#30 Los Saicos - Demolicion!

Munster, 2010

Genre: Garage rock, Peruvian garage-surf

I can't remember exactly how I got turned on to Los Saicos, but I remember getting the record. It must have been summer 2013, right before I moved back to Halifax from the country. I bought it and The Monks - Black Monk Time at a record store in Toronto, at quite a cost. I remember this because of the odd coincidence that Paul, my new roommate in Hali, also knew about and was enthusiastic about this band. It resulted in some great living room listening. Jake also started playing them up at Gus's pub, so I guess maybe it was one of those "in the know" kinda things. Must've been name dropped to me at some point by a fellow psych-garage enthusiast.

I was huge into psych-garage and power pop at that time (in fact, I still am), and Los Saicos are an excellent band in this genre. They're fun, rocky, and far out. The tunes are melodic and catchy, and there are lots of crazy psychedelic hoots and wails, a la Roky Erikson. I never get tired of it, even though I've now heard it many, many times. No regrets about this purchase.

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#58 The Monks - Black Time

Reissue on International Polydor, 2011 60s Garage Rock, Psych Garage I picked up this album in Toronto - maybe on 2013? Around then, anyway. I was doing a deep dive into early Psychedelic Garage bands and this one came up on some archive, with a fascinating story. Apparently (and I have not done any kind of updated fact check, so I'm going on what I read back then) these guys were American GIs in Vietnam who defected and ended up in Germany, where they shaved their pates and started this rock n roll band. As far as albums go, it's an interesting piece, but not my favourite record in the genre. I like all the bass and rolling beats, but some of the lyrics rub me the wrong way. I recognize, of course, that it is a product of a time and place. Regardless, I like to spin it now and again, so it makes the cut.

#76 The Count Basie Trio - For the First Time

Pablo Records, 1975 Jazz This record has become a staple in our household. Stu and I both love jazz, so we play it often. I had forgotten I owned this, believe it or not --- it must have been gifted to me by Dad with a few other records. As such, it was a delightful surprise when I pulled out and gave it a spin. This record is banger right from the beginning. High energy, great sound, interesting variety of tunes. Count Basie is a piano master, and this album really showcases that skill. Sometimes I think trios are the best, because everyone has a chance to really shine. If you are a jazz fan, make sure to give this record a listen.

#26 Boney M. - Nightflight to Venus

Hansa, 1978 Genre: Disco This is another party classic, and made its appearance on Halloween. Who doesn't love a good dance to "Rasputin"? I think this record is remarkable in many ways, not the least of which is the catchy tunes. The situational background is also interesting: A German musician brings together a group of Carribean performers to tour Europe, make a video in the Societ Union, sing in English, and record a record that will be a huge hit in the UK and North America. There's lots of fascinating layers of culture and history there.

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