Scott McKenzie - The Voice Of Scott McKenzie (CBS - 1967)

Scott McKenzie - The Voice Of Scott McKenzie

Scott McKenzie is a one hit wonder. His hit was in fact so big it became boomers generational anthem, San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flower In Your Hair). Millions of people bought the single but nobody gave a shit about Scott's album when it went out. Pretty sad, The Voice Of Scott McKenzie being not a that bad pop folk album even if Scott had the charisma of a potato and a limited tone range. The major curiosity on it, for French pop connoisseurs, is his cover of Michel Polnareff's hit La Poupée Qui fait Non, issued as No, No, No, No, No.

Freda Payne - Band Of Gold (Invictus - 1970)

Freda Payne - Band Of Gold

After years spent churning out hits and making of Berry Gordy a billionaire, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland decided in 1967 to rack chips for themselves and to defy Tamla Motown on its own territory, creating The Hotwax and Invictus labels. Relying on their writing and production skills, they started to scout talents all over the country. They signed a then unknown jazz singer, Freda Payne and made her record what will become an immediate soul classic, Band Of Gold, which resulted in album of the same name. A pure effort of stellar Detroit soul, Band Of Gold could have been recorded by Diana Ross. The album is maybe not as innovative or groundbreaking of what Motown was still able to produce at that time (think Marvin Gaye golden age) but is the best effort of an singer that will never meet that level of success again. Invictus and Hot Wax closed in the mid 70's and Holland/Dozier/Holland splited.

Lou Donaldson - Alligator Bogaloo (Blue Note - 1967)

Lou Donaldson - Alligator Bogaloo

A weird but beautiful cover, an all star backing band (George Benson on guitar, Lonnie Smith on organ, Leo Morris on drums), a Lou Donaldson at the top of its inspiration and 6 groovy jazzy scorchers with the magic Blue Note stamp of approval on it. For the French hip hop heads, track 2, One Cylinder was sampled by Jimmy Jay for Mc Solaar Qui Sème le Vent Récolte le Tempo.