Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Born Bad - Volume 4
 | This from-vinyl series collects songs influencing the Cramps sort of. This volume includes four instros. |
Picks: Strollin' After Dark, Safari, Green Mosquito, Boss
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This single has been covered many times by purveyors of fifties cool like the Cramps. Slow and ultra nasty, big vibrato guitar, raw sax, and a relentless bass line over distant drums. Even the piano is sleazy as fingers drag up and down the keyboard. An essential piece of instro Americana.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a slow moving semi-pre-surf track with groovy flow and edgy guitar from 1959. "Safari" lumbers along, uses muted plucking like the Fireballs at times, and simply pleases. Vintage obscurity for sure.
Surf (Instrumental)
This 1958 instro was an oddity for two reasons. First, it was a guitar instro instead of sax, as was most common in the fifties. Second, it featured the even rarer use of guitar tinkering for effects, namely the simulation of a mosquito's annoying buzz. Mostly a progression, was melody free, but gutty and primitive.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is the Rumblers lone national hit, and was the basis for their follow up singles "Boss Strikes Back," "Son of Boss," and "Boss Drums." Heavily R&B based, rhythmic and grumbly, its catchy thump and honkin' grodiness are essential listening for ant fan of the genre.