Jake Garcia of The Black Angels explores the sounds and history of the golden era of 1960s psych and rock & roll in 13 FROM THE 13TH FLOOR!
Love Sculpture - In The Land of The Few
Opening up with this epic tune from the Welsh group “Love Sculpture” led by Dave Edmunds on guitar. They split up after this in 1970 and Edmonds would go on to have a hit with the Smiley Lewis tune “I Hear You Knocking.”
White Noise - Love without Sound
The sound of LSD made with tape splicing circa 1969. There’s a lost art to cutting recording tape with a razor blade and patching pieces back together to make different arrangements/collages. I can’t say enough about this record, there’s really nothing else like it.
Harmonia - Walky Talky
Far out sounds from Germany and an excellent example of the use of delay in recording. It’s pure magic what they’ve captured here on this track. Their sound is labeled KrautRock; characterized by improvisation and strong, hypnotic rhythms. This is the sound that has inspired so many including myself.
Bee Gees - Red Chair Fade Away
From the same group who made all of those disco hits in the 70’s. The song has a Mellotron and real strings! Seems to be inspired by SGT. Peppers? but it’s definitely their own fantastic Bee Gees sound.
The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
The Top of the tops. This is the sound of Rock and Roll.
J A Caesar - Haha Koishiya Sangoshou
Blistering Japanese psych circa 1973. I would love to go back in a time machine and see them live! There’s a mint copy of the 1st pressing online now for $15,000!
Captain Beefheart - Electricity
From the must have 1966 album “Safe as Milk.” Their record label A&M dropped them after they heard this track and the band ended up releasing with Buddah Records.
Velvett Fogg - Yellow Cave Woman
My very short lived first group in Austin was called “Lavender Fogg” in tribute to bands like these. What a cool song! and check the album cover when you get a chance, their look was on point!
David Bowie - Can’t Help Thinking About Me
When I was younger I listened to Bowie so much that I ended up getting tired of it but this track is still my favorite. Diving back into it today sounds great! What can I say? He was a genius!
The Poppy Family - Shadows On My Wall
The Groovy voices of Terry and Susan Jacks along with some indigenous drumming circa 1969. Terry Jacks would later become famous for his hit “Seasons in the Son” and become gradually withdrawn from music. He became a game warden and got heavily involved in environmental conservation earning him several awards.
Los Yorks - El Sicodelico
Another fun and wild song from Los Yorks! They were one of the most successful groups from Lima, Peru and the first Peruvian band to have their own radio and television program.
Gong - Radio Gnome/ You Can’t Kill Me
Just fantastic! They were all over the place, not just musically but physically. They were denied re-entry into the UK after their visas had expired while on tour and settled in France where they ended up in in a cave? I used to refer to this group as the French Funkadelic although it should have been the other way around; Funkadelic was the American Gong!
Funkadelic - Super Stupid
Speaking of Funkadelic! The genius of George Clinton with Eddie Hazel, one of the greatest and underrated guitarists of all time. I highly recommend checking out the “Tales From The Tour Bus” series when you get a chance to find out more about the group. Thanks for listening, until next time
Thanks for listening!
Until next time, take care and much love.
- Jake
