The classic era of Surf Music is in the early 1960s and for me, it is more about the sound of the recordings than anything else. Everything here on this excellent compilation is from small independent labels throughout the United States. What they have in common is a sound that is very much like Joe Meek's recordings, but also you can hear the first Roxy Music album as well. Especially with the horn sound that is similar to Andy Mackay's work with Roxy. Of course, there's the guitar sound, which is magnificent and iconic.
"Devil Surfer" is by Scott Engel, who a few years later will turn into Scott Walker, and that cut is great. The orchestration that hints the big screen vision of Scott's vision for his future. The other piece I admire is The Menn's "Ian Fleming Theme" which captures the John Barry Bond vibe, as well as the remarkable "Pray for Surf" by The Essex. Both are produced by John Hodge.
The great thing about this type of music is that it's rock n' roll but filtered through an Exotica aesthetic that is all about the blue ocean, or communities near the water. Even though the recordings could have been made in the Mid-West, it still conveys a fantasy. Sundazed does great compilations, and "Lost Legends of Surf Guitar" is an important document that one can dream and dance to.
