Various - Back On The Street Again: Australian Funk, Soul And Psych (mostly) From The Festival Vaults

Festival Records - FEST601045LP

Compiled By Pete Pasqual, Erica Olson & DJ Kinetic!

Following on from acclaimed compilations like 'Down Under Nuggets' and 'Heavy Soul' (and two other new titles 'Running The Voodoo Down' and 'Dodgy Bossa (& Silly Sambas)', Festival Records presents another deep dig into the archives, this time shining a light on rare Australian soul-jazz, jazz-funk, and freaked-out groove rock from the late '60s and '70s.

'Back On The Street Again - Australian Funk, Soul & Psych (Mostly) From The Festival Vaults' is a stunning release that highlights a point when the previously disparate styles of rock, jazz and soul all started influencing each other, and exciting new genres were created.

To quote the liner notes (by DJ Kinetic):
"Australia produced some amazing music during the 60s and 70s that sat outside of the normal rock mould. Avant guard artists like John Sangster pushed boundaries and experimented with the fusion of local and overseas influences; artists like Dalvanius recorded soaring disco music that was lost amongst the popular music of the time, only to be rediscovered by DJs overseas who were searching for unknown sounds; composers like Brute Force and His Drum took risks and recorded left-field funky sounds hidden within their more mainstream compositions; and popular artists like Billy Thorpe occasionally strayed from their A&R directions and took leaves from the books of American artists who were largely unknown in Australia at the time. Beneath the veneer of bland rock and roll lay an unknown multitude of funky sounds hidden from mainstream view."

In addition to the artists that Kinetic mentions (and the compilation features two John Sangster tracks - stunning versions of 'Hair' and the Beatles' 'A Day In The Life'), the collection includes iconic names of the era like the Daly-Wilson Big Band (featuring Kerrie Biddell), Renee Geyer and the Johnny Rocco Band.

'60s sides from Ross D Wyllie and The ID (featuring Jeff St John) reveal the various styles' roots in American rhythm & blues, and the unexpected inclusion of some legendary Australian rock outfits like Tamam Shud and Blackfeather reveals the psychedelic and progressive rock influences at play.

The full range of the music is highlighted by the inclusion of both cabaret/daytime TV performer Al Styne and outrageous Kings Cross club act Count Copernicus & The Cosmic Fire as well as the in-house studio 'pops' orchestra, Festival Studio 24 Orchestra.

Side A:
Billy Thorpe - Back On The Street Again
The ID - Feel Awright
Ross D Wyllie - Do The Uptight
Johnny Rocco Band - Funky Max
Daly-Wilson Big Band (Featuring Kerrie Biddell) - City Sounds

Side B:
Dalvanius And The Fascinations -Voodoo Lady
Renee Geyer - Be There In The Morning
Sangster - Hair
Ray White Revival - Superstition
Festival Studio 24 Orchestra - Africa (L'ete Indien)
Brute Force & His Drum Weird and Wonderful

Side C:
McPhee - The Wrong Time
Kahvas Jute - Odyssey
Tamam Shud - Sea That Swells (from Morning of the Earth)
Blackfeather - The Rat Suite Main Title

Side D:
Al Styne - Vehicle
McPhee - Indian Rope Man
Hot Source - Oz Bump (Soul Thing)
Count Copernicus & The Cosmic Fire - Painted Ego
John Sangster - A Day In A Life

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