July 17, 2015 —

Alphabetized into Obscurity – A Journey Into the Unknown Vol 1

A common misconception about record store clerks is that we know everything about everything. When, in fact, we know a lot about what we love and a little bit about a bunch of other stuff. Considering how much music has been recorded and released, you would be hard pressed to find someone who does know about everything, and if you did, they may just know a couple of trivial facts, such as which label the band was on. But, this should not discourage us from exploring the vast world of music. I’ve found, after a few years of buying multiple yard sale boxes of records, 50 cent thrift store LPs, and the occasional craigslist collection giveaway, mostly wielding some real duds, you learn how to hone this skill: reducing that 1 in 100 gems down to maybe 1 in 5. Here are a few albums that were hiding away in Stinkweeds, most of them sitting around for a few months. We’ve picked five records in the hopes of finding a hidden treasure and perhaps inspire you to journey into the unknown corners of your local record store, where you may find your own treasure. If you happen to know any of these bands and feel disappointed that we were unfamiliar with them…get a life.

 

barefoot

Barefoot Jerry – Barefoot Jerry’s Grocery
This album casts a wide net over the sea of popular music of its era. Grocery is an appropriate title, given that this album has a little something for everyone. However, “Barefoot Jerry Plays the Sounds of the Early 70s” would have been an equally appropriate title.  This kicks off with a driving folk rock tune with tight harmonies, a la Crosby Stills and Nash, onto some soulful Americana, reminiscent of The Band. This starts to fall apart when they tackle some pseudo soul, and then attempt long form psych rock instrumentals, like a less dynamic Pink Floyd. We won’t talk about the cover of “Nobody Knows”. All inconsistencies aside, this isn’t a bad representation of the early 70s. Catchy tunes with just a hint of psychedelia, hung over from the 60s.

 

mother earth

Mother Earth – Satisfied
This is soul/rock fusion, with a hint of brill building, 60s soul production. Like Aretha Franklin, minus Aretha Franklin. There is a clear mission statement to this band. They know what they do well and that’s all they do. Maybe their only drawback is that so many do it so much better. But, I think this album is a fitting tribute to the music they obviously spend a lot of time listening to.

 

 

 

Tropea
Tropea – Short Trip to Space
Parliament-type funk mixed with 70s jazz fusion. Tropea is the solo project of guitarist John Tropea who has appeared on many big hits, such as Paul Simon’s “Fifty Ways,” Eric Clapton’s “Journeyman” and Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle”. However, if you want to use those tunes as a gauge for this album, you will be a bit off the mark. But, anyone who is a fan of musicianship and the jazz rock of the 70s might find something to get into on this one.

 

 

art l
Art Lande and Rubisa Patrol – Desert Marauders
This is minimalist free jazz hung over from the experimental days of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders…until it’s not. The first track, coming in at 15 minutes, 57 seconds, really got my hopes up that this could be some new experimental jazz album for me to sink my teeth into. But, then it settles into some lovely ECM, new age jazz pieces, with hints of Bill Evens that are fitting of the standard of this label, but maybe fall a bit short of my initial expectations. I love Bill Evans about as much as John Coltrane, but in a different way. I just might give this one another good, solid listen.

 

Maddox Bros
Maddox Brothers And Rose – 1946 – 1951
This one was certainly the gem of the bunch. Unrestrained country western swing with plenty of tongue in cheek, kitschy moments. This hints at early rockabilly, with a fun, youthful energy, sure to have ruffled the feathers of the country western traditionalist of its day. The band is mostly covering the standards, but putting their own little twist on them. The female lead singer, who I can only assume is Rose, has the gravel and gravitas of a young Wanda Jackson. She’s keeping these songs loose, but putting out as much emotion and power as she can muster. The band backs that up with a cacophonous array of slides, bends, trills and what seems to be a bit of distortion. This is a great lesson in pre-rock history.