HILLOW HAMMET-HAMMER-

Maybe not the best way to confess that time flies but here we go. One year has passed since this site and blog published its very first inlay. And what a good idea to return to the country were the very first record was published and yet an Another American outfit to celibrate this occasion. From Washington DC, this outfit really hits it out on their sole release and to be honest, this a such a great record that you might wonder how it fell under the radar??

The production is up with the best and the vocals are screamiing like a V8 on full throttle. The Bass is just perfectly balanced with that evil twist on the distortion button. The guitars shreds through the soundframe with pure passion, Just plain great. The songs are strong and noone´s falls off the wagon. This is impressive work!!  This albums was so under the radar that nobody really knew who the musicians where. Thanks to the internet that riddle got solved. This is the forgotten Hard/psych/Prog rock album that have become thee precious gem from the time period.

Whatabout the drummer, Gary Coleman?? This is a cautios fellow with excellent striking abilities and a very good drive. The Hitratio and Dynamics are fine but as I wrote, the lack of that final punsch, to drive the rest of the band forward, is missing. Not a bad effort but just a Little bit anxious for my taste. To bad because this could have been a much more brutal affair…in a positive sense… 🙂

As this is a kind of celebration, the recommendation for this Hard/Psych/prog rock album is my gift to this site and to all of you who follow my adventures in this strange World of Music. This is a great record and good original copies are out there for a decent buck but I would put my Money on the reissue with better soundquality and with some Money leftover for a sixpack of beer as a reliable companion. Let “Tempus Fugit” my friends….. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!-GAME, SET AND MATCH.

TIGER B SMITH-TIGER ROCK-

This German outfit released this album in 1972 and let me just get on thing clear, this is not a glam album!! This is a true contender for the most confusing album cover of all time. Although it screams “Glam” it is far from it and leaning more towards Hard/Prog/Kraut rock with an insane distorted bass, furious vocals  and a drive only to be compared with contemperary Black Sabbath.

The Production is great and almost drowns in effects but nothing that disturbes the musical input. The songs are strong except for the last out of Place tune “Tigerblues”. The feeling you get of this record is big “F.Y.” towards the establishment with an exceptional front cover and “in your face” attitude going into the songs. This is something you can´t ignore but yet there is nobody out there who recognize this great album. I can only say ” Hail Tiger!!” with a big smile upon my face!! Splendid!!

Whatabout the drummer, Karl-Heinz Traut?? This is a hard striking man with furious drive and impeccable hitratio. The lack of Dynamics just prove that this is the man for the job in this outfit. Spectacular!!!

This album is a true landmark in German Hard/Prog/kraut rock history and even though the band never actually toured and did zero promotion for their albums this is just what to expect from Holger B Schmidt. A totaly insane Project just for the fun of it! This is just what rock´n´roll is about!!  A Very good job!!

There are original copies out there for lots of Money but also reissues and CD´s for an affordable penny. That doesn´t mean it´s gonna come cheap. But this is such a cool record that the other thing´s that you´re saving up for just have to wait…. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7- VERY GOOD!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

STONE GARDEN-STONE GARDEN-

As the decade was turning from the ´60s to the ´70s this outfit from Lewiston Idaho release their sole album and talk about hard as a rock. This Psych/Hard/blues/prog rock album got all influences from back in the day but most important, in it´s own personal style. Formed in the early ´60s by brothers Gary, Paul & Neal Speer these youngsters teamed up to start a band and would set their mark in their own way.

The production is lame and thin but there is something lurking in the shadows that will awake your interest to continue to listen to this strange brew of highly personal songs. There is nothing that really stand out here except maybe the bassplayer, Dan Merrell. As this is also a sort of tribute to all the great British acts from the timeperiod you always forgive some of the stolen riffs and soundframes. This is great fun to listen to!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Neal Speer?? As this is a selftought drummer there are some bits and pieces missing. The drive and enthusiasm is there but you can´t bring nothing back from the striking abilities and hitratio. The dynamics are questionable to. The strong card is the interaction together with the bassplayer which brings a steady ground for the rest to lay back on. But overall a story you quickly forget.

As this record is so versatile and tend to bend at every direction, it brings a colorful palett to discover. Youthful boldness brings the songs up several notches but maybe this is most for the fanatics of Psych/Hard/Blues/prog rock from the timeperiod.

Great copies of reissues are out there for less money and why not? This album is certainly not your everyday digestive cracker! Get on the limb and try out a new sensation in early American Psych history! You might just like it! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

SPEED, GLUE AND SHINKI-EVE-

This is a just to good to be true in the sense of band´s name, songs and the complete insane history of this Japanse outfit and their sole album from 1971. The sound style is in Hard/blues/psych rock style with a dominant presences of a Heavy distorted bass and great guitar playing. The production is thin and hollow but this is a less bother due to the passionate drive and jamming style in the songs. You need to be patient getting into this album.

The name of the band is just crazy as you might expect. It came about from drummer Joey Smith´s use of amphetamines, bassplayer Masayoshi Kabe´s interest in sniffing bondglue in the ´60s and the first name of guitarist Shinki  Chen. The latter recognized as the answer to Japan´s Jimi Hendrix. Short after this albums release the band imploded due to different sights of personal living styles. The best intentions were there though… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Joey Smith??? His arrival to this outfit was when Shinki saw him perform in Yokohama and his origin is the Philippine islands. This overdosed drummer got a sensational drive and impressive heaviness to his playingstyle. The striking abilities are great with an awesome backbeat technique. It could have something to do with illegal substances but you never know it might be talent too…. 🙂 The grade is above avarage due to his ability to handle the vocals as well. I do tend to give up a smile when I hear this album and that is Always a good sign in my book…Great Job!!

This album maybe just is for the purist to early ´70s Hard/blues/psych rock but if you give te record a few spins on your turntable it will provide some genuine vibes to your ears. Great original copies are out there for an insane amount of Money and my advice is to go for the reissues with a HQ sound. This is just as rare as the name of the band and that is an achievment itself…. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

VALHALLA-VALHALLA

This outfit released their only album in 1969 and they originated from Long Island NYC. The most striking impact is their crossdressing Music style that tend to bend in a wary way of directions. Blues/prog/psych rock with touch of Jazz with an instant resemblence to Deep Purple, Cream, ELP and Procul Harum. This is a very good record and no song falls of the wagon.

The Production is time typical with a great organ drive into the tunes and the guitar is splendid. The rhythm section is solid as a rock!! Mark Mangold who´s started the outfit would later persue a career with American Tears after Valhalla dissolved soon after this albums release.

Whatabout the drummer, Eddie Livingston?? As this fellow is the one and only not sharing the vocal task you could have expected a Little more of excitement in his playing style. The lack of drive is apparent but the striking abilities are fine. The hitratio and Dynamics are there but this is not a new Ian Paice! Together with percussion and bass the rhythm section is great as awhole but it is not thanks to Mr. Livingstone´s personal achievement. Sorry to say.

An open mind toward´s the 60´s Hard/Blues/prog/psych rock Music brings this recording to new height´s. If you´re in for a Deep Purple kind of sound and style, this is right up your Alley. Great original copies are out there for a healthy sum of Money but you can also get reissues and CD´s. For an American band this pretty cool sounding and brings some toetapping to the party! Funny!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

THUNDERTRAIN-TEENAGE SUICIDE-

This American outfit released their “way ahead of time” debut album in 1976. This is such an adorable recording, mixing both Glam/hard/blues/punk rock in an unseen effort to the Boston and American Music scene at the time.

The Production is timetypical with high impact on the guitars and high pitch/growling vocals which sets the standard on this album. The songs are high fuelled material with great energy and drive. The Single hit “Hot for Teacher” made the underground outfit a sucessfull headliner all over New England and gained the band some opening slots for bigger acts including Van Halen…and it had to be a cluster fuck to hear VH copy Thundertrains biggest succés in their 1984 album and “Hot for teacher” tune. Man the World is just unfair sometimes… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Bobby Edwards?? This an avarage type of drummer that just does his job with no fuzz or impact that will raise your eyebrows. As the Music tend to bend in multiple directions there´s nothing that will stop Mr. Edwards to fulfill the drive this outfit possess. The striking abilities and hitratio is ok and the drive is there. The lack of pushing the rest of the band forward just earns this fellow an avarage”plus”.

If you´re into Boston Glam/Hard/blues/punk rock way Before it´s time this record must be a part of your Collection. Great reissues are out there for a cheap price and Believe me when I say there are worse albums that caught much more recognizion. This is a perfect high´output volume record together with your old friends and a sixpack of beer..!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

THUNDERMUG-STRIKES-

Released in 1972 on the independent label Axe records, this outfit originated from Ontario Canada. As Often with bands from Canada the Music quality is high but they never seems to be recognized outside their native country. Wrong side of the border is often use as an argument in that sense.

This is a great /Hard/psych/prog rock record with strong songs and the band has added great vocal/harmony singing from time to time together with furios guitarplaying and and a rhythmsection to die for, which makes this a lost precious gem from the timeperiod. The production is timetypical with some timewearness but this is compensated with good strong songs that are consequent and got a fresh sound to it. The title track”Africa” was a top 30 hit back in the day but they got more attention with the version of the Kinks ” You Really got me” cover. This is great stuff through and through and in the song “Where am I” the pedal is to the metal!! Literally!! Just plain Great! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Ed Pranskus?? This a veritable striking Canon with fantastic technical abilities and a fabulous drive. It is hard not to be impressed by Mr Pranskus hitratio and terrific Dynamics. This outfit would not be so good sounding without this master behind the drumkit. The pure amusement delivered by the drums brings this recording up at least two grades!! Very nice and never ever boring. High five!! 🙂

This is a must record to have if you into Hard/psych/prog rock from one of Canada´s best forgotten secrets. Songs are great with that Little bit of popflavour and Amazing vocal efforts. Top notch! Greta copies are out there for  less Money BUT be advised! Try to get the Canadian release since the American cuonterpart is a whole different story by content( compilation from two albums).

This is a true contender for most forgotten, obscure album from 1972,  Of all time.. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

POT LIQUOR-LEVEE BLUES-

Originated from Baton Rouge Louisiana US this outfit released their second album in 1972 and talkin´bout getting things from South by southwest. Their undeniable impact in the Southern/hard/calssic rock in America by this time it is just to sad that not more people recognize this band.

As the their single “Cheer” broke through the top 100 on the Billboard Heavy touring with greater act´s where  pushing the band in the right direction and with this masterpiece under their belt what could go wrong?? The production got some time wearness to it but the mix between the guitar and vocals are awesome and the rhythm section is as steady as the Rocky Mountains. With their peak in 1972-73 the dissolvment of the band began when their manager was killed in a car accident and as almost in every case, different path´s grow to implode the band.

Standout songs would be “Cheer”, “Chattanooga” and the great cover of “Little red rooster blues”. But all songs have presence and no one falls under the radar. A terrific album in that sense!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Jerry Amoroso?? Due to mixing issues this fellow sounds much more careful than he really is. Great striking abilities and a good solid drive makes this drummer a gem in the genre. great vocal skills ads up to unerappreciated musician. Avarage hitratio but great Dynamics gives this fellow a grade above avarage. Splendid job!!

The name Potliquor originates from a down boiled stew of vegetables and meat. This is just the right description of what this band contains on this album. Raw Southern/Blues/Classic rock in it´s purest form and this might just fit your turntable on a BBQ afternoon with good friends and a bottle of wine… 🙂

Great copies are out there for no Money at all and this album does deserve the recognizion as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet and so on…just plain great!!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

NECROMANDUS-OREXIS OF DEATH-

This outfit originated from Britain and the rest of the West Cumbrian bands Jug and Heaven. By combining members from both outfits they cought attention from Black Sabbath´s Tony Iommi in 1972 after Heavy touring and gigging. With mr Iommi´s help they were able to cut their first and only album in early 1973. First slot for opening for Black Sabbath and Badger was natural but later in ´73 guitarist Barry “Baz” Dunnery left the band, which made the record label Vertigo shelf their album.

So what do we have here? The Prog/hard/blues rock intention are terrific but there are Heavy influences by Black Sabbath but in a much Paler way. And as even Mr Iommi put on some guitarwork this Cold not save the day. The production is flawless and very “Modern” in it´s soundframe. The feeling is somewhat familiar and the impression that you have Heard this Before is eminent. The songs are strong with no one really standout tune. Impressive Rhythmsection brings this recording to Life. The guitars are avarage with great vocals on top. Maybe not a contender for best album of 1973 but sure enough a contender for top 20 in this genre. The album grows the more you spin it. That´s a good sign!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Frank Hall?? This is a very good drummer with a Little to soft approach to his striking abilities. Great technical skills with an impeccable dynamic range brings the grade up a notch or two. To bad that the lack of drive and personality reminds me of the sejour of Bev Bevan In Black Sabbath…horrendious. The interaction between the bass and guitar is as good as ever so it´s hard to grade this performance but if you consider this a studio recording I would have asked for more…impact maybe??

If your in for British Prog/hard/blues rock, this one´s already passed through your ears. For all other fans of this Genre there are some good passages to toetap to. Hard to find on original vinyl my suggestion would be the reissue but beware! The price wary a bit and it´s not Worth to pay to much. There are better records to spend your Money for on….

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

PESO-EM BUSCA DO TEMPO PERDIDO-

As the rock´n´roll scene is just on a high rise in the western world as we know it, one can only wonder, what happened in Contemporary countries? In this case Brazil?? Lets find out what we got here. This outfit released this album in 1974 on the Polydor label and I must confess this is pretty damn good. Many are those who reckons this album to be one of the best Hard/prog/blues/Folk rock records ever to come out of Brazil.

The production is very smooth and nice with no particular “push” for either guitar, vocals or the rhythm section. A very easy album in that sense. Whatabout the vocals? The passion and delivery is present but as the songs are in their native tounge, I don´t get a thing what this is about but it is catchy, from time to time. Influences from both American bands and European acts are there but this is a very personal album with great seasoning from the Brazilian Music scene. An obscure view on the other side of things from this timeperiod. 🙂

Standout songs would be, “Lucifer”, “Eu Nao Sei de nada”  and the title track “Em Busca do Tempo Perdido”. Some songs are a bit sleazy but no one´s really a low watermark. Comfortable listening!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummers, Geraldo Dárbilly and Carlos Graca?? Soft impression of these two gentlemen are due to production issues and the positive thing is the comparison you can do. Both got the striking abilities but as it comes to drive Carlos Graca is the more Heavy impact drummer here. Perhaps there is nothing to pick up for your future skills but it´s interesting to hear the approach towards more Heavy songs. Interesting!

If you drained out all your Resources of finding new ´70s hard/Prog/blues/folk rock on top level this is an interesting album to discover. Vinyl copies are very rare and will cost you a pretty penny and my advice is to go for the CD reissue. A lot cheaper and if you should discover that this is not your cup of tea, you can Always live with the decent pricetag. As an obscure album, this one´s just hit the spot, right on!! 🙂

-5-OK-WORTH EXPLORING-