POW/WCSB
King Khan is no newcomer to the garage psych revival, but his new release, Turkey Ride (Khannibalism / Ernest Jenning) is sleek peek into his auspicious origins.
Turkey Ride is the work of then kid, King Khan, recorded some 18 years ago in Europe. But the kid King is not playing on Turkey Ride. This is a perfectly produced, 13-song gem, packed with wah-wah pedal rockers, punk ravers, and soul-soaked psych-outs. Think Black Lips versus Elephant Stone in a James Brown bareknuckle rockdown.
In short, I dig it.
King Khan is known for his stage-packed, clowning send-up revue, but Turkey Ride is a serious rocker, even if replete in madcap madness. His band is solid and so is this record. Now available on vinyl, fire this one up on the hi-fi for your next hip cat rave-up.
Now kids, this is King Khan, so each selection is not FCC safe. Scan your lyrics before airing each tune. I would start with the following tracks:
4. “Hey Rudi” – Straight funk rocker, part Jon Spencer part James Brown
5. “Le Responable” – French sitar sing-a-long over a maximum R & B beat
8. “Bob Log Stomp” – Lace up your shoes for this organ-tinged, rock ripper.
12. “Keep It Simple Stupid” – Drone out space jam for oneness with your BBQ
King Khan’s Turkey Ride is for the fans of the Oh Sees, Seeds, and Sonics. Trip out on the silly story-lyrics but stay for the jams. King Khan is king, and the king can clang.
