Search - Dynamites :: Dynamites Complete Collection

Young Sound of R&B Vintage Collection. Ressurected

David Goodwin | Westchester, NY United States | 11/29/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably one of those discs that will only be found by people specifically *looking* for this band, so I'll do my best to explain what can be found here.To make a long story short: Once upon a time (say, late sixties) there was a Japanese band called "The Dynamites" (this band, for what it's worth, featured a Very Famous Japanese Guitarist who went on to become More Famous Than He Was While In the Dynamites). They were very, very good, performing a nice blend of originals--the excellent "Tunnel to Heaven"--and covers, including the only version of "Daydream Believer" that I've heard that doesn't make me want to club baby seals. But I'm getting ahead of myself. They released, as far as I can tell, one album, called "Young Sound of R&B." Safe to say, it quickly goes out of print, and consequently becomes enormously expensive. Thankfully, once the CD era rolls around, Victor Japan seeks to rectify this gross unavailability, and reissues the album on disc as part of its "Vintage Collection" series, with something like 8 bonus tracks. In 1995, though, Victor pulls a Capitol, and "reissues" the album, deleting the bonus tracks and cutting down the liner notes.So what is this? Well, it's a "remastered" (though it honestly sounds largely identical) version of the first "Vintage Collection" release, including the entire "Young Sound" album, plus several totally-worthy bonus tracks. Now, the important question for collectors of 60's beat/psych: is this album worth your time? My answer: maybe. I love the Dynamites' original tunes (if one wants a sampler, pick up the excellent "GS in Psychedelic Paradise" disc from Teichiku to get an idea of what these guys are capable of), and they're surprisingly decent at covers, re-arranging them to fit their own particular style. All in all, this album--like the Mops' "Psychedelic Sounds," the Beavers "Viva Beavers!" and essentially anything by the Launchers or Tempters--represents to me the top of the late-60's Japanese rock crop. Give it a spin."