The Best Obscure Records

[Niko]

I've found some real gems just by asking others what their favorite 'obscure' records are, and there are websites dedicated to the topic.

But I want to know what your favorite records are that other people just don't know about.
Whether an album is 'obscure' or not is debatable, but that is partially the point of this thread.

Some of my favorites:

BLACK MONK TIME - The Monks
The Wild Tchoupitoulas - The Wild Tchoupitoulas
Sunflower/Friends/Love You - The Beach Boys
Odyssey and Oracle - The Zombies (I'd say this one counts, I've never seen it get a lot of love outside of fans of 60's music)
Armchair Theater - Jeff Lynne
Yes - Morphine
Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes
Sunlight - Herbie Hancock
The Modern Lovers - JR and the Modern Lovers
Vintage Violence - John Cale

[markcharles75]

Off the top of my head here's some I "discovered" myself from being online:

1. The Yellow Balloon - The Yellow Balloon ("Panama Red is one of my favorites songs: I always listen to it but even on YouTube it has hardly no viewings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qZqvbRmfEs
2. Tin Tin - Tin Tin (notable track Nobody Moves Me Like You) also follow - up "Astral Taxi" containing another favorite song "I Took A Holiday"
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQPf2nWFMgY
3. The Millenium - Begin  Perhaps not so much "obscure" but still not really known "worldwide". A real favorite desert island disk
4. The Zombies - Odyssey and Oracle "agree about this one."  No one knows it I know except people online!
5. Marc Eric - A Midsummer's Dream -  great sunshine pop

There are some. I have to say also that if you dig around YouTube or music forums you can find some amazing tracks to bands that may not have the greatest consistent output but have brilliant singles/album tracks.  Personally, the 60's are my favorite period in music and I always root around to find obscure and not so obsure tracks from the 60's. Then I add them to my own 60's compilation.  If it wasn't for being online or YouTube or message boards I would have missed out on tons of great music that suit my taste.

[the captain]

I think a lot of those albums are pretty well known by certain types of serious music fans: Os Mutantes, Herbie Hancock, Zombies, Beach Boys, J Richman/Modern Lovers, John Cale, especially. Not top-ten hits, necessarily, but pretty well known.

I'm going with a few from the past couple of decades that I loved. Most of these were sent to me as total unknowns (to me) back when I was reviewing music. There is nothing like coming across something you've never heard and wondering, "how have I not heard of this before!?" I'm adding a youtube link to a song I like from each to give you a feel for it. They are in alphabetical order of band/musician.

Cotton Mather, KonTiki (1997)
This has become an indie power pop legend, recently re-released in a deluxe version (and with the band apparently having reunited for a 2014 album, for which I'm THRILLED). So you may well know it. But when I discovered it, it was because the guys came through the music store in a mid-sized college town in Minnesota where I worked summers and holiday breaks. They dropped off a copy of the disc and looked for vintage gear. That night they played at a terrible local bar and were amazing. This is their second album, with one more EP and a full-length to follow before splitting back around the turn of the millennium. Mid-60s Beatles and Dylan fans will enjoy. Here is "My Before and After."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlBOUs6PkU

Fiery Furnaces, Blueberry Boat (2004)
Brother-sister duo band that's had a certain amount of occasional acclaim in certain indie circles--"Tropical Iceland" probably being the most recognizable song--but I hadn't heard of them when I got this, their second album. I loved the insanity of the dense lyrics (Matthew Friedberger is a lyrical genius), Zappaesque quirky music (M.F. claims not to like Zappa at all), and occasional anthemic bursts of the Who. Loved this album, EP, Rehearsing My Choir, and I'm Going Away. If you like this "Chris Michaels," try the aforementioned "Tropical Iceland," "I'm Going Away," "Smelling Cigarettes," "Blueberry Boat," "Quay Cur," at least...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INOF67PMvjw&list=PL6365FA0701A5B4E2

Herman Dune, Giant (2006)
My first exposure to H.D. was through their then-co-leader David Ivar Herman Dune's solo album, Ya-ya. (Right around that time be became the undisputed leader when his brother and other primary songwriter Andre left the band.) However, I'm going with a cut from this contemporaneous full-band album instead. My first thought was how awful DIHD was ... and shortly thereafter I realized his songs were dominating my mind to an unhealthy extreme. This French band is fantastic. You may know the semi-hit "I Wish That I Could See You Soon," a cute as sh*t, fabulous pop song. But I'm going with the beautiful ballad "When the Water Gets Cold and Freezes on the Lake." Giant is a wonderful, wonderful album. (Next Year in Zion, Not On Top, and Mas Cambios are kind of cool, too. Others are more hit and miss.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWWgLNaAxvQ

Puerto Muerto, See You In Hell (2004)
A then-husband-and-wife (since split) duo mixing vaguely European folk, pop, and rock 'n' roll of a Johnny Cash vintage. This one might have been the most welcome surprise I've ever had. This was from, I believe, their second album (but the first I ever heard). They went on to do maybe half a dozen more, but to me this is their masterpiece album. This song, "Hangman's Song," is great. I also adore "Tennessee."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Ib_b9dXS8

Bill Ricchini, Tonight I Burn Brightly (2005)
A mostly one-man-band project that people on this board are really likely to enjoy: we're talking classic pop sounds here. Great melodies, good singing, cool mostly piano-based songs. Here is "It's a Story, It's a Fable." But if you like it, check "Angela," "Eugene Hill," and "She Don't Come Around Here Anymore."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqCmMFukCwI

Let me know if you like any of these. They are just a few suggestions I'd have, and I'd love to either dig deeper into these groups or give recommendations and tips on others.

[Niko]

I think a lot of those albums are pretty well known by certain types of serious music fans: Os Mutantes, Herbie Hancock, Zombies, Beach Boys, J Richman/Modern Lovers, John Cale, especially. Not top-ten hits, necessarily, but pretty well known.

Yep   ...thats why I'm posting this. As of recently I've felt kinda bored with what I know. Time to expand.
Just listened to everything you posted (having never heard of any of them), and I liked every song. Bill Ricchini especially, that song is perfect. Liked the vibe Cotton Mather gave off as well (great chorus to that song).
Thanks for taking the time to post links. Helps greatly.

I'll be looking for the Bill Ricchini record, I want to hear the rest of it!

[alf wiedersehen]

The Dentists - "Strawberries Are Growing in My Garden (And It's Wintertime)"
They're sort of like a psychedelic Smiths.
If you like that song, check out their debut: Some People Are on the Pitch They Think It's All Over It Is Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b51TQOJawEg


Lee Hazlewood - "If It's Monday Morning" and "Hey Cowboy"
People call him the 'psychedelic cowboy.' He made some really awesome, but forgotten music, and was a great producer and songwriter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNRjScGQuA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5bglyB6Prs

[rab2591]

Van Dyke Parks - Discover America (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbD_c734ju4, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ8wH_O6Uzs). It's a "concept" album about a group of travelers taking a tour bus through the Caribbean...I have concept in quotations because other than album art and a spoken word track in the beginning there is no other allusion to this concept. It's full of covers, but beautifully orchestrated by Van Dyke Parks.

Philip Sheppard - In The Shadow Of The Moon soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVP6uaiJvSQ, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiwHIkLy-b4&). He is a very unknown composer, hasn't written for many other movies besides this one, but he's one of my favorite modern composers.

Brian Eno - Apollo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKw5mbcE7VY&feature=kp). You've probably heard this song in many movies, but the whole album is worth a listen. Perfect for late night driving, or sitting in a dark room after inhaling a certain substance

[Niko]

The Bill Ricchini record is fantastic! Thanks to the captain for getting it to me. Fable is my favorite off of it, but there wasn't a bad song on the whole album.

 

Lee Hazlewood - "If It's Monday Morning" and "Hey Cowboy"
People call him the 'psychedelic cowboy.' He made some really awesome, but forgotten music, and was a great producer and songwriter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNRjScGQuA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5bglyB6Prs

This is great. You know Bill Hicks and his Hot Licks? Similar is style, and equally obscure. You should checkemout.

Van Dyke Parks - Discover America (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbD_c734ju4, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ8wH_O6Uzs). It's a "concept" album about a group of travelers taking a tour bus through the Caribbean...I have concept in quotations because other than album art and a spoken word track in the beginning there is no other allusion to this concept. It's full of covers, but beautifully orchestrated by Van Dyke Parks.

Philip Sheppard - In The Shadow Of The Moon soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVP6uaiJvSQ, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiwHIkLy-b4&). He is a very unknown composer, hasn't written for many other movies besides this one, but he's one of my favorite modern composers.

Brian Eno - Apollo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKw5mbcE7VY&feature=kp). You've probably heard this song in many movies, but the whole album is worth a listen. Perfect for late night driving, or sitting in a dark room after inhaling a certain substance

I've had Discover America since September. I love that record, and have found it much more accessible than Song Cycle. I like the Philip Sheppard, I'll def look into him.

Good ol' psychedelic sounds and substances. I have quite a bit of Eno's other stuff, mostly what I've been told is his best. Not something I listen to a lot, but its def well made.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

"Underrated" or "Overlooked" are one thing.  So many of my favorite music falls into that category -- Big Star, Flamin' Groovies, NRBQ, Funkadelic, Jellyfish, Graham Parker, "Sunflower" et al, and on and on.  "Obscure" though...hmmmm...I'll go with  "Mavericks" by Peter Hosapple and Chris Stamey of the dBs.  Tuneful, hooky, well played and arranged -- even a cut above their excellent dBs work.  Has an irresistible opener in "Angel" and keeps it up essentially through the whole LP.  A classic, and so few have heard it.

Shuggie Otis's "Inspiration Information" isn't as obscure as it once was, but I'll mention it.  The Light side of "Riot Goin' On" or something.  Wonderful.

[alf wiedersehen]

I'll go with  "Mavericks" by Peter Hosapple and Chris Stamey of the dBs.  Tuneful, hooky, well played and arranged -- even a cut above their excellent dBs work. 

Speaking of the dBs, one of my favorites of theirs is "Moving In Your Sleep," a shambling record in a style reminiscent of Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BX9lcksa48

[Jason]

A few to add to the selections here...

The Churchills - Cherchilim (Israel, 1969)
The Mandrake Memorial - The Mandrake Memorial (USA, 1968)
Bill Holt - Dreamies (USA, 1973)
Laghonia - Etcetera (Peru, 1971)
We All Together - 2 (Peru, 1973)
Dzeltenie Pastnieki - Alise (Latvian SSR, 1984)
Dave Bixby - Ode to Quetzalcoatl (USA, 1971)
Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island (USA, 1960)
Aphrodite's Child - It's Five O'Clock (Greece, 1969)
Jukka Tolonen - The Hook (Finland, 1974)
Pandora - Measures of Time (Sweden, 1974)
Elipse - Elipse za prijatelje (SR Serbia, 1999, recorded 1965-67)
Silver Apples - Contact (USA, 1969)
Suicide - Suicide (USA, 1977)
Michiru Yamane - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night OST (Japan, 1997) (yeah, it's a video game and it's one of the most amazing soundtracks EVER)

[rab2591]

Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island (USA, 1960)

Definitely this.



I'd venture to guess that the hawaiian chant sections in DYLW were partly inspired by Ahbez's music.

[SMiLE Brian]

Brian looks scared of him....

[Jason]

The album is certainly a strange listen...when he's not reciting third-rate "beatnik" poetry over exotica, he's singing in a monotone drawl. The record shouldn't work, but it does.

[rab2591]

The album is certainly a strange listen...when he's not reciting third-rate "beatnik" poetry over exotica, he's singing in a monotone drawl. The record shouldn't work, but it does.

The overall atmosphere of the album is great - the instrumentals/sound-effects aren't overdone like other exotica albums. It's got a nice charm to it.

[Jason]

One more to add to the list...

The Bar-Kays' Soul Finger album from 1967. Everyone knows the title track; the rest of the album is among the BEST instrumental albums to be found.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

I'll go with  "Mavericks" by Peter Hosapple and Chris Stamey of the dBs.  Tuneful, hooky, well played and arranged -- even a cut above their excellent dBs work. 

Speaking of the dBs, one of my favorites of theirs is "Moving In Your Sleep," a shambling record in a style reminiscent of Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BX9lcksa48

Love the dBs, not an obscure one obviously but I just got round to listening to Chris Stameys solo album from last year and I really like it.

[Lowbacca]

Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island (USA, 1960)

YES!



My 2 cents: John Entwistle's first 2 solo albums.

[bluesno1fann]

Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island (USA, 1960)

YES!



My 2 cents: John Entwistle's first 2 solo albums.

Would you reccomend his solo albums?
I really enjoy his songs from The Who

[Niko]

A few to add to the selections here...

The Churchills - Cherchilim (Israel, 1969)
The Mandrake Memorial - The Mandrake Memorial (USA, 1968)
Bill Holt - Dreamies (USA, 1973)
Laghonia - Etcetera (Peru, 1971)
We All Together - 2 (Peru, 1973)
Dzeltenie Pastnieki - Alise (Latvian SSR, 1984)
Dave Bixby - Ode to Quetzalcoatl (USA, 1971)
Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island (USA, 1960)
Aphrodite's Child - It's Five O'Clock (Greece, 1969)
Jukka Tolonen - The Hook (Finland, 1974)
Pandora - Measures of Time (Sweden, 1974)
Elipse - Elipse za prijatelje (SR Serbia, 1999, recorded 1965-67)
Silver Apples - Contact (USA, 1969)
Suicide - Suicide (USA, 1977)
Michiru Yamane - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night OST (Japan, 1997) (yeah, it's a video game and it's one of the most amazing soundtracks EVER)

Thanks for this. I only know a couple of these records (Silver Apples, David Bixby..) and I'll make my way to all of them as soon as I can.


Also, thanks to the captain for showing me Herman Dune  

[Lowbacca]

Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island (USA, 1960)

YES!



My 2 cents: John Entwistle's first 2 solo albums.

Would you reccomend his solo albums?
I really enjoy his songs from The Who

Definitely recommended!
Surprisingly solid & strong (at points even great) records! Quite a surprise when you put 'em on for the first time. Smash Your Head Against The Wall knocked my socks off. And it continues to do so.

[Orange Crate Art]

Quill (1970 Cottilion Records). Self titled LP (and the only one they ever released) by this Boston-based psychedelic-progressive rock group, Quill are the least-known band to have played Woodstock in 1969. Great band, check 'em out.

[JK]

Quill (1970 Cottilion Records). Self titled LP (and the only one they ever released) by this Boston-based psychedelic-progressive rock group, Quill are the least-known band to have played Woodstock in 1969. Great band, check 'em out.

Thanks for the heads up. I checked out tracks from the album on YouTube. Certainly worth a listen, folks. As for their performance at Woodstock, talk about bad luck! (See their wiki page.)

[clack]

Pearls Before Swine : One Nation Underground
The Electric Prunes : Release of an Oath
The United States of America (self-titled)
Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band : Gorilla

[JK]

https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/hapshash-and-the-coloured-coat-feat-human-host-and-the-heavy-metal-kids

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_United_States_of_America_(album)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yqVF4EXFu18

I post the wiki and YouTube of it only because I'm shocked someone here hasn't already mentioned it. The United States of America. This, to me, is the textbook definition of an unfairly overlooked masterpiece. Along with Forever Changes, I'd say it's the best album of the psychedelic era, but nobody outside of serious music buffs seems to know about either.