Browse by Label: MAINSTREAM

Artist:	BERBERIAN, JOHN
Title:	Expressions East
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6023CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1964. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "John Berberian is considered to be one of the finest oud virtuosos in the world. He has been featured in numerous concerts and dances throughout the United States, Canada, and South America. John is known for a series of successful Armenian and Middle Eastern recordings and has recorded with such major companies as: MGM, RCA, Roulette, Verve and Mainstream Records. Expressions East and Oud Artistry, were record breaking in sales. John also recorded three LPs under his own label, Olympia Records. John Berberian possesses a rare versatility of talent, academic knowledge and sensitivity to both his music and his audience. His inimitable style has brought him fame and popularity and he has been most influential in perpetuating Armenian and Middle Eastern music in America." --johnberberian.com

Artist:	BERBERIAN, JOHN
Title:	Oud Artistry
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6047CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1965? This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "Another reissue of the ultimate oud master. This is the follow-up to Expressions East and it is no less an impressive affair. Again on this album John has brought together some of the finest exponents of Armenian, Turkish, and Arabic music, including James Shahrigian (bass), Souren Baronian (clarinet, bongos), John Yalenezian (dumbeg), Jack Chalikian (canun), Steve Pumilia (finger cymbals, def, dumbeg, tambourine), John Valentine (guitar, dudoog) and Bob Tashjian (vocals). 'Aziza' is a driving Arabic instrumental with the oud and bongos setting the pace in frantic counter action. 'Bir-Demet Yasemen' is a dramatic presentation of 6/8 rhythm couples with a profound lyric. 'Sevan 5/4' is an instrumental native to Armenia. The title refers to the unorthodox 5/4 meter. 'Savgulum' is a pulsating example of a rhythm that never ceases; of a composition that is never forgotten. 'Yarus' is a prize in Armenian vocal composition. Here again one is struck by the profundity of the lyrics. 'Sevasda' features words and melody that are traditionally Turkish. The 6/8 time signature however, is common to much of the music for the Middle East. 'Rast Taksim' refers to a form of improvisation. It's often meant as an introductory passage, however, it's here presented as a complete work expressive of mood and emotion. 'Rast Sazsemi' -- the Sazsemi is a classic example of Turkish art music." --from the liner notes.

Artist:	VA
Title:	A Pot of Flowers with Love
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6100CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1967. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "This compilation is made up of only four bands: The Wildflower, Euphoria, The Other Side, and The Harbinger Complex. Considered by many collectors to be one of the most enjoyable Mainstream LPs, this compilation runs the gamut from mind-altering psychedelia to jangly folk to Anglophilic rock. The original LP of this goes for well over $100." --Conventional Sound

Artist:	SUPERFINE DANDELION, THE
Title:	The Superfine Dandelion
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6102HLP

A series of exact repro's of the Mainstream label; 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing. Originally released in 1967. "One of several second-to-third-division West Coast (or nearly West Coast) '60s bands on the Mainstream label, The Superfine Dandelion made one middling album in 1967 that mixed San Francisco psychedelic, folk-rock, pop, and jug band influences. They were formed in Phoenix in early 1967 by singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter Mike McFadden (of local garage band, The Mile Ends), and bassist Ed Black (who had been in The Mile Ends in their final days). Their self-titled LP had a good deal of sub-Jefferson Airplane folk-psych-rock, with plenty of minor chords, harmonies and wistful lyrics. There was also an occasional countryish influence in the spirit of the Lovin' Spoonful and Buffalo Springfield, and some good-timey jug band flavor." --All Music Guide.

Artist:	JELLYBEAN BANDITS, THE
Title:	The Jellybean Bandits
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6103HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing; originally released in 1969. "Newburgh, New York psych-punks the Jelly Bean Bandits formed in 1966. Singer Billy Donald, guitarist Jack Dougherty, bassist Fred Buck, keyboardist Michael 'Mr. Addams' Raab, and drummer Joe 'Laredo London' Scalfari originally operated as The Mirror, regularly packing area nightspots like the local Trade Winds, Poughkeepsie's Buccaneer Nightclub, and Burlington, Vermont's Red Dog. In due time, they recorded a three-song demo reel that resulted in a three album recording contract with Mainstream Records -- however, unknown to Mainstream, these three songs represented the sum total of the Jelly Bean Bandits' repertoire, forcing the band to write enough additional material to flesh out a full-length LP in the course of a week. Amazingly, their eponymous 1967 debut is excellent, a freakbeat cult classic distinguished by Dougherty's emotive guitar and some innovative production techniques -- all the more impressive, the album was recorded in a single 12-hour stretch." -- All Music Guide

Artist:	TIFFANY SHADE, THE
Title:	The Tiffany Shade
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6105HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing. "In the fall of 1967, The Tiffany Shade consisted of Bob Leonard, Tom Schuster, Mike Barnes and new bassist Robb Murphy." "...A rather charming teen garage presentation of what is economy fare West Coast folkrock-psych sounds, plus a bunch of tracks that make no sense at all. LP opens strongly with several raw trips on the early Airplane style; cutting fuzz leads and excellent Nuggets vocals should appeal to anyone. Side 2 is less garagey & more goofy top 40, but listenable with class points reaped for a Love cover. All over a bit better than I expected, with some prime slices of '60s cheese-psych. Superb cover artwork, as always with the label. The album was also released in the UK by Fontana." --Acid Archives.

Artist:	TANGERINE ZOO, THE
Title:	The Tangerine Zoo
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6107HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing;originally released in 1968. "Boston psychedelic band The Tangerine Zoo formed in 1967 in nearby Swansea, MA. In addition to serving as the house band at the local Venus de Milo restaurant, the band also opened for the likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Van Morrison, and Deep Purple. Their growing popularity was buoyed by a large fan base in Boston, and in late 1967 signed with the New York City-based Mainstream label. While recording their debut LP, label execs demanded another name change, fearing backlash from the obvious marijuana reference in The Flower Pot moniker; after settling on The Tangerine Zoo, the group released its self-titled debut in early 1968." --All Music Guide.

Artist:	GROWING CONCERN, THE
Title:	The Growing Concern
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6108HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing. "This self-titled album by The Growing Concern curiously first saw the light of day in 1969 on Bob Shad's Mainstream label, an imprint more familiar to jazz and blues fans than devotees of psych/pop. Perhaps Shad thought he was going to repeat his commercial triumph with The Growing Concern. However, the band was a different proposition altogether with its emphasis on beautiful vocal harmonies and fantastic guitar and organ work rather than the Joplin-dominated R&B of Big Brother, and consequently Shad only allowed the group into the studio on a single occasion, dropping them from the label after this, their eponymous debut. The album, which is brilliantly recorded, is of a consistently high musical quality and the band surely deserved a better fate than the obscurity that Shad's indifference consigned them to."

Artist:	AMBOY DUKES, THE
Title:	Jouney To The Center Of The Mind
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6112CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1968. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. The guitarist of this group is a rather unfortunate human being and we can't bring ourselves to print his full name, sorry. "Journey to the Center of the Mind, The Amboy Dukes' second album, was released in April 1968 on Mainstream Records. The cover features 50 different marijuana smoking devices. The title track was released as a single and climbed the U.S. pop chart to number 16. *** ****** wrote the music for Steve Farmer's lyrics, even though ****** had never smoked a joint in his entire life."

Artist:	ART OF LOVIN', THE
Title:	The Art of Lovin'
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6113CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1968. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "The Art of Lovin' (Massachusetts) sang of mind elevation and higher knowledge of sorts without preaching a particular religion. The Mainstream production is on par for the Chicago-based blues & jazz label which tended to hold back when recording psych bands such as Big Brother & the Holding Company, Tiffany Shade, Growing Concern, Bohemian Vendetta and Orient Express. The Art of Lovin's talented female singer Gail Winnick wasn't given a chance to develop a stronger persona, and critics have described her unkindly as a faceless Grace Slick. Hardly any tracks on their 1968 LP (& single) are as interestingly arranged as 'Paul's Circus' which opens the album auspiciously; none match the power of 'You've Got The Power.' Nonetheless, the last song ('State Of Mind') finally gets in the groove with some good guitar before the album ends. The 11 short songs left me wanting more." --MOG

Artist:	ELLIE POP
Title:	Ellie Pop
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6115HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing. "Eponymous 1968 Mainstream label album is definitely a pop/psychedelic classic-in-waiting, whose time has perhaps finally come; great songs right from the start, all oozing Beatles harmonics, with tracks such as 'Some Time Ago' and 'Caught In The Rain' especially thick with Beatles influence (thus explaining their appearance on the Pepperisms compilation); as with most Mainstream releases, there is precious little information on the band in the original LP notes, besides the fact that they were a quartet, with brothers S. and R. Dunn responsible for writing all tracks; this is really a wonderful set of catchy and commercial songs, not exactly psychedelic, with innovative edge-distorted guitars and odd time signatures that make every song worth hearing. Naturally the album vanished without a trace upon original release, followed soon by the band."

Artist:	ORIENT EXPRESS, THE
Title:	The Orient Express
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6117HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing; originally released in 1969." Guy Duris was born on the Left Bank, raised in heady French sunshine, and matured in the halls of European culture. A modern minstrel, he wandered and sang his songs, and began a romance with the ancient Arabic guitar, the oud. Journeying eastward, his music turned to the East. In Iran, he met Farshid Golesorkhi, the scion of a respected Persian family. Farshid, decorated by the Shah of Iran for his drumming, felt that Eastern rhythms could be applied to Western music. He found an eager co-experimenter in Guy. The marriage between Eastern and Western musical forms could easily become a self-conscious hybrid, but The Orient Express has smoothly and honestly achieved the merger individually and as a group. Instead of mixing clich�s of each form, they have deeply explored each music, and exposed the profound similarities between their cultures... at once creating a highly original music and a timeless one."

Artist:	STONE CIRCUS
Title:	Stone Circus
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6119CLP

Red colored vinyl reissue; originally released in 1969. "This superb blend of psych-pop and experimental acid rock originally appeared on the legendary Mainstream label in 1969. Recorded by a bunch of Canadian musicians who had just moved to New York City, it received no airplay or promotional support and was soon deleted, but has gone on to become one of the most sought-after major label LPs of the period. Enjoyable from start to finish, it's a treat for all fans of melodic psychedelia."

Artist:	STONE CIRCUS
Title:	Stone Circus
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6119HLP

Exact repro 180 gram virgin vinyl pressing; originally released in 1969. "This superb blend of psych-pop and experimental acid rock originally appeared on the legendary Mainstream label in 1969. Recorded by a bunch of Canadian musicians who had just moved to New York City, it received no airplay or promotional support and was soon deleted, but has gone on to become one of the most sought-after major label LPs of the period. Enjoyable from start to finish, it's a treat for all fans of melodic psychedelia."

Artist:	NUCLEUS (USA)
Title:	Nucleus
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6120CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1969. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. Not to be confused w/the UK jazz/rock group of the same name. "Canada's Greg Fitzpatrick, Sebastian Agnello, Danny Taylor, Hughie Leggat, and John Richardson were teenagers in The Lords Of London, who played to their peers on weekends. They released several singles in the mid-'60s, scoring a Canadian hit with 'Cornflakes And Ice Cream.' However, it failed to ignite the attention of Americans and the group began a slow evolution into progressive sounds and a new name -- Nucleus. Through day-long rehearsals they would jam extended progressive rock treatments, many of which would be recorded in 1968; Bob Horne replaced Agnello on keyboards as the band headed into the studio for their first and only LP written entirely by Greg Fitzpatrick. However, it took a year to get interest for the record, which was released by Chicago label Mainstream, and by the time it was released in 1969, the band had distanced themselves from it. And yet, the album became a cult favorite throughout the North American Eastern seaboard, and its first single, 'Communication,' was played fervently despite its excessive length." --Jam! Music

Artist:	LINCOLN ST. EXIT
Title:	Drive It
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6126CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1970. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "Lincoln Street Exit's sole album is one of those efforts that's generated considerable attention throughout the collecting community over the years. Formed in 1964, the original line up consisted of Paul Chapman, drummer Lee Herres, singer/guitarist Michael Martin and bassist Mac Suazo. A rarity in that it was one of the few mid-1960s native American rock bands (all four members were New Mexico Sioux) to actively tour and record, the group struggled for six years with little recognition; managing to release three instantly obscure singles during that timeframe. By the time the band was signed to the Detroit-based Mainstream label, Chapman had died replaced by guitarist R.C. Gariss. Teamed with producer Brad Shad 1970's Drive It! served to showcase material from Martin and non-member Tom Bee. Sure the band's anti-war sentiments ('Man Machine' and 'Time Has Come Gonna Die') weren't particularly original or noteworthy. Similarly their isolated stab at pseudo-Gospel ('Going Back Home') was at best misguided. On the other hand, propelled by Martin's likeable voice, tracks such as 'Dirty Mother Blues,' 'Teacher Teacher' and 'Straight Shootin' Man' offered up a compelling set of blues-oriented hard rock. Ironically the most impressive track was also one of their most commercial effort - the pop-oriented 'Soulful Drifter' (which was released as an unsuccessful single). Needless to say, the collection vanished without a trace. Gariss, Herrera, Martin and Suazo subsequently continued their musical collaboration, reappearing as Xit recording a series of mid-1970s LPs for Motown." --Bad Cat Records

Artist:	JOSEFUS
Title:	Josefus
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6127CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1970. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "Authors of two albums published in 1970, the Texas based Josefus are the quintessence of hard psych made in the USA -- a gritty sound featuring prominent guitar and a solid and agile rhythmic base. This second album by Josefus, released a year after their debut, confirms their place as one of the most interesting and underestimated bands of the era. Largely influenced by early Zeppelin and British blues, Josefus deftly brought late sixties hard rock into the '70s, anticipating sounds that would later become synonymous with bands like ZZ Top and giving birth to a genre that would eventually give way to heavy metal."

Artist:	HENRY TREE
Title:	Electric Holy Man
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6129CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1969. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "Produced by Bob Shad, 1969's Electric Holy Man differed from a lot of other early-1970s Mainstream releases in that it showcased a progressive streak rather than the popsike sound that was common to the label. Moreover, for a trio, these guys sported a surprisingly full sound, helped in no small measure by Markish's impressive voice. 'Mr. Fear,' their Traffic cover and the extended title track showcase that interesting jazzy streak with some stunning work from un-credited jazz guitarist Bill DeArango. Mind you, there was still plenty of fuzz driven guitar (check out the second half of the title track), but it didn't come close to these other highlights and the group's most commercial effort; the ballad 'Lady Of Day' was also the album's most disposable offering." --Lajso Sound Ltd.

Artist:	FREEPORT
Title:	Freeport
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6130CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1970. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. Heavy organ rock from Ohio. Cleveland, 1968-1972. Formally known as Paper Sun and Freeport Express. "Paper Sun was formed in early '68 or so. Although not sure of the original lineup, in February 1969 the members included Eric Janson (guitar and vocals), Kevin Raleigh (keyboards and vocals), Craig Holt (bass), and Bill Stallings (drums). With this lineup they recorded some songs at Landen for the ill-fated Abbey Group deal. After Chess pulled the plug on the national distribution, a very limited local pressing of two songs -- 'Sweetest Thing On My Mind' (written by Phil Okulovich using his 'Jason Richards' pen name) and 'Here Comes Tomorrow,' written by Raleigh -- was done on the Abbey label. Paper Sun, befitting the Traffic-inspired moniker, played a 'progressive' style of late '60s rock sounds, and were popular at teen dances, such as the Hullabaloo clubs, around the area. At some time, the personnel changed where Janson was gone and two guitarists were added -- Dennis Stredney and Roger Lewis. Lewis had been in the Poppy but had to quit due to an injury sustained in a band van accident. Either prior to or with this lineup, they changed their name to Freeport. Freeport was a huge band in the NE Ohio area in 1970 -- playing constantly in Cleveland and the Youngstown areas. They recorded an LP in Miami for Mainstream records, which included several originals and the Eric Carmen song 'I Need Your Lovin'.' An additional 45 was also released with two songs not on the LP. The band also used the name Freeport Express but it's not clear if that was a name change. The band continued to play into 1971 or 1972." --Buckeye Beat

Artist:	KATMANDU
Title:	Katmandu
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6131CLP

Exact repro edition of this LP, originally issued in 1971. This is the limited edition colored vinyl version. "This U.S. 1971 band included Bob Caldwell and Bob Jabo, the latter of whom had been in Miami's Shaggs. Scarce, keyboard-oriented hard rock. Caldwell would go on to have the big hit 'What You Won't Do For Love' in 1977. The group was playing the Miami circuit when they were discovered by Little Richard. The album is more on the R&B/blues side,and has some nice guitar & keyboard work (a fine example is 'Cotton Mouth'), the guitar work at times reminds of Steely Dan. A solid album." --Red Telephone66 blog

Artist:	LACEWING
Title:	Lacewing
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6132CLP

Exact repro reissue of this LP, originally issued on Mainstream in 1970, colored vinyl edition. Psych from Ohio, previously renowned in their area as the Measles. "A name change to something 'hipper' was needed, so Lacewing became the new and short lived moniker . The Lacewing LP was recorded at Criteria studios in Miami, just like the other NE Ohio bands like Decembers' Children and Freeport. A 45 of 'Paradox' was released but neither the 45 or LP got much action, as there was no promotion even at the local level. After the Mainstream deal had played out, the band reverted back to the Measles and continued to be a major local attraction for a few more years. Joe Walsh added some continuity to the Measles/Lacewing path when he included Mary Sterpka to sing the backing vocals on the James Gang hit 'Midnight Man.' Bob Webb joined the James Gang on the last LP." --Buckeye Beat

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Artist:	BOHEMIAN VENDETTA
Title:	Bohemian Vendetta
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6106HLP

Artist:	LAST NIKLE, THE
Title:	The Last Nikle
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6122CLP

Artist:	DECEMBER'S CHILDREN
Title:	December's Children
Label:	MAINSTREAM
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	MAIN S/6128CLP