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The Bassy Club, Berlin. One big bow to the music and lifestyle of the '50s and '60s. Its DJs have popularized many tunes that had been mostly forgotten or unavailable, and which were eventually reissued, making the club's own compilation an obviously good idea. Resident DJ Don Rogall presents a selection of songs that have been mainstays at Bassy for years, along with previously unreleased tunes, collecting numerous specially remastered and restored versions for this one-of-a-kind compilation. The cover art features an homage to Tura Satana by Lou on the Rocks, a dancer at the club's Hoochie Koo night. This fine compilation opens with the charming, exotic, and (mostly) forgotten "Bermuda," performed by Ray Sharpe and produced by Lee Hazlewood, followed by Ric Cartey's driving, danceable cover of Willie Dixon's "Mellow Down Easy," one of the greatest juke joint dancers ever. Like most of the versions on this compilation, it differs from the previously released material -- and the same goes for Slim Harpo's "Shake Your Hips." This alternate mix of an all-time classic will rock your socks off. The Valentines' "That's It Man" is a loud, irresistible boogie like no other. Kenny Loran's "I Chickened Out" is a fun little tune with an irresistible, boppy beat -- but again, only on this version. The only tune here from Europe is Bulgarian jazz singer Lea Ivanova's version of Adriano Celentano's "Basta con la Luna," and it's a real gem. "Daddy Lolo" by Ganimian & His Orientals is a true classic of exotica; Rogall played the single for decades, until he found this original instrumental take of Charles Gaminian himself. It's overdubbed here with vocals by Saudia Young, who performed it in a sound system style at a Hoochie Koo night at the Bassy Club. Side B kicks off with a version of Rogall's signature tune, an exclusive version of a John Lee Hooker cut credited here to John Lee Booker, followed by an up-tempo version of "Double Eyed Whammy" by New Orleans singer and bandleader Tommy Ridgley. The Robins' "The Turkey Hop" was conducted by Johnny Otis, a hero of the genre -- just like Buddy Johnson, who directed the orchestra for his sister Ella Johnson in this tough but smooth version of "No More Love." The Coasters' "Young Blood," Jewel & The Rubies' "Kidnapper," and Guy Mitchell's "99 Years - Dead or Alive" close it out.
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