Christopher - Christopher (1969)

Christopher first came together in 1968 out of Houston Texas area and were originally known as United Gas. Metromedia offered them a 2 year contract and suggested to change their band name because of similarity to Pacific Gas and Electric. After much thought, they came up with "Christopher", after Saint Christopher who was stripped of his sainthood. Their music was a bit heavy psych and the guitars sound so cool. Try this cd and you'll not be disappointed.

Track Listing...
1. Dark Road
2. Magic Cycles
3. Wilbur Lite
4. In Your Time
5. Beautiful Lady
6. Lies
7. Disasters
8. The Wind
9. Queen Mary
10. Burns Decision

Short Cross - Arising (1970)

I just listened to the album Arising by Short Cross the other day. I'm really impressed by this boogie rock outfit, considering that these guys were only in their teens when they recorded this album. It was a low budget recording from a small label, but these guys really rocked! Some of the tracks that stand out are, Nothin' but a woman, Wastin' Time, Suicide Blues, Just don't care, On my own, Till we reach the sun, That's her train and Before it rains. I really recommend this album for all 70's boogie rock fans. It's truly a rare gem.

Track Listing...

1. Nothin' But a Woman
2. Wastin' Time
3. Suicide Blues
4. Just Don't Care
5. On My Own
6. Till We Reach the Sun
7. Ellen
8. Hobo Love Song
9. On My Own [Stereo Mix]
10. Marching off to War [Stereo Mix]
11. That's Her Train [#]
12. Bomb [Unfinished Demo]
13. Before It Rains [Unfinished Demo]

Joseph - Stone Age Man (1969)

The cover drawing of a cave man is completely apt. Joseph sings like he’s about to hit you in the head with a club. His gruff, gravely voice is completely perfect for songs with titles like “I Ain’t Fattenin’ No More Frogs For Snakes” and “Cold Biscuits and Fish Heads.” The backing is solid bluesy organ and guitar, with a few surprising moments here, like “Mojo Gumbo” speeding up at the end. While a bit of Howlin’ Wolf/Captain Beefheart shows through here and there, he’s really one step behind those guys on the evolutionary chart. His lead guitar playing is equally as crude as his vocals. This is a short album, with 9 songs in 29 minutes, and not a second is wasted, except maybe for the cover of “House of The Rising Sun.” Really cool!

Track Listing...
1. Trick Bag
2. I Ain't Fattenin' No More Frog
3. Cold Biscuits and And Fish Head
4. Stone Age Man
5. I'm Gonna Build A Mountain
6. Mojo Gumbo
7. The House of the Rising Sun
8. Gotta Get Away
9. Come The Sun Tomorrow

Primevil - Smokin' Bats at Camptons (1974)

Originally a private and limited vinyl release in 1974, Smokin' Bats At Compton's stands as a fine example of '70s hard rock. The overall sound is bluesy hard rock, very much in the style of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, although in recent years they have also appealed to psychedelic collectors. Highlights include the opening track 'Leavin', 'Progress' and the now legendary 'Hey Lover'.

Track Listing...
01.Leavin' (3:51)
02.Progress (3:25)
03.Fantasies (6:00)
04.Pretty Woman (3:11)
05.Tell Me If You Can (5:20)
06.Hey, Lover (2:36)
07.High Steppin' Stomper (4:27)
08.Your Blues (7:24)

JPT Scare Band - Past Is Prologue (1975)

These recordings from the Kansas City threesome, JPT Scare Band, from 1973-75, have been bootlegged for eons at pricey sums. If the band had a signed record contract back in the early '70s, there is no doubt they would be up there with Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Black Sabbath for guitar overload damage. Unfortunately, these recordings never really made it out of the inner circles of hard psych heads. This is a classic snapshot into the basement of a true American Rock Band doing what they do best. It is easy to imagine all their friends freaking freely to their brand of tripped-out, space-vibe rock. Interesting liner and production notes round out this great package (lots of photos, lyrics, etc.) and proves that, in the mid-'70s, not all of American rock was asleep or staring at its navel.The JPT Scare Band's screaming electric psych/blues barely made it past the basement where they first rehearsed back in 1973, but someone was smart enough to tape these three titans of volume at work. That work became the album known as Sleeping Sickness, an album spoke about in hushed reverence among heavy psych heads that were lucky enough to hear it.

Past is Prologue gives us a snapshot of the band through time, including tracks recorded in 1975, '76, '77, '93 - and oddly the best track, Sci-Fi acid-epic "Burn in Hell", recorded in 2001. The reason I say "oddly", is because the band seems not to have skipped a beat over the years. The musical chemistry between the three members of the band is awe- inspiring..."Burn in Hell" sounds as fiery and intense as, say, "Time To Cry" did back in '75.

The beauty of the JPT Scare Band is it's ability to function as a unit in the nebulous field of the free-form heavy jam. They start with a chord progression and the rest is a musical conversation, the direction dictated by unspoken energies. Terry Swope is a gawdam genius. One of the best all around soul guitarists I've ever heard. The kind that are unencumbered by strict technique and play soley based on smoldering emotion. Definitely in the league with the best in that genre...Hendrix, Duane Allman, Robin Trower and Carlos Santana. The other two comparatively unheralded players in the band are of equal importance - bassist Paul Grigsby anchors the band with an equal amount of soul and passion and drummer Jeff Littrell knows when to dig in with a fill and push the band a bit, and then back off in the more soulful moments. The end result is nothing short of mind-blowing.A must for those into heavy psych and/or those that are true aficionados of the mysteries of the jam.

Track Listing...
1. Burn in Hell
2. I've Been Waiting
3. Wino
4. Sleeping Sickness
5. Time To Cry
6. Titan's Siren
7. Jerry's Blues
8. It's Too Late (Revisited)

Scorpion - Scorpion (1969)

Not to be confused with the Scorpions from Germany, this band is from Detroit, Michigan, USA. The band's only album containing hard rock with a funky edge. Scorpion were not part of the local rock scene (MC-5, SRC, Amboy Dukes, Bob Seger) back then. Like Rare Earth, Scorpion was a bar band . They also did session work as well. So enjoy once again an obscure album from the late 60's.

Track Listing...
01 Running From Myself
02 Make Love Not War
03 Great Day
04 Standing In My Mind
05 Wildflower
06 Take A Look At Yourself
07 Happy Blues Time
08 Touched By An Angel
09 Please Make My Mind Right

The Third Power - Believe (1970)

The Third Power was Detroit's answer to Cream back in the late 60's to early 70's and in fact did a rendition of "I'm So Glad" that rivaled anything Cream did. Third Power was intense sonic output, a power trio that used high output vacuum tube Traynor amps and pretty much did entirely original music. And they did it at volumetric deciblage that surely contributed to hearing loss among many an aged hippie; the Who had little edge in that respect save they had a bigger PA system. Third Power was always a draw at any Detroit venue and personally my other favourite Detroit group (SRC was first even though they were from Ann Arbor). This album is purely studio; way too produced and laden with overdubs impossible to duplicate live, at least with the technology available then (multi key synthesizers were light years away) and it was not strong enough to capture the all important top 40 FM market and most importantly, did not sell well outside of Detroit and related environs. Still, it is well worth a listen and does represent an accurate accounting of the Detroit music scene along with some decent lyrics and musicianship. Should you have liked the MC-5 or The Frost, this would be the intesity of these groups amplified with a more cerebral appeal.

Track Listing...

1. Gettin' Together

2. Feel So Lonely

3. Passed By

4. Lost in a Daydream

5. Persecution

6. Comin' Home

7. Won't Beg Any More

8. Crystalline Chandelier

9. Like Me Love Me

Thunder and Roses - King of The Black Sunrise (1969)

Thunder and Roses,an early power trio from Philadelphia USA, recorded King of the Black Sunrise in 1969. This garage rock album is a hard rockin’, ultra heavy, Hendrix-inspired, slab of bluesy psychedelia. Track one, the classic “White Lace and Strange”, was covered by Nirvana in a radio broadcast. Though the group’s listed record label “Lizard” might well be an appropriate name, in reality this album was released by Liberty Records.

Track Listing...

1. White Lace And Strange
2. I Love A Woman
3. Country Life
4. Red House
5. Moon Child
6. Dear Dream Maker
7. King Of The Black Sunrise
8. Open Up Your Eyes

Totty - Totty (1977)

If you like that heavy guitar sound from the mid '70's then Totty is a must! If you're into bands like Neil Merryweather, Montrose, Nitzinger or Highway Robbery then you will love this cd. "From the blistering Southern rock instrumental opener, 'Thus Saith The Lord', to the final chords of 'Somebody Help Me', this explosive album by the Oklahoma-based Totty brothers simply rocks from beginning to end. Dennis and Byron Totty, supported by a revolving door of drummers, rock their way through 9 self-penned tracks as if they're a major headlining act, instead of an obscure duo from Tulsa whose privately-pressed eponymous album from 1977 enjoyed sales of just 50 copies (the number the brothers reportedly pressed!). Rumour has it that the brothers Totty recorded another album later, but it is only on this stylish debut that we are able to make our judgement. Influences are in abundance, but more often than not it is Led Zeppelin's power R&B that we are reminded of, although Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top also spring easily to mind.

Track Listing...
1-Thus Saith The Lord
2-T-Town Tears
3-Crack In The Cosmic Egg
4-Love Down By One Share
5-I'Ve Done Made Up My Mind
6-Wicked Truth
7-Trying To Forget You
8-Take Me Away Jesus
9-Somebody Help Me

Truth and Janey - No Rest For The Wicked (1976)

Not to be dismissed because of its underground status, Truth and Janey's only LP, No Rest for the Wicked, was another incredible find for indie record label Monster Records, which has always specialized in digging up long-forgotten American hard rock nuggets from the '70s, but really struck gold this time around. Boasting a swaggering, bluesy grit, piercing twin-harmony licks, and the most righteously ferocious rhythm guitar tone this side of Ted Nugent, opener "Down the Road I Go" instantly establishes the band's '70s hard rock aesthetic whose roots, not surprisingly, lie in English giants like Cream, Jeff Beck, and even more so in Rory Gallagher's Taste, on this particular track. The powerful influence of these '60s guitar heroes can also be heard in Truth and Janey's revved-up blues covers (Willie Dixon's "I'm Ready" and Mississippi John Hurt's "Ain't No Tellin'") and groove-driven originals ("The Light"), while a slightly more distinctive voice emerges in truly memorable, half-electric/half-acoustic creations like "It's All Above Us" and the title track (showcasing frantic sprints between six-stringer Billy Janey and powerhouse drummer Denis Bunce). And this being the '70s, there was bound to be a progressive-sized epic on hand, and it's pleasant to discover that No Rest for the Wicked's entry — a nine-minute opus called "Remember" — is no throwaway. Quite the opposite, as it offers at least four or five contrasting passages that range from delicate melodies accompanied by equally timid falsettos, to dexterously improvised jazz-rock breaks, to orchestrated battalions of ascending hard rock power chords, climaxing intermittently in sterling guitar histrionics. (Followers of overlooked Welsh trio Budgie and Canadian legends Rush alike take heed of this, and also the familiar, Alex Lifeson/Rush "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" effects on "My Mind.") Bassist Steven Bock, the last bandmember not yet named, was no slouch himself, not only producing all of these tracks, but sharing duo and solo lead vocals with Janey to give most of these tracks yet another Cream-descended flavor. Sure, Truth and Janey depend pretty heavily on dual guitar harmonies for a one-guitar power trio, but that's just wasteful nit-picking for a band so long departed, and whose overlooked gem of an album still sounds so amazingly vital and engaging today. [No Rest for the Wicked's long-awaited CD issue covered all bases by adding all four tracks Truth and Janey released as singles in the early '70s; including significantly less focused blues rockers of their own design, and a rather unique, boogie charged rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb."]

Track Listing...
1. Down the Road I Go
2. The Light
3. I'm Ready
4. Remember
5. No Rest for the Wicked
6. It's All Above Us
7. Ain't No Tellin'
8. My Mind
9. Midnight Horsemen
10. Around and Around
11. Under My Thumb
12. Straight Eight Pontiac

Goliath - Hot Rock and Thunder (1972)

Goliath were yet another underrated hard rock band that released one album in 1972. They hailed from Kentucky. The strength of Goliath was the vocal powerhouse Jim Kitchen whose wide range pushed the whole record up a few notches. Goliath suffered from a bit of an identity crisis, trying their hand at blues-based southern rocking as well as AOR type radio-friendly catchiness. This might have contributed to their obscurity, but it's still hard to believe that the band that penned a song as cool as We're Not Afraid wouldn't have enjoyed some success. At times Goliath gets a bit goofy, but over the course of the seven songs here, there's enough greatness to forgive the occasional chaff.

Track Listing...
01. We´re Not Afraid
02. Ordinary Guy
03. Tell Me You´re Satisfied
04. Silver Girl
05. Dead Drunk Screamin´
06. Hot Rock and Thunder
07. The Apocalypse

Geronimo Black - Geronimo Black (1972)

Their first album was produced by Keith Olsen (the former Music Machine/Millennium member) and should particularly interest the Zappa and Captain Beefheart fans. Musically it mixes blues (Low Ridin' Man), instrumental tracks (Siesta, Quaker's Earthquake) and rock tracks (Other Man, L.A. County Jail 59, Let Us Live); its high point being An American National Anthem written by Black about the Indian killings ("Indian Land is stolen, 52 million dead, each one's head is scalped by a trick taught by white man hunters coming over the land"). The lyrics and musicianship are both really strong. Buzz Gardner, Murray Roman and a small string section also played on this underrated album.

Track Listing...
1. Low Ridin' Man
2. Siesta
3. Other Man
4. La County Jail
5. Let Us Live
6. Bullwhip
7. Quaker's Earthquake
8. Gone
9. An American National
10. Anthem
11. (Bonus Track) 59 Chevy

Earthen Vessel - Hard Rock Everlasting Life (1971)

I bought this cd on the strength of one track "Everlasting Life" that I heard on a Gear Fab sampler. That piece is a great piece of psych rock with excellent vocals by Sharon Keel and some classic fuzz attacks from Dave Caudill. The remainder of the cd's lyrics float to far into Jesus Rock for my tastes but the music and vocals are top notch. Psychedelic guitar freaks are sure to love much of this.

Track Listing...

1. Life Everlasting
2. You Can
3. Let Jesus Bring You Back
4. I've Been Walkin'
5. Coming Home
6. Get High

Ultra - Ultra (1975)

Great twin guitars and vocals ala Thin Lizzy. Dig this US band from '75 and you will not be disappointed.

Band Members:
Calen Miles (guitars)
Larry MacGuffin (guitars)
Don Evans (vocals)
Tom Schleuning (drums)
Scott Stephens (bass)

Track Listing...
01.Mutants
02.Android
03.Battery
04.Ten Years Since
05.Lamp Black, White Fight
06.Windjammer
07.Diggin' Deep
08.Circe
09.Seasons Pass
10.City on Ice
11.The Desert
12.Souled There With Care
13.Man on the Street
14.Get Away
15.Compass
16.Hot N Cold

Part 1
Part 2

Wilkinson Tri-Cycle - Wilkinson Tri-Cycle (1969)

Wilkinson Tri-Cycle combined a more melodic approach with flashes of heavy rock. They had the power behind them but were more prone to take excursions into psychedelic imagery and softer moments of balladry. Again the touch of Schatz and Schlaks can be heard in the production on this, the band's sole album. Taking their hand at blues classics like "Leaving Trunk", made famous by the great Taj Mahal, they handle them skill but not necessarily ingenuity. The variety of the album works well together, never really rutting into one sound for too long but keeping consistent through the ever-present blues rumble of David Mello's leads. A thoroughly enjoyable listen, though not necessarily a lost classic.

Track Listing...
1. What of I?

2. Leavin' Trunk

3. David's Rush

4. Pourscha Poe

5. Antique Locomotives

6. 9-5, '59

7. I Like Your Company

8. Yellow Wall

Wildfire - Smokin' (1971)

From the opening echoed growl of the guitar intro to Stars In The Sky through the ten minute plus jam in Quicksand at the end of side two, this record sits toward the top of the pile of lost-in-time U.S. West Coast psychedelic hard rock privately pressed albums. It was originally issued in a plain sleeve with a sticker on the front. Only four or five copies of the original issue, which was made for demo purposes, are known to exist. Thankfully a good quality reissue is now available so all fans of the genre can check it out.

Track Listing...

1.Stars in the Sky(5:44)
2.Down to Earth(4:33)
3.Time Will Tell(3:10)
4.Don’t Look For Me(6:28)
5.Free(2:59)
6.What Have I Got Now(3:21)
7.Let It Happen(3:07)
8.Quicksand(10:58)

Demian - Demian (1970)

Originally released in 1970, this was the band's sole album. As some of you might know, Demian is basically the four musicians from Bubble Puppy putting out a post-BP release. Notice it's more hard rock that Bubble Puppy was, of course a psych band. I never even knew about this CD reissue until recently. Tunes I liked best were the Uriah Heep-ish "Face The Crowd", the awesome early '70's rocker "Coming", "No More Tenderness" (featuring some killer guitar riffs) and "Are You With Me Baby". Line-up: Rod Prince-guitar & vocals, Todd Potter-guitar, Roy Cox-bass & vocals and David Fore-drums.

Track Listing...
01. Face The Crowd (2:58)
02. Windy City (5:21)
03. Love People (2:19)
04. Coming (5:35)
05. Todd's Tune (3:23)
06. No More Madness (3:55)
07. Are You With Me Baby? (4:58)
08. Only a Loner (4:36)

Morgen - Morgen (1969)

ultra rare but all time favorite psychedelic 60's album from USA. Led by Steven Morgen, who simply named his band Morgen. A true psychedelic artifact originally released on Probe in 1969. The cover of guitarist Steve Morgen’s first and only album anticipates the record’s mystery status. It features a monochrome reproduction of Edvard Munch’s The Scream, an equally iconic solid grey background, and a single word, small enough to go unnoticed against the colorful merry-go-round of late-’60s psychedelic balloon lettering: "Morgen," which is at once the artist’s name, the album’s title, and the German word for “tomorrow.”

Track Listing...
1 - Welcome To The Void
2 - Of Dreams
3 - Beggin Your Pardon (miss Joan)
4 - Eternity In Between
5 - Shes The Nitetime
6 - Love

Ursa Major - Ursa Major 1972

From Michigan, a rather uninspired and pompous hard rock album with the former leader of Frost and the Amboy Dukes bassist. Wagner would later work with Lou Reed and Alice Cooper as well as releasing a solo album aptly titled Richard Wagner(Atlantic 19172) 1978. Lovers of the "other" Richard Wagner must have been surprised if they bought this album!! ”
Dick Wagner (vocals, guitar) [The Frost, Alice Cooper]
Greg Arama (bass, vocals) [The Amboy Dukes]
Ricky Mangone (drums)

Track Listing...
1Sinner 7:26
2In My Darkest Hour 5:25
3Silver Spoon 6:15
4Stage Door Queen 5:24
5Back to the Land 6:45
6Lay Me Down 4:34
7Liberty and Justice 5:48

Maypole - The Real (1970)

Maryland's Maypole, whose sole album, The Real, was recorded in three days, July 1970, and released in early 1971, shortly before their label folded, dooming the album to stillborn status commercially at the time, and collector want list status today. The LP is an ambitious, 50-minute feast of tight harmonies, powerful arrangements, fluid improvisation, and flat out great songs, and serves as a touchstone for twin guitar-driven, West Coast-styled psychedelia, soaring power pop, and blistering hard rock -- some even call it prog -- everyone wants a piece of the Great One. If you've been looking for an LP to complete an imaginary trilogy with S.F. Sorrow and Parachute, then this is your tonic. The stature of Maypole has been muddied by the previous CD reissues, but this LP edition gets it right. Featuring state of the art remastering and pressing, a high quality full color 'tip on' jacket featuring original artwork, and a full color insert loaded with lyrics, photos, and complete historical notes by Maypole founder, Dennis Tobell, this is the closest to 'classic psychedelia' Anopheles Records has delved in to date, and we're glad we didn't settle for something second rate -- Maypole is The Real."

Tracks :

1. Glance At The Past
2. Show Me The Way
3. Henry Stared
4. Change Places
5. Under A Wave
6. Look At Me
7. Johnny
8. Come Back
9. You Were
10. In The Beginning
11. Dozy World
12. Stand Alone