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!