Surf Beat! – The Merciless Power Of Water, Tuned Cars and the Sun

Summer is here, and Germany’s Bear Family Records has sought to provide the perfect accompanist at vintage BBQs or beach parties. Surf Beat is a collection of mostly 1960s-era Surf and Rock ‘n’ Roll instrumentals. It contains 33 tracks released between 1959 and 1966; Is it worth picking up?

I am a fan of this theme and genre, so I looked forward to consuming this compilation. Like a lot of people, I mostly associate surfing with The Beach Boys, owing to their large amount of material addressing the subject matter. Surf Beat focuses on the instrumental side of the genre, offering a smattering of well-known icons alongside obscure gems.

The album begins with the track this album has been named after, Surf Beat by Aki Aleong & The Nobles. Immediately I am transported to a beach somewhere in the United States, with decisive twangy picking, prominent cymbals, subtle sax and hefty reverb paving the way. A consistent tidal wave (pun intended) runs throughout this album, each track more danceable than the last; All using very similar ingredients and mixtures yet remaining unique enough. I was bopping my head throughout, impressed by the tight guitar work. Those (mostly) three chords are doing their job.

My personal highlights include the title track, The Super Stocks’ Midnight Run, The Thundermen’s Thunderbeat, The Go-Getter’s Driftin’ and The Scarlets’ Stampede. An honourable mention goes to Al Casey’s Surfin’ Blues parts 1 and 2, which has anarchic shades of Punk streaming through it.

Amidst the lesser-known tunes, artists such as Duane Eddy, The Ventures, Dick Dale, and Jan & Dean stand out. They lend a sense of recognition and authenticity, paving the way for musical exploration and education.

Sound Quality

Like many releases of its kind, the sound quality on Surf Beat varies. Some tracks are sourced from master tapes, while others likely originate from original 45s. However, this is not overly apparent in all cases, given the distinctive sound of Surf Rock. If something sounds somewhat unrefined, it merely contributes to the intended aesthetic.. It is evident that Bear Family Records has dedicated significant attention to ensuring these recordings are of the highest quality possible.

A Little Something Extra…

The album comes encased in an immaculately printed digipak which features a picture of a surfer on a beach with a surfboard. The booklet features liner notes by John Blair, alongside rare photographs and illustrations. It’s great to have information on each entry, adding a layer of context.

Conclusion

Bear Family Records has again created a compilation that pays tribute to its subject matter by mixing hits with obscurities. The balance is perfect, a non-stop beach party with a pleasing selection. I think I can honestly say that in five years of reviewing Bear Family Records titles, this one comes into my top three favourites. I’m usually quite sober when writing these, but this one had me dancing all over my office. I honestly feel my musical education in this genre has been enhanced greatly by listening to this album. If you’re looking for a collection for a vintage surf themed event, this is the one to go for! Surf Beat! – The Merciless Power Of Water, Tuned Cars and the Sun is available from Bear Family Records.

Tracklisting:

1. Aki Aleong & The Nobles – Surf Beat
2. The Challengers – Tidal Wave
3. The Centurions – Intoxica
4. The Super Stocks – Midnight Run
5. The Chandelles – El Gato
6. The Surfaris – Storm Surf
7. The Thundermen – Thunderbeat
8. The Super Stocks – Redondo Beach
9. The Challengers – Pipeline ’65
10. The Centurions – Bullwinkle -Part II
11. The Chantays – Tragic Wind
12. The Super Stocks – Newport Beach
13. The Fireballs – Vaquero (Cowboy)
14. The Go-Getters – Driftin’
15. The Nocturnes – Baha-Ree-Ba
16. The Fabulous Playboys – Cheater Stomp
17. The Raiders feat. Tommy Allsup – Dandanella
18. Duane Eddy – Moovin’ n’ Groovin’ (1965 Version)
19. The New Dimensions – Rumble Bee
20. Dave Myers & The Surftones – King’s Surf
21. Jan Davis – The Surfing Matador (a.k.a. Snow Surfin’ Matador)
22. The Crossfires – Inferno
23. Tommy Falcone & The Centuries – Like Weird
24. The Ramrods – Night Ride
25. The Super Stocks – Ventura
26. The Scarlets – Stampede
27. The Catalinas – Banzai Washout
28. Al Casey – Surfin’ Blues -Part II
29. The Ventures = A Go-Go Dancer (a.k.a. The Swingin’ Creeper)
30. Dick Dale& The Del-Tones – Misrlou Twist
31. Dave Myers & The Surftones – Road to Rincon
32. Jan & Dean – Something A Little Bit Different