FE Home    New Releases    Browse Catalog    Info    Email Us    Order Basket    Search:
Index of Labels
Browse by Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC


Artist: MCGHIE & THE SOUNDS OF JOY, WAYNE
Title: Wayne McGhie & The Sounds of Joy
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $12.00
Catalog #: LITA 008CD
"The Holy Grail of Toronto Funk has arrived! Light In The Attic proudly presents the first true debut of Studio One veteran and Jackie Mittoo band mate, Wayne McGhie & The Sounds of Joy. Originally released in 1970 on the Birchmount label, this self-titled masterpiece is a wicked mix of reggae, funk, soul and wide open drum breaks. The best album you never got the chance to hear and cited by many as the first Canadian soul album. Twelve musicians are credited on the LP sleeve -- Studio One vets Alton Ellis, Ike Bennett, and Lloyd Delpratt; others, including Jackie Mittoo, are rumored to have sat in. Of the 10 songs, six were McGhie originals, and as the material moved from funk, to soul, to reggae/R&B crossover, it is Wayne's pure and soulful voice that sets the tone. Years later, McGhie would completely disappear from the music world, losing all touch with old friends and band mates. In the mid-'90s, The Sounds Of Joy returned, sparked by a renewed interest from talented hip-hop producers and forward-thinking collectors, like Q-Tip, Pete Rock, Buck 65, Mr. Supreme, and Public Enemy's Gary G-Wiz. These days, original LPs go for $600, even DATs for $100."


Artist: FREE DESIGN, THE
Title: The Now Sound Redesigned
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $8.50
Catalog #: LITA 016CD
Early 2006 release. "Three years in the making, the Free Design Redesigned series comes to its logical conclusion. Compiling both vinyl-only volumes of the critically-acclaimed series and including 3 exclusive bonus tracks onto one CD, Redesigned features a stellar selection of today's finest music makers. All have risen to the challenge of reworking classic tunes from '60s soft-pysch masters, The Free Design. Redesigned contains 19 radical reinterpretations for the club, home, or hi-fi. Highlights include Stones Throw's official beat conductor Madlib, who turns 'Where Do I Go' into an Afro-funk celebration. Belle & Sebastian's Chris Geddes envisions '2002 - A Hit Song' as a four-on-the-floor stomper and Grey Album mastermind Danger Mouse & Def Jux legend Murs make their debut collaboration with a wicked twist on the unreleased Free Design track 'To a Black Boy.' Caribou (formerly Manitoba) delivers an insane 8-minute free jazz psych opus while the Super Furry Animals and Stereolab & the High Llamas celebrate their love of the group with their trademark sound. Previously unreleased works include Styrofoam's (Morr Music) fresh take on 'I Found Love,' Koushik with Dudley Perkins (Stones Throw), and renowned turntablist Kid Koala & Dynomite D rework the darkest song in the Free Design's catalog, 'An Elegy.' Far from being another boring tribute piece, Redesigned's musical testimonials speak for themselves. Everyone involved has sought something deeper than your average remix; obvious testaments to the Free Design's unique brand of feel good pop-pysch."


Artist: BLACK ANGELS, THE
Title: Passover
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $12.00
Catalog #: LITA 018CD
"The Black Angels were formed in 2004 in the mescaline-fueled outskirts of Austin, Texas. Guitarist/bassist Nate Ryan was raised on a cult compound; guitarist/bassist/vocalist Christian Bland is the son of a Texas preacher man; drone machine player Jennifer Raines was raised in a funeral home, the daughter of morticians. Lead vocalist Alex Maas and drummer Stephanie Bailey believe that the ghost of a little girl in a red dress haunts their communal home. Kyle Hunt was a studio apprentice picked up during the recording of Passover. The debut full-length features 'Bloodhounds on my Trail,' with Maas' silky swagger and gritty cosmic twang guitars; 'Black Grease' is a bluesy monster propelled by punk drumming; and 'Better Off Alone' is the perfect anti-love song drenched in drone organ."


Artist: VA
Title: Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967-1974
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $13.50
Catalog #: LITA 019CD
"In 1963, the flight from Jamaica to Toronto was 8 hours. Today it's 3 1/2. Countless people have made the dwindling journey over the years, but in the sixties and seventies there was a new breed of traveler: the finest ska, rocksteady, and reggae recording artists the West Indies have ever produced. We're talking Studio One, Treasure Isle, Trojan, and WIRL veterans Jackie Mittoo, Johnnie Osbourne, Wayne McGhie, Lloyd Delpratt, The Mighty Pope, Noel Ellis, Jo-Jo Bennett, and many more. Arriving in their new Canadian home, these talented singers, songwriters, musicians, and performers simply did what came naturally to them. One by one, they hit the studio and captured some of the hardest tunes this side of Kingston. Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967-1974, details this crucial sonic migration and stands tall as the second helping of Light In The Attic's new Jamaica to Toronto series. The 16 songs on Jamaica to Toronto range from the in-demand Northern Soul attack of Eddie Spencer's 'If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)' to Jo-Jo And The Fugitives' unknown break-beat monster, 'Chips-Chicken-Banana Split'. Taken from his 1971 album Wishbone, Mittoo's 'Grand Funk' sounds like a Jamaican Santana, while The Hitch-Hikers Featuring The Mighty Pope represent raw funk of the highest order on the righteous 'Mr. Fortune.' Reggae comes courtesy of dancehall don Johnnie Osbourne's 'African Wake' as well as the magical 'Memories' from Noel Ellis (whose Summer Records self-titled LP is the next release in Light In The Attic's ongoing Jamaica to Toronto series -- with over a half-dozen more titles and numerous 45s slatted for release). Jamaica to Toronto is only the beginning, so sit back and buckle your safety belt."


Artist: ELLIS, NOEL
Title: Noel Ellis
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $13.00
Catalog #: LITA 020CD
"Noel is the son of legendary Studio One/Treasure Isle recording artist Alton Ellis, and this self-titled debut was recorded in Toronto in 1979 by studio wizard Jerry Brown for the pioneering Summer Records -- often cited as Canada's answer to Lee Perry's Black Ark Studios. This latest platter serves as the third release in the Jamaica to Toronto seven album series; following Wayne McGhie & The Sounds Of Joy (2005), and the recently released deluxe anthology Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967-74. Noel Ellis features six dub-loved, heavy yet ethereal tracks, with contributions from OG reggae maestros Jackie Mittoo, Willi Williams, and Johnny Osbourne. The eponymous classic lost full length includes the hugely influential version of 'Rocking Universally,' which was recorded by The Clash as 'Armagedion Time.' The poignantly autobiographical 'Memories' (about Noel's upbringing in Jamaica) is a highpoint as well. 'Stop Your Fighting' was a universal anti-materialism/war plea that we should still heed today, while 'Marcus Garvey' was delivered in Noel's playful style, despite a solemn rallying cry of 'Africa It Must Be Free.' Noel Ellis evoked a transcendent majesty, and the album's economical performances were a blessing compared to certain overproduced recordings of the era. Tasteful keys, varied percussion, essential echo, conquering dub changeovers, and Noel's impeccable mic control gave an otherworldly twist to Summer's remarkable drum and bass sound. It was an end-to-end burner for midnight tokers and cool rulers alike."


Artist: MITTOO, JACKIE
Title: Wishbone
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $13.00
Catalog #: LITA 021CD
"Black, bold and beautiful, the joyous reissuing of Jackie Mittoo's extra-rare Canadian debut Wishbone is the fourth and perhaps most anticipated release in Light In the Attic's ongoing Jamaica to Toronto series. Over the years many have paid tribute to the dynamic range and skills of the late, great Jackie Mittoo. From the emergence of ska right through to rocksteady and the boss sounds of reggae, he was front and center -- a pivotal figure and a sharp move-maker. Even after relocating to Canada, a land not necessarily known for its funk factor, this Studio One veteran worked tirelessly to share his gift and spread the music of Jamaica to a wider audience. Wishbone's 12 songs reach far beyond the island rhythms of reggae and into the realms of stone cold soul, funk, gospel and R & B -- an indication of the eclectic sounds that ruled the action-packed live music scene of Toronto in the day. Ranging from the entrancing Jamaica-meets-Santana vibe of 'Grand Funk' to the undeniable percussive bounce of 'Groovy Spirit,' while 'Soul Bird' sounds like an upbeat Jimmy Smith grinder, as the keyboard king takes us on an orchestral baroque/mod journey with the organ/harpsichord fuelled 'Steeple in the Snow.' Sweeping, ebullient Gospel-tinged reggae comes courtesy of the vocal-strings-and tings 'Love of Life,' and the cool rocksteady beat of the maestro's 'Mother Funk.' As one of the first Jamaican-Canadian albums to hit the '70s marketplace, Wishbone was a pioneering move from a recent immigrant. Criminally undocumented and kept a sweet soul secret by record collectors until now, this is a primetime slice of Mittoo magic, available to all."


Artist: MITTOO, JACKIE
Title: Wishbone
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: LP
Price: $16.00
Catalog #: LITA 021LP
LP version. "Black, bold and beautiful, the joyous reissuing of Jackie Mittoo's extra-rare Canadian debut Wishbone is the fourth and perhaps most anticipated release in Light In the Attic's ongoing Jamaica to Toronto series. Wishbone's 12 songs reach far beyond the island rhythms of reggae and into the realms of stone cold soul, funk, gospel and R & B -- an indication of the eclectic sounds that ruled the action-packed live music scene of Toronto in the day. Ranging from the entrancing Jamaica-meets-Santana vibe of 'Grand Funk' to the undeniable percussive bounce of 'Groovy Spirit,' while 'Soul Bird' sounds like an upbeat Jimmy Smith grinder, as the keyboard king takes us on an orchestral baroque/mod journey with the organ/harpsichord fuelled 'Steeple in the Snow.' Sweeping, ebullient Gospel-tinged reggae comes courtesy of the vocal-strings-and tings 'Love of Life,' and the cool rocksteady beat of the maestro's 'Mother Funk.' As one of the first Jamaican-Canadian albums to hit the '70s marketplace, Wishbone was a pioneering move from a recent immigrant."


Artist: DALTON, KAREN
Title: In My Own Time
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $15.00
Catalog #: LITA 022CD
"First time on CD, first vinyl reissue. Remastered from the Original Master Tapes. Liner notes by Lenny Kaye (Nuggets, Patti Smith), Devendra Banhart, and Nick Cave. The late Karen Dalton has been the muse for countless folk rock geniuses, from Bob Dylan to Devendra Banhart, from Lucinda Williams to Joanna Newsom. Legendary singer Lacy J. Dalton actually adopted her hero's surname as her own when she started her career in country music. Karen Dalton had that affect on people -- her timeless, aching, blues-soaked, Native American spirit inspired both Dylan & The Band's 'Katie's Been Gone' (on The Basement Tapes) and Nick Cave's 'When I First Came To Town' (from Henry's Dream). Recorded over a six month period in 1970/71 at Bearsville, In My Own Time was Dalton's only fully planned and realized studio album. The material was carefully selected and crafted for her by producer/musician Harvey Brooks, the Renaissance man of rock-jazz who played bass on Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited and Miles' Bitches Brew. It features ten songs that reflected Dalton's incredible ability to break just about anybody's heart -- from her spectral evocation of Joe Tate's 'One Night of Love,' to the dark tragedy of the traditional 'Katie Cruel.' Known as a great interpreter of choice material, Dalton could master both country and soul genres with hauntingly pining covers of George Jones' 'Take Me' and Holland-Dozier Holland's 'How Sweet It Is'."


Artist: DALTON, KAREN
Title: In My Own Time
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: LP + 7"
Price: $22.00
Catalog #: LITA 022LP
LP version. "Unavailable in LP format for some years now, we are proud to present a special, hand-numbered third printing of this sought after album. This fantastically packaged release features: A bonus 7" single featuring 'Something On Your Mind' as well as an unreleased alternate mix of 'Katie Cruel'; 180-gram vinyl; Audio remastered from the original tapes; Hand numbered, old school tip-on jacket. First vinyl reissue. Remastered from the original master tapes. Liner notes by Lenny Kaye (Nuggets, Patti Smith), Devendra Banhart, and Nick Cave. The late Karen Dalton has been the muse for countless folk rock geniuses, from Bob Dylan to Devendra Banhart, from Lucinda Williams to Joanna Newsom. Recorded over a six month period in 1970/71 at Bearsville, In My Own Time was Dalton's only fully planned and realized studio album. The material was carefully selected and crafted for her by producer/musician Harvey Brooks, the Renaissance man of rock-jazz who played bass on Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited and Miles' Bitches Brew. It features ten songs that reflected Dalton's incredible ability to break just about anybody's heart -- from her spectral evocation of Joe Tate's 'One Night of Love,' to the dark tragedy of the traditional 'Katie Cruel.'"


Artist: SATURDAY KNIGHTS, THE
Title: The Saturday Knights
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD EP
Price: $5.50
Catalog #: LITA 024CD
"The Saturday Knights are a culmination of three freaks, a jaw-jacking combination of performing personalities: Storyteller and entertainer Tilson, who can tickle any lady's funny bone; low-income yarn spinner and urban graffiti poet Barfly; and pumped up by the big beats and psychedelic turntable-art of DJ Suspence. Seattle's punk rock-power pop band with hip-hop songs' signed with Light In The Attic Records after a solid year of being wooed by labels like Downtown Records and Island/Def Jam. Their first gig was an improvisational smash success opening for a sold-out RJD2, and since then The Saturday Knights have performed with with Death Cab for Cutie, The Streets, The Go! Team, Blowfly, and Lady Sovereign. TSK circulated these four songs as a demo last year, and '45' became a taste-making hit."


Artist: DAVIS, BETTY
Title: Betty Davis
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $15.00
Catalog #: LITA 026CD
"First official Betty Davis reissues. Mastered from the original tapes (First time since the '70s!). Previously unreleased bonus tracks. Betty recorded some of the finest punk-funk of all time, introduced Miles to Hendrix, and inspired generations. Each CD includes a deluxe 32-page booklet and elaborate digipak. New notes from Oliver Wang (O-Dub/Soul Sides), including Betty's second interview in over 25 years! For the first time, Betty's critically adored first two albums are being lovingly re-mastered from the original master tapes by Light In The Attic Records to sound as ferocious and revolutionary as they did when they first sprung on an unsuspecting world in the early '70s. In recent years, rappers from Ice Cube to Talib Kweli to Ludacris have rhymed over the intensely strong but sensual funk of Betty Davis. One can hardly imagine the genre-busting, culture-crossing musical magic of Outkast, Prince, Erykah Badu, Rick James, The Roots, or even the early Red Hot Chili Peppers without the influence of this R&B pioneer. Ms. Davis's unique story is unlike any other in popular music. Betty wrote the song 'Uptown' for the Chambers Brothers before marrying Miles Davis in the late '60s, influencing him with psychedelic rock, and introducing him to Jimi Hendrix -- personally inspiring the classic jazz-rock fusion album Bitches Brew." Last copies, now deleted edition.


Artist: DAVIS, BETTY
Title: They Say I'm Different
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $15.00
Catalog #: LITA 027CD
"First official Betty Davis reissues. Mastered from the original tapes (first time since the '70s!). Previously unreleased bonus tracks. Betty recorded some of the finest punk-funk of all time, introduced Miles to Hendrix, and inspired generations. Each CD includes deluxe 32-page booklet and elaborate digipak. New notes from Oliver Wang (O-Dub/Soul Sides), including Betty's second interview in over 25 years! In 1973, Davis would finally kick off her cosmic career with an amazingly progressive hard funk and sweet soul self-titled debut. Davis showcased her fiercely unique talent and features such gems as 'If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up' and 'Game Is My Middle Name.' The album Betty Davis was recorded with Sly & The Family Stone's rhythm section, sharply produced by Sly Stone drummer Greg Errico, and featured backing vocals from Sylvester and the Pointer Sisters. Her 1974 sophomore album They Say I'm Different features a worthy-of-framing futuristic cover challenging David Bowie's science fiction funk with real rocking soul-fire, kicked off with the savagely sexual 'Shoo-B-Doop and Cop Him' (later sampled by Ice Cube). Her follow -p is full of classic cuts like 'Don't Call Her No Tramp' and the hilarious, hard, deep funk of 'He Was A Big Freak.'"


Artist: WILLIS AND THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS, NICOLE
Title: Keep Reachin' Up
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $12.00
Catalog #: LITA 028CD
"A passionate but suave mod soul collaboration from the lovely and talented Nicole Willis and celebrated Finland funk collective, The Soul Investigators. In the cold far north dance underground, they have created a uniquely hot record of romantic grooves! The Brooklyn-born Willis has worked with both Curtis Mayfield and the Brand New Heavies and done crucial work for Mo' Wax, while the Finnish-bred Soul Investigators have crafted two previous full-lengths. Fans of Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings will find much to love on Keep Reachin' Up. Adored by the UK's Northern Soul DJs and fans, international momentum for the full-length has been primed by a BBC Top Ten Track of the Year list for 'If This Ain't Love' and world famous DJ Gilles Peterson making opening track 'Feeling Free' the 2006 Worldwide Winner Song of the Year. Mojo and Record Collector gave the Finnish edition four stars and Dusty Groove called it an 'instant classic.' It doesn't bother Willis if some people consider it retro, though. 'Certainly the music was a project of love but retro isn't a swear word so it could be considered that as well,' Willis says. 'However, I believe that we do a certain genre of music and that we are continuing in a tradition.' The Soul Investigators includes producer Jukka Sarapää on drums, Didier 'Baby Spector' Selin on tambourine, guitar & bass, Pete Toikkanen on guitar & bass, Antti Määtänen on organ & piano, and Sami Kantelinen on bass, among other musicians. The recording also includes contributions from renowned composer and Matador Records-alum Jimi Tenor (flute, tenor sax, horn & string arrangements), and string arrangements from Pekka Kuusisto. After playing with members of the Brand New Heavies and Curtis Mayfield, Willis moved back to the United States and worked with the band that would become Dee-Lite. Keep Reachin' Up has conquered Europe with its great tracks like 'Downtown' and 'Feeling Free,' and the album is an essential part of any collection of contemporary urban music."


Artist: VA
Title: Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $17.00
Catalog #: LITA 029CD
"First anthology of this legendary roots reggae label. Remastered from the original tapes. Limited edition digipack & deluxe booklet. Dual disc includes over twenty minute video documentary of late '70s unseen footage from Jackie Mittoo & Willi Williams in the studio to interviews with the musicians. For many locals and traveling Jamaican musicians, Jerry Brown's Malton, Ontario-based Summer Sounds Studios -- known as Canada's answer to Lee Perry's Black Ark -- was a creative haven that tapped deep into the depths of universal reggae consciousness. Located just outside of Toronto, the label fired their first shot in 1974 with Johnnie Osborne's 'Sun Rise' backed with the heavenly bounce of 'Love Makes the World Go Round' (co-produced by Brown's one-time collaborator and Half Moon Records founder, Oswald Creary). Throughout most of the '70s, Canadian-produced reggae music was a commercial non-entity, bar a thriving underground scene of ex-pats who simply did what came naturally to them in small studios and private dances. The records mostly sat unnoticed amidst the steady flow of JA product in the gaggle of independent record shops in Toronto that catered to the West Indian population. This sleeping giant will rest no more. Over the years, a veritable who's-who of reggae music legends passed through Brown's now-defunct basement studio, wired by none other than Prince (now King) Jammy: Jackie Mittoo, Willi Williams, Noel Ellis, Johnnie Osbourne, Stranger Cole, Leroy Sibbles, and Carl Dawkins to name a few. One by one they recorded the otherworldly tracks that form the cornerstone of Light In The Attic's Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988. Compiled and annotated by Jamaica-Toronto series producer, Sipreano (aka Kevin Howes) along with art direction by Vincent Cook (2 Step/Sandinista, Tokyo), this project is a testament to the dedication and persistence of Jerry Brown and his masterful sonic vision."


Artist: VA
Title: Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: 2LP
Price: $28.00
Catalog #: LITA 029LP
Double LP version. "First time this material has been collected. Unreleased roots reggae tracks from such legends as Willi Williams and Johnny Osbourne. Remastered from the original tapes."


Artist: BLAKES, THE
Title: Streets EP
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $5.50
Catalog #: LITA 030CD
"The Blakes' teaser debut on Light In The Attic is a limited edition, foil-stamped digipack. The EP features three live favorites from the band's upcoming full length as well as two brand-new cuts. The Blakes recall the stinging catchiness of the early Who, Kinks, and other '60s spitfire rock bands."


Artist: EARTH, ROOTS AND WATER
Title: Innocent Youths
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $13.00
Catalog #: LITA 032CD
"Innocent Youths was the first long player released on Jerry Brown's Summer Records imprint, hitting the emerging Toronto reggae marketplace in 1977. In 2008, the original LP is virtually extinct, a highly coveted and extremely rare piece of Canadian reggae history (often described as the northern answer to Lee Perry's Black Ark). For the uninitiated, we are talking heavy bass, drums, reverb, echo, roots vocals, keys, guitar, percussion, and Brown's wild style touch behind the controls. By 1977, Earth, Roots & Water had developed into an engaging live entity as well, based around the talents of Adrian 'Homer' Miller (vocals), Anthony 'Base' Hibbert (bass), Colin 'Zuba' Suban (drums), Matt Shelley (guitar), and Tony 'KB' Moore (keyboards). Both a sonic and visual force, the charismatic youths soon found themselves performing in and around the Toronto area, opening up for The Police and The Stranglers while extending the UK-born punk/reggae love affair to North America. In 2008, Light In The Attic Records along with Jerry Brown and Jamaica-Toronto series producer Kevin Howes (aka Sipreano) have decided to share this vital bounty to reggae fans the world over. Innocent Youths contains the complete studio album lovingly remastered from the original Summer Records master tapes. Over 30 years ahead of its time, this maverick material showcases the breadth of Earth, Roots & Water. Dig in..."


Artist: EARTH, ROOTS AND WATER
Title: Innocent Youths
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: LP
Price: $15.00
Catalog #: LITA 032LP
LP version. "Innocent Youths was the first long player released on Jerry Brown's Summer Records imprint, hitting the emerging Toronto reggae marketplace in 1977. In 2008, the original LP is virtually extinct, a highly coveted and extremely rare piece of Canadian reggae history (often described as the northern answer to Lee Perry's Black Ark). For the uninitiated, we are talking heavy bass, drums, reverb, echo, roots vocals, keys, guitar, percussion, and Brown's wild style touch behind the controls. By 1977, Earth, Roots and Water had developed into an engaging live entity as well, based around the talents of Adrian 'Homer' Miller (vocals), Anthony 'Base' Hibbert (bass), Colin 'Zuba' Suban (drums), Matt Shelley (guitar), and Tony 'KB' Moore (keyboards). Both a sonic and visual force, the charismatic youths soon found themselves performing in and around the Toronto area, opening up for The Police and The Stranglers while extending the UK-born punk/reggae love affair to North America. In 2008, Light In The Attic Records along with Jerry Brown and Jamaica-Toronto series producer Kevin Howes (aka Sipreano) have decided to share this vital bounty to reggae fans the world over. Innocent Youths contains the complete studio album lovingly remastered from the original Summer Records master tapes. Over 30 years ahead of its time, this maverick material showcases the breadth of Earth, Roots and Water. Dig in..."


Artist: RODRIGUEZ
Title: Cold Fact
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $16.50
Catalog #: LITA 036CD
"It's one of the lost classics of the '60s, a psychedelic masterpiece drenched in color and inspired by life, love, poverty, rebellion, and, of course, 'jumpers, coke, sweet mary jane.' The album is Cold Fact, and what's more intriguing is that its maker -- a shadowy figure known as Rodriguez -- was, for many years, lost too. A decade ago, he was rediscovered working on a Detroit building site, unaware that his defining album had become not only a cult classic, but for the people of South Africa, a beacon of revolution. Sixto Diaz Rodriguez was born in 1942 to Mexican immigrant parents in Detroit, Michigan. He recorded Cold Fact -- his debut album -- in 1969, and released it in March 1970. It's crushingly good stuff, filled with tales of bad drugs, lost love, and itchy-footed songs about life in late '60s inner-city America. 'Gun sales are soaring/Housewives find life boring/Divorce the only answer/Smoking causes cancer,' says the Dylan-esque 'Establishment Blues.' But the album sank without trace, thanks, in part, to some of Rodriguez's more idiosyncratic behavior, like performing at an industry showcase with his back to the audience throughout. As his music career became a memory, Rodriguez's legend was growing on the other side of the world. In South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Cold Fact had become a major word of mouth success, particularly among young people in the South African armed forces, who identified with its counter-cultural bent. But Rodriguez was an enigma -- not even the label knew where to find him -- and his demise became the subject of debate and conjecture. Some rumors said he'd died of a heroin overdose or burned to death on stage. Others said he had gone mental. But the tide began to turn in 1996, when journalist Craig Bartholemew set out to get to the bottom of the mystery. After many dead ends, he found Rodriguez alive, well, free and perfectly sane in Detroit. Rodriguez himself had no idea about his fame in South Africa (the album had gone multi-platinum), and embarked on a triumphant South African tour, filling 5,000 capacity venues across the country. Rodriguez was still largely unknown in the northern hemisphere until 2002, when 'Sugar Man,' the album's extraterrestrially wonderful lead track, was picked up by David Holmes. The DJ discovered the album in a New York record store, and included it on his Come Get It, I Got It compilation, re-recording the song with Rodriguez for his Free Association project a year later. Now, Light In The Attic is set to commit Cold Fact to CD for audiences in North America, UK, Europe, and Asia, who can finally find out why -- halfway across the world -- Rodriguez is spoken of in the same reverent tones as The Doors, Love and Jimi Hendrix." This first official reissue has been gloriously remastered and includes a deluxe, 36-page book with new essays, interviews with Rodriguez, and full lyrics.


Artist: RODRIGUEZ
Title: Cold Fact
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: LP + 7"
Price: $33.00
Catalog #: LITA 036LP
LP version. Deluxe 180 gram pressing, heavy jacket, numbered to 1000 copies with bonus 7" of his original debut single from 1967. "It's one of the lost classics of the '60s, a psychedelic masterpiece drenched in color and inspired by life, love, poverty, rebellion, and, of course, 'jumpers, coke, sweet mary jane.' The album is Cold Fact, and what's more intriguing is that its maker -- a shadowy figure known as Rodriguez -- was, for many years, lost too. He recorded Cold Fact -- his debut album -- in 1969, and released it in March 1970. It's crushingly good stuff, filled with tales of bad drugs, lost love, and itchy-footed songs about life in late '60s inner-city America."


Artist: KALINICH, STEPHEN JOHN
Title: A World Of Peace Must Come
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Format: CD
Price: $16.00
Catalog #: LITA 039CD
"Stephen John Kalinich was born in Endicott, New York and grew up in Binghamton. In his early teens, he started writing poems and articles about world peace. He first came to California around 1964, fell in love with it, and promptly transferred from Harper College in upstate New York to UCLA. Kalinich found himself immersed in the vibrant anti-war culture of late '60s California, often writing songs and poems against the war. He found a musical partner and kindred spirit in Mark Lindsey Buckingham. They cut a demo for a track called 'Leaves of Grass,' inspired by the famous Walt Whitman poem 'Leaves of Grass,' and Kalinich started taking demos around. In the mid-'60s, it was either at Brother Records or while pumping gas that Kalinich first met The Beach Boys. He hit it off with Brian, Carl and Dennis right away. As the first artist signed to The Beach Boys' new label Brother Records, Carl Wilson produced a record for him. His first songs that saw release were 'Little Bird' and 'Be Still,' which he wrote with Dennis and were released on the Friends album. His relationship with Dennis would lead to a number of further collaborations and Kalinich/Dennis Wilson co-writes, including: 20/20 -- 'All I Want To Do,' Hawthorne, CA -- 'A Time To Live In Dreams,' Pacific Ocean Blue -- 'Rainbows,' and Bambu -- 'Love Remember Me.' A World Of Peace Must Come was recorded at Brian's house in Bel-Air in 1969. The tapes were promptly lost, not to be heard again until now. For the first time, this truly timeless snapshot of an era and an ethos will be available nationally, and we can only hope that his prophecy is fulfilled." Deluxe booklet featuring unseen photos, notes, and interviews; liner notes by Beach Boys archivist Alan Boyd and Bill Bentley; bonus track of original 1966 demo for Brother Records.

Previous Page     Index of Labels     Next Page

Previous Page Next Page SEARCH FE HOME NEW RELEASES BROWSE CATALOG INFO EMAIL US ORDER BASKET