For Robin ...

GO HERE

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 ...

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

Lani Hall

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

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

Solid State

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

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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
DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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
DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM

The Group

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

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

Kelly Gordon

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

DIG IT

The Wanderers

Some soft sounds for gentle people.

DIG IT

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).

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

Today's People

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

DIG IT

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
DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM

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.

DIG IT

Bill Puka

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

DIG IT

Ron Anthony

What's under those robes? Download and see.

DIG IT

Goodbye Gerry

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

DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

Mike and Kathie

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

Spider

Another wonderful album from the Mike Deasy canon.
DIG IT

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."
DIG IT

Dorothy Morrison

The non-hits just keep a-comin'.
DIG IT

H. Andrews Congregation

Serious dopeness.
DIG IT

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
GET IT

Sammy Steps Out

Groovy, baby! With thanks to Rock Archeologia.
DIG IT

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.

DIG IT

Lancelot Link

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

DIG IT

The Match

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

DIG IT