Ultimate Breaks & Beats Vol. 3 & 4

And now for something completely different ...

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Simpatico Voices and Strings

I'm reposting this wonderful record in memory of Alexandr, who has apparently passed away from some sort of virus. Rest in peace, my friend.

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Chris Bartley

Signed in 1967 by Van McCoy to his newly formed Vandor Records label, Chris Bartley and the label scored a Top 40 pop hit and a Top Ten R&B hit their first time out with the McCoy-authored "The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven," an achingly beautiful soul ballad. The song was successful enough to get Bartley national exposure and even some performing engagements in England and is one of the more findly remembered one-shot soul hits of its period, but it was only a one-shot - he was never able to duplicate its success despite several tries.

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Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Great soundtrack or greatest soundtrack? This one goes out to Mr. Ebert.

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Bandcamp Update

During the past year I've been going over all the songs and albums that I've posted on Bandcamp, and I've remastered, re-tweeked and re-imagined virtually everything. So if you have listened to a particular record in the past, you might want to give it another shot. And if you do download, please donate.

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Dino, Desi and Billy

Yeah, they were a cool little band. But would they have gotten a deal if they didn't have relatives in high places?

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Bob Crewe

In memoriam.

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Julie Budd

Had a request for this Babs look-alike. Sorry that some of the tracks wobble a bit.

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David Geddes

Some more gum for you, this one in the mode of Bo Donaldson with some disco touches. Most of it is pretty silly, but the title track is a great teenage tragedy song.

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The Street People

A sort of sub-Archies record, with Rupert Holmes doing his best Ron Dante impression. By the way, I've installed a "Donate" button on the right (the link was not working, but now it is). Give early and often.

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Queen Anne's Lace

With its sunshiny girl/boy singing, this is an album very much in the mold of the Free Design.

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The Mind Expanders

What's happening? According to the back cover of this record, mad "mod" clothes, op art, pop art, uninhibited dancing, and far-out "psychedelic" music - that's what's happening. Speaking of what's happening, Mondo Exploito just passed the 100,000-visitor mark.

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Superdude

In which Pickwick exploits blacksploitation. What you get then, I suppose, is a double negative.

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Encounter

O my love, where are they
Where are they going
The flash of a hand
Streak of movement
Rustle of pebbles
I ask not out of sorrow
But in wonder
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Peter Gallway

This one fills a request. You know, if all the leaders of all the countries spent more time listening to music and less time blowing each other up, what a wonderful world it would be.

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Ohio Knox

Here's a nice set of '70s-styled singer/songwriter tunes by Peter Gallway, formerly of the Fifth Avenue Band. He's got the support of John Sebastian on guitar and harmonica, and CSNY's Dallas Taylor on drums.

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The Golden Gate Strings

Is there still such a thing as elevator music? If so, this record of easy listening Dylan interpretations would fill the bill.

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Joyous Noise

Here are the two albums by Joyous Noise, a country rock band that consisted of Dennis Dragon, Lee Montgomery, Marc McClure, Happy Smith, and Lance Wakely. It was produced by Ron Elliott of Beau Brummels fame.

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Dylan Jazz

Some very hip interpretations of His Bobness, performed by Wrecking Crew members Al De Lory (piano), Lyle Ritz (bass), Hal Blaine (drums), Jim Horn (flute, sax), and Glen Campbell (guitar).

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For Robin ...

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Tomorrow

This one is for my dad, who passed away in 2001. He would've been 93 on this day. By the by, you would greatly support ol' Mondo if you actually purchased this album. Any amount would help. I leave it up to you ...

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Gene Cotton

After a couple mellow Impact recordings, folk singer Gene Cotton increased his hair length and emerged with a more serious artistic sound. "In the Gray of the Morning" starts off with a take on the Moody Blues’ "Question," a phrase that inspired the album title. Originals such as "Apathy," "American Indian Blues," "Opry House Blues," "Lessons of History," along with Dylan’s "When the Ship Comes In" are toned down as far as the Christian message is concerned, though the beautiful acoustic track "Blessed" is pretty straightforward.

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Paige Claire

The sole record from Ms. Claire comes over at times like junior league Dusty, but it's pretty great nonetheless. Features songs by Tom "Partridge Family" Bahler and David "Bread" Gates, and arrangements by Al Capps and Harry Betts.

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Gene Cotton

Here, by request, is an album by singer/songwriter Gene Cotton, who, according to Wiki, was instrumental in 1970s pop singer Michael Johnson's career. And then he went and became a Christian. Or something.

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Lani Hall

A sun-kissed record from the former singer of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, nicely produced by hubby Herb Alpert.

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John Simon

If this record sounds similar to the second album by the Band, that's because John Simon helped to produce that record and also because Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel return the favor by performing here. Simon's voice is a bit thin and creaky, but I think that adds to the overall charm, which this disk has in spades. This one goes out to my old buddy Mark.

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Guy and David

This obscure singing duo turn in some sweet performances of well-known tunes ("Galveston," "Games People Play" and "The Straight Life"). Perfect for a sultry summer day.

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Solid State

Great choral performances and horn arrangements on this one. Thanks to Derrick Bostrom for the link.

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Songbook

Here, by request, is the very first loss leader. Not the greatest rip, so if someone has a better one please feel free to grace us with a link in the comments.

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All Singing - All Talking - All Rocking

Had a request for this one. Enjoy.

Record One and Record Two

Larry Henley

From the interwebs: Larry Henley was the lead singer of the Newbeats, the man lending the 1960s trio the high vibrato-laden voice that made "Bread and Butter" a left-field hit. While this would remain the group's high water mark as hitmakers, singles would continue sneaking out into the mid-'70s. Concurrently, Henley released sporadic solo singles and turned to songwriting, at which he's piled up writing credits on many country and pop hits over the past few decades. Along the way a lone solo LP emerged: 1975's Piece A Cake. Recorded with Capricorn labelmates Fallenrock, Henley and company work in a swamp rock mode that's surprisingly funky at times with "Love Junkie" and "Rock & Roll Me a Number," tunes that showcase his inimitable vocals best. There is also an interesting take on an early Sam Cooke hit, "I'll Come Running Back to You," and another of a standard from his own pen, "Till I Get It Right." I guess I can forgive him for writing "Wind Beneath My Wings" now.

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The People's Record

One last loss leader collection before we move on to something else.

Record One and Record Two

Hamilton Affair

Would anyone have this? If so, please post a link in the comments.

Looney Tunes

Yet another loss leader, this time one of the best. It came in an elaborate three-LP box and with a well-written booklet, all for $3. Hard to imagine now.

HERE ARE ALL THREE ALBUMS IN TWO PARTS

Dreamland

We're all so busy
Busy, busy, busy
We start out somewhere and then we disappear
We come and go
Put on a show
How can anybody get anything done 'round here
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The Force

One more loss leader to add to your collection.

Record One and Record Two

Appetizers

Here's another loss leader, a very tasty stew of tracks.

Record One and Record Two

Middle of the Road

Here's another two-LP set from Warner's loss leaders series. Again, this one contains an eclectic bunch of tunes, from Dion's "Sunshine Lady" to Frank Sinatra's "Love's Been Good to Me" to Randy Newman's "Political Science." What a label. What a time it was. More to come ...

Record One and Record Two

Non-Dairy Creamer

During the late 1960s and into the early '70s, Warner/Reprise was really at the cutting edge for a mainstream label, and one of the cool things this Burbank-based operation did was put out a series of samplers known as "loss leaders," whose purpose was show off its eccentric roster. These records were inexpensive (I recall stuffing $2 in an envelope to get my copy of "The Big Ball," which I still treasure), but thoughtfully compiled and annotated. "Non-Dairy Creamer" demonstrates just how eclectic the label truly was, featuring artists such as Little Feat, Tony Joe White and Ron Nagle. I can post more if anyone is interested.

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John Renton

I could find little on this Vancouver native, other than he was in group called Three to One in the late '60s before landing a deal with Reprise in 1975, when he released this, his only record. The great John Hartford guests.

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Life Among the Lilies

I tried to love you
But you would not let me in
You kept me at a distance
Like a vestigial twin
You lied to me so sweetly
And I wanted to go on believing
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The Group

Warm and groovy? Sounds like the perfect record to post on Mondo Exploito ...

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Rick Neufeld

Some pleasant Canadiana from the guy best know for the song "Moody Manitoba Morning," which the Bells turned into a middling hit. Me, I think he comes across as a less saccharine version of John Denver.

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The Now Generation

It's unlikely that the manufacturers of this record were being ironic with the title, which makes it that much more apt - seeing as how they were taking other people's hits and making it their business, literally. Still, these cover versions are pretty goddamn cool, and I just love any "band" that goes by the name the Now Generation, of which there seems to be many. Here, then, is the quintessence of exploito.

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Pink Lady

Forget such wannabe hipsters as Cornelius, Cibo Matto and Pizzicato Five - Japan's one and only truly great disco export was this bloodless duo, who were produced by Michael Lloyd of West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band fame.

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Paul Pena

Typically atypical '70s folk/blues/gospel hybrid from a guy who rubbed shoulders with James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Kris Kristofferson. His bio says he went on to play with the likes of John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Muddy Waters. If you've been diggin' the stuff I post, likely you'll dig this forgotten gem.

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Richie Lecea

SoCal soft-rock featuring ace sessioners Charles Larkey (bass), Andy Newmark (drums) and Dean Parks (guitar). I recall critic Robert Christgau grading this a D, which must stand for delightful. Freshly ripped from my vinyl. Richie's album "Magic" can be found over at Rock Archeologia.

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Kelly Gordon

What Groove Collector calls "totally slept on excellent blue-eyed soul."

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The Wanderers

Some soft sounds for gentle people.

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Up From Georgia

To celebrate the 4th of July, here's my vinyl rip of the second album by Charlie Brown. Gonna hunker down now as we await the arrival of Hurricane Arthur, which is coming up from Georgia (or thereabouts).

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