The Folklords: Release The Sunshine 1968

             

 

The Folklords were a Toronto, Ontario band who released one of the most sought after folk psych LP's "Release the Sunshine" on Allied Records No. 11 in 1968. Virtually nothing is known about this Canadian-spawned trio, consisting of Tom Martin (bass, vocals), Martha Johnson (vocals, autoharp)

(who looked really pretty and was not the later founder of Martha & the Muffins), and Paul Seip (guitar, vocals), except that they signed a contract with Allied Records in late 1967 or early 1968, which resulted in the recording of their only LP, Release the Sunshine. They were of a piece with such groups as William St. James, or perhaps a stripped-down We Five, but evidently -- according to reissue annotator Vincent Tornatore (who did the digging) -- they never rated a mention in any Canadian publication. They sang pretty well, however, and their obscurity is not a reflection of a lack of talent or a sellable sound. 
                                   

This pretty if somewhat low-key album is a nice piece of folk/sunshine pop with resonant Autoharp and guitar, a kind of reflective male/female vocal mix that recalls the first Jefferson Airplane album, and some diverting psychedelic lyrics. Not knowing the Folklords' Release the Sunshine won't make you

a failure in '60s music lore or trivia, even in Canada, whence they hail, but hearing it isn't the worst way to spend 40 (or 80) minutes of your time. "Forty Second River" has a spacy quality that's pretty diverting and "Windows" a stark lyricism that's a bit like the Signe Anderson-era Airplane, before the latter's wattage got boosted. Some of it is a little on the lugubrious side ("Pardon Me Judas"), while other songs seem like potential singles ("Thank You for Your Kindness"). The Folklords toured, "but didn't get much support from Allied". They appeared on a few TV shows, "but it wasn't an easy time in Canada in those days", Tom writes. 
(By Bruce Eder)
                                

The Folklords' Release the Sunshine is a captivating album, a notion shared by the many collectors world-wide who fight for original copies, which are few and far between. Strange thing is, if someone were to say to us that the Folklords album was released by Creation Records in 1987, it would be difficult to

argue. You may well ask, why? Our answer: the chiming guitars, the rattle of tambourine, the dreaminess, the sometimes dark lyrics, and the harmony vocals of Martha Johnson place the Folklords closer to Biff Bang Pow, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Revolving Paint Dream, or even My Bloody Valentine's debut, 'Ecstasy and Wine' (granted, at a much slower speed, and without the rampant fuzz guitar) than it does to sunny 1960's poppiness. Glorious newly remastered sound -- sourced directly from the master tapes. Dreamy sunshine-infused-yet-with-clouds-passing-by pop psychedelia with a folk bent and a futuristic sound."
                                  

LINE - UP

 
Martha Johnson (vocals, autoharp)
Tom Martin [aka Tom Waschkowski] (vocals, bass) 
Paul Seip (vocals, guitar)
Craig Boswell (drums)
                                       

The Folklords – 1968 - Release The Sunshine
Label: Pacemaker Entertainment Limited – PACE-047-LN
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 2008
Country: Canada
Released: 1968    
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk Rock, Soft Rock, Psychedelic Folk

TRACKS

                          

01. Jennifer Lee   3:20
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski    
02. Don't Hide Your Love From Me   2:55
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
03. Child    3:42
04. Unspoken Love    2:08
05. Windows    4:17
06. Forty Second River   3:18
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
07. Pardon Me Judas   3:10
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
08. Thank You For Your Kindness    3:05
09. We'll Love Like Before   2:20
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
10. Suzanne Marie    4:00
11. Don't Look Back    2:50
12. The Slave   3:10
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
    

BONUS TRACKS        

    
13. Forty Second River     3:23
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
14. Unspoken Love    3:10

Flac Size: 512 MB

The Jackets: 4 Albums 2009 - 2019

 

The Jackets are a dynamic Garage-Punk-Psych-trio based in Bern, Switzerland featuring front

woman Jack Torera on guitar and lead voice, Chris Rosales on drums and Samuel 'Schmidi' Schmidiger on bass. Since 2008, The Jackets have brought their high energy live show to stages throughout Europe, USA, Mexico and Canada. Charismatic singer and guitarist Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera) is an energetic elemental force, androgynous and wild. 
                              

With her distinctive voice, her fuzz guitar, stage acrobatics and stage make-up, she captivates.

Together with the uncompromisingly rhythm and groove section of Chris Rosales on drums and Samuel Schmidiger on bass the Jackets create the perfect three-piece; raw, direct and together with Brutsche turn every Jackets concert into an unforgettable event. The Jackets strip Rock and Roll down to its essential components then build something unique to their personalities and their need for self-expression. 
                                    

The music feels new because it is authentic and free of cliché but still captures the simplicity that

Rock and Roll must have to stay honest and bold! Songs like “Wasting My Time”, “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Freak Out” have become new anthems for new times but keep the spirit and roots of garage punk in the heart of the song.The Jackets have carved out a universe of their own, steadily moving forward with independence since their formation. Over the years, they’ve built a large and loyal fan base worldwide. The band has released five full-length albums and three vinyl 7” singles  
                           

In October 2024, they released their long-awaited 5th album “Intuition” on Chaputa Records and are

touring Japan, the USA, Switzerland and Europe. They mix Punk and Psychedelic ‘60s that make your body move and lyrics that feed your mind. The Jackets are not afraid to play ballads or the most primitive punker. It always sounds groovy when it’s The Jackets! The Jackets mix the best elements of Rock and Roll into a potent, irresistible cocktail with a ferocity that is full of good humor, high spirited fun, and full blast excitement! 
                        

01.  THE JACKETS - STUCK INDIDE 2009

                                

Cut way back in 2008 (released in 2009), this debut record by the Jackets is another terrific garage rocker.

They didn't yet quite have the distinctive sound that they now possess, although it was certainly bubbling under. With a different bassist (Severin Erni - although Sam Schmidiger plays lead guitar on a couple of tracks here) and a couple more covers ("I Cannot Stop You" from the Cherry Slush and "Demolition Girl" by the Saints), the sound might be a bit more punky, but is still pretty damn striking and shows the evolution of the group.
(By Rich Coffee) 
                       

The Jackets – 2012 - Stuck Inside
Label: Subversiv Records – CDSUB047
Format: CD, Album
Country: Switzerland
Released: 2009
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                           

01. Get Back With You    2:54
02. I Cannot Stop You    2:51
03. Running    2:54
04. Got No Time    1:50
05. Make You Mine    2:20
06. Mr. Stranger    3:58
07. Traitor    3:03
08. Out Of My Head    4:04
09. Sadie    4:10
10. Demolition Girl    1:36
11. Count The Tears    4:10
12. Escape    4:51

LINE - UP

                                     

Lead Vocals, Guitar, Composed By – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Severin Erni
Drums – Chris Rosales
Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger (tracks: B1)

NOTES

Written By Jackie Jackie Brutsche ecxept track 1 (Chris Rosales)

Flac Size: 265 MB

02.  THE JACKETS - WAY OUT 2012

                             

Jackie’s vocals range from sultry to screaming and her guitar uses different effects and riffs to form a retro tone with nods to many of the major 60’s groups (everyone from the Count V to the Sonics to Richard &

the Young Lions to the Wailers, whose “Hang Up” they cover here). Chris & Samuel give a solid, hard-hitting backing with hip harmonies and the three work as a solid and powerful unit. Slashing chords, wild fuzz licks, well-written tunes and growls a-plenty! This is a terrific slab of retro garage that could easily have fit in with the best of the 80’s groups – if that is your thang, the Jackets are your band! Get it! 
(By Rich Coffee) 
                                

The Jackets – 2012 - Way Out
Label: Soundflat Records – SFR-CD-019
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2012
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                             

01. Freak Out    2:56
02. Down You Stay    3:16
03. Wasting My Time    3:42
04. Fly My Way    5:01
05. You Said    2:57
06. Hang Up    2:24
07. In My Mind    3:29
08. Oh Baby    4:48
09. Falling Girl    4:21
10. What We Gonna Do    2:26
11. The City    4:19
12. Last Chance    3:46

LINE - UP

                     

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger
Drums – Chris Rosales

NOTES

All songs written by The Jackets except "hang up" by The Wailers. 

Flac Size: 339 MB

03.  THE JACKETS - SHADOWS OF SOUND 2015

                                       

Shadows of Sound, on Bern’s Voodoo Rhythm Records, is not only their first for the label, but an all out analogue monster built on raw sounds straight from the garage. The Result? Jackie Brutsche’s vocals rip

apart sonic barriers and range from low bass growlers (“Hands off Me”) to 60’s psychedelia Grace Slick trembles made current (“Sometimes Maybe”). These are bedroom grooves for high octane evenings. The only purity on this album is its honesty and commitment to setting the new standard of garage. It’s time to dump that puritan view of what garage should sound like, Shadows of Sound is the new standard for rock’n’roll in the 21st century. 
(The Novel Sound)
                               

The Jackets – 2015 - Shadows Of Sound
Label: Voodoo Rhythm – VRCD92
Format: CD, Album
Country: Switzerland
Released: 2015
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                                   

01. Don't Turn Yourself In    3:15
02. At The Go-Go    2:42
03. Sometimes Maybe    3:35
04. Keep Yourself Alive    3:01
05. Living In The Past    2:51
06. Watch You Cry    3:01
07. Wheels Of Time    3:34
08. You Better    2:18
09. Hands Off Me    3:02
10. Astronaut    2:51
11. Shadows Of Sound    3:38

LINE - UP

                                 

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger
Drums – Chris Rosales

Flac Size: 251 MB

04.  THE JACKETS - QUEEN OF THE PILL 2019

                     

There’s a good chance they’re going to be one of your new favorite bands. ... Every song is a snotty,

respectable pop hit, something you so rarely get one of; let alone an album filled with 10. There isn’t a weakness on this album. ... This band could work for so many music fans; they’re dirty and punk enough for die hard garage snobs, and yet just poppy enough for the radio. 
(Alex Napiwocki - Up The Punks Magazine)
                           

The Jackets – 2019 - Queen Of The Pill
Label: Voodoo Rhythm – VRCD112
Format: CD
Country: Switzerland
Released: Jun 14, 2019
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                        

01. Dreamer    3:18
02. What About You    3:16
03. Steam Queen    3:03
04. Move On    2:37
05. Don't Leave Me Alone    3:45
06. Queen Of The Pill    2:52
07. Floating Alice    4:01
08. Losers Lullaby    2:49
09. Deeper Way    3:15
10. Be Myself    2:28

LINE - UP

                         

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger
Drums – Chris Rosales
Vocals, Gong – King Khan (tracks: 02, 03)

Flac Size: 234 MB

John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Hooker & The Hogs (May and June of 1965) 2003

                             

 

JOHN LEE HOOKER

                       

American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Born: August 22, 1912 in Tutwiler, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, USA.
Died: June 21, 2001 in Los Altos, California, USA. 

THE GROUNDHOGS

                             

Groundhogs were an English blues and progressive rock band founded in late 1963. They toured

extensively in the 1960s, achieved prominence in the early 1970s, and continued sporadically into the 21st century. Tony McPhee (guitar and vocals) was the sole constant member of the group, which had gone through many personnel changes, but usually recorded and performed as a power trio. The band was active from 1963 until retiring in 2014. Since then, their first drummer has launched the Ken Pustelnik's Groundhogs spinoff.

                             

 JOHN LEE HOOKER WITH THE GROUNDHOGS

                              

McPhee and the Groundhogs' most important musical legacy, this 1965 set of Hooker and the Hogs has an

unusual history. Tony McPhee and the Groundhogs first played with John Lee Hooker in June of 1964, when John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers were unable to fulfill a commitment to back Hooker on the final week of his British tour. 
                  

The Groundhogs were deputized on the spot and played their first show with him at the Twisted Wheel in

Manchester. At the end of the week, Hooker told McPhee how much he liked working with his band and agreed to use the Groundhogs as his backing band on his next visit to England. Hooker was back in May and June of 1965, and not only used them as his band but recorded this album with the Groundhogs. 
                           

The band was Tony McPhee on guitar, Peter Cruickshank on bass, Dave Boorman on drums, and Tom

Parker on keyboards -- some of the stuff here may have surfaced elsewhere, on the Interchord label (as Don't Want Nobody) with brass dubbed on, but this release consists of the undubbed recordings. The sound is raw, tight, and raunchy, some of the best band-backed recordings of Hooker's career. 
                      

He's notoriously difficult to play support for because of the spontaneity of his work, but these guys keep

up and then some, adding engaging flourishes and grace notes. Hooker is in excellent voice, and his material is as strong as any album in his output, rough, dark, and moody. 
                             

The ominous, surging "Little Dreamer" is worth the price of admission all by itself. [Some reissues add

four Hooker solo bonus tracks, which are even louder and more savage than the Groundhogs' stuff, though a little noisy (like that ever mattered with The Hook).] 
(By Bruce Eder)
                                                     

                                         

John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Hooker & The Hogs
Label:Sanctuary – 06076 81253-2, Castle Music – 06076 81253-2
Series: Sanctuary Blues Masters
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Mono 2003
Country: US
Released: May and June of 1965
Genre: Rock, Blues
Style: Modern Electric Blues
                                     

TRACKS

                              

01. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Mai Lee    3:28
02. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – I'm Losing You    3:51
03. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Little Girl Go Back To School    3:50
04. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Little Dreamer    4:17
05. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Don't Be Messin' With My Bread    3:19
06. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Bad Luck And Trouble    4:00
07. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Waterfront    4:11
08. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – No One Pleases Me But You    2:23
09. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – It's Raining Here    3:21
10. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – It's A Crazy Mixed Up World    4:14
11. John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Seven Days And Seven Nights    3:38

JOHN LEE HOOKER BONUS TRACKS        
    
12. John Lee Hooker & Guests – Wandering Blues    2:56
13. John Lee Hooker & Guests – Goin' Mad Blues    3:45
14. John Lee Hooker & Guests – Black Man Blues    3:29
15. John Lee Hooker & Guests – Helpless Blues    3:41

LINE - UP

Vocals, Guitar – John Lee Hooker
Written-By – John Lee Hooker
Bass – Pete Cruikshank (tracks: 1 to 11)
Drums – Dave Boorman (tracks: 1 to 11)
Guitar – Tony McPhee (tracks: 1 to 11)Liner Notes – Tony McPhee
Organ, Piano – Tom Parker (tracks: 1 to 11)

NOTES

Tracks 1 to 11 are mono.

Flac Size: 192 MB

John Lee Hooker: The Best Of (1991) On Urban Aspirines HERE