L.T.G. Exchange - Susie Heartbreaker -1975 US

L.T.G. Exchange was  a New York City band, with a sound that incorporated bits of funk, soul, salsa, and jazz.  On their second album from 1975 L.T.G .Ecxchange perform the score of the Black Rock Opera "Susie Heartbreaker (Ghetto Child)".I chose " Money Mad","Dinero" and "Trickin'".Enjoy!!!

Members:

Kevin Beverly (guitar)
Melvin Barton (bass)
Walter Chiles (piano, keyboards)
Victor Santos (drums)
Bruce Slade (percussion)

-by dj fanis: here

Astrud Gilberto ‎– September 17, 1969-1970 US

Astrud Gilberto had begun tackling '60s vocal pop crossovers on her Windy album from earlier in 1969, but her final record (of three) from that year found her stretching out not just on material but on arrangements. The production and arrangements by Brooks Arthur and Albert Gorgoni, respectively, attempt to push Gilberto into the type of groovy "now sound" that everyone from Harry Nilsson to Andy Williams was employing in the late '60s. Of course, Gilberto was an easy fit for this type of sound, and the only missteps here come when the songs don't fit her occasionally limited talents. "Light my Fire" is at the top of that list, while the Bee Gees' "Holiday" and Nilsson's "Don't Leave Me, Baby" appear very high as well. (John Bush-allmusic)
"September 17, 1969" released in 1970 on Verve Records (V6-8793). From this album i chose "Holiday","Light My Fire" and "Let Go (Canto De Ossanha)". Enjoy!!!

-by dj fanis: here

The Terminal Barbershop - Hair Styles-1969 US

"Hair Styles" by The Terminal Barbershop  released in 1969 on Atco Records ‎(SD 33-301).This is actually Ars Nova's third album because most of their second album "Sunshine & Shadows" members like Jon Pierson (Bass Trombone),Joe Hunt (Drums), Sam Brown  (Guitar) and Jimmy Owens (Trumpet, Flugelhorn) are involved on this release.
The album arranged by Jon Pierson and Wyatt Day and contains songs of the musical "Hair". I chose "Aquarius"," Hair" and " Let The Sunshine In".

-by dj fanis: here

Ars Nova- Sunshine & Shadows-1969 US

Ars Nova was an American progressive rock band that performed and recorded from 1967 to 1969. The original core of the group comprised two former students from Mannes College in New York City - Wyatt Day (guitar, keyboards, vocals), who wrote or co-wrote most of the band's songs, and Jon Pierson (trombone, vocals).(wiki)
They recorded two albums, a self-titled in 1968  on Elektra and "Sunshine & Shadows" in 1969 on Atlantic. From their second album i chose "Walk On The Sand","Please Don't Go Now" and "Rubbish".

-by dj fanis: here

We Five featuring Demis Roussos-The Nico Mastorakis Tapes-1978 Greece

The We Five was a greek  beat/rock band active between 1966-67.Among others Demis Roussos (1946 –2015) was on vocals and on bass and Alekos Karakantas (1947-2017) was the lead guitarist. This rare album released in 1978 on Seagull records ‎ (33/3E-IN-630) and contains songs of the 1966-67 period. All the songs are from the Nico Mastorakis tapes who was the manager of the group.
From this album i chose two covers, "From Home" and "Don't Bring Me Down".

Members:

Demis Roussos-Vocal,Bass
Lakis Vlavianos-Piano,Organ
Spyros Metaxas-Rythm Guitar,Vocal
Alekos Karakantas-Lead Guitar

-by dj fanis: here

George Romanos-Two Small Blue Horses-1970 Greece

George Romanos is a greek singer and songwriter.In 1970  Romanos release one of the best  greek psychedelic albums titled "Δυο Μικρά Γαλάζια Αλογα" (Two Small Blue Horses) on Zodiac records.The guitar player on this album was Alekos Karakantas (earlier with Juniors,We Five and later with Axis).Alekos Karakantas was one of the best guitarists with very unique style,  who died yesterday at the age of 70. RIP.
In loving memory of Alekos Karakantas i chose "Two Small Blue Horses" and "Life Is A Dream".
An interview with  Alekos  Karakantas you can find here

                             Alekos Karakantas with We Five (1967)

                             Alekos Karakantas with Axis (1972)

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Merrell Fankhauser ‎– The Maui Album-1976 US (1988 Reckless Records)

Merrell Wayne Fankhauser (born December 23, 1943, Louisville, Kentucky, United States) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, who was most active in the 1960s and 1970s with bands including the Impacts, Merrell & the Exiles, HMS Bounty, Fankhauser-Cassidy Band, and MU.
Fankhauser recorded a solo album, Maui (1976), before returning to California in the late 1970s.(wiki)
This is the 1988 UK reissue of "The  Maui Album" by Reckless Records (RECK 10), with different versions of "On Our Way To Hana" and "Make A Joyful Noise". I chose those  great songs plus the beautiful "I Saw Your Photograph". Enjoy!!!

from the back cover:

--In 1974 Merrell Fankhauser was living in a jungle shack on the island of Maui with his group MU and his girlfriend Mary Lee, an accomplished violin player.Their lifestyle was mystically orientated and ascetic, they followed a vegan diet with no drugs or alcohol.Later that year guitarist Jeff Cotton and drummer Randy Wimer left for the mainland to become Christian ministers.
Merrell and Mary Lee retreated further into the depths of the jungle, continuing their researches into the lost civilization of Lemuria.Occasionally they emerged to play club dates as a duo.Late in 1975 they visited L.A. and recorded "The Maui Album".--

Members:
Merrell Fankhauser-Vocals,Guitar,Bass
Jeff Cotton-Guitar,Vocals
Mary Lee -Violin
Jeff Parker-Bass
Randy Wimer-Percussion, Vocals

-by dj fanis: here

El Chicano - Celebration- 1972 US

El Chicano is an American chicano rock and brown-eyed soul group from Los Angeles, California, whose style incorporates various modern music genres including rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, and salsa. The group's name is from Chicano, a term for United States citizens of typically Mexican American descent. (wiki)
From their third album "Celebration" who released in 1972 on KAPP Records ‎(KS 3663), i chose "El Grito", "Mas Zacate" and "Brown-Eyed Girl". Enjoy!!!

-by dj fanis: here