LOOK WHAT I HAVE FOUND vol 120
"Melodic miracles" - 16 forty-fives almost forgotten

In The Trashcan Records       GARBAGE120
"It doesn't matter whether it's 1960 or 1972. Every space king likes to boogaloo with salty dogs, no?" 

1. my baby likes to boogaloo - the emperors

I agree Don Gardner's original cannot be equalled. But you must agree this is the second best version. This 1967 Mala release actually is the finest these guys ever recorded. Their hardest rockin' tune however must be "Karate", their first release. Great vocal band from Pennsylvania.
 

9. i can't get next to you - mongo santamaria 

Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria is a percussion legend, a Cuban hero, although he lived and died in Miami. Boogaloo and Latin jazz wouldn't sound the same without him. This 1970 instrumental B-side of "Feeling alright" takes you to the sweaty dancefloor.
 

2. i don't know what i'm gonna do - don gardner

Great soulful rhythm 'n' blues as flip to "Bitter with the sweet", a 1964 Jubilee release, yet recorded in 1963. This Philadelphia born singer started as a drummer and had his first hits with The Sonotones and especially together with Dee Dee Ford.
 
10. space king - martha velez

Full name of this New York born singer is Martha Carmen Josephine Hernandéz Rosario de Veléz. This Latin tune fits perfectly after Mongo's entry. It's the funky 1972 B-side of "Boogie kitchen".
 
3. i like what you give - nolan

Released a few months before his northern soul classic "Keep on keepin' on" in 1971, also on Lizard. Nolan is N.F. Porter, which stands for Nolan Frederick Porter. Later he married Frank Zappa's sister Patrice.
 
11. mrs. o's theme - joe brown

Now it's time to go to the UK. Joe Brown grew up in London and became very famous over there. Outside the Uk nobody seems to know him, though. I like this fast & funny guitar instrumental rom 1966.
 
4. salty dog man - the denims
 
Founded in Queens, New York in the mid-60s, this garage combo released a handful of 45s, this being their best. Issued on the tiny label Cavort in 1966. They're best known for their "White ship" inclusion on Pebbles vol 7 and "I'm your man" on at least a dozen other compilations.

12. hey, hey, baby - jon thomas
 
Back to 1960 with this uptempo organ grindin' rocker on ABC-Paramount. Between 1957 and 1960 he recorded a handful of 45s. "Hey hey baby" is for me the best he ever did.
 
5. mother nature - the raves

The previous volume features the flipside "Mister man". "Mother nature" is at least as wild. A crazy stompin' organ guides you through this East-meets-West flavoured garage punker from 1967.

 
13. around and around - the astronauts
 
How far away is Boulder, Colorado from the ocean? And still they managed to become one of the best known surf bands, who had some vocal recordings as well. In 1964 they recorded this magnificent version of the Chuck Berry tune.
 
6. the swim - the butterflys

Easy to find girl pop from 1964 on Red Bird, written by Barry-Greenwich and Steve Venet.
 
14. soul mates - the clique
 
Another very easy to find 45, issued on White Whale in 1969. They hailed from Houston, Texas. See previous volume for more about The Clique
 
7. do it - father james & his soul disciples

Not as great as the A-side (see vol 111), yet too good to be forgotten. Nobody seems to know this band, while they are simply The Jokers from Antwerp, Belgium, in a Jess & James funky mood.
 
15. feeling alright - mongo santamaria
 
And here is that A-side, a splendid instrumental cover version of Traffic's "Feeling alright", written by Dave Mason.
 
8. take me back - freddie gorman

Issued on Ric-Tic in 1965 by then 26 years old Frederick Gorman from Detroit, Michigan. It became a northern soul classic in England and is still popular at parties all over Europe.
 
16. i've got the blues - marvin jenkins
 
Ohio born pianist with his easy goin' early 60s exotic r&b song "I've got the blues", which was covered in 1965 by Micki Lynn.