BROWNSTONE-BROWNSTONE-

Yet Another great record from America and this time we sink our teeth in a Playboy Recordings highlight. This album was released in 1973 and Little is known about this outfit from,as the story goes, the Houston area Texas.

This is a great production. A Hard/soul/Psych album with a splendid vocals by Barbara Lopéz, originating from Galvestone . It is an impressive set of pipes that will set the barr on this album straight away. Great guitar work and solid, steady rhythm section perfect this 1-0-1 formula. Trying to find out the story behind the band is as difficult as getting the Pope on the phone. This is a true Texas mystery and must be dug into further.

The formula of distorted guitars, Hammond organ and powerful vocals really makes this album a true candy treat for your ears as a 70`s obscure Classic album.

Whatabout the drummer, Samuel F. Johnson??? This as cautious fellow with a great backbeating style. The striking abilities are fine and the hit ratio and technical skills are at an avarage level for this album. Perhaps a Little to much laid back style to make that great impression but overall an approved achievement.

The true ballbreaker on this album is the vocal effort with great high pitch notes and a solid bottom. It is a true mystery why this outfit didn´t get any further or got the recognizion they deserved. This is a great album in that sense. Very Good job!! 🙂

Original copies are out there for a descent penny and as this is a rare album the pricetag is resonable. As this falls in the Hard/Soul/psych rock record genre it is a unusual album and it would easily fit any good fellow friday night party as a background cracker poprockin hellraiser! very odd, very good!!! 🙂 Bring the beer and turn up the volume..Please!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

BOLDER DAMN-MOURNING-

Sometimes there are albums that nessecerily doesn´t Count as Classic albums and for some reason were doomed to fail back in the day certainly Counts as the latter today.

This outfit from Fort Lauderdale US release their sole album in 1971 and should be consider both a Hard/Prog/Psych/stoner act as much as pioneers to the much later acclaimed Heavy/Doom/stoner rock movement rising during this period. This private pressing got a hollowed  production all over it and the the mixing is not the best ever. But the songs are strong with great guitar drive and full throttle on the vocals. The style vary abit from a Rolling stones catchy intro song to the deathdealing closing act of “Dead Meat”. This band is not for the faint of heart. This is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of Protodoom from The US from this time period. As if the four horsemen have arrived…

Whatabout the drummer, Robert Eaton?? This fellow shares the vocal duty with his brother and is doing a fine job! The most impressive thing is the furious drive put into every song and the striking abilities wich are very good. The hit ratio and Dynamics are solid with perfect timing as a bonus. To bad the drums sound like they do but there is nothing wrong with Mr. Eaton´s input. This is an impressive display of powerhouse drumming!! Very good job!! 🙂

So, If you got a soft spot for Hard/prog/psych/stoner rock album this is one of the best from the timeperiod. Great songs with catchy refrains and great harmony structure brings this album up several notches. There are great copies out there and several good reissues for a decent buck. This is perhaps not the first choice for a friday night sweetheart dinner getogether. You must spins this baby a couple of times on the turntable to get the grip of it´s greatness. But that´s just one of life´s best pleasures… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

TIN HOUSE-TIN HOUSE-

As one of the first band´s from the Florida area to signed to a major label, this album from 1970 is a Hard/Blues/prog rock adventure standing alone in comparison. The timetypical production by Rick Derringer suggest a “harder” approach towards the songs and by the opening track pretty much tells the story of the Record.

Tin House formed back in ´69 and brings on a familiar sound of Edgar Winter Group. Much thank´s to Mr Derringer but also by the great guitar playing by Floyd Radford whom later would join the latter. The songs are strong with great vocal input and some sugar sweet harmonies to perfect the result. Not to Close to the edge but then again not really dangerous either…a tin toy Entertainment for boys at max.. 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Mike Logan? As a founding member this drummer possesses a great dynamic range with a bit of anxious attitude towards some of the material. The striking abilities are a bit cautious and the hit ratio together with the drive are at avarage level. The back beat drumming gets an extra thumb´s up and there are some stuff to bring back to rehearsal room. An entertaining fellow with some issue´s on the “drive” department but he gets me go toetapping a few times so the overall impression isn´t all that bad… 🙂

Great copies are out there for a descent penny and this is perhaps one of the few records from US that really “Sparks” from the time period and in the Genre. The Hard/blues/prog approach just fits the bill with this outfit. This is a great record in that sense. Put it on the turntable as cooking Music or just as a good vibration during household chores, it fits most occasions!! 🙂   Don´t forget to turn up the volume!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

THE BOYZZ-TO WILD TO TAME-

As the ´70s turning to an end this outfit from Chicago Illinois released their sole album in 1978. A high fuelled Boggie/Hard/Classic rock album with biker imagenary brought to it´s full potential. This is a underestimated album that really gives you an idea how this outfit must have rocked during a live show!! Just on the bordeline between seroius and cheesy…absolutely wonderful!! 🙂

The production is timetypical with nice passages with brasshorns and some hilarious background vocals, spicing up the standard rock boogie formula. Frontman “Dirty” Dan Buck gives his best in both performance and attitude so there´s nothing missing in that department. The musical input is questionable but the overall impression is good. Perhaps there´s no song that will carry this record into the history books but this is a whole package deal!! Welcome to the Biker Boogie Party!! Did I just hear a beer being opened?? 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Kent Cooper?? Well the best comparison would be to a bowl of cerials. The standard drumming pattern is just what this outfit requires and nothing Mr Cooper does makes you wanna drop your jaw. This is standard drumming 1-0-1. No surprises and no personality. This is just the idea with the whole album. Standard rock operations!! This is not a bad thing if this is the intention with the whole Project. I like it!! 🙂

Great copies are out there for no Money at all and why not?? There are much worse albums out there with a serious attemp on their agenda. This is just a great party Boogie/Hard/Classic rock album that will give just what you want.  A beerfuelled no brainer Entertainment!! Bring on the dancing Girls!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

STARZ-STARZ-

With a great Music knowledge in their belt, Starz release their debut album in 1976. This Hard/Heavy/Classic rock outfit originated from New Jersey and where under the same umbrella as Angel and Kiss. This album offers some great strong songs that lured under the radar and they never really got the recognizion they deserved.

The production is top notch thanks to the contribution by Jack Douglas(Aerosmith) and all instruments all in great harmony with terrific vocals on top. This is a killer sounding album!! 🙂 Familiar tracks and chords are there but this does not turn the performance into a pastisch, but yet Another great album from the time period. There´s something British over the whole soundframe and Believe me, there are worse albums out there… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Joe Dube?? This powertrain brings all the action to the Twin guitars on this album. Great resemblence to Joey Kramer in Aerosmith and light years better than Peter Criss. This Fellow got great striking abilities and a good feeling with splendid Dynamics. The hit ratio and technical abilities are a bit behind but nothing to prevent this to be a super performance on this album. Both thumbs up for this fellow!! 🙂

And if you are in for American Hard/Heavy/Classic rock with great vocals this is just a top notch contender from ´76. Plenty of copies are out there who Went into the sale´s bin after a while so the chance for a great “pick up” is high!! Try to get a decent copy and play the Sh*t out of your system with great friends and some Cold beers as weekend Company! It´s gonna be Worth every penny!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

HUSTLER-PLAY LOUD-

This British outfit second release from 1975 perhaps brings all excisting elements together to pave the way for the NWOBHM to come. As this is a natural progress from their first album it also contains some less good passages but all in all this is a great record within the genre.

The production is flawless with a great dynamic soundframe and top notch interaction between the guitars/organs/ vocals and the steady rhythm section. The Hard/Boogie/Psych/Prog rock trademark of Hustler is just in it´s peak in this album with Little or nothing more to ask for. The experimental sounds and arrangements is on the razor´s edge and just barely falls through. As this record is driven to it´s edge in its genre it comes as no surprise that this outfit collapsed  working into their third album in 1978.

Whatabout the drummer, Tony Beard?? This fellow got great resemblence to Dave Holland( Trapeze, Judas Priest). A hard striking drummer with great striking abilities and a” Punchy” drive. The Dynamics are there but there are perhaps some lack in the technical department. This is not a bad sign because it fits this outfit like a glove. This is entertaining!! A Solid performance, great job!! 🙂

This album is somewhat a boiling pot with many styles, perfected into a Hard/Boogie/prog/psych rock album. As a stand alone record it won´t do but in a historical perspective this is the boost many needed for the forthcoming British Hard/heavy rock invasion of the World. A big thumbs up for that!!

Great copies are out there for taking and perhaps the value will rise some day due to the unrecognized part of making future bands great. This is not a bad album and to compare it to the dinosaur´s of 1975 is just unfair. This is not a major League album. This is an album to bring out at a Music quiz and shine with that extra knowledge you learn here at vinylanddrums….. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

MAYPOLE-MAYPOLE-

As this outfit, from Baltimore US, had known each other for a while, the real up and comming would happen when they brought in Dennis Tobell. Heading out on the road they caught the interest from Jerry Ross at the Colossus Label. Released in 1971 this album neither got the edge or stamina to stick out from the great year of 1971. The style of Psych/hard/melodic rock maybe just was to soon for the audience???

The production is flawless with a great basstrack over the whole record. The guitars interacts perfectly with the rhythm section. The weak spot would be the vocals and lack of drive in the performance of the songs, which by the way, are awesome. There are great consistancy over the album but no songs sticks out the either way. This is a comfortably numb record and that is not, what it took to make back in ´71. The financial strain at Colossus didn´t do much to promote this album and it soon ended up in the “sales” department. The band dissolved in 1972.

Whatabout the drummer, Paul Welsh?? As an avarage dynamic persona, it is a bit up to the big League. Great hitratio does not compensate poor striking ability and the overall impression is a bit to anxious in the approach. The lack of drive in more hard songs is eminent and nothing to replicate. This is below par and could have been a lot better with Another drummer fitted into this style of songs. To bad…

If you´re in for Psych/hard/melodic rock albums this is a true goldfind. There is nothing missing in the musical department but it is nothing comparing with the big acts at the time. Just a forgotten gem with a great bass sound. Great reissues are out there for less Money and why not, in the right mindset this is a pretty awesome album… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

HONEYMOON DISEASE-THE TRANSENDENCE-

Perhaps the few years of great bands coming out of Scandinavia push more minds to explore their inner Dream of a real `70s rock band succés?? This outfit from Gothenburg Sweden released their album debut in november 2015 and why not? This is a thinner shade of Lizzy with great ingredients from both Masters like, the Hellacopter´s and perhaps they been dipping a bit in The Donna´s scent of style.

The production got great resemblence to Swedish rock records during the late ´90s and early ´00s. No song stand out as a true goldmine but no one falls off the wagon either. The heritage of great Scandinavian band´s shines through and perhaps this is the biggest problem. The familiar feeling that you have Heard this Before is eminent and this is a big, steep hill to climb. The band could be sorted in the shelf as Heavy Tiger, Graveyard and Horisont. All great Swedish rock´n´roll acts. This is gonna be a hard nut to crack for the band when the second album arrives in  late October 2017.

Whatabout the drummer, Jimi??( I couldn´t find the last name) Well this is not was I expected. The cautious approach towards the songs brings down the grade. The striking abilities are at avarage at maximum and there is a lack of drive. I wanna feel the drums through the speakers but it is all to soft in the hit department. This dude must upgrade a sincere attitude to match the premier league of drummers. I´m not impressed…Sorry.

As for all your ´70s lovers out there this is a great compromise to the original stuff. Decent CD´s are out there and prices are fair. The new album will get released on vinyl and perhaps we will get a more focused sound frame and personal approach?? As the saying goes-“hope is the last to leave” 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

so

MARIAH-MARIAH-

This album from 1976 was stillborn already at it´s release. As this may pass as an AOR/Hard/Classic rock record the feeling of not getting through with the message is eminent. Originated from Chicago the band relocated to L.A in in 1974 after a record deal with Warner Brother´s but this release didn´t create the ripples as was the idea. This album just ended up in the middle of nowhere…

The production is timetypical with focus on the vocal harmonys by V.J Comforte and the great guitar playing by  Len Fogerty and Ken Sullivan (later in “Survivor”)  got all ingredients for succes. The radio friendly songs are all up with a high standard formula and this could easily been a release by Styx or even Kansas. The brief story about Mariah ends in 1977 when sales figures just imploded both the band and the label.

Whatabout the drummer, Wayne DiVarko?? Not to my surprise, this fellow is just Another mediocre drummer that doesn´t use his potentionel drumming skills due to the style of Music. All is nice and tidy with no personal impact or striking abilities to die for. The hit ratio is under avarage and there´s not much to tickle your senses  in this album. A sad day for all drummers….

If you´re in to AOR/Hard/Classic rock this odd jewel maybe the lost favourite you been looking for. The songs are even with no lighthouse standout tune but there´s no tombstone highlight either. Great copies are out there for less Money but this one maybe should be the  low price vinylfair surprise instead?? As a car, no-brainer, ride along Music this one´s unbeatable.  A toetapping and finger drumming Classic!  🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

JODO-GUTS-

As this is Another mystery outfit from the beginning of the ´70s and perhaps this still fuel the stories about no scrutiny record labels trying to make Money on the other side of the Atlantic by this timeperiod. Formed in the UK as Axe this is the only album from Jodo and released in 1971. It was only put out in America and for some reason, New Zeeland and there are little or none information available about the members from the album cover.

The album was recorded by the Decca label with Derek Lawrence as a producer and Martin Birch as engineer. The production is top notch and Guitarist and founder of Jodo, Rod Alexander, who was a common name in the brittish Music scene, puts on some serious riffs on this album. The mix of the songs are borrowed from Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and with some additional prog seasoning. The great vocal input with several harmony passages belongs to Earl Jordan and William E Kimber. Talk about bluesrock in harmony!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Brian “Chico” Greenwood?? This is a great studio drummer that appears on several recordings. Steady striking abilities with a great drive and solid hit ratio brings all songs up several notches. This is very well played all the way!! A question mark is raised upon the wereabouts for this talanted drummer?? I have to do a thourough search in this matter.  Awesome performance.

Great copies for this rare album are out there for some big bucks AND if your a fan for Brittish Blues/hard/Prog rock this is one of the best purchases in the genre. If you are in doubt there´s Always the CD reissue to go for. My advice is to save up the Money and go for the vinyl, it´s to good not to have in your own possession….:-) I just wonder, who´s the man with the bike??

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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