“Probe Records was a short-lived label housed under ABC Records operating from 1970-1974. Arguably their most interesting signing was Soft Machine, and they released both the first and second of their albums. Though starting in a proggy psychedelic vein with signings such as Rare Bird and Little Zephyr, none of those artists appear on this sampler compilation. What we do have is something very different, and somewhat incongruous with the title and cover art of this album. Admittedly it was mainly the front cover and the €1 price at a record fair that drew me to buying this LP. . The albums features popular cuts from the label’s later output of compilations and soul. R&B and ‘soft pop’ such as The Mamas and Papas, Steely Dan, Ray Charles and BB King. The ‘rockiest’ moment is Steppenwolf, shortly counteracted by the sweet soulful voices of The Four Tops. All of these artists were actually part of the Dunhill/ABC Records roster, of which Probe was a sibling. . But I love these sorts of sampler comps, it’s a cheap way to hear a lot of often eclectic music in one go, and there’s often a little-known gem to be discovered. On this record, its Birtha, a group I’d not heard of before. An all-female rock band from LA in the early 70s. In the UK they toured with The Kinks and made a bit of a name for themselves. The track included here as the opener, Free Spirit, sets the tone and ‘spirit’ of this sampler. . Shout outs also to: Summer in the City, an excellent song, originally written and performed by The Lovin’ Spoonful and here by BB King; and to the artist who produced and the person who commissioned that cover. It’s completely incongruous with the actual content of the album, but pretty awesome all the same...” . FOR FULL REVIEW & PLAYLIST CLICK LINK IN PROFILE: . #proberecords #compilationalbum #albumsampler #birtha #bbking #mamasandpapas #steppenwolf #steelydan #thefourtops #vinyl #recordfair #recordcollection #nowplaying #nowlistening #randomrecordreview https://www.instagram.com/p/B7a6UcHJYzE/?igshid=g7gcdm0zaunr
