Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Rhythm Kings - Surf Party
 | Four selected tracks from the live Surf Battle LP on GNP Crescendo. Delano's Rhythm Kings were very cool, and these tacks show them off well. |
Picks: The Soul, Pachuko Soul
Track by Track Review
R&B (Vocal)
The Rhythm Kings pay homage to the Isley Brothers with falsetto and all. Entirely cool and rockin'! It's one of just a couple of vocals on this album.
Surf (Instrumental)
"The Soul" is the namesake song of the dance that goes with the surf 'n' soul / Pachuko Soul genre. This is much less melodic than most of the Rhythm Kings' originals, but still garners a grin or two.
Pachuko Soul (Instrumental)
The Rhythm Kings released this under the name the Soul Kings. "Pachuko Soul" was a cross between the East LA Sound, West Coast Jazz, Surf, Latin, and Mariachi. This song gave the genre its name. It's like a partied inversion of a "Watermelon Man" party theme. Great frat house anthem.
Blues (Instrumental)
The blues standard "Hard Times" is soulfully saxed up but the Rhythm Kings as if it was their own. Very gutsy and cool.