The hype sticker alone told me this would be the gem of the stack: "The Black and Brown American Rock Sound 1969-1974". My heart be still. How I love these comps, especially when they come with a booklet jam packed with historical information. I look for 45s such as these everywhere I go, and sometimes you get lucky. No one knows who they are, so they presume they're worthless. Discogs has kind of ruined that in some places, especially when they get compiled like this. Because now everyone wants them! Fortunately thrift shops don't usually bother to research, even some record stores don't! Still relying on their dogeared price guides where everything Elvis and Beatles is rare, along with a handful of garage and soul titles. But unknowns... were unknowns. So they're worthless. Thank you! This album actually starts off a bit conservative with 1984 and Purple Snow, each more towards psych soul than psych rock. But starting with Jimi Macon, things get progressively wilder. Note that first name spelling. All you need to know. The party really gets going with Creations Unlimited and peaks with Michael Liggins and the Super Souls, complete with flute, psych guitar and funky rhythms. Side 2 is no less stellar. Ebony Rhythm Band's 'Drugs Ain't Cool' sounds like Chicago's take on 'I'm a Man' only to be followed by Cisneros and Garza Group covering... 'I'm a Man'. This track also introduces the "brown" part of the album, which sadly only features 3 tracks. Highlight here might be L.A. Carnival, who also happens to have a full length archival album released by Now-Again. Ordered it last night (and it's great, need to get some notes up about it). Overall a brilliant collection if you're interested in the lo-fi, but heavily sincere, funk psych bands that only appeared on 45s.
Ownership: LP: 2017 Now-Again. Single sleeve with 16 page booklet. Purchased new (heavily discounted) at Independent Records here in Colorado Springs (2022). That store is now closed.
3/19/22 (LP 3.8); 12/20/23 (new entry)
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