This 18-track compilation is the first of three single-CD Psychedelic Microdots compendiums. Under the discerning ears of producer Bob Irwin, Sundazed Music has single-handedly reintroduced many seminal sides -- such as those featured on this collection -- into the digital domain, and likewise to an entirely new generation of music lovers. This inaugural volume commences with a sampling of the vintage mind-altering melodies and garage rockers from nine lesser-known artists, many of which would become the subject of future full-length releases from the label. Tellingly, all dozen and a half sides are original compositions. This definitely flies in the face of most burgeoning bands, which would pad out their recordings with high-octane cover tunes. Another equally discriminating factor is that Irwin accessed the original master tapes instead of aurally inappropriate dubs from well-worn vinyl. This audio anomaly plagued many of the same recordings as featured on various installments in the Nuggets and Pebbles series. Orange, Sugar & Chocolate begins with a pair of platters from the Brogues -- a San Jose-based combo that included future Quicksilver Messenger Service members Greg Elmore and Gary Duncan. "I Ain't No Miracle Worker" and "Don't Shoot Me Down" -- the respective A and B sides of the band's second 7" release from late 1965 -- are included here in previously unearthed stereo mixes. We the People, who contribute nearly half of the material on this release, hail from Florida with a finely honed, thoroughly aggressive, and fuzz-induced sound combining their decidedly raw punk attitude with contrastingly strong melodies. These are especially evident on "In the Past" and "By the Rule" -- the latter of which is reminiscent of Chuck Berry's classic "Talkin' 'Bout You" -- as well as the raucous "Mirror of Your Mind." Equally as heavy are the pair of contributions from Lindy Blaskey & the Lavells. Both the challenging and in-your-face "You Ain't Tuff," as well as the staccato punctuation on "Let It Be" -- which should not be confused with the Beatles track -- exude a decidedly nonconformist 'tude and somewhat confrontational sonic pounce. There are also a few one-off sides ranging from Fenwyck's heavily produced "Mindrocker" to the More-Tishans darker minor-chord classic "(I've Got) Nowhere to Run."
Various Artists
Psychedelic Microdots, Vol. 1: Orange, Sugar & Chocolate
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AllMusic Review by Lindsay Planer
Track Listing
Sample | Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream | |||
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1 | The Brogues | 02:51 | Amazon | ||||
2 |
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The Brogues | 02:17 | Amazon | |||
3 | We the People | 02:18 | Amazon | ||||
4 |
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We the People | 02:30 | Amazon | |||
5 | We the People | 02:05 | Amazon | ||||
6 | We the People | 02:02 | Amazon | ||||
7 |
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Lindy Blaskey | 02:18 | Amazon | |||
8 |
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Lindy Blaskey | 02:20 | Amazon | |||
9 | The Southwest F.O.B. | 02:40 | Amazon | ||||
10 | Fenwyck | 03:00 | Amazon | ||||
11 |
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The Daybreakers | 02:19 | Amazon | |||
12 | The Free for All | 02:22 | Amazon | ||||
13 |
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More-Tishans | 02:07 | Amazon | |||
14 | Nobody's Children | 02:46 | Amazon | ||||
15 | We the People | 02:43 | Amazon | ||||
16 |
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We the People | 02:14 | Amazon | |||
17 | We the People | 02:23 | Amazon | ||||
18 |
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We the People | 02:22 | Amazon |