3 (Gs) - A Tribute To The Bee Gees Price: $14.00 Artist: Coke Belda Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Before you say to yourself, “oh no, not another tribute album”, you won’t be saying that after you hear this one – one of the best tributes ever done to one artist! “So natural is Coke Belda's ability to breathe new life into the songs of the Bee Gees that it would seem perfectly acceptable to call him ‘Mr. Natural,’ at least temporarily, and in honor of one of the songs on this alluring celebration of the charms of the Brothers Gibb. The long-awaited followup to his debut ‘I’ and ‘Nummer Zwei’ similarly breathes new life into the art of musical homage. Certainly, paying tribute to favored artists is a tradition in pop music, so Belda's 12 song paean of Bee Gees joy is not all that unexpected, especially when you consider how enamored he is of the group's songs. Which is obvious as he serves up peerless versions of classics and buried treasures such as ‘Run to Me,’ (from ‘To Whom It May Concern’) ‘I've Gotta Get a Message to You’ (from ‘Idea’) and ‘Sir Geoffrey Saved the World’ (the B-side to their ‘World’ single) with both reverent approach and Belda style. Playing all the instruments and singing all the vocal parts (save for some welcome and soulful passages from Gretchen Wheels' Lindsay Murray on ‘Run to Me’ and ‘I've Gotta Get a Message to You’), he delivers a tour de force that should land on more than a few best-of lists later this year. One of the absolute joys of a terrific album such as the rather cleverly titled ‘3 (Gs)’ is discovering the surprises contained within, and seeing the striking cover art by Ignacio Alcázar. Speaking of surprises, 1965's ‘Claustrophobia,’ (from ‘The Bees Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs’) arranged and played by Coke as a sweet Merseybeat romp, will have you booking tickets for the Cavern in Liverpool (and a virtual time travel trip back to the 60’s). The album closer, a beautiful take on ‘Our Love (Don’t Throw It All Away),’ a top 10 Billboard chart hit for Andy Gibb (from his ‘Shadow Dancing’ album) in 1978, written by Bee Gee Barry and keyboardist Blue Weaver, is another welcome, perhaps unexpected nugget. ‘3 (Gs)’ is the, yes, natural and welcome third project from the artist whose travels brought him from Spain to take root in Germany and now in the United States. Naturally, this is the next step in his musical journey, and one you should absolutely follow with glee.” – Alan Haber/Pure Pop Radio The rest of the songs and their original source are: “Idea” (from “Idea”), “Cucumber Castle” (from “Bee Gee’s First”), “Mr Natural” (from “Mr. Natural), “ (B Gibb, R Gibb), Mr. Natural”), “First of May” (from Odessa”), “Indian Gin and Whisky Dry” (from “Idea”), “Edge Of The Universe (from “Main Course”), and “You Win Again” (from E.S.P”)! “If you aren’t already a fan of (especially) early Bee Gees, this record will make you want to investigate and become one!” – Max Humphries “Get ready for Volume 2” Coke warns. Based on “Volume 1”, we already are! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Scenery For Dreamers Price: $16.00 Artist: Daniel Wylie's Cosmic Rough Riders Description: WOW!! Brand new release from Daniel, who is quick to proudly point out that this one’s got a Crazy Horse vibe to it – and that ain’t far from the truth folks! Daniel provides some further insight regarding what he was listening to/influenced by when writing/recording the new record – “early R.E.M. the Turtles pop...and just trying to keep the quality control high as I always do...keeping it ultra melodic and reversing the ‘older band gets blander’ thing that usually happens...by cranking up the guitars and adding an edge to the music.” You’ve succeeded Daniel! Lending him a helping hand on the record are Neil Sturgeon (ex-Goldenhour) on electric and acoustic guitars on all songs, and mandolin on "(Won't You) Just Smile." Johnny Smillie (of Thrum) co-produced the record with Daniel and plays guitar on "Cold Alaska", "Full Moon On the River", "Jingle Jangle Morning", "Lucky Find" and "Rope (Everybody Lies)." He also contributed the string arrangements on "A Gravestone Without A Name" and "(Won't You) Just Smile.” Stuart Kidd (BMX Bandits/Dr. Cosmos Tape Lab/The Wellgreen) is on drums and Percussion. Steph McKellar –is on bass. Jim McCulloch(Soup Drangonms/BMX Bandits) contributes additional electric guitars on "Rope (Everybody Lies)", "Full Moon On The River" and "I Hear You Call My Name." GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Diamond Hands Price: $10.00 Artist: Diamond Hands Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT KAT LABEL! Previously only available on vinyl! Diamond Hands is the nom de plume of the L.A. duo of Jon Flynn and Joel Wall. And let it be known, these two popsters have an uncanny knack for a never-ending barrage of earworm melodies and retro-influenced instrumentation all in under 3 minutes! “By far, it seems one of the biggest releases I missed in 2016 was this album. ‘Not The Same’ brings the jangle and hook to the front and the follow up ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ is even better with its Beatlesque chorus and tight harmonies. They break out the cowbell for the Raspberries-like ‘See You Again,’ even though lyrically its very basic. So many highlights here, ‘Just Another Day’ brings back the Rickenbacker and the rolling piano on “Come Home” is like ‘RAM’-era McCartney. All killer – no filler here. Had I been aware sooner, it would’ve been wedged into my top ten of 2016!” – Powerpopaholic.com “Diamond Hands perform a brand of sugary pop that always goes down well in these circles. Jingle jangle with great harmonies, it has all the melodic hooks you need and shows power pop is still music that’s beloved of the young.” – IDontHearASingle.com GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

No Room For Squares Price: $14.00 Artist: Green Circles Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Stick around long enough and you end up with enough odds and sods for an album. Well this is such an album for Australian garage/psych rockers Green Circles who’ve been around since 1998 and are still active! Demos from the original line up way back when, tunes recorded specifically for compilations, alternative mixes and a couple of unreleased live tunes. Every conceivable line-up is involved. Even Dave who recorded our first demos and sang on the first album. He’ll be playing on a new album real soon. Here’s a track by track breakdown by Mark Gilbert: “ ‘Stephanie Comes’ - released on our first album, and one we’ve loved and needed a second listen. We’re still trying to write these kind of pastoral psych tunes. ‘Long Live Sivananda’ - Although this tune ended up on our third album, this is the first recorded version which appeared on the ‘Tomorrow Is Today: A Tribute To The Australian Psychedelic Scene 1966-1970’ compilation. Written and recorded by Adelaide band, Inside Looking Out, we were honoured to have original member and Barry Adamson play on this with us. ‘Let Me Through’ - Another one we recorded twice. This version was recorded first and appeared on ‘Burn Your Fingers On The Sun’ which was apt, because it was hot the day we recorded this. Our buddy, and honoury Green Circle, Jamie Woollaway appeared on keys using an amp formerly used by that fantastic Adelaide band, Fraternity. ‘1969’ – A stonking version of for the ‘Now I Wanna Be Your Stooge’ tribute release. To our eternal joy, when this was first played on radio, someone rang up to ask if this was an early version by the Stooges. We’ve taken some liberties, new lyrics and an intro with harp! ‘A Taste of Black’ - Deserves a new listen. A tune from the first album and one of the few tunes to feature our original line up. ‘Flown’ – An alternate mix that didn’t make the ‘Mr Cocking’s Descent’ album. ‘Tomorrow Will Be Fine’ - We were dead chuffed to be asked to participate in the ‘Happy Men’ Sunny Boys (one of our absolute favourite Australian bands tribute album. The song was the B-side of their first single back in 1981. ‘Girl in A Morris Minor’ - Our first tune ever released, and it wasn’t even in released in our country! ‘Signed GC’ - Who was GC? We’ve always loved Gene Clark, maybe it’s us? Maybe Arthur Lee knows. This one has drums which the final version didn’t. ‘Kneejerk Reaction’ (live) - Well, this is what we sound like. Originally appeared on ‘Tomorrow Is Today: A Tribute To The Australian Psychedelic Scene 1966-1970’. ‘Five Blue Moons’ - The only recordings we have of this line up are some 2013 live recordings made very early on in that line up’s history. ‘Dirty Taste’ - Southwark Bitter in cans, local bands and SANFL football. These are some of our favourite things. This is about what sort of conscience one has – money or tradition, bright lights and circus or tradition. Or, it’s about grumpy men of a certain age who don’t like change. It made us feel better anyway. ‘Elevator Operator’ and ‘It’s Too Late’ - These two songs sum us up perfectly. We started with a love of Gene Clark and the Small Faces. We’re not different now from these demos we recorded in 1999.” Despite the disparity in the time frame these songs were recorded, the disc flows extremely well! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Incognito Price: $15.00 Artist: Richard X. Heyman Description: Richard X. Heyman is back with his 12th album, this one featuring an outstanding batch of 14 must-hear original songs. It is an album that grabs the listener on first listen, with literate tales that are melodic, adorned with shimmering harmonies and infectious guitar-anchored hooks that outdistance the majority of his power pop contemporaries. In a better world, the title track, "A Fool's Errand" and "Her Garden Path" would be all over the radio. He has the ability to conjure up firepower to spare, as evidenced by the driving "Chalk It Up" and soulful "Terry Two Timer." And his skills to create and craft wistful songs bolstered by melodic rock are as strong as any pop artist. “Richard X. Heyman’s music has been a steady presence during the 22-year history of Pure Pop Radio. I picked up on Richard's wonderful songs just prior to the release of ‘Cornerstone’, his third album. The Spongtones' Jamie Hoover suggested I contact Richard's wife, Nancy, who began sending me cassettes of the work-in-progress. Nine albums later, ‘Incognito’ arrives, and it’s his best work by far. It is hard to fathom exactly what drives an artist to produce such good work so far into his career, other than the simple desire to create and the presence of a never-depleting well of inspiration and innate talent. It is evident at every step that ‘Incognito’'s 14 songs are proof positive that Richard's mission has been and continues to be fulfilled. Dazzling songs and equally dazzling performances greet you at every turn. In the pure popper ‘A Fool's Errand,’ the narrator tells the world that his love for his partner is solid and for the ages. ‘Her Garden Path’ is a muscular track with a grandly attractive riff that chronicles a man's escape from a woman's web. And the horn-infused, soulful pop number, ‘So What’ finds him sounding as though he's channeling the Rascals' Felix Cavaliere. Both Richard’s playing and this record are stellar, a monumental achievement from an artist who never disappoints.” – Alan Haber/PurePopRadio.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Bob Of The Pops Vol. 1 Price: $5.00 Artist: Robyn Gibson Description: JUNIPERS ALERT!! A very kool album of covers from Robyn Gibson, a member of The Junipers. He performed all parts on this particular project. Sneaking in recording sessions after his main band was done work for the day, he took five years putting together this amazing collection of covers. The range is spectacular, from rare to well known choices covering 60’s up to the 90’s. His formula is simple: take catchy tunes and apply his unerring talent for recreating a jangly 60’s British pop rock sound. “I don't know what it is about the city of Leicester, but it seems to produce jingle jangle bands of the highest order. I've always been a fan of Diesel Park West and The Junipers are in the same mould. If you've never heard of them, you should chastise yourself and head off and grab their two albums. This album is as jangly as you'd expect from Mr. Juniper, but the song selection is inspired. I'm particularly glad to see the presence of Nick Heyward's’ He Doesn't Love You Like I Do’, an underrated gem from an underrated album. Elsewhere, you'd expect to see some Teenage Fanclub, but not necessarily ‘Slow Fade’ and ‘Did I Say’. The nod to power pop is there with Kirsty MacColl’s ‘They Don't Know’ and the obligatory Lennon and McCartney (‘Nowhere Man’). It's also fantastic to hear The Dentists and Wire's ‘Outdoor Miner’ and Honeybus's ‘How Long’ is something that I don't recall being performed too often. The influences build up with The Rutles' ‘With A Girl Like You’. The Springfields' ‘Island Of Dreams’ is better than the original and there's even the theme tune to ‘Laverne and Shirley’. There's even one of Gibson's own songs to round things off. The spoof ‘Top Of The Pops’ album cover is inspired, not the usual suggestive female pose and I definitely want one of those cardigans.” – Idonthearasingle.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Bob Of The Pops Vol. 2 Price: $5.00 Artist: Robyn Gibson Description: Well ravers, here's the second of Robyn’s "Bob of the Pops" albums! The album was recorded from January to May, 2017 at the sofa studio in Leicester and at the Junipers’ studio, while the band weren’t watching. You want to be shot so high you'll hit the moon? Then take this album, listen, and jump, jump, jump, higher and higher to the swinging yet warped beats of the ham-fisted facsimiles of these explosive top pop tunes! It’s a trouser-it-to-me fab album for all Groovies from Western Park to Highfields! You’ll jump and twist and kick and shout and scream and writhe and struggle to escape from the first track to the last. Once again we are sure you, all of you - Hippies and Yippies and Skinheads; Schoolkids and switched-on Mums and Dads will help to make this fabulous album a high-stepper in the Hits Parade; for this L.P. will electrify you, anaesthetise you and your neighbors, then send you way, way up in space! Track listining: “Call Me Number One” (The Tremeloes), “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” (The Monkees), “There’s A Place” (The Beatles), “She Dazzled Me With Basil” (The Dentists), “I’ve Been Waiting” (Matthew Sweet), “Queen Of Eyes” (The Soft Boys), “Vanishing Girl” (The Dukes Of Stratosphear), “Circles” (The Who), “Useless Information” (The Move), “Yes It’s True” (Flamin’ Groovies), “5D (Fifth Dimension)” (The Byrds), “I Should Have Never Let You” (Matthew Sweet), and “Bitter End” (Felt)! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

A New Set Of Downs Price: $13.00 Artist: The John Sally Ride Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! The John Sally Ride was inevitable. Long time friends, with thousands of combined hours listening to and talking about music, the trio of musicians that comprise this exciting new band had been making music separately for years. The time had finally come to make a record together. It wasn't just their mutual love of The Kinks, David Bowie and Todd Rundgren. And it wasn't just that special knack of finishing each other's musical sentences. It was all of that, for sure. But, like any great band/record, it all starts with the songs and the magic that suddenly took hold of these gents when they finally hit the studio. John Dunbar (A Confederacy Of Dunces The Kunks), Sal Maida (Roxy Music, Sparks, Milk N Cookies, Cracker) and Sal Nunziato (Pep In The Cat, The Hard Copies, Burning Wood) made a record, just like their musical heroes made records, with original music and lyrics, instruments and voices. "A New Set Of Downs" is that record. “Anchored by Maida’s great bass line, Dunbar makes the best of the opener ‘One of These Days You’ll Have One of Those Days,’ a very Kinks-like composition with kazoo and guitar flourishes. The steady rhythm of ‘I Didn’t Know I Was Saying Goodbye’ is another gem about an unexpected break-up. Dunbar gets stuff off his chest with ‘Your Closest Friends,’ a rant that mentions ‘If you met them now for the first time you’d hate their guts.’ And easily the catchiest tune is the single ‘Not Taking Credit’. Another big highlight is ‘The Girl You Won’t Leave Your Wife For,’ with its dense melody and harmonies in the chorus. Easily Dunbar’s most accessible work. Highly Recommended.” – Powerpopaholic.com “I've always liked the indie pop of John Dunbar. It's great melodic pop, the sort we thrive upon. ‘Not Taking Credit’ shows how Power Pop the trio could be and Dunbar's vocals lend well to that genre, but the news from the resulting album is that it is far more harmonic pop than power. Imagine a cross between The Monkees and Squeeze. The singalong shuffle of the opener, ‘One Of These Days You'll Have One Of Those Days’ emphasizes the Monkees comparison. ‘She Walks Her Dog In Pyjamas’ with its psych guitar is in Small Faces territory. ‘From Expectation To Surrender’ comes across as a sweet sounding chirpier version of The Proclaimers and it's great to hear Maida's bass lines again on ‘I Love The Girl (You Won't Leave Your Wife For)’. ‘I Love The Girl’ is almost Lindisfarne with it's almost folk backdrop. The trio have fashioned up a real feel good album to accompany the nights getting lighter. Nunziato's drumming seems to hold the whole thing together. This is great summer pop. It's hard to name a favourite track, I loved ‘Not Taking Credit’ from first listen and still do, but I'll go for ‘Your Closest Friends’, a real chipper song that sums up what the band are about. This album is a great listen and now you have your chance to confirm that.” – IDontHearASingle.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Beginning Here and Travelling Outward (Expanded Edition) Price: $20.00 Artist: The Palace Of Light Description: EN ROUTE – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW! A 2CD, 30th anniversary reissue of one of 80s indie’s best-kept secrets, originally issued on Phil Smee’s Bam Caruso imprint, that includes the original album remastered PLUS one rare B-side from their “City Of Gold” 12”; a bunch of previously unreleased studio recordings and demos recorded between 1987 and 1989; six live tracks recorded for a shelved mini-album on Bam Caruso (covers of Nick Drake, Tom Rush, Mickey Newbury, Tim Hardin…), the rare 1991 "Catherine”/”Books" single, privately pressed by the group and credited to Mabel Joy, and a brand new recording made last year by the original lineup. As Stewart Lee points out in his notes for this long overdue reissue, the 80’s were different times. You had to live through them to convey to the contemporary consumer the sheer unknowable mysteriousness of recently distant popular culture in the pre-internet age… Arthur Lee’s name was just a cryptic lyric in a Lloyd Cole single, Bert Jansch was ignored once a month in the back room of my local, and the idea that Nick Drake would one day soundtrack a Volkswagen Cabrio advert was absurd.” You could describe Palace of Light by simply mentioning those names, or others like Scott Walker, the Go-Betweens and Cyrus Faryar. But while those references should be taken as a compliment, they can undermine Palace of Light’s unique talent and greatness. At a time when drum machines and synthesizers ruled the airwaves, the music they recorded was unlike anything else on offer: the unashamedly epic vocals of Geoff Smith, the string quartet, the intricate acoustic picking and the twin guitar interplay that nodded to Television, Felt, or Quicksilver Messenger Service. “Beginning Here and Travelling Outward” was light years ahead, in terms of content and production, of the debut recordings of virtually any other band of the era. The album got some great reviews, but though the band played a bunch of live shows in London and did some more recordings no more music would be released as Palace of Light. With the addition of new drummer Tom Anthony (replacing Charlie Llewellin), Geoff Smith, Matt Gale and Mark Brend quietly morphed into Mabel Joy. In 1993 they released an album on Bam Caruso, the marvelous “Wish I Was” – and disappeared shortly afterwards. Matt and Mark went on to record two fine albums as Fariña in the late 90’s and early 00’s. Charlie joined the Austin alt country combo the Gourds and recently played with a reformed Maximum Joy. “Entrancing….4 stars” – Sounds “Greatness awaits them.” – New Musical Express “Too gifted to be ignored.” - Music Week “Compelling.” - Melody Maker GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Hollywoodland 1966-69 Price: $16.00 Artist: Thomas Group Description: Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1966, the Thomas Group revolved around Tony Thomas (drums), son of the US television personality Danny Thomas. The group was signed to Lou Adler’s Dunhill Records almost immediately after its inception. Greg Clifford (vocals) and Myron Howard (guitar) were among the other members of an act whose recordings were enhanced by their label’s “backroom” musicians and songwriters. P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri wrote and produced their debut single, “Ordinary Girl”, a haunting, folk rock ballad, as well as their third release, “I’ve Got No More To Say”. Barri produced the group’s final offering, “Is Happy This Way” in 1967, after which Tony Thomas disbanded the group. This is the first time ever compilation of all the Thomas Group recordings, including all of their Dunhill Records singles (in their original mono mixes and new previously unreleased stereo mixes). a demo recording of the Sloan/Barri song "Is It Any Wonder", taken from the only known surviving acetate; the rare Morning Sun single and 11 previously unreleased tracks. “The song ‘Autumn’ is a great example of their poppy take on the folk rock sound. Also recorded by the Vogues and Gary Lewis and the Playboys, ‘Autumn’ sounds a lot like the kind of song the Turtles were doing around the same time.” - IronLeg.com “Like the Grass Roots, the Thomas Group were a Dunhill signing who were given the full Sloan and Barri treatment (songs and production and, doubtlessly, backing vocals too), only to see this involvement slacken after a time. They were there for the group's first three singles, but by the time ‘Is Happy This Way' came around, Phil had curtailed his helping hand and Barri was confined to production. It's still a fine single sounding in parts like the Association and the Turtles. ‘Penny Arcade,’ the flip side of ‘Ordinary Girl’, is a pretty typical (typically good) Sloan-Barri tune, musically recycling their Turtles hit ‘You Baby,’ but vocally more reminiscent of the Vogues.” – Brian Hogg The package includes a 20-page booklet with the complete story by Mike Stax (Ugly Things Magazine) and tons of unseen pictures. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none