R&B / surf instrumental ~ Detroit 1960

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R&B instrumental group, Nick and the Soundbarriers were from Detroit, Michigan. They recorded just three 45s, including this New York Tee Pee label 45. Not always a fan of 50s/early 60s saxophone-heavy, dance instrumentals, but 'Rainbow' has a speedy, early surf, R&B dance sound that moves in the right direction.
Their first recording/45, 'Big Nick' is on the Detroit-Northwest Sound Company label, also recorded in 1960. The third, 'Freeway Hot Rod,' pressed on the NY-Fleetwood label...Other than that, can't find much more information on this band.
This is the b-side flip to: 'Spinning Wheel Twist.'

mod beat instrumental ~ 1964

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One of the many great British beat instrumentals from The Shadows, originally recorded/pressed on the UK Columbia label. This is the US press from the same year.
The Shadows go back as far as 1958, when they started playing in the UK as 'The Drifters.' Lead guitarist Hank Marvin's relaxed mid-tempo sound I've always admired. Though with a couple exceptions, always preferred The Shadows as an instrumental band, without Cliff Richard.

Written by The Shadows, 'The Rise And Fall Of Flingel Bunt' was a top ten hit in four countries, including the UK. It was played on US radio in 1964, but never reached the top 100 in the US.
The flip side is, 'Theme For Young Lovers.'


"Before The Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British music." - John Lennon

The Shadows in 1964.

left to right: John Rostill, Brian Bennett, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch