Preston [in fact there is no performer name on this 45 e.p. but this seems to be the label name so its as good as any ] and the band take a minimal take on this Nilsson song and give it a slightly Latin feel. And its Preston's delivery coupled with the organ that make this track essential. Unfortunately the other titles on the e.p. fall short of even interesting
05 Feb 03 ·konsu: One of his most covered songs at least in the pop canon.It seems like there's sooo many more versions to be found yet!I'd like to hear this one.Also check out the latinized brilliance of Blood, Sweat & Tears version from their"Child Is Father to the Man" LP. Maybe thats where these guys picked-up the style for their take...?
An exciting instrumental version of Los Bravos' hit single, done sitar-style. Playing pop music on the sitar must be difficult, since it never was the most melodic of instruments. Lord Sitar is the best I've heard of the psychsploitation musicians that briefly came into vogue around 1967 or so.
07 Feb 03 ·konsu: The details as to the group on this record are discussed quite often, because it is soo good! Most people believe it's Jim Sullivan, Who did a lot of freakbeat/psych library music during this period. Also check out his "Sitar Beat" LP ,which has great versions of Brighter Shade of Pale & She's Leaving Home! 13 Feb 05 ·shaka_klaus: i dig this one, but i like the b-side of the single better. it's a version of "have you seen your mother..." by the rolling stones.
A very tasty and rather 'European-sounding' cover of the 1967's psyche-jazz Tom Scott's original from the well-known session percussionist-vibraphonist Emil Richards. Although it comes in a compilation of Emil's best late 60s latin-jazz recordings (interestingly, not a single horn instrument is used in the whole set!), this is an energetic percussive jazz-rock piece, with great vibraphone and bells(!) solos.
available on CD - Luntana (Afro-Cuban Jazz) (Soundsational (Italy))
09 Feb 03 ·konsu: Kudos for rep'n mister Richards! I love this track!
This is from the awsome "New Time Element" LP he did for UNI.The whole record is conceptual versions of contemporary pop tunes done in wild time signatures.
Check out his take on "Take 5", he does it in 4/4 time! He also does "Georgy Girl" in 5/4 & "Happy Together" in 15/8 time!Also check out Emil Richard's
Journey To Bliss LP... MAD STUFF!!!
The first track on the seminal 'Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse' LP McDaniels cut in 1971 is the most furious and energetic of the album. Spiritual afro-soul-rock with a politically aware attitude. A very 'dirty' psychedelic electric bass guitar with a top-class drummer (Alphonse Mouzon) comprise a hard-hitting rhythm section to remember. I prefer this very bluesy track over the more obvious selections from this top-notch release, e.g. the haunting Jagger the Dagger, and Freedom Death Dance.
09 Feb 03 ·konsu: Nice choice!I always liked this song too but could'nt get anyone to pay much attention to his work.One of the more social/politically charged soul jazz records.Cherished by hip-hoppers for years,and sampled quite a bit.Needs to stand again on it's own merits!
This is a cover song of a famous tune by Ruby & the Romantics but it's a totally different type of music from the original. Its orchestration and chorus are outstanding and dreamy. Though Roger Nichols is famous now among Japanese pops fan, I don't think many people know him outside Japan. So I want more people to know his tremendous works!!
from only single(A&M 801) (A&M) available on CD - The Complete Roger Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends (POCM-2 (A&M)
29 May 02 ·scrubbles: You're right, this is an excellent arrangement of this song. Where the original was yearning and romantic, this one is bright and perky. A gem! 10 Feb 03 ·konsu: Yeah! Also check out the Chris Montez version with the same kind of "perky" quality!
