Friday, June 27, 2025

VA - Rare and Obscure 70s (A Butterboy Compilation) (4 x CDs)

RARE and OBSCURE

VA - Rare and Obscure 70s (A Butterboy Compilation) (4 x CDs)

Rare and obscure music tracks are songs that, despite their artistic merit, never gained widespread recognition or commercial success. These tracks often come from lesser-known artists, underground scenes, or forgotten albums that were released in limited quantities. They can span various genres, but all are Lost to Time. Some artists disappeared after one album or single, leaving behind hidden gems others have gained cult status gaining appreciation years later through collectors and music enthusiasts and many were impacted by limited releases only being pressed in small batches or only available in certain regions.

"Rare and Obscure 70s" is a collection that ventures beyond mainstream nostalgia to explore the forgotten sonic gems of a decade filled with innovation and artistic freedom. Spanning four distinct track lists, Rock, Folk, Pop, and Soul each presenting 32 tracks, unearths the overlooked brilliance of musicians who, despite their talent, never fully reached commercial heights. It is a celebration of creativity unfettered by industry trends, shining a light on music that remains timeless despite its obscurity.

CD1, The Rock Track list encapsulates the raw energy of the 70s underground scene, embracing heavy riffs, progressive compositions, and psychedelic landscapes. These tracks reflect the era’s spirit of rebellion, where musicians crafted intricate soundscapes driven by passion rather than mainstream approval. From blistering guitar work to experimental structures, this segment is a deep dive into the unfiltered essence of rock’s most adventurous period.

CD2, The Folk Track list is a tribute to introspective storytelling and melodic craftsmanship, capturing a range of acoustic textures and poetic lyricism. These tracks embody a warmth and sincerity that remains unparalleled, drawing from tradition while embracing the fresh perspectives of an era in cultural flux. The selection here is rich with evocative melodies and timeless narratives, offering a glimpse into the quieter yet profoundly moving corners of 70s music.

CD3, The Pop Track list challenges the notion that commercial success defines musical greatness. It features melodies and songcraft that, despite their brilliance, slipped through the cracks of widespread recognition. From dreamy harmonies and radio-friendly hooks to boundary-pushing experimentation, this section revives the vibrant and diverse spirit of pop music beyond the mainstream hits of the decade.

CD4, The Soul Track list embodies the heart and groove of the 70s, highlighting powerful vocal performances and deep emotional resonance. These songs evoke themes of love, struggle, and celebration, carried by rich instrumentation and undeniable rhythm. Whether smooth and sultry or raw and impassioned, this collection captures the essence of soul music at its most heartfelt and enduring.

Ultimately, Rare and Obscure 70s is a rediscovery, a tribute to artistry that deserves to be heard and appreciated. These artists, while not as widely known as some of the era’s headliners, have come to be celebrated as rare gems for the way they capture the spirit and innovation of 1970s. By bringing together these hidden tracks, the set challenges listeners to explore beyond the familiar and embrace the beauty found in the overlooked corners of musical history. This is a deep dive into forgotten sounds. Each song in this collection reflects the daring essence of 70s energy (B)

While every effort was made to include only tracks from the 1970s, a few slipped in from just before the decade—but they still embody the spirit and sound of the ’70s.”

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Track lists

CD1

01 Sir Lord Baltimore - Lake Isle of Innersfree 4:02 1971

02 Orange Wedge - Comfort of You 5:28 1972

03 Christopher - Dark Road 2:54 1970

04 Dark - Live for Today 8:04 1972

05 Ellison - Freedom 3:13 1971

06 Mirkwood - Love's Glass of Sunshine 11:32 1973

07 Cargo - Sail Inside 10:53 1972

08 Demian - Snake Head 4:30 1974

09 Bolder Damn - Rock On 4:15 1971

10 May Blitz - I Don't Know? 4:49 1970

11 Felix - Outside Woman Blues 2:08 1970

12 Highway - Seems to Me 5:20 1975

13 Duffy - Tell me 3:05 1972

14 Aquila - The Aquila Suite (First Movement: Aquila (Introduction), Flight If The Gilden Bird) 8:29 1970

15 Kissing Spell - Yellow Moon 2:17 1970

16 Hard Meat - The Ballad of Marmalade Emma and Teddy Grimes 2:58 1970

17 Geroge Brigman - I Can Hear The Ants Dancin' 3:34 1975

18 Stone Circus - Mr. Grey 3:04 1970

19 Sainte Anthony's Fyre - Summer Fun 3:42 1970

20 Highway Robbery - Mystery Rider 3:01 1972

21 Cold Sun - See What You Cause 3:41 1970

22 Aardvark - Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It 7:35 1970

23 Haystacks Balboa - The Children of Heaven 3:09 1970

24 Jenghiz Khan - The Lighter 5:07 1972

25 Azitis - The Prophet 6:11 1971

26 Gift - You'll Never Be Accepted 6:32 1972

27 Fields - While The Sun Still Shines 3:18 1971

28 Big Brother feat. Ernie Joseph - Wake Me Up in The Morning 6:27 1970

29 Blast Furnace - Toytown 4:18 1971

30 Bodkin - Three Days After Death (Part 1) 4:34 1972

31 Third World War - Working Class Man 4:31 1971

32 The Damnation of Adam Blessing - Everyone 4:15 1970


CD2

01 Heron - Upon Reflection 2:37 1970

02 Gallery - Let No Man Steal Your Theme 2:29 1972

03 Happy and Artie Traum - Misty Dreams 3:19 1971

04 Skybird - Remembering 4:09 1974

05 Keith Christmas - The Fawn 4:57 1970

06 Ora - Seashore 2:52 1970

07 Madden & Harris - Wishes 4:27 1975

08 Shona Laing - Like Days Gone Before 2:55 1973

09 Sparrow - Dream Song 2:48 1972

10 Comus - Song to Comus 7:28 1971

11 Jade - Mayfly 3:35 1970

12 Bill Fay - Be Not So Fearful 2:46 1970

13 Evensong - Firefly 2:37 1973

14 Catherine Howe - It Comes With The Breezes 3:28 1971

15 Midwinter - Maids and Gentleman 4:31 1973

16 Jean Ritchie - None But One 6:27 1977

17 Nigel Planer & Chris Wade - Robbie 1:49 1971

18 Jan Dukes De Grey - Sorcerers 2:42 1970

19 Dave Goulder - Black Five 1:49 1971

20 Wizz Jones - Magical Flight 5:14 1977

21 Gaynor Jenkins - The Gypsy 2:56 1970

22 Kevin Coyne - White Horse 4:14 1972

23 Lambert & Nuttycomber - Putting Myself Together Again 2:18 1970

24 Michael Yonkers - Sunflower 3:49 1974

25 Fraser & DeBolt - David's Tune 3:25 1971

26 Emtidi - Yvonne's Dream 2:39 1970

27 Lifeblud - Waxing of The Moon 3:33 1970

28 Wolverlei - Een Ruiter Langs De Straat 6:13 1973

29 Folque - Harpa 4:53 1974

30 Caedmon - Maker Man 3:22 1978

31 Druids - The Prickly Bush 5:16 1970

32 Linda Perhacs - Chimacum Rain 3:23 1970


CD3

01 Dwight Twilley Band - Just Like The Sun 3:38 1976

02 Honeybus - Remember Caroline 2:33 1970

03 Fox - Me Without You 4:07 1975

04 Hudson-Ford - Such A Day 4:15 1974

05 Barry Blue - Dancin' (On A Saturday Night) 3:13 1973

06 Clodagh Rodgers - Come Back and Shake Me 2:37 1969

07 McGuinness Flint - When I'm Dead and Gone 3:41 1971

08 Poppy Family - Which Way You Goin' Billy 3:24 1970

09 Klaatu - Sub-Rosa Subway 4:36 1976

10 Emitt Rhodes - Pardon Me 2:49 1971

11 Rubinoos - Leave My Heart Alone 2:38 1977

12 Patto - Sittin' Back Easy 3:34 1970

13 Neon Philharmonic - Flowers for Your Pillow 2:19 2003

14 Roger Rodier - Easy Song (Single B-Side) 3:29 1972

15 Bryn Haworth - Grappenhall Rag 2:58 1974

16 Gallery - Nice to Be With You 2:37 1972

17 Glenda Collins - Run to Me 2:11 1971

18 Laurie Styvers - Beat The Reaper 3:34 1972

19 Fickle Pickle - Sinful Skinful 3:11 1970

20 Spring - Fool's Gold 6:27 1971

21 Bobby G. Rice - Sugar Shack 2:11 2011

22 Kim Carnes - You're A Part of Me 3:38 1975

23 Fairfield Parlour - The Glorious House of Arthur 2:46 1970

24 Sweet Smoke - Believe Me My Friends 4:30 1970

25 Roger Denison - Running Out of Time 2:10 1973

26 Claire Hamill - Geronimos Cadillac 3:57 1974

27 Promise - Sundown Sky 2:22 1975

28 Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Cherchez La Femme - Se Si Bon 5:50 1976

29 Kevin Ayers - Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes 3:25 1971

30 Hotlegs - Neanderthal Man 4:13 1971

31 Odyssey - Native New Yorker 3:27 1977

32 Bobby Bloom - Montego Bay 2:33 1970


CD4

01 Billy Jones & the Stars - Message From a Black Man 5:21 1970

02 Sam Dees - The Show Must Go On 3:27 1975

03 Charmetts - Breaking Up Again 3:09 1973

04 Darrow Fletcher - I Think I'm Gonna Write A Song 2:49 1970

05 Leon Ware - Why Be Alone 3:31 1972

06 Reuben Howell - You Can't Stop A Man in Love 2:39 1973

07 Bobby Patterson - Take Time to Know The Truth 3:36 1972

08 Soul Searchers - Close to You (Cover) 4:28 1974

09 Sylvia - Pillow Talk 4:27 1973

10 Earl Gaines - Nine Pound Steel 3:38 1975

11 Linda Lewis - Old Smokey 3:17 1972

12 Betty Davis - In The Meantime 2:44 1973

13 Dynamic Superiors - If I Could Meet You 3:36 1976

14 Ruth Copeland - The Silent Boatman 6:19 1970

15 Lenny Williams - 'Cause I Love You 7:07 1978

16 Sisters Love - You've Got My Mind 3:45 1973

17 William DeVaughn - Be Thankful for What You've Got 7:14 1974

18 Yvonne Fair - It Should Have Been Me 3:34 1975

19 Milton Wright - Black Man 4:10 1975

20 Marva Whitney - He's The One 2:32 1970

21 Little Ann - Deep Shadows 2:42 1967

22 Jean Knight - Do Me 2:52 1972

23 Vernon Garrett - One Man's Loss 3:39 1975

24 Barbara Mason - Bed & Board 8:14 1972

25 Bobby Patterson - How Do You Spell Love? 2:25 1972

26 Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor 2:33 1973

27 Laura Lee - Women's Love Rights 3:15 1971

28 Billy (Sugar Billy) Garner - You're Wasting My Time Part 1 2:53 1971

29 Darondo - Let My People Go 3:54 1974

30 Zulema - Wanna Be Where You Are 3:28 1974

31 Margie Joseph - Your Sweet Lovin' 3:40 1970

32 The Undisputed Truth - You Got The Love I Need 3:00 1971

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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26 comments:

  1. Thank you BB for another masterpiece. Montego Bay - cannot remember the original version. But there is this great cover from the eighties by a band called Amazulu. Such a warm song, a group with few gems, truly recommended.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, StoneRose.
      Montego Bay really has that sun-soaked charm that’s hard to forget, no matter the version. Amazulu’s take in the ’80s was an absolute delight, full of vibrant energy and that unmistakable island flair. It’s wonderful how a great cover can breathe new life into a classic. Appreciate you sharing the recommendation.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  2. Que excelente compilación, apreciado amigo. Mil gracias. Saludos cordiales.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Juan Manuel.
      I'm truly glad this compilation resonated with you. It's a joy to share these rare gems with kindred spirits. Wishing you many more hours of musical delight.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  3. I am left wondering just how big your collection is! Thanks for this, it's filling gaps I didn't even know I had.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, that's one of the great mysteries, Eden 232.
      Let’s just say the vault runs deep and it keeps growing with every discovery and shared gem. I’m thrilled these tracks are helping uncover hidden spaces in your musical map. There’s always more where that came from. Glad to have you along for the journey.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  4. Another incredible work.
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart, BB.
    It's when I see the number of artists and groups I don't know that I tell myself that there is still a lot of listening to do. You are our stone/rock of Sisyphus. It never stops!
    One detail intrigues me: you are almost only interested in the first half of the 70s. Is this intentional?
    Thank you for everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Hervé.
      Thank you so much for your heartfelt words. They mean the world. The joy of discovering unfamiliar artists is half the reward, each name a new door opening into forgotten sonic landscapes. Your comparison to Sisyphus is poetic in the best way… though I’d like to think the boulder’s made of vinyl and we’re rolling it uphill to the sound of obscure brilliance. As for the focus on the early 70s, yes, that’s quite intentional. That period crackles with creative risk-taking and raw experimentation, often before commercial polish smoothed out the edges. Also, there were late 60s tracks that I wanted to include but didn't as I did not want to overload the listener. It’s a goldmine for those treasures that got overlooked in real time but sparkle with age.
      Here’s to endless exploration and rolling that musical stone together.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  5. Hi!

    Been following your site for years & LUV the musical variety.
    Thanx for the compilation. Didn't recognize many of the artists. Any Canadians here? As a collector of Canadian music (the more obscure the better) would LUV any more you can share. Much appreciated.

    Cheers!
    Ciao! For now.
    rntcj

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi rntcj.
      I appreciate you being along for the ride all these years. The joy of sharing these collections is discovering just how many musical alleyways are still unexplored, even for the most seasoned collectors. And yes, you’ve got a keen ear, there are a few Canadians tucked into the set, like Klaatu ("Sub-Rosa Subway"), The Poppy Family ("Which Way You Goin' Billy?"), and Roger Rodier ("Easy Song"). Each one adds a distinct flavor from the northern air. If you’re chasing more obscure Canadian gems, I’d be thrilled to dig up a few more rarities that might've flown under the radar for future volumes of Rare and Obscure.
      Cheers.

      Delete
    2. Hi!

      Went & D/L'ed Vol. 3 of this collection = for Canadian content, & tried to unzip told the file is "invalid". Need to D/L ALL 4 comps.? Please explain.

      Cheers!
      Ciao! For now.
      rntcj

      Delete
    3. Hi rntcj,
      I’ve checked the links and they’re all active and functioning properly on my end.
      It looks like the issue may be on your side, perhaps try again using a different browser.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  6. This is brilliant. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Etienne.
      So glad you think so. It’s a joy to share these sonic curiosities, and knowing they hit the mark makes it all the more rewarding.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  7. BB It's funny how music we label does not always agree with the years. I think roughly that 50s music is 1955-1962, 60s is 1963-1972, 70s 1973-1979 until punk hit and after that......
    Thanks again for dreaming up these ideas and filling our collection with these treasures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi lemonflag.
      Thank you for the kind words. It’s a joy to keep dreaming up these compilations and sharing the journey with music lovers like you. It is such a great point you make. The boundaries between musical eras rarely match the neat lines of the calendar. The spirit of a decade often bleeds across years, shaped more by shifting sounds and cultural waves than dates alone. Your timeline rings especially true for how genres evolved in real time.
      Cheers.

      Delete
    2. I agree with your timeline Lemonflag. To my opinion, it's :
      50s : 54-62
      60s : 63-65 + 66-71 (71 is an enormous year, 66-71 an impressive climax))
      70s : 72-76 + 77-82 (punk-rock effect from 77)
      80s : 83-87 + 88-92 (from jangle to indie dance literally)
      90s : 91-95 + 96-2001 (from grunge to trip hop/techno-D&B)
      IMO, the most impressive period of creativty and invention is from 66 to 96. After a rock "appetizer" from 54 to 65. Everything was worked on, kneaded, imagined, amplified and extrapolated during this period in terms of "pop" in the broad sense. Afterwards, musical recycling phenomena would largely take over.

      Delete
    3. Hi Herve,
      These kinds of reflections are what make this journey feel communal and alive.
      Your timeline maps musical evolution with a historian’s precision and a listener’s passion.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Hi Ausie,
      You're welcome.
      Savor the familiar favorites and let the new discoveries surprise you.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  9. Thanks! Gonna love digging into this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You’re very welcome, dc_animal
      That’s the spirit, I hope every track you uncover brings a spark of surprise or nostalgia. There’s a whole world tucked into this set, waiting to be explored. Happy digging.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  10. Amazing compilation. Thank you, BB. Cheers from Brazil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Silvio!
      So glad this compilation hit the mark for you. It's always a thrill to see these rare gems resonate across borders, cheers right back to you in Brazil! May the music keep surprising and inspiring.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  11. Another great compilation, BB! One thing, though: the Lenny Williams track, "'Cause I Love You", says it's from 1975. The original one was made that year, but the track that you have posted is the rerecorded (and more famous) one from 1978.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great catch, DJMelloEll.
      Thanks for such a warm nod to the compilation.
      You're absolutely right: while the 1975 version laid the emotional groundwork, it’s that powerful 1978 rerecording of “’Cause I Love You”, the one simmering with that signature vocal intensity and orchestral sweep, that really carved itself into musical memory. Its impact is undeniable, and it’s no surprise it’s become the definitive rendition for many listeners.
      It’s the sort of refinement that passionate listeners like you bring to the table and it's genuinely appreciated. I have modified the date on the main page, please do the same with your download.
      Cheers.

      Delete