J.J. Jackson

Finally back after my getaway up to Canada, it's completely understood now that the big country to the north is not quite ready for the furl mentality. Picked up some records on my trip so stay tuned in. Here's the legendary soul belter J.J. Jackson's album But It's All Right! from '66. Mr. Jackson is most known for his northern soul hit "But It's All Right" which was actually recorded in England. It reached #22 on Billboard that year cementing it as a classic soul track. But this is only the tip of what Jackson has to offer, like hits such as "Come And See Me (I'm Your Man)" which will be later covered by the Pretty Things. I'm also throwing in the bonus track "Oo-Ma-Liddi" when he performed with the Jackaels back in the day. I first discovered J.J. on Lux Interior's L.A. famed radio show compilation The Purple Knif Show which I suggest picking up if you haven't yet. Enjoy...
I Dig Girls

Furl Girls Vol. 1

Really had some fun with this mix- here's a playlist of all female girl groups and singers which I've recently thrown together for your listening pleasure. Most of my favorites are on this mix- from Dottie Cambridge to Helene Smith, it's a slew of obscurities and classics woven together for your lofty earholes. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so if you like it leave some comments and Vol. 2 will be just around the corner. Here's the playlist:

I've Got Reasons- Mary Jane Hooper
I Am Controlled By Your Love- Helene Smith
Mean Man- Betty Harris
Sweet Inspiration- The Sweet Inspirations
Three Roses- Starfires
Take Me Home- Donna King
All The Way Down- Etta James
Blind Alley- The Emotions
Check Me Out- Little Denice
Don't Make Good Girls Go Bad- Della Humphrey
He's About A Mover- Dottie Cambridge
I Can't See Nobody- Nina Simone
I Can't Stand The Rain- Ann Peebles
I Don't Want Nothin' Old But Money- Laura Lee
I'm In Love- The Fascinations
Break-A-Way- Irma Thomas
Jumpin Jack Flash- Thelma Houston
Little Things Mean A Lot- Spanky Wilson
Make Me Believe In You- Patti Jo/Black Science
My Destination Is True Love- Johnnie Mae Matthews
My Love Is Commin Down- Ruby Andrews
Nothing But A Heartache- The Flirtations
Someone Else's Arms- Barbara Acklin
The Slow Fizz- The Sapphires
Trouble- Foxy
Bar-B-Q- Wendy Rene
You Gotta Push- Jodi Gales
You Touch Me- The Lullabyes

Furl Girls Vol. 1

Thee Midniters

Here's the famed Chicano Rock of East LA's Thee Midniters. This compilation In The Midnite Hour!!! released in '06 makes the best selections from their catalog, it's a combination of their originals like the killer instrumental "Whittier Blvd" and covers such as "Land of A Thousand Dances" and "Devil With A Blue Dress." Thee Midniters brought a whole new sound to the garage rock culture back in the 60s, think the energy and sound of the Sonics combined with Chicano and surf flavors. A really fun record to say the least- this will get folks dancin' in no time. Check out one of my favorites off the album "I Found A Peanut." Enjoy...
Love Special Delivery

Les Variations

Les Variations were one of the first big French bands to make waves in the States and in the international market. Their heavy style earned them a couple record deals in the States later in their career, but I really dig their early stuff off France's Pathe Records. Interestingly enough three of the four original members of the band are Moroccan Jews, so there is some Middle Eastern flavor within their sound. Here's their debut album Nador from '69 along with a couple of separate tracks "What's Happening..." and "I Was Down" which you can listen to below and download if you so choose.
Nador

5 P.M.

Have a listen to "Auburn Red." Great garage psych from around '68. Apparently 5 P.M. hailed from Boston. Don't have any more info about the band or an album cover, so I borrowed an image from FFFFOUND to add to your listening pleasure...

Jorge Ben

More summertime goodness for ya, here's Jorge Ben's '71 album Negro e Lindo or "Black is Beautiful" which is a lesser known album if you're familiar with Jorge. This album was released during the exciting Tropicalia movement, focusing more on sweeping acoustic sounds and Jorge's amazing voice. This album was also arranged by our friend Arthur Verocai who was posted a while back. I'm also throwing in Jorge's track "Cuidado Com O Bulldog" as a bonus- it contains a some great interchanging guitar freak-outs with a typical Jorge Ben laid back sound. A must have, enjoy...
Cassius Clay

Bronx River Parkway

It's been a while, it's finally summer here- trips to the computer are becoming less and less frequent. But that doesn't mean I'll stop posting more hot shit for ya, everyone needs a soundtrack for this summer. Keeping with this theme, here's some killer Puerto Rican funk with a soul edge for your summertime escapades. Truth and Soul Records' Bronx River Parkway out of NY traveled down to PR in '05 and recorded this album in a 200 year-old schoolhouse make-shift studio. They recorded San Sebastian 152 in only eight days. Highlights include "Nora Se Va" and "La Valla." Enjoy...
Mi Corazon

Nightmare

This bizarre track is still blowing my mind, I can't stop listening to it. "Witch Woman" is the B side to a weird cover of "Great Balls of Fire" by Nightmare, a French and apparently fucking insane band- insanely rad that is. Thanks to the great blog crotchbat for leading me to this dandy... Play loud!

ZZ Top

ZZ Top's third album Tres Hombres released in '73 still remains a timeless classic, forget about the catchy pop hooks and lyrics of "Legs" and "Gimmie All Your Lovin'" that you heard on your local classic rock stations millions of times. This was way before the beards and fuzzy novelty guitars- it's just three dudes from Texas who created some serious dope Americana sound. I'm moving down to Austin in a couple months which is probably why this album keeps creeping back into my rotation. Soon I'll be burnin' up in that Texas heat and drinking massive amounts of Tecate listening to "Shiek" and "Waitin' For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago" on repeat. Here's the album, if you like check out Tejas and Rio Grande Mud also. Enjoy...
La Grange

Eldridge Holmes

Eldridge Holmes is another mostly unheard of singer out of the Nola. He was produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint throughout most of the 60s, releasing a pretty long string of singles into the mid-70s. His style is like a rawer, less formal Johnny Adams who had more commercial success in the Nola during this period. Here's two of my favorite Holmes tracks, the dance hit "Pop Popcorn Children" and the slowed down groover "Without A Word" which contains some great horns. Enjoy...

Saint Vitus

Brutal,heavy snail-paced power chords? Saint Vitus. One of the originators of killer doom metal? Saint Vitus. Loudest ear popping show I've ever heard at the Satyricon in Portland? Saint Vitus. Death, destruction, heavy alcohol consumption, psychedelic drugs and dragons? Saint Vitus. Living in L.A. during the 80's and giving the middle finger to all the shitty glam bands while staying true to their nostalgic doom sound? Saint fucking Vitus. I think you get the point. Grow some balls and put this in your earholes, this is what metal is supposed to sound like- Born Too Late from '87.
Thirsty And Miserable

Attila

It's been a while since I've posted some novelty tomfoolery, so prepare for the 1970 debut self-titled album by Attila- the two-piece band of Jon Small and Billy Joel. Yes, that's right, the "Piano Man" and "We Didn't Start The Fire" Billy Joel. It's hard to imagine and almost comforting to know that Billy wasn't always completely lame, that is to say if you like ridiculous Hammond B3 organ trading with heavy drums and psychedelic riffs. Billy has labeled this album "Psychedelic Bullshit" which has only intensified my love for it, apparently he has tried to stop all production of the album and deny it's existence. This upsets me considering this the best work he has ever done- by far. The story gets even better, Attila broke up because Billy ran off with Small's wife. So even if Billy wants to run from his roots of being as I like to call him the "psychedelic butcher," (what the fuck is up with the meat all over the album cover?) don't be afraid to listen to this little sordid piece of rock history. By the way, it's pretty fucking good all things considered. Highlights include "Brain Invasion" and "Wonder Woman." Enjoy...
Only The Good Die Young

Crunk Junk Vol. 4

Vol. 4 is here for all you fiends, could be the best one yet. Gucci!
Trap Spot

DJ Z-Trip & DJ P

This mix album Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 released in '01 by DJ Z-Trip and DJ P is the foundation of the mash-up genre, they made the album in a week using all vinyl. Not only is it one of the best party albums of all time, it's also very nostalgic due to the wide array of shitty and dope samples they mash together. Examples include Bruce Hornsby over the beat of Newcleus' "Jam On It" and Pharcyde over Pat Benetar's "Love Is A Battlefield"- if you can imagine what that sounds like. Also included is Rush, Midnight Oil and yes- Phil Collins to name a few all mixed over different breakbeats. Let's also not forget the killer samples from films such as The Warriors and Star Wars also interwoven into this over the top shit. Only 1000 official copies are in existence, with most of the other mp3 downloads containing the wrong gaps making it pretty tough to find a good copy. My version should work properly unless winrar fucks it up somehow- let me know if it works. This is essential for every taste in music, there's something for everybody on Uneasy Listening, check it...
Part 1
Part 2

Devo

Finally after a 20 year hiatus, the De-Evolution is back with their 9th studio album Something For Everybody released yesterday. This is the retail version which is available in stores, while their other experimental "Song Study Version With Fan Favorites" 12 track version is only available on itunes. The two albums differ only by four tracks since there were only 17 to chose from. It's silly to say the least, but I don't really give a shit- whatever they decide to do is fine with me considering it's impossible for Devo to fuck up in my eyes. So I've taken the liberty to include their single "Watch Us Work It" which was released a couple years back that's only available on the itunes version. Now if that wasn't confusing enough for you, the album is little heavier and almost industrial in many aspects- but it's growing on me since yesterday. "Fresh," "Sumthin'," and "Cameo" are my initial highlights, but that's the beauty of Devo- they grow on you like a fungus. So put this in your earholes and let me know what you think...
Don't Shoot(I'm A Man)

Darondo

If Al Green was gangsta this is what it would sound like. Darondo's '06 release on Ubiquity records Let My People Go is a re-issue compilation of all his early 70s cuts that slipped into obscurity. An apparent ex-pimp from the bay area, Darondo could be seen rolling around San Fran in his white Rolls Royce hanging with Filmore Slim. This record is some real superfly shit, I suggest you listen up if you haven't already. Two standouts are "Legs" and one of my favorite soul tracks "Didn't I" which is one of the smoothest, silkiest tracks ever produced. Enjoy...
Listen To My Song

Big Boi

Epic shit. This album drops in July, here's the latest leak "General Patton." Don't sleep, everything I've heard off Chico Dusty so far is insane...

The Drag Set/The Open Mind

A little late night garage history for ya, here's two joints out of England by the group first known as The Drag Set who put out one killer 45 on Strike Records "Day and Night"/"Get Out of My Way" in '67. Following this release they became The Open Mind and dropped this single "Magic Potion" in '69, a perfect drugged-out late night jam with the lyrics How do you feel?... I FEEL FINE! Both of these tracks are classics, do yourself a favor and get em'...

Helene Smith

While most people would consider Betty Wright the queen of Miami soul, let's not forget about the contributions of one of my favorite soul singers Helene Smith. This album Helene Smith Sings Sweet Soul (1964-1972) is a collection of her rare passionate ballads and soul burners. Her ability to capture both power and passion on top of her producers deep-soul sometimes funky cuts puts her among the best underrated singers of the period. Highlights include "I'm Controlled By Your Love" and "Willing And Able," two simply arranged harmonized love tracks which still remain the wifey's and my favorite songs to listen to together. Anyway, if you like old soul- this album is essential...
Thrills And Chills

Smash

Finally getting back to reality after my week of vacation, and there's not a better way to return than with the hard psych Spanish rockers Smash. Smash was formed in '67 by sitar player Gualberto who recorded two killer albums Glorieta de los Lotos and We Come To Smash This Time in the early 70s. Imagine the Pretty Things playing psychedelic acid rock with sitars and wailing, backward guitars- you might be getting close to the sound of Smash. Here's a little taste off their album Glorieta de los Lotos titled "One Hopeless Whisper" along with their full second album We Come To Smash This Time which is my favorite. Smash is definitely one of Spain's best exports, check this shit out and enjoy...

Don't Be Sad Baby