Ka-Pow! An Explosive Collection, 1967-68

Brit-besotted brothers Rich and Tom Martin had been playing surf and garage rock in their native San Mateo since the start of the decade. Joining forces with visiting Kiwi pop star Ray Columbus in 1967, they formed the Art Collection. Later, spotted by Sonny & Cher in a Hollywood nightclub, the group was hired as accompanists for the duo's spring 1968 tour.

Now a trio and renamed Powder (as in gunpowder), the act taped an albums worth of original and highly memorable mod-rock at Gold Star in the autumn. The LP never came out, and the Martins eventually emerged on their own as Thomas & Richard Frost, scoring a minor hit in 1969 with the sunshine-pop staple She's Got Love.

The earlier Powder and Art Collection material is in a powerful, feedback-strewn mode, drawing upon groups like Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and the Smoke as much as the Who and Small Faces to influence their style. Powerpop and freakbeat nuggets Turn Another Page, Gladly and Magical Jack indicate what an unusual and accomplished group Powder was.

The sonic upgrade on Ka-Pow! An Explosive Collection 1967-68 ensures the powerful, feedback-strewn sound of Powder comes to life. Several previously unissued bonus tracks include Columbus and the Art Collection's punk classic Kick Me. The package features lengthy liner notes by Alec Palao and many previously unseen photos and images. With the band touring again, our vintage anthology Ka-Pow! is a perfect introduction to - or reminder of - the magic of Powder.