Brides of Funkenstein - Funk or Walk

Name: The Brides of Funkenstein
Album: Funk or Walk
Year: 1978
Style: Disco, Funk
Similar Bands: Disco Boogie, Parliament Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Sly Stone, Parlet
"One-Word" Review: Big Band Mellow Funk
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI
Label: Atlantic Records, Warner Communication

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Funk or Walk (1978)

1. Disco to Go 5:03 (single: gold in US, platinum in Europe/Asia)
2. War Ship Touchante 5:27 (single b-side)
3. Nappy 4:29
4. Birdie 5:39 /
5. Just Like You 9:17
6. When You're Gone 5:19 (single b-side)
7. Amorous 4:54 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Lynn Mabry - Vox (Sly Stone, P-Funk, Eddie Hazel, Talking Heads, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Junie, George Michael, Elton John, Aaron Neville, Mick Jagger, Shelia E, Eric Clapton, Steve Perry, Hozier, Killers, more)
• Dawn Silva - Vox (Sly Stone, P-Funk, Eddie Hazel, New Wave Brides, Gap Band, Ice Cube, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Sweat Band, General Caine, Yarbrough & Peoples, WC and the Maad Circle, Slapbak, Bootsy Collins, Caine, Shorty, )
• George Clinton - Producer, Writer, 
• Williams Collins - Producer, Bass, Drums (Bonzo Goes to DC, Bootsy Phelps & Gary, The Complete Strangers, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Flo, Funkadelic, Hardware, House Guest Rated X, Malcolm McLaren, P-Funk Allstars, Parliament, Praxis, Science Fiction, Groovegrass Boys, JB's, World-Wide Funkdrive, Deee-Lite more)
• Phelps Collins - Guitar (Bootsy Phelps & Gary, Complete Strangers, Bootsy's Rubber Band,  Houseguests, The JB's, Funkadelic, Parliament, Fred Westley & Horny Horns, Bernie Worrell, Parlet, James Brown, George Clinton, Brian Culbertson)
• Gary Shider - Guitar (Drugs, Flo, Funkadelic, Incorporated Thang Band, Legz, P-Funk All Stars, Parliament, The Put Yo Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir, U.S., Bernie Worrell, Sweat Band, Bohannon, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boogie Boys, Prince, Material, Digital Underground, Too $hort, Black Crows, Parlet, many)
• Michael Hampton - Guitar (Funkadelic, Kiddo, Material, No Self Control and the Band, P-Funk Allstars, Parliament, Slave Master, Spaceship Earth, Michael Hampton, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Eddie Hazel, Fuzzy Haskins, Parlet, Bernie Worrell, Sly & Robbie, Golden Palominos, Afrika Bambaataa, Deee-Lite, Digital Underground, Too Short, Meshell Ndegrocello, Dean Ween Group, more)
• Bernard Worrell - Keys, String & Horn Arrangement (Activities of Dust, Baby Elephant, Bahia Black, Black Jack Johnson, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, Flo, Fool Proof, Funkadelic, Jack Bruce, Cuicoland Express, Jerry Harrison, Khu.eex, Material, Method of Defiance, Niels & NY St Percussionists, Parliament, Praxis, SociaLybrium, Space Cadets, Spacer, Third Rail, WesNWorrell, Open Operatives, Fred Wesley, Horny Horns, Talking Heads, Fred Schneider, Bootsy Collins, Ruth Copeland, Parlet, O'Jays, Lou Rawls, Stephanie Mills, Nona Hendryx, Rita Coolidge, Gil Scott-Heron, Mtume, Black Uhuru, Yoko Ono, Golden Palominos, Sly & Robbie, Matthew Sweet, Public Image Ltd, Pretenders, Afrika Bambaataa, Victoria Williams, Little Steven, Face to Face, Woodentops, Drivin' N Cryin, Keith Richards, Syd Straw, Throwing Muses, Maceo Parker, Soul Asylum, Deee-Lite, Color Me Badd, Mike Watt, Arlo Lindsay, Jah Wobble, Cibo Matto, Spin Doctors, Big Head Todd & Monsters, Herb Alpert, Bijou Phillips, Gov't Mule, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Simply Red, Mos Def, OAR, Buddy Guy, Burning Spear, Keith Richards,Lee Scratch Perry, more)
• Joel Johnson - Keys (Bootsy's Rubber Band, Madhouse, Sweat Band, The Put Yo Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir, Parliament, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Octavepussy, Fred Wesley & the Horny Horns, Super Sonic Sid, Boy Meets Girl, Parlet, Dodge, Kohndo, Cody ChesnuTT, Freekbass)
• Rodney "Skeet" Curtis - Bass (Parliament, Funkadelic, P-Funk All Stars, Bernie Worrell, Parlet, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Philippe Wynne, Mutiny, Gerry Cott, George Clinton, Dolby's Cube, Thomas Dolby, Richie Rich, Maceo Parker, Da Campaign, Corey Parker, Dennis Chambers, Martha High, Ishan Cooper, Susanne Alt)
• Gary Cooper - Drums  (Parliament, Funkadelic, P-Funk All Stars, Bernie Worrell, Parlet, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Madhouse, The Put Yo Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir, Da Universal Playaz, Matrieal, Shining Path, Sly Fox, Eddie Hazel, Mtume, George Clinton, Empyre, Sly & Robbie, Bernie Worrell, Deee-Lite, Digital Underground, Black Crows, Jimmy Cliff, Mick Jagger, Anastacia, more)
• Frankie "Kosh" Waddy - Drums (400 Years of What, Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Houseguests, JB's, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Parlet, Stealin' Horses, George Clinton)
• Tyrone Lampkin - Drums (Parliament, Funkadelic, Flo, Space Cadets, Bernie Worrell, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Philippe Wynne, Busta Jones, Parlet, Jesse Rae)
• Larry Fratangelo - Percussion (Parliament, Funkadelic, Albert King, Solid Solution, Bobby Womack, David Ruffin, Dramatics, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Philippe Wynne, Parlet, Alicia Myers, Jerry Carr, Was (Not Was), LJ Reynolds, Sweat Pea Atkinson, Shotgun, Josep LoDuca, Wendell Harrison, Pharaoh, Eramus Hall, Floy Joy, One Way, Mitch Ryder, Jimmy G & Tackheads, Lyman Woodard, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dennis Coffey, RJ's Latest Arrival, Anita Baker, Helen Terry, Detroit Energy Asylum, Minister Thomas A Whitfield, Bert Robinson, Al Hudson, Earl Klugh, Eric Leeds, Aretha Franklin, Higher, AWOL, Dave Stewart, Ronnie McNeir, Alto Reed, Hip Bop Essence Allstars, Bob James, Dan Hall, John Arnold, Amp Fiddler, Kid Rock, Randolph. Mark Moultrup, Blackfoot)
• Wayman Reed - Horns (Count Baise, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Butch Miles, James Brown, George benson, Frank Foster, Eddie Jefferson, Oliver Nelson, Art Webb, Harold Vick, Pee Wee Ellis, Charlie Rouse, John Gordon, Milt Kackson, Sarah Vaughan, BB King, Hank Crawford, Al Grey, Bobby Byrd, Buddy Rich, Marva Whitney)
• Pete Minger - Horns (Count Baise, Frank Wess, Mel Torme, HIlton Ruiz, Al Grey, Oliver Nelson, Milt Jackson, Cleveland Eaton, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Reed, University of Miami Concert Jazz, Joe Turner, Athenas, Turk Mauro, Keter Betts, Oscar Peterson, Alice Day)
• Danny Turner - Horns (Chris Powell, Five Blue Flames, Count Baise, Doc bagby, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Cook, Milt Buckner, Jack McDuff, Pat Martino, Jimmy Witherspoon, Voices Four, Shirley Scott, Bohannon, Milt Jackson, Caroline Crawford, Cleveland Eaton, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Manhattan Transfer, Caterina Valente, Viktor Lazlo, Diane Schuur, Thad Jones, George Benson, Joe Williams, Lena Horne, Four Tops, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Lucky Thompson, Hans Mantel, Gladys Knight & Pips, 
• Detroit Symphony - Strings
• Ron Banks - Backing Vox (The Dramatics, Browns All-Star Band, Bobby Lyle, Wayne Henderson, The Dells, WC)
• Larry Demps - Backing Vox (The Dramatics, Ron Banks, Dells)
• Dave Van De Pitte - String Arrangement
• Fred Wesley - Horn Arrangement
• Jim Vitti - Mixing & Recording Engineer
• Mike Iacopelli  - Recording Engineer
• Jerry Estes - Recording Engineer
• Allen Zentz - Mastering
• In Search of the Miraculous - Cover Concept, Design, Illustrations

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Brides of Funkenstein, but this is one album that's pretty clear what's going to be played: Disco Funk. George Clinton (& Parliament Funkadelic), Bootsy Collins (& Bootsy's Rubber Band) and Bernie Worrell have their name all over the writing and performing of this record. Between this and the Disco Boogie cover, it seems like there was a Sci-Fi niche in the funk boogie & disco category, most likely, boosted by Star Wars popularity.

Album Review: The music on the first couple tracks is definitely funk, with driving percussion, and bouncy bass, but they don't dive head first into disco. "War Ship Touchante" takes on the space/sci-fi genre with aliens boarding a ship...to have a dance party. "Nappy" is a smooth, slower groove, but not without life: definitely a showtune. "Just Like You" slows it down and dims the lights. 

The duo started as background singers for Sly Stone and progressed to Parliament Funkadelic, and the name comes from George Clinton himself, as an extension of his album Clones of Dr. Funkenstein. The band won awards as best new act, their second album was rated as a top 50 coolest albums by Rolling Stone, and they had a hall of fame list of funk musicians in support and production but they never received the acclaim that they seemed to be destined for. Mabry was in The Talking Heads as of 1984, and Silva worked with Ice Cube.

Stand Out Track: Disco to Go

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White, Lenny - Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates

Name: Lenny White
Album: Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates
Year: 1978
Style: Jazz, Prog, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: TS Monk, Miles Davis, Return to Forever
"One-Word" Review: Safe Conceptual Funky Jazz
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Elektra/Asylum, Warner Communications

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Gatefold Story, Sleeve, Record

Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)

1. Prelude: Theme for Astral Pirates 1:20
2. Pursuit 2:58
3. Mandarin Warlords 5:06
4. The Great Pyramid 2:30
5. Universal Love 3:30
6. Remembering 0:34
7. Revelation (Astral Pirates) 3:25 /
8. Stew Cabbage and Galactic beans 3:51
9. Heavy Metal Monster 4:39
10. Assault 3:36
11. Climax: Theme for Astral Pirates 7:42

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Lenny White - Producer, Album & Story Concept, Drums, Synth Drums, Eu, Percussion, Re-Mixing, Music Arrangement (Return to Forever, Jackie Mclean, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Twennynine, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Azteca, Cyrus Chestnut, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Joe Henderson, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, Andrew Hill, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Curtis Fuller, Buddy Terry, Eddie Henderson, Don Cherry, Jaco Pastorius, Brian Auger, Elaine Elias, Manhattan Project, Michael Patrucciani, Bobby Hutcherson, Urbanator, Geri Allen, Ron Carter, Jamey Haddad, Letizia Gambi, Stan Getz, Echoes of an Era, Griffith Park, Jamacia Boys, Gil Evans, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Big Daddy Kane, Hiromi, Marcus Miller, Tom Browne, Renee Rosnes, Fuse One, Meeting Point, Michael Urbaniak, Milky Way, Powerhouse, Essence All Stars, Super Premium Band, Vertu, many )
• Al Kooper - Producer
• Alex Blake - Bass, Music Arrangement (Ahmed Abdullah's Diaspora, Malcolm Braff, Manhattan Blaze, Randy Weston African Rhythms, Ryo Kawasaki, Manhattan Transfer Band, Puppeteers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Greg Bandy, Emanuel K Rahim, Weldon Irvine, Charles Sullivan, Carlos Garnett, Arif Mardin, Billy Cobham, Airto, Don Pullen, Frank Lowe, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Last Poets, Kazumi Watanabe, Charles Bobo Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Linda Williams, Blast, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Cory Daye, Norman Connors, Janis Siegel, Carmen Lundy, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Klugh, Chico Freeman, Brainstorm, Jonathan Butler, Dom Um Romao, Vertical Hold, Oran 'Juice' Jones, Mac Gollehon, Phyllis Hyman, Andrienne Wilson, Stan Getz, Babatunde Lea, Roman Kunsman, Elements of the 7th, Ximo Tebar, Harry Whitaker)
• Donald "Captain Keyboards" Blackman - Organ, Pianos, Oberheim Polyphonic, Synth, Eu, Vox, String & Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Weldon Irvine, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Esperanto, Kenji Hino, Patches Stewart, Livesavas, Lips, Sylvia St James, Hugh Masekela, EPM, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, Vikki Love, la La, Missing Links, Gwen Guthrie, TMNT,Mmajee, Hamiet Bluiett, World Sax Quartert, Yoko Oginome, The Men X Perience, Sting, Joey Negro, Mino Cinelu, Waymen Tisdale, Femi Temowo, Brandon Williams)
• Nick Moroch - Lead Guitar, Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Mongo Santamaria, Jeff Conaway, Lips, Poussez, Sylvia St James, Rick James, Michael Franks, Tony Frye, Eddie Jobson, Zinc, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller, Michael Johnson, Scritti Politti, Kirk Whalum, Temptations, Fury, Melba Moore, Porter Carroll 2, Michael W Smith, David Bowie, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan, Bob James, Vanesse Thomas, Claude Nougaro, Bee Gees, David Sanborn, Terumasa Hino, Sarah Dash, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Michael Colina, Gillian & Glover, Blues Trottoir, John Warren, Patrick Bruel, Arthur Baker & Backbeat Disciples, Kashif, Mira, Jeffrey Osborne,  Jibri Wise One, Nicki Richards, Pete Levin, Voyceboxing, Johnny Hallyday, Gary Brown, Baby Jane Dexter, Roch Voisine, Malta, Jonathan Butler, Tony Terry, Henri Salvador, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Julie Masse, Michael Davis, Bill Evans, Rinken Band, Philippe Saisse, Selena, SMAP, T-Square, Cheryl Lynn, Tony Toni Tone, Marylin Scott, Smappies, Yoshiko Kishino, Mica Paris, Rachel Z, Liane Foly, Still Wicked, Marc Nelson, Marek Niedzwiecki, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ronn Moss, Terumasa Hino, Point of Grace, 2Ge+her, Kathy Troccoli, David Arnold, Ak, Joe, Jesse Powell, Wayman Tisdale, What For, Dennis Chambers, Roger Glover, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, Gareth Hates, Jessica Simpson, Do Swing, Jason Miles, Nicole C Mullen, Danny Brill, Cliff Dawson, Gene Lake, From the Fire, Alice Soyer, Curtis King, Chris Bender)
• David Gahr - Photos
• Patrick Gleeson - All Synth Programming
• Don Mizell - Album & Story Concept, Narrative Language
• Bob Edwards - Engineer, Re-Mixing
• Skip Shimmin - Recordist
• Seth Dworkin - Recordist
• Dave Rader - Recordist
• Bob Graham - Equipment
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Michael Kaluta - Illustrations & Cover
• Anthony Gleeson - Color
• Tony Lane - Art Direction
• Johnny lee - Design
• Michael Bryant - Narrative Language
• Toby Byron - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist / band. Which makes me very frightened...because this album looks to be heavy on high concept art and is basically a soundtrack to a piece of elaborate fiction. This actually sounds very exciting, and I can't wait to find out if this is prog, like most concept albums were from the 70's, or if it is something else completely, since neither Lenny White nor the band appear to be a bunch of stereotypical nerdy white dudes. But since it is really out there and goes all-in on the creativity, the fact that i've never heard of it makes me thing it's going to be terrible- that it never broke out of the complex, Star Wars inspired starting gate, and was forgotten for good reason.

Album Review: From the start, it is pretty straight forward jazzy prog...a little more in a controlled space than say Brand X, but definitely Jazzy. Once "Universal Love" hits, the first with lyrical vocals, the tone has shifted to funk and soul. 

While being a left handed self taught drummer on a right handed kit, he is considered one of the founders of the Jazz Fusion concept. He played on the uberfamous Bitch's Brew with Miles Davis, is the winner of 4 (of 6 nominations) Grammy awards, and is a professor at NYU Steinhardt. He has also recorded soundtrack music for films, including House Party with Kid n' Play.

Stand Out Track: Universal Love, Stew Cabbage & Galactic Beans

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Taste of Honey (A) - s/t

Name: A Taste of Honey
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Disco, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: Gloria Gaynor, George Clinton, Chic, Sister Sledge, Musique
"One-Word" Review: Disco-Funk
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Capitol, EMI

Cover, Record

Record, Back

A Taste of Honey (1978)

1. Boogie Oogie Oogie 5:37 (single)
2. This Love of Ours 3:20
3. Distant 4:38
4. World Spin 3:42 /
5. Disco Dancin' 3:29 (single)
6. You 3:20
7. If We Loved 4:24 
8. Sky High 5:04 (single b-side_
9. You're In Good Hands 3:52

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Perry L. Kibble - Arrangements, Production Assistant, Backing Vox, Keys (JC Davis)
• Janice M Johnson - Lead Vox, Bass (Lionel Richie, Felton Pilate)
• Hazel P. Payne - Lead Vox, Guitar (Space People)
• Donald R Johnson - Backing Vox, Drums 
• Larkin Arnold - Back Quote, VP/GM Soul Music Division, Exec Producer
• Fonce Misell - Producer, Arrangements
• Larry Mizell - Producer, Arrangements
• Steve Maslow  - Recording
• Gil Jones - Recording
• Sergio Reyes - Mixing
• Butch Lynch - Mixing
• Jim Nipar - Mixing
• Ken Perry - Mastering
• Tom Oliver - Additional Recording
• Wade Marcus - String Arrangement & Conduction
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Ken Anderson - Design
• Dick Zimmerman - Cover Photo
• Rosenberg/Levy - Liner Photo

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, but since buying this, i've seen the cover elsewhere, in a kind of iconic reputation. The image is great: two powerful, badass women stand with guitars and bass- in a world where that was very uncommon, in front of a honeycomb backdrop, driving the name home. The serious look on their faces gives question to the sweetness of the band name, "honey," so as to what is on this record, i can only judge as intriguing. Although the song names lend themselves to disco, i hope it leans toward real instruments, perhaps in a heavier, rock setting.

Album Review: This is pretty straightforward disco. Lots of swirling strings, and funky basslines, but there are some tender, softer moments that relax into the R&B world. Then there are some guitar solos peppered in that Hendrix and Prince would be proud of as well. 

The group started in 1971, and after doing USO shows internationally, they were "discovered" oncwe they returned home in an LA club. Named after Herb Alpert's song of the same name, not the play or film also of the same name. This iconic album had one of the biggest disco singles in Boogie Oogie Oogie, (written in backlash to an unresponsive USO crowd) which propelled both the single and album to go platinum in sales, and won them best new artist of the year, 1979 at the Grammys (first black group to do so). They burned bright and short, because as the Disco era was winding down, so did the band after their contract negotiated 5 album run. Surviving members have reunited in 2004 for a PBS special. And Janice M. Johnson, who is a member of the Native American Hall of Fame, carries on the band's name. They have been sampled quite a bit by rap/hip hop artists.

Stand Out Track: Boogie Oogie Oogie

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Snail- s/t

Name: Snail
Album: S/T
Year: 1978
Style: Southern Bluesy Rock
Similar Bands: Ween, Creedence Clearwater, Allman Brothers, Doobie Brothers, Firefall, Poco, Steely Dan
"One-Word" Review: Laid Back Custom Van Southern Blues Rockers
Based Out Of: Santa Cruz, CA
Label: Cream

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Snail (1978)

1. The Joker 5:08 (single)
2. Catch Me 3:32
3. Music is My Mistress 4:17
4. Childhood Dreams 5:14 (single b-side) /
5. Try and Wonder 4:09
6. Keep on Livin' 4:10
7. You Gotta Run 4:23
8. Carry Me 3:04
9. Freedom in the Country 4:48

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob O'Neil - Guitar, Vox (Snailhead, Talcon Wedge, Cobras, Larry Hosford)
• Jack Register - Bass (Hillow Hammet)
• Jim Norris - Drums (Joe Richards, Sea Dog, Humans, Ninja Nomads, Larry Hosford, Jim Hampton, Larry Scala, Lol, Bob Brozman, Stomin' Norman and the Cyclones, Lazy K's, Electric Range, Beans Sousa, Jeffrey Halford & the Healers, Arthur Godfrey, Mick Overman, Victoria Blythe, Psychemagik, Fred Thrane, Doc Stoltey)
• Ken Kraft, Guitar, Vox (White Album Ensemble, The Bubble, Stomin' Norman and the Cyclones, messiahs, Harpin' Johnny and the Primadons, Larry Hosford Band, Karin Phoenix, Nightfire Lacy J. Dalton, Larry Hosford, Psychemagik, Lazy K's, Electric Range)
• David Bowers - Sound Engineer
• Ed Leslie - Personal Manager
• Jerry Barnes - Producer, Engineer
• Gary Boatner - Asst. Engineer
• Murray McFadden - Asst. Engineer
• Gary Boren - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Scholl - Asst. Engineer
• David Kulka - Tones
• Cary Fischer - Tones
• Clark Gassman - Keys, Orch Arrangement & Conducting (David Acelrod, John Fischer, Jon Byron, Stan kenton, Ralph Carmichael, Solomon Burke, Jim Valley, Paul Johnston & the Sure Name Foundation, Percy Faith, Andy Williams, Archers, Hugo Montenegro, Anne Herring, Ray Conniff, Simon Stokes, David Castle, Pam Mark Hall, Jimmy & Carol Owens, Terry Garthwaite, Lilly Greene, Jessy Dixon, Ron Harris, Steve Boalt, Communion Sinfers, Bob Baily, James Gabriel Stipech, Groupe Vocal Vie Nouvelle, Dale Schacker, Steve Shakarian)
• Chet McCracken - Percussion (Evergreen Bluegrass, Help, Doobie Brothers, America, Pat Terry Group, John Fischer, Nick Gilder, Jerry Corbetta, Renzo Fraiese, Hank Williams Jr, Harvey + Cannonball, Greg Harris, Jazz Fusion, Amy Holland, Eikichi yazawa, William Katt, Accomplice, Stevie Nicks, Rita Coolidge, Joe Walsh, Todd Sharp, Patrick Gammon, Claire Severac, Brad Dutz, Jon Bare, Tim Bogert, Nancy Luca, Michael McDonald, Big Rain, Derlin Dow, Sterling Koch, Sherlie Carter)
• LePrevost - Art Direction, Design
• Gene Brownell - Cover Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band.But they're living up the name by putting a snail shell right there on the cover, along with the band name in a font that looks like snail slime. The band photo on the back looks like they're a bunch of long haired hippies, so i imagine this might be psych (snail residue trippy poison?) or maybe just power pop.

Album Review: This pride of Santa Cruz band goes all in on the southern, bluesy rock style. Some songs have funky guitar solos, and a slight psych tinge to them, but its pretty straight forward custom van stoner rock. Some of the guitar solos remind me of Dean Ween's guitar work. This album came out 10 years into their career, but was still considered their first. When they started, they were a Cream-type blues-rock band. O'Neil's is the only original member left by the time of this album, even though Kraft joined a couple months into their existence. Sounds like they were a quite popular regional band, but never experienced much popularity outside the Monterey-Salinas market despite touring for Styx, Steve Miller Band and Santana and appearing on American Bandstand. They had to retire their band name due to legal issues and a bankrupt label, but some form of the band still plays out in the SC area (2020).


Stand Out Track: The Joker

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Jules and the Polar Bears - Got No Breeding

Name: Jules and the Polar Bears
Album: Got No Breeding
Year: 1978
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Journey, ELO, Kinks, Badfinger, Police, Steve Forbert, Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, Rockpile
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Powerpop
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Columbia, CBS

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Got No Breeding (1978)

1. You Just Don't Wanna Know 4:09 (single)
2. Black Fever Sleep 4:09
3. Lovers By Rote 3:46
4. Shadows Break 4:46
5. Convict 3:28 / 
6. Got No Breeding 2:45
7. The Soul of Many Places 3:26
8. Love It Again 3:09
9. Home Somewhere 2:58
10. Following Every Finger 4:08
11. Driftwood From Disaster 2:02

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Jules Shear - Vox, Guitar, Design (Funky Kings, Reckless Sleepers, Raisins in the Sun, Cyndi Lauper, Bangles, Iain Matthews, Aimee Mann, Matthew Sweet, Shear Shazar, Polar Pair more)
• Richard Bredice - Guitar (Mercy Ray, Kathy Troccoli, Michael English, Pressure, Scott Sechman)
• Stephen Hague - Keys, Engineer (La Seine, Polar Pair, Walter Egan, Gordan Lightfoot, Gleaming Spires, Ric Ocasek, OMD, Pere Ubu, Blur, James, Pretenders, Peter Gabriel, A-Ha,   many)
• David Beebe - Drums, Percussion (Banana Blender Surprise, El Orbits, Bob Beland, Slow Children, Mercy Ray, Roches, Randy Vanwarmer, Pal Shazar, Jimmy Somerville, Jesse Dayton, Nina Katchadourian)
• Larry Hirsch - Engineer, Percussion (Guthrie Thomas, Seventy Sevens, Maria Muldaur, SDteven Soles, Sand Rubies, Peter Case)
• Alex Rosenthal - Asst Engineer
• Dennis Moody - Asst Engineer
• John Golden - Mastering
• Elizabeth Lennard - Cover Art
• Max Hellweg - Sleeve Photo
• Alyson - Cover Lettering
• Tony - Design
• Eddie Reeves - Personal Mgmt
• Kenny Altman - Bass and Gone (Fifth Ave band, Strangers, White Horse, Bread & Butter, John Sebastian, Peter Gallway, Seanor & Koss, Melvin Van peebles, Reggie Knighton, David Batteau)
• Jim Gordon - Baritone Sax (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Jesse Davis, Shelley manne, Shotgun LTD, Duane Allman, Elvin Bishop, Hap Palmer, Alex Richman, Thomas & Richard Frost, Ben Sidran, Maria Muldaur, Stephen Cohn, Delaney Bramlett, Linda Ronstadt, Jesse Ed Davis, Becky Hobbs, Freddie King, Bonnie Raitt, Jessi Colter, Jackson Browne, Bert Jansch, Waylon Jennings, Gary Hill, Rick Danko, Tompall Glaser, the Band, Alpha Band, CY Walkin Band, Rick Cunha, Rod Stewart, Kayak, Ken Lauber, Ringio Starr, Rita Coolidge, Mike Bloomfield, Keb Mo, John kay & Co, Andrew belling, Leon Russell)
• Jerry Petersen - Tenor Sax (Billy Vera & The Beaters, Creation, HUB, Golden Avatar, Michael Cassidy, Olivia Newton-John, Cindy Bullens, Tonio K. Alpha Band, Ronnie Hawkins, Evie Sands, Foxy. Matthew Moore, Joe Dassin, Mouse, Edwin Starr, Norman Connors, Robbie Dupree, Chuck Francour, Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Band Kim Carnes, Nils Lofgren, peter Alsop, Danny Deardorf, Larry John McNally, Martha Bishop, Leslie Smith, Linda Ronstady, Motels, Kuniko Fukushima, APB, Bob Welch, Matthew Wilder, Marty Balin, DFX2, Carl Wilson, New Edition, Lynn Carey, Jack Wagner, ODA, Off Course, barbara, Dennis Edwards, Black Tie, Steve Narahara, Phyllis Nelson, 38 Special, Dwight willey, Amanda McBroom, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Cris Williamson, Cruzados, Heidi, Dramarama, Michael Bolton, Gashouse Dave, Greg Cooper, John Miles, Teresa James, Rick Danko JJ Cale, Johnny Rivers)
• Jerry Jumonville - Tenor Sax (Delaney&Bonnie&Friends, Les Getrex & Creole Cooking, Dr. John, Ry Cooder, Duane Allman, Doobie Brothers, Maria Muldaur, Mike Bloomfield, Dave Mason, Bonnie Raitt, Iron Butterfly, Rod Stewart, Gap Band, Van Morrison, Johnny Rivers, Dusty Springfield, David Soul, Little Feat, Leo Sayer, Brooklyn Dreams, Albert Lee, Bette Midler, Harry Nilsson, Doobie Brothers, Ringo Starr, States, Eikichi Yazawa, Tommy Tutone, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, Captain Beefheart,   some more)
• Mike Henderson - Tenor Sax (Eddie Cochran, Kelly Four, Allan Breed, Gary Paxton, Your Gang, Ben Benay. Pete Candoli, Firar Tuck, Tommy Roe, Marketts, Tony Conn, Johnny Legend & Skullcaps, Ray Campi, Jimmie Lee Maslon, The Ballroom, Lee Mallory,  )
• Mark Underwood - Trumpet (Darlene Zschech, West Australian Symphonic Orch, Serfs, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Becky Hobbs Andrae Crouch & the Disciples, Cate Bros., Van Morrison, Bette Midler, David Soul, Alvino Rey, Michael Vlatkovich, Vinny Golla, Hank Marvin, Rhibosome, Flow Dynamics)
• Lee Thornberg - Trumpet (Richard Cheese, Lounge Agaisnt the Machine, Supertramp, Bob Florence Ltd Ed. Bruce Eckovitz, Heart Attack Horns, Soul Lips, Steve Huffsteter, Tower of Power, Little Feat, Doobie Bros, Rod Stewart, more)
• Jay Pruitt - Trumpet
• Darrell Leonard - Trumpet, Horn Arrangement (Delaney&Bonnie&Friends, Phantom Blues Band, Texacali Horns, more)
• Skip Wiesner - Trombone
• Bill Edwards - Trombone
• Linda Small - Trombone (Gary Urwin Jazz Orch, Cate Bros, Tompall Glaser, Tavares, Pete Christlieb 11 piece band)

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but from the band name, lowercase font, color choice, and grittiness of the photo makes me think this is a good new wave band, maybe electronic & synth based, or maybe minimal and no wave. Perhaps like Martha & Muffins.

Album Review: So this is pretty straightforward power pop and a little pub rock. "Love It Again" has a little Police feel, but most has an ELO harmonic and Kinks pop feel: nothing too memorable or remarkable. Singer Shear was in a relationship with Aimee Mann at one point. Shear also created and hosted the first 13 episodes of MTV's Unplugged.

Stand Out Track: You Just Don't Wanna Know

Links:
spotify album
wiki - Jules Shear
allmusic
discogs
latimes
starling
musicmap
madnest
rateyourmusic
robert christgau
Jules Shear site

Good Rats - From Rats to Riches

Name: Good Rats
Album: From Rats to Riches
Year:1978
Style: Glam, Metal, Powerpop, Prog
Similar Bands: Journey, Def Leppard, Queen, Cheap Trick, Kiss, Alex Harvey Band, Black Sabbath, Rush
"One-Word" Review: Theatrical Metal
Based Out Of: Long Island, NYC
Label: Passport, JEM

Cover, Credits, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

From Rats to Riches (1978)

1. Taking It To Detroit 3:36
2. Just Found me A Lady 2:50
3. Mr. Mechanic 3:39
4. Dear Sir 3:12
5. Let Me 4:45 /
6. Victory In Space 3:06
7. Coo Coo Coo Blues 4:37
8. Don't hate the Pnes Who Bring You Rock n' Roll 3:18
9. Could be Tonight 2:54
10. Local Zero 5:08

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Micky Marchello - Guitar, Vox, Guitar Arrangements
• Joe Franco - Drums (Twisted Sister, Chiliwack, Fiona, Widowmaker, Vinnie Moore, Blues Saraceno, Leslie West, Jack Bruce, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Taylor Dayne, Diana Ross, Hall & Oates, Desperado, The Ladder, Ellen Shipley, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Annie Haslam, Donnie Osmond, Natasha's Brother, Baton Rouge, Henry Lee Summer,Kathy Troccoli, Sheena Easton, Jennifer Holiday, Francesca Beghe, Doro, Mojo Bros. Hammerhead, Magellan, Vanm Helsing's Curse, Mecano, Eddie Ojeda, Steve Walsh, James LaBrie, Leslie West)
• Peppi Marchello - Lead Vox, Writer (U-Men, Popzarocca, Marchello, Dum, Intergalactic Touring Band)
• John "the cat" Gatto - Guitar, Keys
• Lenny Kotke - Bass, Vox
• Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman & Howard Kaylan) - Producer, Ba Ba Ba's (Phlorescent Leech & Eddie, The Turtles, Frank Zappa)
• John Hansen - Engineer, Mixing
• Clay Hutchinson - Second Engineer
• Stephen Galfas - Project Coordinator, Co-Producer, Engineer
• David Sonenberg - Business Director
• Alan MacMillan - String Arrangement & Conduction (Hollywood Vampires, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Babys, UFO, Del Erickson, Staccatos, Poco, Guess Who, Barnaby Bye, Kiss, Dave Mason, American Flyer, Mike Finnigan) 
• Tom Juliano - Sax (Gentle Giants, Kip Carmen)
• Brian Cuomo - Piano (Fireballet, Sylvia, First Class, Brook Benton, Jack McDuff, Intergalactic Touring Band, Martha Velez, Brother to Brother, Eon, First Class, Bill Perkins, Strawbs)
• Joe Hosey - Art Direction, Layout & Design
• Murray Brenman - Art Direction, Layout & Design
• Bob Friedman - Photos
• Bob Sherbow - Photos
• Tom Macchi - Album Title

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But they have some solid facial hair going on the cover, and they really look like a bunch of musicians, rather than models posing as a band. Between the cover & smokey back, they seem like this might be a slightly experimental, possibly punk or prog-centered band with a sense of humor.

Album Review: This album spans a gamut of Def Leppard Metal, Queen Glam Pop, catchy Cheap Trick Power-Punk and even some orchestral sections. hard to truly put this band in one genre- in a good way- as the songs still sound cohesive. Some times they go heavy with prog, sometimes harmonized hairband rock, sometime theatrical ballad or showtunes...even throwing in some Beach Boys harmonies. Their 1974 Tasty was their biggest release. And they played with huge superstars at some of the biggest venues- mostly on the East coast, however.

Stand Out Track: Victory in Space

Links:
spotify album
Wiki
website
Billboard Peppi Obit
Discogs
Facebook
Culture Sonar
long island HOF
classic rock history
best classic bands
greatest east coast bands
allmusic
rate your music

Fotomaker - s/t

Name: Fotomaker
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Powerpop, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Journey, Raspberries, Shoes, Foreigner, Badfinger, Todd Rundgren, Big Star
"One-Word" Review: Forgettable from a Roofie harmonized pop
Based Out Of: Long Island, NYC, NY
Label: Atlantic, Warner Communications,

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Credits, Record

Fotomaker (1978)

1. Where Have You Been All My Life 3:36 (single)
2. Can I Please Have Some More 4:26
3. All There In her Eyes 3:34
4. Two Can Make It Work 3:00
5. The Other Side 3:54 /
6. Say the Same for You 2:20
7. Plaything 4:50
8. All These Years 3:18
9. Pain 3:40
10. Lose at Love 4:56

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Wally Bryson - Guitars, Vox (Raspberries, Tattoo, Peter Panic, The Bryson Group, The CARE Session, The Choir, Sittin' Ducks )
• Gene Cornish - Bass, Vox (New-Young-Rascals, Bulldog, Gene and the Satellites, Unbeetables, Joey Dee & Starliters, BJ Thomas, Labelle, Michael Bruce )
• Dino Danelli - Drums, Art Direction, Design (New-Young-Rascals, Bulldog, Little Steven & the Disiples of Soul, BJ Thomas, Laura Nyro, David Rea, Michael Bruce, Felix Cavaliere, Pepper, Duane Allman)
• Lex Marchesi - Lead & Acoustic Guitars, Vox
• Frankie Vinci - Keys, Flute, Vox (Gary US Bonds, Screen Test)
• Mike Lewis - String Arrangement
• Eddie Kramer - Producer, Engineer
• David Whitman - Asst. Engineer
• Jimmy Douglas - Re-Mixing
• Randy Mason - Remix Asst.
• Joe Schick - Exec. Producer
• Larry Huffman - Exec. Producer
• Thormahler / Rock - Photography & Coloring
• George Jordan - Equipment Manager
• Sam L Hood - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but to be honest, the first reaction is that the cover makes them look paedo-ish. Not sure how old the model on the front is, or what their thought process was, but it looks like a kids-bop singer. Even the song names don't help: "Plaything," "Where Have you Been All My Life," "All There In her Eyes" and make it even more uncomfortable. As there is not much more to go off of, i can only assume by these factors and the year, this will be smooth production with harmonies as either power pop or light/AOR rock.

Album Review: To speak of the elephant in the room, the girl on the cover is about 8-9, and is apparently the daughter of the publisher of Club: an x-rated magazine. But this was part of a grander picture, because their second album released in 1978 as well features a very old person, with red lips and a jesters hat, to offer the concept of aging, i imagine. Musically speaking, it is a group of totally forgettable powerpop tracks...i just heard the full album, and can't remember any of the tracks. I guess All These Years is the most like Big Star of the bunch.

Stand Out Track: All These Years

Links:
full spotify album
Wiki
Discogs
Rate Your Music
Allmusic
something else
classic rock history
facebook
Robert Christgau

Werewolves (the) - Ship Of Fools (summer weekends and no more blues)

Name: The Werewolves
Album: Ship Of Fools (summer weekends and no more blues)
Year: 1978
Style: Pub Band, Blues-Rock, Powerpop
Similar Bands: J. Geils Band, Jeff Beck, Animals, Bad Company, Rolling Stones, Flamin' Groovies
"One-Word" Review: Country Blues Rock N' Roll Party
Based Out Of: Dallas TX
Label: RCA, Victor

Ship Of Fools (summer weekends and no more blues) (1978)

1. Baby Eyes 3:32 (single)
2. Crazy Arms 3:26 (cover)
3. There We Were 1:59
4. Days of the Rest of My Life 2:33
5. Face on Wrong 3:19 /
6. Summer Weekends 2:31
7. One Up on You 2:44
8. Catch My Drift 2:27
9. Waking Up Is Hard to Do 2:17
10. No More Blues 3:31
11. Ship of Fools 3:19

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Andrew Loog Oldham - Producer, Director (Rolling Stones)
• Brian Papageorge - Vox (The Hurricanes)
• Buckner Ballard - Vox, Guitar, Bass 
• Kirk Brewster - Vox, Guitar, Bass (Patricia Vonne)
• Seab Meador - Guitar (The Gentlemen, The Bridge.The Hurricanes, Zombies (fake))
• Bobby Baranowski - Drums & Percussion (Rev. Horton Heat, Hash Brown's TX Blues Review, Josh Alan Band, Herman Brock Jr. & The Eurocasters, Eugene Hideaway Brisges, Rocky Athas Group, Jim Suhler)
• Joey Stann - Horns, Keys (Bullet, Southside Johnny & Asbury Jukes, American Men, Miami Horns, gary US Bonds, Steve Satten, Stephen Dees, Benny Mardones, Stompers, Neil Sedaka, Bob Bandiera, Allman Bros Band, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen)
• Ralph Mooney - Dialogue
• Charles Seals - Dialogue
• Neal Teeman - Sound Recording
• Chris Andersen - Sound Recording
• Mick Rock - Set Design
• Ernie Thormahlen - Set Design

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, but it looks like a low budget, as seen on tv album based on cramming four lines of active artwork across the cover (and not even fitting it all, having to wrap around to the back). They look "cool" and the toxic disaster palm tree sunset puts them in California, i imagine...which is supported by the way the back is set up like film credits. The band picture across the bottom makes me think they are a bluesy power-pop act, if only bluesy because they have a sax.

Album Review: The Texas band was "discovered" by ex-Rolling Stones producer Oldham after they moved to NYC to appeal to the up and coming CBGBs scene. Their style is country & southern blues infused rock and roll, which you can hear as they update and rock out on the traditional country cover of "Crazy Arms." "Face On Wrong" does a good job combining blues rock and oldies sounding powerpop.

Stand Out Track: Face On Wrong

Links:
Discogs
Australian Rock Review
Allmusic
What Frank is Listening To
Facebook
NY Times 2.25.79
I Was A Teenage Fake Zombie

Dirty Angels - s/t

Name: Dirty Angles
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Countryish Powerpop
Similar Bands: J Geils Band, Cheap Trick, Bad Company
"One-Word" Review: Docile Swamp Rock
Based Out Of: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Label: A&M

Cover & Record

Record & Back

Dirty Angels (1978)

1. Call My Name 3:28
2. Buzz Buzz 4:03
3. Friend For the Sake of Convenience 4:53
4. Tell Me 3:38 (was on their first album)
5. Fantasy 3:41 /
6. Lonely Heart 4:52
7. School Drag 3:15
8. Grown Up Wrong 3:23 (Rolling Stones cover)
9. Sweet Summer 4:41
10. Honey Honey (Can't You See) 3:25

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Lew Futterman - Producer, Additional Recording, Remixing
• Ric Browde - Producer, Additional Recording, Remixing
• Charlie Karp - Producer, Guitars, Lead Vox, Additional Recording, Remixing (Buddy Miles, White Chocolate, Namedroppers, Joan Jett, Joe Perry, Ram Jam, Slo Leak, )
• David Hull - Producer, Bass, Lead Vox, Additional Recording, Remixing (White Chocolate, Aerosmith, Buddy Miles, Joe Cocker, Ted Nugent, Arthur Lee, Band-Aid, Joe Perry Project, Farrenheit, Modern Farmer, Pete Droge & the Sinners, Kat in the Hat, Monster Mike Welch, James Montgomery Band)
• Jimmy Maher - Drums, Percussion, Vox (Maxayn, White Chocolate)
• George Maher - Guitar
• Jack Kraft - Keys (Kraft & Alexander)
• Pat Ellington - Backing Vox (Martha Velez, Aurra, Motivation)
• Judy  Ellington - Backing Vox (Buster Bailey & His Orch, Charlie Barnet, Martha Velez)
• Joan Ellington - Backing Vox (Martha Velez)
• Dicky Simmons - Harp
• Montego Joe (Roger Sanders) - Percussion Art Blakey, Afro-Drum Ensemble, Brother Jack McDuff Quartet, Phil Upchurch, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, George Benson)
• Tim Geelan - Engineer
• Larry Alexander - Additional Recording
• Richard Gottehrer - Producer
• Roland Young - Art Direction
• Chuck Beeson - Design
• Stan Evenson - Design
• George Marino - Mastering
• Gail Coen - Asst. Manager
• John Dworkow - Road Crew Chief
• Dan Chapman - Road Crew
• Steve Raccio - Road Crew
• Joe Horn - Bartender

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Here is another design with a graph/grid pattern across the cover & back. The mannequin front and band in the same pose on the back says....something? That they could be anybody? The hair and aesthetic of the band photo screams pub rock, so i'm guessing it will be a variety of that.

Album Review: The band has ties to Aerosmith, growing up in the New England music scene. David Hull has been a long time fill in bassist on tour. Charlie Karp began his career along side of Hull, and has produced many commercial jingles for companies like Xerox and Twix, but passed away in 2019. The music here is power pop, with some pub and arena rock threads. Nice harmonies at times, and never aggressively heavy.

Stand Out Track: Call My Name

Links:
Discogs 
Pop Geek Heaven
David Hull Wiki
Charlie Karp Wiki
Charlie Karp bio
Rate Your Music
tripod fansite
2013 reunion article CT Post

Ed Ott - Potential Collectors Item

Name: Ed Ott
Album: Potential Collectors Item
Year: 1978
Style: Comical Singer/Songwriter, Bluegrass/Country
Similar Bands: Ray Stevens, Ted Leo, Loudon Wainwright III, John Wesley Harding/Wesley Stace
"One-Word" Review: Introspective Coffee Shop Comedian with a Guitar
Based Out Of: Indiana
Label: Enigma Records, Seventeen Levels Inc.

 Cover, Record

Back & Record

Potential Collectors Item (1978)

1. Look At That Love 3:00
2. Pity Pity 3:54
3. Scatter Me 3:02
4. Shopping Mall 2:15
5. Like Bobbers on the Water 3:10
6. The Boys in the Bar 5:15 / 
7. Let's Get Old 3:01
8. Bonnie & Joe 5:06
9. Moving Away 2:42
10. Every Love Song 3:13
11. The Pleaser 2:40
12. Safe at Long Last 2:11
13. Alice the Alien Girl 2:40

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mo Whittemore - Engineer, Produced, Arranged, Mixed, Keys
• Mark Copenhaver - Live Engineering 
• Peg Copenhaver - Live Engineering
• Craig Parmerlee - Horns Arrangement, Horns (Jim Sturgis)
• Ernest (Ed Johnson-) Ott - Producer, Vox, Guitar (The Future)
• Betty Ott - Producer 
• De De Garrard - Vox 
• Frank Fox - Vox
• Jack Stevens - Electric Guitar (Jeff Davis Group)
• Gary Brewer - Drums (Dan Mobley, Duke Tumatoe & Al Star Frogs Jim Sturgis)
• Jerry DeRome - Drums (Dan Modlin /Dave Scott)
• Kevin Stonerock - Bass (Bottom Dollar, 
• Dan Modlin - Bass
• Jim Larner - Harmonica (Mathematicians)
• Kevin Gasaway - Horns  (Jim Sturgis)
• Jack Schfele - Horns 
• Merri Mike - Announcer
• Don Garrard - Creative Consultant
• Niles Gwinn - Mgmt
• John Meyers - Cover Photo
• Thomas Jerome Newton - Photo Collage
• Phineas - Photo Collage

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, however, I am familiar with the baseball player Ed Ott, as he was a friend of my uncles, growing up in Central PA as kids. Just a coincidence, i'm sure. This looks to be a singer songwriter style album, since it's one guy, however, there is a touch of humor from the album title, and the sticker on the shrink wrap: "LIMITED EDITION Pressed on BLACK Vinyl."

Album Review: As expected, this is a singer-songwriter with a comedic twist in some of his songs. For Example, '78 was near the start of massive shopping malls, and his comic portrayal of them is filled with sarcasm. Now, on the other side of the shopping mall craze, quite dated (but it's nostalgically nice to hear the name drops of Radio Shack, Spencer's Gifts, B Daulton Book Sellers, Sears, etc). His voice is calm, but has a distinct Ted Leo / Wesley Stace sound at times, which makes it not just another dime a dozen vocalist with a guitar. At other times, there is a classic country/bluegrass sound that is pleasant as well. The b-side to the album was recorded live at Hummingbird Cafe in Indianapolis, with audience noise and participation. Apparently, Paul Simon was a fan.

Stand Out Track: Look At That Love, Shopping Mall

Links:
Discogs
Music Family Tree
Rate Your Music
700 West
Ed's Facebook

Charlie Ainley - s/t

Name: Charlie Ainley
Album: Bang Your Door
Year: 1978
Style: Pub Rock, Disco, Country, Rockabilly, Blues
Similar Bands: Steve Forbet, Lou Reed, Marshall Crenshaw
"One-Word" Review: Randomized Bar Jukebox Singer
Based Out Of: Cornwall, UK
Label: Nemperor Records, CBS Records

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Bang Your Door (1978)

1. Bang Your Door 3:05
2. Angry 3:28
3. Try to Be a Good One 4:15
4. Pig Farm Blues 2:50
5. I Don't Need No Doctor 4:00 / (Ashford & Simpson cover)
6. Deed I Do 3:15
7. New York, New York 3:41
8. Heat of the Night 3:18
9. The Whistler 3:55
10. R.U. 1 3:05

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Charlie Ainley - Writer, Vox (Charlie & the Wide Boys, Shakin' Stevens)
• Tony Ashton - Producer, Organ, Tubular Bells (Ashton & Lord, Gardner & Dyke, Broken Glass, Chicken Shack, Family, Green Bullfrog, Roger Glover & Guests,  Remo Four, Wizard's Convention)
• Stuart Elliot - Drums, Percussion (Cockney Rebel, Keats, Steve Harley, Al Stewart, Alan Parsons)
• Chas Hodges - Bass, Backing Vox (Chas & Dave, Black Claw, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, Green Bullfrog, Heads Hands & Feet, Heinz & the Wild Boys, House Band, Oily Rags, Ritchie Blackmore Orchaestra, Rockers, Soul Survival, Outlaws, Sessions and more)
• Richard Worthy - Guitar (Charlie & the Wide Boys)
• Pete Wingfield - Bosendorfer, Keys (Band of Gold, Jellybread, Olympic Runners, Hollies, Keef Hartley Band, Dexys Midnight Runners, Olivia Newton-John)
• The Misdemeanors - Backing Vox
• Howie Casey - Brass (Howie Casey & the Seniors, Rockestra, Tony Sheridan & the Beat Brothers)
• Martin Frith - Brass (National yo9uth Jazz Orch. Ian Gillian Band, Herb Miller Orch.)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this singer/songwriter, but I expect a general slacker meets hipster songsmith.

Album Review: This record jumps all around the styles from pub rock to disco to country. The vocals don't sound like they're the same person on any one track, which might have been a goal, but this feels like a genre compilation more than a solidified album. He sounds like Zappa, Lou Reed, generic honky-tonk, or Robert Plant at any one time. Not positive, but I suspect the album title and first track is a veiled references to asking for anal sex.

Stand Out Track: Bang Your Door

Links:
Discogs
Robert Christgau
Punk Music Catalogue
facebook
allmusic
rate your music
website

Shirts (the) - s/t

Name: The Shirts
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Folk-Rock
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Mamas & Papas, 10 Wheel Drive, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood
"One-Word" Review: Jangley Hippy Rock
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Capitol

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

The Shirts (1978)

1. Reduced to a Whisper 3:28
2. Tell Me Your Plans 3:10
3. Empty Ever After 3:52
4. Teenage Crutch 3:00
5. Tenth Floor Clown 4:42 / 
6. The Story Goes 4:00
7. Lonely Android 3:55
8. Running Through the Night 3:46
9. They Say the Sun Shines 3:22
10. Poe 3:47

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Arthur La Monica - Guitar, Vox, Keys (Rome 56, Ex Norwegian)
• Robert Racioppo - Bass, Vox (Bob of the Shirts, Rome 56)
• John "Zeek" Criscione - Drums, Vox, Percussion (Bob of the Shirts, Rome 56)
• Ronald Ardito - Guitar, Vox, Keys (Fred Schneider & the Shake Society)
• Annie Golden - Vox (Hair, Orange is the New Black, Jing)
• John Piccolo - Keys, Guitar, Vox (Idle Chatter)
• Mike Thorne - Producer
• Gary Edwards - Engineering
• Roger Bechirian - Engineering
• Pat Stapley - Engineering
• Paul Hardiman - Mixing
• Ken Perry - Cutting
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Ken Anderson - Design
• Larry Racioppo - Shirts Logo
• Ebet Roberts - Liner Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Shirts. Like the simple still life with assumed action cover art, and the sizable 6-person band on the back looks like Dexy's Midnight Runners, so I'm guessing this might be a folky, jazzy pop sort of record.

Album Review: The album has a folky, late 60's Woodstock vibe to it mixed in with a little theatrical / musical elements. It feels kinda bland like a lot of introspective jangley college rock records, save the songs Teenage Crutch and Lonely Android, which have a faster, vibrant feel that i could see being played at CBGBs: the club they got their big start opening for acts like Television and Talking Heads. Nowadays, the (ex) member most recognizable is singer Annie Golden, who recently appeared as the silent inmate on Orange is the New Black. She has been a more prolific actor through out her career, also appearing in Hair, Cheers, and 12 Monkeys as well.

Stand Out Track: Teenage Crutch

Links:
Youtube full album
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Rate Your Music
Website
Stereo Society
Annie's IMDB

No Dice - s/t

Name: No Dice
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Pub, Hard, Blues Rock
Similar Bands: J. Geils Band, Cheap Trick, Who, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker
One-Word Review: Five-Drinks-In-Bar-Rock
Based Out Of: London, UK
Label: Capitol

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

No Dice (1978)

1. Why Sugar 3:52
2. Crystal Clear 3:51
3. Foolin' 3:21
4. Silly Girl 3:45
5. Down N' Dry 3:55/
6. Happy In The Skoolyard 4:24
7. Spacey Romance 3:47
8. Salt in The Wound 5:39
9. Someone Else's Gold 5:08

Album Rating: 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Roger "Peaches" Ferris - Vox (Konrads, Shooting Party)
• Dzal "Deezal" Martin - Guitar (March Hare, Mona Liza Overdrive, Box of Frogs, Adrian Snell)
• Gary Strange - Bass, Writer (March Hare, Merlin, Shooting Party)
• Chris "Kitty" Wyles - Drums (Victims of Pleasure, Shakin' Stevens, Paul Roberts, David Studdert's Mumbo Jumbo, Auteurs, Placebo, Black Box Recorder)
• Robert Wace - Producer
• Phill Brown - Producer, Engineer
• Steve Smith - Producer
• Dick Palmer - Engineer
• Carter - Remix
• Warren Dewey - Remix
• Ken Perry - Mastering
• Dice Section - Backing Vox
• Dave Moore - Keys (Bop Brothers, Strangeways, Thea Gilmore)
• STEVIE Smith - Harmonica
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Ken Anderson - Design
• Paul Nugent - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of No Dice. But to be on Capitol records, there must have been something special about them at some time. They too, employ the red, black, and white color scheme, which makes me think they were also going for the new wave pub rock sound of the time. Art direction paints them as bad boys with the arrest photos, no nonsense facial expressions, big X on the back, and contrasting names like Peaches and Kitty.

Album Review: Vocals somewhere between Roger Daltry and Rod Stewart, and a fun, energetic pub rock sound puts these guys a dime a dozen bands like this absorbing the new wave image, but still playing "classic rock." A little Honky Tonk and harmonicas further perpetuate the blue collar good times drinking soundtrack like a roadside pub's house band. Apparently the singer "Peaches" was in a band called the Konrads in the 60's, whom also accounted David Bowie as a member at one period of time.

Stand-Out track: why sugar 

Links:
discogs
rockasteria
 rate your music
No Dice website

Fat Larry's Band - Spacin Out

Name: FLB (Fat Larry's Band)

Album: Spacin Out

Year: 1978

Style: R&B, Soul, Funk, Disco

Similar Bands: Delfonics, Commodors, Bootsy Collins, Parliament Funkadelic, Kool & the Gang, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes

One Word Review: Charming Space Funk

Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA

Labels: Fantasy Records, WMOT records

 Spacin Out - Cover & Record

Spacin Out - Back & Record

Spacin Out (1978)

1. Close Encounters of a Funky Kind 4:22
2. Countryside 4:18
3. Space Lady 4:41
4. Boogie Town 5:52 /
5. Good Time 3:25
6. We Just Can't Get It Together 6:00
7. Love Alive 4:50
8. Starstruck 3:26

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
Fat Larry James - Drummer, Producer, Conductor, Arranger (Larry James Band, Delfonics, Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Slick, Philly Cream, )
Art Capehart - Trumpet, Flute (Kent Gomez, Sweet Thunder, Blue Magic, Kool & The Gang)
Jimmy Lee - Trombone, Sax (Sweet Thunder)
Doug Jones Sax (Sweet Thunder, Carol Hahn)
Erskine Williams - Keys (Rick James, Melanie, Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Stone City Band, Temptations)
Ted Cohen - Guitar (Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Slick)
Larry LaBes - Bass (Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Slick, Philly Cream, Impact, Ultimate, )
Darryl Grant - Percussion
Alan Rubens - Exec Producer
Steve Bernstein - Exec Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of FLB. I assume it is a standard funky R&B act, and since it is dated 1978, that would make sense. Its interesting to see their take on the intergalactic style of music, probably matching style to Capt Sky and another album I have yet to review, Lenny White. Maybe a little like Parliament Funkadelic, but probably smoother and less challenging.

Album Review: Started in Philly by drummer “Fat” Larry James, this group came together and released 9 albums in 10 years between 76-86. They were bigger in the UK than the states, having 5 charting hits. At 38 years old, James had a fatal heart attack (Dec 87), and the group disbanded. This album, combined with the titles like Close Encounters and Space Lady, has a sort of Space Disco theme, which was a thing thanks to the combination of Star Wars & the era of disco. A majority of these songs were written with Larry’s Wife, Doris

“Close Encounters of a Funky Kind” begins with space noises and synth effects, which continue throughout the song, but the funky bass line and brass section create a fun groove, which is also quite silly lyrically. The chorus is just that; a harmonized chorus of vocals, and is quite catchy. They whole vibe puts the listener in a much more New Orleans mood than Philly. Not that anyone else should care or agree, but the piano reminds me of the 90’s band EMF.
“Countryside” is a slower, mellow R&B slice of butter that has more in common with male vocal groups like Smokey & the Miracles and Harold Melvin than any disco, even though there are some swirling strings, and punctuating brass. This has more laid back groove than Fresh Prince’s Summertime.  The lead vocals are higher pitch (and can hold notes for a long time), while a deeper set of vocals supports in call-back.

“Space Lady” was the b-side to the “Boogie Town” single. And is pure disco, with weird space vocal distortions (can hardly understand when they sing space lady) and a bubbling, rubber band bouncing bass effects. The song advances into a continually driving harmonized disco, with all of the stereotypical affects.

“Boogie Town” was a single. It starts with a drum beat, and is quickly added to with a funky zig zagging synth hook, and brass. The first vocals are distorted through a robotic effect, and then shuffling chorus adds to the disco groove. A different robotic vocal effect; a slowed down, digitized, auto-tune-like effect,  

 assists the next “verse” and all future verses. The jungle bongos feel very prevalent in the mixing. The song feels like a generic song someone would try to make today to capture and mimic the era of disco. I could hear Chromeo doing this.

“Good Time” begins with a simple guitar hook, and has other slight effects added behind. Then the strings are added, and an upbeat, care free disco jam begins to take hold. Assisted by trumpets and ringing guitars, the song continues to use the boogie theme to have a good time. This is like a more laid back version of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebrate.”

“We Just Can't Get It Together” starts with a twinkling piano intro. It builds into a swaying sorrowful slow song. Beginning vocals are deep, speaking directly to the listener. The vocals jump up in pitch, and sing an explanation of why the lovers can’t work out their differences, with the help of a chorus bringing up the background. Flute flutterings also bring in the sentimental vibe as a peace offering to work things out.

“Love Alive” is a cover of a Gary Wright song from 1975. It starts with swirling synth, and gets a little funky with call and response trumpet to keys. It takes the original song and speads it up, ads a little Detroit soul to an already soulful song, and adds some extra funk. The structure is basic, with verse leading to catchy chorus. The song, although able to, does not get out of control with the instrumentation, and instead keeps a tight reigned in melody that is enjoyable, down to the trumpets interpreting the vocal melody for a section. The song gets a little jammy- in a good way- with about a minute and a half to go.

“Starstruck” is a folksy, guitar picking song at first, but transfers to shuffling disco melody with horns and bass leading the way. Female vocals lay the groundwork for the melody and chorus. The verse is just a pleasant, good natured and upbeat male vocals having a good time. Squeaky synth leads the track out, and the female chorus singing Starstuck fades away.

Stand Out Track: Love Alive

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TRB (Tom Robinson Band) - Power In The Darkness

Name: Tom Robinson Band

Album: Power In The Darkness

Year: May, 1978

Style: Pub Rock, Punk

Similar Bands: The Clash, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, English Beat, Kinks

One Word Review: Blue Collar Relatable Activism

Based Out Of: London, UK

Label: Harvest, Capitol, EMI Records Limited

 Power In the Darkness - Cover, sleeve

 Power in the Darkness - Back, Sleeve

Power in the Darkness - Records

Power In the Darkness - Records

Power In The Darkness (1978)

1. Up Against the Wall 3:32
2. Grey Cortina 2:08
3. Too Good to be True 3:32
4. Ain't Gonna Take It 2:52
5. Long Hot Summer 4:42/
6. The Winter of '79 4:29
7. Man You Never Saw 2:37
8. Better Decide Which Side You're On 2:48
9. You Gotta Survive 3:12
10. Power in the Darkness 4:53/
11. Don't Take No for an Answer 4:35
12. Martin 2:53
13. Glad to be Gay 5:00
14. Right On Sister 3:25/
15. 2-4-6-8 Motorway 3:18
16. I Shall Be Released 4:35
17. I'm Alright Jack 2:29

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
Brian 'Dolphin' Taylor - Drums, Vox (Billy Karloff & Extremes, Go West, Spear of Destine, Stiff Little Fingers, Techno Twins, Techno Orchaestra, Marius Muller-Westernhagen)
Tom Robinson - Bass, Vox (Cafe Society, Sector 27, Faith Folk & Anarchy, John Wesley Harding, TV Smith, NO55)
Danny Kustow - Guitar, Vox (Planets, Spectres)
Mark Ambler - Organ, Piano (Red)
Chris Thomas - Producer
Bill Price - Engineer
Jerry Spencer-Green - Asst Engineer
Terry O'Neil - Back Cover Photo
Pete Veron - Inner Sleeve Photo
Brian Palmer - Art Direction
Wally - Mastering

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of TRB, but I bought it in the same lot as the Michael Stanley Band, and other Americana rock. Although, the back has UK references, and a bold association to Rock against Racism, which would have been a big political platform back in 1978, and a quote from Tom Robinson himself. So perhaps it is a double punk record, which might give a better idea of their cover logo of a fist.

Album Review: TRB was an essential band for the development of punk rock in the late 70’s and equal rights activism. Proclaiming it as an important cause on their album, they introduced many people to the organization Rock against Racism. They were also proponents for equal gay rights, Robinson being gay, himself. Some of their music was banned early on, but because record labels liked what they saw, and the uprising of politically charged music was un an uprise, they were signed easily. Unfortunately, their second album was not received as well, and it marked an end to the band as it was. Robinson went on being a solo artist and has found success (and is still active) as a radio personality and activist.

“Up Against the Wall” is a punk rock slice of 3 chord magic. The vocals are stumbling over themselves in an important and urgent delivery. The song really feels like a Graham Parker song. It is anthemic and bold, clearly sending its message. But it is a clean and relatable anarchy, unlike the Sex Pistols (whom I’ve seen compared), who are dirty, sneering and comparably off-putting.
“Grey Cortina” starts with bouncy piano pub rock, reminding me of The Blasters. The guitar is urgent, and the vocals remind me again of Graham Parker. The guitar solo is electric and raw, but the song relies on safe pop hooks.
“Too Good to be True” is basically Van Morrison’s Moondance.
“Ain't Gonna Take It” rushes off after the slow song with power chords and aggressive, urgent vocals. This song falls in line with their whole image and message, referring to anti-racism, anti- homophobic and equal rights stances that are still relevant today.
“Long Hot Summer” is a little darker, but features an upbeat organ in the background. This song also sings of resistance against aggressive policing, and how the heat of the summer parallels the heat of conflict. It speeds while still being slinky (thanks to the organ), giving contrasting elements that work well together.

“The Winter of '79” begins with a couple of power chords accented by drums. A power guitar takes over the spotlight, and the song gets kinda jangly with a pub rock backbone. It feels like a story song, similar to John Cougar Mellencamp and other relatable blue collar bands.
“Man You Never Saw” is a toe-tapping, driving song that follows a basic, rewarding melody that invests all of the catchy hooks in the verse, basically eliminating a chorus.
“Better Decide Which Side You're On” is another slinky, blues heavy alley stomper. The theme asks if you support gay rights or are you against us.
“You Gotta Survive” sounds like a typical 70’s AOR rock song. It has a somewhat funky bass line, smooth vocals supported by keyboards, and a bluesy guitar hook here and there.
“Power in the Darkness” begins with a funky bass line and ELO-style harmonized vocals. Once the lead vocals take over, they get up on the soapbox and give promise and motivation to people in despair. The instrumental breakdown is a little psychedelic, and features an overdub of stuffy British spoken vocals illustrating the political side trying to keep diversity down. The vocals get angrier as they run through a list of racist and bigoted terms they despise.

“Don't Take No for an Answer” and the next three songs were bonus tracks on the US release of the album, but comprise their second EP (live recording), released right after the 2-4-6-8 Motorway single, which was also included on the B-Side of this EP. It is organ heavy, and a powerful driving guitar and drum beat. The vocals are controlled by shouty. The chorus has the vox and music synch up to form an unopposable force.
“Martin” feels like a Kinks song. It is a reflective, story song about a childhood brother/friend.
“Glad to be Gay” is a retort and message to the World Health Organization, who classify being gay as an illness 302.0. It too feels a bit like a Kinks song, with a sing-song melody that stumbles along with a slightly drunk cadence. It describes how it is to be treated as a homosexual, but calls for other gay folks to stand together in proclamation and song.
“Right On Sister” is a rocking song from the get go. The energy never lets up, and it honors women, suffragettes, and equal rights.

“2-4-6-8 Motorway” was their first single, released a year before this album came out, and reached #5 on the UK charts. It is a toe-tapping pub rock song with a steady marching, hand clapping tempo. Apparently, the song’s content refers to a gay truck driver.
“I Shall Be Released” was the B-Side to 2-4-6-8, and is a Bob Dylan cover. It is quiet and almost country-ish in a sad ballad manor.
“I'm Alright Jack” was the B-Side to the Up Against the Wall single. It starts with a Social Distortion like guitar, and quick-paced British accent. I enjoy this nervous melody quite a lot, and the power-arena rock chorus slows the pace down if only for a moment. 

Stand Out Track: Ain't Gonna Take It
I'm Alright Jack

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Death note of boy on UATW single cover