Various Artists, “Cambodian Cassette Archives” (Sublime Frequencies, 2004; original recordings 1960s-1990s)Most of this was recorded in the ‘80s, in Cambodia and its diaspora communities. It’s rooted in the classic late ‘60s/early ‘70s Cambodian pop template blending American acid rock, French à-go-go pop and Khmer folk melodies, but more stylized and filtered through synth-pop cool and […]
Various Artists, “Chicas! Spanish Female Singers, 1962-74” (Vampi-Soul, 2011)If you like the glossy/brassy ‘60s beat-girl-pop of the French yé-yé singers or Southeast Asian “a-go-go” sound, you’ll probably love these Spanish variants, from ’64 to ’72; I know I do. This stuff is campier, more garish and kooky than its sister-model across the Pyrenees, but just […]
Various Artists, “Doo-Wop Uptempo” (Rhino, 1987; original release 1954-59)The music is exactly what the title indicates — fast vocal-group rock-and-roll – as curated with the tight focus of collector/archivist types who know their stuff cold. The selection casts into relief how propulsive and kinetic the more rockin’ doowop stuff was, as much as Holly or […]
Various Artists, “Extreme Music From Japan” (Susan Lawly, 1994)Whitehouse’s label put together this truth-in-album-titling collection, which actually induced my poor cats to flee the room, while wreaking havoc on my tinnitus. Power electronics/industrial, sporting howling sheets of high-frequency white noise. Best is Masonna, who sounds like Iggy Pop caught in a metal-shard storm and shredded […]
Various Artists, “Fanzie Favorites” (Ahed, 1976)A fine selection of Golden Era Rock ‘n’ Roll classics the Fonz would’ve dug had he actually existed and not been a fictional character. The material is nearly all top-tier vocal group and rockabilly stuff, and the goofy quickie-cash-in vibe of the package actually accentuates the spontaneity and fun this […]
Various Artists, “Funky Favorites” (Ronco, 1977)Another selection of rock’n’roll novelty classics from the folks at Ronco. The chronological range (1950s through 1970s) gives it a bit of a grab-bag feel stylistically, but with material that’s supposed to be wacky and irritating that doesn’t really matter, and most of the songs are undeniable greats.Try 1/1, 1/ […]
Various Artists, “Funny Bone Favorites” (Ronco, 1978; original release 1954-65)From Ronco, your trademark of quality (“As Seen On TV!”) comes a set of vintage wacky novelty rock ‘n’ roll tunes just in time for the punk rock explosion they helped inspire. This stuff has a wild, heedless, unhinged quality in sound as well as subject […]
Various Artists, “Good Vibrations: The Punk Singles Collection” (Anagram, 1994; original release 1978-1980)Good Vibrations was a Belfast record store that stocked punk records early on, then ended up releasing stuff by the local talent. The ‘70s were the worst decade of Northern Ireland’s long sectarian war, and punk was one of the only things to […]
Various Artists, “Groove Club Vol.2: Cambodia Rock Spectacular!” (Lion Productions, 2010; original recording late ‘60s, early ‘70s)Late ‘60s/early ‘70s pop from Cambodia. This mixes Britbeat/girl-group/surf influences with local musical strains in ways that may seem familiar in the wake of all the reissued “A-Go-Go” era Southeast Asian pop, but still very distinctively. There’s a giddy, […]
Various Artists, “GS I Love You” (Big Beat, 1996; original releases mid- to late 1960s)In mid-to-late ‘60s Japan, garage-punk was referred to as “Group Sounds.” Supposedly, early Japanese-made electric guitars were lightweight in such a way that they were conducive to a dizzy, speed-balled sound, and sure enough, this is frenzied stuff. Best of an […]