Children of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts of the Second Psychedelic Era 1976-95

various artists
label:: Rhino

Nuggets were originally double LPs of American psychedelic music, then as a four CD box-set from Rhino Records. Rhino soon after released England's cry from overseas, a sister box-set release of English sixties-psych and garage "Nuggets".

Now Rhino brings the bands that integrated the old psych sound into a new-wave of sounds inspired from psych's origin

Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up

various artists
label:: Numero Records

Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up collects together some reggae, calypso and funky soul sides recorded between 1967 and 1980 for the little known Contemporary Electronic Systems (CES), a label from the South American country of Belize.

The collection features hardhitting disco, soul breaks and smooth reggae.

The Loft

title:: Magpie Eyes 1982-85
label:: Rev-Ola

The Loft were Pete Astors' band before The Weather Prophets in the early 80s. They followed the heyday of Postcard Records and created a pop sound that could be looked at as the forerunner of indie pop.

It is hard to believe that this band released so little material. The 14 tracks on this disc (4 of the live) pretty much sum up all recordings out there from The Loft.

Manhead

title:: Manhead
label:: Relish

Manhead is the poppy electronic side of Swiss (Zurich) musician/DJ Robi Insinna as opposed to his disco-punk persona Headman. Most of the tracks have a disco beat and very little or no vocals - the rhythm is the star here.

Even though Robi states his case for Manhead on the Relish Record website, I like his stuff as Headman better, because it has more of an edge.

Mongo Santamaria

title:: Mucho Mongo
label:: Vampisoul

Cuban born Mongo Santamaria is best known for his work in the 50s and 60s as one of the best percussionist ever with Pérez Prado, Tito Puente, and Cal Tjader and for such songs as Afro-Blue and Watermelon Man.

That period has been compiled many times over, so the Vampi Soul have seen fit to release a compilation featuring his years spent at the Vaya label between 1973 to 1980.