You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 10

PLAYS: 20

(Last spotted going for silly money - but you get to hear it for free)

Psychedelia from Australia tonight. One of the most obscure and subsequently legendary bands purportedly from the Adelaide area during the 1967-1969 period, Hugo is almost completely unknown here in the States. A trio, they were likened to The Easybeats and Masters Apprentices (also Oz bands). This track, Hey! Watch Out represents their only single, released in 1969.

Other than that, they are something of a high-voltage mystery.

Play loud - play often.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 13

PLAYS: 17

(10cc - Did an admirable job poking holes in just about everything)

It's hard to imagine 10cc came out with "Sheet Music" in 1974. Thirty-five years seems like a few lifetimes ago. Times have changed and tastes in music have changed, but there is something about 10cc that has always been timeless with me. Maybe it's because they never took themselves seriously. To be certain, "I'm Not In Love" was their biggest hit and one which seemed to be played on every radio at most hours of the day when it came out in 1975 - there was no escaping it. They have pretty much faded from memory now (even though they are rumored to have gotten back together), and no doubt there is a huge audience who have never heard of them. Too bad.

It was "Sheet Music" which came out in 1974 on Jonathan King's label UK Records, that I initially heard and became a fan of. This track, Silly Love, started side two of their lp. It poked huge gaping holes in the over-wrought and well-worn genre of the love song.

And poking holes were what they were wonderful at.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 17

PLAYS: 34

(Them with Van Morrison - short lived, but burned bright)

There was a time when, if you had a band or were getting a band together, you were more or less obliged to play one of two songs - Gloria or Mystic Eyes. If Van Morrison never recorded another song in his life, those would be the two songs he would forever be remembered by. Them were only together for two years - a nanosecond by all accounts. Even though the band were from Belfast Ireland, they were considered part of the British Invasion from 1964 until their demise (at least with Van Morrison) in 1966. Morrison went off to greener pastures and has never looked back. The rest of the band soldiered on a few more years before packing it in around 1971. A lot of people who have become familiar with Van Morrison the last twenty or so years don't really remember much about his period with Them, aside from maybe the above mentioned songs. The first album was a massive seller, but the second one didn't fare as well. Probably because the band had broken up by the time the album was released, and Morrison was well on his way to a solo career by the end of the year. Them Again was a sort of post script to a band that made some wonderful music and some indelible impressions. One of the tracks off that album, featured here tonight is the opening of Them Again, Could You Would You, a Morrison penned track that captures the visceral energy of his voice and the heartfelt soul of the band backing him.

Some things just weren't destined to last.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 646

PLAYS: 3850

(If they only had Mick - they would have out Rolling Stoned The Rolling Stones)

Of all the so-called "British Invasion" bands of the 1964-1965 period, the one that stands out as being criminally ignored by U.S. audiences would have to be The Pretty Things. They were without question one of the most raw, loud and rowdy bands of the period, which may have been the reason they weren't picked up by any labels in the States until the late 60s. Reading press reports from New Musical Express and Melody Maker, their concerts and club dates were near-riots and their personal exploits became stuff of rock n' roll legend. It was said The Rolling Stones, whom various members of The Pretty Things were associated with early on, paled by comparison. They were, above all, a huge influence on a number of blues-based bands of the period - not only The Rolling Stones, but The Yardbirds and several others.

This track, Can't Stand The Pain, epitomized who they were during those early days when I picked up one of their first eps on import "The Pretty Things On Film".

If you're not familiar with them - now's the time to get acquainted with a legend.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 10

PLAYS: 10

(In Veins - a bit more going on in Bordeaux than wine)

Something new tonight. Another MySpace band discovery. I first stumbled across this band a few years ago and really liked them. A French band, In Veins tips its hat to the best of Psychedelia, Shoegaze, Trance, Indie, Progressive, Alternative - all those superlatives you would use to describe a band you really liked, who wasn't mainstream or pop.

And if I didn't tell you they were all from Bordeaux you would never know. They do sing in English, but it's more background to the wall of instrumental sound they create.

This track, Just Vision is a new one. They have a new album (I think their first) coming out pretty soon and their ep's (which they have 2) are available via iTunes. They're performing around, but nothing here in the States.

Check them out of it you get the chance, and if you like them, please support them. We need all the good music we can get.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 27

PLAYS: 30

(Roddy Frame - Aztec Camera - made the 80s worth listening to)

Getting into a 1980s frame of mind tonight - Aztec Camera from their first album High Land, Hard Rain - the opening track, and a favorite, Oblivious. Strangely, Aztec Camera really never caught on in the States. Only doing modest sales and occasional airplay. The only reason I can think of is the flood of albums and new bands coming out of the UK at the time caused a lot of worthy music to get lost in the shuffle. The early 80s saw a gradual shift from Punk to New Wave with Indie coming in through the back door. Once again, radio stations were also going through the shift, with less independent stations on the air and the growth of the corporate mergers - loosely translated: less experimenting and breaking of new acts and more concentration on the tried and true and the highly commercial acts (i.e. Madonna). Not to mention the introduction of MTV nationwide.

It was an interesting period of transition for the music business. But as is often the case, a lot of good music went unnoticed and it was frustrating not only for the bands, but for the audience as well.

Seems to still be that way.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 834

PLAYS: 1958

(Cuarteto D'Aida - Cancion Cubano at its best)

A taste of something recorded in Havana on March 31, 1957 - the legendary Cuarteto D'Aida with an orchestra arranged and led by the equally legendary Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill.

This is a whole world of music not a lot of people (at least here in the U.S.) have checked out, or even been exposed to. Thanks to films like Buena Vista Social Club, awareness of this rich vein of musical culture has finally come back into light. Sadly, it's been hidden away for too many years. Blame the Cuban revolution in 1959, blame the U.S. embargo, blame lots of things. Fact is - it's great music and it's gone unnoticed for a very long time. But lots of it, like this track, Profecia, have been sitting in the vaults at RCA and other U.S. labels and haven't been reissued since they first came out. RCA had studios in Havana and recorded a lot of these groups, as did many other labels. Fortunately, much of it is being reissued and discovered and is slowly becoming available.

So if this track appeals - there's a lot more where that came from.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 27

PLAYS: 36

(The Peanut Butter Conspiracy - naming your band after a food product had certain disadvantages)

Despite the name and despite the hype, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy were actually a good band with a lot of talent. I saw them several times during the period 1967-1969 and they held their own with some pretty stiff competition. But they were straddled with that name, and as history has proven, bands with food-group names (Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Ultimate Spinach, Vanilla Fudge, etc.) generally fell out of favor rather quickly or were pegged as "novelty bands" and not taken seriously - which was too bad.

They did however, have tons of promise when they first came out, and the gimmick worked (bumper stickers and posters plastered all over Hollywood proclaiming "the Peanut Butter Conspiracy Is Spreading" created an impression) and their first album sold quite well, with their initial single "It's A Happening Thing" in the top 40. It was their second single, the one I'm featuring today, Why Did I Get So High that got them in trouble. I remember hearing it once over KBLA (a sort of renegade top 40 station in Burbank) with the disclaimer "let's put the boss on a bummer with a record only the Burner dare play!" (the Burner being DJ Dave Diamond). And yep, it was banned right after that.

(You know you're in trouble when your Publicist has to send around notes assuring people you're not dangerous)

They couldn't seem to shake the dope-soaked characterization and the Food Group Name and their subsequent singles got very little airplay. After switching to another label and failing to score there, by 1970 the band had broken up.

Despite all that, they have gone on to achieve cult status and a reevaluation of their merits as a legitimate band. Luckily, fans are forgiving.

Moral of the story: Be careful what you name your band - it may be stuck with you for the rest of your life.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 25

PLAYS: 20

(Wondermints - Quintessential Power Pop with a liberal dose of Sunshine)

Some So-Cal Power Pop tonight, by way of Wondermints from 1996. Their first album and the track Tracy Hide. I always liked this band, but wasn't really sure why for a long time. Sometimes music doesn't have to be heavy and complex to be enjoyable - sometimes it's just a good piece of music and good production with nothing more than a nice tune you can listen to over and over again.

Sometimes simplest is best.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 24

PLAYS: 23

(Larry Williams in 1958 - Already hitting his stride)

Some early rock n' roll tonight - or specifically, Rock n' Roll from New Orleans. Larry Williams - with the single "Bad Boy" recorded on November 24, 1958. Williams had a relatively short career. Hitting his stride in the late 1950's when he was with Specialty Records, he was responsible for a string of hits which didn't let up until his move to another label.

If you aren't familiar with him, do yourself a favor.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 31

PLAYS: 18

(Lowline - Something new coming from Manchester)

Thanks to my friend Mig and the people at The Louisiana in Bristol (I've got to make it over there one of these days), I keep getting turned on to their up-coming bands appearing there in the coming weeks. One of those bands is Lowline, an outfit from Manchester, and very much in that Madchester mold. They've been together since 2007 and are getting their first album together, slated to come out early in 2010. No label. And like most bands these days, they're doing it themselves - so they need all the support they can get(hint-hint download - or get the CD). Judging by their MySpace page, they're gigging around and getting a good word of mouth going.

This is their new track, Outside, and I think it was just released a day or two ago.

Check them out and come back often - and if you're in Bristol, fall by the Louisiana. There's a lot more going on there than filming the fourth season of Skins.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 48

PLAYS: 21

(Coleman Hawkins - never duplicated . . but God knows, they've tried)

As long as we're in a Saxophone state of mind tonight, I thought I would end up this week a little like the way we did last week with some classic Jazz. This time from Coleman Hawkins, and a session he did with the Cozy Cole All Stars for Keynote Records from February 22, 1944 - Thru For The Night.

Says it all.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 41

PLAYS: 27

(The Stone Roses - Suddenly, music got jettisoned out of the doldrums)

I can't believe it's been 20 years since The Stone Roses released their first album. Up until that time music was going through a period of ennui. The 80s were coming to a close and things were getting a little complacent, musically. The Reagan Years could have something to do with it. MTV was busy converting the taste of most mainstream music into who was pretty and who was not - and that determined who would get a video made and who would languish in musical limbo. Radio saw the writing on the wall and playlists became tightly regimented, as corporate takeovers and mergers made freeform a thing of the past.

But then things took a brisk change. Seattle started pumping out Grunge and the UK started pumping out Madchester. And music suddenly took a turn for the better and The Stone Roses appeared.

As movements go, this one didn't last all that long. But it's presence and influence have been felt even to this day. And the first Stone Roses album, from which this cut This Is The One, is featured tonight, has become a classic, and is still fresh twenty years later.

You know you're on to something when you can make it sound timeless without much effort. And The Stone Roses are timeless.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 51

PLAYS: 39

(The Creation - When they said their music was red with purple flashes, they weren't kidding)

Back to the 60s tonight with the dawn of psychedelia and Freakbeat. Creation were one of the cornerstones of the wild aggressive turn pop music had taken. Along with The Who, The Creation were a totally visual and sonic experience, taking the music to a new level. Fronted by singer Kenny Pickett, with guitarist Eddie Phillips whose technique of bowing his guitar predates Jimmy Page's use of it with Led Zeppelin by a few years, the band also included such luminaries as Kim Gardner and Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones). Gardner and Wood joined later, as did other members, but Phillips and Pickett were founding members. Their first incarnation from 1966-1967 yielded tracks like the one tonight "How Does It Feel To Feel", which was released in two different versions; one for the US and the other for the UK. The insane guitar solo is from the US version, which doesn't appear on the UK version. The band went through a quick dissolve, but resurfaced in early 1968 with new members and continued until the end of 1968. From that point on, the band has achieved legend status and has been cited by countless musicians as a pivotal influence. Their songs have been reissued several times and even their rare TV appearances have made it over to YouTube in recent months.

Definitely a band worth checking out if you've never heard them before. They came along at a time when being outrageous was a completely new concept. And they wore it incredibly well.

You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!

DOWNLOADS: 44

PLAYS: 18

(The Lilac Time - still together, still recording, still gigging, still great)

In the late 1980s/early 90s, Fontana Records issued a lot of albums by interesting, out of the way, alternative bands. Which, as a subsidiary of a major label (Phonogram now Universal) was a pretty bold thing to do (well . .not since the early 70s anyway). Most of the acts didn't last more than one or two albums before being dropped, but the material most of them recorded was top-notch. A lot of the bands went off to other labels and other degrees of success and some are still together today. One of those acts was The Lilac Time, a band fronted by Stephen Duffy and largely considered an influential part of the early 90s wave of alternative bands coming out of the UK.

This track All For Love & Love For All comes from the album of the same name and was produced by XTC bandmates Andy Partridge and John Leckie. It has the XTC stamp on it and the track did pretty well on the charts at the time, further establishing The Lilac Time as no one-hit wonders. Luckily, they are still together and recording. Their last album came out about a year ago.

In case you missed them the first time around . . .