The Wasabis - Sake It! CD (Fonocal)

The Wasabis are a garage/surf/beat group in Argentina that have a raw n’ rockin’ sound - it’s appropriate that this CD was recorded in glorious mono. The twelve songs show off the band’s talent and affinity for the early 60’s sound, and have songs that encompass surf (“Surfer Samurai” and “Thamesis Mission”), Mersey-style beat (“Highway” and “Shallow Baby”), B-movie themes, and yet slow it down for a few mid-tempo “ballads” as well (“Crying”, “KEA” and “Rain”. While the raw recordings might turn off a few, if you really dig the vintage sound this is about as authentic as it gets. These days, it seems like fewer and fewer bands are delivering this sound, while in the 90’s it seems like everyone was - as such, I really had a blast listening to this as it was new and fresh, yet I felt a little nostalgic at the same time.

Tracks: Highway - I'm Gonna Leave You - Surfer Samurai - Crying - Where Is My Car? - Debbie - She Dance A Go Go - Thamesis Mission - Shallow Baby - KEA - Rain - Tsukemono Fight