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viewing 1 To 25 of 88 items
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SOMM 083LP
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First ever vinyl release. Monster rarity here! An incredible find for anyone into late '60s/early '70s underground hard-psych and blues-rock. A full unreleased album by British hard-blues band Sam Apple Pie, recorded in 1970 possibly as a follow up album to their Decca debut. Taken from the only surviving copy of a recently found acetate (without song titles or credits), all leads to believe this was recorded by the line-up of Sam Sampson, Bob Renny, Andy Johnson, Mick Smith, and Mick Stuart. A great mix of heavy blues, hard-rock, and psych, with some tracks sounding not unlike Elias Hulk or Fleetwood Mac. Restored and remastered sound; hard cardboard sleeve with liner notes; includes digital download. RIYL: Fleetwood Mac, Edgar Broughton Band, Free, Elias Hulk, Savoy Brown...
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SOMM 080LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1970. Heavy-rock/bluesy sound with West Coast overtones and some devastating fuzz-wah guitar. Originally named Strawberry Dust, Ancient Grease was a hard psychedelic band from Wales, connected to Eyes Of Blue and Racing Cars. They were supported by John Weathers (Eyes of Blue) who also acted as producer and songwriter for their sole album, recorded in London. When eventually released in 1970, Women and Children First was credited to Ancient Grease instead of Strawberry Dust (one of those "great" ideas by major labels). The album was first issued in the US and later in the UK, both on the Mercury label but with different sleeves (being the UK one the most desirable and collectable). RIYL: Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Cactus, Captain Beefheart, Red Dirt... Remastered sound; original UK artwork; color insert with liner notes and photos. "An interesting proto-grunge album that wouldn't have been out of place in early '90s Seattle" --Giles Hamilton (Galactic Ramble). "The first thing that hits you in the very first seconds of the opener 'Freedom Train' is a booming, stomping fuzz guitar riff. Washed in wah-wah pedals, thinned in chorus or crunched with saturated tones, the guitar of Graham Williams is the main protagonist of the record." --Andrea Gelardini (It's Psychedelic Baby).
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SOMM 082CD
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Reissue, originally released in 1970. Cool library-styled French album. Psychedelic, proggy jazz-funk with Brazilian/bossa touches. Groovy flute by Bernard Wystraëte plus heavy bass, drums (by André Ceccarelli), violin, occasional fuzz-wah guitar and Urszula Dudziak-like scat vocals. In 1970, the AFA label asked flautist Bernard Wystraëte to register a "pop" album after the worldwide impact of progressive bands like Aphrodite's Child and Jethro Tull. Bernard recruited some of his friends who were professional musicians and Structure was born. He wrote a collection of songs influenced by progressive rock, jazz and Brazilian music. The Pop Music album was recorded live in the studio to give a "live show" feel. It was released later that year housed in a superb psychedelic sleeve. The band even toured across France and several countries at the same time that Bernard and other Structure members started backing famous French singer Marie Laforêt live. After the good reception given to the album, another label asked Bernard to record a Structure 45. Dilatation/Scale was released under a new line-up. RIYL: Jean Cohen-Solal, COS, Cortex, ZAO, Triode... Original artwork in hard cardboard sleeve; insert with liner notes and photos. CD version includes two bonus tracks: the tracks on the Dilatation/Scale 45.
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SOMM 082LP
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LP version. Includes digital download with two bonus tracks: the tracks on the Dilatation/Scale 45. Reissue, originally released in 1970. Cool library-styled French album. Psychedelic, proggy jazz-funk with Brazilian/bossa touches. Groovy flute by Bernard Wystraëte plus heavy bass, drums (by André Ceccarelli), violin, occasional fuzz-wah guitar and Urszula Dudziak-like scat vocals. In 1970, the AFA label asked flautist Bernard Wystraëte to register a "pop" album after the worldwide impact of progressive bands like Aphrodite's Child and Jethro Tull. Bernard recruited some of his friends who were professional musicians and Structure was born. He wrote a collection of songs influenced by progressive rock, jazz and Brazilian music. The Pop Music album was recorded live in the studio to give a "live show" feel. It was released later that year housed in a superb psychedelic sleeve. The band even toured across France and several countries at the same time that Bernard and other Structure members started backing famous French singer Marie Laforêt live. After the good reception given to the album, another label asked Bernard to record a Structure 45. Dilatation/Scale was released under a new line-up. RIYL: Jean Cohen-Solal, COS, Cortex, ZAO, Triode... Original artwork in hard cardboard sleeve; insert with liner notes and photos.
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SOMM 077LP
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First ever vinyl reissue of this UK prog-psych, originally release in 1971. Recorded at George Martin's AIR Studios and originally released on the collectable Vertigo label. A great mix of pastoral prog, hard-rock, blues, and west coast/Americana: long tracks, soft vocal harmonies, dual guitar. Hokus Poke formed in London in the late '60s, consisting of Clive Blenkhorn of lead guitar and vocals, Roger Clarke on guitar, Smith Campbell on bass, and Jonnie Miles on drums. Managed by Kenny Lynch, they secured a deal with the legendary Vertigo label. Earth Harmony, their sole album, was housed in a fabulous die-cut sleeve with photos taken by John Kelly, famous for his work on the Beatles' White Album. One of the rarest albums on the collectable Vertigo label. Original artwork in gatefold die-cut sleeve. Insert with liner notes by Richard Allen and rare photos. RIYL: Wishbone Ash, Traffic, Cream, Pink Floyd, Bronco, Fantasy, Fleetwood Mac... "For once, a Vertigo album that's better than its reputation would suggest" --Giles Hamilton (Galactic Ramble). "... pastoral bluesy prog from the early '70s UK, occupying that comfortable niche somewhere between Humble Pie and Wishbone Ash" --Alex Gitlin.
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SOMM 075CD
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First ever reissue of this impossible to find private acid-folk album from France, released in 1972, related to Long Orme and originally released as a tiny pressing on cult Kiosque d'Orphée label (the French Deroy). Recorded by French musician Dominique Droin (later a Gipsy Kings backing musician) and some friends/musicians at a basement studio, the album has a charming homemade vibe and melancholic atmosphere with a strong UK folk influence (think Donovan, John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, or Nick Drake). Beautiful songs in English with acoustic guitars, flute, cello and even full electric backing on the monster eight-minute psychedelic title track. CD version includes bonus track: "The Capricorn and The Libra (2021 version)".
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SOMM 075LP
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LP version. Includes insert and download card with two bonus tracks. Edition of 300 (hand-numbered), First ever reissue of this impossible to find private acid-folk album from France, released in 1972, related to Long Orme and originally released as a tiny pressing on cult Kiosque d'Orphée label (the French Deroy). Recorded by French musician Dominique Droin (later a Gipsy Kings backing musician) and some friends/musicians at a basement studio, the album has a charming homemade vibe and melancholic atmosphere with a strong UK folk influence (think Donovan, John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, or Nick Drake). Beautiful songs in English with acoustic guitars, flute, cello and even full electric backing on the monster eight-minute psychedelic title track.
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SOMM 079LP
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Bootlegged many times on vinyl, here's an official reissue of The Running Man's self-titled album. Top-notch hard progressive album with blues/jazz influences, originally released in 1972 on the collectable RCA-Neon label. Featuring the legendary Ray Russell (John Barry Seven, Graham Bond, Georgie Fame...) on devastating fuzz guitar plus Alan Greed (Harsh Reality) on bass, Alan Rushton (Mouse) on drums, and Gary Windo (Centipede) on sax. Fantastic remastered sound by Ray Russell. Original artwork in gatefold sleeve plus color insert with liner notes and rare photos/memorabilia. RIYL: Procol Harum, Thirsty Moon, Raw Material, Tonton Macoute, ELP, Patto. "... a genuinely experimental rock LP" --Galactic Ramble
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SOMM 076LP
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First ever vinyl reissue. After the demise of Los Shakers, brothers Hugo and Osvaldo Fattoruso released in 1969 La Bossa Nova de Hugo Y Osvaldo. Here, they paid homage to the music they grew-up with: jazz, bossa nova, and candombe but adding Beatlesque pop-psych and Brazilian/Latin sounds to the mix, following what they had already done with Los Shakers in songs like "Never Never" or "Adorable Lola". Cool covers of Burt Bacharach, George Harrison, and candombe pioneer Manolo Guardia blend together with lovely self-penned songs and even new, bossa-styled versions from Los Shakers catalog. Recorded in 1968 mostly by Hugo and Osvaldo playing all the instruments by themselves, it was originally released in 1969 in a tiny edition of 400 copies, making it one of the most desirable collectable albums related to Los Shakers. The missing link between Toto's Bar and Opa's Goldenwings (1976). Hard cardboard sleeve with OBI; includes insert with detailed liner notes and photos; also includes download card.
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SOMM 074LP
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Sommor Records present the first vinyl reissue of Curtis Knight Zeus's Sea of Time album, originally released in 1973. In the early '70s, Hendrix's old friend and collaborator Curtis Knight moved to London and formed Curtis Knight Zeus, recruiting a young guitarist named "Fast" Eddie Clarke (later of Motörhead fame). Sea of Time was recorded at Olympic Studios in 1973 but never actually released in the UK, only in a few European countries. Psychedelic hard-rock with soul/funk influences and even some raw proto-punk moves. All songs were written by Curtis, showcasing his versatile songwriting talent, and he's also on lead vocals/guitar. Includes the underground heavy-funk-rock hit "The Devil Made Me Do It", and more. Recommended if you like Jimi Hendrix, Arthur Lee's Vindicator (1972), Chubby Checker's Chequered! (1971). Original gatefold sleeve artwork; includes insert with liner notes by Kingsley Abbott with a foreword by Kathy Knight-McConnell (Curtis's widow) and photos. "It's hard to imagine any rock fan not finding something to enjoy on this Sea of Time album with the quality of the playing and the instantly memorable songs." --Kingsley Abbott
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SOMM 073CD
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Orang-Utan were in fact a London based band called Hunter, featuring vocalist Terry "Nobby" Clarke (of psych-pop legends Jason Crest), guitar player Mick Clarke, drummer and songwriter Jeff Seopardi and bass player Paul Roberts. They recorded their sole album in 1971 and DeLane Lea studios. In a bizarre twist of events, their producers/managers ran with the tapes to the US, where they placed the album on Bell Records under a new band name: Orang-Utan, without telling any of the band members. A lost classic of blazing, early hard rock with minor psychedelic hangover vibes, a twin-guitar attack, and waves of fuzz/wah, along with powerful vocals. Think Leaf Hound, Budgie, Bang, Sir Lord Baltimore, Hard Stuff... Legit reissue done in co-operation with the original band members. Insert with liner notes telling the bizarre story of the band, and rare photos. "Quintessentially British hard-rock, transforming the blues in a way American bands rarely did, and with a kind of vocal intensity that compares to Free, Humble Pie, et al." --Aaron Milenski (Galactic Ramble)
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SOMM 073LP
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LP version. New repress in hard cardboard sleeve with obi; includes download card. White vinyl. Orang-Utan were in fact a London based band called Hunter, featuring vocalist Terry "Nobby" Clarke (of psych-pop legends Jason Crest), guitar player Mick Clarke, drummer and songwriter Jeff Seopardi and bass player Paul Roberts. They recorded their sole album in 1971 and DeLane Lea studios. In a bizarre twist of events, their producers/managers ran with the tapes to the US, where they placed the album on Bell Records under a new band name: Orang-Utan, without telling any of the band members. A lost classic of blazing, early hard rock with minor psychedelic hangover vibes, a twin-guitar attack, and waves of fuzz/wah, along with powerful vocals. Think Leaf Hound, Budgie, Bang, Sir Lord Baltimore, Hard Stuff... Legit reissue done in co-operation with the original band members. Insert with liner notes telling the bizarre story of the band, and rare photos. "Quintessentially British hard-rock, transforming the blues in a way American bands rarely did, and with a kind of vocal intensity that compares to Free, Humble Pie, et al." --Aaron Milenski (Galactic Ramble)
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SOMM 072LP
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Sommor Records present the first vinyl reissue of Barcelona Traction's self-titled release, originally released in 1975. Top notch jazz-rock-fusion with funk and Latin touches from Catalonia. Original artwork in gatefold sleeve and insert with liner notes by Àlex Gómez-Font and photos.
"After recording in 1972 the cult album We Are Digging The Beatles with ex-Màquina! sax player Peter Rohr, innovative pianist Lucky Guri decided to form his own band, having jazz as a starting point but taking it to a more electric, eclectic sound with multiple influences. And thus, in 1973, he created the New Jazz Trio, which would become the embryo for Barcelona Traction. Lucky was accompanied by top double bass player Jordi Clua (ex-Dos + Un) and drummer Francis Rabassa (a veteran of the Barcelona '60s beat scene). The New Jazz Trio was the house band at the legendary La Cova del Drac jazz club, where they played every day, even acting as the backing band for international artists that came mainly through the USA-Paris jazz connection. Performing live on a daily basis gave the trio great skills and the confidence to create a more personal sound through improvisation. But the turning point came when they decided to go electric. Lucky Guri moved to electric piano and even introduced the mini-Moog to their sound. Jordi Clua never left the double bass, but started to use an electric bass as well. Add the modern, daring beat of Francis Rabassa and they started delivering a totally electric jazz-rock sound . . .After changing their name to Barcelona Traction, they caught the attention of popular Catalan singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, who arranged for them to sign for his label, Òliba-Edigsa. The resulting LP contains five instrumental tracks. Three are written by Lucky Guri, the other two are fabulous covers of Rubens Serrano's 'Sudamérica' and James Taylor's 'Fire and Rain', here translated to Catalan as 'Foc i pluja'. On Francesc Bellmunt's film about the famous Canet Rock festival, the band appears playing 'Sudamérica'. Thanks to this footage we can see how powerful the trio was on stage. Barcelona Traction marked an era, and their eponymous debut LP is here to prove it. Modern, fresh music that gets the attention of the listener. Unlike other bands like Música Urbana, more based in sophistication and more technical developments, Barcelona Traction is a combo that stands out due to the apparent simplicity and high energy of their sound, with the quality of being able to appeal and be listened in any situation, taking it beyond strict, pigeonholed mind sets." --Álex Gómez-Font
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SOMM 069LP
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Also known as Música Caliente (Hot Music) and Wild Safari, this is the first album, released in 1972, by Barrabás, the acclaimed Spanish band created by Fernando Arbex after the demise of Brincos and Alacrán. A funk-rock/Latin/Afro bomb, loaded with worldwide hits like "Wild Safari" or "Woman". First ever reissue with original artwork. Barrabás was created by Spanish genius drummer, songwriter and producer Fernando Arbex after the split of his post-Brincos power-trio Alacrán. Busy with his productions and as songwriter for many artists, Fernando still had in mind the desire of international success. Highly influenced by the beginnings of funk music and the Latin-rock of groups such as Santana (influences that were also already present on Alacrán), Arbex formed Barrabás along with his Brincos bandmates Miguel & Ricky Morales on guitars, ace keyboard player Joao Antonio Vidal (from Madrid based psych band Los Grimm), Afro-Cuban percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Ernesto "Tito" Duarte and Iñaki Egaña (Los Buenos, Alacrán) on vocals/bass. The name of Barrabás came after Fernando watched the movie of the same name by Richard Fleischer. In 1971, the band entered RCA Studios in Madrid for the recording of their first album, sung completely in English. The result was a fabulous mix of funk, Latin music, rock and afro sounds, housed in a striking cover designed by famous Spanish singer-songwriter Luis Eduardo Aute. Songs like "Wild Safari" or "Woman" took the international dancefloors by storm, even reaching the first positions in the US black music charts, being championed by legendary DJs like David Mancuso (The Loft). The album also contained surprises like the mid-tempo "Cheer Up" or the Canned Heat sounding boogie rock of "Rock and Roll Everybody". A groundbreaking debut album, essential to understand the roots of Spanish funk-rock, reissued for the first time on vinyl faithful to the original one. Heavy cardboard cover with obi and four-panel color insert with detailed liner notes in English/Spanish and photos. Remastered sound. RIYL: Santana, Osibisa, Malo, Mandrill.
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SOMM 070LP
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Power was the second Barrabás album, originally released in 1973. First ever vinyl reissue in original gatefold cover artwork design. As well as their first album, this is another great example of funk-rock, but this time with glam, hard and psych touches, including some of their most celebrated songs: "Casanova", "The Horse", "Children". After reaching international success with their first album, the line-up of Barrabás experienced some major changes: Fernando Arbex, more and more involved as songwriter and producer for other artists, leaves the drum kit, being replaced by drummer José María Moll (from Juan & Junior's backing band). From now on, Fernando will focus on songwriting and production duties for Barrabás. Also, due to an accident, bass player/lead singer Iñaki Egaña is forced to leave the band. A new powerful singer is found: José Luis Tejada (from Los No, a legendary beat band from Barcelona). And finally original guitar player Miguel Morales switched to bass. For the album recording, Arbex decided to use the same studio where they recorded the first Barrabás album: RCA in Madrid. J. Cobos was again the sound engineer and Fernando was the producer and main songwriter. Power was the result, released in 1973 housed in a glam-tastic gatefold sleeve. Highlights are "Mr. Money" (pure funk-rock which entered the US charts); the atmospheric "The Horse", the psych-funk of "Time To Love" or the catchy "Children", which was a big hit in South America, especially in Venezuela. Remastered sound. Four-panel color insert with detailed liner notes in English/Spanish and photos.
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SOMM 071LP
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¡Soltad a Barrabás! (Release Barrabás!) was the third album by the famous Spanish funk-rock band. Recorded in the US and originally released in 1974, housed in a shocking gatefold cover, this time the sound was 100% funk oriented and included big hits like "Hi-Jack", covered by Herbie Mann. First ever vinyl reissue in original gatefold cover artwork design. After reaching worldwide success with their previous two albums and a lengthy South America tour, Fernando Arbex went even further with Barrabás: he wanted to register their third album in the US. So, he managed to book MGM studios in Hollywood and the band spent a month in L.A. Fernando encouraged all the other Barrabás members to write songs for the planned album. The result was a fantastic pro-sounding recording (thanks to the work of sound engineer Humberto Gatica), where the band nearly dropped their previous Latin influences to concentrate on funk and Black music. "Hi-Jack" rocketed to number one in the Billboard and Black music charts in the US and soon after Herbie Mann released his famous jazzy cover. The album also included other ace tracks like "Tell Me The Thing" -- much in the vein of Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, "Suzie Wong", "Lady Love". Remastered sound. Four-panel color insert with detailed liner notes in English/Spanish and photos.
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SOMM 066LP
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Second album by cult Norwegian heavy prog-psych band Lucifer Was, originally released only on CD in 2000. Epic and doomy atmosphere in the best early '70s tradition with great use of Mellotron, flute, killer hard guitar -- imagine a mix between Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull with a dose of King Crimson and Black Widow. In Anadi's Bower was the follow up to Underground And Beyond (SOMM 055CD/LP) and featured new singer Jon Rude. The band's idea was to make another Underground And Beyond, to record more of the band's 1970-1973 material fast and rough. But this time they chose to use a producer, Rolf Kjernet, and they also had a bigger budget and more studio time. All the basic tracks of guitar, bass and drums plus guide-vocals were recorded live in the studio on analog equipment. Just like before on Underground And Beyond. Even the 11 minutes "Little Child" does not have one single edit of the basic tracks we recorded live-in-the-studio. "We were completely into making it good and really enjoying ourselves in one go. Still, it was also an escape. There were some greening of the grass and auras of the trees seen in the dim light of midnight. Outside. May 'Darkness' bless the child that takes no more and let it play in Anadis's bower. In Norway, maybe..." --Thore Engen (Lucifer Was) Includes insert with liner notes and photos; also includes download card of the full album plus two bonus tracks: "Kill The Rats" and "Legends Waiting (To Appear)".
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SOMM 068LP
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Originally released as a small private pressing in 1977, Sommor Records present the first ever vinyl reissue of this collectable hard-rock album by Marquee club favorites National Flag. National Flag formed in Kingston in 1973 and they were a big noise for brief period around London in 1975/76. They quickly developed a strong following especially at the Marquee club where they were resident band in summer 1975. Such was their live reputation they were invited to Tokyo and toured Japan in summer 1975 appearing on TV and radio, headlining the infant Fuji Rock Festival, and opening the World Rock Festival in Kyoto with the New York Dolls and Jeff Beck. Thank You and Goodnight was recorded between 1974/76 at EMI Manchester Square, Decca Hampstead with Nick Tauber (Thin Lizzy) and Fulhams Milner Sound with a soon to be famous Julien Mendelsohn (Elton John, McCartney). Approximately 100 copies were pressed as a homemade edition in 1977 and the album became a myth. Its reputation and rarity value has grown over the years and is now sought after by keen rock fans, Marquee fans and '70s record collectors and it's actually a real gem... glorious. That same year, band members Danny Edwardson and Seamus Sell were also responsible for the KPM library album Rock On, for which they used and recycled some riffs of National Flag songs. National Flag should have been huge, but somehow they escaped a record deal, the anecdotes are endless but times were changing, the punk wave swept in and the band broke up playing their last gig in June 1977. Sourced from the original masters; includes insert with liner notes and photos.
"Defined by their good time guitar licks and blazing rhythms, this delight from the UK seemed poised to hit the big time, yet never did. They're a riveting combination of Grand Funk meets Lynyrd Skynyrd, combined with the sensibilities and smart lyrics of The Doobie Brothers, along with the swagger of Neil Young & Crazy Horse..." --Jenell Kessler
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SOMM 062LP
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Sommor Records present the first ever vinyl reissue of Plebb's Yes It Isn't It, a Swedish private press record originally released in 1979. Heavy twin-guitar fueled underground hard-rock with prog/psych touches. Plebb was founded in 1976 in the small town of Mönsterås (Sweden). The band name was based on the initials of the first band members names. The "P" for "Pemce". "LeB" for "Leif Bergqvist" and the last "b" for "Balder". They were just teenagers (16-18 years old) and in 1977 guitar player Leif Bergqvist was replaced by Peter Martinsson and then the band started to develop their sound and began to write their own songs influenced by their favorite musicians. After recording a private cassette, the band decided to make their first album. So, in 1979, they recorded Yes It Isn't It with almost no budget at a makeshift studio using two locations: the attic of a local biker club and a school. It was produced by bass player Tommy Gustavsson and only 485 copies were pressed on the band's own label, Plebb Records, sold mainly locally to friends but also in some shops in consignment. Highly sought-after by collectors of '70s hard-rock and proto-metal. Master tape sound. Heavy cardboard sleeve; insert with rare photos, lyrics and liner notes.
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SOMM 067LP
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Sommor Records present a first time reissue of Zarpa's Los 4 Jinetes del Apocalipsis, originally released in 1978. Spanish proto-doom/psychedelic hard-rock monster from 1978. A conceptual album featuring five long tracks with raw in-your-face sound and production, over-charged fuzz and wah-wah guitar, powerful vocals with killer echo/reverb and studio effects. This is must for any hard rock/metal/heavy psych aficionado. Formed in Mislata, Valencia, in 1977 by four teenager friends (Vicente Feijóo on lead vocals and lead guitar, Eduardo Feijóo on bass and vocals, Javier Herviás on guitar and Jesús Martinez on drums), Zarpa Rock ("Claw Rock"), later shortened to Zarpa, evolved from a group called Wolframio. After spending most of 1977 learning how to play their instruments, they were approached by a management agency called Zeus Rock, joining their roster in company of bands like Doble Zero. Under Zeus Rock guidance, the band did their first recording: a conceptual album titled Los 4 Jinetes del Apocalipsis (The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse) which due to low studio budget, was recorded "live in the studio" in a single one-hour-and-a-half take. After the bankruptcy of Zeus Rock, the proposed album project was shelved. Zarpa shared stage with legends like Ian Gillan and later on, in the heyday of heavy metal in Spain, they managed to release two more LPs which established them as a very popular band, even opening for Barón Rojo, true metal stars in the early '80s. Including insert with liner notes and rare pictures from the archive of Vicente Feijóo, the original guitarist and vocalist from Zarpa. Heavy carboard sleeve and OBI.
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SOMM 064LP
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Fabulous UK psych and proto prog, recorded in 1970 at IBC Studios and originally pressed only as a handful of ultra-rare test pressings. Melodic vocals, killer Hammond with distorted guitar, and fabulous songs. With connections to Scots of St James, Hopscotch, Fleur De Lys, Glencoe, Studd Bump. Five Day Rain was formed when Rick Sharpe (guitar), Clive Shepherd (bass), and Dick Hawkes (drums), from power trio Iron Prophet, met organ player Graham Maitland (Scots of St. James, Hopscotch, Fleur De Lys). The original intended name for this new band, "The Entire Building Is About To Collapse", was soon discarded in favor of Five Day Rain. Thanks to a mutual friend, they were recruited by the producer/engineer team of Brian Carroll and Damon Lyon-Shaw, famous for their work at IBC Studios with some of the top bands from the '60s. Drummer Dick was replaced by Kim Haworth and sessions for the FDR album began at IBC in late 1969. Guitar player John Holbrook (Baba Scholae) was invited to play some leads and the great Sharon Tandy and members of America did some backing vocals. The result was a perfectly recorded and executed finished album comprised of ten songs. Showcasing the stellar work of Rick and Graham on guitar/organ on tracks like "Marie's A Woman" and the long instrumental "Rough Cut Marmalade", the FDR sound is a great example of the transition from post-mod psychedelia to early prog. Once the album was finished and a few test pressings in blank sleeves pressed, the whole project was abandoned due to some disagreements with the producer, so the album was never actually released. In the late '80s, copies of the original test pressing were discovered by psych collectors and bootleg reissues appeared on the collectors' market. It wasn't until 2006 that an official reissue, done with involvement from the band members, was released by the Nightwings label from Italy. After many years out-of-print, we present a long overdue new vinyl edition of the Five Day Rain album. Remastered sound; Includes insert with detailed liner notes and rare photos/memorabilia; New artwork by artist Sara Gossett.
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SOMM 065LP
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Sommor Records present the first legitimate vinyl reissue of Little Big Horn's self-titled album, originally released in 1971, expanded to a double-LP set with the addition of the killer 45 B-side "Just A Game" and excellent unissued material from the time. Little Big Horn evolved from Luton-based pop-psych band Wild Silk. As occurred with many British bands from the '60s, they adopted different musical influences as the decade progressed and "underground" was the thing to be, so by the late '60s, Little Big Horn incorporated West Coast, Americana, and hard-rock elements to their powerful sound. Their sole album was released only in Germany in 1971 as part of a deal between Shel Talmy Productions and the Bellaphon label (along with other obscure acts like Sunday and Diabolus) and it's an interesting mix of roots-y Americana and heavy rock. Transferred from original master tapes. RIYL: The Band, Led Zeppelin, Byrds, Badfinger, Grapefruit, Bronco, Plastic Penny, Youngbloods. Gatefold sleeve; includes insert with rare photos and detailed liner notes by Alec Palao. "A fine example of its era, showcasing seasoned, but not slick, ensemble playing, and it has enough flashes of genuine inspiration to warrant reappraisal." --Alec Palao
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SOMM 059LP
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2022 restock. First ever reissue of this ultra-rare acetate (two copies pressed) from 1972, Grit's self-titled album. Featured in Hans Pokora's book with the maximum scale rarity. Psychedelic hard-rock with furious drumming and stunning lead guitar by this unknown until now London based band. Includes the four tracks from the original acetate (taken from the master tape) plus two bonus tracks taken from lo-fi, crude rehearsals: "1000 Miles" (a Grit original) and a killer demo version of "Mineshaft". Born from the ashes of a London band called Merlyn, Grit consisted of Frank Martinez (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Christodoulou (bass, vocals), Tom Kelly (drums, vocals), and Jeff Ball (vocalist). Frank, nicknamed "Spider", has an interesting story: at the beginning of his musical career he auditioned for Joe Meek at his Holloway Road studio. Later, he also played with a band called Grand Union -- who supported Pink Floyd in 1968 -- and with members of the John Dummer Band. An electronic wizard, Frank also worked building amps and electronic equipment at Nolan Amps, MIDAS, etc. Tom Kelly came from a band called Connexion and Paul Christodoulou had played in Merlyn along with Frank. After some attempts, the definitive line-up of Grit was born when Frank and Paul convinced drummer Tom Kelly to join them, after assisting to a Nazareth concert. They also recruited powerful singer Jeff Ball after an ad in Melody Maker. On Christmas Eve, 1972, Grit recorded a demo at SWM Studios and two copies of a one-sided 12" acetate were pressed for promo purposes. It featured four self-penned songs, the killer "Mineshaft" (pure underground fuzz hard-rock), and two lengthy numbers: "Child and the Drifter" (furious drumming, stunning leads, hard-prog moves), and the hard-psychedelic "What Do You See In My Eyes"/"I Wish I Was". 40 years later, one of the two copies of the original Grit acetate was found at a flea market in Germany, which led to its inclusion in the 7001 Record Collector Dreams book by famous collector Hans Pokora. By pure chance in 2019, Alex Carretero from Guerssen found Frank Martinez and he opened his vault, which included the original master tape of the Grit acetate and several tapes with rehearsals from Grit and Merlyn. Master tape sound. Includes insert with rare photos/memorabilia and detailed liner notes. Free download card includes the full album plus another three digital-only bonus tracks, also taken from rehearsal tapes, including cool cover versions of "Chicken Shack" and "Burnin' Red Ivanhoe".
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SOMM 061LP
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Sommor Records present the first ever official vinyl reissue of Hackensack's Up The Hardway, originally released in 1974. Classic, raw UK blues-hard-rock from 1973 featuring powerful guitar player/vocalist Nicky Moore. With a name taken from a Thelonious Monk album track, Hackensack became in the early '70s one of Britain's hardest rocking and hardest working acts and are still remembered fondly today by those who experienced their unforgettable, powerhouse live shows. Up The Hard Way was their debut album, recorded in late '73 at De Lane Lea Studios, Wembley, and released the following year on the Polydor label, housed in a fab sleeve by Jim Fitzpatrick. Musically, it's a varied album which goes from hard-rock to blues and rural rock. Includes an eight-page insert telling the comprehensive history of the group from their Gas Avenue roots in 1969 to 2019, plus many rare photos and memorabilia; extensive liner notes by Pete Sarfas. A must for all fans of a band who deserved to be as big as Free. Original artwork. Master tape sound. 8-page insert reproducing the original insert plus & rare photos / memorabilia From original masters. Insert with full band history by Pete Sarfas of Audio Archives plus rare photos and memorabilia.
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SOMM 060LP
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Split release by Sommor Records and Pakistan Rock And Roll Crusade. Warlock could be considered the first satanic/occult hard-rock band from Spain. With roots in proto-doom band Necrophagus, formed in Madrid by singer/guitar player Victor Ramos in 1974, Warlock were heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, Lucifer's Friend, and Hawkwind, but they were too dark and wild-looking for the record companies of the time. During their brief existence, 1977-79, they supported the Ian Gillan Band at the Teatro Monumental, Madrid, 1979. They also shared stage with bands like Burning, Cai, Teddy Bautista & Canarios, Azahar, John Martyn, Eduardo Bort, etc. In 1978, they recorded a bunch of demos, collected here for the first time. Raw and wild lo-fi psychedelic hard-rock/proto-doom with space-rock touches. Eight self-penned songs with titles like "Archives Of The Universe", "Cortocircuito", "Earth", "Control Perdido", "Space Ritual" (which is not a Hawkwind cover but a tribute to Dave Brock's band, whom Victor once met in France), plus a cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid". RIYL: Black Sabbath, Lucifer's Friend, Pentagram, Hawkwind... Includes color insert with photos/memorabilia and liner notes.
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