Rubber Soul Synthetic Hybrid Fan Mix

This winter I finally took my various CD versions of Rubber Soul and made myself a copy which incorporates every track from the US and UK versions of the LP. I used my favorite mixes of each and then remixed them by lessening the stereo separation and reducing distortion. I also decided to bring up the drum and bass volume a bit more. Mostly this post is just to show you a really nice track order to listen to these songs in. For a week or two as a Holiday gift, I will offer a link to download this Hybrid version I am referring to. I can't believe I never thought to mix the US and UK albums before now, it makes for such a fun listening experience. I include the false start on "I'm Looking Through You" but subtly cross-fade into the less compressed UK version. So if you're like me and grew up with the US version, you should really enjoy this mix. The running order is made to closely match the flow of the US version. The art work you see is made to go with the Hybrid mix, it doesn't list the bonus track "12-Bar Original" because I treat that like a bonus hidden track. The temporary link is for a flac version of my fan mix. I realize that there are many fan mixes of this album, most are already excellent. I just made this mix for myself, but felt it was too good not to share for a limited time. If you like stereo, but not the drastic separation that was on the original CDs, then this mix should please you as well. If you do like it, please share it. If you don't enjoy it, sorry, that's the way it goes sometimes.

Click here for temporary download

Ella Mae Morse-Barrelhouse, Boogie & The Blues LP

What you see pictured here is an EP by the legendary Ella Mae Morse. She was one of the most versatile and talented singers of her era. She could sing blues, pop, swing, boogie, ballads and even rock & roll. She recorded the very first single for Capitol records, "Cow Cow Boogie" and it was a big success. She started recording as a teenager, and really developed quickly into a phenomenal singer. Her popularity was mainly in the early 1940s. This album was one of her few LPs and it shows her full range as a performer. Her band leader during this era was "Big Dave" Cavanaugh. As far as I know this LP in it's original lineup has never been released on CD. There is a box set of the same name, that is basically everything she ever recorded with Capitol records. I have a copy of the EP seen here, and found the additional tracks needed to make up the complete LP she issued in the mid 1950's. I picked 3 more tracks that seemed to go well with the original LP and am offering it here for your enjoyment. If you have the money to spare, get the box set on Bear Family records, or a used copy of the Capitol Collector's Series it is highly recommended. My vinyl copy has a lot of hiss that is unpleasant so I am offering a version with songs taken from CD.

get it here

UPDATE, I just found out someone is sharing the actual vinyl version of this 10" EP, so if you'd like to hear it from vinyl please visit the real cool blog called Big 10-inch record

Mimi-Soak

I am shocked that this album is out of print. This is such a fine album from the lead singer of Hugo Largo. Half of the songs are produced by the late Hector Zazou and the other half are produced by fellow Hugo Largo member Hahn Rowe. This album is simply beautiful and intoxicating, give it a listen.


Get it here

Hypnolovewheel-Space Mountain

This is a really good album, and is criminally under-appreciated, I have never seen it show up on Soulseek or other P2P sites. My copy is from CD released on the Alias label. The playing is tight, the lyrics are clever, it is a really fun album. I can't find out who all is on this album, but there is definitely Chris Xefos (who also played with King Missile) and Lou Giordano (who is a respected producer and engineer). I recommend this album highly as well as their Altered States album.
Thanks goes out to Army anesthesiologist Hank Wilson for turning me onto this music.

Get it here!

Woody Herman & The New Third Herd - Men From Mars 10 inch LP

This is a 10 inch album which was purchased by my Mom in England around 1955. I listened to the album since I was very young because I liked the cover illustration so much. I scanned the cover with a friend's camera and figured I would download the songs somewhere quite easily, after all this is the famous Woody Herman. I quickly realized that this is a very rare album, especially for downloading. Fortunately that same friend had just purchased a Roland Edirol recorder so we hooked it up to my Stanton turntable and got down to work. I also looked up recording dates for The Third Herd and proceeded to find a few more tracks which were recorded for the US Verve 12 inch release of this album. I found 5 tracks which were recorded around the same time and by the Third Herd to the best of my knowledge. I really hope you will enjoy this rare gem the way I have over the years. "Marakeesh" is the track that my Mom purchased this album for, and it is a beautiful piece of exotica. The flautist, Sam Staff really shines on this track, and sadly died at age 34 before this album was released in England. This album seems to fit stylistically in between Cool Jazz and Lounge Music, it is bouncy, sophisticated and modern. The title track features an unusual Organ/Electric Piano combination which helps give it a modern otherworldly quality. Woody was in his early 40s around the time he assembled his Third Herd and I think that is reflected in the music here, it is mature, somewhat restrained but forward looking collection.

get it here