Let's Boogaloo! - Record Kicks

Let's Boogaloo is a wonderful series of five volumes that brings together the best funk, latin soul, dancefloor dancing among other pearls. The first compilation was launched in 2004 by the label Record Kicks and presents several masters funks, with a devastating sequence from start to finish, highly hot, danceable and explosive, remebering some 70's Grooves with Hammonds, Sax and Guitars . The fifth and most recent edition contains a selection from the "Jazzman Gerald". It's funk, soul, R & B, Jazz and latin music from of all over the world. These albuns are for those that loves to dance with a very good music.

Let's Boogaloo Vol 01

01. Nitty Gritty - Skeewiff

02. Chick a Boom - Joe Bataan

03. El Dorado - Monguito Santamari 

04. Never Learned To Dance - The Arvey Avern Dozen

05. Hector - The Village Callers

06. Teacher of Love - Ray Barreto

07. He’s That Way - Willie Bobo

08. Ode To Billie Joe - Cal Tjader

09. Don’t Touch My Popcorn - Diplomats of Solid Sound

10. Hard Top 22 - Stoned Soul Pic Nic

11. Let The Groove Move You - Boogaloo Investigators

12. La Stradda Della Moda - MiniVip

13. Beat.it - Link Quartet

14. Jazz pour Dadine - Nicola Conte

15. Sophisticade Samba - Gerardo Frisina

16. The Time Has Come - SoulStance

Let's Boogaloo Vol 02

01. Need no doctor - The Hypnomen

02. New York soul - Ray Barreto

03. Just keep on - Speedometer

04. Slush Puppy - The Slow Slushy Boys

05. Quienes que resolverlo - Bronx River Parkway

06. Hod Carrier - Spoon Bender

07. The Spider - Skeewiff

08. Breakaway - Frank Popp Ensemble

09. Groove la notte - Koniec

10. More formby than benson - Andy Lewis

11. Ménage - Minivip

12. Doggy bad - Slim Alan 3

13. Lover and a friend - Eddie Bo & Inez Chetnam

14. Italian playboys - The Link Quartet

15. Somebody’s been sleepin’ in my bed - Cosa Nostra

16. El Pez Mosquito - The Natural Thing

Let's Boogaloo Vol 03

01. Beatcoma - Alan Moorehouse

02. Don’t let it happen to us - Fred Hughes

03. Say yeah yeah - Yvonne Fair 

04. Getting’ Down - Brand New Rhythm 

05. Hot pants party - Guy Morris

06. Jazz Cat - D. Glover G. Crockett

07. Calhoon Road - Karminsky Experience feat Rory More 

08. Bouning balls - Lefties Soul Connection

09. Look what you can get - Funky Nassau

10. Funky Skunk - Pete Thomas

11. Latin Soul Strutt - D. Glover G. Crockett

12. Miss Augusta - Minivip

13. Spider Baby - Link Quartet

14. Ain’t gonna tell no one - Stoned Soul Picnic

15. Oh my - Dansettes

16. I’ve got you man - Sweet Vandals

Let's Boogaloo Vol 04

01. Thirty Three - The New Master Sounds

02. Dont Pretend - The Belles

03. Boogaloo Le Bron - Lebron Brothers

04. Cards On The Table - The Diplomats

05. No Controlling Me - Baby Charles

06. On Way Street - Little Ann

07. She Lights My Fire - Osaka Monaurail

08. Your Wasting My Time - Billy Ganrer

09. Keep It Coming - Bobby Garrett

10. Taking Over - Ralph Robles

11. They Say -  The Ovacions

12. Ton Of Dynamite - Frank Crocker

13. Got To Get Me A Job - Ann Alford

14. Thats What I Want To Know - James Carr

15. Melao Para El Sapo - Eddie Calmieri

16. Dynamite - The Harvey Averne Dozen

17. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag - Sweet Vandals

Let's Boogaloo Vol 05

01 - All Nations Quartet - He Spoke

02 - Floyd Lawson & The Hearts Of Stone - K Gee

03 - Mountain Mocha Kilimajaro - Yellow Soul Force

04 - Billy Larkin - Funky Fire

05 - Patrinell Staten - Little Love Affair

06 - Sal Davis - Makini

07 - Royale VII - It's An Explosion

08 - The Invaders - Spacing Out

09 - The Natural Yoghurt Band - Soft Cheese

10 - Little Wille John - I'm Shakin

11 - Freddy King - Now I've Got A Woman

12 - The Port Angels - Angel Food

13 - Keisa Brown - Dance Man

14 - Soul Fantastic - Funky Puggin

15 - Shade and The Jazz Destroyers - Newborn

16 - John Heartsman - Mr. Magic

17 - Ricardo Marrero - Get Yourself Together

Let's Boogaloo Vol 06

Who was Tommy Bolin?

Thomas Richard "Tommy" Bolin (August 1, 1951 – December 4, 1976) was an American-born guitarist who played with Zephyr (from 1969 to 1971), The James Gang (from 1973 through 1974), and Deep Purple (from 1975 to 1976); in addition to maintaining a notable solo career.
Tommy Bolin was a great guitarrist and his career should be remembered and celebrated. We will better understand the career of this amazing guitarist listening to your music. We prepared a nice compilation of his work. Hope you like it!

Tommy Bolin was born in Sioux City, Iowa and began playing in bands around the city as a youth ("A Patch of Blue" and others) before moving to Boulder, Colorado, in his late teens. He had played in a band called American Standard before joining Ethereal Zephyr, a band named after a train that ran between Denver and Chicago. When record companies became interested, the name was shortened to Zephyr. This band included Bolin on guitar, David Givens on bass, and Givens' wife Candy Givens on vocals. The band had begun to do larger venues, opening for more established acts such as Led Zeppelin. Their second album, entitled Going Back to Colorado, featured a new drummer, Bobby Berge, who would pop up from time to time in musician credits in album liner notes from Bolin's later projects.

Oldscholl, a good friend of Valvulado, suggested to include Zephyr:

Zephyr - Going Back To Colorado - 1971

Alternative Link

The Band:

Candy Givens - vocal

Tommy Bolin - guitarra

Bobby Berge - bateria

David Givens - baixo

John Faris - teclados

In 1972 Bolin, at the age of 20, formed the fusion jazz-rock-blues band Energy. While the band never released an album during Bolin's lifetime, several recordings have been released posthumously. He also played on Billy Cobham's Spectrum album, which included Bolin on guitar, Billy Cobham of Mahavishnu Orchestra on drums, Leland Sklar on bass and Jan Hammer (also of Mahavishnu Orchestra) on keyboards and synthesizers. And at this phase, starts our listening:

Billy Cobham and Tommy Bolin - Spectrum (1973)

1973 found him as Domenic Troiano's replacement, who had replaced Joe Walsh, in the James Gang. He had two records with this band: Bang! in 1973 and Miami in 1974.

James Gang - Bang, 1973

Tommy Bolin - Synthesizer, Guitar, Vocals

Jim Fox - Keyboards, Drums, Vocals 

Roy Kenner - Percussion, Vocals

Dale Peters - Bass, Percussion, Vocals 

James Gang - Miami 1974 

After the Miami tour, Bolin wanted out of the James Gang. He went on to do session work for numerous rock bands and also with a number of jazz artists including Alphonse Mouzon's album Mind Transplant, considered "one of the best fusion recordings of all time" by Allmusic reviewer Robert Taylor. He also toured with Carmine Appice and The Good Rats.

Alphonse Mouzon and Tommy Bolin – Mind Transplant 1975

THE BAND:

Alphonse Mouzon: drums, vocals, keys

Tommy Bolin: guitar

Jay Graydon: guitar

Lee Ritenour: guitar

Jerry Peters: keyboards

Henry Davis: bass

Rocke Grace: keyboards

Stanley Sheldon: bass

Bolin signed with Nemperor records to record a solo album. Bolin decided to do his own vocals on this album as well. Session players on this record included David Foster, David Sanborn, Jan Hammer, Stanley Sheldon, Phil Collins and Glenn Hughes. In the start of 1975, Bolin contributed some studio guitar assistance to Canadian band Moxy during the recording of their debut album. Later in 1975 saw the release of Bolin's first solo record, Teaser, on the Nemperor label.

Tommy Bolin - Teaser (1975)

The Band :

Tommy Bolin (guitarra/vocal)

Stanley Sheldon (baixo)

Paul Stallworth (baixo)

Dave Foster (piano/sintetizadores)

Jan Hammer (sintetizadores/bateria)

Ron Fransen (piano)

David Sanborn (saxofone)

Jeff Porcaro (bateria)

Prairie Prince (bateria)

Michael Walden (bateria)

Bobbie Berge (percussão)

Phil Collins (percussão)

Sammy Figueroa (percussão)

Rafael Cruz (percussão)

Dave Brown (vocal)

Lee Kiefer (vocal)

After Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple, the band had a meeting and discussed whether to disband or try and find a replacement, and chose the second option. David Coverdale had been listening to the Billy Cobham LP Spectrum. He decided he wanted Tommy in Deep Purple, and invited him over for a jam. Tommy showed up thin as a rail with his girlfriend in tow wearing a see through mesh mini-skirt. He plugged in to 4 Marshall amps and jammed with the band for 4 hours. The job was his. The band then relocated to Munich, Germany, to begin work on Come Taste the Band. Bolin wrote or co-wrote seven of the record's nine tracks, including the instrumental "Owed to G," which was a tribute to George Gershwin. Come Taste the Band was released in late 1975, and Australian, US and Japanese tours ensued.

Deep Purple - 1975 - Come Taste The Band

LINK2

The Band:

Tommy Bolin - guitars, vocals, bass guitar on "Comin' Home"

David Coverdale - lead vocals

Glenn Hughes - bass, vocals 

Jon Lord - keyboards, piano, synthesizer

Ian Paice - drums, percussion

Deep Purple - 1977 - Last Concert in Japan


The Band:
Tommy Bolin - guitar, vocals
David Coverdale - lead vocals
Glenn Hughes - bass, vocals
Jon Lord - keyboards, Hammond organ, backing vocals
Ian Paice - drums, percussion

After Deep Purple disbanded in March, 1976, Bolin was back on the road with his solo band with plans for a second solo record. The band had a rotating cast of players which included Narada Michael Walden, Mark Stein, Norma Jean Bell, Reggie McBride, Jimmy Haslip, Max Carl Gronenthal and eventually Bolin's younger brother Johnnie Bolin on drums.

By mid-1976, CBS signed Bolin and he began to record Private Eyes, his second and last solo record.

Tommy Bolin - Private Eyes (1976)

LiNK2

The Band:

Tommy Bolin – Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals, Piano

Reggie McBride – Bass, Vocals

Mark Stein – Keyboards, Vocals

Carmine Appice – Drums on "Someday Will Bring Our Love Home"

Bobby Berge – Percussion, Drums

Bobbye Hall – Percussion

Norma Jean Bell – Percussion, Vocals, Saxophone

Del Newman – string arrangements

Bolin's tour for Private Eyes was his last concert date. He opened for Peter Frampton and Jeff Beck. In his final show, he opened for Beck on December 3, 1976, and encored with a rendition of "Post Toastee." He also posed for a photo with Beck after the show. Several hours later, Bolin died from an overdose of heroin and other substances, including alcohol, cocaine and barbiturates. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa.

In 2010, several well-known artists gathered to create a tribute album titled Mister Bolin’s Late Night Revival, a compilation of 17 previously unreleased tracks written by the guitar legend. The CD includes works by HiFi Superstar, Doogie White, Eric Martin, Troy Luccketta, Jeff Pilson, Randy Jackson, Rex Carroll, Rachel Barton, Derek St. Holmes, Kimberley Dahme, and The 77’s. A percentage of the proceeds from this project will benefit the Jackson Recovery Centers.

Tommy Bolin Tribute - Mr. Bolin's Late Night Revival What If... (2010)

Producer Greg Hampton (who has previously worked on such archival Bolin releases as Whips and Roses) co-produced (with Gov't Mule leader Warren Haynes) a star-studded tribute to Bolin, Tommy Bolin and Friends: Great Gypsy Soul, which was released in 2012, and featured contributions from Brad Whitford, Nels Cline, John Scofield, Myles Kennedy, Derek Trucks, Steve Morse, and Peter Frampton, among many others.

Tommy Bolin & Friends - Great Gypsy Soul (Tribute 2012)

THANKS A LOT, TOMMY BOLIN - ROCK IN PEACE

More Tommy Bolin:
Tommy Bolin - Fever (15 albuns)

At Only Good Song

David Gilmour - Meltdown Festival 2001

David Gilmour is one of the best guitar players, undoubtedly. The sound of his guitar is unique and unmistakable, and he touches our souls with his guitar playing. Gilmour is most associated as a lead guitarist. His own solo style is often characterized by blues-influenced phrasing, expressive note bends and sustain. In 2011, Gilmour was rated the 14th greatest guitarist by Rolling Stone magazine. In January 2007, Guitar World readers voted Gilmour's solos, "Comfortably Numb", "Time" and "Money" into the top 100 Greatest Guitar Solos ("Comfortably Numb" was voted the 4th," Time" was voted the 21st and "Money" was voted the 62nd greatest solo of all time).

In 1996, Gilmour was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Pink Floyd. Gilmour's solo on "Comfortably Numb" was voted as one of the greatest guitar solos of all time in several polls by listeners and critics. Although mainly known for his guitar work, Gilmour is also a proficient multi-instrumentalist. He also plays bass guitar (which he did on many Pink Floyd tracks), keyboards, synthesiser, banjo, lap steel, mandolin, harmonica, drums (as heard on the Syd Barrett solo track "Dominoes", and other songs where he opted to play all the instruments) and lately, the saxophone.

So, we want to share two bootlegs (of the same show) of Mr. Gilmour playing Floyd songs in a more acoustic sessions... 

David Gilmour - Plays Floyd Unplugged (2001)

David Gilmour - acoustic, electric, &a slide guitar 

Michael Kamen - piano and cor anglais 

Chucho Merchan - double bass 

Caroline Dale - cello 

Dick Parry - saxophone 

Neill MacColl - acoustic guitar 

Nic France - percussion 

Gospel Choir led by Sam Brown 

David Gilmour - Gilmour's Meltdown 2001

A nice report of this show = ( http://www.pinkfloydz.com/david_gilmour_22_june_2001.htm ).

Soulshaker Collection - Deep Funk, Soul & Jazz

 The explosive sound of the deep funk scene is captured perfectly here on one of THE BEST deep funk compilations ever! The SOULSHAKER compilation from RECORD KICKS is a good reminder of why the new deep funk sound is so popular. Almost all tracks here are featured on CD format for the first time.

Soulskaker Vol 1 (2004)

1.Dynamo Productions - Steppin It Up (6:23) 
2. Sharon Jones & The Dap - Kings - Got A Thing On My Mind (2:55) 
3. The Fran k Popp Ensemble - You've Been Gone Too Long (2:22) 
4. Big Boss Man - Sea Grove (4:26) 
5. Jinrai - Dr Faustus (4:06) 
6. The Bongolian - Champagne And Pizza (2:53) 
7. Sugarman 3 & Co. With Lee Fields - Shot Down (3:07) 
8. The Soul 69 - Soul 69 Theme (3:56) 
9. The Link Quartet - Strudel Girl (3:16) 
10. Montefiori Cocktail - Pardon (3:43) 
11. Mike Painter And The Family Shakers - El Diablos Smelly Shoes (3:21) 
12. Speedometer - Wait Up (3:32) 
13. Andy Lewis - One By One (3:34) 
14. Joseph Henry & The Mighty Imperials - I've Never Found A Girl (3:41) 
15. Mini Vip - Prive (3:16) 
16. Trash Monkeys - Clubtown (3:13) 
17. Studio Davoli - Superpartner (3:54)

Soulshaker Vol 2 (2005)

1.The Voodoo Trombone Quartet - Your Pleasure Is Our Pleasure

2. Big Boss Man - Kelvin Stardust

3. Speedometer - Have You Got The Message

4. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)

5. Quantic - Don't Joke With a Hungry Man (feat. Spanky Wilson)

6. Lemon - Hell Yeah

7. Kahuna Kawentzmann - Gogo Sitar

8. Smoove - Coming Back (feat. Jess Roberts)

9. The Link Quartet - Sweet Little Apples

10. The Nick Rossi Set - Foolkiller

11. Sting Ray Davies & The Organites - Upstairs On Boston Road

12. The Boogaloo Investigators - If You Reap

13. The Diplomats of Solid Sound - Loaf And Jug

14. Funexplosion - Love Jet

15. The Soul Destroyers - Fackin' It (feat. Sharon Jackson)

16. Stoned Soul Picnic - Doctor Gonzo

17. The Slow Slushy Boys - I Can't Believe What You Say

Soulshaker Vol 3 (2006)

1. The Bamboos feat Alice Russell - Trascend Me (4:40) 

2. Breakestra feat Choklate - Take my time (4:56) 

3. Big Daddy Monchin - Ratpack (2:36) 

4. Quantic Soul Orchestra - Pushin'On (3:17) 

5. Phat Fred - Stay on the groove (4:29) 

6. Hi-Fly - Hi-Fidelity (4:43) 

7. Bronx River Parkway - La Valla (3:46) 

8. Smoove - Tired feet (3:16) 

9. 2020Vision vs. New Mastersounds - Belive (3:34) 

10. Gary Davis - Gotta get your love (Kenny Dope rmx) (4:22) 

11. Budos Band - Aynotchesh Yererfu (3:10) 

12. Sweet Vandals - Do it right (3:56) 

13. Poets of Rythm - Practice what you preach (3:22) 

14. Link Quartet - Move move move (3:00) 

15. The Soul Snatcher - Who told you (2:18) 

16. Speak Low - Meters Bread (4:39) 

Soulshaker Vol 4 (2007)

1. Quantic Ft Alice Russell - The Sound Of Everything (Senorlobo And Watch Remix) (4:21) 

2. The Sweet Vandals - Too Much (4:22) 

3. The Soul Snatchers Ft Curtis T - Good Foot Down (3:12) 

4. Binky Griptite And The Mellomatics - Mellomatic Mood (2:33) 

5. The Boogoos - Bubbles Part 1 (3:19) 

6. Unity - Dont Wanna Change (Aiff Remix) (4:50) 

7. Kokolo - Each One Teach One (4:05) 

8. Steven Perri And Zamaun - Street Scene (3:41) 

9. Unity - Escape (Diesler Remix) (3:27) 

10. Diplomats Of Solid Sound Ft The Diplomettes - Budget Fro (3:24) 

11. Enri - The Performer (3:23)

12. The New Mastersounds - The New Mastersounds-Land Of Nod (Lack Of Afro Remix) (3:50) 

13. Mr. Cosmicstore Ft Nicole Willis - Are You Ready To The Party (4:13) 

14. Baby Charles - Coming From A Higher Place (3:04) 

15. Ben Westbeech - So Good Today (The Dap Kings Remix) (3:11) 

16. Tuomo - Don't Take It Too Hard (3:13)

Soulshaker Vol 5 (2008)

1. Kings Go Forth - One Day (4:11) 

2. Shaolin Temple Defenders - 7 Deadly Corners (3:44) 

3. Eli "Paperboy" Reed - Satisfier (2:36) 

4. Trio Valore - Return Of The Iron Monkey (2:29) 

5. Kokolo - Girls On Film (3:27) 

6. Unity - I Don't Wanna Change (Nostalgia 77 Remix) (5:20) 

7. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Keep On Looking (Kenny Dope Remix) (5:31) 

8. Zamali - No Luck To Run (3:46) 

9. Andy Lewis - Devastated (Mr. Comicstore Remix) (4:10) 

10. Baby Charles - Time Wasting (3:35) 

11. Osaka Monaurail - Double Up Now (4:02) 

12. Diplomats Of Solid Sound - Trouble Me (2:11)

13. Sweet Divines - Heckuva Man (3:42) 

14. Breakestra - Little Miss Funky Sole (4:38) 

15. New Matersounds - Idle Time (Lack Of Afro Remix) (5:10) 

16. Lee McDonald - Ill Do Anything For You (Red Astaire Philly Mix) (5:37) 

Soulshaker Vol 6 (2009)

01) Mishal Moore - Oh Lord (Kenny Dope/Kay Dee version)

02) Laura Vane & The Vipertones - Did It Anyway

03) Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators - You Better Change (feat Jimi Tenor)

04) Dojo Cuts - Uptight (feat Roxie Ray)

05) Ray Lugo LES Express - I Dream Of Bahia (feat Elani)

06) Diplomats Of Solid Sound - If You're Wrong (feat The Diplomettes - Lack Of Afro remix)

07) The Hi Fly Orchestra - Roda De Samba

08) Milano Jazz Dance Combo - Turn Up The Heat

09) The New Mastersounds - Bus Stop No 5 (Afrokats Crew remix)

10) Kokolo - Afrika Man (feat Jojo Kuo)

11) Trio Valore - El Compadre

12) Joe Kane & The Privates Hammond Orchestra - I'm Sorry (Can I Please Come Home)

13) The Link Quartet - Purple Haze

14) Soulful Torino Orchestra - Soul Burger

15) Shaolin Temple Defenders - International Soul (Dynamics remix)

16) The Crabs Corporation - Reggae Power

17) Baby Charles - Jackson Fingers

18) Gizelle Smith - June[/SIZE]

Soulshaker V7 (2010)

1. Elder Williams Smith - His Voice (2:58) 

2. The Liberators - Rags To Riches (Jazz Dance Edit) (4:37) 

3. Ray Harris & The Fusion Experience - Scaramunga (B-Dub Soulshaker Remix) (3:08) 

4. The Underbelly - Shepards Pie (3:59) 

5. Dojo Cuts - Grand Carnival (3:19) 

6. Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra - Bring It Up (2:42) 

7. The Third Coast Kings - Tonic Stride (5:04) 

8. Shaolin Temple Defenders - I Know What It Is (3:40)

 9. The Diplomats Of Solid Sound - Gimme One More Chance (3:26) 

10. The Pepperpots - Real Tru Love (3:38) 

11. 6Ix Toys - Do Your Thing (3:59) 

12. Los Granadians Del Espacio Exterior - New York City (3:04)

13. Ray Lugo's Les Express - Me Tokan En Japan (3:00)

14. The Hifly Orchestra - Sookie Sookie (6:30) 

15. Roy Ellis & The Teenagers - Let Me Take You Higher (2:36) 

16. The Graps Corporation - Bring Down The Birds (Flying High Mix) (3:04) 

17. The Baker Brothers - Once I Had A Friend (4:08)

PEDRADA PURA!

Aztec Camera

Aztec Camera was a Scottish New wave band formed by Roddy Frame. Formed in 1980, the band went on to release a total of six albums — although, most of the records were essentially written and played by Frame — High Land, Hard Rain (1983), Knife (1984), Love (1987), Stray (1990), Dreamland (1993) and Frestonia (1995)."Oblivious", "Somewhere in My Heart" and "Good Morning Britain" (a duet with former The Clash guitarist Mick Jones) were popular songs for the band.

Aztec Camera - Knife (1984)

Knife is the second album by Aztec Camera and was released in 1984. It reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart – their highest showing at that time. It also charted at #29 on the Swedish Albums Chart.

The original release did not include the acoustic cover of "Jump" by Van Halen; this was added after Aztec Camera's version (originally the B-side of "All I Need Is Everything") gained popularity.

Side A

"Still on Fire" - 3:56

"Just Like the USA" - 4:03

"Head Is Happy (Heart's Insane)" - 4:16

"Back Door to Heaven" - 5:22

Side B

"All I Need Is Everything" - 5:44

"Backwards and Forwards" - 4:13

"The Birth of the True" - 2:42

"Knife" - 9:05
Bonus: Jump (Van Halen)

All songs written by Roddy Frame

Palhinha: (  http://youtu.be/COtZZmWKcRI )

Big Brother & The Holding Company - Psychedelic B;ues Rock (USA)

Big Brother and the Holding Company is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1965 as part of the same psychedelic music scene that produced the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Jefferson Airplane. They are best known as the band that featured Janis Joplin as their lead singer. Their 1968 album Cheap Thrills is considered one of the masterpieces of the psychedelic sound of San Francisco; it reached number one on the Billboard charts, and was ranked number 338 in Rolling Stone's the 500 greatest albums of all time. The album is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Leader Peter Albin, a country-blues guitarist who had played with future Grateful Dead founders Jerry Garcia and Ron McKernan, met Sam Andrew, a professional rock guitarist with a jazz and classical background. After playing together at Albin's home, Andrew suggested they form a band. The pair approached guitarist James Gurley, the resulting threesome playing open jam sessions hosted by entrepreneur Chet Helms in 1965. Helms found them a drummer, Chuck Jones, and Big Brother and the Holding Company was formed at their first gig, the Trips Festival in January 1966. In the audience was painter and jazz drummer David Getz, who soon displaced Jones.

Big Brother went on to become the house band at the Avalon Ballroom, playing a progressive style of instrumental rock. Feeling a need for a strong vocalist, Helms contacted Janis Joplin, who at the time was considering joining up with Roky Erickson of The 13th Floor Elevators. She traveled to San Francisco from Austin, Texas and debuted with Big Brother at the Avalon on June 10, 1966.

Big Brother & The Holding Company 1967

Cheap Thrills 1968

 Live At Winterland '68

Be A Brother 1970