Les Baxter
"By Popular Request"
(Bacchus Archives 07)

The 1995 release of Les Baxter's Lost Episode (Bacchus Archives 7) laid the groundwork for the major label (re)recognition of Les and his work. It also tipped people off to the fact that there was more live Baxter in the vaults. By Popular Request is exactly what the title implies. Dionysus Records received many phone calls, faxes and

The Boss Martians
"13 Evil Tales"
(Dionysus 123344)

The light turns from red to green...you press your foot to the floor...and rip the doors off the Gremlin sitting next to you on Main Street. Sure, it's 3:00 in the afternoon and you have gone 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds in a school zone, but, dad, feel that speed!!! And on your 12 speaker 600 watt power boosted THX enhanced car saudio system? None other than the kings of hi-fi surf stomp and drag...The Boss Martians! "13 Evil Tales" picks up where their debut left off delivering 8 instrumental raves and five vocal slabs of the closest thing to authentic 1960s surf-frat-drag-stomp you're likely to hear these days. And, if that ain't enough cats and kittens, The Boss Martians come with the Official Seal of Approval from the King Drag Daddy himself...Jim J! The Martians played the Jim J and Ann show in March 1996, shredding the place and losing the pink slips to their 'rods to Jim "Goofyfoot" J in the process. So, race over to your fave sound pit stop on October 18, 1996, grab this slab of turbo-charged muscle rock and help The Boss Martians buy new transport!!

Tracks: Hot Foot...Double A Growler...Evil Martian...Outlaw Drag...Haywire...Mean Model A...12-Barrel Beast...Unnamed...She's Creepy...Tombstone Track...Gonna Have Fun Tonight...My Summer Girl...C'Mon Jenny (LP Version)

The Kabalas
"Martinis and Bagels"
(Dionysus 123343)

The other day, Rabbi Schulmann drops by Vik's to book the lounge for Herbie Goldstein's Bar Mitzvah reception. Only problem was, the good Rabbi had no idea what to do for music. It took Vik mere moments to suggest the perfect band...The Kabalas! After all, stated Vik, what's a party without two accordians?? The Kabalas play a demented mix of traditional Jewish klezmer, bizarre polkas and even a touch of crime jazz. They draw flashlight-wielding fans who sing along to such faves as "Private Oy (Deli Detective)", "Death Takes An Ibuprofen" and "The Traci Lords Polka." Any given moment can yeild freilach to tango to thrash polka all in the space of a 3 1/2 minute song. And if this were not enough...NOBODY plays "Underdog" like these kosher party meisters!!! Convinced, Rabbi Schulmann booked the lounge and the band for October 4, 1996. On that day, little Herbie will become a man and The Kabalas will be there to provide the party music and celebrate the release of "Martinis and Bagels."

Tracks: Freilach Hashilishi - Planet Of The Apes Polka - Private Oy! (Deli Detective) - Stray Katz Polka - BunzuvStiel Polka - Peeschoo Lee Fast - Peeschoo Lee Slow - Death Takes An Ibuprofen - Get Maj! - Underdog - Freilach HaRishon - Wall Mart Polkaa - Mr. Right - Tsena - Talkshow - Hey! Lordy Mambo - Russian Sherele

Frenchy
"Bumps & Grinds"
(Dionysus 123340 LP and CD)

If the Cocktail Nation was a real place, San Francisco's Frenchy would surely be branded subversives. Bumps & Grinds blends their influences (Peggy Lee, jump blues, Tom Waits' Rain Dog era, jazz and much more) into a seamless style of their own. Produced by the legendary Skip Heller, Bumps & Grinds truly captures this dazzling quintet in action. Bumps & Grinds will be an indispensable soundtrack to every cocktail party, coast to coast! Struttin' into your local joint on October 18th.

Tracks: Groovy - Baby, It's Gonna Cost You - Rainmaker - Busy As A Bee - Straighten Up & Fly Right - My Old Flame - Last Time - Devil's Beatin' His Wife - Spiderman - Smith And Wesson - Join Frenchy

Karla Pundit "Journey To The Ancient City"
(Dionysus 123336) [CD and LP]

Deep within the jungles that lie between India and Burma are the remains of a great city. These ruins were once the home of a proud and thriving people whose lives were rich in art, architecture, science, music and religion. The inhabitants, for reasons unknown, disappeared completely - without a trace - sometime in the late 10th century A.D. With this recording, Mr. Pundit takes you to this mysterious city as the subject of his music. Furthermore, Mr. Pundit has gone to great lengths to approximate how the actual music of this once great people probably sounded. His research involved probing extensively into dusty corners of obscure libraries and making several treks to the site of the ancient city itself. The splendid result of such studies can now be heard on this recording. Mr. Pundit hopes that each listening of the music will provide you with not only an enjoyable experience but also a tiny glimpse of how unique and advanced this lost jungle civilization really was. Rumor has it Karla Pundit may be the alter ego of former Yard Trauma keyboardist and mastermind behind Harmless, Lance Kaufman. Intended as a tribute to the exotic Korla Pandit, Kaufman plays all the instruments here, including the mighty double-decked Gulbransen Organ plus many exotic and unusual percussion instruments. "Journey To The Ancient City" contains all the elements of a pre-1961 exotic recording experience: vintage studio equipment without digital effects; vintage mastering equipment for the vinyl; full track by track liner notes and a beautiful album jacket! Look for this slice of exotica to emerge from the jungle in your local record hut on August 23, 1996.

Tracks: Jungle Path/The City - Dance Of The Virgins - The Lagoon At Midnight - The Hall Of Snakes - Song Of Celebration - Procession Of The Animal Priests - The Ruins At Sunset

"One More Night"
(Dionysus 123334)

If a jazz album would be the last thing you would expect Dionysus to release, think again! As a young teen, Skip Heller used to sit in his room and play guitar along with X albums. D.J. Bonebrake of X was, and still remains, Skip's favorite drummer. Skip's dream of someday playing with D.J. came true when both played a gig as The Wonderful World Of Joey in June of '95. The wild idea to put together a jazz combo with D.J. on drums, Skip on guitar, LA legend Joey Altruda on stand-up bass, and Reg Young on keyboards became a reality one November night at the Dionysus Records studio. This all-star session was captured live to 16 track in a short six hours. One More Night presents these amazing players clicking together like a fine Swiss timepiece. If you want to push the envelope of the Swank Generation, are a fan of X, Joey Altruda, the writings of Skip, or jazz in general, do not miss this disc! It should be swinging into your local store around September 20th.

Tracks: Frances Farmer - East Of The Sun - Young, Gifted and Red - Margin - My Lights - As Brothers Go

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