"Return of the Instro-Hipsters" 2007 - Vol 1 - On the Brink

On the Brink is a collection of 20 previously uncomped and absolutely superb UK instrumentals from the '60s and early '70s, assembled by legendary psych musician and Psychic Circle label-head, Nick Saloman (The Bevis Frond). Presenting session men discovering sitars, orchestras getting into the freaky side of things, hip theme tunes, Hammonds, fuzz and brass. Somehow sophisticated and cheesy simultaneously, these acts created their own musical world of Chelsea apartments, mini-mokes, dark velvet bespoke tailoring and the dolliest birds this side of Battersea Bridge. Welcome to the soundtrack of your own unmade Swinging London movie. - amazon
Unofficially, this is Vol 6 of The Instro Hipster series that appeared on the now sadly defunkt label Past & Present. But thank god for Nick Saloman who seems to have kept the Past & Present ethos alive & well on his own label Psychic Circle. 20 rare, choice instrumentals dating from 1965-73 - most of which are making their CD debut. All of the artists are from the UK excepting Rita who hails from France. Intolerably groovy from start to finish, this is the sound of Chelsea, Carnaby Street & Soho. This is the sound of Emma Peel & The Saint; of Harry Palmer & Bobby Moore. Highlights include the original theme to Top Of The Pops as covered by The Dave Davani Four, Ken Woodman's brass fuelled, kick the door down 'Mexican Flier' that wouldn't sound out of place in an episode of 'The Sweeney'; Wynder K.Frog kicks out a frenetic, hammond heavy super mod version of The Spencer Davis Group's I'm a Man; David Smith lays down a sweet, emmotive hammond groove that puts you in mind of those Flake Ads from the seventies and if memory serves that ain't a bad place for my mind to be. Sleeve notes are ace & there's some good pics. A must then for fans of library, soundtrack & the sixties. - Levy
trax:
1. On The Brink - Mike Vickers 2. She Walks Through The Fair - The Jim Sullivan Sound 3. It's Your Thing - The Shock Absorbers 4. I'm A Man - Wynder K. Frog 5. Sexologie - Rita 6. Small Deal - Offside 7. Big Drum - The Les Reed Orchestra 8. See Me - David Smith 8. See Me - David Smith 9. Soul Thing - The Keith Mansfield Orchestra 10. Of The Pops - The Dave Davani Four 11. Happy Walk - The Fidd 12. Mexican Flier - The Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass 13. Nightrider - The John Schroeder Orchestra 14. Moanin' - The Trax Four 15. Soul Serenade - The Mike Cotton Sound 16. Deadly Nightshade - Lee Mason & His Orchestra 17. West Of Windward - The Vic Flick Sound 18. Morning Train - The Chris Barber Soul Band 19. Tricycle - Brian Bennet 20. Organ Fantasia in D Major - Stanley Myers