Bintangs "Ridin' on the L&N"

Ridin' on the L&N b/w Down South Blues (1969 Decca - Dutch issue)

Here's a nice bit of Americana, by way of the Netherlands. I've been holding off on this one, until I had a (shitty) picture sleeve copy. Nothing like an Amsterdam flea market for finding the real deal! The Bintangs formed around 1959 and, in some form, are still going today. Their '68-'72 output is the most distinct, in my opinion. They had some incredible moments of pub rock glory in the mid-to-late-70's, but the albums were certainly more spotty after about '72.

This is an edit of the album version with a wisely truncated flute solo. The b-side is much more bluesy but also has a flute solo. Sometimes I can't help but laugh. What is the thing with Late 60's early 70's Dutch bands and flute solos?! Jethro Tull must have really spoken to the Dutch somehow. If you like this one, check out "Lion Tamer" and "I'm On My Own Again."

Hat and Tie

Chance for Romance b/w California Jazz Club USA (1966 President - UK issue)

Simultaneously sounding exactly like early Kinks, AND completely original, Hat and Tie somehow came and went with little fanfare. At the core of the group were Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Chris Thomas, who had played together in R&B group Second Thoughts. They managed to release 2 excellent 45s on President, this one being far less acclaimed. Their other 45 included the swirling gem "Finding it Rough." If you haven't heard that one, do yourself a huge favor and click here!

After Hat and Tie, Campbell-Lyons formed the first, but lesser-known Nirvana, while Thomas produced some silly little album called Nevermind the Bollocks...

I usually don't post both sides, as I like to encourage people to collect records, rather than mp3s. I'm just too in love with this one, though. Here are both cuts:

Chance for Romance

California Jazz Club U.S.A.

Les Dollies

Cherie Baby b/w Let's Dance Tonight (1977 HS - French issue)

Interesting sleeve.....Muppet drug-casualties? One person responsible for this record was media tycoon and current 102nd-richest person in America, Haim Saban. As the producer behind the Power Rangers, he made millions of annoying 90's kids think they knew martial arts. But thanks to this record, I can now almost forgive Saban for all the karate chops I received 15 years ago from my younger cousins.

"Cherie Baby" is the Four Seasons tune, with French lyrics. It's got a nice synth riff, a la Wings' "Wonderful Christmastime." Pretty light fare, but somewhat interesting. "Let's Dance Tonight" is more straight-forward glitter, with Kenny-esque vocals. The writing credit for the B-side is Kussa, which is rumored to be an alias of Saban, though I've also read he took a lot of credit for arrangements/writing he didn't actually do.

Cherie Baby

Let's Dance Tonight

Mersey Kids - "Keep on Rockin"

Keep on Rockin' b/w Bee Side (1974 Pathe - French issue)

Pretty difficult researching this one. It appears to be just a studio project. The writing credits are B. Liamis, I. Gomez, and T. Lipton, and no producer is listed. Bernard Liamis seems to be one likely suspect. He put out a couple singles in the 70s, but his main claim to fame seems to be composing the music for "Un Train qui Part," Monaco's 1973 Eurovision entry. The cleverly-named "Bee Side," is a throwaway funky instrumental with only the occasional lyrics "beeee siiiiide."

Kenny - "Rollin"

Give it to me Now b/w Rollin' (RAK 1973- French issue)

If you don't know the A-side, well, perhaps it's time to check your record collection. The B-side, however, never seems to turn up on any best-of albums. I think it's well worth a listen. A Martin-Coulter composition, as with most Kenny releases.

Repton Boxing Club - "Jab and Move"

Jab and Move b/w The Hook (1980 Bridge House - UK issue)

Here's nice little Cockney collaboration between actor/boxer Glen Murphy and Lea Hart of Slowbone/Roll-Ups. Backing vocals provided by the Boxers from Repton. Murphy is the son of Bridge House Pub landlord Terry Murphy. Slowbone played regularly at the Bridge House. Released on Bridge House Records, it's all pretty incestuous. Any fan of the Roll-Ups should appreciate this! The B-side (or "Round 2") is an instrumental version. Currently, there's an acetate of this on ebay with "Repton Boxing Machine" written on the label. Who knows, might even be a different version of the song.

FREE BLACK EYE with every copy!

Nicky Rolfe - "Ooh-Sha-La-La"

Lucky Three b/w Ooh-Sha-La-La (1975 Bell - UK issue)

Nicky Rolfe was Barry Rolfe, who gave us the storming "Look the Business." As Nicky, he did two singles for Bell, with career sideman/producer Peter Solley co-writing and producing. With his combined 5 singles, somebody has got to know something about Barry/Nicky! Anybody??

The A-side is ok, I guess. It reminds me of Leo Sayer, mixed with some Paul Williams' Bugsy Malone type stuff. Side B is more my thing, glammy reggae with an interesting vocal and crazy synths!

Autumn - "My Little Girl"

My Little Girl b/w Sun, Sunshine (Pye 1971 - UK issue)

Nice cover of this Harmony Grass tune, though a bit of a softer approach than the original. Is it me, or does the tempo slow down a bit during the bridge? The flip "Sun, Sunshine" is, not surprisingly, sunshine pop.

Bio and discography borrowed from "Tapestry of Delights," by Vernon Joynson:

DAVE CHARLWOOD drms A
JOHN COURT gtr A
PETER CRAMER bs, vcls A
KEITH PARSONS gtr A
RON SHAUGHNESSY gtr, vcls A

45s:
1 My Little Girl/Sun, Sunshine (Pye 7N 45090) 1970 37
2 Not The Way She Looks/Stood Up (Pye 7N 45144) 1970 -
3 Down, Down, Down/October (Pye 7N 45249) 1973 -

A semi-professional five-piece, from Brighton, who formed in late 1968. They scored a contract with Pye in 1970 and had a minor hit with the Tony Rivers composition My Little Girl.

Compilation appearances have included: My Little Girl on Ripples, Vol. 1 (CD); Sun Sunshine on Ripples, Vol. 2 (CD); An acetate track Shy Fly, which has resurfaced on Mynd The Gap (LP) also may be by this act.

Napoleon Jones - "Lazy Love"

Lazy Love b/w I'm Ready (Robin Song 1974 - French issue)

Napoleon Jones was David Christie, real name Jacques Pepino of Lyon, France. If that weren't convoluted enough, he also used the name "James Bolden," under which he wrote disco funk tunes for the likes of Grace Jones and Gloria Gaynor. He committed suicide in 1997.

"Lazy Love" is DRENCHED in reverb, which results in the muddy sound in the beginning. I feel the mix is a bit sloppy but, overall, it's a nice little pop song.

The B-side is pretty funky, more tastefully so than his later stuff under the David Christie name. It's kinda catchy, if you're into bongos, electric piano, and that early 70's Curtis Mayfield-style guitar.

He released at least 3 singles and an album as Napoleon Jones. Has anyone heard the others?

Writing On The Wall - "Man of Renown"

Writing On The Wall - Man of Renown b/w Buffalo (1973 Pye - UK Issue)

Scottish four-piece psych/prog band, formed in Edinburgh, then moved to London, in search of fame and fortune.

Their final single, it's a semi-autobiographical story about trying to make it in the big city. After this record didn't hit, and the band's gear got ripped-off, they called it a day.

B-side is an edited version of "Buffalo," probably their best-known song. I'm sure it was placed on the flip to help sales out. What happened though, DJs ended up playing the already-known B-side, sending "Man of Renown" into obscurity. The downer-psych/prog of side B is much more representative of the rest of their recorded output.

You can hear a solid live version of the A-side, as well as multiple versions of "Buffalo" on the RPM/Ork Reissue of their first LP, Power of the Picts. This version of "Man of Renown" was comped on TREMORS, which I'd highly recommend purchasing.

Mr. Curt "Write down your Number"

Write Down Your Number b/w I'm Going Blind (Euphoria 1978 - US issue)

Boston's Curtis Naihersey, AKA, Mr. Curt was in an embryonic version of the Real Kids, way back when they were known simply as The Kids. Mr. Curt sings only on this track, backed by La Peste. This is perfect pop! The B-side is a masturbation tune performed by Pastiche, a band that Mr. Curt still plays guitar with. Eh, it's ok. I've heard a handful of tracks from Mr. Curt's various projects. This is the one to get!

Equals - "Back Streets"

No Place to Go b/w Back Streets (Moggie 1983 - UK issue)

This track is a bit of a departure for this blog. As far as I can tell, this is the last 45 released by The (noticeably older) Equals. They did record some tracks later on, and re-record others, but this was the last new vinyl.

At the time this was released, Eddy Grant was riding the success of "Electric Avenue." It doesn't appear that Eddy was involved in any way on this. A-side is boring. B-side isn't the Equals of the 60's and 70's, but it has grown on me quite a bit. Scan is of the back of the sleeve, as it's almost identical to the front, but it has some production/writing credits. This also got a 12" release, but doubt it got many spins in the club. Produced by Bruce Baxter, arranger for Billy Fury, and all-around industry mogul Hal Carter, who produced the incredible Rockin' Horse!!! Moggie Music was Hal Carter's publishing company. The record label was probably just a one-off.

The Boys - "Suzie Wong from Hong Kong (From the Chippie down the Road)"

Listen to the Beat b/w Suzie Wong from Hong Kong (From the Chippie down the Road) (Jungle 1981 - UK issue)
Yet another band called The Boys! I haven't been able to find any info on this, nor any mention of this record at all! Pretty listenable double-A-sided 45. Side A is a synth number, a bit like late-70's Mike Batt solo material. It isn't half bad either, just not right for this blog. Side AA is a poppy little tune, from the perspective of a guy with a bad case of the yellow fever. Somewhat reminiscent of a slowed-down Status Quo, plus It's got some nice hand claps. Some fella named "Brian Gilmore" wrote both sides and it was recorded in Liverpool. Can anybody help with some info?

32nd Turnoff - "Used to be a Tiger"

Used to be a Tiger b/w Baby (Honey) What you Doin' to Me (Jay Boy 1970 - Italian issue)

Not much is known about this Eddy Grant studio project. I can't find any information on who else was involved. No matter, "Used to be a Tiger" is as good as rock & roll gets! This gives off a strong frat rock vibe, not unlike The Sonics, updated for 1970.

The B-side sounds a bit like Cream's "Strange Brew," and think I'd actually rather listen to Cream than this track. Rather dull.

Both tracks on this single taken from their eponymous LP. "Used to be a Tiger" is probably the only cut of real interest to rock'n'rollers. Much of the rest is funky, with drum breaks and such. Rumor is that the LP was pretty much thrown together from sessions done in President Records founder Ed Kassner's studio.