KFJC 89.7FM

Frankie and the Pool Boys – “Endless Drummer” – [Double Crown Records]

Cousin Mary   4/30/2025   A Library, CD

The title Endless Drummer is word play on the title of the 1966 classic surf movie Endless Summer. But that’s not all – there are twelve different drummers on these tracks! (Information of drummers is spelled out in the liner notes.) All original compositions by guitarist Ferenc Dobronyi with the exception of two very nice covers on tracks 13 and 14. Terrific playing and excellent arrangements push the boundaries of surf music. All instrumental with the exception of vocals on track 15. Reggae fans – check out track 7!

Urban Surf Kings – “Electric Buffalo” – [Reverb Ranch]

Cousin Mary   11/25/2024   A Library, CD

The Urban Surf Kings are a three-piece surf band from Halifax, Nova Scotia. These instrumental tracks have a rich sound, impressive for a trio. Interesting compositions and arrangements – sort of unusual for surf, but definitely surf at the same time. Recommended!

Jackie and the Cedrics – “1996 at Shinjuku JAM, Tokyo” – [Time Bomb]

Cousin Mary   10/12/2024   A Library, CD

This Japanese band is considered historic in surf music circles, but they are still touring and recently came to the USA in 2024. Some surf, covers with vocals, rockabilly. This album features chaotic sounds from a live show with lots of audience screams. Not tight, loose playing and arrangement – some call it garage surf. Rockin’ Enocky on guitar has some fine sequences. If you want exact precision, this ain’t it! But it’s lots of fun…

Boss Martians – “Venus & the Western Sky” – [Musick Recordings]

Cousin Mary   8/5/2024   A Library, CD

This is the first new release from this Seattle based band in many years and hooray, it’s all instrumental surf music! In a genre where there are many good guitarists, Evan Foster still stands out as absolutely astonishing. All original compositions and arrangements by Evan and his brother Erik who plays bass. Very fine drums and sax. The energy and momentum of these tracks are irresistible. Highest recommendation!

The Nebulas – “Euphorion” – [Double Crown Records]

Cousin Mary   6/24/2024   A Library, CD

A stunningly good release from this New England surf band. Strong and energetic, well played and arranged. Authentic surf sound for the first few tracks that takes off into a more experimental space with the three tracks called Null Set. Math nerds know that the Null Set is empty, but not in this case! In Medias Res means (more or less) starting in the middle. Finally there is a bonus track of Logan’s Run that was recorded on a hand held cassette recorder.

The Coffin Daggers – “Eleki Album” – [Cleopatra Records]

Cousin Mary   6/24/2024   A Library, CD

Here is a remarkable album from this NYC surf band. Eleki is Japanese instrumental music from artists such as Takeshi Terauchi that is much revered by many surf musicians and fans. It has a particular sound and the Coffin Daggers have nailed it. Very spirited and well played with a distinct nod to traditional Japanese tunes. Wow!

The Routes – “The Twang Machine” – [Double Crown Records]

Cousin Mary   6/8/2024   A Library, CD

The Routes are an instrumental band from Oita – a city in the southern most island of Japan. Guitarist Chris Jack is British but moved to Japan when he married. Surf bands have covered a few Kraftwerk songs here and there but this is the first album I have encountered that consists of ALL Kraftwerk songs. The quality of playing and arrangements is absolutely top notch. Not just covers, very satisfying takes on these great melodies. Highly recommended!

SPF 1985 – “Sunburner” – [Don’t Look Down]

Cousin Mary   4/15/2024   12-inch, A Library

This fine new-to-me instrumental band from Petaluma plays around with surf sounds. Vocals are subtle and hardly noticeable. Interesting use of synths takes this music out of the usual reverb drenched tradition and gives it a full rich quality. Delighted to meet this NorCal band.

The Bloat Floaters – “The Bloat Floaters” – [Self Release]

Cousin Mary   3/11/2024   A Library, CD

The Bloat Floaters are three brothers from the San Joaquin Delta who deliver some great surf music with a lo-fi punk twist. They told me that as teenagers they would come to surf shows at places like Hotel Utah in San Francisco and idolized the bands that were playing. A little scary, often melodic – I love their sound, not like anyone else’s. (A bloat floater is a floating dead body. They claim that their name is inspired by something they saw while fishing in the Delta.)

The Scimitars – “The Scimitars” – [Hi-Tide]

Cousin Mary   2/19/2024   7-inch, A Library

The Scimitars are a Middle Eastern influenced surf band from Southern California. Its fine musicians include Ran Mosessco (Astroglides, Sand Devils), Jonpaul Balak (Insect Surfers) and Pablo Baza (Tikiyaki Orchestra). Instruments such as Baz (Turkish lute), Baribaz (a custom made electric Saz with a few lower baritone strings), and Darbuka (goblet shaped drum) contribute to the authentic sound. They often perform with a belly dancer who uses long knives to add to the mood. Highly recommended!!

Trabants – “Nel Cuore Di Una Terra Selvaggia” – [Lolipop Records]

Cousin Mary   1/29/2024   A Library, CD

The surf music genre frequently uses “spaghetti western” music (think Ennio Morricone) as an influence. In this astonishing album, Eric Penna from the Trabants has produced 16 tracks of tunes that bring this genre to the forefront. Penna watched dozens of these movies, searched high and low for instruments such as the harpsichord, and found a fine whistler to round out the sound. Gorgeous sounds, well played and arranged – highly recommended.

The Seismics – “Lost Summer” – [Self-released]

Cousin Mary   1/29/2024   12-inch, A Library

The Seismics are a well regarded band that has been playing surf music around San Francisco for some time. This full length album with eleven original compositions is a treat that has been long awaited. It’s well played and arranged with influences of traditional surf, spaghetti western, exotica and more. Lap steel! Horns! A fine variety of sounds.

Tana, Akira – “Secret Agent Men” – [Sons of Sound]

Cousin Mary   8/17/2023   CD, Jazz

APPEARING in the KFJC Jazz Organ Fest on August 27, 2023. Akira Tana is a Bay Area drummer who has played with a wide variety of jazz groups throughout the world over the years. He grew up in Palo Alto and graduated from Gunn High School. He has a smooth complementary style that lends itself well to the Jazz organ ensemble. Here the Hammond B-3 is played by the venerable Dr. Lonnie Smith. The well known spy themes are given a whole new sound here. I especially enjoyed two originals – Tana’s Navarac and Smith’s Chase Game on this album.

Wong, Kevin – “Huney Knuckle Scuffle” – [Bandcamp]

Cousin Mary   8/9/2023   CD, Jazz

APPEARING in the KFJC Jazz Organ Fest on August 27, 2023. Palo Alto native Kevin Wong plays the Hammond B3 in addition to other instruments. This ensemble brings a strong soul groove to organ jazz. The organ is a bit more dominant in the title track and in the track 7 “Dry those Tears”. “Outro” introduces the band with some cool instrumental sounds in the background.

Adam Klipple – “Adam Klipple & Drive-By Leslie” – [Bandcamp]

Cousin Mary   8/7/2023   CD, Jazz

APPEARING in the KFJC Jazz Organ Fest on August 27, 2023. Adam Klipple is a composer and musician who plays many types of keyboards, including the Hammond B3. His work includes numerous live dates including those with Blood, Sweat and Tears. The track selections on this CD feature the organ and have a funky sound. Wow!

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