Seven & Seven Is Radio Elvin Estela

Episode 023: Twenty-Three Leaves Fell for Fall:  Selections from Central and South America

Almendra - A Estos Hombres Tristes (Argentina 1969) Hailing from the Buenos Aires, Almendra were one of the most important bands of the time, releasing two albums that would cement their place as the band that revolutionized Argentinian rock. This epic piece comes from their fantastic debut album from 1969. The group followed up with a double album in 1970 before splitting up and leaving the members to pursue various musical ventures through the 70’s.

Arco Iris - Tiempo (Argentina 1969) Fusing together more musical styles than most of their contemporaries, Buenos Aires based Arco Iris started out as a folk-rock outfit before branching out into more adventurous territory, as heard on this sprawling number. The band continued to evolve, eventually moving to the States and pursuing a more new age tinged sound in the late 70’s.
 
Los Kiriaps - El Viaje (El Salvador 1969) Though not as widely documented, El Salvador had a rock scene just as vibrant as its neighboring countries.  Los Kiriaps, from the Luz de San Salvador neighborhood, were one of the premier bands of the time that left behind a flawless three single discography. This fuzz-laden scorcher shows a heavy psychedelic influence with its delayed vocal freak out sections and backwards drums.
 
Los Walkers - Dónde Está Miss Lee Los Sabados (Argentina 1968) “The Beatles of Argentina” in more ways than one, in that they wear the Fab Four influence proudly on their sleeves and were one of the most popular bands in the country at the time. This pop-psych masterpiece is taken from their Sgt. Pepper-esque “Walking Up con Los Walkers” album that is sung primarily in English. The band continued to release single until their breakup in 1970.

The Shakers - Only In Your Eyes (Uruguay 1966) The Beatles influence is evident with this band as well, who were also Uruguay’s most popular export at the time - so much so that the album this song is taken from actually saw an American release! Los Shakers were founded by the Fattoruso brothers, inspired to take to the stage after watching A Hard Day’s Night. After four albums the band disbanded once their new psychedelic sound fell on deaf ears at their label.
 
Los Gatos - Eres Un Hada Al Fin (Argentina 1968) Formed from the ashes of Los Gatos Salvajes, this band from the Rosario area scored a huge hit in 1967, kicking off a five album run that features some of the finest pop and psychedelia from South America. This organ led groover is taken from their third album Seremos Amigos. After releasing their last and most progressive album in 1970, the band called it a day.

Feo - Ella es Adorable (El Salvador 1973) A mystery band from El Salvador that released only two singles in 1973. 
 
 We All Together - Soy Timido (Peru 1973) Peru had one of the most active rock scenes and We All Together were more than happy to occupy the Beatles-esque pop lane, more specifically the sticky pop that McCartney produced during his early solo years. After two solid albums and a handful of singles, the band broke up after only two short years.

Episode 022: The Keys to Room Twenty-Two: Selections from the Post-Psychedelic Era Part Two
The Bee Gees - Sweet Song of Summer (UK 1972) A true oddity in the brothers Gibb's sprawling discography, sounding like a lost track from their psych era four years previous.  They create quite an atmosphere that fuses trippy synth experiments with battle percussion and chants that sound like a crew of vikings backing them.  Part of their "lost" period where they are coming out of their early Beatle-esque pop sound, but before they'd stumble on a super successful style more informed by American soul and R&B.

Vangelis Papathanis - Sunny Earth (Greece 1973) Originally part of Greek psychedelic warlords Aphrodite's Child, this moody sound piece comes from Vangelis' second solo album.  After a prolific run of albums, Vangelis would eventually find much success in the field of soundtrack world.

Yoko Ono - Greenfield Morning I Pushed an Empty Baby Carriage All Over the City (US 1970) Yoko's work is often polarizing, sometimes dismissed as avant-garde rambling - but her early work does have its gems.  On this standout track from her first album, her trademark shriek is backed by a thumping groove that provides just enough grounding for her to deliver her audible freak out.

Spirit - The Other Song (1975) Recorded several years after their "heyday", this song sounds like it could be a relic from their Dr. Sardonicus era.  Produced by the enigmatic Randy California, this phased wonder comes from the second album they recorded after their first initial reunion, Son of Spirit.

White Noise - Love Without Sound (1969) Pioneers of early electronic exploration, this band began as a group project between David Vorhaus and BBC Radio Workshop members Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson.  Their first album contains some of the most forward thinking and bizarre electronic music of the time, and foreshadows how music would be made in the future with it's use of tape loops and wacky machines.

Kevin Ayers - The Confessions of Dr. Dream (UK 1974) Originally part of prog-psych legends The Soft Machine, Kev Ayers solo discography is filled with many highlights and is most definitely worth exploring.  This psychedelic masterpiece features the haunting voice of Nico, which adds to the spooky and otherworldly mood of the track.

Episode 021: Twenty One Seconds To Dawn - Late 60's Blue Eyed Soul

Plastic Penny - Everything I Am (UK 1967) This UK band specialized in the classic pop-psych sound that was sweeping the nation at the time, yet with with a soulful edge that set them apart from their peers.  This can be heard on this sweet and earnest love song - and debut single - which they released at the end of 1967.  After two albums in as many years, the Pennies called it a day.

Flaming Ember - Mind, Body and Soul (US 1969) A quintessential blue-eyed soul unit from the US that sought a particularly impassioned vocal strain of the genre as heard on this sweet sticky love song.  After a handful of singles and two albums for the Hot Wax label, the band would call it quits leaving behind a discography worth digging into.

Cupid's Inspiration - My World (UK 1968) This UK band recorded one album and a handful of singles in their brief three year career, but they are arguably one of the finest examples of the blue eyed soul genre.  Their lone album has many highlights including this soaring single that features the huge voice of lead singer Terry Rice-Milton.

Episode Six - Mr. Universe (UK 1968) This UK psych band is famous for being the first vehicle for future Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. They released nine singles during their career, all of which failed to chart but nonetheless are worth a listen.  Their finest example may be this sultry b-side featuring the soulful lead vocals of Gillan.
 
Aesop's Fables - And When It's Over (US 1969) A moody and groovy number by this band of psychedelic warriors out of New York.  Lead singer Sonny Botari's croon is the centerpiece, but the band's rhythm section is undeniably stealing the show here.  After two albums and a handful of singles, Sonny would break up the band and pursue a solo career.

Manfred Mann - Fox On the Run (UK 1968) Part of the initial British Invasion that swept the world in the mid 60's, this classic band - lead by an organist of their namesake - would adopt to the times with much success during their long and prolific career.  1968 finds them contributing to the burgeoning pop-psych wave while retaining the soulful sound of their early days as heard on this stellar single.

The Love Affair - Everlasting Love (UK 1967) This ubiquitous single might be the ultimate example of blue eyed soul - with it's soaring vocal, polished production and bombastic horn section, it can be used as paradigm for the sound.  After two albums and a handful of singles, the band would call it a day in the early 70's.

The Loading Zone - Maybe We've Been Loving Too Long (US 1968) A funky cover of UK pop-psych band The Flying Machine's minor hit single by a groovy bunch of freaks from Oakland, CA.  Formerly psychedelic band The Marbles, they would recruit soul singer Linda Tillery and morph their sound as heard on their solid two albums.

Rare Earth -Red Apple (US 1968) One of the more famous American acts of the blue-eyed soul sound, this Detroit combo was quite prolific with a career that spans three decades.  Their debut combines the soul sound with an exploito-popsike twist that yielded great results as can be heard here.

Friend and Lover - Reach Out of the Darkness (US 1968) This then husband-and-wife duo scored a minor hit with this perfect funky little pop nugget.  After two years as a couple and musical act, they'd call it quits in both respects leaving behind one album and a handful of singles that are worth investigating.

Episode 020: A Twenty Ton Balloon

Colonel Bagshot - Six Day War (UK 1971) These Liverpool psych freaks take us through a dark and moody tale of the infamous six day war of 1967.  They released one stellar LP and a handful of singles during their brief four year run.

Saint Steven - Voyage to Cleveland (US 1969) A mystery artist who recorded only on LP for the Probe label in 1969.

Passing Clouds - At the Head of the List (US 1968) Another lone album American mystery, the Clouds specialized in sticky sweet pop-psych as heard on this introspective number from their sole LP on the very groovy Records By Pete label.

The Hollies - Clown (UK 1966) One of the UK's most successful harmony pop acts whose sound and image evolved with the times like most beat groups, this somber tune tells the sad tale of a clown and the hidden meaning behind his painted on smile.
 
Iron Butterfly - Belda-Beast (US 1969) San Diego's most famous psychedelic export at once shows us their musical virtuosity and willingness to experiment with sound, mood and texture on this epic number.

The Mothers of Invention - Sleeping in a Jar (US 1969) Frank Zappa and his band of freaks at their prime, offering a quick bizarre ditty that only they could pull off.

Fever Tree - Ninety-Nine And A Half  (US 1968) A prolific outfit from Houston, Texas that produced four albums of jammed out psychedelia which perfectly shows the twist Texas bands put on the emerging underground sound.

Tin Tin - Family Tree (UK 1970) UK pop duo that released two albums during their brief four year career, the first of which was produced by Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees and from where this incredible pop-psych nugget is taken.

Little Boy Blues - Seed of Love (US 1968) A Chicago based group of freaks that produced a handful of singles and one album for Fontana of which this moody bassline driven track is taken.

Sacred Guest Set:

The Children - Beautiful (US 1968)

Mecki Mark Men - Love Feeling (US 1968)

Manpower - Puella! Puella! (Woman! Woman!) (US 1969)

Mr. Flood’s Party - Advice (US 1969)

The Mandrake Memorial - To A Lonely (US 1968)

The Shocking Blue - Love Buzz (Netherlands 1970)

The Cyrkle - She Was Here (US 1967)

The New Mix - The Man (US 1968)

H.P. Lovecraft - Mobius Trip (US 1968)

Summerhill - Follow Us (US 1969)

Episode 019: To Be Nineteen Again

The Who - Our Love Was (UK 1967) One of the most famous exports from the UK who are more known for their bombastic 70's anthems, Pete Towsend and co spearheaded the mod sound and broadcast it to the world with their debut anthem "My Generation".  Their lone psychedelic effort "Sell Out" yielded gems such as this one, a tale of a love once stale that is now revived and soaring. 

The Gibsons - City Life (Australia 1967) A snooty mod pop big city anthem with an inexplicable feline inspired middle eight by an little known outfit from Australia that relocated to the UK.  They released a handful of singles during their brief two year career.

The Tony Hendrik 5 - Said My Say (Germany 1968) Quintessential freakbeat by this obscure band from Cologne, Germany that features a prolific singer-songwriter and producer at the helm.  They released one album and many singles during their career, all of which are worth investigating.

The Creation - Midway Down (UK 1968) The UK's finest mod art combo and an unsung influence on many a guitar hero, this 1968 single - a cover of an even more obscure US psych act John Wonderling - catches the band winding down before their eventual demise.  This vivid single was the closest the band would get to psychedelia and is one of the last they'd record and release. 
 
The Loot - Baby Come Closer (UK 1967) The sound and feel of this song captures the mood of the mod love song like no other.  A stomping beat and catchy riff lead way to a too cool to care vocal that still oozes a desire for his love's affection. The band would release stellar examples of the genre during their brief two year career.

Spooky Tooth - Do Right People (UK 1968) A non-album b-side that shows just how serious this band's chops were, the Spooky's definitely took a page from Traffic's sound and turned it up a notch on this one.  One part bass and organ driven soul stomper and one part proto-prog mind melter, this is a perfect example of a band showing off it's roots while showing us a vision of the future.

State of Micky and Tommy - With Love From 1 to 5  (UK 1967) A truly classic mod pop anthem by this clever duo and a song that deserved to be a hit worldwide.  This unsung duo only released two singles in their time, but both of such high quality that they are known as staples of the era and are often compiled.

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera - Flames (UK 1967) Freakbeat in the truest sense in that this is essentially a turned up and blown out version of a Motown riff.  The classic eighth note bass notes that kick it off is an instant nod to their influences before launching the sound into the stratosphere.  The band's two albums are essential listening.

The Twilights - Cathy Come Home (Australia 1967) One of the most prolific and successful bands from down under, this proto-powerpop number displays the wonderful songwriting and harmonies of this tight unit 

Somebody's Image - Hide and Seek (Australia 1968) Another obscure Australian band that only released three singles during their time - of which this pop-sike beauty is their last - and featured a young Russell Morris who would go on to solo fame.

The Consortium - The Day the Train Never Came (UK 1969) A shortened version of UK pop group The West Coast Consortium, this band released a handful of singles through the late 60's and early 70's that featured a pristine harmony pop sound as evidenced here.  The half time middle break is truly a stand out moment in an already magical genre.

The Cedars - For Your Information (Lebanon 1968) Lebanon's prime freakbeat export that combined their native sound with the burgeoning UK freakbeat/pop-sike sound to great effect. 

Episode 018: Eighteen Reasons to Forget

The Groop - Woman You're Breaking Me (Australia 1967) A fine beat combo from down under that produced three albums and a handful of singles during their brief three year career.  With it's stomping beat and frenetic pace , this title track from their final album together may be the group's finest moment.


The Rugbys - You, I (US 1969) A tough and scorching number from a Louisville, KY obscurity that scraped the bottom of the charts with this single, they also produced one album of proto-hard rock that is worth investigating before splitting up.


Bubble Puppy - Hot Smoke & Sasafrass (US 1969) This San Antonio, Texas band is most famous for this single, which is arguably one of the finest examples of American hard psych.  From it's feedback intro to the blistering riff that kicks it off, this single packs more in two and a half minutes than most albums of the time even attempted.  After one LP for the International Artists label, they'd undergo a name change to Demian and further mine the hard rock path on their sole album for ABC Records.


The Balloon Farm - A Question of Temperature (US 1967) Walking the fine line between garage and hard rock comes this classic American single from an NYC outfit that produced only two singles.  The psychedelic hints also further cements the genre bending the band exudes with this single


The Attack - Magic in the Air (UK 1967) An unreleased single from one of the UK's finest freakbeat bands.  Their entire catalog is solid and perfectly illustrates the progression from R&B beat combo to acid drenched psychedelia that most bands went through.


Wimple Winch - Atmposhpere (UK 1967) Another contender for freakbeat kings of the UK is this motley bunch, whose riffs were years ahead of their time.  Juxtaposing a brutal hard rock section against a bridge reminiscent of the Beach Boys is just one of the many things this band executed flawlessly.  After a handful of singles they'd eventually morph into the more prog minded Pacific Drift.


Eire Apparent - The Clown (UK 1968) One of the few bands that can boast of having their debut album produced by Jimi Hendrix, Eire Apparent released one of the finest UK psych albums that often goes overlooked for more rarer yet not as musically adept work.  This twisted ode to a clown features incredible backwards guitar work and a smokin' heavy rhythm section. 


Majority One - Get Back Home (UK 1969) This UK band made their name across the continent as The Majority before a relocation to France and a name change to Majority One.  Their lone album features many fine pop-psych tunes, but nothing quite as searing as this single only b-side that shows them testing out the hard rock waters.


The Nazz - Open My Eyes (US 1968) Todd Rundgren's first vehicle for his songwriting was this band that eventually scored a minor hit with this proto-power pop single.  The single stands as one of the finest psychedelic songs by an American band and also shows an obvious UK psych influence.  The phasing on the bridge alone warrants this one a place in the history books.


Eric Burdon and The Animals - The Madman (UK 1968) This song was also released  as a single by Dantalian's Chariot - which featured a young Andy Summers who would go on to much success with The Police - and then mysteriously appeared in longer form with Eric Burdon on lead on his 1968 album Love Is.  This extended version stretches the original's demented groove into an eight minute acid drenched work out.