Tony And Tandy - Rare 45

The Bitter With The Sweet is a soulful slice of classic Pop Soul; a dance-floor filler as well as an obviously radio-friendly tune, recorded by the glamour couple of late 60’s cool – Tony And Tandy.

Re-released for the first time since 1968, the story of its origin is as complex as its title. Tony Head, front man of cult sixties freak beat legends (and backing group on this track) The Fleur De Lys, and SharonTandy, white soul diva of the sixties, occasional guest singer for The Fleur De Lys and girlfriend of Tony Head, should have been the Swinging Sixties’ golden couple.

They recorded the single with record producer, songwriter and mercurial sixties eccentric Graham Dee, who woke up the next morning with the tune for yet another song in his head, which was to become the song Two Can Make It Together. This track eventually became the a-side of their single, and both tracks enjoyed healthy radio play, which should have made household names of Tony and Tandy as well as Graham Dee. However, due to high demand at the pressing plant, their single was considered low priority, and there simply were not enough physical copies around to make it a hit.

Two years later the single was again released, and Tony And Tandy eventually got their moment in the spotlight when they performed Two Can Make It Together on Top Of The Pops.

Now finally re-released by Acid Jazz Records as part of their Rare Mod series, these rare nuggets of 60’s Pop Soul were well worth the wait.

Released on a limited edition 7” vinyl in an Acid Jazz housebag and as a digital download.

One for the record box.

Men Of North Country - The North

Men of North Country started by chance, when soul DJ Yashiv Cohen was overheard singing along with the tunes he was playing at one of his Tel Aviv Soul Club parties. With the encouragement and eventual collaboration and of his musician friends he formed Israel’s finest soul outfit; managing to stay true to their beloved 60s soul, yet introducing a contemporary, fresh and personal twist.

In 2010 MONC signed with Acid Jazz Records, who put out their debut 7” - the double A-side single “Man of North Country / Debut” that defined the fresh soul sound of tomorrow. The single garnered glowing reviews and was met with excitement all over Europe’s mod and soul scene.

A second single, a cover version of The Human League’s - Mirror Man was a cheeky taster of what was to come, from the long awaited and exciting MONC debut album, The North. An album rippling with memorable melodies, infectious hooks and refreshingly honest lyrics which betray their love of a genre in which they truly excel.

Featuring both sides of the two previous singles, this is an album of pure quality and delight. Another tricky cover version tackled with considerable skill is the theme to the 1973 cult film, directed by Lindsay Anderson, Oh Lucky Man. Originally by Alan Price, this earthy song is given fresh breath by MONC's infectious soul treatment. Pandora (see video below) is arguably the strongest 'pop' song on the album, a catchy acoustic guitar led melodious masterpiece that any songwriter would be proud to pen. Ringtone (At The Cafs) is the instrumental Kevin Rowland used to try to write- but never quite managed.

Influenced worn with pride, Teardrop Explodes, Style Council and Dexys, but with an approving nods towards their 60s favourites, Al Wilson, Robert Parker and Gloria Jones, The North is the first truely GREAT soul album of in 2012.

Essential.

Hipsters 3

Hot off the heels of Hipsters 2, Acid Jazz Records present  Hipsters 3, a third selection of garage, mod and power pop grooves from around the world. And where better to start than in Moscow where The Riots are literally Out Of Control with their brand of melodic ’79 style Mod (see video below).

The Electric Mess hail from New York City and formed in 2007, receiving rave reviews for their spellbinding 60’s garage R&B sound - You’ve Become A Witch.

Cardiff boys Houdini Dax take influence from  Hendrix, The Kinks, Beatles and the Sonics through to Blur and Supergrass and mix it up into a mighty fine blend of jangly riffs. 

London boys, The Dactyls fuse garage, psych and acid rock and were described by BBC 6 Music as “a punk band with serious mainstream credentials”. With an album produced by Rat Scabies due later this year, here’s a taster to whet your appetite.

Another London 3 piece, The Feathers are an all girl group, formed in the summer of  2011 after leaving Adam Ants management, this is their debut recording.

Cryssis are an Anglo-German power pop group featuring Dick Yorke from Sta-Prest and Vom Ritchie from German rockers Die Toten Hosen and makes his second appearance on this album, the other with part Polish band Wet Dog. 
     

Tone Puppets are an Alternative Rock band from Liverpool full of eastern promise and northern grit. Resident band at The Lovely Job, Tone Puppets produce a fizzy, guitar fuelled indie laced sound with curious time signatures and mathy prog-outs. 

The Scottish 4 piece The Laynes found their direction with a melodic fusion of psychedelia, beat and soul.  

The sixteen track CD and Vinyl make this good value- as well as an exciting release.

1. The Riots - Out Of Control.

2. The Electric Mess - You’re A Witch.

3. The Snakeman 3 - Gonna Find You.  

4. Three Rum Coves - Gone Too Long.  

5. Wet Dog - Perfect Crime.                 

6. The Keys - Vita Hope.

7. The Dactals - Burn This City Down.

8. The Feathers - Life Stranger.

9.  The Get Go -Two Time Loser.

10. Cryssis - Simple Man.         

11. The Tone Puppets - Late Nights.

12. The Brights - London Belongs To Me.

13. The Pages - Jene Genie.

14. The Supernovas - Ultra-Violence.

15. The Laynes - We Got Time.

16. Houdini Dax - Robin You Lie To Me.

Play Loud !     



    

Men Of North Country - Mirror Man

This shining slice of 80s pop, rejuvenated for the twenty first century’s image-conscious and the dance floor savvy in-crowd is from Israel's  finest - Men Of North Country.

Look sharp, here comes the Mirror Man!

This re-invention of the famous number one hit single by electro-romantics The Human League is a mirror reflection of 1982 Sheffield chic - meets polished 2012 cool. 

The second release by the band, following up the debut single double A-sider, A Man Of North Country & Debut, released by Acid Jazz Records on 21^st May 2012, with equally catchy flip-side The North, Mirror Man is a taste from the MONC debut album scheduled for June.

Very cool !

The Fantastic Freddy Mack Show 1966

As part of the Rare Mod series of compilation albums, EPs, Box Sets and more recently Live albums, Acid Jazz Records have re-issue the impossibly rare FANTASTIC FREDDY MACK SHOW. 

The second live album in the series following Kenny Bernard Live 66’, FREDDY MACK and his band are recorded here at the top of their game. FREDDY, an ex Boxing Pro born in South Carolina, and his soul revue band toured relentlessly up and down the UK. In late 1966 the band recorded this LP, only a small quantity was pressed and it was sold at shows.

These days original copies are very hard to find and so for the first time since 1966 ladies and gentlemen you too can experience, The Fantastic Freddie Mac Show !!

Track listing.

Side 1.

Introduction.

Bare Footin'

Funky B'Way

Sock It to em' JB 

Long Tall Sally.

Side 2.

Three Time Loser.

Stand By Me.

Finale.

Release date 21st May on CD and Vinyl.