April 17, 2015

U.N.C.L.E. ROCKSTEADY

We've been having a dance party here at the Spy Vibe lair for a couple of weeks. I just keep discovering fun ska, rocksteady, and calypso tunes that either hail from the Cold War or pay tribute to popular secret agents. We have two peculiar tracks today that name-checked The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. Ike Bennet and the Crystalites released "Illya Kuryakin" in 1968 on Crystal Records as well as on Chris Blackwell's Island Records (WI-3134). The tune was produced by Derrick Harrlott. If Spy Vibers recognize the chorus it's because it's actually a lift from Percy Faith's famous "A Summer Place". Lynn Taitt and the Jets put out their U.N.C.L.E. track "Napoleon Solo" backed with "Pressure and Slide" during the same year (Island #WI-3139). Apparently it was common to put out tunes that, at least in name, made reference to hot properties. I'll share more Bond tunes from the islands soon. Strange but fascinating artifacts from the later Spy Boom. Label images and videos below. Enjoy!




Selected Spy Vibe posts: Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesNew Saint PublicationsThe Saint Complete box setGerry Anderson Box SetsMusic For SpiesThai Bond DesignBrian Clemens RIPBond vs ModernismImitation GameNew Avengers BooksRingo Does GoldfingerSixties Beat WearPopular SkulltureArt of ModestyAvengers Blu-ray updateTokyo Beat 1964Polaroid SpyFeraud Mod FashionFlint Scores!Bond DanishNew Richard Sala BookNew 007 ComicsDesigning Bond BooksGreen Hornet MangaMargaret Nolan ArtNo 6 FestivalBarbarella ReturnsDesigner: Gene WinfieldAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy OlsenRare Avengers ScriptsMan From Uncle UK ComicsThunderbirds ComicsShakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers InterviewAvengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky BootsGeorge Lois Design & Mad MenRichard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The Saint books returnTrina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

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