After the success of Keb Darge’s 2023 Ace Rockabilly compilation (CHD 1637) the legend returns with another collection of music close to his heart.

On “Keb Darge Presents The Best Of Ace Sixties Garage Punk” the smooth-headed maestro pulls open his curtains to reveal a selection of US garage stompers from the 60s. “Though there are a couple of “never before on vinyl” tunes here for serious collectors, this compilation is aimed at those folk who are just getting into it,” states Keb “I have picked a selection of my favourites from the nice cheap and easy to find stuff up to the four figure and bloody hard to find stuff.” Artists like the Hooterville Trolley, the Litter, the Music Machine, the Venturie 5, the Lyrics and the Nightcrawers reflect back light towards British invasion bands like the Who, the Kinks and the Rolling Stones, home-grown garage flowers and the dark end of the psychedelic street. Laced with fuzzed guitar, enthusiasm, a driving beat and an attitude that was proto-punk this music remains fresh and is already being embraced by a new generation.

With liner notes from Keb and housed in a sleeve by Robin Banks −who also did the artwork for Keb’s Rockabilly compilation − this is an essential purchase.

Pure, unadulterated garage delight from the ever reliable Keb who has basically been at the forefront of many, many scenes because of his passionate desire to play music he absolutely loves to a dancefloor. This, unsurprisingly, is geared towards your feet and flailing, frugging arms and like every other Keb Darge compilation it's a 10/10 delve into the different nuances around the genre he comps. Yep we got snarly savage-ness but we also got the psych-tinged fuzzers and the folk-frat-rocking harmony hoppers . If it's got Keb's name to it, whether a compilation, an interview, a club night or a record label, then you KNOW you're gonna enjoy it.

By Matt