Label: Disc AZ
Year of Release: 1969
Now that the barrel of UK pop-psych goodies is close to being picked dry, more and more collectors are turning their attention to the European scenes - and no wonder. Hit records from the period, especially those of a Scandinavian or Spanish origin, are reasonably cheap to come by and frequently of a much higher quality than the remaining dregs available on our home turf, and besides those there are still Euro-obscurities out there which are utter mysteries. This one, for example.
"Easy Squeezy" was originally recorded in Britain by The Love Children, but this version gives it a bit more of a kick and brings the fuzz guitar to the fore. The B-side "Somebody Loves You" is arguably better still, consisting of a kicking horn section, pounding drums and Roy Wood styled vocals - both these tracks seem custom-built for the dancefloor, taking simple melodies and equipping them with the necessary welly to meet with approval at your local mod niterie. "Somebody Loves You" in particular stands up fairly to comparison with the likes of The Outsiders in the USA.
Whilst this record is French, I find it unlikely that The Others stemmed from that nation. An Irish band called The Others were in operation around the same time, but the audio evidence available doesn't sound like the same act, though I'm happy to be corrected. My guess would be that they were one of many British acts who quit the overcrowded UK scene to operate in mainland Europe instead. If you can fill in the blanks, please do let me know.
Oh yes, and that mad volume wavering at the end of "Easy Squeezy" is on the original record, it's not me going berserk on my MacBook after one too many Martinis.
