International '60s Psychedelic Music

When I think Tropicalia, I think Os Mutantes. These Sao Paolo rockers have been making musical aficionados and Brazilians alike crazy for their classics like “Panis Et Circensis” since 1966. What I love best about Os Mutantes is that they’re not easily classifiable. Right when I think I’ve got them pinned down, out comes the most eerie whistling over musical instruments that I can’t even describe. If you like them, check out Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.

When I first heard Erkin Koray on “Hava Narghile,” a 1960s and ‘70s Turkish megamix, my love was instantaneous. Aside from (occasionally) wearing fabulous face paint, the man was a hybrid of American-Turkish fusion, beginning his career with Elvis and Fats Domino covers, and eventually developing a truly unique sound. He’s on essentially every Turkish psychedelic collection out there for a reason. I recommend you start with the album “Electronik Turkuler,” or the collections “Love, Peace and Poetry: Turkish Psychedelic Music” and “Hava Narghile.”

This guy has done everything. He’s collaborated with Serge Gainsbourg, played Vincent van Gogh in a feature film, married the lovely Francoise Hardy, and taken many a photo of himself with fatty cigars in his mouth. You couldn’t think up more perfect ingredients for a French pop star if you tried. While not as psychedelic as Erkin Koray (and a bit more of Kinks-style garage music), I had to include this bit of history, along with Francoise Hardy’s music.

As a San Francisco native (and I went to high school in the Haight), I need to pay my dues to this mother-load of tripped-out freakiness. The lead-singer, Roky Erickson, was a fascinating character full of legend and lore. The music, too, is entirely distinct with a mixture of garage rock, acid-drenched guitar and fuzzy distortion. I definitely recommend you listen to “The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators” to hear the band that influenced the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones and ZZ Top.

Ah, the sounds of Love. I lived in Los Angeles for four years and, often times, when I look back, I think about driving down the massive highways toward Santa Monica or Downtown LA, listening to “A House Is Not A Motel.” The emotionalism is gorgeous without turning sentimental or maudlin. You can just imagine these guys, bedecked in flowing, patchouli-scented gowns, strutting through Venice Beach. The lead-singer, Arthur Lee, who put out some solid solo work himself, just recently passed way in Memphis in 2006.

You know you’ve always been curious about Khmer-language 60s rock, right? While this genre may prove to be less explored terrain, it’s unquestionably unique – and I think it may be up someone’s alley. I won’t say it’s for everyone but I like it a lot. Check out this compilation (which currently boasts four volumes) on Amazon or at your local record store …and, soon enough, you too may be dancing the night away to the artists Sinn Sissamouth or Ros Sereysothea.

This is another compilation. For the Aussie-loving, band-jamming, freaky-folksy types, this is the romantic collection for you and your swinging date. I’ve never visited Australia, or Tasmania, or anywhere remotely close. But I do feel the itch for the Down Under after spending many hours listing to the album and growing accustomed to the idea.

This is the big-cheese of international psychedelia, aside from the Nuggets collection. From Africa, to Turkey, Mexico to the States, this collection has it all. While some of them are better than others (I personally think the Turkish one may be the best), they’re all loads of fun. If you want a crash-course in everything I’ve discussed, definitely check these out. The Youtube clip below features the music of The Mops (Japan) in a Japanese 1960s film. Enjoy.