(*)John Barry - The Man With The Golden Gun (U.A.)
I love James Bond soundtrack albums. The main theme is performed by Lulu in this film. It is a great song, unfortunately, the rest of the album is variations of the same song. Taken one song at a time it's okay, but it gets kinda repetitive when listening to the whole album. If you can find a compilation of James Bond themes you might be better off. (Hmmm... #2)

Les Baxter - Baxter's Best (Capitol)
"This collection is the perfect introduction to Baxter's pop for listeners only familiar with his exotica."
Les Baxter is probably best known these days for his exotic music, songs like "Quiet Village" and "Taboo". This collection focusses on another side of Baxter, the one that came up with lush orchestrations for popular tunes like "The Poor People Of Paris", "I Concentrate On You", "Unchained Melody", and "I Love Paris". These tunes are just as fun to listen to as his exotic recordings. Perhaps a bit mellower, but still fun and jazzy at times. For another glimpse into the genius of Les Baxter, there is no better introduction than Baxter's Best. (The Continental #1)

Les Baxter - The Exotic Moods Of Les Baxter (Capitol)
"With 40 enigmatic classics, you'll be so mesmerized, you'll forget about your martini."
Capitol really knows how to reissue music right. This 2-CD set compiles tracks from over ten of Baxter's exotic releases, along with a previously unreleased song and a side from a 1956 single. It starts off with probably his most famous exotic orchestration, "Quiet Village", and doesn't let up until over two hours later with "Procession Of The Princes". This set is the perfect introduction to the exotic side of Les Baxter for the beginning listener, but also contains the unreleased track "Bacoa" and has been remastered to attract the die-hard fans. If you are looking for the ultimate soundtrack for your next tiki party, there is really no better set of music than this. (The Continental #1)

(*)Harry Belafonte - Calypso (RCA Victor)
This album is a lot of fun. It includes 'Day O', probably Harry's biggest hit. However, I bought this album because I was curious to hear what the rest of it sounded like. Besides, every time I hear that song I think of that damn Bon Marche commercial. The real reason I bought this album was to hear 'The Jack Ass Song', which, to my dissapointment is about a donkey. (Hmmm... #2)

The Blue Hawaiians - Live At The Lava Lounge (Pascal)
"Four exiles from the Wayne Newton, Vegas casino circuit with a primitive pulse in their veins and a dream."
On this live recording The Blue Hawaiians take a bunch of standard surf and pop tunes, give them an exotic twist, crank up the reverb, and create the perfect soundtrack for drinkin' your favorite fruit n' rum concoction. Among the covers here are Pipeline, Apache, Baja, Caravan, Jack The Ripper, and The Jester. I'm not sure about some of the singing and between-song dialogue, but the music is pretty damn cool. These cats have the sounds and the connections to make it big - look for their new album of all-original material coming soon. (Continental #4)

(*)The Bomboras - Last Call/Surfin' Bull (Dionysus)
The Bomboras are definitely one of the best surf bands makin' the rounds. This 7" has two more songs which will help propel them towards the fame and fortune they so greatly deserve. The only disappointment here is the lack of a picture sleeve, yet if you're looking for a couple of cool tunes, look no further. (Hmmm...#7)

(*)The Bomboras - Savage Island (Dionysus)
Okay, here's what you need for a hot surf platter: a ton of reverb, the right influences, that boom-tat-tat-boom-tat beat, and for an added touch some Farfisa. Well, you get all that here and more. From the ashes of The Finks and hot off their Forbidden Planet and Surfin' Bull 45's comes The Bomboras first full length disc. Some have complained that it is only 26 minutes long. What do you want, 10 minute long surf epics that sound like "Nights In White Satin"? This is great stuff, complete with a cool tiki cover. To top all of this off, one of the members has a goatee in the shape of a bat! (Hmmm... #5)

The Bomboras - Swinging Singles (Dionysus)
"No, this is NOT the "new" Bomboras album you've all been waiting for."
This is a collection of singles and previously unreleased tracks from The Bomboras and their predecessors (The Finks and Lord Hunt & His Missing Finks). The disc is led of by three of my favorite Bomboras tunes, all from their "Forbidden Planet" EP. The Bomboras capture that vintage surf sound from the early 60's. Instead of using modern studios and modern equipment, they use all of the vintage stuff so their output sounds like something that would fit right in on one of Romulan or Del-Fi's surf reissues. All told, you get 15 solid surf tracks with no filler. Since most of the singles are out of print now, this is the only way you'll get to hear some of these tunes. (Dionysus Records, P.O. Box 1975, Burbank, CA 91507.) (The Continental #1)

(*)The Boss Martians - The Boss Martians (Dionysus)
More than any other band on the scene today, The Boss Martians remind me of The Astronauts. They mix vocal and instro surf tunes using vintage 60's gear and simple lyrics about cars, booze, and women. It's done with a touch of innocence, just like the bands crankin' out the tunes back then. Today, bands can get away with just about anything, which gets really boring after a while. There isn't a dud on this disc, although I do have my favorites. I really dig: "The Martian Stomp", "Time Trail Run", "Driftwood Beach", and their cover of The Astronauts' "Hot Doggin'" (they also cover The Astronauts' "Competetion Coupe on the Hot Rods To Hell compilation). If you like this, you'll want to pick up some of their singles, some of which feature cuts that are even better than what you'll find here. (Hmmm... #7)

The Boss Martians - The Mortician b/w My Ford Sedan (Roto-Flex)
"For my own band absolutely kicking ass all the time is where it's at."
This could possibly be my favorite Boss Martians release to date. "The Mortician" has two parts, one dark and sinister; the other poppy and melodic. The A-side alone makes this 7" essential for any surf-rock fan. On the B-side they sing an ode to "My Ford Sedan". This one's a vocal tune that is classic Boss Martians, sounding a bit like The Astronauts (US, not the German version) from their Competition Coupe days. (Roto-Flex, P.O. Box 64252, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2K 6J1.) (Hmmm...#7)

Jimmy Bryant - Ha-So/Tobacco Worm 7" (Ecco-Fonic) Ha-So is an excellent Far East meets Walk Don't Run instrumental rocker, while the flip is crazy cut called Tobacco Worm. Recorded back in 1962 for the Big J label, it didn't sound anything like the surf music that was sweeping the nation and didn't sell too well. As a result it has been long sought after by collectors of instrumental rock n' roll - until now. The fine folks at Ecco-Fonic have reissued this amazing 7" with the blessing of Jimmy's son John, complete with a great cover shot of the man in action. (Continental #5)

(*)Mark Burgess & The Sons Of God - Spring Blooms Tra-la
Good luck finding this one. It is a german release that I was lucky enough to get from someone on the net. It includes 11 Chameleons songs and two from The Sons Of God. Among the selections are never before heard live versions of The Healer, Time, and Tears. Many of these songs were performed for the last time on Mark's latest tour, so it is nice to have a souvenir such as this. It comes with a bonus 3 track CD from the Manchester 1993 CD. (Hmmm... #1)

(*)Mark Burgess & Yves Altana - Always Want - CD Single (Dead Dead Good)
This is the second single from their first album called "Paradyning". For some reason this was easier to find on import than the full album (which I still don't have). The lead track from this is quite good, similar in feel to the songs on "Zima Junction". The second track, "Stephanie Weaves", is another good one, faster and rockier with a prominent lead guitar line. The final track, "Something For The Girl With Everything", is a spastic rocker originally done by Sparks. (Hmmm... #5)


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