This lot I bought long ago on a cross country road trip. Again, mostly exploring some of those NZ records with both an ethnomusicology approach and an ear from some interesting samples. Some of these you’ve probably skipped over in the past like I did, so let’s have a look see and a listen see…
New Zealand Army Band – Star Brass.
“Oh yeh I saw them play in Wellington they were really great! My mate got us back stage…” and on the story went from my Nana’s husband.. Which I loved. He knew most of the NZ records I picked up before arriving at their house and it’s cool to have some context from fans at that time. Army bands are tight, and there are some solid 70’s renditions on this. Fly Robin Fly is slick A.F! This one’s a keeper. Check out their Soundcloud.
The Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy – Warship (1980).
The Army did a slightly better job than the Navy, but it was close. I’ll let Graeme’s write up on the back cover review this one: “…While warming the cockles with an ice-cold ale at Mairangi Bay Windsor Park Hotel. That’s right – ice cold beer. It was to be some months later aboard the HMNZS CANTERBURY that I was to discover the therapeutic value of real Navy rum and the quaintly named Moose’s Milk. But I digress… back to the bar… dancing, stomping cheering fans of all ages. By the way ‘hic’ they play music pretty…’hic’ pree.. Hey sweetheart! why don ya come ovr ‘hic’ ere ‘hic’.. they play music.. well pretty too”.
Society Jazzman – Vintage Trad.
You never know when you’ll need to bust out some hardcore homage ol’ timey Trad Jazz to go with your cocktail, hip slang and that cool dance you do switching your hands over your knees. That’s the thing, you will NEVER know when. I’m not sure I’ll hold on to this. They are New Zealand’s leading exponents of the genre, there’s a killer bass sample to be had from it, but… too many records!
Richard Bonson – O for the wings of a dove.
O indeed. Doesn’t that wonderful boy have the voice of an angel? Such a blessed and tender child. Three times winner of the Auckland Junior Vocal Championship, you know they had to sign this kid and press him on wax for all those adoring booming fan grannies. The slow jams are “How Beautiful Are The Feet” and “Virgin’s Slumber Song” – Hmmm… composed by a foot fetishing priest?
World of the South Pacific – Festival of traditional music.
Hibiscus Records, which I assume is the sub label of Kiwi / Pacific records, has incredible recordings. So many beautiful musical representations from every country in the pacific. Takes me right back to ethnomusicology class when the slightly aggrieved guest lecturer was waiting for a response to the question, ‘what are the three regions of the pacific’. Don’t worry class, I got this.
Max Cryer & The Children – The Best Of Max (Zodiac).
And I quote, “…includes a large measure of warmth, and his polish rubs off on the lusty singing of his children’s backing group”, end quote. You don’t want to be writing that on records for children in this day and age. But these were different times, and the kids kill it with their lusty backing vocals.
The Cheesman Signers - TV Singalong (1965?).
The photo on this cover is soo blurry hahaha. Cheese-man hahaha. Old times hahahaha. Ohh man good stuff. Everyone signed the back of this album cover! Even the big cheese himself Oswald Cheesman, but he signs it ‘Os Cheesman’. People called him Os. I love this record. ‘In the still of the night’ is a delight.
Eddie Low – The Voice In A Million.
Eddie Low was New Zealand’s answer to all the blind musicians at the time. He’s performed in groups such as The Sundowners (great name!) and the Quintikis’ Show Band. I’m sure his story is amazing, and you can read it on other great websites. This record was released by Joe Brown Enterprises in Mosgiel (near Dunedin), that too could be an interesting story.
How To - Give yourself a stereo check-out.
The guy sounds like a fancier Paul Holmes. Sidebar – Millie!? Poor girl. Kids. Do drugs. Just don’t get tattoos. Maybe don’t do drugs either actually. These records are gold. Not only helpful, but often a little quirky and have weird sounds all over them. Some flirty action between the right and left speakers at one point.
Patrice Rushen – Now (1984).
Saved from the dump at the rare cost of fifty cents, a diamond in the dust. Patrice makes it all, all rhythm, all synthesizers, all vocals and all funky. She is the executive producer. Played ‘Feels so Real’ and ‘Gottta Find IT’ over and over without care for the neighbors. A lounge room dance party. If you see ever this, buy it! I’d pay full album price for this any day.
Jermaine Stewart – Frantic Romantic.
This album doesn’t have the 80s geometric charm and electronic magic as my favourite Finally, but it does have the dry humping anthem ‘We don’t have to take our clothes off’. This album didn’t make the cut for me, so I let it recirculate. I don’t know if Stewart was openly gay at the time, but I presume he never had to spell it out. Hilariously fruity and flamboyant, and I mean that in a loving way. Stewart sadly died of AIDS in 1997 at the young age 39. Even sadder, his grave lay unmarked for 17 years. And the Magic Johnson connection - WHAAAAT?!?!?
Amral’s - Trinidad Cavaliers (1973).
Hot tempo steel drumming. The arranger / composer does not read or write music, but creates it through “Cosmic Inspiration”. All proceeds from sales of this album went toward building a hospital in Trinidad. When purchasing this second hand the proceeds also went to a charity cause. It keeps on giving.
The Foundations - From the Foundations.
The British answer to the Motown groups. Not the answer I was hoping for. They had a better answer to the blues. I don’t know all their catalogue, but there was nothing here that convinced me to hold on to this one, or look any further.
The Temptations – All Directions (1972).
This is not the Temptations as I knew them. If, like me, you thought The Temptations were just smooth dancing suit wearing assembly line pop song singers, this album blows weed smoke all over that conception. ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’ is a 12 minute bass heavy wah-wah groove that could be mistaken for a Curtis Mayfield song. The cover is pretty beat up, but fortunately the vinyl plays well. A fly slow burner. What a discovery! (for me).
Shalako Soundtrack.
Soundtracks are a genre in and of themselves. This one didn’t really do much for me to hold on to it, and it has since been put in the right person’s hands. I did watch the trailer, also not for me, Yup.
The Rumour – Land of New Vigour and Zeal
Intriguing concept album which starts with the departure of the pioneers from Europe to New Zealand and ends with their descending generation. It states on the cover “it’s not a history of New Zealand in music” - Don’t worry guys, no one was ever going to mistake it for that. Lyrically, it’s a little corny, like a musical that never made it to stage. Musically, there are some great string arrangements and a lot to like, but it’s all a bit airy fairy. Not a single footnote to anyone the pioneers might have encountered once they got here, but I do have another blog update in the future for the New Zealand musical that does do just that!
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