I love the sound of Hammond in the morning. James Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Stevie Winwood and the rest. Add to that maestros Richard Bradshaw and Will Bevan. Put the needle on the Italian mod coloured vinyl and head into the technicolour night and youthful dreams of a reincarnation of Swinging London. “This is my happening and it freaks me out” is the opening Valley Of The Dolls gambit to Groovin’ With Mr B which unlocks the door to mayhem and beat heaven that stretches across the fourteen tracks on this brand-new release, courtesy of Detour records.
The Studio 68! were a riot live, as anyone who witnessed them will attest. They also recorded a raft of great tunes, most of which have been under wraps for over three decades. That is, until now. This compilation of fourteen songs, all recorded during the late eighties and early nineties, showcase their defining modernist sensibility and panache. There’s an inventiveness and creativity about these tunes that pushes forward into the future, while taking, in true mod magpie style, the influences and inspirations of the past.
Let’s go back to the opener. The maelstrom of Hammond and guitar that is Groovin’ With Mr B blasts on all levels, setting the mood and announcing a manifesto that exudes maximum groovability. From then on, it’s a roller coaster ride, through the psychedelic tones of The Feeling, the audacious mash up of Cliff Richards’ Devil Woman, smashing up the parts and putting them together into a brand new take, and the Byrds-esque vibe of Searchin’.
With main songwriter Paul Moody on guitar/vocals, Pat O’Sullivan on bass and Simon Castell on drums, The Studio 68! produced a raft of up-front, quality tunes, many of which are contained here. There was a tape in circulation, sometime around 1986/87, which included live favourite, Closer Than Close, which is featured in all its glory. The title track The Total Sound is another blow-the-house-down instrumental and Get Out Of My Hair a call to arms of full-on proportions. Your Side Of Things was a definite live classic and it comes across as well here as I remember. Add to that the hundred mile an hour version of Back In The USSR and the eminently danceable Bradshaw composition Living In A World Of Your Own and it’s a selection that demands to be played at maximum volume.
But that’s only a sample of the range of tunes on this record. The album comes on very strictly limited green with white flashes vinyl and red label with “68” emblazoned in wonderful Mexico 70 lettering. As sharp as the creases on a Moody button-down and a Castell loafer, it’s one of the most anticipated releases of the year and one that doesn’t disappoint on any level. Do yourself a favour, head over to the Detour website and get hold of a copy. Put it on the stereo and set the house ablaze like it’s 1987 all over again.