Bobby Bland - "The Soul Of The Man" (1966)

Bobby "Blue" Bland is a legend of Memphis music and one of the greatest Blues crooners that ever was. His rich, soulful voice works amazingly well in just about any genre, and has given him an edge in the industry shared by other soulful Blues/Gospel artists like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles.

Bobby Bland is probably best known by today's youth as sample source for Jay-Z's Blueprint album, and the original performer of "I'll Take Care of You", covered by Drake and Rihanna, and a whole bunch of other people.

The Soul Of The Man is Bobby Bland's fifth studio album, released in 1966 on Duke Records. This album has an intimate, yet spacious sound, and features Bobby rocking it out over all variety of songs. "Ain't Nobody's Business" and "Dear Bobby (The Note)", his duet with backing vocalist Vi Campbell, share the bellowing, pained sound of "I'll Take Care of You", while "Back In The Same Old Bag" and "Reach Right Out" are punchy Rock & Roll dance numbers. Best of all, this album features a really wonderfully minimal, funky cover of "Fever", featured streaming below:

The sound quality is on the crackly side, but I feel like it does the music justice. I'm generally a big fan of Bobby, and though I hadn't heard any of these songs before I found this copy, I feel like this album does a great job of exhibiting Bobby Bland's best qualities.

ENJOY 

Psychedelic Tokyo 1966-1969 Vol. 3 - Slitherama! (1991)

If you are anything like me, you get giddy when you hear a unique, original cover song. This compilation is jammed full of them. Slitherama! is the third volume of psychedelic 60s Japanese garage rock released by Italian label Planet X. This was purchased at Time Bomb Records in Tokyo's America Town (making it the all-around most cosmopolitan record I own) by my good friend Manny of LBP Stunts, and I am forever grateful for this addition to my collection.

Anyone who is a fan of heavy reverb, rumbling Hammond organ, screaming bluesy guitar solos, and Engrish accents is sure to be taken on quite a journey. There isn't much about the music on this collection that is definitively Japanese (besides the monster movie soundtracks which bookend each side of the record), but it all rocks in a way that is far more rebellious than whatever passes as Rock 'N' Roll these days. Every selection here is a memorable discovery, and for those who own a physical copy, I'd just like to note that it's pressed on awesome marbled color vinyl!

ENJOY

P.S. If you like this, you might also want to check out a little remix I cranked out the other night. May your necks be as sore as mine was when this was completed.

The Spellbinders - The Magic of The Spellbinders (1966)

This album right here is an absolute gem. The Magic of... is the only recorded LP by a group of five talented and upbeat singers and musicians known as The Spellbinders. Normally fetching prices from 50-100 dollars, I was lucky to find my well-loved copy for a dollar at K Starke Records in Chicago. Entirely arranged and conducted by a pre-"The Hustle" Van McCoy, this record epitomizes the sound of the soulful 60's.

With 11 tracks coming in at under 30 minutes, this is a pop album through and through. Every song feels happy and positive - even the forlorn love ballads seem to have a pep in their step. This particular copy of the record is the stereophonic version, and sounds absolutely awesome on a good sound system or a pair of headphones - it's like you are in the middle of the room and they are playing the songs all around you - a musical group hug, if you will. To quote the band themselves, on the back of the record sleeve, "We like to sing just plain old soul!" The album sounds just like the cover would suggest: a touch of class, and 5 big happy smiles.

HERE.

Les Surfs - Cosi' Come Viene/In Un Fiore 7" (1966)

Les Surfs were a brother-sister sextet, originally from Madagascar. They gained international success in the 1960's, producing most of their music in France, but they also released records in Italy and Spain, along with the rare English language track.

This 7" was released in Italy (vocals in Italian) in 1966. The two songs are both fun, upbeat 60's Pop, and the B-side has a pretty strong Tango influence. The record sleeve claims that the songs were arranged and composed by Sam Clayton, but I'm not sure if it's the same Sam Clayton of Little Feat fame. Nothing was mentioned on Discogs, but this would pretty much represent the earliest stages of his career if so. This 7" was purchased for me in Italy by my sister.

Side A: "Cosi' Come Viene"

Side B: "In Un Fiore"