alan hawkshaw Mo'hawk: the Essential Vibes & Grooves 1967-1975 (CD, £9.25)

Following early years as a member of Emile Ford's Checkmates backing band Alan contributed to many hits, such as I'll Close My Eyes and Count To Ten by Dusty Springfield, Zabadak by Dave Dee & Co., Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan, Here Comes My Baby by The Tremeloes, Everlasting Love by Love Affair, Reflections of My Life by Marmalade, Black Is Black by Los Bravos, Bonnie and Clyde by Georgie Fame and Sorrow by The Merseybeats. In 1967 Alan also began recording albums for production libraries, notably KPM. A selection of early recordings all written by Alan were collected together by Pama Records and released as The Mohawks. This album has seen plenty of action at the clubs ever since its 1968 release. Alan had another studio group in Rumplestiltskin, a version of Blue Mink, produced by Shel Talmy. He has also contributed to a number of film soundtracks and a cult TV series that dramatised Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe. The focus here is on the music that swings in the clubs, the Hammond organ driven beat sounds such as Beat Boutique and Action Man, and the best chill-out apres-ski numbers such as the stand-out classic Girl In A Sportscar. The original Library albums and commercial releases are now highly sought after and these are club-friendly grooves. It is the first time on CD for two-thirds of this collection. 1. SENOR THUMP – The Mohawks 2. BEAT ME ‘TIL I’M BLUE – The Mohawks 3. MOVE MOVE MOVE 4. GIRL AT THE TOP 5. HASTLE 6. THE MILLIONAIRESS 7. BEAT BOUTIQUE 8. PICCADILLY NIGHT RIDE 9. DR JEKYLL & HYDE PARK – The Mohawks 10. SWEET MOTION – The Salon Band 11. BLUE NOTE 12. GIRL IN A SPORTS CAR 13. DAVE ALLEN AT LARGE 14. RAVER 15. DRIVE ON 16. ACTION MAN 17. ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROUNDABOUT – The Mohawks 18. POWERBOAT 19. RUMPLESTILTSKIN - Rumplestiltskin 20. HAWKWIND AND FIRE