almost gets the sense that his music played a role here. But the oddity is the metal guitar. It's not super heavy, even by 1983 standards, but it's a definite contrast to what is normally expected with music such as this. In retrospect, it appears that Musical Science should have been one of the bands to get signed. They had the right sound for the era, and good songwriting. Probably coming from Anderson, South Carolina didn't help...

Ownership: SP: 1983 Underground Sound. Online acquisition (2020)

5/11/20 (first listen); 9/20/20 (review / new entry)

The Essentials - Sunshine Baby / Freedom. 1970 USA-New York

The Essentials were from the Albany, New York area. The A side is pure sunshine popsike, and is lovely, if not way out of date for 1970. The flip is the complete opposite, and starts off with a wicked wah wah rhythm with more effects applied after. The vocals have turned bitter. Looks like the girlfriend didn't work out, and he's free! And then went on to take his anger out on the guitar. Timeless tactic. I would like to say this two sider is essential...

5/11/20

Herb Schoenbohm's Quintet Ipanema (featuring Manfredo Fest). 1967 Brazil

 

Herb Schoenbaum was primarily known as a Minneapolis radio personality and also played piano. He is responsible for bringing organist Manfredo Fest over from Brazil. Fest was a blind jazz musician who enjoyed relative success in the 70s. This recording features both some musicians flown in from Brazil and locals from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Look closely at the title of the first track (wow!). Excellent bossa nova. 

Ownership: SP: 1967 Brazilian Music Inc. 

As I reflect, this is the SP that started the Unknown Vinyl Blog. It was in a box of free records (2019), and this was the treasure of the lot. For whatever reason, free records were a reality before the pandemic - now that seems impossible. In any case, I added this to Discogs, and it's now very much sought after, which is what my instincts were telling me. The label is also something of a mystery. It looks like it may have been a publishing house in New York City. The date would likely be from the height of the Bossa Nova craze in 1966 / 67 (someone on Discogs confirmed 1967). Given my own history with it, I now consider it a special treasure. 

4.0

8/26/19 (first listen); 3/28/20 (review / new entry)

Meduza - Dimé. 1978 USA-New Mexico

Meduza were from Albuquerque, New Mexico and released this one 45, with the same song on both sides. It's a strong example of Santana influenced Latin rock, with perhaps a bit more Hispanic culture thrown in. Excellent guitar and percussion. Complete unknown as I write this. It's been said this might have been recorded in 1978.

2/23/20 (new entry)

Marianus - Magical Man / Prelude to Magical Man. 1980 USA-Boston

It's been many a year since I heard Boston based Marianus' sole album Visions from Out of the Blue. I don't recall much great about it - but clearly I missed the boat on some of it. 'Magical Man' is probably more inline with my memory. It's something of a New Wave / AOR / prog hybrid. Not too bad actually in reflection, and certainly the kind of sounds I would have scoffed at 20 years ago. But the real money here is 'Prelude to Magical Man', which is just slathered in mellotron. As atmospheric as one could possibly hope for. It looks like it's simply known as 'Prelude' on the album proper.

Ownership: SP: 1980 Jupiter Phonodisc. No real reason to seek out this 45 to be honest, as the LP isn't out of reach cost wise. I just happened to pick this one up on the cheap, while getting some other albums online. I'll keep it.

2/23/20 (first listen / review / new entry)

Quorum - April's Song / Dream a Dream. 1975 USA-Detroit

Oh, how do I wish to hear a whole album by these guys (archival tapes anyone?). From Michigan, they completely fit my ideal for the classic "Midwest Progressive rock" band of the mid to late 70s,  that I've cataloged to death here and other places. There are only two short tracks on this 45, and yet in these moments we hear the defining characteristics of the region and era: Commercial and FM ready, yet complex and very much progressive in its execution. We can dream I suppose...

Ownership: SP: 1975 Quorum. Online acquisition (2020).

3/17/14 (first listen); 2/23/20 (review / new entry)

Tinta Blanca - Todo va a Cambiar / Salmo VII / Avándaro / Virginia. 1971-72 Mexico

Well here's something interesting. Ostensibly Mexico's Tinta Blanca belongs to the horn rock genre. All the trademarks are here including the gravelly vocals (in English), electric guitar solos, jamming organ, and of course the horns. But here's the kicker. Those horns aren't Chicago, BS&T styled horns. No, we're talking Mexican brass here. As in Ranchera, cabrón. (what you're hearing at a Mexican restaurant OK?). It's a bit disorienting at first, but I found myself warming up to it. And Salma VII features some wicked extended guitar soloing like Terry Kath. Yea, I think I want more of this.

'Avándaro' (a Woodstock-like festival held in Mexico in 1971 that has quite a history, including Tinta Blanca) is largely a continuation of the previous single, except they're now singing (properly) in Spanish. It's a bit more jazzy, and there's even saxophone, organ, and drum solos this time. But the Mexican brass remains. 'Virginia' finally sees the band slowing things down for an attempt at a ballad, though it's hardly corridos. Still plenty of great instrumental breaks. I find myself fascinated by Tinta Blanca. How about an archival release? Surely there must be some unreleased early 70s recordings hiding somewhere...

2/13/20

TNS - Time's Up / Telling Your Fortune. 1971 USA-Michigan

TNS were a high school band from Wyoming, Michigan (near Grand Rapids) who only released this one fantastic single. Alternately they used the acronym to mean Take No Shit, Tougher'N Shit - or for the wedding receptions - simply The Nichols Sound. 'Time's Up' is just one of those gems of the American underground. Hard rock, or in reality proto metal, with some heavy riffing, screaming vocals, and lethal guitar solos. 'Telling Your Fortune' is a cover of the Chicken Shack song from 1970, and is also amplified considerably. According to their bio, the band recorded this in 1971. No release date was given, though 1972 seems to have taken hold in the internet age. Either way, it's definitely of that era. Supposedly 500 copies were pressed, but good luck in actually finding one of them. 

'Time's Up' is part of the Warfaring Strangers: Acid Nightmares compilation CD that I own. 

9/5/19 (first listen to the a side); 2/10/20 

The Blow Mind - We Won't Go Back to the Past / They're Coming. 1970 France

The only release from this obscure French band. Released in 1970, it's pretty much nonstop guitar solos over mumbling English vocals. Really captures the wasted ethos of the era. Not going to win any awards for composition or skillful playing, but that's part of the allure honestly. This is for us guys who enjoyed playing football in the mud when we were kids.

The second track looks to be on at least one legit comp (on World in Sound) that has another song I quite like.

2/10/20

Dick Rabbit - Love / Trip. 1969 USA-Michigan

Dick Rabbit were a band from Bay City, Michigan (near Saginaw) who played in the Detroit scene with The Amboy Dukes and The Stooges. 'Love' is completely immersed in the zonked out Hendrix zone and is brilliant. 'Trip' is a Donovan cover and is a bit more coherent, but less exciting.

2/10/20

Conjunto Cacique - Cacique / You Don't Need to Lose Her. 1974 Dominican Republic

Conjunto Cacique were an obscure group from the Dominican Republic (colloquially known as DR - at least in the States). To the best of my knowledge all that exists from them is this one 45 released in Colombia. The title track is an instrumental groovy Latin rock number with excellent electric keyboards, some fine lead guitar, a funky rhythm section, and additional percussion. 'You Don't Need to Lose Her' is similar, though recorded live and has English vocals. So... the elephant in the room is shall I address 1969 to 1971 era Santana here? Absolutely. Very much in the spirit of bands like Bwana, Antique, and Sapo. I'm a fan of the style, so this goes straight to the win column. Hopefully there's more where this came from and an archival release appears.

2/8/20

Tac Poum Systeme - Asmodaï / Il fait bon / Josica / Emotion. 1971-72 France

Tac Poum Systeme were a band from Paris and one of the leading lights of the era, but disbanded before releasing a full LP. They left behind 2 singles and a lengthy cut on the Groovy Pop Session compilation. I didn't realize until now that Fernand Pena was one of the key members of the band, as I've owned his album with the group Puzzle (1977) for some years. And it's considerably different to the harder rocking Tac Poum Systeme.

After hearing both singles back to back, the winning song by a good margin is 'Asmodaï'. Sounding like Cream, but with a heavier fuzz attack ala Blue Cheer, it's one of those early 70s European hard psychedelic rock classics. The flip side 'Il Fait Bon' is good but rather nondescript when compared to the A side.

As for Tac Poum Systeme's second single, the band is already looking to chart. 'Josica' is clearly pandering to the masses, and is mostly a swing and a miss. It has some rougher edges regarding the guitar work, so there's some redeemable value. 'Emotion' is Tac Poum Systeme imitating the Rolling Stones - again perhaps a bit heavier - but nothing to get too excited about.

And yet another familiar name is brought to the fore. The producer is none other than Claude Perraudin, who I know from his electronic oriented Mutation 24 album.

The best part of this single is the picture sleeve. That would make a great album cover. Perhaps if they do find some extra material from the band to make a full album, that's the cover they should use.

Speaking of that, something tells me this era of Tac Poum Systeme has more recorded material hiding in a vault somewhere. Time to unleash that.

2/6/20

Mickey & Them - U.F.O. / Hey, Brother Man. 1973 USA-San Antonio

Mickey & Them is a pseudonym for Mickey & The Soul Generation, a funk band from San Antonio (that I'm not familiar with - yet). Now San Antonio is ground zero if you want to immerse yourself into the Hispanic culture of Texas. So I was expecting more of a Latin groove here, but the band represents more of the African American culture of the times. 'U.F.O' is a very interesting single - it's all instrumental, super laid back, with a fascinating electric harpsichord driven melody. It's such a subtle song for a 7 inch - more like a middle album cut. 'Hey, Brother Man' is more typical funk, but features some excellent rhythm guitar. 

2/6/20