The Sentinals "Big Surf!" & "Surfer Girl" 1995

Both of the Sentinals DelFi long players are packaged together onto the aptlytitled Big Surf / Surfer Girl anthology from Collectors' Choice Music…...However, enthusiasts owning DelFi's Sunset Beach: The Best of the Sentinals (1999) CD might want to hold on to their copy as it also contains "Vesuvius" from the Various Artist KFWB Battle of the Surf Bands (1963) compilation in addition to the 26 tracks gathered here. Although the combo's personnel fluctuated fairly regularity, at the core of the Sentinals are Tommy Nunes (guitar), Bobby Holmquist (sax) and future member of the Turtles, Johnny Barbata (drums). They rose from the fertile Central Coastline surf scene of the early 1960s where they gained significant regional notoriety. After several local indie labels issued the song "Latinia" in the spring of 1962, the aggregate were signed to the undisputed HoDaddy of the Surf Bands, DelFi Records…...In fairly short order, their tenure yielded the Big Surf (1963) and Surfer Girl (1963) albums released within months of each other. While certainly not Dick Dale his DelTones or the Ventures, the Sentinals captured much of the charm and eternally sunny disposition reflected in the distinctly American subgenre. Complementing the practically obligatory covers including a rowdy workout of the Isley Brothers' “Shout" as well as Freddie King's “Hideaway" and “Sensation" the Sentinals provide a few memorable originals. Among the standouts are Nunes' overhaul of “Tequila" renamed “TorChula", “Sunset Beach", the group efforts “The Pipe", “Surf Stomper" and the Lee/Holmquist penned unofficial anthem “The Sentinal". Kudos to Collectors' Choice Music for not only reviving the DelFi catalogue, but taking such care in doing so. - Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

trax:
"Big Surf!"
1. Big Surf 2. Exotic 3. Latinia 4. Tough Soul 5. Revellion 6. Pismo Beach 7. Shout 8. Tor-Chula 9. Sunset Beach 10. Surfin' 11. Intoxico 12. Latin Soul 13. Hideaway 14. Surfin' Tragedy
 "Surfer Girl"
15. Surf 'n' Soul 16. Gremmie's Walk 17. The Sentinal 18. Free And Easy 19. Surfer Girl 20. The Pipe 21. Surf Stomper 22. Blue Booze 23. Ooh Poh Pa Doo 24. Nite Shuffle 25. Sensation' 26. Twilighter
…originally served by Russ...