Try Me out: Ballroom Beat, Vol. 2

Nick Saloman of the Bevis Frond and his fellow obsessive record collectors at Psychic Circle Records have dug deep and found another 20 rare sides from British beat groups of the classic era (1964 through 1966) that have previously eluded the folks who compile such things. Thankfully, unlike many labels Psychic Circle understands that obscurity in itself isn't a guarantee of quality, and most of the stuff on Try Me Out actually merits rediscovery. The disc includes not one but two bands that featured future members of King Crimson (Trendsetters Ltd., with Mike Giles, and the League of Gentlemen, which included Gordon Haskell and Robert Fripp, who clearly liked the name), as well as one of Brian Epstein's rare unsuccessful discoveries (the Rustiks) and some early drum work from Jimi Hendrix timekeeper Mitch Mitchell backing actor Chris Sandford. Elsewhere, Try Me Out features plenty of solid if well-scrubbed British rock & roll, including stellar sides from the Epics, the New York Public Library, the Addicts, the Peeps, and the Pathfinders, and the mastering makes the best of the vinyl source materials while the liner notes are witty and well-researched. Folks who realize not every worthwhile British band invaded America during the '60s will enjoy this look at some of the folks who were on the scene back in the day without hitting the charts.