rep>>> Various Artists - Mind Expanders Vol.2 (1965-72 international, instrumental, kinetic bombastic raga multi freaked up outer spacial groove, 2009 release)

Vol 2 of the Mindexpanders series brings you more of the rarest, most funky, weird and downright excellent tracks in existence. It’s an intriguing CD, and undoubtedly one that will encourage collectors & creators alike to explore the lost world of strange recordings. 

Another great set of rare tunes from the ‘70s - a mother lode of cuts with lots of strings, fuzzed out guitars, sexy eastern-esque tabla-clarinet duets, sitar, Hammond organs and even steel drums. Cover tune award on this one goes to The Soulful Strings for their sitared and feathered version of the Beatles Within You Without You. This album is a must for fans of Vampyros Lesbos and sundry other erotic soundtracks, as well as just general musical weirdness!

Artist - Track - Composer

1. Didier Vincent - Jerk Avec Nous (Unknown) - 2:09

2. The Renegades - Mad Dog (Kim Brown, Graham Johnson, Ian Mallett, Michael Webley) - 2:51

3. Robert Gretch - Galaxie Guitar (Jean Aptal, Robert Gretch, Serge Charoff) - 2:27

4. Jaime Perez - Tema Arabe (Jaime Perez) - 2:18

5. Penahi - Dance Music (Unknown) - 3:45

6. Timezone - Spacewalker (Mort Garson) - 2:46

7. The Soulful Strings - Within You Without You (George Harrison) - 4:27

8. Thomas Natschinski Und Seine Gruppe - Kosmos 354 (Thomas Natschinski, Hartmut König) - 4:07

9. The Stradivarius - Walkin’ In The Bach’s World (Ariane Buyst, Hartmut König) - 2:50

10.The Flying Guitars - Electronics (André Shore) - 2:59

11.Acker Bilk - Acka Raga (John Mayer) - 2:22

12.Emery Deutsch And The Astro Sounds - You Tried To Warn Me (Piero Umiliani) - 2:30

13.The Scottmen - Sitar Sitter (John Scott) - 2:53

14.The Dynatones - The Fife Piper (Eddie Evans, Gary Van Scyoc, Ray Figlar) - 2:53

15.Bauer Productions - High Life (Unknown) - 3:15

16.Shell Street Orchestra - Groovy Beat (F. De Gourville) - 2:27

17.Incredible Bongo Band - Congo (M. Bly, Dave Burgess) - 2:20

More Past and Present compilations
1967-74  Psych Bites Vol.1
1968-74  Psych Bites Vol.2
1969-73  Up All Night

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rep>>> Grit - Grit (1972 uk, superb heavy psych rock. 2022 japan reissue)

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. He built the Twin Stacks and PA’s that later would form part of Grit's equipment.

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 four copies of a one-sided 12” acetate (one for each member) 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” (with some furious drumming, stunning leads and hard-prog moves) and the hard-psychedelic “What Do You See In My Eyes” / “I Wish I Was”.

Armed with the acetates, the band visited some music agents in London but nobody was interested. But while looking for a manager, they found a company who secured them a Greek tour. This was a true adventure and they managed to appear on television and play with big names from the Greek psych-prog scene like Socrates and Peloma Mpoklou in big festivals. Sadly, due to a family problem, Frank had to leave the band and return to England. That was the end for Grit.

40 years later, one of the original Grit acetates 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. The band still remained a mystery until 2019, when, by pure chance, 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. 

Grit Official

Tracks

1. Mineshaft - 3:54

2. The Child And The Drifter - 8:57

3. What Do I See In My Eyes / I Wish I Was - 9:23

4. 1000 Miles - 3:24

5. Across The Windowsill - 4:38

6. What Do I See In My Eyes / I Wish I Was - 7:52

7. Down In The Mine - Mineshaft - 3:44

All songs by Frank Martinez, Jeff Ball, Tom Kelly, Paul Christodoulou

Tracks 4-7 rehearsalls

Tracks 5 as Merlyn

Grit

*Frank Martinez - Guitar, Vocals

*Jeff Ball - Lead Vocals

*Tom Kelly - Drums, Vocals

*Paul Christodoulou - Bass, Vocals

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