Neil (Batman Theme) Hefti - Hefti in Gotham City

This record by Neil "Batman/Odd Couple Theme" Hefti is really kind of great. The production is loud, the musicians are excellent and heavy, the grooves are here if you stay with it.

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Found at S&J Stereo in Highland, Ind.

Hank Ballard & the Midnighters - SPOTLIGHT! on Hank Ballard (King)

Can't think of any singer-songwriter I have more respect for. I once saw him at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC and after playing a few of his great hits, he told a story that his "wife was hit by a Taxi Cab last night and died early this morning." Then I realized he was wearing dark sunglasses. He went on with the show, playing one legendary R&B tune he wrote after another (including his song "The Twist" that Chubby Checker ruined). One of the most memorable nights of music I've ever seen/heard.

This record is a little POPOUS -- what do you want from thick LP from 1961? What do you want for nothing!!?!? I have multiple FAKE-KING LPs by Hank. This is my first original and I'm really happy to have it. No, you cannot have it for $100.

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Found at S&J Stereo in Highland, Ind.

Dr. John - "Featuring the Night Trippers"

This is a really strange compilation on "Springboard International Records," a Central New Jersey label with reputed Mafia ties...and one which was shut down by the feds in the 1980s. Wasn't that Uncle Junior and his friend Hesh's racket on the Sopranos? Maybe the Springboard story informed the plot.

Anyway, some AMAZING stuff on here. Obviously this is a collection of 45s, given all the "Part 1, Part 2" and "Vocal" and "Instrumental" versions of the same songs. Hell, it even has a Christmas song.

The most interesting tracks are the 2 by "The Night Trippers" -- not sure when they were recorded, and I don't feel like Googling it. These are "Did She Mention My Name" and "The Grass is Greener."

"Della" is also phenominal, as is the classic "Zu Zu Man"

Enjoy. Think about old Hesh.

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Found at S&J Stereo in Highland, Ind.

Gun - Gun Sight

The first album by Brit-Jew acid rock soldiers GUN is as legendary as can be. This is not that record. In fact, I've never heard that one so I can't really guage the acclaim -- but this second album of theirs is heavy as fuck. This is that guy Adrian Gurwitz who played with Ginger Baker ("Baker-Gurwitz Army"). Only on this album he goes by the name "Adrian Curtis" to cover up his Jewiness. Same with his Gurwitz'n brother Paul.

Dig the Jewfros on the cover...and the heavy, drugged out sounds of 1969, done just about right. Definitely a Cream influence way out in front -- but thank God this is sloppier and more raw. Great Kinks cover (Situation Vacant). Too bad Cream didn't think of that.

Out of print on CD, blah blah blah.

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Found at S&J Stereo in Highland, Ind.

Hawkwind - Quark Strangeness & Charm

You wouldn't think that Hawkwind would be making good records in 1977 -- but somehow they made a few: this and PXR5. Eno seems to play a strong influence here (Rob Calvert and he worked together on Captain Lockheed record a few years earlier, not recommended). The title track is killer Roxy-ism. Hassaan I Sahba is train wreck but hilarious.

Yeah, get over the corniness -- and groove to the heavy-yet-sometimes light dynamic space rock. It appears the CD of this is out of print -- so this might be your only chance, hooray!

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Found at S&J Stereo in Highland, Ind.