Post 531 - The Mixtures - In The Summertime LP

In mid-1970 The Mixtures signed to a new Melbourne-based Fable Records. Its owner, industry veteran Ron Tudor, had made his name as a producer and A&R manager for the W&G and Astor labels. The Mixtures joined the Fable roster at a significant time. A few months before their first Fable single came out, the infamous 1970 Radio Ban came into force. The Mixtures were one of several Australian bands who successfully exploited this window of opportunity. Several acts including The Mixtures cut their own versions of proven British hits that were not being played in Australia because of the Radio Ban. Sydney band Autumn was another, scoring a major Sydney hit with their version of Christie's "Yellow River". When Tudor offered The Mixtures "In The Summertime", a song that had recently been a UK hit for Mungo Jerry. The band jumped at the chance to record it -- although Idris Jones declined to sing on it, feeling it was too 'poppy', so bassist Mick Flinn performed the lead vocal. Without any competition from the original, The Mixtures' version shot to #1 in August that year, at the height of the Radio Ban, and it stayed in the charts for 23 weeks. Happily they were able to capitalise on this good fortune with the follow-up, a similarly breezy, honky-tonk-style original, "The Pushbike Song", co-written by Idris Jones and his brother Evan. It was an even bigger success, providing them with back-to-back #1 singles, and charting for an impressive 25 weeks. Buoyed by the success of the singles, The Mixtures made the inevitable trip to England in January 1971. During this period they cut the tracks for their debut LP here for you to download, “In The Summertime” (FBSA-003), which was begun at Armstrong's Studios in Melbourne and finished at Morgan Studios in London. By the time they arrived in the UK there had been more line-up changes -- Idris Jones left again, replaced by Greg Cook (ex Cam-Pact), and Mick Holden briefly replaced departing drummer Gary Howard. 

Post 530 - Airport - Complete Singles

Keith Lamb lived for performing and was heartbroken when Hush split up. He enjoyed and produced some great work with bands “Larry”, the “Keith Lamb Band” and “Airport” but none had the commercial success of Hush. Here to download are the three singles by Airport “Short Skirts” b/w “Parlez-Vous” (K-8209) from 1981, “Sure Means Something” b/w “Peoples Rock ‘n’ Roll” (K-8492) also from 1981 and  “Gimme Rock ‘n’ Roll” b/w “In Love” (K-8694) From 1982. All recorded on Infinity Records. Members were Keith Lamb – vocals, Tony Harvey – guitars, Robin Jackson – bass and Brian Pitcher – drums.  Thanks to Hugh & Alan with help with this post.

Post 529 - Erl Dalby & Pyramid – Can’t Wait For September - Let Me Be Yours Until Tomorrow

Erl Dalby emerged out of Wollongong around 1969 in a group called Earl’s Court. The band recorded this Vanda & Young song as a single but split before it was released.  So Dalby came to Sydney to team up with Pyramid. The Earl’s Court tape was stripped down with only vocals and strings left then Pyramid re-recorded all the backing.  The finish product was then released by Erl Dalby & Pyramid and enjoyed reasonable success. In 1971 Erl left the group and recorded 3 solo singles under the guidance of Rory Thomas. Here to download is the 1970 single “Can’t Wait For September” b/w “Let Me Be Yours Until Tomorrow’ (DM 325) for Du Monde Records.  Sadly Erl passed away in 2011. 

Post 528 - Steve Ryder - Ain't It Nice - Remember Me

Ted Mulry first came to the attention of the music industry when he sent a demo of some of his own compositions to Albert Productions in Sydney. The company persuaded him to become a recording artist and he soon rose to fame as a solo singer/songwriter with his own composition, the pop ballad "Julia", which made the Australian charts in 1970. He followed that with "Falling in Love Again", a song by The Easybeats song writing team Harry Vanda & George Young, which was a major hit in 1971. He travelled to England in 1972 and recorded a single there under the name Steve Ryder but returned to Australia soon after. Here to download is that single Ted recorded under the name Steve Ryder “Ain’t It Nice” b/w “Remember Me” (10919 AT) for Blue Mountain Records. The single was produced by Ted Albert and Tony Geary . Thanks to Peter for this rare gem.