Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Various Artists - Psychedelic Mod, Funky Prog, Acid Soul and Freakbeat

 

OK, I've just made another compilation and I couldn't wait to share it, even though there are other posts already waiting in the pipeline. That's how excited I am! Having listened to a lot of acid jazz recently, I decided to compile a playlist of British bands and songs from the late '60s that undoubtedly influenced the creation and development of the genre in the early '90s. At least, from my point of view.

Anyway, by the time this booming decade was coming to an end, psychedelia was also in troubled waters, and musicians were looking for new sounds to take its place. Some turned to jazz, some amped up the blues, while others started heading in the direction of a more progressive sound, yet still funky. And quite many fearless musicians tried to combine all these elements to create something new. Most of them (if not all) were ex-mods already accomplished by the groove of black Americans and the mighty Hammond organ was now at the forefront, leading the way. Many of them mods also collaborated with each other in one or more bands, and many of those collaborations can be found here.This new sound had a grittier, nastier, smooth and manic at the same time overtone, with fuzz guitars polluting the area and rumbling organ and horns wailing all over.

Was it psychedelic mod, funky prog, acid soul or just another variant of what later was called freakbeat? Probably all of these and more! Sometimes it's tricky to put into words what you're hearing, but it's not hard at all to get excited about it and dance! I chose to stay in the old Albion because dealing with the US would have been a far greater challenge (Funkadelic, Betty Davis, etc.). See you soon! Cheers!!

  1. Don't Want You No More - The Spencer Davis Group
  2. My Friend Jack (Demo Version) - The Smoke
  3. Anymore Than I Do - The Attack
  4. Speak Your Mind - The Lion Tamers
  5. Gone Is The Sad Man - Timebox
  6. Your Love is Burning Me - Thane Russell & Three
  7. Baby I Need You - Curiosity Shoppe
  8. Jumping Jack Flash - Wynder K. Frog
  9. Somebody Stole My Thunder - Georgie Fame
  10. Emmaretta - Deep Purple
  11. Egyptian Tomb - Mighty Baby
  12. Don’t Be Afraid - Keef Hartley Band
  13. Lola (Instrumental) - The Kinks
  14. My Mind Can Ride Easy - Killing Floor
  15. Indian Rope Man - Brian Auger & Julie Driscoll and The Trinity
  16. Call You Liar, Liar - Satisfaction
  17. Crazy Feeling - Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
  18. Pineapple & The Monkey - The Faces
  19. Solar Level - Johnny Almond Music Machine
  20. (If You Think You're) Groovy - P.P. Arnold & The Small Faces
  21. My Time (Brass-Free Version) - The Pretty Things
  22. It's a Crime - The Kirkbys
  23. Eiderdown Clown - Scots Of St. James
  24. In The Deep End - The Artwoods
  25. Evil Woman - Guy Darrell
  26. Which Way - The Sorrows
  27. Big Boss Man - Dave Davani
  28. Loot - Steve Ellis
  29. I'm Alive - Don Fardon
  30. The Cheat - Sutch Lord
  31. Midway Down - The Creation
  32. Follow Me - The Action
  33. In a Broken Dream - Python Lee Jackson ft. Rod Stewart
  34. Snowy Wood - John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

Friday, January 9, 2026

Various Artists - Downtown Soulville, Mr. Fine Wine's Top 45s (WTS Soul No.8)

 

This is my first post of 2026, and it's already under difficult circumstances. I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy new year, but I can't see that happening. I mean, really now people of the US of A, what were you thinking when you elected this idiot, fascist, schizoid piece of shit? (MAGA loonies can kiss my arse. Don't bother leaving comments — you'll never see them posted, GET THE FUCK OUT OF THIS BLOG!). Anyway...

When it comes to soul music, no one can beat a Detroit native. Matt Weingarden - to his friends and fans, Mr Finewine - is a DJ and record collector renowned for his in-depth exploration of rare soul, funk and R&B 45s. It was the 'Downtown Soulville' show on WFMU that introduced me to obscure (or not) grooves more than two decades ago, and I'm not exaggerating when I say this guy's changed my life for better! 

I can't remember how or where I found a list of his most precious and beloved items, but I printed it out. This piece of paper was a map for what I was going to hear or chase over the next years. I've still got it, actually. I've put together this new collection using that old A4 wrapping in exactly the order in which he presented those 45s. So, if you're planning a party anytime soon, don't forget to bring this playlist along. Trust me! And make sure you'll send any fascist, racist scum to hell...

  1. Downtown Soulville - Chuck Edwards
  2. My Baby Likes To Boogaloo - Don Gardner
  3. Peanut Duck - Marsha Gee
  4. Your Sweet Love - Nelson Sanders
  5. Don't Use Me - George Jackson
  6. I'm Gonna Do It By Myself - Jimmy ‘The Preacher’ Ellis
  7. You'll Always Be In Style - Sidney Barnes
  8. From Now On - Nathaniel Mayer
  9. Ride In My 322 - Spyder Turner
  10. Moaning, Groaning, And Crying - Fuller Brothers
  11. Quittin' Time - Big Maybelle
  12. I'm Drunk And Real High - Ada Richards
  13. Soul Dance Number 3 - Pervis Lavawn & The Commanders
  14. Mellow Fellow - Etta James
  15. Get Down With It - Bobby Marchan
  16. Go Go Train - Jackie Paine
  17. Hump Back - Eldridge Holmes
  18. Souvenirs of a Heartbreak - Thelma Jones
  19. You Were Meant for Me - Young Jessie
  20. Soul Sister - Sam Dees
  21. Welfare Cheese - Emanuel Laskey
  22. Baby Do The Philly Dog - The Olympics
  23. Rattlesnake, Baby, Rattlesnake - Joe Johnson
  24. Oo-Ma-Liddi - J.J. Jackson
  25. Loose Me Love - Virgie Till
  26. That's My Girl - Dee Clark
  27. The Queen - Big Ella
  28. I'm Stuck On My Baby - Irene & The Scotts
  29. Nerves Of Steel - Gino Parks
  30. Soul Circle - Spot & The Blotters