Liz Damon's Orient Express

title:: Liz Damon's Orient Express
label:: Rev-Ola

There could probably be a book dedicated to the lounge pop sounds that have come from or been inspired by Hawaii. From the likes of Don Ho who originated there, to Ginny Tiu who settled there, Hawaii has played a large part in the lounge pop sound of the past 40 years.

Liz Damon's Orient Express play a big part in the now sound which was brewing in the early 70s when they enjoyed a hit with the song 1900 Yesterday.

Kenny Larkin

title:: The Narcissist
label:: PeaceFrog Records

Kenny Larkin is a Detroit native with a long history in electronic music. The Narcissist is his first record in 6 years. In that time, he has moved to LA, where he is known as a successful comedian in the competitive comedy club circuit in the city.

The Narcissist has a very loose and natural feel, similar to Theo Parrish at times.

Locked In to Surf Part 2

various artists
label:: Alopecia! Records

Subtitled '25 More Boss Blasts From the World's Finest New Instrumental Talent', Locked In to Surf & Rock n' Roll Instrumentals Part 2 is a compilation of modern bands that play trash-rock surf tracks, kind of like the St. Petersburg band Messer Chups.

This compilation is going to really please surf fans. Every band is slightly over-the-top, and all have their own take on the genre, so the overall comp does not suffer from sameness.

The Minx

artist:: The Crykle
label:: Sundazed Records

A surprising soundtrack for a band best known for pleasant 60s pop hits like Red Rubber Ball and Turn Down Day, the music The Cyrkle recorded for the X-rated movie The Minx actually has a lot to offer on this Sundazed reissue.

A collectible album which was impossible to find for years for a forgotten movie from 1969, The Cyrkle give us a bit of everything on a soundtrack that really is worth tracking down.

The Slits

title:: The Peel Sessions
label:: Strange Fruit

The Slits recorded only two albums in their brief existence from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. Like many of the premier punk groups from that time period, John Peel afforded them the time to record Sessions for radio broadcast on the BBC.

While their albums have gone and gone out of print over the years, The Slits' Peel Sessions have been more widely available, and so often they were the only way people could hear the incredible punk energy in The Slits' raw and powerful music.