Toro - Banana Split (1977 Scramble)

Artist: Toro
Album: Banana Split
Label: Scramble
Catalog#: SRL 910.001-H
Format: Vinyl, LP, Reissue
Country: Netherlands
Released: 1977
Genre: Rock, Latin, Funk / Soul
Duration: 00:38:27

 • Side One:
A1. Ramona - 04:04
A2. Small Folk Reservation - 03:03
A3. Fields Of Laughter - 04:42
A4. Falling In Love - 03:13
A5. Like The Sun - 05:48
 • Side Two:
B1. Michaela - 04:24
B2. Cabo Rojo - 03:01
B3. Nena - 03:58
B4. Going To Borinquen - 07:49

      Recorded at Good Vibrations.
      Remixed at Electric Lady Studios.
      Recorded by Alan Manger
      Copyright and Distributed by Dureco
      Producer by Harvey Averne
      Mastered by Al Brown 

Personel:
Andy Sanchez - Lead Vocals
Larry Harlow - Keyboards
Steve Napoleoni Monge - Lead Guitar
Eddie Perez - Bass
Felix Tollinchi - Rhythm Guitar
Paul Alicea - Timbales
John Headsley Down - Drums
Frankie Mallabe - Congas

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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                                                              • Thanks to funkiss

Mushroom - Freedom You're A Woman (1978)

Artist: Mushroom
Album: Freedom You're A Woman
Label: Vulcan Records
Catalog#: V-911
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock, Hard Boogie
Duration: 00:35:53

• Based in Brooklyn, Mushroom featured the talents of singer/guitarists Frank Annunziata and Mike Falcone, bassist Michael Calaci, and drummer Joe Tomek. The band apparently managed to attract a local audience playing throughout the New York City club circuit and in 1978 they released a self-financed album. Co-produced by the band and Nick Schiralli (who co-wrote most of the material), "Freedom You're a Woman" was an odd offering. Largely penned by producer Schrialli and Annunziata, the collection actually sounded like it was recorded by two different bands. At one end of the spectrum, tracks like the lead off 'Rock n' Roll Man', 'Comin' for You', and the Falcone-penned 'Gulf of Mexico' offered up gritty bar band rockers (the latter with some nice Allman Brothers-styled twin lead guitar). Competent, though nothing you hadn't heard before - they probably sounded a whole lot better after a couple of beers. At the other end of the spectrum, 'Lose Control', the ballad 'Sometimes' , and 'We Were Lovers' offered up radio-ready AOR numbers that would have sounded right at home along with the likes of Southern California acts like Jay Ferguson, Journey, or Pablo Cruise. Better than most small label projects, but most folks can probably live without it ...
• The group's career seems to have come to an end in one of the odder stories I've come across. The group was running a sound check for an evening performance at the Mercer Arts Center located in Broadway Central Hotel when they were told to stop since the resulting vibrations were generating massive cracks throughout the structure. The band evacuated the building, only to see it collapse, killing several people and destroying all of their equipment and their panel truck. - BadCat.

 • Side One:
A1. Rock N' Roll Man - 5:16
A2. Lose Control - 3:17
A3. Gulf Of Mexico - 6:45
A4. Comin' For You - 3:00
 • Side Two:
B1. Juicy Mama - 3:47
B2. Sometimes - 3:52
B3. We Were Lovers - 5:46
B4. Freedom You're A Woman - 3:55
   Bonus Track:
- Cosmic Dance (single) - 4:56

      Published By – Amanita Muscaria
      Phonographic Copyright (p) – Vulcan Records
      Producer – Mushroom, Nick Schiralli 

Personel:
Guitar, Vocals – Frank Annunziata, Mike Falcone
Bass – Adam Calaci
Drums, Percussion – Joe Tomek

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Ursula Creek - Ursula Creek (1976)

Artist: Ursula Creek
Album: Ursula Creek
Label: Richard Luft Music
Catalog#: 760546
Format: Vinyl, LP, Private Pressing
Country: US
Genre: Rural Hard Rock
Duration: 00:39:31

• "According to Webster" or, more specifically, according to his geographical distionary, Ursula Creek does not exist. If it did, it would be neatly sandwiched between Urso (see Osuna) and Urupan, which every one knows and loves as that charming little town just east of the new volcanoe of Paricutin in southwest Mexico. Further confusing the issue is the established fact that, in reality, Ursula Creek is actually a part of San Jose, Illinois - pronounced (of course) Saint Joe's!
• As you may have guessed by now, Ursula Creek is no ordinary animal. Ursula Creek is not just a carbon copy of every other bew band. Ursula Creek is a unique entity. While Webster may claim Ursula Creek is nowhere, your own independent study of the carefully modulated vinyl artifact contained here in will reveal that, musically, Ursula Creek is right where you want is to be. Enjoy. - Michael J. Sullivan.

 • Side One:
A1. Callin' My Name - 04:12
A2. Dying For You - 04:00
A3. Until The Music Ends - 03:01
A4. Pictures Of Red Roses - 03:45
A5. Movement G - 04:55
 • Side Two:
B1. Will You Shine - 03:17
B2. Gypsy On The Road - 03:20
B3. Rainy Days - 04:25
B4. Have You Got The Time - 04:09
B5. Highlights Of The World - 04:20

      Produced by Jerry Grightman
      Engineer by Tom Byler

Personel:
Ed Culbertson - Drums, Lead Vocals 
Kenny Kastner - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gene Singley - Bass, Backing Vocals
Steve Voss - Keyboards, Backing Vocals

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Jim Pulte - Out the Window (1972)

Artist: Jim Pulte
Album: Out the Window
Label: United Artists Records
Catalog#: UAS-5579
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Release: 1972
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Duration: 00:30:41

 • Side One:
A1. All Uphill From Here - 03:25
A2. Anything - 03:04
A3. My Heart's On Sweet Rollene - 02:48
A4. Cry, Sing And Laugh - 03:30
A5. Point Me Home - 03:00
 • Side Two:
B1. The Goose Flew Back - 03:21
B2. Reno Street Incident - 03:58
B3. Big Times - 02:46
B4. Old Time Junkie - 02:54
B5. Out The Window - 03:05

      Recorded at Village Recorder, CA.
      Produced by Jesse Ed Davis & Jim Pulte

Personel:
Jim Pulte - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano
Jesse Ed Davis - Guitars, Banjo, Back-up Vocals
Leland Sklar - Electric Bass
Jim Keltner - Drums
Mac Rebennac - Piano
Larry Knechtel - Piano, Organ
Buddy Emmons - Pedal Steel Guitar
Bobby Bruce - Fiddle
Ben Sidran - Piano, Organ, Clavinette
Frank Hoffman - Congas, Bells
Joe Zagarino - Tangerine
John Martin - Background Vocals
Joe Davis - Bariton Sax
Jamie Gordon - Tenor Sax, Clarinet
Jerry Jumonville - Alto Sax

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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David Elliott - David Elliott (1972 Atlantic)

Artist: David Elliott
Album: David Elliott
Label: Atlantic
Catalog#: K 40374
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock, Pop Rock, Soft Rock
Duration: 00:34:27

• 11 tracks, studio recordings. Starting with "Kid's stuff" and ending with "Open the door". All tracks written by David Elliott. Produced by Mick Grabham (Procol Harum). Music is a mix art rock-classic rock fused with blues, folk and psychedelic elements (depending on the track). Classical music elements are also present on two tracks. Lots of acoustic and electric guitars throughout. Possibly, the closest similarities as sound would be the British artists Audience and Nick Drake. Superb recordings and sounding album.

 • Side One:
A1. Kid's Stuff - 03:01
A2. If I Were You - 02:26
A3. Lover - 04:08
A4. The Love You Put On Yesterday - 03:11
A5. You Better Move - 04:38
 • Side Two:
B1. Dear Mary - 02:36
B2. Down To My Last Dime - 02:31
B3. The Invisible Man - 01:58
B4. The Rich Man's Love Story - 02:41
B5. Some - 03:15
B6. Open The Door - 03:31

      This Album is dedicated to Mikhail Strabo
      Published by Blue Mountain Ltd.
      Producer by Mick Grabham
      Tinting by Maurice Tate
      Cover by Hipgnosis

Personel:
Guitar, Bass, Vocals – David Elliott
Guitar, Piano – Caleb Quaye
Bass – Rick Wills
Bass, Vocals – Dee Murray
Drums – Chris Karan, Dave Mattacks, Roy O. Temro
Drums, Vocals – Nigel Olsson
Guitar – Albert Lee, Mick Grabham, Tim Renwick
Piano – Francis Monkman
Steel Guitar – B.J. Cole

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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David Elliott - Solid Ground (1973 Atlantic)

Artist: David Elliott
Album: Solid Ground
Label: Atlantic
Catalog#: K 40527
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1973
Genre: Rock, Pop, Soft Rock
Duration: 00:40:32

 • Side One:
A1. Read The News - 02:25
A2. Railway Line - 03:58
A3. Can't Go Home - 03:46
A4. Write Me A Letter - 05:06
A5. Stuck In Love - 02:44
 • Side Two:
B1. A People Like You - 03:04
B2. Save Me That Road - 03:49
B3. On Fire For You - 03:45
B4. Blind Love - 04:21
B5. What's The Reason - 02:53
B6. Lady Lady - 04:37

     Producer by David Elliott, Roger Wake

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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The Magic Lanterns - Lit Up - With The Magic Lanterns (1967)

Artist: Magic Lanterns
Title: Lit Up - With The Magic Lanterns
Label: CBS Records
Catalog#: SBPG 62395
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1967
Genre: Pop Rock
Duration: 00:36:45

• The Magic Lanterns first lit up the London pop scene in the summer of swinging '66. Four young men from Lancashire with accents as ripe as Wensleydale cheese cut a record called "Excuse Me Baby", a jolly, "good time music" song complete with an antique, horned one-string violin. That record took the Magic Lanterns into the charts - glowing dimly in the nether regions rather than lighting them up like searchlights, but even so quite an achievement for an unknown group. "Rumplestiltskin" followed, using a home-made instrument, which firmly established their name as a group with a distinctive sound. And with the release of. "Knight In Rusty Armour" the Magic Lanterns were obviously here to stay. Then one frosty night in January four young men and one bowler-hatted producer called Mike Collier emerged exhausted but elated from a recording studio in Charing Cross Road. This LP - the first album by the Magic Lanterns - was in the can.- Rodney Burbeck.

 • Side One:
A1. You Must Believe Me - 02:56
A2. What Else Can It Be But Love - 03:12
A3. No Milk Today - 02:15
A4. Greedy Girl - 02:44
A5. I'm Only Dreaming - 02:29
A6. Long Long Time - 01:43
A7. Excuse Me Baby - 02:24
 • Side Two:
B1. The Incrowd - 03:38
B2. Look At You - 02:32
B3. Romeo And Juliet - 02:28
B4. I Stumbled - 02:03
B5. Too Bad It Hurts - 02:31
B6. Simple Things - 03:01
B7. Knight In Rusty Armour - 02:44

      Producer by Mike Collier
      Photography by Bruce Fleming

Personel:
Piano, Vocals – Jimmy "Jambo" Bilsbury
Bass Guitar – Ian Moncur
Drums – Allan Wilson
Lead Guitar – Peter Shoesmith

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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