Surf Instro Review: The Sentinals -The Best Of The Sentinals: Sunset Beach

The Sentinals formed in 1961. They rose from the confines of a garage to national prominence as one of the top surf groups in the country in the 1960s. This group was known for raising the roof at live venues. 

Their trademark hit, "Surfers Stomp," was very popular. The song brought the house down, literally at times, because teenagers of the day would dance and stomp their feet so hard the building shook! Now that's rockin'!

The Best Of The Sentinals: Sunset Beach is jam-packed with breathtaking, high-intensity vintage surf. They covered a wide range of styles and did it all very well. Some of the guitar playing is incredible. The saxophone also has a notable influence, proving that it was an instrument with as much power and substance as the guitar when used in a surf tune. It sounded very fresh and full.

If you put this CD on without telling anyone who it is, most people would think it was a new recording. Most of the tracks sound that good. This is a tribute to the fine production and sound mastering efforts that are standard at Del-Fi Records.

Quite a few cuts fit really well into a movie soundtrack. This is an awe-inspiring compilation. If you really pay attention when you listen to this music, you can envision the time and place it came from. It's another slice of surf culture to add to your surf collection.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Big Surf  

02. Exotic  

03. Latin'ia  

04. Tough Soul    

05. Revellion  

06. Pismo Beach  

07. Shout  

08. Tor-Chula

09. Sunset Beach  

10. Surfin'  

11. Intoxico  

12. Latin Soul   

13. Hideaway  

14. Surfin' Tragedy  

15. Surf 'N Soul

16. Gremmies Walk

17. Sentinal, The  

18. Free And Easy   

19. Surfer Girl  

20. Pipe, The  

21. Surf Stomper   

22. Blue Booze

23. Ooh Poh Pa Doo  

24. Nite Shuffle     

25. Sensation       

26. Twilighter    

27. Vesuvius

Surf Instro Review: Satan's Pilgrims - Self Titled

https://satans-pilgrims.com/

Satan's Pilgrims have turned it up a few notches on their first self-titled release for MuSick Recordings. It is no coincidence that this is by far the best output of music the group has had to date. The capable hands of MuSick have pushed the group into the stratosphere of surf-rock-instro stardom with their slashing, thundering, biting guitar.

The ever-present thumping bass lines, the rock-solid drumming, all the earmarks of great surf music—it's all here in its raging glory. Each song is a new and fresh progression of instro madness. Just listen to Hungarian Dance No. 5; it will surely convince you of the capabilities of this fine group. 

I have listened to a few of this group's previous releases, and they sound tame compared to this release. That is not to say that their previously released music is not good; it is. This CD's sound, production, and excellent musicianship just floored me!

The 3rd wave of surf groups is rolling right into your shore with all the untamed surf's power, intensity, and electricity. Satan's Pilgrims are amongst the elite of the genre. Can't you hear the waves beckoning you to swim in the endless expanse of reverb?

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Badge Of Honor  

02. Theme From The Arturan  

03. Fra Diavolo  

04. Tears & Gears  

05. Step It Up  

06. Casbah

07. All Day Party (All Night Party) 

08. Mutha Fuzz   

09. Frankenstomp  

10. Super Stock  

11. Black Marquis  

12. Chi Chi

13. Jungle Room  

14. Hungarian Dance No.5 

15. Beach Binge

Surf-Lounge-Tropical Review: Tropical Tunes - SurfLounge.com Joe Fleming Productions

Imagine the sensation of a warm tropical breeze, not on your skin, but directly into your ears through your speakers. This is the unique experience that lounge music offers, a sensation that has been a part of the hip, slick, and terminally cool consciousness for many years.

Now, we have a resurgence of lounge music. This resurgence fits with the current surf instro, swing, and big band explosion, bringing a fresh wave of interest to the genre. 

Tropical Tunes from SurfLounge.com and Joe Fleming Productions takes you there first class.

The style fits snugly into the surf instro section of your local record store. Although it's not surf, a sub-genre's influence and prevailing categorization remain.

Eclecticism is the key to the allure of lounge music. It's a genre that can transport you from a sunny California beach to an exotic Caribbean Island in the blink of an eye. Just as you're about to sip your drink from a coconut under a palm tree, you're whisked away to a smoky nightclub in Chicago, where you can immerse yourself in the sounds of Lounge and Exotica.

I'm a massive fan of this kind of music, and this CD perfectly captures the essence of the lounge sound. Crazy Joe Fleming and his band have done an incredible job of painting vivid landscapes in your mind's eye. With this CD, you can experience all the angles and subtle nuances of the music in one place.

Grab your shades, beach umbrella, surfboard, limbo stick, and drink. Get ready for a trip you won't soon forget.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Flight To Exotica  

02. Paradise Calling  

03. Caribbean Cruise 

04. South Seas Swing  

05. Bossa Blues

06. Beyond The Beach  

07. High Tides & High Times  

08. Cayucos Cocktails   

09. Bamboo Rain  

10. Mango Tango

11. Over The Horizon  

12. Bongo Island  

13. Guitars On The Water  

14. Calypso Sailing

Surf Instro Reviews: The Woodies - Swimmin' In Reverb

It was a long wait, but it was worth it. The making of The Woodies Swimmin' In Reverb was an actual labor of love, a unique project that stands out in the music scene. It is one of the year's most revered and exciting releases, a must-listen for any surf music fan.

 I couldn't agree more with the album's consensus from the surf community. It's that vintage early sixties surf sound with multitudes of twang, reverb, and attitude. All the tracks are positively captivating.

Talented guitarist and artist Ferenc Dobronyi poured his heart and soul into mixing this and releasing it on his Pop label.  He also came up with the ultra-cool cover. Then, to finish this masterpiece, the Surfmeister, Phil Dirt, contributes the liner notes. What a superb package from start to finish, a testament to the dedication of these artists.

A bonus is a live track taken from Phil's radio show on KFJC. Unrelenting surf waves come splashing through your speakers as you drown in the satisfaction of it all. This is a no-brainer, folks. The Woodies Swimmin' In Reverb is a must-have for any surf collection, especially with the high-quality live track included!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Mavericks  

02. Midnight Ride  

03. Surf'n with Bernie  

04. Little Dume  

05. Spanish Word  

06. If it Swells  

07. The Swami

08. Zorba's Last Wave  

09. Agent Woodrow   

10. Chief Bigwood  

11. K-55 (Live from KFJC) 

12. Surf'n with Bernie

13. The Swami  

14. The Rebel  

15. Bonanza

16. Phil Dirt–Untitled Track Voice [Uncredited Introduction] 

17. The Rubbachicken Band–Phil's Dirt

18. The Rubbachicken Band–Uncle Al, A Surfers Pal

Surf - Rock Review: The Torpedoes - Good For The Country

http://www.thetorpedoes.com/

The Torpedoes, a power trio of surf enthusiasts with heavy-laden guitars, are a force to be reckoned with. Their unique blend of surf and rock, as showcased on Good For The Country, is a refreshing departure from the norm and a testament to their innovative sound.

It's hard to tell where they fall. The guitar progressions I heard are on the fringes of alternative rock, yet the port from which they carry out each mission is undoubtedly anchored in the surf!

The unconventional methods of groups like this have pushed an entire genre to the edge of creating an entirely new type of music. It has become so inviting and so aurally pleasing that I crave more. 

One striking aspect that caught my attention immediately was the distinct appearance of the three members of this trio. In contrast to the typical surf group aesthetic, each member exudes a unique style.  The guitar player, 'Big B', has a rock star/hippie look, the bass player, Jason Brown, could easily be mistaken for a Stray Cats tour member, and the drummer, Brandon Watson, resembles a jazz musician from the 50s. This visual diversity adds an intriguing layer to the band's persona.

One aspect that I rarely discuss but was impossible to ignore is the unique way The Torpedoes present themselves. The most notable track, "Theme From The Ipcress File (A Man Alone)", is a testament to their style.

With 17 tracks of crunching primitive power, Good For The Country is potent, high intensity, and outright gripping. It's like a wave of energy from the murky deeps, slashing and snapping at you, leaving you exhilarated and wanting more. 

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Manta Ray  

02. The Hornet  

03. Interplanetary  

04. Spanish Main 

05. Nebula 33-7  

06. Green Light  

07. Half-Pipe

08. The Mummy 

09. Midnight Surfer (Ode to Mark Foo)  

10. Gyro-scopic Control 

11. Theme From The Ipcress File (A Man Alone)

12. Secret Agent In Berlin  

13. The Naked Spur  

14. Stockyard-250  

15. Torpedo

16. Tarantula  

17. The Snake