Prophets (Thee) - Playgirl

Name: Thee Prophets
Album: Playgirl
Year: 1969
Style: Pop Oldies, Psychedelic, Vocal Group
Similar Bands: Herman's Hermits, Happenings, Buckinghams, Sunshine Express, The Vogues, Tom Jones, Bee Gees
"One-Word" Review: Tame neutered bubblegum vocal pop
Based Out Of: Milwaukee, WI
Label: Kapp, MCA, Universal

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Playgirl (1969)

1. Playgirl 2:05 
2. Broken Heart 2:22
3. Man Enough 2:13
4. It Isn't So Easy 2:29
5. Magic Island 2:31
6. Double Life 2:13 /
7. Some Kind-A Wonderful 2:17 (Single) (cover: Drifters)
8. Heartbreak Avenue 2:38
9. They Call Her Sorrow 3:08
10. I Pretend I'm With You 1:52
11. Kind of a Drag 2:03
12. Shame Shame 2:18 

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Carl Bonafede - Producer
• Dan Belloc - Producer
• Lew Douglas - Producer, Arranger
• Brian Lake - Organ, Vox
• Jim Anderson - Guitar, Vox
• David Leslie - Bass, Vox
• Chris Michaels - Drums
• Tex Meyer - Write-Up
• Don Brown - Write-Up
• Stan Malinowski - Cover Photo
• Milton Sincoff - Artistic Design
• Bill Bradley - Engineer
• Ed Cody - Engineer
• Ron Malo - Engineer
• Don Van Gorden - Remixing

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like another run-of-the-mill late 60's pop group trying to be the next big thing. They probably won't be unusual or break out of the light male vocal ensemble that really owes more to Jack Jones and other crooners more than the Beatles or the Kinks.

Album Review: Strings and light smooth vocals perpetuate the album along, but there are a few shining moments, like "Man Enough" has some drive and big band pop energy. And single Playgirl is a bit in the a Motown swing vibe. "Magic Island" almost has a solid pop backbone, but it loses all of its appeal as it's tries to appease parents with a light lofty orchestral production. This album would be a lot better if it were a lot simpler. But it can't escape the safe zone with production half in cohorts with Tom Jones or Mitch Miller, and one foot trying for the youth appeal. The Youtube link has more songs than what are on this album, and almost every non album track is better than the songs here. It looks like Jim Anderson only wrote 2 songs on here: They Call Her Sorrow & It Isn't So Easy...the rest are covers. Apparently, even the band was unhappy with this album, as their musical tendencies were more toward Hendrix, Cream, Vanilla Fudge, not bubblegum pop, but the record company had their name & ownership, and ran it into the ground.

Stand Out Track: Man Enough

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Youtube full album

something else Almost Hits

Vancouver Pop Music

all but forgotten oldies

rate your music

Second Hand Songs

Last FM

Death By Chocolate - Zap The World

Name: Death By Chocolate

Album: Zap the World

Year: 2002

Style: Retro Pop

Similar Bands: Pizzicato 5, Belle & Sebastian, Pipettes, Monkees, retro commercials

"One-Word" Review: Beatnik Psych Lounge, ya dig?

Based Out Of: London, England

Label: Jet Set

 Zap The World - Cover & Backs

Zap The World - Liner Notes & CD 

 Zap The World - Liner Notes

                                                              Zap The World - Liner Notes
Zap The World (2002)

1. Vox Wah Wah Pedal 1:06
2. Zap The World Chorus 0:17
3. Day Out 2:14
4. Bentley Corniche 0:15
5. Cut Out Girlscout 4:45
6. While I'm Still Young 2:19
7. Lime Green Fitted Blouse (w/ rounded collar & puce cuffs) 0:11
8. El Graphic 2:25
9. Bibi Gin 2:05
10. Bridget Riley 0:18
11. Artplay 5:17
12. AB&C Part 2 5:03
13. Cinammon Grahams 0:12
14. Zap the World 4:05
15. Swinging London 3:36
16. John Steed Swordstick 2:33

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
Angie Tillett - Vox, 
Milky - Vox
Jerry Butler - Producer
John Austin - Producer
Matty Green - Producer
El Graphic - Design
John Zimmerman - Photography
Charles  Fox - Writer
Norman Gimbel - Writer
George Melly - Writer
John Addison - Writer
Mike Always - Executive Producer

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band, but just from the cover, I imagine it will be some sort of folksy, twee pop music album. I like the artwork’s bold rainbow of colors behind the never-impressed girl on the front reading a British book. This looks like a more bubble gum version of Belle & Sebastian covers, so I was excited to get this and see what it sounded like in a New Orleans thrift store.

Album Review: Apparently, this was a musical group formed by (some say the orchestrator of Twee music), Mike Always, who was a record label producer and produced a lot of music in the 80’s on Red Cherry and El Records. The album spotlights one former hotel chambermaid, and a network of producers and musicians to form this calculated product of sunny 60-70’s pop style covers and promotional bits. Only a few tracks of the tracks are full, fleshed out songs.

“Vox Wah Wah Pedal” is a cover of a commercial for Vox brand guitar pedals that the Electric Prunesdid in 1967.It features delicate British female vocals over the guitar playing for the minute long advertisement.

“Zap The World Chorus” is just a short :17 second taste of the harmonized vocal only section for the upcoming song.

“Day Out” is another delicate female song that takes the listener back to psych/lounge days of early 60’s beatnik music. The organ and vocals remind me of Pizzicato 5. This stylized piece is true to the minimal recording, jazzy drumming, and repetitive loungey guitars.

“Bentley Corniche” is a scripted ad for the car explained by the title. No music, but it is tongue in cheek, as it mentioning that it plays music recorded before 1971.

“Cutoutgirlscout” is a cover from Peter Cook & Dudley Moore’s comedy Bedazzled. It is retro 60’s guitar and keyboard music behind a few spoken word sections. Mostly instrumental, the song’s pace is pushed on by the side to side swaying rhythm guitar hooks and twinkling keyboard repetition. The cycle of music punctuated by the same vocal lines repeats through with little alterations of tempo changes.

“While I'm Still Young” is a cover from the soundtrack to the 60’s film “Smashing Time.” It begins with male Ba-Ba-Ba’s and punctuating guitar strums. The melody is more poppy than loungey. But the bass line keeps the song’s feet on the ground.

“Lime Green Fitted Blouse (w/ rounded collar & puce cuffs)” is a simple diary entry about the singer’s favorite shirt

“El Graphic” is an island loungey 60’s song with flute fludders that border on Cecilio & Kapono and Jimmy Buffett, and lots of harmonized male Ba-Ba-Ba’s. The wavering, echoing keyboard reminds me of BS 2000, but in a shiny and authentic 60’s way.

“Bibi Gin” is a psychedelic 60’s keys, guitar and snare drum musical section behind a shopping list of items spoken. After the first set of items is listed, an echoing lead guitar solos to end the track

“Bridget Riley” is the singers favorite artist, and she gives a little history lesson on her work.

“Artplay” is an airy and jazzy instrumental with vibes, echoing keys, and jazz drums and guitar. Very hip, dig? Just as it is about to end, the singer asks a questions, and it continues to wind down for an extra 20 seconds or so.

“AB&C Part 2” is a great, psych keyboard heavy reprise from AB&C from their first album. It is a different listing of things that start with the letters A – Z. There is a brief musical interlude between J and & and then R and S. It goes through A – J again at the end on repeat.

“Cinammon Grahams” is a journal entry, vocals only, on the singer’s favorite breakfast cereal.

“Zap the World” is a cover of the villain Witchie Poo’s theme song from the show H.R. Puffnstuff. It starts off with the Zap the World chorus, as heard on track 2, as harmonized male and female harmonies. This time it goes into the full song with hazy psych guitars and keys that sound like they were recorded in a warehouse via one microphone set away from the band. It is fun and bouncy, and works as an instrumental, but would benefit from vocals too. After 2:20, the spoken word lyrics are overlaid as ingredients for the villain to make a potion. This is followed up by the chorus. This cycle repeats with different recipes 3 times.
“Swinging London” is a motivating, driving 60’s child-like show tune. It begs for a dance routine, most likely with striped wardrobes and a parasol, as it begs for its listener to join the singer with a romp around London. The song ends, but a toned down instrumental version carries on for another verse-chorus combo to finish out the song.

“John Steed Swordstick” starts off with more male Ba Ba-Ba-Ba Ba’s. And some wah-wah guitar work with a real Monkee’s feel.  

Stand Out Track: While I'm Still Young

Links:

Pop Matters

Allmusic

Discogs

Pussy Rock

Siesta

Catching Butterflies

El Graphic

Ink 19

Mike Always interview 1998

Leapy Lee - Little Arrows

Name: Leapy Lee
Album: Little Arrows
Year: 1968
Style: Pop Oldies, Novelty, Country, Lounge Vocals
Similar Acts: Monkees, Johnny Cash, Tom Jones
"One-Word" Review: Average Thrift Store Vocals
Based out Of: Eastbourne, England
Label: Decca, MCA

Little Arrows - Cover & Record

Little Arrows - Back & Record

Little Arrows(1968)

1. Little Arrows 2:42
2. So Afraid 3:11
3. Harper Valley PTA 3:15
4. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight 3:52
5. Where Has All the Love Gone 2:42
6. My Girl Maria 3:15/
7. If I Ever Get to Saginaw Again 2:30
8. Teresa 2:28
9. Little Green Apples 3:25
10. Roly 3:12
11. Senorita Jones 2:56

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5
Members & Other Bands:
Leapy Lee - Vox
Gordon Mills - Producer, Arrangements
John Timpearley - Engineer
Grace Waring - Cover Photo
Mike Vickers - Arrangements
Joe Moretti - Arrangements

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist. But just from the cover, he appears to be a non-flashy, down to earth singer. And from the bio on the back, he seems to have an awe-shucks, lucky to be anywhere, history and just enjoyed what he did. Musically, I'm guessing some cutesy, heartfelt songs; nothing too catchy or bombastic, but talented just as much.

Album Review: “Little Arrows” wah wah guitar begins the song, but the vocals are smooth and have a very folk, camp fire feel. It feels a little like a Monkees song. It is a fun, bouncy pop song. I am reminded of the song “Little Boxes”, because the word “little” is heavily used in both songs. It is a very upbeat, rolling, catchy song.
“So Afraid” is a bass / country heavy oldie. The vocals are deep and smooth, reminding me of a less-smoky Johnny Cash. But the vocals glide along the melody like a lounge singer. He does break from the low bassy voice for a few measures with heightened emotion.
“Harper Valley PTA” has a country twang and matching bass and lyrical story lines. The story is fun about a mother that was shunned, and she comes back proving every member of the PTA was worse than she.
“I'll Be Your Baby Tonight” is more of a lazy swaggering cowboy trail song, fit with harmonica and side to side swaying guitar rhythm. Storyline included, it sounds like the singer’s a little drunk as he’s singing the song to some girl he just met in a bar.
“Where Has All the Love Gone” has the rhythm of an island cha-cha. It also could be mistaken for a Jimmy Buffet song. It is like a They Might Be Giants song, where the topic is sad and solemn, but the music is upbeat and danceable, but it is definitely not a TMBG song.
“My Girl Maria” is a quiet and vocal heavy waltz. This is what I imagine every vocal record at thrift shops to sound like.

“If I Ever Get to Saginaw Again” is an upbeat, travelling ballad. It has the driving drum beat of a train. It features strings in the background and horns to finish each verse. It has many orchestral elements, but they are not overused or abused. They just accent the song.
“Teresa” is a very Tom Jones styled love song to an individual girl. It’s not slow or fast, just honest, and bold, possessing confidence as well as vulnerablility.
“Little Green Apples” begins with guitar and tinkling bells. It is a quiet song, where you assume the vocals are sung at a closer distance to the microphone than the other songs on the album. The tempo is nearly the same as “Teresa,” the song right before it.
“Roly” is a rollicking, bouncy folk song. It is upbeat and fun, where you can easily anticipate the rhyme at the end of each stanza. It is a straightforward built song, including an instrumental section before it kicks back into the final verse.
“Senorita Jones” is a psychedelic pop song. It is very catchy and interesting. A different direction than the rest of the album, perhaps inspired by the music of the time, to seem relevant in an otherwise, standard vocalist world.

Stand Out Track: Little Arrows

Links:Wiki
Official site
Last FM
Facebook
Disc-cogs
myspace
imdb
allmusic

Heptics - Little Girl

Name: Heptics
Album: Little Girl
Year: 1980
Style: Reggae
Similar Bands: ????(not really my knowledge base)
"One-Word" Review: Chilled-Out-Lounge-Reggae
Based Out Of: London, England
Label: D-Roy Records 

Little Girl - Cover & Record

Little Girl - Back & Record

Little Girl (1980)

1. Lost & Turned Out 4:30
2. Mind Blowing Decision 7:34
3. I've Got Love 4:36 /
4. Little Girl 4:30
5. Somebody Loves You Back 3:58
6. Tell Me Why 3:52
7. Natural Woman 4:30

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:Paul Dawkins - Lead Vox, Percussion, Harmonica (Tradition, Shams, Sly & Robbie, Delroy Wilson, Reloaded)
Paul "Echo" Thompson - Vox, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer (Tradition, )
D. Witter - Arrangement, Mixed, Engineered, Producer, Photo, Editing
Patches - Mixed, Engineered
Pete Hammond - Mixed, Engineered
Angus Gay - Drums
C Lashley - Rhythm Guitar
George Oban - Bass
Dave Lugay - Bass
Tony Gad - Organ
Mrs. Hassell - Editing

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of these guys. But I bought the record in a bin of dollar records, mainly because of the cover. The name of the band, The Heptics sounded like a band full of energy. And although the two guys on the cover look stoned out of their heads, I thought that the energy would be pretty intense. The darkness on the cover, combined with the comfortable energy on the back of a family playing in a river was more than I could pass up to see what it contained. I am expecting it to be an R&B soulful record, as that seemed to be the running theme of the rest of the records I was flipping through when I found this.
Album Review: As it turns out, this is a slow reggae album from 1980. Unfortunately, I did not look at the condition of the record, but the whole side 2 skipped throughout. I’m still gonna try to review it, but be it known that the side two songs play at about half the length as they are supposed to.

“Lost & Turned Out” is a slow drum and bass mix, with a slow disco keyboard in the background. The vocals smoothly float along like on a cloud. The lead vocals have a lot of care and love to them. The beat is consistent, and drum fills are layered in once in a while to break up and restart the groove. It kind of reminds me of the quieter Bjork ballads. The chorus repeats over and over again at the end, as if the whole song was in slow motion.“Mind Blowing Decision” picks up the pace a bit more with a steady one-two guitar beat. This song, as it is a bit quicker than the first song, is still just as chill. The skipping in my recorded version cuts out about 30 seconds of the song. But its relaxed momentum is obvious as it will not change. The piano tinkles along at its own pace in the subtle background. The lengthy instrumental section has a harmonica fill in for the vocals, and it just feels like the vocals were removed for the whole verse. The chorus comes back for another couple of rounds, but really it could come in and out over the steady beat of the song, between harmonica solos, and the song would remain the same. It is funny that the title of the song would seem to denote more energy and jerkiness, but the tempo has remained true and steady throughout.
“I've Got Love” combines the reggae music of the last song with the slow-motion tempo of the first track. This slow and positive groove most notably carries a xylophone sound buried in the background. It still feels like a lounge song or an oldie slow dance number, like the first track, but the reggae vibe keeps it upbeat and gently afloat.

This side skips continuously. Unfortunately, none of these is listenable in a publishable sense.
“Little Girl” is similar to I’ve Got Love, but it is a little faster reggae and fun in its juvenile nature and vocal play is more adventurous and excited, not to mention skatting.
“Somebody Loves You Back” is a slow funky groove, smooth and polished with the keyboards and guitars. Later, the tinkling piano adds a theatrical side to the song. The vocals are hopeful and comforting at the same time, bolstering self-esteem to the subject of the song.
“Tell Me Why” feels like “I’ve Got Love” in its slow reggae style, a steel drum effect is added to the background as is the organ. Both elements are slight additions to the soundscape. The song has a “just woke up, getting out of bed” feeling to it.
“Natural Woman” is a summary of all the songs that have come already on the album. It has that wake up feeling, the smooth, slow groove with the reggae rhythm, but it adds a variety of lead singing and interesting vocal interplay.

Stand Out Track: Little Girl
I've Got Love

Links:LastFM
Myspace Tradition
Paul Dawkins on RamJamRadio
Paul Dawkins / Heptics Myspace
D-Roy label Discography

(the) 5 Stairsteps & Cubie - A Family Portrait

Name: (the) 5 Stairsteps & Cubie
Album: A Family Portrait
Year: 1968
Style: Soul, Theatrical Soundtrack
Similar Bands: Jackson 5, Tom Jones
"One-Word" Review: Cinema-Doo-Wop
Based Out Of: Chicago, Ill
Label: Buddah Records

A Family Portrait - Cover (my record came in the wrong cover)
A Family Portrait (1968)

1. A Million to One 2:45
2. You Make Me So Sad 2:07
3. Somethings Missing 2:45
4. The Look Of Love 3:01
5. The New Dance Craze 3:00
6. Windows Of The World 3:15 /
7. Bad News 3:05
8. Tell Me Who 2:55
9. Under The Spell 2:10
10. Find Me 2:35
11. I Remember You 3:00

Album Review (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
Keni Burke - Vox (Invisible Man's Band)
Clarence Burke Jr - Vox, Recorded & Produced (Invisible Man's Band)
Dennis Burke - Vox (Invisible Man's Band)
James Burke - Vox (Invisible Man's Band)
Alohe Jean Burke - Vox
Cubie Burke - Vox
Clarence Sr - Bass, Vox
Betty Burke - Vox

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of the 5 Stairsteps, The Stairsteps, or Cubie. But all the bios read like I should have heard of them. They were apparently the original family of soul. When I recorded this record to CD, I remember saying “oh yeah, I know this song” at least once. Unfortunately I cannot write about my prediction of what the music will sound like, because the record came in the wrong sleeve. It came in a The Mad Lads sleeve which was markered over with the 5 Stairsteps band name. The main reason I got the record, wrong sleeve and everything, was because it is a Buddah Records release. And I equated Buddah Records with the great collection of bubblegum pop bands. “5 Stairsteps & Cubie” sounded like something silly that would fit up there with the 1910 Fruitgum Co & Ohio Express.

Album Review: “A Million to One” starts off the record. It is a soulful R&B slow song with female lead vocals. It is a slow dance with the boys in the family supplying an echoing word or phrase in the background on occasion. There are some swirling string sections, and bold brass flashes, but it maintains a basic swaying rhythm with a very theatrical orchestral ending with “doorbell” patterned vocals echoing the word one. “You Make Me So Sad” is a little more upbeat soul, again female fronted, with some cinematic musical production. “Something’s Missing” has a slight spy detective feel to the song. This is male fronted, switching with female vocals. Together they share the 70’s R&B soul chorus. The grand sweeping orchestral sound paints the background as in the other songs. “The Look of Love” is a slow, female fronted, James Bond romantic theme. The buildup to the chorus sounds familiar, but I can’t say I’ve heard the song before. “The New Dance Craze” is a slightly funky doo-wop dance song featuring the young brother Cubie’s child speaking voice over buried vocals from the rest of the family. It sounds a bit like when the midget, Joe-C, would talk/sing with Kid Rock (of which I just know from pop-culture references, I’ve never really heard a full kid rock song). The family takes turns busting out lines some strained, some sung, all over the place in style and it never feels cohesive. “Windows of the World” is back to a string-picked slow ballad with deep crooning vocals taking turns with a beautiful elegant female voice. I believe I’ve read that these are the parents adding their song to the family portrait album.

“Bad News” is back to the 70’s updated music-for-film style. It is slick and confident male vocals. It struts along, not quite slow, but not quite rocking either. “Tell Me Who” starts off with a jungle sounding percussion and then adds horns that sound off like something out of a show girl review. I feel like the song kind of just slumps along, but it is trying to have more bold courage than that. “Under The Spell” follows in the steps of the last song, trying to be over the top, but just lacking something that would push it over, making it believable. It features a male lead with the rest of the family playing back up with echoing phrases through out the song “Find Me” starts off as a strong simple R&B Doo Wop soul song. This song grooves along and is toe tapping good. The hooks are short and dependable. “I Remember You” is back to the deep crooning slow melody. This is a famous song, and I know I’ve heard it because Bjork has covered it too. This is a tamer version than Bjork’s, and it sounds right in place with an evening ending dance number at a big band concert of the 30’s.

Stand Out Track:Find Me
Links:
Allmusic
wikipedia
5 Stairsteps site
Soulwalking - Invisible Man's Band info
Soulwalking - Stairsteps

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - S/T

Name: Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band
Album: S/T
Year:1976
Style: Disco-Swing
Similar Bands: Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Sergio Menendez
"One-Word" Review: Ballroom-Latin-Disco-Jive
Based Out Of: Bronx, NY
Label: RCA Records, Victor

DBOSB - Cover & Insert
DBOSB - Back & Insert
DBOSB - Record

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (1976)

1. I'll Play The Fool 4:47 (Sample)
2. Hard Times 4:12 (Sample)
3. Cherchez la Femme / Se Si Bon 5:44 (Sample)
4. Sunshower 4:04 (Sample)/
5. We Got It Made / Night And Day 3:46 (Sample)
6. You've Got Something/Betcha' the Love Bug Bitcha' 5:40 (Sample)
7. Sour & Sweet / Lemon in the Honey 6:03 (Sample)

Album Rating (1-10):

5.0

Members & Other Bands:

Cory Daye - Vocals

August Darnell - Bass, Writer/Screenplay, Vocals, Lyrics (Kid Creole & the Coconuts)

Stoney Browder Jr- Guitar, Piano, Musical Director, Arangement

"Sugar Coated" Andy Hernandez - Vibes, Bass, Marimba, Percussion (Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Coati Mundi)

Sandy Linzer - Producer

Mickey Sevilla - Drums
Don Armando Bonilla - Percussion
Jeffery Kawalek - Sound Engineer
Jim Bonnefond - Associate Engineer
Larry Fast - Special Effects
Tommy Mottola - "Capo de Capo"
Susandra Minsky - Casting Director
Charlie Calello - Orchestrations, Arrangements

Unknown-ness: I had never heard of the band. From the album cover and name, I was thinking this would be a Dixie land jazz album: Big Band, which would either be untouched or updated for the era of the 70's.

Album Review: Later to come, I will be reviewing Kid Creole & the Coconuts, a band made up mostly of people from this band. That is a good thing to know, going into the review of them, as I am unaware of their music and style too. "I'll Play the Fool" begins the album with a cymbal drum beat, and it transforms into a big band tune, tinged with Latin groove, and disco beats just under the surface. Where the vocals were a mix of male and female, the female takes the lead for the majority of the song. Soon, the big band style is lost, and the disco style takes over complete control, with its use of percussion, bass and strings. They revisit the big band swing for le last 30 second, and there is a grand ballroom finish. "Hard Times" also starts off with a big band woodwind sound. Then Latin percussion and piano take over, and the song becomes a laid back breezy Latin disco song. The song finishes off combining the two styles for a nice atmospheric groove, and the song fades out. Their popular disco dance song "Cherchuz..." also blends the old big band style with new (new for the time period) disco bass & drum beats for a refreshing new take on 20-30's jazz. The sound is not as dated as Bee Gees disco, and it is just as danceable. There is even soothing use of a xylophone that blends the two genres together very nicely. "Sunshower" begins with what sounds like a chorus of children echoing a man in repetitive lyrics, all underneath a storm. Then the song begins with a slide guitar & catchy chorus of children singing the lyrics "Sunshower, just a sign of the power of loving you, oh baby." That is the real hook. The rest of the song is a slow groove, with the woman's lyrics overlaying the relaxing drum and sleigh bell verse. Two and a half minutes the child chorus breaks down with two or three younger, selected voicies to carry the chorus. The end of the song is a reprise in melody of the chorus, and the song winds down very gently.

"We Got It" made is more of the same salsa/Cha-cha music with disco and brass overlay. The only slight difference is that this is a more driving song than has been represented on the album. "You've Got Something" is more Latin lounge than disco, and it features male vocals more than other tracks, although the female vocals are still the definitive lead. "Sour & Sweet" is back to the Latin disco theme mostly present throughout the album. It is a very deep and complex song with disco drum & bass, much brass, choruses of vocals, strings, and the consistent female lead. There are even s few odd electronic samples (one sounds just like a cell-phone ring) mixed in separately through the left and right speakers for even more depth.

Although the music feels dated to the 70's it smartly fits into the disco genre as well as lounge. Together they blend, mixing in big band elements, to form a cohesive unique sound, yet it is very familiar. This is probably nothing I'll ever come back too, but I can at least appreciate it, especially when thinking about the time period it is from.

Stand-Out Track:

Sunshower

Links:

DBOSB - Wikipedia

DBOSB - Allmusic

Savannah Band blog article

DBOSB - Myspace

DBOSB - Discomuseam

DBOSB - Disco Music