CATALOG: PAN-1001
RELEASE DATE: 5/19/23
Recorded in the early 2000s, The Sand Dollars’ two Tropicália-inspired remakes of classic late 60’s nuggets by The Kinks and Donovan are paired together for the first time here on F-Spot Records’ new subsidiary label Pangea International Recording Co., which focuses on world and global groove inspired releases, curated by David M Celia and Dan Ubick.From the vaults of Dan Ubick’s Lions Den Studios, we get the crown jewel in Ray Davies’ catalog, “Waterloo Sunset” from Something Else by The Kinks, redone as a funky Tropicália-inspired track and re-named “Waterloo Bossa” complete with fuzzy compact organ, bouncy Fender bass, funky drums from Connie Price, a lush horn arrangement by Ubick’s former Keystones cohort and trumpeter Todd M. Simon (Dap Kings, El Michels Affair, Macy Gray), string arrangement by mix guru and multi-instrumentalist Steve Kaye (The Lions, Inara George, Hepcat, Marley Bros.) and topped off with stereophonic vocals by jazz chanteuse Gretchen Parlato (Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, Lionel Loueke).Side B’s “Get Thy Bearings” was initially pressed on Now-Again Records back in 2003 and quickly sampled by Lily Allen on her track “Sunday Morning” due to the raw and heavy drums and Fender bass courtesy of Connie Price and Richard “Doo” Lee along-side inventive horn arrangement by Todd Simon flipping the original on its heady head. Now freshly mastered, this B-side instrumental is available again as the hard-hitting remake of Donovan’s classic from 1968’s The Hurdy Gurdy Man LP that may inspire you to sample it as Biz Markie did on “I Told You.”

“Waterloo Bossa”

Performed by The Sand Dollars
Originally written by Ray Davies
Produced and recorded by Dan Ubick for DanUbe Productions at Lion’s Den Studio, Topanga, CA
Mixed by Steve Kaye at SunKing Studios, Highland Park, CA
Gretchen Parlato – vocals
Constantine “Connie” Price – drums & percussion
Todd M. Simon – horn & string arrangement, flugelhorn, trumpet
Stephen Kaye – violins, violas
Hoagie Haven – Organ
Richard “Doo” Lee – Fender bass
Dan Ubick – guitars

“Get Thy Bearings”

Performed by The Sand Dollars
Originally written by Donovan Leitch
Produced and recorded by Dan Ubick for DanUbe Productions at Lion’s Den Studio, Topanga, CA
Mixed by Dave Cooley
Constantine “Connie” Price – drums & percussion
Todd M. Simon – horn arrangement, flugelhorn, trumpet
James King – horn arrangement, alto saxophone, flute
Hoagie Haven – Organ
Richard “Doo” Lee – Fender bass
Dan Ubick – guitars