Tommy James – ”Tommy James” (1970)
 

Today's theme is a pretty fun album. Many of you probably know Tommy James and the Shondells, a band which produced many hits in the late 60's. Who doesn’t remember Crimson And Clover? Excellent pop psychedelia. 1970 Tommy James released his first solo album which feels like a natural extension of the Shondells time, semi psychedelic pop not too inaccessible. If I didn’t know about it, it would be difficult to guess that the second half of the band name was gone, as it sounds pretty much like the creations from the 60s. In this case, it’s not something negative.

Actually, there are really no weak tracks on the album, and the A-side is a string of great songs. The record’s highlight is the opening track on side B, Come To Me. Here, Tommy is joined by a female choir that takes the music to even greater heights, in a chorus that you can’t help but sing along in. The listener is invited to some soulful, fast paced and danceable songs, some slower and more druggy creations and finally, the punky Quicksilver. But Tommy stays constantly within the frame of easy access, groovy songs with nice hooks and a healthy touch of psychedelia.

 

The album was released on Roulette Records. Apparently it was a front the Mafia used, not least for money laundering. According to Tommy James himself he never got royalties for a sum up to 30-40 million dollars, and at one point he had to leave New York and instead record in Nashville because of an ongoing mob conflict. Tommy didn’t want a bullet in his head, or a resting place in the East River. 2010 he released his autobiography Me, the Mob and the Music, a book Tommy didn’t dare to write until everyone who was deeply involved in Roulette Records were dead.

In any case, this album can be recommended, a fun mix of songs with a distinct Tommy James touch. Of course it's a pretty commercial record, Tommy James and the Shondells were one of the bands that sold most records in the late 60's, and Tommy continues on the same path. Nevertheless, the album is really enjoyable. All the songs clock in at between 3-4 minutes, except Come To Me which is 4 seconds short of the magic 3-minute limit. No mind bending, radio hostile long jams on this record.

 

Tracklist

Side A

1. Ball And Chain 3:30
2. Meet The Comer 3:35
3. Midnight Train 3:29
4. Light Of Day 3:46

Side B

1. Come To Me 2:56
2. I Lost My Baby 3:07
3. Lady Jane 3:40
4. Quicksilver 3:21

 

 

Giorgio Moroder – E=mc² (1979)

1979. Disco. Studio 54, cocaine and dancing. Ahhh , those were the days ... But as I was only seven years old the year this album was released I was blissfully unaware of all glamorous nightlife. And Sweden's jet set wasn’t quite in the same league as New York's ditto.

The Italian Giorgio Moroder must almost be considered a legend within the music world, especially the dance and disco world. He has produced artists such as Donna Summer, David Bowie, Blondie, Bonnie Tyler, Freddie Mercury, The Three Degrees etc. He founded Musicland Studios in Munich, where ELO, Led Zeppelin, Queen and Elton John have recorded. He has also recorded ​​numerous solo albums including a number of soundtracks, not the least the soundtrack to the epic masterpiece Scarface, all gangsters favourite movie - Say hello to my little friend! And this year he turned up on Daft Punk's new album Random Access Memories.

E= mc² is a pure electronic disco album. No guitars, bass or drums. No horns. No triangle. This was unusual in 1979. Although electronics had long been used in disco, it always shared its place with strings, horns and groovy guitar rhythms. Sure, there were bands like Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream that solely used electronic instruments, but they were hardly in the disco world.

Personally, I have never been a big disco fan, so the album shouldn’t be to my taste, I think disco music usually is too superficial. But I can’t lie – this is a pretty fun record! The falsetto song gives you Bee Gees vibes, it's uptempo and danceable. Allmusic.com gives the album 4 stars and writes:

“This is the electronic dance music that preceded the rise of techno, house, and industrial noise, and it came at a time when hip-hop was in its infancy and the rave subculture had yet to be invented. Even though the songs themselves are average, Moroder and Faltermeyer's futuristic production makes E=MC2 a historically interesting LP that anyone who has enjoyed electronic dance rhythms needs to check out.”

And since I in the 90's was totally lost in goa trance (as it was called at the time) I suppose E = mc² has its place in the collection.

My record was bought in Quebec, Canada, and was released by Casablanca. Since that is KISS old label I always think that I'll be hearing Detroit Rock City when I put it on the turntable. The closing song, also the title track, ends with Moroder telling us who helped out making the record, all to a disco beat. Pretty fun.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Baby Blue 4:53
2. What A Night 4:55
3. If You Weren’t Afraid 5:16

Side B

1. I Wanna Rock You 6:30
2. In My Wildest Dreams 4:37
3. E=mc² 4:32