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Sadly, the back catalog of the greatest rock band of the '70s, the Flamin Groovies, is seriously FUBAR, with essential titles flying in-and-out of print with disturbing regularity. This year's model of the band's incredible second album, originally issued on Kama Sutra in 1970, doesn't include any much-coveted Groovies bonus material (six tracks of which graced a 1999 reissue, now out of print), but it is available, so whatcha gripin' about? Flamingo is a joyous romp through the record collections of Cyril Jordan and the soon-departed Roy Loney, a spirited collection of rootsy garage-rock, proto-punk, R&B, electric blues, Elvis, Gene Vincent, and Brit Invasion pop-rock. Recorded in glorious lo-fi, the Groovies manage to cut through the production muck nonetheless with crazed, inspired performances. The album's lone cover – a manic reading of Little Richard's "Keep a Knockin'" – will jump right from the speakers and grab you by the ears! Get it now before it's gone again….

Standout Tracks: "Gonna Rock Tonight," "Keep a Knockin'"   REV. KEITH A. GORDON