JACK HAMMER/THE TWISTIN' KING LP 001 (-64) MONO BELGIUM

 Jack Hammer (born Earl Solomon Burroughs in Georgia, 1925-2016) was a US singer/songwriter and pianist who in the late fifties and early sixties wrote songs for artists as Jerry Lee Lewis and Nina Simone. He was also for a while a member of The Platters and released his first solo album 1960 - "Rebellion" - on Warwick label. After that he moved to Belgium, where he recorded a serie of twist songs, of which "Kissin' Twist" became a big hit in many European countries. He was crowned "The Twistin' King", but that hype faded when the dance became yesterday's news and after spending time in Germany performing at US military bases he moved back to US in the seventies. This album was recorded to cash in further on his big hit and contains twelve numbers, all including "twist" in the titles. Don't know if anyone reading this twisted back in the sixties. I did at school dances and parties and have many fond memories to it. I guess today very obsolete for most people under the age of sixty, but if you were there this might be something to enjoy. Sounding very fifties with songs in styles reminding of early rock'n'roll, boogie and doo wop, all up-tempo. He's a good singer and the arrangements on the spot with mixed background quires. It may seem monotonous listening to twelve such numbers in a row, but it is a happy record with many positive vibes and if you still can do the moves it might get you up from your comfy chair. I'm a little too stiff nowadays, but I can always listen and reminisce. Released like this in France  and Belgium. In Italy, UK, Israel and Germany with other titles, sleeve design and partly differing track choices. Too many variations  for me to get into here. German 2024 CD "On The Dancefloor With Jack Hammer" on Bear Family records (17711) contains most of the tracks from this. First Belgian had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.