JAMES BOND SKA

Spy Vibers, I'm on a mission and look forward to sharing photographs with you from all the major filming locations from the great 1960s series like The Prisoner, The Avengers, The Saint, and many more. Stay tuned! I'll try to post updates en route. In the meantime, check out a Spy Vibe classic that may have slipped off the radar. We're having a dance party at Spy Vibe this weekend and a number of old tunes are making their way back to our secret lair. Today has been filled with agents doing James Bond, so we're going to say goodnight with the classic Monty Norman theme done by The Skatalites. The track is credited to Roland Alphonso. Alphonso was born in Cuba and moved to Jamaica at the age of two. A founding member of the Skatalites, he released the tune on Island Records in 1966 (cat#WI-259) backed with "Just Keep it Up" by Lee Perry. He also recorded a version of From Russia With Love. The Skatalites started playing in Jamaica in 1964 and were together until 1982. They recently reformed after a long hiatus, so go check them out on tour. Enjoy! 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Interview: Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

ISLAND UNCLE

Spy Vibers, I'm on a mission and look forward to sharing photographs with you from all the major filming locations from the great 1960s series like The Prisoner, The Avengers, The Saint, and many more. Stay tuned! I'll try to post updates en route. In the meantime, check out a Spy Vibe classic that may have slipped off the radar. We've been having a dance party here at the Spy Vibe lair for a couple of weeks. I just keep discovering fun ska, rocksteady, and calypso tunes that either hail from the Cold War or pay tribute to popular secret agents. We have two peculiar tracks today that name-checked The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. Ike Bennet and the Crystalites released "Illya Kuryakin" in 1968 on Crystal Records as well as on Chris Blackwell's Island Records (WI-3134). The tune was produced by Derrick Harrlott. If Spy Vibers recognize the chorus it's because it's actually a lift from Percy Faith's famous "A Summer Place". Lynn Taitt and the Jets put out their U.N.C.L.E. track "Napoleon Solo" backed with "Pressure and Slide" during the same year (Island #WI-3139). Apparently it was common to put out tunes that, at least in name, made reference to hot properties. I'll share more Bond tunes from the islands soon. Strange but fascinating artifacts from the later Spy Boom. Label images and videos below. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Interview: Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

PUSSY GALORE CALYPSO

Spy Vibers, I'm on a mission and look forward to sharing photographs with you from all the major filming locations from the great 1960s series like The Prisoner, The Avengers, The Saint, and many more. Stay tuned! I'll try to post updates en route. In the meantime, check out a Spy Vibe classic that may have slipped off the radar. We had a great Ska party here at the Spy Vibe lair last weekend. To tell you the truth, the music never stopped! Once the floodgates of my curiosity opened, I just kept digging and discovering more treasures. One of my favorite tracks comes from Calypso artist Young Growler. Calypso has been called "the poor man's newspaper". The form functions as a narrative medium to spread the news and catch communities up on important goings-on. The tradition is filled with great songs about politics and historical people. One of the big events in 1964 was the James Bond film, Goldfinger, which launched the spy boom around the world. For songsmith Evral Davey (aka E. Davis, Young Growler), the movie inspired a kind of musical review and a tale of his experience going to see the film. And who made the biggest impression on him? Pussy Galore! There have actually been a few songs devoted to Honor Blackman's character, but today we feature Young Growler. Pussy Galore was released by Young Growler on Island Records as part of the Jump Up series printed in England in 1965 (cat#JU529). It's kind of amusing his previous single included the song Topless Dress (JU528). Jump Up was a subsidiary between 1963-1967 of Island Records, founded by none other than Chris Blackwell. Blackwell is the son of Blanche Blackwell, often called the love of Ian Fleming's life! Chris Blackwell began Island Records in 1962, around the same time he was hired to work on production of Dr. No in Jamaica. He sold Island Records to PolyGram in 1989 and now runs Island Outpost, a resort group that includes Ian Fleming's Jamaican home, GoldenEye. I'd love to talk with Chris about these early Ska and Calypso songs- especially if it meant I could fulfill my dream of staying at the Fleming villa (anyone have a genie in a lamp we can call on for a favor?). Pussy Galore was also released on Wirl Records (West Indies Records founded in 1958 by Edward Seaga). Vintage labels and video below. Note: the song does not appear on the Rough Guide to Calypso Gold CD as pictured in the video. It was included, however, on the compilation Calypso: Musical Poetry in the Caribbean 1955-69 (Soul Jazz Records). Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Interview: Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

PUSSY GALORE: PERRY

Spy Vibers, I'm on a mission and look forward to sharing photographs with you from all the major filming locations from the great 1960s series like The Prisoner, The Avengers, The Saint, and many more. Stay tuned! I'll try to post updates en route. In the meantime, check out a Spy Vibe classic that may have slipped off the radar. Caribbean music really embraced the spy boom in the 1960s, picking up themes from movies, tv programs, and real Cold War events. Spy Vibe has looked at many recordings by calypso, ska, and rock steady artists over the past months. Today we feature the great Lee "king" Perry and his 1965 recording, Pussy Galore. Where Young Growler's calypso, Pussy Galore, celebrated the excitement of seeing the movie, Goldfinger, and the impressive qualities of Honor Blackman's character (especially the name!), Perry used the theme as a cautionary tale to men who might lose their bachelor life-style (and wallet!) to a beautiful woman. As the tune went, "Every man loves Pussy Galore. If you are rich and want to get poor, just fall in love with Pussy Galore. And one thing that I am sure, you won't be rich anymore. She's got charms! Lovely arms!... You want to know what I'm speaking about: Goldfinger! Goldfinger!...A woman can change a man to a child a cramp his style. Wanna know what I am speaking about: Goldfinger!, Goldfinger! Goldfinger! So beware of Pussy Galore. Pussy Galore will leave you poor. Wanna know what I am speaking about: Goldfinger!, Goldfinger! Goldfinger!" Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Interview: Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.