WE THE PEOPLE/AMERICAN ZOO 'Visions Of Time: Complete Recordings' LP (Spain, Guerssen, Catalogue #GUESS143) Brand new/unplayed copy of limited year 2015 Guerssen label LP edition/collection of the complete recordings of Los Angeles Garage/Folk Rock/Psych era combos We The People and (under their next name) American Zoo, circa 1967-1968.

(NOTE: LIMITED VINYL EDITION!)  

Guerssen presents Visions of Time, the amazing story of We the People, a '60s teen band from LA (not to be confused with the Florida band of the same name) that created an amazing blend of garage, folk rock, and psychedelic sounds. Between 1967 and 1968, this group of four young kids recorded a few 45s for Reena Records, two of them released under the name American Zoo. Despite their young age, the band members were accomplished musicians and songwriters. They debuted in 1967 with Feelings of My Emptiness/For No One to See, two amazing pieces of moody garage with superb vocal harmonies and arrangements. Their second 45, Back Street Thoughts/Who Am I?, offered two pieces of introspective psychedelia with some over the top tape/echo effects courtesy of Dal Kacher, a session guitarist and sound engineer who had been part of early lineup of The Mothers of Invention. "Who Am I?" was included decades later in Diminishing Returns, a famous psych mix by DJ Shadow. In 1968, the group released their third 45, this time as American Zoo: Mr. Brotherhood/Magdalena featured two more examples of outstanding garage psychedelia. A second pressing of the 45 was released with a new mix of "Mr. Brotherhood," losing one minute but incorporating some wild electronic effects. In the 1980s, the song was included on such legendary compilations as High All the Time and Psychedelic Unknowns. That same year, American Zoo released their last 45, Back Street Thoughts/What Am I?; the B-side is a reworking of "Who Am I?" with more psychedelic production by Kacher. Even more amazing than the story of these young musicians is the story of what happened to them later: guitar player Bill Bottrell has gone on to win Grammy Awards as a producer, working with Michael Jackson, Madonna, and George Harrison, among others. Drummer Jason "Jasun" Martz toured with Frank Zappa and recorded with Michael Jackson, and is now a well-known avant-garde artist and sculptor. Steve Zaillian, the first We the People drummer, won an Academy Award for his screenplay of Schindler's List (1993). This collection includes all the We the People/American Zoo 45 sides plus two previously unreleased tracks from 1967, taken from the only surviving copy of the band's 10" demo acetate. Carefully remastered sound. LP version with insert featuring rare photos and detailed liner notes by Gray Newell (Shindig!, Ugly Things).

- Guerssen presents the complete recordings of 1960's LA teen garage psychedelia band We the People (not to be confused with the Florida garage band of the same name), including their recordings as American Zoo, and two previously unreleased tracks from the only surviving copy of the band's 10" demo acetate.
- American Zoo's second mix of "Mr. Brotherhood" was included on legendary '80s compilations High All the Time and Psychedelic Unknowns, and DJ Shadow included "Who Am I?" in his psych compilation Diminishing Returns.
- LP insert feature rare photos and detailed liner notes by Gray Newell (Shindig!, Ugly Things).
- Remastered sound.
- "...Until now, the earliest musical output of the We The People/American Zoo members was a well-kept secret, known only to a few collectors and connoisseurs of obscure records. This collection brings together all their recordings for the very first time and it is fascinating to hear the budding talents of these incredibly creative teens bloom and burst into flower." --Gray Newell (Shindig!, Ugly Things)
- "...The album clocks in at less than 30 minutes, but when every one of those minutes is pure magic, how could you possibly complain? We have a new contender for album of the year." --Mike Stax (Ugly Things)

Tracks on this LP are as follows:

  • A1: We The People - Feelings Of My Emptiness (Reena 105-A, Oct 1967) (2:19)
  • A2: We The People - Back Street Thoughts (Reena 116, Dec 1967) (2:37)
  • A3: American Zoo   - Magdalena (Reena 1026, May 1968) (2:01)
  • A4: We The People - Who Am I? (Reena 116, Dec 1967) (2:58)
  • A5: American Zoo   - Mr. Brotherhood (Reena 1026, May 1968) (2:57)
  • B1: American Zoo   - What Am I? (Reena 1030, July 1968) (2:23)
  • B2: American Zoo   - Mr. Brotherhood (Reena 1026-re-1, Remix, 1968) (1:53)
  • B3: We The People - For No One To See (Reena 105-B, Oct 1967) (2:00)
  • B4: We The People - Back Street Thoughts (Prev. Unreleased 10" Demo Acetate) (3:45)
  • B5: We The People - Visions Of Time (Prev. Unreleased 10" Demo Acetate) (2:51)

Shipping rates to the following locations at this present time (note: all shipping rates are subject to change.)

Shipping in US (including ALASKA & HAWAII), PUERTO RICO (MEDIA MAIL) is $6.98.

Shipping to CANADA (AIRMAIL) is $20.98.

Shipping to MEXICO (AIRMAIL) is $24.98.

Shipping to UK, EUROPE, RUSSIA, ASIA, GREECE, ISRAEL, TURKEY, CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS, ETC. (AIRMAIL) is $24.98.

Shipping to BRAZIL, CHILE, ARGENTINA, URUGUAY, PARAGUAY, BOLIVIA, PERU, ECUADOR, COLOMBIA, VENEZUELA, GUYANA, SURINAME, FRENCH GUIANA (AIRMAIL) is $24.98.

Shipping totals will be consolidated for multiple orders/winning bids.

Record shipped in professional, superior rectangular shaped, corner-protecting corrugated cardboard record mailer with filler pads. Satisfaction guaranteed!

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