Browse by Artist: EAST OF UNDERGROUND

Artist:	EAST OF UNDERGROUND
Title:	Hell Below
Label:	NOW-AGAIN
Format:	3CD BOX
Price:	$29.00
Catalog #:	NA 5083CD

"United States Army soldiers made the music contained in this three album box-set during the politically turbulent early '70s, towards the end of the Vietnam War. East of Underground, the Black Seeds and the Sound Trek were bands comprised of soldiers stationed in bases across Western Germany. While little is known about the bands, the players, and the milieu they came from - other than what can be pieced together from a handful of photos and documents found in a box in the New York Public Library, and the vague recollections of some of those involved - we at Now-Again Records have worked diligently with the United States Army and researchers the country over to present this important document - and some damn good soul and funk music. Only one former band member has come forward during the assembly of this anthology, which has lead us to question: where did these talented performers land after their winning performances in Army-sponsored Battle of the Bands contests afforded them (musical) tours across European Army bases? Perhaps some are still around somewhere: perhaps some are still involved in music; perhaps some were killed in action; perhaps some passed on after returning to the States. We've assembled vestiges - a show band contest entry form, a list of names, a couple of photographs, a playlist - to embellish this sonic time capsule, a capsule that functions as a snapshot of American culture during this politically charged era. Each of the two double-billed albums contained in this box-set is presented as an exact reproduction of the original United States Army issue. The extensive, full-color booklet features essays, annotation and a collection of Army ephemera from the creation of these albums. Also included is a full-color, exact reproduction of East Of Underground's 1971 tour poster."

Artist:	EAST OF UNDERGROUND
Title:	East of Underground
Label:	WAX POETICS
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	WPR 001CD

"In 1971, in the midst of America's conflict in Vietnam, the U.S. Army held a show-band contest and showcased the two winning bands in a promotional album. East of Underground, the gritty runner-up, managed to capture the spirit of America with their sweet-soul covers of Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, and Funkadelic. The quality of the recording is superior, as is the musicianship: the falsetto harmonies, the gritty guitar, the devouring drums. But song choice is just as responsible for the success of the album. Unlike other obscure-funk reissues and compilations, East of Underground is immediately familiar, instantly gratifying, and endlessly playable. And especially poignant today. Only a handful of original copies known to exist, the album is now reissued for the first time on CD and 180 gram vinyl."

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