Fancy –Star Lord

Fancy –Star Lord/ Brother John –Sticky STY 3 (1973 UK)

This is NOT the Fancy of Wild Thing near fame, but Nigel Benjamin with this Southend combo 2 years before joining Mott (post The Hoople). The line up also included Bob Banasiak on guitar, Phil Mitchell on bass, and Chris Holibon on drums. Bob Banasiak would join Angel (Good Time Fanny) soon after recording this single. He plays on both sides of Angel’s Little Boy Blue single.
Star Lord is a prime example of anthemic early 70s British rock full of pretty loud guitar heroics courtesy of Bob Banasiak. It’s nothing terribly original, but quite a neat ride all the same throughout its 5 minute+ running time. Brother John is rockier, but never really cuts loose. It’s a tough single to track down as only a few were ever pressed up. Thanks to Just A Buzz for the background information: http://www.justabuzz.com/

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The Equals –Diversion

The Equals –Diversion/Here Today Gone Tomorrow –President PT 414 (1973 UK)

Great 70s single by The Black-Skinned-Bue-Eyed Equals. This catchy 1973 release finds them mixing in their usual Rock/Soul edged Bubblegum with more than a hint of Crunching Glam. The incessant I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back and tight handclaps all add to the illusion of the perfect crossover. The B side is good as well and provides further proof that there are plenty of lesser known Equals tracks due for a proper reappraisal. The fast rockin’ She Lives For Today (B side of Hang Up My Rock N Roll Shoes) with its cutting lead guitar is another cool one to look out for.

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Unknown Acetate –Midnight Woman

I just bought this acetate on ebay, but the only information I have is that the tune was published by Carlin Music. It starts out in pretty snarly and gritty fashion, but then goes off in a commercial tangent with a chorus that recalls Three Dog Night covering The Sweet’s Alexander Graham Bell. It then loses its definition a bit before returning to the second verse in a meatier mode. Perhaps this actually got a release? Who knows...

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Biggles –Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’

Biggles –Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’/Can’t Buy You –Philips 6006 160 (1971 UK)

This is Mike Berry (U.K. Jones, Ning, Small Wonder etc...) with the simple but effective premise of sticking two great tunes together (Crazy Elephant’s Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’ and Spencer Davis’s Gimme Some Lovin’) to maximise the results. Add to that some “live” audience participation worthy of The Premiers’ Farmer John with a clangy Dear Prudence guitar riff and Bob’s your uncle...

Mike Berry: “It was a simple idea, would it work if we stuck these two songs together? And it did...”

Top idea, top performance and top result!

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Jinx –I Saw Your Face

Jinx –I Saw Your Face/I Love You –Pink Elephant PE 22.809Y (1974 BE)

BelgoGlam combo featuring singer Marc Morlock (bass/ vocals), Dan Tritonian (guitar/vocals), Paul Mendez (keyboards) and “Pedro” on drums.
Both sides of this second Jinx single are fantastic Play It Loud era Slade concoctions with I Saw Your Face featuring melodic raspy lead vocals over a Beatles meets “The Stomp” bedrock. I Love You is more incessant and showcases some fine HEYs...
In a world where Robert Mutt Lange is better known as Mr. Shania Twain, this single was produced by Mr .Vangelder –Smith (AKA Jacques Zwart). He also co-wrote the B side. Mark Morlock (HG Wells !) released a slew of singles under his own name during the 80s. Belgium as the new Holland? Discuss at your leisure...

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Day ‘n Night –I Just Need Somebody

Day ‘n Night –I Just Need Somebody/Such A Lot To Talk About –DJM DJS.220 (1970 UK)
The word sumptuous was invented for times like these... Opening with thunderous flanged drums, I Just Need Somebody turns into a wondrous near Aphrodite’s Child-like over-production full of pathos supported by some great mellotron. OK, it’s real dramatic Psych Pop; but its simple premise and hook keeps it at bay from any pretentiousness. Not sure how this single came about but Jacques Moralli –the mastermind behind Village People, co-wrote the A side with Jack Fishman who seems to have been mainly involved in soundtrack work.

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Teddy Lane –Heart Break

Teddy Lane –Bye Bye Love/Heart Break-Negram NG 357 (1973 NL)
Teddy Lane was formed by Shoes singer Theo Van Es while he spent a couple years on vacation before rejoining The Shoes in 1974. Future Catapult bassist Aart Mol was also in the band.
Funny, it sounds more like they’re singing Heartbeat and not Heartbreak on this top B side, but whatever the correct title, it’s a fine rousing performance recalling as much Slade as Artful Dodger. Over a crunching Glitter Beat; The vocals sound just like Billy Paliselli while the chord progression during the middle eight is pure Gary Herrewig...The A side is less significant while their other single Do The Rock ‘N’ Roll is pretty nifty, but Heart Break still has in the edge in my book.

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