Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power (Columbia)
"Originally released in 1973, this album is a proto type for late 70's punk rock as we know it."
Well, not much needs to be said about this. This album not only influenced the late 70's punk scene, but you can also hear the energy from it in garage bands today. Iggy himself decided to remaster this himself, figgering that if anybody was gonna do it it oughta be done by him. He had the good sense not to mess with it too much. The sound is cleaner, but not sterile like most remastering jobs. Eight mighty tracks in all, including Search & Destroy, Raw Power, and Penetration. This is the album that made Iggy a legend. (Continental #4)

The Impacts - Eternal Surf (Gee-Dee)
"Brand new recordings from this 60's surf legend featuring Merrell Fankhauser."
The Impacts are back and just as good as ever. Eternal Surf is an excellent fifteen song collection featuring cool sax n' guitar driven tunes. What's amazing is the fact that these are ALL originals, rare in today's surf scene. Who knows, these may be the tunes that surf bands are covering 30 years from today. To mix things up a bit The Impacts have blended a nice spy/lounge sound into several of the surf tunes here. My favorites include Sand Draggin', Bermuda, Monster Swell, and Wave Snake. I'm gonna go out on a limb here, but this is probably my favorite new album from a first wave surf band. Pick it up today! (Continental #4)

The Impacts Featuring Merrell Fankhauser - Surfin 101 (D-Town)
No press kit was included.
This 20-track CD covers the gamut of surf and hot rod music. Three of the original members of The Impacts reformed in 1995 and set out to record a new batch of tunes. Seventeen of these recordings are included here, along with three long-lost tunes originally recorded in 1963. The Impacts show off their musicianship here and carve their own niche through the use of lap steel guitar. If you want to hear surf from one of it's founding fathers, this release comes highly recommended. Merrell has a weekly TV and radio show in California; if you are in a surf band you can send CD's and videos to the address shown here. (Merrell Fankhauser, P.O. Box 1504, Arroyo Grande, CA 93421.) (The Continental #1)

Impala - Play R&B Favorites 7" (Estrus)
"Yesiree, these boys have come a long way from their regular gig at Memphis, Tennessee's beautiful Cozy Corner Rib, B-B-Q and Plate Lunch Emporium."
This one just might get my award for the best all-around single of the issue. The cover art is simply amazing, day-glo colors and vintage artwork from the genius of Art Chantry. There are four cuts on this disc, each of which is guaranteed to get your toes a tappin' and your hips a shakin'. "Makin' It" is bump n' grind madness ala the Frolic Diner or Las Vegas Grind comps. Pour yourself a stiff drink, put this disc on, sit back, and see what happens. (The Continental #1)

Impala - Square Jungle (Estrus)
"This bourbon fueled bar burner features twelve brand new all-instro meltdowns recorded by Mr. Roland James at the one and only Sam Phillips Recording Studios..."
This CD rips with reverb-soaked guitar, blazing sax riffs, and pounding drums. It is tough to top their debut CD, "Kings of the Strip", and although they may not have done it with this release, they have still managed to come up with something to kick the competition against the wall with. This is a stompin' set of ten originals and two covers, one of them "Diamond Head" by The Ventures. Far from being a one-trick pony, these boys mix surf, spy, and garage into a sound all their own. (Estrus Records, P.O. Box 2125, Bellingham, WA 98227.)

Insect Surfers - Death Valley Coastline (Marlin Records)
"Far from being a nostalgia act, Insect Surfers play guitar fueled instrumental rock for tomorrow - today!"
Insect Surfers have come up with their own unique brand of instro rock. There are elements of surf in their sound, but they also mix in a bit of psychedelia here and there. Heck, there's even a cover of a Buzzcocks tune on here (Walking Distance). It is hard to compare Insect Surfers to anyone else. You hear bits of sounds and melodies you have heard before, but they have mixed 'em all up into an all-new set of tunes. Check it out! (Marlin Records, P.O. Box 661441, Los Angeles, CA 90066.) (The Continental #1)

Insect Surfers - East West 10" (Dionysus)
No press kit was included.
Insect Surfers have come up with a twist on the traditional surf rock sound, adding a bit of indie rock guitar to the typical reverb-laden guitar sound. It may be a bit much for the purists to stomach, but it just might allow them to cross over into indie radio. This EP includes five studio cuts, one live original tune, and a live cover of Link Wray's "Jack The Ripper". My fav tune on here was "Razorback", which combines the driving force of "Pipeline" with an original melody. (Hmmm...#7)

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