Review: Original Gravity have been carrying Curtis Baker and the Bravehearts for the past few years, slipping out a clutch of his hot and heavy blues tunes and covers. On this latest single, he's tackling the mighty 'Spoonful', originally written by Willie Dixon and first made famous by Etta James, Howlin' Wolf and eventually Cream. Baker more than does the track justice, hitting a note somewhere close to The Doors' groovy kind of psychedelia, locking in so hard it has to stretch over both sides of the 7".
Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts - "By Hook Or By Crook" (2:55)
Floyd James & The GTs - "The Switchback" (3:01)
Review: Original Gravity serve up yet two more contemporary soul tracks; sides A and B on this latest 7" are shared by Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts and Floyd James & The GTs respectively. The A's 'By Hook Or By Crook' recounts the all-to-relatable feeling of stopping at nothing to get what one wants, while 'The Switchback' ups the big beats and big halls for a roomy guit-funk come mod romp. Yet another delight to add to the OG Newtonians' pile.
Review: This is a vinyl release of the original soundtrack for Joe 90, a 1968 British science-fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The soundtrack was composed and conducted by Barry Gray, a prolific British composer who worked on many of Anderson's shows, such as Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. The soundtrack features Gray's distinctive style of orchestral music, blending classical influences with jazz and pop and electronic elements. The release includes 24 tracks selected from the show's score, pressed on two LPs with orange and blue vinyl, and also features new artwork by illustrator Eric Chu, depicting the main character Joe McClaine and his many eccentric gadgets.
Review: The second BBC bank holiday Beatles special From Us To You was recorded on February 28, 1964, at BBC Piccadilly Studios and it aired a month later on Easter Monday, March 30. Hosted by DJ Alan Freeman, the set featured The Beatles' debut performance of 'You Can't Do That,' which had been recorded just two days earlier. Initially considered for their next single, it was later placed as the B-side to 'Can't Buy Me Love,' which came in March of that year. Bonus tracks included here from the August 1964 show are 'Boys' and 'Long Tall Sally,' which serve to highlight the band's evolving repertoire and their energetic live performances during this period.
Review: The Beatles' EP From Us To You #3 captures a 1964 BBC session that encapsulates the band's early charm and infectious energy. Featuring a whopping ten tracks, it was recorded in the BBC's Paris Studios in Regent Street, London and fact fans will note that 'Honey Don't which was later included on the album Beatles For Sale and sung by Ringo, here features John on the vocals. Elsewhere the EP captures the band's irresistible melodies and tight harmonies with three of the tunes originally penned by the band's favourite rockabilly star Carl Perkins. Each song is a testament to The Beatles' enduring influence on popular music and overall serves as a timeless reminder of the band's unmatched creativity which continues to this day with new AI-produced singles that the much talked about one earlier in the year.
Review: Initially put forward as a potential Beatles single during the mid 1990s 'Anthology' period but shelved due to objections from George Harrison, 'Now and Then' has been trailed as the iconic band's 'final single'. It's re-emergence now in finished form (it was completed partially using AI, but also some studio trickery by Giles Martin) ties in with the reissue of the band's two 1973 'best of' compilations (the so-called 'Red' and 'Blue' collections). Like their two singles of the 90s, it features Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the late George Harrison finishing off an early 70s John Lennon demo, with a little help from producer Jeff Lynne. It comes backed with a freshly remixed, 'proper' stereo version of their debut single, 'Love Me Do', thus completing the band's musical journey once and for all.
Review: There are as many opinions on 'Now & Then' as there are people, but regardless of your own thoughts on this revived Lennon sketch there's no denying the arrival of the final Beatles single has been one of the major musical events of 2023. Collectors and completists, meanwhile, of which we gather The Beatles have more than a few, will be trampling on top of each other to get hold of these Japanese editions of the single.
Review: The Blue Flames' self-titled EP comes on 7" and follows up the well-received A Snapshot In Time CD compilation from last year. The group's singles are archetypal 50s and 60s soundtracks and have become highly in demand and collectible. Their proto-mod sound is truly distinctive and shines though her with tunes that have never before been available on vinyl. They are instrumentals as the lead singer had been told it was best for him to not sing outside of live shows. They come recorded in mono, like much music of the time, and with liner notes from Dean Rudland and all sound fantastic.
Review: Ace Records are she-pop experts who have kept a constant stream of high quality offerings from the 1960s coming. Featuring mostly British and American artists the label now widens its net to serve up a pair of high impact tunes from their well-received Ciao Bella! Italian Girl Singers Of The 1960s compilation CD. Brunetta's 'Baluba Shake' has big and cavernous drums, plucked guitar riffs and rollicking great chords next to lung-busting vocals. It's a real dancer. Things get more impassioned on the high speed funk chase that is Rita Pavone's 'Il Geghege.'
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