Penetration: Moving Targets 1978 + Coming Up For Air 1979

 

Penetration is a punk rock band from County Durham, England formed in 1976. They re-formed in 2001 with several new members. Their debut single, "Don't Dictate", is now acknowledged as a classic punk rock single and their debut album, Moving Targets (1978), is still widely admired. The

band's lineup was lead singer Pauline Murray, Robert Blamire (bass), Gary Smallman (drums) and Gary Chaplin (guitar). Chaplin left in March 1978 being replaced with Neale Floyd, with second guitarist Fred Purser (later of NWOBHM act Tygers of Pan Tang) joining in July. The band dissolved in late 1979. They reformed in 2001 with original members Murray, Blamire and Smallman, and Steve Wallace and Paul Harvey drafted in as new guitarists. Pauline Murray was a force to be reckoned with. Easily one of the best singers to come out of English punk rock.
                                   

After the release of their second single, Penetration recorded the first of two sessions for John Peel

at BBC Radio 1 in July 1978. Later that year, the band released their debut album. Moving Targets was number 6 in the Sounds Critics' albums of the year; and it made number 13 in the NME critics' chart. In 1979, they toured Europe, the US and Britain but the grueling schedule began to take its toll.  The second album, was the final nail in the coffin of the original band. After the band split in October an official bootleg album called Race Against Time was released, which was a collection of early demos and live tracks. 
                                  

In 1980, Pauline Murray collaborated with The Invisible Girls, which also included Robert Blamire,

as well as other Manchester musicians such as Vini Reilly, guitarist in The Durutti Column, and Steve Hopkins. John Maher from Buzzcocks drummed for the band. In 2015, Penetration announced the release of a new album called Resolution in October. The current line-up of the band is Pauline Murray, Robert Blamire, John Maher (ex-Buzzcocks), Paul Harvey and Steve Wallace.
                        

PENETRATION - MOVING TARGETS 1978

                       

It took me a while to establish that this LP DOES glow in the dark - around 40 years to be exact! The

instructions, included in the Notes are: "This record, after a 3 second exposure to a bright light, will glow for an hour in the dark”. I tried holding over a warm lamp. And you know what? It works!
                          

Penetration – Moving Targets
Label: Virgin – CDV 2109
Format: CD, Album, Reissue  1990
Country: UK
Released: 1978    
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Punk

TRAXS

                           

01. Future Daze    2:58
02. Life's A Gamble    2:59
03. Lover Of Outrage    3:55
04. Vision    3:24
05. Silent Community    3:29
06. Stone Heroes    3:14
07. Movement    3:22
08. Too Many Friends    3:13
09. Reunion    3:58
10. Nostalgia (Written-By – Shelley)   3:45
11. Freemoney (Written-By – Kaye, Smith)   4:48
12. Don't Dictate    2:54
13. Money Talks    1:42
14. V.I.P.    2:35
15. Firing Squad    3:02
16. Never    2:16

NOTES

1-11 are from the original LP V 2109
12 & 13 are from the single VS 192
14 is the b-side of single VS 226
15 & 16 are from the single VS 213

Flac Size: 349 MB

PENETRATION - COMING UP FOR AIR 1979

                        

Back in the heady and incredible days of the late seventies we were literally saturated with some truly

great bands, it was a golden age of new-wave, and 1979 was the best year of the era. At the time I would have posted Penetration as 'best of the rest'. And I am very pleased to say that this album has more than survived the test of time. 'Coming Up For Air' is yet another a great album from 1979. 
                               

Penetration – Coming Up For Air
Label: Captain Oi! – AHOY CD 174
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 2001
Country: UK
Released: 1979    
Genre: Rock
Style: Punk, Post-Punk, Alternative Rock

TRAXS

                             

01. Shout Above The Noise    4:04
02. She Is The Slave    3:08
03. Last Saving Grace    2:55
04. Killed In The Rush    1:48
05. Challenge    3:58
06. Come Into The Open    2:50
07. What's Going On    3:06
08. Party's Over    2:49
09. On Reflection    2:09
10. Lifeline    2:52
11. New Recruit    3:01

BONUS TRAXS        

    
12. Danger Signs    2:27
13. Stone Heroes (Live)    3:17
14. Vision (Live)    3:26

Flac Size: 289 MB

Ofege: Try And Love 1973 + The Last Of The Origins 1975 + Higher Plane Breeze 1977

 

Ofege was a Nigerian band formed in the early 1970s by a group of teenage hippies at St. Gregory's College in Lagos. Influenced by guitar legends like Carlos Santana and Jimmy Page, as well as African bands like Osibisa, Ofege created a unique blend of psychedelic rock and Afrobeat. Formed

by guitarist Melvin Ukachi and bassist Paul Alade while young students at St Gregory’s school in Lagos, Ofege first found their feet borrowing instruments and supporting school band The Groove Makers. Discovering drummer Mike Meme by chance at a school dance and adding Dapo Olumide on keys and Felix Inneh on rhythm guitar, they met EMI’s resident producer / A&R man, Odion Iruoje who promptly auditioned them. Sneaking them out of school to record their first sessions (Ofege literally means “breaking bounds”),
                    

Their debut album "Try And Love" was recorded while they were still in high school and became a national sensation. Although their career was short-lived, with only four albums released until 1978,

Ofege's music would be rediscovered in the 21st century. Their third album, Nobody Fails, showcased their post-60s harmony vocals and wild guitar solos. The fusion of complex African rhythms with fuzzy psychedelic effects made for an exhilarating listening experience. On their fourth album, The Last Of The Origins, Ofege delved into funk-rock with a psychedelic twist. With catchy rhythms and mind-bending instrumentals, this record solidified their reputation as one of Nigeria's most legendary groups.
                  

Despite limited recognition outside Nigeria during their time, Ofege's music continues to captivate

audiences today.  At the turn of the century (and because of tracks appearing on various psychedelic music compilations) Ofege would receive international acknowledgment for being the first of their kind and the ultimate West-African psychedelic funk band!
                                

LINE - UP

Melvin Noks: Lead Vocals/Rhythm.
Paul Alade: Bass Guitar.
Mike Meme: Drums.
Soga Benson: Lead/Solo Guitar.
Felix Ijeh: Rhythm/Tenor Guitar.
Dapo Olumide: Keyboards.
Felix Inneh: Percussionist. 

01.  OFEGE - TRY AND LOVE 1973

                          

Ofege's debut album Try and Love is the most famous LP by this psych rock band from Nigeria. They're one of the most famous African psych rock groups and it's easy to see why. They were teenagers when they recorded this debut LP of theirs and the result is a strong record in every point of view. Their style is

kinda raw and simple but I really enjoy their fuzz guitar and organ driven sound. The album is an extremely balanced package of high quality psychedelic rock and I could choose any of these songs as a highlight example. Groovy psychedelic soul with moments of jaw-dropping ramshackle brilliance, like on "It's Not Easy" and "Lead Me On." Indeed, life may not be very easy, but Ofege sure makes it seem that way. Dazzlingly good Nigerian rock music from the 1970s from Ofege, whose hybrid psych-funk sound sounds like it hasn't aged a day on this wonderful re-mastering job.
                      

Ofege – Try And Love
Label: Tidal Waves Music – TWM20
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Bronze
Country: US
Released: Nov 2018
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Funk

TRACKS

                            

01. Nobody Fails   4:24
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
02. Whizzy Ilabo   3:32
Written By – Melvin Ukachi    
03. Gbe Mi Lo   4:15
Written By – Melvin Ukachi    
04. Try And Love   4:19
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
05. It's Not Easy   4:25
Written-By – Alade
06. Ofege   4:00
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
07. You Say No   4:09
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
08. Lead Me On   3:23
Written By – Melvin Ukachi

LINE - UP

Bass – Paul Alade
Drums – M-Ike Meme
Keyboards – Dapo Olumide
Lead Guitar – Berkley Jones
Lead Vocals – Melvin Ukachi
Lyrics By – Melvin
Rhythm Guitar – Felix Inneh
Vocals – Felix Inneh, M-Ike Meme, Paul Alade

Flac Size: 214 MB
    
02,  OFEGE - THE LAST OF THE ORIGINS 1975

                               

"The Last Of The Origins" is a great funk-rock record with a rather psychedelic approach. The rhythm

section is attractive and complex and has African inspirations. The lyrics aren’t particlulary inspired, but the drive is incredible, and they draw attention to instrumental parts wherever they can. The psychedelic organ takes care of the mind-losing groove, while fuzz guitars soar and improvise. The 60s influenced vocals can be reminiscent of the Stones, or just leave themselves flooding with the psychedelic drive. 
                               

Ofege – The Last Of The Origins
Label: Tidal Waves Music – TWM24
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue
Country: US
Released: Nov 23, 2018
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Psychedelic, Funk, Afro

TRACKS

                        

01, Mandy   5:08
Written-By – Olumide, Melvin
02, Amayo   5:15
Written-By – Meme    
03, Evil Child   4:09
Written-By – Melvin    
04, Tomorrow   4:48
Written-By – Melvin    
05, Got A Lot To Give   4:49
Written-By – Meme, Alade    
06, Sorrow   6:03
Written-By – Alade    
07, Ofege In Concert   2:24
Written-By – Meme    
08, Everybody Feels The Same   4:08
Written-By – Meme, Alade    
09, Adio   4:17
Written-By – Meme    
10, Devils Work   5:27
Written-By – Inneh, Meme

LINE - UP

Vocals, Gong – Filix Inneh
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Paul Alade
Congas – Philly Foxxy
Drums, Vocals, Percussion – M-Ike Meme
Guitar [1st] – Berkly Jones
Guitar [2nd] – Olushoga Benson
Keyboards – Dapo Olumide
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Percussion – Melvin Noks
Strings, Synthesizer [Violin Effect] – Francis Monkman
Synthesizer [Moog] – Johnny Wood

NOTES

Originally released on EMI (Nigeria) in 1976.
First vinyl reissue since 1976.
    

Flac Size: 303 MB

03.  OFEGE - HIGHER PLANE BREEZE  1977

                         

Given the accomplished musicianship and gravity of emotions on display here, it’s hard to believe that

Ofege’s members were all between 15 and 17 during the recording of Try and Love. These Lagos students come off as rock-infatuated youths expressing feelings of love for the first time, and it’s absolutely charming. More strikingly, the songs sound as if they could’ve been the handiwork of London art-school proggers, Arthur Lee’s post-Forever Changes Love, or the filthy funkateers rescued for posterity by 2003’s Chains and Black Exhaust comp.
                       

Ofege – Higher Plane Breeze
Label: Tidal Waves Music – TWM36
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Clear
Country: US
Released: Jul 31, 2019
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Funk, Afrobeat, Boogie

TRACKS

                      

01. Bazooka Bash    3:57
02. To Be Wise    4:04
03. Contraband    4:05
04. Come Right Back    4:48
05. H.P.B.    4:35
06. Our People    5:02
07. Magic Music    3:39
08. It's All Over    3:34

LINE - UP

Bass – Paul Alade
Drums – Mike Meme
Guitar [Lead] – Olushoga Benson
Keyboards – Robert Bailey
Keyboards [Uncredited] – Dapo Olumide
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Kiki Gyan (tracks: A3)
Lead Vocals – Melvin Noks
Percussion, Congas – M-Ike Meme
Strings – Miranda (English Rose) (tracks: A4)

Flac Size: 188 MB

The Vietnam Veterans: 4 Albums 1983 - 2009

 

Garage / Psychedelic Rock band from Burgundy, France. The group was founded in 1982 with its first lineup including Mark Enbatta (vocals, guitar), Lucas Trouble (keyboard), Greg Jones (guitar),

Angelo Jupp (bass), Steve Palermo (drums) and D.D Richardson (harmonica). The name that was they chose for the band referred to men who given a lot and got nothing in return.  Enbatta grew up in France's Basque region and started playing guitar in the late '60's, mostly doing R&B (Otis Redding, James Brown) and the usual British invasion stuff. In one of his bands, he met Jones, who played in a band with his own brother. In the late '70's, Enbatta started writing his own material (some of which appeared on the first Veterans LP) and played mostly on the street and at political demonstrations but also with some other groups. 
                         

Lucas Trouble was also playing in several bands throughout the '70's, the last of which was Tango Lüger. All of his bands played dark stuff, in the style of Joy Division. Jupp played with a band called the Snipers,

who by then had some records out and was crossing paths with other future Vet members at clubs. The first-ever Vet recording was a cassette with a few songs, but it didn't make much of any impact. Their first real album, On The Right Track Now (1983), was recorded in a small expiremental studio called "a l'ouest de la Grosne" where the progressive rock band Gong was also recording. Three different drummers each played on the album and were also at the live shows that followed it but when they found Martin Joyce, he became their permanent skins man.
                           

The record itself was recorded and mixed in only three days.That gave the album a pretty low sound quality (like hearing a radio show made by the neighbor's ten year old twins on a double-cassette recorder

from 1972) but that doesn't changes the fact that this is one of the best albums ever recorded from the post-psychedelic garage scene of the 80's, especially in Europe. Their second album, Crawfish For The Notary (1984), was recorded in the same studio as On The Right Track now, but it was done in three weeks so it had a much better sound quality to it. It also contains some of the bands' best songs: "Children Eyes," "What Are You Hiding," "I Give You My Life" and more.

                        

Peas (and the next two albums) was released by a Dutch friend of Mark named Hans Kesteloo. He also purchased the rights for their first two albums after their first label (Lolita) stole some of their royalties in

order to compensate for the label losing money on another band which Mark brought to them (the Inmates). During this time, the band got quite a reputation on the European scene and because of their growing fame, they almost never played in small places- at a Frankfurt show, they had audience of about 2000 people. In 1986, the band released Ancient Times, a well-produced album which contained one of the band's more stirring masterpieces- "Curanderos," among other brilliant songs such as "Tower Of Babel","Wrinkle Drawer" and "Crooked Dealers" (the first three also appeared on the Green Peas).
                           

Catfish Eyes And Tales was released in 1987 and provide to be the last Vets album. It's a special album which contains a piece that, in the absence of better name, I'll have to describe as "progressive rock"

though it's not what you think of as prog rock. The piece, "Medley," was built out of three connected songs: "Distant Drums," "Sea Horse" and a cover of the late David McWilliams's song "The Days Of Pearly Spencer." After the album was released though, things were not going so well for the group. They decided to disbanded but the real reason was because it was something the members agreed to early on- initially, they had decided to only record a few albums. Since they are still good friends today, it probably was a good decision. The band's last gig was in Bochum, Germany- people came from everywhere (England, Holland, France), knowing it was their last show. 
                             

01. THE VIETNAM VETERANS - ON THE RIGHT TRACK NOW 1983 + CRAWFISH FOR THE NOTARY 1984

                            

On The Right Track Now / Crawfish For The Notary
is a 2008 compilation album by the French psychedelic garage band The Vietnam Veterans, reissuing their first two landmark 1980s albums. It showcases their 60s-influenced garage sound and is considered a staple of European psychedelic punk, blending raw energy with poetic, anarchist themes. 
                                 

The Vietnam Veterans – On The Right Track Now / Crawfish For The Notary
Label: Music Maniac Records – MM CD 66004/5, Way Back Records – none
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: Germany
Released: 2008
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock,Garage

ON THE RIGHT TRACK NOW 1983    

                         

    
01. Don't Try To Walk On Me    3:44
02. Dreams Of Today    3:29
03. I Can Only Give You Everything    3:31
04. You're Gonna Fall    2:46
05. I Walked With A Zombie    2:27
06. Back From Hell    2:04
07. I Walked With A Zombie (Slight Return)    2:07
08. Out From The Night    2:17
09. Critics    3:04
10. That's Love    3:25
11. Dogs    3:15
12. Hey Gyp    2:56
13. Right Track Now    2:12

CRAWFISH FOR THE NOTARY    1984    

                       

14. Is This Really The Time    3:50
15. What Are You Hiding    2:54
16. Masters Of Time    3:45
17. This Life Is Your Life    2:57
18. Gary Cooper's Trip    4:22
19. Burning Temples    4:14
20. I Heard The Wind Blow    2:18
21. I Give You My Life    3:04
22. Children Eyes    2:53
23. My Trip    2:09
24. Liars    2:46
25. Be My Baby    5:16

LINE - UP

Bass – Angelo Jupp
Drums – Steve Palermo
Guitar – Greg Jones
Guitar, Vocals – Mark "Vet" Enbatta
Harmonica – D. D. Richardson
Keyboards – Lucas Trouble
Producer – The Vietnam Veterans

NOTES

This is a reissue of the Vietnam Veterans - On The Right Track Now and Vietnam Veterans - Crawfish For The Notary albums ("2 LPs on 1 CD").
For 'Crawfish...' Side A and B of the original LP have been inverted, and a non-LP track added ('Be My Baby').
Track 7 : "I Walked With A Zombie (Slight Return)" is not listed on the cover. 

After the track No7 my EAC Program denies to convert it to Flac, so take it in MP3 @ 320. Size: 188 MB 

02. THE VIETNAM VETERANS - CATFISH EYES AND TALES 1987

                                          

 

Catfish Eyes And Tales was released in 1987 and provide to be the last Vets album. After the album was released though, things were not going so well for the group. They decided to disbanded but the real reason was because it was something the members agreed to early on- initially, they had decided to only record a few albums. 
                        

Vietnam Veterans – Catfish Eyes And Tales
Label: Music Maniac Records – MM 008
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock

SIDE A.

                             

A1. Dead Breams Don't Bite    3:21
A2. Southern Comfort    6:11
A3. Maybe You Think    2:19
A4. Time Is The Worst    3:41
A5. Crying    4:14

SIDE B.

                             

B1. Catfish Eyes And Tales   2:59
Written-By – Trouble, Enbatta
Medley    
B2-a. Distant Drums    4:54
B2-b. Sea Horse    5:13
B2-c. Days Of Pearly Spencer   3:53
Written-By – David McWilliams
    

LINE - UP

                          

Bass – Angelo Jupp
Drums – Martin Joyce
Keyboards, Tambourine, Percussion – Lucas Trouble
Rhythm Guitar – Greg Jones
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Mark Enbatta
Voice [Some Redskin Voices] – Lucas Trouble (tracks: B2-a)
Written-By – Mark Enbatta (tracks: A1 to A5, B2-a, B2-b)

Flac Size: 562 MB

03. THE VIETNAM VETERANS AS THE GITANS - STRANGE GIRL 2009
(The Further Adventures Of The Vietnam Veterans) 

                                     

After releasing their compilation album The Days of Pearly Spencer in 1988, they broke up, and some members moved on to other projects. In 2005 The Vietnam Veterans released a single called "I Give You My Life / Children Eyes", and in 2009 a full-length album called Strange Girl (As The Gitanes). The band The Gitanes was one of the projects a few of the former Vets had, and the name is now added to The Vietnam Veterans name, calling it "The Vietnam Veterans (a.k.a. The Gitanes)". Mark Enbatta died 9. 9. 2021.
                           

The Vietnam Veterans As The Gitanes – Strange Girl
Label: Music Maniac Records – MM CD 075, Nova Express – 10127
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2009
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Garage

                           

TRACKS

                              

01. Fishing Song
Written-By – Trouble, Enbatta
02. Girl With The Hairy Legs
Written-By – Enbatta
03. Till You Fall
Written-By – Enbatta
04. Fall In Love Again
Written-By – Enbatta
05. Female Vampire’s Fuzzy Beaver
Written-By – Trouble, Enbatta
06. Malakas Yeah Yeah
Written-By – Enbatta
07. Burn In Hell
Written-By – Enbatta
08. Mercy
Written-By – Enbatta
09. I Don’t Deserve You
10. No Way Back
Written-By – Enbatta
11. Another Life
Written-By – Kiput, Enbatta
12. I'm Alive
Written-By – Enbatta
13. Danger
Written-By – Lenoir, Enbatta
14. Breams Of Today
Written-By – Trouble, Enbatta
15. I Remember The Time
Written-By – Trouble
16. Tartan Miniskirts
Written-By – Trouble, Enbatta
17. Thirteen/When I Was Young
Written-By – Burdon, Dantzig

LINE - UP

                     

Bass, Keyboards – Lucas Trouble (Jean-Luc Taccard)
Drums – Eric Lenoir
Guitar – James "Squirrel" James Kiput, Mark Enbatta
Lead Vocals – Lucas Trouble (tracks: 15), Mark Enbatta (tracks: 1 to 14, 16, 17)
Mandolin – T.B. Noze

NOTES

Full title is "The further adventures of the Vietnam Veterans as The Gitanes"
Released by Music Maniac Records and Nova Express Records
Made in Germany / Printed in Germany 

Flac Size: 502 MB

                       

The Vietnam Veterans: The Days Of Pearly Spencer 1989 On URban Aspirines HERE