Various
Back On The Street Again
Compiled by Pete Pasqual, Erica Olson and DJ Kinetic. Following on from acclaimed compilations like Down Under Nuggets and Heavy Soul (and two other new titles Running The Voodoo Down and Dodgy Bossa (and Silly Sambas) Festival Records presents another deep dig into the archives, this time shining a light on rare Australian soul-jazz, jazz-funk, and freaked-out groove rock from the late ‘60s and ‘70s. It is a stunning 20 track CD and 2LP release that highlights a point when the previously disparate styles of rock, jazz and soul all started influencing each other, and exciting new genres were created. To quote the liner notes (by DJ Kinetic): "Australia produced some amazing music during the 60s and 70s that sat outside of the normal rock mould. Avant guard artists like John Sangster pushed boundaries and experimented with the fusion of local and overseas influences; artists like Dalvanius recorded soaring disco music that was lost amongst the popular music of the time, only to be rediscovered by DJs overseas who were searching for unknown sounds; composers like Brute Force and His Drum took risks and recorded left-field funky sounds hidden within their more mainstream compositions; and popular artists like Billy Thorpe occasionally strayed from their A&R directions and took leaves from the books of American artists who were largely unknown in Australia at the time. Beneath the veneer of bland rock and roll lay an unknown multitude of funky sounds hidden from mainstream view. “ In addition to the artists that Kinetic mentions (and the compilation features two John Sangster tracks – stunning versions of Hair and the Beatles’ A Day In The Life), the collection includes iconic names of the era like the Daly-Wilson Big Band (featuring Kerrie Biddell), Renee Geyer and the Johnny Rocco Band. ‘60s sides from Ross D Wyllie and The ID (featuring Jeff St John) reveal the various styles’ roots in American rhythm and blues, and the unexpected inclusion of some legendary Australian rock outfits like Tamam Shud and Blackfeather reveals the psychedelic and progressive rock influences at play. The full range of the music is highlighted by the inclusion of both cabaret / daytime TV performer Al Styne and outrageous Kings Cross club act Count Copernicus and The Cosmic Fire as well as the in-house studio ‘pops’ orchestra, Festival Studio 24 Orchestra.
Tracklist
1. Billy Thorpe - Back On The Street Again - Billy Thorpe
2. The Id - Feel Awright - The ID
3. Ross D Wyllie - Do The Uptight - Ross D Wylie
4. Johnny Rocco Band - Funky Max - Johnny Rosco Band
5. Daly-wilson Big Band (Featuring Kerrie Biddell) - City Sounds - Daly Wilson Big Band
6. Dalvanius And The Fascinations -voodoo Lady - Dalvanius and The Fascinations
7. Renee Geyer - Be There In The Morning - Renée Geyer
8. John Sangster - Hair - John Sangster
9. Ray White Revival - Superstition - Ray White Revival
10. Festival Studio 24 Orchestra - Africa (L'ete Indien) - Festival Studio 24 Orchestra
11. Brute Force & His Drum - Weird And Wonderful - Brute Force
12. Mcphee - The Wrong Time - McPhee
13. Kahvas Jute - Odyssey - Kahvas Jute
14. Tamam Shud - Sea That Swells (From Morning Of The Earth) - Tamam Shud
15. Blackfeather - The Rat Suite main Title - Blackfeather
16. Al Styne - Vehicle - Al Styne
17. Mcphee - Indian Rope Man - McPhee
18. Hot Source - Oz Bump (Soul Thing) - Hot Source
19. Count Copernicus & The Cosmic Fire - Painted Ego - Count Copernicus & The Cosmic Fire
20. John Sangster - A Day In The Life - John Sangster