Skip Heller

REISSUES · NEW RECORDS · LINER NOTES

The latest from
Skip Heller

A little exotica, a little soul, and a few surprises.

The big news

Lua-O-Milo returns

The original CD artwork. The reissue will feature new art.

The big news is the first-ever reissue of anything SH ever worked on. Is it one of those incredible old R&B guys? A first-generation rockabilly cat? An OG Latin legend?

Nope. It’s Lua-O-Milo, the CD that firmly established Skip Heller as exotica’s heir apparent back in the early 2000s.

Mello Exotica is mounting a 10-inch vinyl issue with new cover art by Tom Laura, a new layout by Otto Von Stroheim (who did the original CD), and mastering by Kevin Chubirka. Lee Joseph has been involved in the production as well.

The other big news

Thee Sinseers · Love Stories

Well, the other big news is the release of Thee Sinseers’ new LP/CD, Love Stories.

Joey Quiñones, thee head Sinseer, engaged SH this past spring to write string arrangements and co-produce the string ensemble, with Micah Erin and Kaitlin Wolfberg overdubbing copiously, for the band’s new album. Love Stories can be ordered on Bandcamp.

Watch on YouTube
Thee Sinseers ↗

Listen & order on Bandcamp
Love Stories ↗

You’re not gonna believe this

Ogden Edsl & a familiar crew

As a huge Dr. Demento fan, SH was very well acquainted with Ogden Edsl, whose “Dead Puppies” was second only to “Fish Heads” in the show’s all-time request tally.

SH co-produced with Aaron Cohen of the Radioactive Chickenheads. Chickenheads Dan Weiss (bass and backing vocals) and Aaron (organ) played alongside four former Blues Destroyers: Kevin Chubirka (drums), Garrett Lofgren (bass), and SH and Owen Jenkins (acoustic guitars).

Watch on YouTube
Ogden Edsl ↗

Listen & order on Bandcamp
Ogden Edsl’s new release ↗

In the works · November

Mose Allison at the Lion’s Den

New liner notes from SH will be part of the package for Real Gone Music’s November release of Mose Allison at the Lion’s Den, a live recording from 1971 at a club of that name in Cotati, California. Many thanks to Pat Thomas.

SH had previously worked on a version of this release for another label and another reissue maven, but the project went south, and a lot of unpaid work came to naught until Pat stepped in and asked Skip to contribute something to the notes.

The rather comprehensive notes were submitted to Pat, who was told, “Just pick what you want and use it.” Pat decided to run the notes in their entirety. The recordings are fantastic as well.

Looking ahead · Early next year

Hold onto your hats

Also with Real Gone, SH will bring forth a reissue of one of the most influential jazz piano records of the sixties, which seems to have gone missing in action.

Well, hold onto your hats. Not only will it be available again, but it will feature liner notes resulting from an interview that you won’t believe.