The Sentinals Big Surf

(2014/Rumble Records) 14 tracks
Originally released in 1963 on the legendary label, Del-Fi, The Sentinals Big Surf! is a classic piece of California surf-rock. Formed in the central coast city of San Luis Obispo, perhaps most famous for its Madonna Inn, The Sentinals included keyboardist Lee Michaels, of »Do You Know What I Mean« fame, and drummer Johnny Barbata, future member of The Turtles and session drummer for the likes of Ry Cooder, Graham Nash, and lots more. Though they possessed a classic surf-rock sound, The Sentinals were unique in their incorporation of Latin American influences, thanks to guitarist Tommy Nunes, on tunes like »Latinia« and »Latin Soul« (both included here). Classic California surf-rock with quite the 60s LA scene pedigree.