Howard McCullough Plays

Now an offering of Howard McCullough's, and his style is a little quieter than his suit.

It's a sound similar to Ena Baga's - a little bit of rhythm here and there, and a gentle pulsation as Howard tickles the plastic ivories. A point of interest would be Howard's rendition of 'The Stripper' which would certainly get me hot under the collar, if it didn't conjour up the image of Ena Baga taking her clothes off.

This sounds like I've gone overboard on the dynamic compression, but it was on the record - for that 'breathy vibe' I suppose..

Howard McCullough Plays 72Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Deco Disco with Camp Galore

I know this one has been around before, but I felt compelled to get my own vinyl copy as I was listening to 'Ballin' the Jack' so much. The rip I had could have been better, so now here is the better rip!

I had never heard 'Ballin' the Jack' before, so I went looking for an old version and found this from the 1940s by Kid Ory which is very enjoyable!

Apologies for the 6 week gap - if being abducted by aliens wasn't enough, I've had to hunt around for a special cushion as well!

Deco Disco with Camp Galore 63Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Uncle Mac's Nursery Rhymes

If you have a child who is mischievous, then an idea might be to play this. I have disciplined children very effectively this way, by playing this over and over again for every waking hour and turning it off only when the wretches have been particularly good, like when they've dug up more than their quota of coal.

Some out there might see this as an innocent children's record, but those shrill, posh voices probably belong to children who've strangled their own ponies. You've been warned!

Uncle Mac's Nursery Rhymes 43Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@128kbps mono (same as 256kbps stereo)


'This record has changed my life' - Terry Fied, Lowestoft

KPM 1241 - Keith Mansfield & T. Cox - Technology & Movement

After trawling the excellent thelibraryhunt (no, it didn't take all of six weeks!), I was amazed I had one which wasn't there, so here it is as a re-up.

Billed on the back cover as a companion to KPM 1240 'Action World' it has some great smooth hi-tec style tracks which are worth grabbing. This was ripped 3 years ago so no real collector's protocol was used, the track titles are untagged but for the filenames, and I decided to have the spoken track numbers at the end of the preceding track which seemed more listener friendly.

I can do a fresh rip at 320kbps and all the other stuff if there's any interest..

Eventually!

KPM 1241 - Keith Mansfield & T. Cox - Technology & Movement 66Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Ceefax!

Prompted by the posting of a few Ceefax tracks on Cosmobells, I thought I'd dust off my collection as there seems to be an interest!

There's 44 tracks here, and I recorded them off the telly around 1999 - they were recorded straight onto Minidisc, but I could only record from TV in mono. Although it was just a B&W portable, the sound quality is superb, and due to a lack of MDs/resources I chucked out a few of the slower tunes, so I have an unusually funky collection here for you too!

Also there are a few fadeouts - but they are genuine BBC transmission fadeouts, probably to make way for 'The Learning Zone' if memory serves..

Slothy's Ceefax Album 130Mb

Recorded and Encoded by Slothy@128kbps (128 mono = 256 stereo)

James Brown - Gravity

Yeeoow! Here's a great bit of 80s, with James in fine form. According to the back it's a Christmas present from my missus - now I just need to find her. If anyone recognises the handwriting, please get in touch with contact details of my wayward wife.

Contains one of my favourite James Brown tracks 'Living in America' which holds a certain irony now he's dead.

James Brown - Gravity 75Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Bernard Brooks - Swing & Sway no.14

Introducing Bernard Brooks, who from the title of this CD is one of the more prolific of our sequence dancing players. He's the originator of the 'sequence quack', a charming staccato effect which comes from his stabbing his organ. A crude innuendo I'm sure you'll agree, but there's a certain amount which I have to write here in order to not look lazy, and I'm certainly up against it what with all the dancing I'm doing. This is a re-rip at 256kbps.

Includes Bernard's version of 'An Ordinary Copper' - the theme from 'Dixon of Dock Green'.




Bernard Brooks - Swing & Sway no.14 108Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Lenny Dee - Hi Dee Fi

As the cover says, it's organ solos with a beat, and not bad at all! I can't be arsed describing it, I'll just order you to download it. It's mono so only 28Mb - it's a bandwidth bargain so don't Dee Lay!

Lenny Dee - Hi Dee Fi 28Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@128kbps (equivalent to 256kbps stereo)

George Baker Selection - The Best of Baker

This is one of the first records I had - it was sent to me as a birthday present by our local radio station, as I'd been registered with their 'get your name read out on your birthday' club. I'm sure you'd agree that many a 7 or 8 year old boy would place an LP such as this in high esteem, or could that assumption be a bad misjudgement?

The sticker on the cover marked 'Prize' seems to be radio-speak for 'We need more room for Blondie records' and the act of sending such records out to young children who never did anything other than to have a birthday, is perhaps a good example of radio stations knowing just what their listeners want.

Anyway, George Baker Selection was Rory McGrath's first band, and he certainly pays homage to his Spanish roots with this album. The first track 'Paloma Blanca' you may know better as the Typhoo tea tune 'Ooh what a lovely cuppa'(performed by Cilla Black if I remember rightly).

Rory certainly had his moments as a fashion-conscious pop star however, as shortly before this cover picture was taken, he had his left nipple piercing go septic and he had to hold a poultice over it for a short while!

George Baker Selection - The Best of Baker 88Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Dennis Hayward - Sequence Time vol 2

In response to the Tunbridge Wells riots of 1987 which were triggered by a dearth of Dennis Hayward records in the area, this LPs was rushed out. There was no time for a photo differing from that of the first Sequence Time LP, as the only other thing which would placate the rampaging throngs of boisterous biddies was Battenburg cake, which can be so dear these days.

Includes Dennis's rendition of 'Always There', the theme from TV's 'Howard's Way', or as it was known in the studio - 'Hayward's Way' which gave a good chuckle to all involved.

Sequence Time vol 2

Reuploaded 18/12/2015

73Mb Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Shakin' Stevens - Shaky

Did you know the UK had its own Elvis? Oh yes, back in the early 80's, old Shakin' here was very popular, Wikipedia has him as the biggest-selling solo male singer of the 80s, but maybe he's been on the site editing it.

The back cover has a nice David Brent feel about it, but it makes you wonder what pictures they rejected before they settled on that one..

The LP didn't have 'This Ole House', his first number 1 (I think) so I stuck it on as a bonus track. I wonder if Shaky's had the shingles yet?

Shakin' Stevens - Shaky 82Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Big Ben Hawaiian Band - A Taste of Hawaii

Join the Big Ben [add instrument here] Band as they travel far west of Westminster to the Pacific Ocean to thrill us with the usual cover versions they do. But with those Hawaiian guitars which are so laid back, you have to sit down to play them..

Being the Big Ben [add instrument here] Band, they had to operate on Greenwich Mean Time, leading to some hilarious scenes at the Honolulu studios when they would turn up bright and early at 11pm! Of course, the recording schedule was soon made a mockery of - and the band had to fly back to Britain and record the album in a dingy studio in Battersea instead.

Big Ben Hawaiian Band - A Taste of Hawaiian 80Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

The Krankies - The Two Sides of the Krankies

Here's a chance to sample the live act produced by this Tough couple, The Krankies! Best known as Crackerjack regulars, (Crackerjack!) some of this stuff most certainly wouldn't have made it to our screens - for it's a bit rude! And probably a good picture of a comedy routine in 1976..

We get live versions of 'Sonny Boy' and 'Where's Me Mam?' on the A side as well as the live act, and the B side consists of traditional Scottish tunes by the sound of it, which are enjoyable enough. No bagpipes.

See here for It's Fan-Dabi-Dozi, another album they did, and here for a fine Crackerjack performance! (Crackerjack!)

The Krankies - The Two Sides of the Krankies 82Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Dance Party - Hammond Hits

More Hammond eggs, and the balloons are out once again - as Big Jim 'H' is back, joined by his 'Men of Rhythm' according to the back cover.

The sorts on the front cover are just the type to be attracted to the sound of Hammond pop covers such as these, but slip in a bit of Moog and things might turn nasty. We'll find out later as there is a nice Moog sound in 'Son of My Father', and it's not the same version as found on the 'Moog Party Time' LP, so get clicking.

But what's that..Another abandoned drum kit?

Dance Party - Hammond Hits 66Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Bruce Forsyth - Mr Entertainment

What a great Brucie bonus of an upload, so much better than last week's! Brucie is here, and this is our game show king playing the part of rat pack crooner 50 years ago.

He has certainly played his cards right here, and makes a good game, er, good job of it. We asked 100 expectant mothers if they played Bruce's music to their hapless unborn, and they said yes, as it would LOWER! any risk of complications and improve conditions for a HIGHER! IQ. However it may increase the chances of twins - and you don't get anything for a pair - not in this game!

 2019 update- Sadly we lost Bruce back in 2017 at the grand old age of 89. Didn't he do well!

Mr Entertainment

67Mb Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Peter Hayward - Hayward's Choice

Back to the keyboards - and what a treat I have for you now, a sound worthy of a thousand early 80s kids shows and a drum backing from the machine itself, what more could you ask for?

Well you could ask for a medley starting with 'Feeling Groovy' and ending with 'Pop Goes the Weasel', which is a tall order - but Peter provides! Also check out 'The Easy Winners' which I've played a fair few times since I got this record..

'Sleepers Awake' you may know as Kenny Everett's miming clown music, and very loungey that one is, with a few Kraftwerky sounds there it sounds to me.

And his War of the Worlds rendition, in which he has employed the cheesy rythmns available to enhance the dramatic chords therein. A perfect match!

Peter Hayward - Hayward's Choice 81Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Su Pollard - Su

How can I say anything bad about this? It would feel like kicking a little puppy.

I'll have a go though, as this record contains some of the very worst saxophone solos of the 1980s - only the sax solo from Squeeze's 'Hourglass' compares! And Wax's 'Bridge to Your Heart' thinking about it.

Of course it's not all bad sax, Su throws out a few belters here, Su's 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling' is a power ballad worthy of praise - Bonny Tyler couldn't hold a candle to it frankly. Of course there's 'Starting Together' here as well, which ought to be played at every wedding - remember, the old phrase 'Something borrowed, something blue, something old and something Su' should render divorce lawyers hungry everywhere.

So treat yourself to some 80s hideousness akin to the fashion choices displayed on the back of this LP, I particularly like Su's unicorn hairpiece in these shots.

Sample the matrimonial magnificence of 'Starting Together' below as found on Youtube, also I found an excellent rendition of 'Back In The USSR' there by Su - sadly not included on this LP.

Su Pollard - Su 92Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

MFP's Minstrel Show for Children

Being a devotee of music and such from times past, this one really appeals as the thought of a record like this being released now is really er.. unthinkable! And the thing was aimed at children as well, brilliant!

If anyone out there is upset at the sight of a white man masquerading as a black man, then go and complain about Obama! Besides, Geoff Love penned 3 of the tracks on this LP and if it's good enough for Geoff..

Alas there aren't any jaunty tracks entitled 'Coming Over Here Stealing Our Women' or anything like that, but there is one called 'A Froggie Went a Courtin' which I thought was a bit strong. Geoff Love sings on that one by the way. It's an enjoyable listen, with a new twist given to one or two traditional songs - for example, there's a swing version of 'Ten Green Bottles' on side 2 not to be missed!

Reuploaded 17/12/15 70Mb


MFP's Minstrel Show for Children 70Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Ena Baga plays the Happy Hammond

One for Hammond purists now, and Ena shuns any accompaniment other than the sort of cheesy drum sounds a machine like this is likely to make - and that's sparse.

Conjure the atmosphere of a 1950's cinema foyer in your own abode with Ena's magical sound. Indeed, she's such a competent player she will often play the thing from behind (as shown) and was an inspiration for Jimi Hendrix's guitar-based showings off.

Ena Baga plays the Happy Hammond 52Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Hammond Organ Dance Party

As you can tell from the cover, this is only to be played when an especially good time is required. Big Jim 'H' is at hand to bring us more Hammond cover songs which are so groovy, even John Thaw popped in while an episode of The Sweeney was being made nearby and the day's filming got delayed!

Balloons are mandatory in these situations of course, but the abandoned drum kit gives a unsettling feeling, Keith Moon off on one again probably.

Hammond Organ Dance Party 61Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

The Black Holes

A double-dose of 'The Black Hole' for you now, starting with the OST by John Barry - alas there's no funky stuff here, I think the film would have benefitted from a bit of wugga-wugga like Space 1999, but you can't have it all. Anthony Perkins on a spaceship is probably enough actually.

The Black Hole - OST 56Mb

And now, the 'storybook' LP, which I unwrapped from the cellophane to rip (that's a quid gone from the value!) - however there was still the odd pop and the moisture had got in, rusting the staples holding the 'souvenir photo album' together so it fell apart as I was getting the pictures..




Still, you can follow the gripping story without having to watch the film - why don't they just do that in the first place?

2019 update - In order to make more money and milk the shit out of 'The Black Hole', Disney have renamed this film 'The Black Hole:Episode IV'. Ernest Borgnine is now known as Ernest Borgtwelve.

The Black Hole - Story of 57Mb

Both Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

Klaus Wunderlich und Hubert Deuringer - Swing & Happy

Time for more Klaus, and he's teamed up with Hubert to dazzle us with more of his gems on this stonking* double album.

Hubert lends a sound reminiscent of scenes from Ren & Stimpy - indeed he may be the equivalent of Stimpy's cousin Sven with his Alpine overtones - fortunately he's not as stupid and didn't end up eating his accordion.

See inside for bumper posters of Klaus and Hubert!

Klaus Wunderlich und Hubert Deuringer - Swinging Evergreens 131Mb

Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps

*I was most amused to find 'stonking' in the spellchecker (I'm easily pleased).

Dennis Hayward - Sequence Time

Teacore now, and here's Dennis with his best shirt on to prove how he can make the ladies dance while he moves his fingers up and down.

It appears that Dennis's keyboard got ripped off a bit here, but I assure you the record is unaffected. It starts with a medley featuring 'I've got sixpence' - a proud boast indeed, and 'A nice cup of tea' which I'm sure we'll all need after working up a thirst dancing to Dennis's wonderful music.

..Seems the ladies below were in a similar situation as shown in this clipping from the Eastbourne Herald of Friday May 18th 2001 - biscuits are always an option of course.



It's Time!

Reuploaded 18/12/2015

67Mb Ripped and Encoded by Slothy@256kbps