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Golden Gate garage
Could San Francisco be the next Detroit? After seeing the Jackpine Social Club label showcase at CMJ – where the mighty Oranger held sway – I say scene jumpers should pack their bags. To further support the “next Detroit” conspiracy theory, John Sinclair ‘s Alive label has just slammed out The Sound Of San Francisco compilation disc, covering 13 promising garage, punk and neo-wave threats, topped by the bash-happy Coachwhips , charming snarlers Nagg and the angularly twerkin’ Boyskout . The White Stripes had better watch their backs.
Turkish treat
Now that most of the 60s-era rockin’ beat and psych gems have been excavated from such unlikely places as Cambodia, Peru and New Delhi, what’s left to dig up? The Netherlands’ Grey Past label points across the Sea of Marmara and responds with the enlightening Turkish Delights CD. Yes, there were some killer fuzzed-out freakbeat rave-ups being cut in Turkey, although that distortion could be partly due to the dubbed-from-dusty-disc sound quality of the set, which includes rare blasts from Erkin Koray , Mogollar , Baris Manço and the delightfully unhinged Bunalimlar . Who knew the Artwoods were so darn popular with Muslim beatniks?
Deutsche damage
All the 80s revival business going on hasn’t been overlooked by the astute folks at quirky Bavarian club music clearinghouse Gomma , who’ve quickly followed up DJ Munk’s great Teutonik Disaster collection of kooky kool vintage German electro nuttiness with a second volume of equally enjoyable programmed dance-floor fodder like Nervösen-Deutschen ‘s Stukas Over Surrey and Die Heteros ‘ Monogomie, Kannibalismus. Just try and not go robotic when Roter-Mund snaps into Mit Dir Allein.
Fab Fred
You can blame the success of Midnight Cowboy and Fred Neil ‘s unforgettable tune, Everybody’s Talkin’, for providing the influential Greenwich Village folk troubadour with the financial means to duck out on the music world to commune with the dolphins in Florida. Before he split for good, Neil left behind a handful of stellar recordings, the best of the bunch being his self-titled Capitol debut just re-released by Rev-ola as Do You Ever Think Of Me? coupled with tracks from his captivatingly spontaneous Sessions album. Everybody’s Talkin’ wasn’t even his best tune. You’ll know why Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan were both Fred-heads before Neil finishes waxing philosophical about his porpoise pals.
