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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Sunrise

Sole record from this sunshiny AOR-style band, produced by erstwhile Beach Boy Bruce Johnston. I might not care so much for it if it weren't on Buddah. BTW, I just updated this with a superior rip, so if you downloaded this when it was first posted, grab it again.

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Today's People

This one goes out to monkeeboy. See you on the flip side.

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Lost Time

We write novels that tell our stories
But they don't get it right
We build great statues to our heroes
But they cast a strange light
We get ourselves ready for takeoff
But we never take flight
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Charlie Brown

Here's my vinyl rip of a fine countrified joint from Charlie Brown, who sessioned on records by the likes of Barry Manilow, Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand.

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Bill Puka

Sensitive '70s singer/songwriter with top-shelf Columbia jazzers like Ron Carter and Billy Cobham backing him up.

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Ron Anthony

What's under those robes? Download and see.

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Goodbye Gerry

Crazy-ass solo record from Carole King's recently departed ex.

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Sessions

Here's the JBL test record "Sessions" on which Mike Deasy - along with Dick Rosmini, Alex Harvey and Hoyt Axton - appears. Rate your speakers, bro.

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Mike and Kathie

Rounding out our Deasy trilogy, here's a record - featuring Mike's wife - that ventures into Christian soft-rock territory.
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Spider

Another wonderful album from the Mike Deasy canon.
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The Assembled Multitude

According to Wiki, the Assembled Multitude "were regulars at Sigma Sound Studios, where the album was recorded. Those musicians became the backbone of Philadelphia soul, working with producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, and artists such as the O'Jays, Billy Paul, the Stylistics, and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes."
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Dorothy Morrison

The non-hits just keep a-comin'.
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H. Andrews Congregation

Serious dopeness.
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Cattywampus

Now you must face your deepest fears
Or at the very least say
You're not afraid
If you do that
You're not just half way there
You are at the head of the parade
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Sammy Steps Out

Groovy, baby! With thanks to Rock Archeologia.
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Albert Peckingpaw's Revenge

Here's a re-up, by request. DIG IT

Living Guitars

One of my favs from the whole "Living" series. Some cool interpretations that are surprisingly gutsy at times for this sort of thing.

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Lancelot Link

In celebration of National Monkey Day, I'm posting this record. Take a chimp to lunch!

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The Match

Want something light and breezy? These dudes make the Association sound like death metal.

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Richard Roundtree

So, some power-that-be must've thought, "Well, he played the part in the movie, so he should play the part on a record," or some shit. Thing is, this isn't half-bad.

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Bill Cosby

He "really sings," eh? Define "sings." Frizzle frazzle pudd'n pop ...

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Summer Blonde Beach Party

Thought I'd kick off the summer season with this rarity. Do blondes have more fun? Only your turntable knows for sure.

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Marjorie McCoy

Looked around for some info on this bluesy mama and discovered that, sadly, she recently passed away. Here's to you, Marjorie!

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The Man With the Glass Head

If you feel so inclined, any donation you make when you download this album will help fund further purchases for the records featured on Mondo Exploito.

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The Classic Example

Seventies soul does not get sweeter than this. It doesn't hurt to have Paul Humphrey on drums, Wilton Felder on bass, Arthur Adams on guitar, Joe Sample on piano and production by Mickey Stevenson. If you're feeling down, this album will just about make your day.

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Psychedelic Guitars

Did someone call for some psychedelic guitars? Here, the cheapie Custom label offers some far-out freak-outs that sound like they were recorded in a basement direct to your brother's Radio Shack tape recorder. Especially outstanding - because it stands out as the loudest thing here - is the fuzz-tone bass, which may or may not have been intentional. Turn on, tune in, and drop out.

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Risa Potters

Got a request for these two albums. Enjoy.

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Morning Glory Daze

Here's a companion to yesterday's post. More sunshine for you on this Sunday morning.

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Melodies for You

Mega-rare sunshine comp from Japan. Got a few more of these coming up.

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Revelation

Don't know much about this Christian band other than they have a Fifth Dimension vibe, tie-dyed outfits and the involvement of Jimmy Webb, which is good enough for me.

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The Bells

Some more sunshine pop, this time from this wonderfully sweet Canadian band. Would anyone have their album, Studio A?

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Shaft

You'd think with a stoopid band name like Soul Mann & the Brothers and a cheapie label like Pickwick that this record would at best make a nice Frisbee. But you'd be wrong. This is the shit.

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Jim Horn

Nice vinyl rip of sax-y soul from ubiquitous sessioner Jim Horn for you on this Mother's Day.

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Christopher Kearney

Some cool '70s Canadiana. Says here he used to open for Anne Murray! Still hoping someone might come through with his self-titled debut.

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Richard Hayman

Moog + Latin robot love = a true oddity.

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Richard Barbary

A rare soul record on the usually jazzy CTI label.

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The Lotus Palace

More "hits of the day" sitar-style as performed by the Alan Lorber Orchestra. Pretty groovy.

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The Spinners

Not the soul group of the same name, but some sort of studio concatenation on the budget Crown label. The playing is loose to the point of sloppy and the guy doing the singing sounds like he's on ludes. Check out their version of the title track, which I prefer over BS&T.

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Eliot Wilder's America

We drank ourselves sick with lust
We spit into the brown southern night
We made a pact sealed with a prick
Somehow that black blood felt so right
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Jack Jones

I mentioned this album in the John Davidson post, and the blog Vinyl Shipwreck just put it up. Small world. Click the link below to download and enjoy.

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