Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA | Jet Age is a 1979 release from the Euro Boys, who were originally called Kare and the Cavemen. Film score spies in action, with some unique and fun arranging. |
Picks: Enter the Dragon, Monkeyface, Inspector '71, Rubber City Revolution, Grenoble Village Olympique, Point of No Return, Girlfriend in Tacoma, Satan's Little Helper, Mr. Wild Guitar, Do You Know The Way To Monterey?, Hong Kong Cockfight, Orgone Valley, Hava Negilah, Siamese Island, Jet Age
Track by Track Review
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Slushy spy meets judo soundtrackage with surfish guitar over the top. The horn section gives it the big filmscore sound.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
A familiar guitar riff opens, and a Ventures go-go style lead runs atop a party go-go backtrack. "Monkeyface" is fun and uplifting, and definitely an indoor track.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Slow and sultry, shimmering and sad, and tinged with espionage. "Inspector '71" is a cool track, though very engaging.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
"Rubber City Revolution" is a kind of shaft at the Berlin wall thing with more sting than focus. It's funny how much tomes has been spent on arrangement instead of melody.
Grenoble Village Olympique Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Twirly modulated guitar and soft backtrack rhythms bring on the rain. Tweaky instead of engaging, yet there's something here that compels listening. Perhaps it's the drums.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
A cheesy female chorus subtracts the what's otherwise an energetic track with real possibilities. Great drums.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
There are some very nice reverb moments in "Girlfriend in Tacoma" brought on by the lead guitar solo, muted, and gently plucked. The vocal verse is saucy and the exotic air fun.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Big horns, harsh fuzz-reverb guitar, muted chop chords... "Satan's Little Helper" is a rocker that uses whammy like Davie Allan. Intense and very cool.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
"Mr. Wild Guitar" is another rocker that is long on edge and sound and short on melody. Great muted reverb chop chords. If Link Wray was into less sustain and ominosity... well, not really. It's a fun track that's well laid out.
Do You Know The Way To Monterey? Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Combining vibes and muted reverb guitar, "Do You Know The Way To Monterey?" is perhaps among the most engaging tracks here. It's also quite cheesy at times. I do like the vibes vs. surf guitar stuff.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Great tribal go-go rhythm and extra fun guitar lines against a romping rhythm section. "Hong Kong Cockfight" is really cool. Derivative in some ways, but it doesn't seem to matter much. I like this a lot, especially the undulating tribal rhythm. Great drums.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Banjo and a light weight sub-hokey rhythm really warm the heart. Most of "Orgone Valley" is very friendly and hard to dislike. Quite a nice track.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
Heavy double picked raw guitar and a more traditional backtrack blend into a fine version of "Hava Negilah." Part Dick Dale, part traditional Mediterranean, this is thoroughly groovy.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
A very fun beat and a somewhat oriental melody work out in a warm and enjoyable setting. "Siamese Island" is somewhat islandic, partly small combo exotic, and a bit cheesy too. Fun track.
Spy Surf Exotica (Instrumental)
"Jet Age" uses wah-wah and reverb and slide and vibes and great drums and bass to create a vacation backdrop for a relaxed adventure. Quite nice.