CHANGES/PROGRESSIVE GERMAN POP C 61317 (-72) GERMANY

A compilation highly recommended to those interested in or just curious about German kraut pop/rock around 1970 and looking for a cheaper alternative to the original LP:s. All tracks from albums that today can set you back quite a bit if in pristine nick. Can "Deadlock" from their 1970 "Soundtracks" LP. Krokodil "Green Fly" and "Lady Of Attraction" from the 1971 "An Invisible World Revealed". Amon Duul II "Kanaan from "Phallus Dei" 1969 and "Chewinggum Telegram" from "Tanz Der Lemmige" 1971. Petards "Rainy Day" and "Cowboy" both from "Pet Arts" 1971. "Oedipus" a pick from Imroved Sound Limited's emonymous 1971 album. Embryo's "Tausendfussler" from the 1971 "Embryos Rache" and Doldinger Motherhood's "Degenration" from the 1970 "Motherhood". All cuts could be sorted under "kraut rock" and that'd be it, but if to put them within a wider range of genres you get ballads, prog, psych and garage all on the same plastic. My favorites so far are heavy outbursting "Deadlock" with its howling guitars, the Hawkwindesque "Chewinggum Telegram" and the messy "Kanaan". Good listening all through showing the Germans really knew how to put it back then. To my knowledge only released in Germany and never reissued in any shape. (GÖXÄ*) (SÄM*)

CREAM/WHEELS OF FIRE 582 031/32 UK MONO VS. 583 031/32 UK STEREO

When posting the UK mono earlier I was puzzled about the handeling of the formats with usage of the Haeco-CSG device ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haeco-CSG ), which created compatible stereos through phase cancellation. And then further confused exactly where and on what it was applied. Wasn't sure if that appeared on the US Wheels Of Fire only, or for some reason also involved the UK mono. Now after comparing two UK originals I can safely say it didn't. One of the things with Haeco was the mono often became slightly "blurred" in comparison to the stereo and therefore less clear with sub-par separation. In this case the mono comes out loud and prefectly clear, while connecting channels on the stereo gives a muddier result. So even if the stereo had Haeco treatment the mono can't be a product of such a fold. Haven't been able to detect any other significant differences between the formats, but it's obvious that however the stereo was created this mono isn't a straight fold...and that's good to know. (CÄRÄ*) (LYBÖ*) (MÅW*) (CPYC*)

SCUM OF THE EARTH (PART TWO) KILL 002 (-84) US MONO

Second of a two-part bootleg issue, where of the first was issued in both France and US with differing tracking while this second was US only.  Here The Bugs "Slide", The Evil "Watcha Gonna do About It", The Crusade "Psychedelic Woman", Steve Purdy & The Studs "The Weed", The Blue Echoes "Tiger Talk" and Bob Vidone & The Rhythm Rockers "Weird" are the same as on the French original (see earlier post), while the ten remaining were exclusive to this. In any case this is another fantastic collection of incredibly rare US garage cuts...and what I wrote about the first also goes for this..."all originally A or B-sides of non-selling 45:s, larger part one-offs recorded by then neglected outfits for small obscure labels. Most of the originals impossible to find today at even close to decent price, so for me it's lovely to get them all on one place for a fraction of the sum you'd pay for just one. Counting sixteen cuts from bands I know very little about it's hard to go into detail with any of them, but either the songs can be tagged early hard rock, soul or psych they all have about the same ambience. Up-tempo mostly carried by organ, tinny or fuzzy guitars, hard working drums and outbursting vocals. Recordings sound direct live-in-the-studio, unproduced and/or unembellished. Genuine and down to earth with flaws still in...heaven for the garage lover." My favorites of the new ones here are - The Outcry "Can't You Hear (My Heartbeat)" soulish vocals to ska rhythms and mean guitars plus The Suedes "13 Stories High" wild and messy, but they're all beautiful in their own special ways. The wrapping on this is a lot more lavish than the French - on a "real" label in a laminated cover with comments on each track on rear and it even came in shrink (enabling it to be sold in regular shops?). Don't have a clue who the guy pictured on the rear is, but maybe someone reading this can enlighten me. Audio surprisingly good all through. A must for us aficionados who don't have wallets deep enough to get the originals.  (ÖGÄ*) (ÖRJ*) (SÄM*)

THE ROLLING STONES/BIG HITS (HIGH TIDE AND GREEN GRASS) NPS 1 (-66) US STEREO

For more on the issue itself, please check post on the US mono. This seems strange to me. Stereo was a lot more popular in America than in Britain at this time, but while the UK homonymous issue had two true mixes on their original stereo - "Lady Jane" and "Paint It Back" - the track choice for this US only included fakes. Not that it sounds all bad. All cuts come as more or less enhanced mono. If you listen closely some of the balance may appear a little off, but it is strong and clear and hearing it from an adjacent room or why not on a dance floor can still bring joy. No need for a format comparison with this one. Same recordings where one version is true and one fake and though they both can sound ok depending on ear angle the choice is between authentic and shambled. If you're a music lover who just want the songs and couldn't care less how it's made the stereo will probably do just fine, but for anyone who wants it as close to the fact as possible mono is the better option. (RÅ*) (YZÄ*)

MANFRED MANN/UP THE JUNCTION SR 61159 (-68) US

Soundtrack to a British 1968 social class-drama movie. Music written by Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg and presumably mostly performed by the band, here and there with orchestral input. While the film seems almost forgotten today the album is still held high and loved by many. A mix of dreamy, partly almost psychedelic, vocal tracks and jazzy instrumentals. Don't wanna cause any genre confusion by calling it "early prog", but it is possible to hear a staging that eventually would lead up to Manfred Mann Chapter Three with its blend of emotional and experimental.  All very soothing listening without being too relaxing. My favorite tracks are the three vocal ones opening side one - "Up The Junction", "Sing Songs Of Love" and "Walking Round" . To my taste as a whole maybe not the best Manfred Mann effort, but certainly good enough to spin and enjoy. When I first heard this stereo I thought it was mislabelled since it all sounds mono, but the matrixes are stamped "SR" so that seems correct. Haven't heard the corresponding mono so i can't say for sure, but could it be the recordings only existed in mono at the time and the same tapes were used only with some added reverb for the stereo...cause there's a lot of that here. If anyone reading this knows for sure - please comment and tell. Originally issued on vinyl in US, Canada (same no.), Downunder and a couple of European countries. Premiere UK with different sleeve design in both mono and stereo (Fontana TL/STL 5460). UK 2004 CD on Umbrella Music (BROLLYCD4) came with nine bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover. (MÄNÄ*) (ZÖNT*)

ELTON JOHN DJLPS 406 (-70) UK

Of the thirty or so original studio albums he released so far this is one of my favorites. After the somewhat sprawling debute "Empty Sky"(see earlier post) this comes out evenly produced and arranged thus giving the songs and vocals enough room to glow. It was his first produced by Gus Dudgeon, who in an interview has claimed it originally wasn't meant as an Elton John album, instead a collection of demos showing his and Taupin's song writing abilities for other artists to concider. Don't know if what you get here are the exact demo versions with further arrangements for the stock issue, or if re-recorded...but it could be one reason it comes out so relaxed with emphasis on songs rather than cosmetics. All cuts with basic setting, often reinforced by strings and quires, sometimes almost bombastic yet at the same time rather unpretentious and very honest. Happy it didn't remain a demo collection and the songs spread all over other artists, showing up on diverse albums with dissimilar arrangements. Cause this is great as it is and though I've heard the songs many many times during these fifty years I still return for more and then especially to "Your Song", "Border Song" and "The Cage". Issued and reissued on every possible format all over the world through the years. First US on UNI Records (7309). Japan 2008 2xCD ( Mercury UICY 93678/9) came with twenty bonus tracks. I'm not 100% for the timeline of this UK copy, not the very first but quite early with label as shown here on thick vinyl in a fully structured fold/out cover.

JAMAICA SKA 8098 (-64) US MONO

Ska as a genre didn't exist in the Swedish north where I had my teens in the sixties. First I heard was Desmond Dekker "The Israelites", which became a hit in those parts around 1970, then played at discos and radio as something exotic. I came to like it back then and still do. But apart from that I haven't listened to much Ska since. Therefore it's nice to get in to the genre's early stages with this compilation of cuts recorded in Jamaica 1964 or before. I'm not familiar with any of the groups, but it sure works. Ska emerged from a blend of Carribean Music and American r&b and that's exactly what I get - slow or up-tempo soul numbers to a signature back-beat where you can hear the seeds to the rocksteady or reggae the genre would delvelop into eventually. It doesn't say who was responsible for track choice, but as both legendary producer Tom Dowd (1925-2002) and Atlantic president Ahmed Ertegun (1923-2006) was involved it might have been one of them. When it comes to this I'm a layman so I can give no expert input, but I do hear something genuine and entrancing well fit for dancing. And since it also provides a part of music history I'm in. Originally issued on Atlantic vinyl also in Canada (same number), UK (ATL 5010) and Downunder (SAL 931,402). To my knowledge never released this way on CD. Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover. (YZÄ*) (SÄM*) (ÖXCÅ*)

BUGSY MAUGH/BUGSY DLP 25917 (-68) US

The first of two solo albums he released after leaving Butterfield Blues Band, there functioning as bassist, singer and composer. I guess both LP:s got interest in US from BBB fans, but didn't sell enough get on any lists or secure a continuing solo carreer. Listening to this debute today that seems a little unfair. Most of the cuts self-penned and he's got a personal soulful voice. Arrangements, production and audio tophole making it good to the ears. I hear the same kind of brass supported blues as Blood, Sweat & Tears would come out with on their second LP at about the same time - slightly pioneering, yet well kept toghether by a corteous surface. A little too polished maybe and to my taste it would have benefited if he'd loosen up and take out the turns a bit further. However there are many good moments here - the psych/baroque ballad "Are We Travel" supported by violin and flute, the up-tempo "Cut-Cross Saw" with a stubborn guitar grinding all through, or the still "Away" where he sings out to bongo drums. As a whole maybe not an all time classic, but too good to be forgotten. To my knowledge only released in US, also as mono (DLP 3917), but not reissued in any shape. It came with label as shown here in a laminated cover with Dot ad inner. (YZÄ*)

JETHRO TULL/THE BEST OF JETHRO TULL VOL. III CHR 1355 (-81) SPAIN

Spanish follow-up to their "Best Of" vol. I and II, not issued in UK or US. Though being rather late and one of three with same tracking released in Europe at the time, still worth mentioning since it may attract die-hard fans and obsessive JT collectors, but also from some cheap bin work as a not too costly intro for people new to the band. Ten of their absolutely best, including a "Thick As A Brick" outtake, "Bouree", "Aqualung" and the beautiful "Life Is A Long Song". Audio totally ok - clear and separated. A couple of the cuts have slightly more reverb than on the UK originals, but nothing disturbing. Even if I have all the takes before it's still worth keeping for the sleeve and track order...and if you already have volume I and II, why not add a III to that. Listening now as I write it's also a strong reminder what a great group they were. Issued same year in Italy as "The Best Of Jethro Tull Vol. 1" (ZNLCH 33175) and France as "Story Of Jethro Tull Vol. 1" (CHM 1363), both with separate sleeve designs. First Spanish had label as shown here and thin fully laminated cover. (YÖHT*) (SXÖX*)

FAMILY/A SONG FOR ME RSLP 9001 (-70) UK

In my world one of the most interesting bands of the late sixties and early seventies. Favorite LP:s by them were, and still are, the debute "Music In A Doll's House" and the 1972 "Bandstand" (see earlier posts). Both filled with intriguing pieces and hardly a bad spot on any of them. Most of the others come to me as bumpy rides, matching bland with bizarre and in that blend still offering at least a few catchy moments. Like this one. Recorded after a non-succesful US tour and original members Rick Grech leaving for Blind Faith and Jim King quitting because of drug problems, here replaced by John Weider and Poli Palmer. It can be described as a mix of psych, prog and country built on a steady rock foundation and, as customary, Roger Chapman's vocals goes from comfortably cheeky to downright disturbing. I've learned to like his voice so that don't bother me, but as a whole the LP sounds more dutiful than heartfelt...like another day at work rather than a special operation. Still they were such a gifted band so even if so it offers memorable parts. "Drowned In Wine" adventurous progressive rock but still oddly catchy and title track a heavy rocker with some weird violin towards the end. In any case for me good enough to keep for more than just completist reasons. Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years, also 8-track. First US (Reprise RS 6384) had other track order and replacing "The Cat And The Rat" with the in UK 45 only "No Mules Fool". EU 2011 CD came with UK track order and six bonus tracks, including the 45 A/B "No Mules Fool"/"Good Friend Of Mine" and four live ones. Premiere UK had label as shown here and glossy fold/out cover with lyric insert. (FÄXI*)