This compilation’s cover bears the slogan “Hip Shaking Grooves Made In Germany 1967-1974”, and that’s pretty much what this is. What this collection of rare songs proves is that London wasn’t the only “swinging” place in the mid-to-late ’60s – Germany had plenty of mod, beat, soul, jazz, groove, and campy Austin Powers-esque music to call its own (even if one of the songs here is called “Swinging London”). Many of the songs here are Booker T. & The MG’s style instrumental workouts, which is all for the better since the vocal tracks are campy with cheesy lyrics that are irritating. None of the groups included in this volume will mean much to Americans, with the exception of Inner Space who released one 7″ before changing their name to Can. Their contribution, “Kamera Song,” features a female vocalist and doesn’t hint much at what they would become. Not a perfect listen, but fans of mod/hammond/soul-jazz/rare-groove will want to give it a spin at their next shindig.
Tracklisting:
- – This Is Soul – Nero, Paul
- Black Night – Strasser, Hugo
- Wildkatze – Bladin, Christer
- Swingle Beat – Seelos, Ambros
- Pealed Tomato – Haggard, Tommy Orchestra
- Swinging London – Osterwald, Hazy Jet Set
- Nofrete’s Headache – Antolini, Charly Power Dozen
- Soul March – Last, James
- Blauer Montag – Roos, Mary
- Get It On – Weiss, Klaus Orchestra
- Holiday Time – Knef, Hildegard
- Rock In – Dometown Gang
- Do It Yourself – Wilhelm, Rolf
- Run Away – Joy & The Hit Kids
- No No No – Reith, Dieter
- Gimmi Moro – Fendeira, Carlos
- Moon Mission – Rauntenberg, Kai & Orchester Jurgen Ehlers
- Kamera Song – Inner Space (2)
- Heisse Sand Auf Sylt – Roever, Uli
- Eine Kleine Hasenmusik – Casar, Hase
Midnight To Six 