HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 Wishing You peace and love and many new interesting vinyl finds 2026. Big Hugs/Erik

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 Taking a break from posting over Christmas and New Year. Back again 2026. Unfortunately I couldn't find a season album interesting enough to post this year, but here's fifteen well worth re-checking  https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=(CX%C3%85*) .  Wishing You a Happy Holiday wherever You are. Kindly/Erik

                                                                                   

                                                                        

                                                                             

 

TRAPEZE FEATURING GLENN HUGHES/THE FINAL SWING 6.22122 (-74) GERMANY

 Compilation containing one track from the bands eponimous debute, three from their second "Medusa", three from the third "You Are The Music, We're Just The Band" plus two previously unreleased - "Good Love" and "Dats It" - both including Glenn Hughes, then already a member of Deep Purple. I find this band interesting as one of the forerunners of seventies and eighties hard rock, especially on their second album "Medusa". For more on that and the band please check  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2016/04/trapezemedusa-ths-4-70-uk.html . Since I already have their first three albums, this is a way for me to get the original setting complete with the two previously unreleased songs. Honestly non of them add much to what I knew before - "Good Love" a smooth well-sung ballad and "Dats It" a hard rock instrumental with some nice guitars. Good stuff, but nothing special. More important this is a good and much cheaper vinyl way to get to know the band than to try to find any of their original albums and therefore highly recommended to any student of early hard rock. And it is tickling, at least for me, that the original members of this just one combo came to be members of bands like Deep Purple, Whitesnake and Judas Priest. To my knowledge only issued in US (Threshold THS 11) and Germany. First German had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover. (GÖXÄ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

 

MOTOWN CHARTBUSTERS VOL. 7 STML 11215 (-72) UK

 Number seven in the UK Motown Chartbusters serie, released between 1967-82, of which first two were named "British Motown Chartbusters"   https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=british+motown+chartbusters  . First nine reached top 15 on the UK list, whereof three #1 and one #2. This got to #9. Here I get a couple of sixties recordings - Gladys Night & The Pips "Just Walk In My Shoes", Mary Welles "My Guy" and San Remo Strings "Festival Times" - coupled with some early seventied stuff - three by Michael Jackson, three including The Supremes", two by The Temptations, two by Diana Ross and one each from Stevie Wonder, J.R. Walker & The All Stars and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. So all high class Motown. The audio is smashing all through, well balanced and very good to the ears. I guess many label fans have all those songs already, but for me who don't collect 45:s and sometimes having a hard time finding the original albums compilations like this are crucial. Listening now as I write this, very happy. Favourite tracks would be Temptations "Take A Look Around" and "Diana Ross "Surrender" plus of course the oldies "My Guy" and "Walk In My Shoes". Also issued on vinyl in a clouple of Southeast Asian countries plus as UK 8-track and cassette. EU 2001 CD on Spectrum Music (554 294 2) came with the same tracking. First UK had label as shown here in a glossy flip/back cover.  (TÖMÖ*)  (SÄM*)

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                              

                                                                                    

 

CLIFF RICHARD/CLIFF'S HIT ALBUM 33SX 1512 (-64) UK MONO

 Here's one for us who still remember Cliff's early days, containing cuts recorded 1958-62, whereof four topping the UK list, eight reaching #2 and two more top 10. On all but two backed by The Shadows, on "Move It" and "Living Doll" while they were still named The Drifters. Even if he's been going strong and kept quality through the decades I do prefer his early days when there were more simple tunes with less studio meddling. Here I get a mix of early rock tunes like "Move It", "Please Don't Tease", "Nine Times Out Of Ten" and "Do You Wanna Dance", coupled with classic up-tempo ballads as "Living Doll". This is the Cliff for me, what I heard back then in the late fifties and early sixties as a very young lad in front of the valve radio. The audio here is just right, taking me back to times where everythíng worked out better both for me and the world. Originally also issued on vinyl in Canada, Scandinavia, South Africa, Israel, Downunder and Japan and as UK reel, cassette and 8-track. Japan 2007 CD on Odeon (TOCP-70175) came with six bonus tracks. This UK mono was re-released many times in the sixties and also showed up as stereo early seventies (SCX 1512). Not sure which of the mono variations was ablsolutely first, but as the label on this copy has both "Recording First..." and "Sold In UK..." it's probably from 1964. It came in a laminated flip/back cover. (CXÄ*)

                                                                                      

                                                                                  

                                                                                       

                                                                                     

DYNAMITE/20 ORIGINAL HITS 20 ORIGINAL STARS TE 298 (-74) US/UK

 Another of those K-tel issues that may seem too cheap for the more posh collector, but still brings a lot to enjoy for people who just love good music. Apart from Jeff Beck's 1967 "Hi Ho Silver Lining" all hits from 1972-73. As I've said before - even if I have many of the cuts on here already, compilations like this are a way for me to reacquaint with top numbers, or getting to know ones that escaped me back then. Here I get old favourites - like Wizzard "Angel Fingers", Faces "Pool Hall Richard", Nazareth "This Flight Tonight", Suzy Quattro "48 Crash" and Alice Cooper "School's Out" - coupled with stuff I knew but forgot about long time ago - as Mud "Dynamite", Steeleye Span "Gaudete" Mungo Jerry "Wild Love" or Geordie "Electric Lady". It's good to put it on the turntable, just relax in the listening chair and take in. With ten tracks on each side don't expect all over tophole power and separation, though it all comes out very good considering and all right to both ears and mind. Also issued on vinyl in Netherlands and Germany, as cassette in UK and Germany and 8-track in UK. Not sure if this was a UK release for some reason pressed in US, or a US release in an imported UK sleeve. In any case it came with label as shown here in a thin glossy cover. (SÄM*)  (YZÄ*) (KÄJT*)

                                                                                 

                                                                              

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                              

 

BLUE CHEER/OUTSIDEINSIDE SBL 7860 (-68) UK

 Their debut LP "Vincebus Eruptum"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/04/vincebus-eruptum-bl-7839.html   was among the toughest you could listen to back then and is today by many seen as the first of many modern hard rock genres. This follow-up offers more of the same. Hardcore garage rock with howling guitars, pumping bass and drums and high strung vocals. Two cover versions - Rolling Stones "Satisfaction" and Albert King's "The Hunter" - coupled with seven self-penned. Maybe missing the novelty of the debute and sounding somewhat more polished and mature, but still a very good garage rock record - honest and direct without any ameliorating circumstances. I especially like the cover versions, coming out a lot rawer than the originals. As the story goes they played so loud the studio couldn't take it so some of the cuts had to be recorded outside - hence the album title. Don't know if that's true, but the whole thing sure sounds loud and energetic enough for me. I find it strange that while the debute is considered a forerunner and almost legendary among hard rock lovers this is seldom mentioned on the same level, even if well as good. As a lover of right on garage rock I love it all and having a hard time to pick a favoutite track, but if I have to - "The Hunter". Originally also issued on vinyl in US and Canada (Philips PHS 600-278), Netherlands, Japan and Downunder. US 4-track, 8-track, cassette and Reel. US CD on Sundazed (SC 6304). Premiere UK had label as shown here in a laminted fold/out cover. 

                                                                              

                                                                             

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

 

WHAM! GLAM! THANK YOU MAM!/THE BEST OF GLITTER ROCK 1972-75 DIN-030 (??) AUSTRALIA

 Collection concentrating on the heyday of glamrock, bringing seventeen of the most celebrated hits from back then. To my taste the compiling is superb with many of the songs I dug most those days - two each from T.Rex and Sweet, then other killers by Slade, Wizzard, Alice Cooper, Suzy Quattro, Mott The Hoople and The Rubettes. I may not have had a very close relationship to the other artists represented, but it all fits for listening through in the same glittery mood. Just having the period classics "Metal Guru", "Ballroom Blitz", "Gudbuy To Jane", "See My Baby Jive", "All The Young Dudes", "48 Crash" and "Sugar Baby Love" on one vinyl is certainly good enough for me and I can also acqaint with a couple I haven't heard before, or just forgot about. Audio shifts a little between tracks though all comes out just fine providing good listen throughout. Would like to recommend this to all glam lovers, but as it was only issued in Australia (also on cassett DIN 030C) there may be limited access outside Downunder. Vinyl came with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (SÄM*)  (DÖW*)

                                                                                             

                                                                               

                                                                                      

                                                                                 
                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                               

 

ROY WOOD/THE BEST OF ROY WOOD 1970-74 MFP 4 15697 1 (-85) UK

 Can't seem to get enough stuff with Roy Wood, keep picking even if I have the songs many times already. He is one of the true heroes behind British music in the sixties and seventies, with bands like Move, ELO, Wizzard and solo. No matter the genre, his efforts always melodic and always downright catchy. Here I get fourteen tracks with some of the very best from the period 1970-74. Six late Move cuts, five Wizzard and three solo. The audio shifts a little due to the very dense production for some of the tracks, but it all sounds fine allowing me to listen through with a big smile on my face. Impossible to pick favourites from such a plethora of musical wealth, but three songs that make me especially happy are Wizzard's "Ball Park Incident", the collaboration between Wood and Jeff Lynne in "Chinatown" and "Goin' Down The Road (A Scottish Reggae Song)", the latter a gaelic reggae garnished with bagpipes - who could ask for more? Think I've made my point - if You like melodic and touching songs, but haven't bumped in to Roy Wood before this budget compilation that can be found in the cheapest bins today might be what You need. To my knowledge this was UK only, also on cassette (MFP 415697). Vinyl had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (RÖWS*)  (SXS*)

                                                                               

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                            

 

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE/ARE YOU EXPERIENCED R 6261 (-67) US MONO

 Last decades I've plowed through a number of different issues for this album, including the UK and Australian monos (see earlier posts). Both those sound just fine, but I've always been curious about this US mono and how it compares to the others. Now that I finally found a nice copy and being able to hear it for the first time I'm blown away. It's like a different LP. Not only having a totally other sleeve design, the tracks "Red House", "Can You See Me" and "Remember", originally on most other releases, have been removed and replaced with "Purple Haze", "Hey Joe" and "The Wind Cries Mary", making it more of a greatest hits. Though what really strikes me is the audio - a lot more powerful, almost violent at parts, making it hit hard and giving it a live aura. The three tracks "new" to this all seem to have some slight reverb added in comparison to the UK originals, but nothing disturbing, they still sound very good and so does the whole album. This has now become my new favourite AYE. Listening to it at high volume I do feel...experienced. To my knowledge only legally issued like this in US and Canada. US 2013 CD on Experience Hendrix (88765455842) came with six bonus tracks. First US had label as shown here in a sleeve with glossy front. (YZÄ*)  (JHÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

                                                                                      

                                                                                  

 

20 GOLDEN GREATS 2475 601 (-76) MONO + STEREO GERMANY

 

 Continuing to pick and recommend collections I find worth having. One of many bearing this "Golden Greats" title, but in this case the compiling really lives up to it. All time classics by Who, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, James Brown, Bee Gees, Troggs, Slade, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Derek & The Dominos, Barry Ryan, and more. And even if they crammed in ten cuts on each side the audio is smashing. As I can hear all here are the 45 versions. For exemple "Wolly Bully", "Happy Jack", "I Feel Free", "Fire", "Wild Thing" and a couple more comes in mono, while "Layla" is a 2:43 version. Even if I have most of the songs before on albums it's nice to get the single cuts and there are also tracks new to my collection, like Marbles "Only One Woman", Jimmy Jones "Good Timin", Julie Driscoll "This Wheel's On Fire", Bobby Brown "Montego Bay" and Medicine Head "One And One Is One". Many music lovers today are starting to lose interest in vinyl compilations and instead go for CD ones, so items like this are getting harder to sell and therefore now often shows up in the cheapest bins. But if you're in it for the music, analog audio and sixties feeling and don't want to spend a fortune this comes highly recommended. Also issued on vinyl in UK and Austria (same numbers), plus as German cassette. German vinyl had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover. (SÄM*)  (GÖXÄ*)

                                                                                       

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

 

MARVIN GAYE/MARVIN GAYE LIVE! T6-333S1 (-74) US

 His second live album after the 1963 "Marvin Gaye Recorded Live On Stage". Gaye, suffering from stage fright, had long been pressed by Motown to tour again and after the success of the "Let's Get It On" LP he finally agreed. The concert recorded here, at Oakland Coliseum arena in front of 14.000+ fans, became a huge success and the album went to #1 on the US R&B chart and #8 on Billboard. They even released the live version of "Distant Lover" as a 45, which also reached high on the lists. First thing that hits me when listening to it now is the audio - wide and generous, allowing me to be there. Second is his relation to the audience as it seems as they're following every note and move, making it a joint experience rather than he's singing down to them. Third, but not least, the performance. Backing, of which the sleeve unfortunately doesn't tell anything, is very adaptive  - sweet or sturdy after what's needed - and the vocals just right. Sitting in my listening chair I don't just hear it as an LP, more like an invitation to travel back in time and join the audience. Not naming my favourite tracks here since to me it's best enjoyed in one long sitting and the parts works better together than detatched. Exemple below. Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. First UK on Tamla Motown (STMA 8018). Japan 2009 remastered CD in a fold/out paper sleeve on Tamla (UICY 94041). Early US had label as shown here in a gatefold gimmick cover with die-cut page. (LYBÖ*)  (YZÄ*)  (GÖJI*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                         

                                                                                   

 

VANISHING POINT - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK SHU 8420 (-71) UK

 I keep picking soundtracks from films I haven't seen. In this case from what I understand is a kind of cult movie about a Benzedrine high driver who's fleeing the police through a number of US states. Maybe I get a chance to watch it some day, but till then I will just hear this as a regular compilation. And I do get a lot of good music here, coming from a blend of soul, gospel, country and rock. A couple instrumental but most of the fourteen cuts with vocals. Even if from different sources it goes very well together and the audio is smashing all through, so very good to both mind and ears. As an old Mountain fan I do appreciate the inclusion of "Mississippi Queen", but also Jimmy Walker's soul number "Where Do We Go From Here" and the gospelish "You Got To Believe" by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Though my absolut favourite here would be J.B. Pickers raw instrumental psych rocker "Freedom Of Expression" - both haunting and strangely attractive. So movie or not, this is to my taste a very good compilation that stands well on its own. Originally released on vinyl in US (Amos Records AAS 8002), Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, Brazil and Downunder. Japan 2009 issue on King Records (KIZB 66) came with all tracks on CD plus 2xDVD with versions of the movie. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated cover with "blue box" stereo inner. (ZÖNT*)

                                                                                           

                                                                                             

                                                                                   

                                                                                

                                                                                        

                                                                                  

 

LEE HAZLEWOOD ANN-MARGRET/THE COWBOY AND THE LADY LHI-S-12007 (-69) US

 The first LP by Hazlewood after leaving ABC and starting his own label. He'd also quit the long time collaboration with Nancy Sinatra, here replaced by a new lady - Swedish/American actress and singer Ann-Margret. Nothing penned by Hazlewood himself, instead an album covering more or less country classics. As co-produced by artist/songwriter/producer Donnie Owens (who also worked for Elvis and Duane Eddy among others) and co-arranged by harmonica legend Charlie McCoy (who worked for Elvis, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, Chet Atkins plus many more) and Hazlewood himself the result comes almost too perfect to my ears. Not an expert on the genre myself, but I do prefer when the outcome is more naked and direct and this comes very smooth and radio friendly. The tracks that make me sit a little more straight in the listening chair are ones garnished by Ann-Margret - the ballad "You Can't Imagine" plus the up-tempo "Only Mama That'll Walk The line" and "Dead End Of The Street". Her vocals may not be absolutely perfect all the way, yet personal enough to catch my attention. I've seen reviews saying the best thing with this issue is the sleeve pics. I wouldn't go that far. Good listening that  might not be mind-blowing but certainly charming. First released on vinyl in US, Germany (London SHA-U 118) and Downunder. Also as US 8-track and MP3 17xFile plus a 2017 CD on Light In The Attic (LITA 160) that came with six bonus tracks. First US had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover. (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*) (ÄZL*)