Elonkorjuu - Harvest Time (1972 finland, heavy prog classic rock, 2004 digipak remaster)

Elonkorjuu came from Pori, Finland and was founded in 1969. At first, the sessions were done in a rather dark cellar; the musicians were young, talented and highly motivated. That same year, Elonkorjuu won second place at a competition at Helsinki's House of Culture. A short time after this, the band's success blew fast. They toured through Finland and quickly became well-known. One of the band's highlights was the gig at the rock festival in Turku, where they performed before a hundred thousands youths who went wild about the fantastic band. By the end of the year, they decided to record an album titled "Harvest Time", which has since reached cult status in the annals of progressive rock. 

This quartet is one of the many little-known bands that did heavy blues/psych with strong prog elements, drawing initially from the schools of Cream, Black Sabbath and Colosseum, but they expanded on those influences with soulful organ and cutting guitar from leader Jukka Syrenius. A killer album from beginning to end. Heavy guitar work all over and great English vocals. 

Tracks

1. Unfeeling - 3:23

2. Swords - 4:03

3. Captain - 3:41

4. Praise To Our Basement - 4:43

5. Future - 3:55

6. Hey Hunter - 3:40

7. The Ocean Song - 3:17

8. Old Man's Dream - 4:44

9. Me And My Friend - 4:01

10.A Little Rocket Song - 4:04

All songs by Heikki Lajunen, Jukka Syrenius, Ilkka Poijarvi, Veli-pekka Pessi, Eero Rantasila

Elonkorjuu

*Jukka Syrenius  - Guitar, Vocals

*Veli-pekka Pessi - Bass

*Eero Rantasila - Drums

*Ilkka Poijarvi - Organ, Guitar, Flute

*Heikki Lajunen - Vocals

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Sonny Vincent - Diamond Distance And Liquid Fury (1969-76 us, high energy raw underground rock 'n' roll)

Although it is a compilation of bands (Fury, Distance, Liquid Diamonds, Testors) which all had Sonny Vincent, the proper curation made the record consistent yet varied enough not to ever become boring. Sound-wise the tracks are on the edge of psychedelic rock but no real chaotic mumbo-jumbo, rather large, extended solos. Everything is sweaty-face-in-trance-desperation tight, mostly mid tempo and big riffs accompany male sorrow. 

The atmosphere of the record is dirty, tired, coming down from a trip and looking either for epiphany while staring into the rising sun or for scavenging for an early breakfast before fainting onto a dirty mattress. It is closer to Rocky Erikson than to Stooges, definitely not glam at all and also distant from the proto-punk art rock of the Velvet Underground. In case you are done with the one-finger solos used on two-thirds of your hardcore songs, here is a whole catalog to lift ideas from, or in case you like to consume weed and get lost in classic sounding but still rocking albums or to be a rock dad with obscure knowledge, this can be your pick. It’s a fun listen.

by Viktor Vargyai, April 2020

Sonny Vincent is a true punk pioneer, we all know that already. But did you know how deep this man's well of punk madness really goes? Well, I guess it's taken seven long years since we made that statement, but luckily, here we are with a full LP's worth of those recordings we'd wondered about, providing a pivotal glimpse into one of NYC's most shadowy figures of the underground. It's almost incredulous that his rock n' roll lineage goes back this far, with his first recording made while home on leave from the Vietnam War, and yet he was still a part of the first wave of '70s punk. 

If you remember the Fury 7" we released, along with this massive interview, it was apparent that there was more to dig up, and luckily our engineer was able to shine up these riveting primitive proto-punk monsters into reality. Distance were in a primordial heavy psych state on their earliest recording here from 1969, but the voice that you know so well is already in place, and cuts through the foggy throb like a knife's edge. Distance was Sonny's first active band, and were known to have opened for The Dogs & Suicide in 1973, as per the two incredible handmade flyers included on the back cover, and as the liner notes can attest, provided a real-life slice of shock-rock insanity. 

On this archival LP, you're treated to three previously unreleased Distance studio tracks from 1969-71, along with a 1972 radio advertisement for a FURY show at Greenwich High School, as well as both FURY tracks from HZR-125 remastered, plus the alternate version of 'Flying.' Possibly the best intersection of The Stooges, Budgie, and Black Sabbath we've ever heard. The second side kicks off with three Liquid Diamonds tracks, both 1973 tracks from HZR-155 remastered here, as well as a sizzling previously unreleased studio demo from 1974, right when the band was starting to lean into Testors territory. Speaking of which, the latest recording on the LP is from one of the earliest Testors recording session, a 1976 studio gem called "Scary" which appears here for the first time anywhere, and provides the bridge from the later Liquid Diamonds sound, into the grittier Testors tonality. And the interview liner notes, are nothing short of a revelation as well. RIYL: Stooges, Black Sabbath, Budgie, Edgar Broughton Band, early UFO, Hawkwind, Motorhead, Pink Fairies, MC5.

Tracks

1. Distance - She's Like Hiroshima - 3:09

2. Distance - Indecision - 3:47

3. Distance - Lament - 3:12

4. Fury - Radio Advertisement - 1:05

5. Fury - Flying - 3:53

6. Fury - 100% Proof - 4:35

7. Liquid Diamonds - Aw Maw - 3:40

8. Liquid Diamonds - Long Ago - 4:32

9. Liquid Diamonds - All Day - 2:44

10.Testors - Scary - 4:34

11.Fury - Flying - 3:05

The Fury

*Sonny Vincent - Vocals, Guitar 

*Chris Gedney - Bass 

*Victor Gonzalez - Drums

Liquid Diamonds

*Sonny Vincent - Guitar, Vocals

*Bob Brown - Drums 

*Doug Harvey - Bass, Vocals 

Testors

*Sonny Vincent - Vocals, Guitar 

*Gene Sinigalliano - Guitar 

*Jeff West - Drums 

*Kenneth Brighton - Bass

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Harvey Mandel - Get Off In Chicago (1971 us, stunning amalgam of blues, jazz and rock)

Mandel came home to Chicago, assembled the most worthy players from Chicago's jazz, rock & blues scenes, & jammed for three days.: An "Underground-Super-Session", if you will.

Tracks 

1. Jellyroll (Harvey Mandel, Ira Kart, Freddie Fox, Vicki Hubly) - 3:52

2. High-Test Fish Line (Ira Kart, Ken Little, Norm Wagner, Thomas Russ) - 5:19

3. Local Days (Nick Tountas) - 3:34   

4. Check Me Out (Harvey Mandel, Freddie Fox) - 3:46  

5. Highway Blues (Dave Cook, Don Cody, GGregory Stinson, Harvey Mandel, Freddie Fox) - 3:09

6. I'm A Lonely Man (Dave Cook) - 6:26

7. Sweet Lynda (Harvey Mandel) - 3:06   

8. Springfield Station Theme (Ken Little, Norm Wagner) - 6:28

9. Race Track Daddy (Harvey Mandel) - 5:52

Musicians

*Harvey Mandel - Guitar

*Freddie Fox - Vocals

*Vicki Hubley - Vocals

*Judy Roberts - Keyboards, Vocals

*Peter Milio - Drums

*Craig Rasband - Bass

*G.E. Stinson - Guitar

*Nick Tountas - Bass

*Norman Wagner - Guitar

*Bob Davis - Drums

*John Bishop - Guitar

*Don Cody - Bass

*Dave Cooke - Keyboards

*Phil Johnson - Drums

*Rusty Jones - Drums

*Ira Kart - Keyboards

*Kenneth Little - Bass, Vocals

1968  Harvey Mandel - Cristo Redentor (2003 remaster and expanded)

1969-70  Harvey Mandel - Righteous / Games Guitars Play (2005 remaster)

1971  Harvey Mandel - Baby Batter (2016 remaster)

1972  Harvey Mandel - The Snake (2016 remaster) 

1973  Harvey Mandel - Shangrenade  
Related Acts
1965-66  The Barry Goldberg Blues Band - Blowing My Mind ..Plus (2003 remaster and expanded)
1967  Charley Musselwhite - Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's Southside Band
1968  The Barry Goldberg Reunion - There's No Hole In My Soul
1969  Barry Goldberg - Two Jews Blues (vinyl edition) 
1967-73  Canned Heat - The Very Best Of (2005 issue with previous unreleased track)
1970  Canned Heat - Future Blues (remastered and expanded) 
1971-72  Canned Heat - Historical Figures And Ancient Heads (extra track remaster issue)
1974  Love - Reel To Reel (2015 deluxe edition)

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The Buckinghams - Time And Charges / Portraits (1967-68 us, heartfelt vocals riding over lush horn arrangements, 2011 remaster)

Born and bred in Chicago, Illinois, the Buckinghams were one of the most successful groups of 1967. The band started the year off on a banner note, as they netted a No. 1 hit single with their first single “Kind of a Drag” — distributed by the regional USA label and appeared on their debut album of the same name.

By the time 1967 drew to a close, the Buckinghams scored 4 more Top 40 winners. And what an amazing feat that was, in light of the truckloads of incredible records arriving in the bins that fabled year. Revolution was in the air with acts like the Doors, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Procol Harum, and Jefferson Airplane hawking psychedelic commodities. Although the Buckinghams traveled a different route than these bands, they were uniquely forward thinking in their own right.Shortly after Kind of a Drag sent the band into orbit, they relocated to the Columbia label, where they cut a pair of excellent albums, Time and Charges and Portraits. 

Released in the spring of 1967, Time and Charges opens up with “Don’t You Care,” which peaked at No. 6 on the national charts. Constructed of crooning horns, breezy boyish vocals and a plush finish, there was no way a tune this catchy could fail. The album also includes the band’s slinky, soul-drenched cover of Cannonball Adderley’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” that seized the Top 5 that summer. Flooded with engaging tempos, complex movements, and a strict anti-war message, “Foreign Policy” is an elaborate progressive rock piece, and a beautiful version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s “I’ll Be Back” exerts a nip of a jazz feel.

The tail end of 1967 saw Portraits land on the shelves. Featured among the prizes on the collection are “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song)” and “Susan,” which reached No. 12 and No. 11 respectively. Both these tasty tunes represented the sound and style the public came to know and love of the Buckinghams. Sweeping harmonies, reminiscent of the Beach Boys, combined with brassy horn arrangements and potent melodies were the magical ingredients directing the popularity of the band. But as their albums indicated, the band was adventurous and as daring as the best of the bunch. Rife with stinging guitar leads and rattling rhythms, “Just Because I’ve Fallen Down” is a particular mind-blower heard on Portraits while the rest of the record involves a nice balance of pure pop and horn rock.

Blessed with great vocals, solid chops and the tunes to match, the Buckinghams were an A-Grade band. Filled with songs that are fun, imaginative, arty, thought-provoking and just plain good, Time and Charges and Portraits are satisfying on every conceivable level.

by Beverly Paterson, November 28, 2011

Tracks

1. Don't You Care (Gary Beisbier, James Holvay) - 2:30

2. Pitied Be The Dragon Hunter (James William Guercio, Larry Dunn Fitzgerald) - 2:32

3. And Our Love (James William Guercio) - 2:47

4. Why Don't You Love Me (Gary Beisbier, James Holvay) - 2:28

5. You Are Gone (James William Guercio) - 3:28

6. I'll Be Back (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:32

7. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Joe Zawinul, Johnny Guitar Watson, Larry Williams) - 2:48

8. Remember (James William Guercio) - 2:25

9. The Married Life (James William Guercio) - 3:41

10.Foreign Policy (James William Guercio) - 4:16

11.C'mon Home (Marty Grebb) - 4:06

12.I Love All The Girls (Marty Grebb, B. Grebb) - 3:05

13.We Just Know (Carl Giammarese, Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb, Dennis Tufano) - 3:52

14.We Just Know (Reprise) (Carl Giammarese, Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb, Dennis Tufano) - 1:16

15.Inside Looking Out (Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb) - 3:22

16.Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song) (Gary Beisbier, James Holvay) - 2:49

17.Susan (Gary Beisbier, James Holvay, James William Guercio) - 2:56

18.The Mail (Marty Grebb) - 2:57

19.Big Business Advisor (Marty Grebb) - 3:01

20.Have You Noticed You're Alive (Dennis Tufano, John Poulos, Marty Grebb) - 4:40

21.Have You Noticed You're Alive (Reprise) (Dennis Tufano, John Poulos, Marty Grebb) - 1:47

22.Just Because I've Fallen Down (Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb) - 4:15

23.Any Place In Here (Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb) - 3:25

24.Any Place In Here (Reprise) (Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb) - 1:32

The Buckinghams

*Marty Grebb - Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar 

*Dennis Tufano - Vocals 

*Carl Giammarese - Guitar, Vocals

*Nick Fortuna - Bass, Vocals

*John Poulos - Drums, Percussion 

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Myrth - Myrth (1969 us, fascinating jazz brass rock)

Tracks

1. Gotta Find A Way (David Drury, Grier Cook, Ray Cork) - 4:34

2. He Don’t Know (Grier Cook, David Drury, Ray Cork) - 4:31

3. Get It Straight (Grier Cook, Ray Cork, David Drury, Johnny Guthie) - 5:55

4. Myrthiolate (Grier Cook, Ray Cork, David Drury, Ken Mulholland, Bob Kenrich, Johnny Guthie) - 3:43

5. Fading Image (David Drury, Grier Cook) - 4:31

6. We Got To Get Together (Ken Mulholland, Bob Kenrich, Grier Cook, Ray Cork, David Drury) - 4:03

7. Aftermyrth (Grier Cook, Ray Cork, David Drury, Ken Mulholland, Bob Kenrich, Johnny Guthie) - 2:00

8. Shed My Skin (Grier Cook, Ray Cork, David Drury) - 6:25

9. Don’t Pity The Man (David Drury, Grier Cook, Ray Cork) - 6:25

10.Myrthadrine (Grier Cook, Ken Mulholland) - 6:15

Myrth

*Grier Cook - Guitar, Percussion, Lead Vocals

*David Drury - Guitar, Trombone, Vocals

*Ray Cork - Bass, Trumpet, Baritone Horns, Percussion, Vocals,

*Ken Mulholland - Piano, Organ, Percussion

*Bob Kenrich - Reeds, Percussion, Vocals

*Johnny Guthie - Drums, Percussion

With

*Darlene Love And The Blossoms - Backing Vocals

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The Cates Gang - Wanted (1970 us, elegant mix of r 'n' b country folk swamp rock, with brass section, 2021 remaster)

When Earl and Earnie Cate forned their first band in Springdale in the early 60;s, they called themselves the Del Rays. By 1970they were The Cates Gang, regulars this on the Dickinson Street and frat party circuit in Fayetteville, and MetroMedia label had issues their first album, "Wanted".

"Wanted" is a fine album that really puts is all together musically on "If You Got The Time (I Got The Love)", with some delicate but exciting rhythms "Song Man" and "Leavin' This Town", are also good, while message type songs like "We All Got To Help Each Other", and "When Will We Learn" have programming strength and could happen.

Tracks

1. We All Got To Help Each Other - 2:35

2. God Gave Me A Woman - 2:35

3. Song Man - 2:22

4. Leavin' This Town - 3:00

5. Lead Me Anywhere - 2:36

6. When Will We Learn - 2:17

7. I'll Take You Back Again - 1:52

8. What's The Use In Lovin' You - 2:30

9. I've Made Up My Mind - 2:38

10.Help Me Work It Out, Woman - 2:22

11.If You Got The Time (I Got The Love) - 2:14

All songs by Earl Cate, Ernie Cate  

The Cates Gang

*Earl Cate - Guitar, Vocals

*Ernie Cate - Keyboards, Vocals 

*Terry Cagle - Drums, Percussion

*Billy Wright - Bass

1973  The Cates Gang - Come Back Home (2011 korean remaster)  

1975  The Cate Brothers - The Cate Brothers (2009 edition)  

1976  Cate Brothers - In One Eye And Out The Other (2009 reissue)  

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Tom Jans - The Eyes Of An Only Child (1975 us, marvelous soulful folk country soft rock, 2007 japan remaster)

"The Eyes of an Only Child" by Tom Jans was released in 1975. I loved that record and used to play it a lot, along with his eponymous debut LP on A&M, featuring his best known song, “Lovin’ Arms,” recorded by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, Dobie Gray, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and many others. I still have those two on vinyl, so I retrieved them, album covers, sleeves and all.

Jans was a songwriter and performer of some standing in the 1970s, a “folk” singer strumming an acoustic guitar, but he also played keyboards, plugged in and toured with a backup band. He was born in 1948. He was from California and had majored in English Literature at UC-Davis (graduating Phi Beta Kappa) before playing clubs in San Francisco and being discovered by Joan Baez and her sister Mimi Farina.

He and Farina toured for a year as a duo, opening for Cat Stevens and James Taylor. They made an album for A&M before he went his own way with the self-titled disc for A&M, recorded in Nashville, followed by The Eyes of an Only Child, produced in part by Little Feat’s Lowell George, with backing by marquee talent like Fred Tackett, David Lindley, Billy Payne, Jeff Porcaro, Herb Peterson, Valerie Carter and Jim Keltner. 

Jans was so versatile, and that might have been an obstacle in the biz at the time — not sounding the same on each cut. He could write a tender standard like “Lovin’ Arms” and an uptempo two-step like “Out of Hand” that honky tonk hero Gary Stewart (more royalty) made into a #4 country hit. Other keepers include “Gotta Move,” “Struggle in Darkness,” and “Green River.” Somebody should be playing these on the radio.

by Sean Mitchell, January 31, 2021

Tracks

1. Gotta Move (Tom Jans, Lowell George) - 4:15

2. Once Before I Die - 3:15

3. Where Did All My Good Friends Go? - 4:50

4. Inside Of You - 3:05

5. Struggle In Darkness - 5:40

6. Out Of Hand (Tom Jans, Jeff Barry) - 3:15

7. The Lonesome Way Back When - 4:20

8. Lonely Brother - 5:45

9. Directions And Connections - 4:35

10.The Eyes Of An Only Child - 3:35

All compositions by Tom Jans except where stated 

Musicians

*Tom Jans - Electric, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Piano

*Colin Cameron - Bass

*Valerie Carter - Vocals

*Sam Clayton - Congas

*Jesse Ed Davis - Guitar

*Lowell George - Guitar

*Lovely Hardy - Vocals 

*Jim Keltner - Drums

*David Lindley - Electric Guitar 

*Harvey Mason, Sr. - Drums

*Jerry McGee - Electric Guitar 

*Bill Payne - Piano, Moog

*Herb Pedersen - Vocals 

*Jeff Porcaro - Drums

*Chuck Rainey - Bass

*Fred Tackett - Guitars

*Mike Utley - Organ

1971-82  Tom Jans ‎- Loving Arms Best Of (2013 release)  

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Willie Dixon - I Am The Blues (1970 us, superb influential blues backing by a solid lineup)

Originally released in 1970. "Entire genres of music would look and sound vastly different if not for the contributions of Vicksburg, Mississippi's Willie Dixon. A writer of songs such as 'Hoochie Coochie Man', 'Spoonful', and 'My Babe', among so many others, Dixon's songs have gone on to become standards of blues music, after being covered by legends such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Little Walter, while these same songs served as inspirational templates for the evolution of rock and roll music. Along with Muddy Waters, Dixon is to this day considered one of the most influential figures to the development of the post-World War II music scene. Dixon originally began as a performer, but as his career as a songwriter and session musician took off he performed less and less, working behind the scenes more frequently. 

In 1970 however, he entered the studios to record a selection of his own tunes. The end result was titled I Am The Blues, and consisted of songs written during his time as a staff-writer with Chess Records, previously performed by the likes of Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, and Willie Mabon. Dixon was joined by a solid lineup of seasoned session veterans the "Chicago Blues All Stars", many of whom had performed as sidemen for the same singers he'd written for. A remarkable collection of new renditions of classic songs, straight from the original source.

Tracks

1. Back Door Man - 6:13

2. I Can't Quit You, Baby - 6:45

3. Seventh Son - 4:19

4. Spoonful - 4:59

5. I Ain't Superstitious - 4:08

6. You Shook Me (Willie Dixon, J. B. Lenoir) - 4:18

7. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - 4:52

8. The Little Red Rooster - 3:40

9. The Same Thing - 4:42

All somngs by Willie Dixon except where stated

Personnel

*Willie Dixon - Vocals, Bass

*Walter Horton - Harmonica

*Lafayette Leake - Piano

*Sunnyland Slim - Piano

*Johnny Shines - Guitar

*Clifton James - Drums

Related Act

1964-72  Koko Taylor - What It Takes / The Chess Years (2009 remaster and expanded)  

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Fenton Robinson - Monday Morning Boogie And Blues (1972 us, imressive chicago electric blues)

Fenton was born on September 23, 1935 in Greenwood, Mississippi. Inspired by the blues he heard on the radio (especially T-Bone Walker), he moved to Memphis at age 16 and concentrated on playing music. He broke onto the Southern blues scene while still in his early twenties. His first single, Tennessee Woman, was recorded for the Memphis-based Meteor label. This young, upstart guitarist carved out a strong, devoted following from among the most demanding of blues audiences. He went on to record for Duke Records in Houston (and played lead guitar on Larry Davis' original version of Texas Flood) before moving to Chicago in 1962. In Chicago he recorded for singles for U.S.A., Giant and Palos Records (where he first recorded the famous Somebody Loan Me A Dime in 1967). Night after night, Fenton proved himself in club after club, eventually winning a regular gig at the legendary Peppers Lounge. 

The man's reputation didn't just rest on one great song, though. His classic recordings have inspired countless cover versions. Albert King, Elvin Bishop, Eric Burdon, Maggie Bell and Charlie Musselwhite have recorded Fenton's early hits. But even greater recognition came in 1969, when Boz Scaggs, along with Duane Allman, recorded the classic blues/rock version of Somebody Loan Me A Dime , and introduced Fenton to a whole new legion of fans.

Before hooking up with Alligator, Fenton wrote for Lowell Fulson and Larry Davis, and performed with Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, and many other blues legends. He toured with Charlie Musselwhite and worked the blues circuit with his own bands. In early 70's he signed for John Richbourg's Sound Stage 7/Seventy 7 labels, and in 1972 he recorded and released "Monday Morning Boogie And Blues", having a lot of problems during the recordings, but the result was a record of classic chicago electric blues straight to the point with a solid upbeat rhythm section.

Tracks

1. The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James, Morgan Robinson) - 3:30

2. Smokestack Lightning (Chester Burnett) - 2:48

3. Little Red Rooster (Willie Dixon) - 3:03

4. Somebody Loan Me A Dime (Fenton Robinson) - 3:43

5. Moanin' For My Baby (Chester Burnett) - 3:16

6. Little Turch (Fenton Robinson) - 3:49

7. Don't Start Me Talkin' (I'll Tell Everything I Know) (Traditional) - 2:56

8. Let Me Come On Back Home (Allen Orange) - 3:27

9. Stormy Monday (Aaron T. Walker) - 2:45

10.Give You Some Air (Fenton Robinson) - 4:48

Personnel

*Fenton Robinson - Vocals, Electric Guitar

*Tim Drummond - Bass  

*Neal Dover - Bass

*Karl Himmel - Drums

*Robert Tarrant - Drums

*Mac Gayden - Electric Guitar

*Mark Tidwell - Electric Guitar

*Troy Seals - Electric Guitar

*Ed Kollis - Harmonica 

*Sandy Kaye - Organ

*Bob Wilson - Piano 

*Bergen White - Horn Arrangements

1974  Fenton Robinson - Somebody Loan Me A Dime  

1977  Fenton Robinson - I Hear Some Blues Downstairs  

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The Contents Are - Through You (1967 us, profound lyricism tugging at the soft edges of psychedelia, 2007 bonus tracks release)

The wheels on the “big, blue” hippy bus went round and round as the Contents Are weaved their merry way across Iowa spreading the word of paisley protest. For four years during the ’60s, the Quad Cities-based quartet created a heady brew of subdued blues beats, catchy psych-pop and tripped-out folk that sugar-coated the hardcore messages which lurked beneath the 13 original tunes on 1967’s Through You. 

The Contents Are’s songs weren’t all filled with cotton candy clouds floating in a marshmallow sky but dealt with more serious issues including a very bleak view of modern democracy (“Peace At Last”) set to a tune that borrows from the Beatles “Dr. Robert”, a hook-laden wake-up call to the U.S. government (“In Trouble”) that, some would say, is still relevant today, and the ever-present nuclear threat (“If You’re Relaxing”). This previously hard-to-find (only 100 copies were pressed and sold at gigs) regional gem is bolstered by the band’s two excellent, and not quite so hard-to-find, singles. The best of these sides, “Future Days”, is a piece of moody, early psych-blues that sounds like it hails from the dark side of Haight-Ashbury and, even with the poor audio quality, is alone worth the price of admission to this particular band’s garage.

by Alan Brown, 15 May 2008 

“Rumours of a limited demo LP pressing from this renowned Iowa garagey-folk rock band remained unconfirmed until a copy popped up at a 2005 Austin Record Show. Curiosity grew into excitement as the album turned out to feature 13 band originals in a terrific melodic Beatles ‘65-66 style with a sprinkling of Byrds on top. In other words, an ideal sound for a ’lost’ 60s album, reminiscent of the Beauregard Ajax recordings from L.A. Drawing inspiration from the Beatles is usually an indication of both taste and cojones, and the Contents Are deliver a string of skillfully arranged 3-minute gems from the point where beat and folk rock turn into melodic psychedelia.” – Patrick Lundborg, The Acid Archives

The Contents Are’s debut album was originally issued in 1967 in an edition of just 100 copies. Hailing from Quad City, Iowa, these four young men recorded one incredible song after another, their ambitions well beyond that of the typical group at the time.This record, more rumoured than heard, lives at a wild nexus in American culture, simultaneously expansive and reflective, searching for answers in society through music and art. The great German label Shadoks first reissued this legendary set almost ten years ago, and we’re very happy to bring you a new deluxe edition of “Through You”, this time with the very special addition of the band’s two non-album 45s, originally released on the ROK label (these two singles are seeing their first ever reissue on vinyl; previously only available as CD bonus tracks, and well worth rediscovery). Let this record turn you on to new horizons.

Tracks

1. Country Roads - 3:29

2. The Dream Of My Predictions - 3:13

3. Uni-Love - 3:13

4. Peace At Last - 2:07

5. In Trouble - 2:07

6. No Chance To Choose - 2:11

7. Tonight In Venice - 2:25

8. Unconcerned - 2:26

9. Don't Take My Freedom - 1:55

10.Recurring Changes - 2:47

11.No Need To Be Blamed - 2:53

12.If You're Relaxing - 1:52

13.Brother Abbot - 2:49

14.I Don't Know - 2:54

15.Direction Of Mind - 2:42

16. - 2:39

17.New Mexico - 2:15

All songs by Craig Hute

The Contents Are

*Dave Neumann - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*Craig Hute - Guitar, Vocals

*Mick Orton - Bass, Keyboards, Vocals

*Paul Staack - Drums, Vocals

*Larry Smith - Bass, Vocals

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