The Best Of Rare Mod

The seminal Acid Jazz Records Rare Mod series took its first desert booted steps in 2009 with a selection of 'holy grail' sixties recordings on an album entitled Rare Mod. such was its success that another five LPs followed, plus fourteen eps, four artist albums, two reunion concerts and two box-sets including this one, The Best Of Rare Mod box set. Involving a team of passionate individuals without whom sourcing the material would have been impossible, Damian Jones, Paul 'Smiler' Anderson, label boss Ed Piller and Richard Searle have compiled this triple CD collection of some of the highlight from across the entire series.

Some of the artists featured are more famous or more successful than others, some are sadly no longer with us, but all are equally inspirational; The Artwoods, The Fleur De Lys, Sharon Tandy, CarlDouglas and Geno Washington and Jimmy James are familiar names amongst the record collecting in-crowd;  The Aphex, The Koobas, Kenny Bernard and The Top Six are possibly less so.

From the dancefloor fillers like I'm Out by The Richard Kent Style, soul standards like Rock My Plimsol from the legendary Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy's first band The Ossie Layne Show, through to the wigged out garage R&B of The Mountain Men's Too Many People Around, and the Velvet Underground cover, I'm Waiting For My Man, by David Bowie's first group The Riot Squad. But it's the rediscovered treasures throughout the series that may have remained lost that are perhaps the most interesting; Derek Griffiths (guitarist of The Artwoods), whilst rummaging through a cardboard box, uncovered a forgotten concept album by his jazz-rock outfit, Satisfaction; the flute-tastic House Of The Rising Sun features along with another fantastic track from another of Derek's later bands, Dog Soul, a version of the Eddy Floyd classic Big Bird.

The Fleur De Lys Singles Box Set

The Fleur De Lys were in the thick of the swinging sixties music scene. Held in high regard by their rock star contemporaries and adoring public alike, but frustratingly fame and fortune never called. Initially formed in 1964 as a beat band, surviving through the excesses of psychedelia, before evolving into a Stax tinged soul outfit, their output was constant and outstanding. Whilst finding time to record under pseudonyms (Rupert's People, Shyster and Chocolate Frog), become the backing band for the late soul sensation Sharon Tandy, and fulfil commitments as in-house session band for the UK Atlantic label, The Fleur De Lys released seven 45s over a five year period; these singles are considered holy grails amongst record devotees. As part of the seminal Rare Mod series from Acid Jazz Records, the seven 45s are presented as one deluxe collection for Record Store Day and elsewhere soon after, I Can See The Light: The Fleur De Lys Singles Box Set. Including for the first time Wait For Me the original b-side to their debut single Moonbeams, the song that was mysteriously replaced with a Jimmy Page instrumental. Also including The Fleur's version of The Who's maximum R&B hit Circles, freakbeat classics Mud In Your Eye, I Can See A Light, Liar and Gong With The Luminous Nose, plus the soul stomper Stop Crossing The Bridge. Presented in replicated Immediate / Polydor and Atlantic Records house bags with matching labels, the box contains a fully illustrated 32 page booklet with sleeve notes from critically acclaimed author Paul ‘Smiler’ Anderson and The Fleur De Lys drummer, Keith Guster. 

Singles:

1. MOONDREAMS / WAIT FOR ME. 

2. CIRCLES / SO COME ON.

3. MUD IN YOUR EYE / I'VE BEEN TRYING.

4. I CAN SEE A LIGHT / PRODIGAL SON.

5. GONG WITH THE LUMINOUS NOSE / HAMMERHEAD.

6. STOP CROSSING THE BRIDGE / BRICK BY BRICK.

7. YOUR JUST A LIAR / ONE GIRL CITY.

E.P Choice 2 - the Rare Mod e.p collection: series 2.

The first series of Acid Jazz's Rare Mod E.P series became a box-set and CD comp,

E.P Choice 1; this compilation, as the name suggests, is the second series. No less ambitious than it's predecessor, this beautifully packaged CD features eight artists,The Aphex, Geno Washington, Jimmy James and The Vagabonds, The Ossie Layne Show, Dave Anthony's Moods, John's Children, and David Bowie's first group, The Riot Squad.

Most of the individual artist E.Ps are reviewed elsewhere on this blog (follow the links) so I won't go into great detail, but standout tracks include, The Aphex's storming garage rocker She's Got The Time, John's Children's original version of Smashed! Blocked!,The Ossie Layne Show (feat, Norman Watt-Roy of The Blockheads) Sing A Simple Song, Dave Anthony's Moods' storming classic New Directions, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band's floor-filler Holding On (with Both Hands), Jimmy Jame's Northern Dancer She's Looking Good and a fascinating version of The Velvet Underground's I'm Waiting For My Man by The Riot Squad featuring David Bowie on lead microphone.

If you haven't managed to track down each of the very limited edition 7” vinyl E.Ps in this series, or just fancy having the lot on a disc to play in the Jag, this compilation is another fantastic, and often thrilling, journey through the swinging sixties music scene.

Skill!

Rare Mod 6

Here lies treasure, the golden rarities of the swinging sixties, lost to generations in the dusty storerooms of antiquity, recently discovered on acetate and quarter inch tape; Rare Mod 6. 

Supposedly the last in the Acid Jazz Record's seminal Rare Mod series, the usual track listing packs full a plethora of the strange, fascinating and rare oddities from the oh so swinging sixties.

Seventeen tracks in all, featuring:

Blinkers – Hello Blinkers

The 'Blinkers' nightclub was an exclusive 'A' list celebrity watering hole during the sixties in Manchester; George Best liked it so much that he bought the building above it to turn into a boutique. The club's 'theme-tune' was released on a rare 1967 private pressing 7", only available to people who frequented the club. Legend has it that the uncredited band were The Mockingbirds, fronted by Graham Gouldman of 10cc fame, and as such demands high prices amongst collectors. However, we tracked down the bassist of The Mockingbirds, Bernard Basso, who listened to the track and swears blind that it is not Graham Gouldman's voice and is definitely not The Mockingbirds playing on the record. So, we're glad we could clear that up!

The Koobas – Money Go Round

The Koobas will no doubt be familiar to all readers; hailing originally from Liverpool they started life as The Kubas and appeared in the Brian Epstein produced film Ferry Cross the Mersey. They released a 45 for Columbia Records before signing to Pye records and releasing a string of Mod friendly gems. They switched back to Columbia in 1967 and went on to record one of the defining albums of the British Psychedelic era; they were at that time managed by Tony Stratton-Smith who was also taking care of The Creation. The track featured here was recorded in 1967 and used in The Money Go Round - a short film set in London’s banking district which featured the future Star Wars legend Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch as the male lead.

The Montanas – Miss McKenzie

Regulars of the Rare Mod series, this rarity was recorded after The Montanas left Pye and when John Jones and Terry Rowley returned to the band after their stint with Trapeze; a rare studio session between record labels, shortly before the band signed with MAM. 

The Roscoe James Good Good Band – Out Of Sight

The Roscoe James Good Good Band were a solid hard working mod Soul band straight out of Surrey. The track featured here was recorded live at Kingston University when they supported the mighty Cream. Although there never actually was anyone in the band called Roscoe James we have managed to identify some of the members as Terry on Vocals, Dave Crocker on Guitar, Ian Thompson on Bass, and Mike on Drums. 

The Ossie Layne Show – Higher And Higher

Featuring the legendary bass player from Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Norman Watt-Roy and his brother Garth; this live recording was recorded and released as a single in Spain in 1969. Check out the The Ossie Layne Show E.P – Barcelona 69 for more.

The Storytellers – Just A Friend

The Storytellers were Graham Dee and Tony Lucus, the pair met in 1964 when Tony was lead singer with The Pickwicks who’d had a couple of minor hits for Decca Records, one of which featured a B-Side I Don‘t Wanna Tell You Again written by Graham. After quitting the band to become their driver, Tony was quickly recruited by Graham to form a duo. They recorded material written by Graham and Brian Potter and released two singles for Decca Records.

Sharon Tandy – The Spell Of Your Love (Demo)

A good friend of Acid Jazz Records; Sharon sadly passed away on March 21st 2015. This previously unreleased Demo written by Graham Dee and recorded in 1968 is our tribute to a beautiful lady who was blessed with a beautiful voice.

Full tracklisting :

I'm Coming Home To You - The Penny Blacks

Hello Blinkers - Blinkers

The Finger Points At You - Dennis Lotis

Money Goes Round - The Koobas

Miss McKenzie - The Montanas

Out Of Sight - The Roscoe James Good Band

Sunshine - Smokey Beare

Save Me - The Unknown Mod Band

Higher And Higher - The Ossie Layne Show

Hey - Paul West And Compass

Just A Friend - The Storytellers

I've Been Lonely Too Long - The Montanas

The Spell Of Your Love (Demo) - Sharon Tandy

Maharajah - The Max

Lonely Journey - The Society

Tomorrow's Children - Tony Rivers

Hold On I'm Coming - Mr Hip Soul Band

Buy Buy Buy!!!

The Ossie Layne Show - Barcelona 69

The omnipotent modernists that dwell upon the mystical mount of East London's Acid Jazz towers have, in there ultimate wisdom, seen fit to grace us with yet another offering in their series of fine and rare sixties extended play releases; Barcelona 69 by The Ossie Layne Show......and it is good.

Norman Watt-Roy is recognized as one of the worlds greatest bass players, foremost for his involvement with punk legend Ian Dury and The Blockheads and more recently Canvey rocker Wilko Johnson, but back in the swinging sixties, Norman and his brother Garth, smashed the mod scene with soulful, powerful, and highly infectious rhythm and blues.

In 1967 the Watt-Roy bothers signed to Philips Records with Essex outfit The Living Daylights, releasing 2 singles including Let’s Live For Today (originally recorded by UK beat group The Rokes). In 1968 they formed a nine-piece soul band, backing visiting American soul singers including Solomon Burke, and notably, Ossie Layne, who took them to the Costa Brava for a summer residency. Layne previously recorded a single in 1966 on the R&B label, based in Stamford Hill, North London; the same label that released Georgie Fame's first two singles. 

The following year, billed as The Ossie Layne Show, the band recorded a live album, for Spanish only release, with Layne taking vocal duties on four of the tracks, side A. However, Layne's voice wasn't aggressive enough for the more dynamic numbers, and on the flip side flutist Colin Jennings took over lead vocals; it is the B-side recordings from which the Barcelona 69 E.P is composed.

Rod Stewart's Rock My Plimsoll and a cover of Spirit's Fresh Garbage, a fantastic version of the Sly and The Family Stone number Sing A Simple Song and a blistering instrumental of Midnight Hour.

This record is much more than just another 'soul-review' re-reissue, it's a beautifully packaged, highly playable, portion of mod muso history. 

 

Carl Douglas - Crazy Feeling

Mention the name Carl Douglas and the global chart topper “Kung Fu Fighting” immediately springs to mind. But back in the mid-late 1960s, the Jamaican singer fronted a succession of soul and R&B bands in Swinging London, starting with The Charmers and culminating with the highly revered Big Stampede.

From late 1965 through to early 1967 Douglas cut nearly a dozen unreleased tracks plus a brace of singles, all mod/dance floor classics and collected together for the first time, by Acid Jazz Records, on the compilation you hold in your hands.

Part of the ongoing Rare Mod series, it includes soul staples by Otis Redding- Mr Pitiful, Naomi Neville’s Pain In My Heart, and Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour , plus Carl Douglas originals – Going Out of My Mind, Why Hurt and You Are the One I Love. These gritty, raw recordings comprise the majority of the tracks on this LP and offer a rare glimpse of Douglas’ burgeoning talent.

Carl’s later, and more polished recordings, featuring top session players, guitarist Big Jim Sullivan, organist Harry Stoneham and bass player John Paul Jones (Led Zep) among others, provide the instrumental backing on the singer’s finest outing – the frantic, infectious soul number Crazy Feeling, the title of this release.

Release date late June 2014, on CD and glorious vinyl.

Track listing:

1. Something For Nothing
2. You Don’t Know Like I Know
3. Crazy Feeling 
4. I Who Have Nothing
5. Let The Birds Sing 
6. You Are The One I Love
7. Mr Pitiful 
8. Going Out Of My Mind
9. Keep It To Myself 
10. In The Midnight Hour 
11. Pain In My Heart 
12. Why Hurt 
     

Crazy!

SATISFACTION - Recently discovered previously unreleased 70s concept album..

As par for the course, in coordinating the Rare Mod series of unreleased or hard to find sixties recordings, I routinely secure clearances with the musicians who played on them, record business stuff; a simple signature on an A4 sheet of paper, permission to release the track. Damian Jones, who sources much of the Rare Mod material, obtained an acetate of Hoochie Coochie Man, the intended debut single that was subsequently shelved, by highly respected sixties blues band The Artwoods; a big deal. I needed an Artwoods moniker quickly.

Damian found the phone number for Artwoods' guitarist Derek Griffiths; I called to discuss the track. Derek said he was happy for us to include Hoochie Coochie Man on our compilation, Rare Mod 4, as he reminisced about bands, the sixties and his reluctance to sort through several old boxes of junk at his partner’s insistence, a house move necessitating the clear out. I joked that I’d be interested in any old records or tapes that he might discover in his boxes. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘there’s a taped version of the Eddie Floyd track Big Bird, but that’s not sixties, its 1970.’ ‘Really,’ I said and booked a session in a mastering studio the following week with Derek and his cardboard box of treasure.

Seven days later, whilst pouring through twenty or so un-marked reel-to-reel tapes in the studio, with the Eddie Floyd track yet to materialise, I noticed a red tape box with blue biro pen scrawled across the back Artist - Satisfaction. Date - 28.4.71. ‘A jazz-rock album,’ Derek explained, ‘a cross between Blood Sweat And Tears and early Chicago but without organ. Hammond organ smothers the horns.’ The studio engineer carefully cued up the forty-year-old quarter-inch tape and pressed play. As we listened, arms goosed, neck hair bristled, we fell silent, it was a trip. Derek endeavoured to shed more light. ‘It’s a concept album, written on the road about the road, but it was never released,’ he said. ‘Do you like it?’

This album is a lost gem, a forgotten chapter from the British Rock Chronicles, a diamond in the rough. As the blues scene, hip bruised from the exaggerated swagger of the swinging sixties, limped into the vagaries of Prog-Rock, Satisfaction sought a loftier path, beautiful in its clarity. Three Ages Of Man marks the three influences fused within the group’s musical DNA. Strong and inventive jazz arrangements, a horn section at its creative peak. The acoustic testament of melodic song writing, hearts rinsed from the treadmill of touring. And finally, a solid rock ’n’ roll foundation that betrays the early blues roots of its players. This album is a journey that ends where it begins, tour madness, ecstatic melancholy and the soaring highs that thrill and counter the heady abstractions and repetition of life on the road. 

History may come to thank Derek Griffiths’ partner, she who insisted that he clear out his box of old tapes. A lost concept album, from the combined talents of some of Britain’s most influential R&B musicians, might arguably elevate that cardboard box to Holy Grail status; only time will tell.

What became of the version of Big Bird? We found it in the same cardboard box; it’s also on Rare Mod 4.

Richard Searle (Acid Jazz Records)

Rare Mod 5

The Rare Mod series grows from strength to strength with another splash of previously unreleased and uber- hard- to- get sixties nuggets. The latest compilation, RM5, boasts twenty swinging rarities, including soul legend Sharon Tandy singing under an alias, a demo version of a freak-beat favourite, a track rumoured to be ‘the king of soul’, plus two tracks, from two bands, containing two members who would eventually form one of the greatest seventies Glam bands ever – The Sweet.

Tracks as follows:

1. The Top Six – I’m A Man
A fantastic version of the Spencer Davis Group classic recorded in 1967.
2. The Montanas – Hey Diddle Diddle (Demo)   
A demo version of the brilliant MCA 45, a little faster with a less cluttered gtr and fewer vocal ad-libs.
3. Debrah Aire – Don’t Be Proud   
Sharon Tandy singing top Northern under an alias in 1966. 
4. Tommy Bishop – Sugar Man
A previously unreleased groover from 1966.
5. The Unknown Mod Band – My Generation     
Mysterious, and compared to The Who's original, brilliantly bad.
6. Train Train – Tony Colton      
A great demo by the writter of a song made famous by Zoot Money and Big Roll Band.
7. Geno Washington – Rock Me Baby
A stonking version of Lil’ Son Jackson’s blues classic  recorded in 1968. 
8. TJ Assembly – Something
Catchy beat pop from another mysterious acytate.
9. The Troop -  You’ll Call My Name 
Featuring Brian Connolly from The Sweet on vocals. 
10. The March Hare – With My Eyes Closed
Featuring Stu Leathwood, the lead singer with The Koobas, a demo version of a track that was issued in 1968.
11. Phaethon’s Brethren – I Put A Spell On You 
This brilliant version of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ classic survived on an Emidisc acetate.
12. The Dynamite Orchestra  – Sh’Mon Part 2                
Legend has it that Mr Dynamite is none other than the fabulous Mr. James Brown. 
13. The Disturbance – Green Tamborine
A great version of the Lemon Piper’s bubblegum classic. 
14. Jimmy James & The Vagabonds – Private Number    
Top recording of the Stax classic from 1968.
15. The Unknown Mod – She Is Better
More mysterious sixties pop.
16. All Night Workers – Look At Granny Run Run     
This lot featured on Rare Mod 4, another nice track.
17. The Army – Sugar  
The Army are best known as the group that spawned future Sweet bass player/singer Steve Priest. 
18. Easy Virtue – Bye Bye Honey  
Bubblegum pop.
19. Four Steps Beyond  - Keep Your Hands Off My Baby.
More bubblegum pop.
20. Jeff Curtis And The Flames – Route 66.
Rocking version of the Chuck Berry tune.

Another very strong compilation from Acid Jazz Records, for collectors, dancers and the groovy set.

Dave Anthony's Moods

Dave Anthony’s Moods formed in 1965 (originally from Bournemouth) by Hammond Organist Robert Michaels.The group’s name was based around the adopted stage name of lead singer, Tony Head, who later joined The Fleur De Lys and recorded with the legend that is Sharon Tandy, as Tony & Tandy.

The line-up also featured guitarist Tim Large, bassist Bill Jacobs, drummer John DeVekey and Chris Dennis on keys. The horn section featured Bob Downes (tenor sax) Graham Livemore (trombone) and Andy Kirk (trumpet).

The band moved to London early in 1966 and played regualy at such famous swinging venues as the Flamingo, The Marquee, The 100 Club and The Bag O’ Nails. They recorded a single for Parlophone in 1966, New Directions c/w Give It To Me, both featured on this Acid Jazz Records release as part of the seminal Rare Mod series.

 

The band relocated to Milan in 1967 where the other two tracks, My Baby and Fading Away were recorded. They feature a new vocalist, Roger Peacock (originally from the Mark Leeman Five). Their blend of psychedelic R&B, soul and jazz had critics acclaim them as ‘Italy’s Beatles’. A notable cover version of Procol Harum's Whiter Shade Of Pale is well worth hunting down, but the band felt that their live sound was never fully realised on record and, despite this success on the live circuit, Dave Anthony’s Moods split in 1969.  

Part of the second series of Rare Mod 45s, The New Direction EP will not disappoint.