Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Surf A La Mexicana
 | This may be a murky vinyl transfer, and very likely unlicensed as well, but four of the six tracks here are instrumentals in real garage style (as in amateur and charming). Much more obscure than essential or cool, but it also helps fill gaps in the surf genre's spread around the globe. |
Picks: The Cambridge Stones - Misier Lou Surf, Cuando Vere A Mi Novia, Los Persuaders - La Gran - Ola, Los Weelers - Besame Mucho
Track by Track Review
The Cambridge Stones - Misier Lou Surf Surf (Instrumental)
This is a crude, under developed garage rendering of "Miserlou." The playing is pretty primitive, but charming in an amateur sort of way. Not at all powerful or gritty, but fun nonetheless.
The Cambridge Stones - Cuando Vere A Mi Novia Surf (Instrumental)
A "Pipeline"-esq rhythm opens, but slows down to a crawl before the main melody comes along. It's not surfy at all, but it does have a curiously intriguing melody riff and murky sound.
Los Persuaders - La Gran - Ola Surf (Instrumental)
"La Gran - Ola" ("The Great Wave") is a cover of The Rotations' "Heavies" (Frank Zappa). It's darn credible, keeping close to the intent and style of the original. It's just garagier.
Los Weelers - Besame Mucho Surf (Instrumental)
This is a nice surfy cover of Consuelo Velasquez's "Besame Mucho" that's straight out of the garage. The drummer is the weak link, and the sound is murky, yet the arrangement is very nice with its tremolo and basic charm.