New York record producer Terry Ork isn’t well known, even among music nerds. But hopefully that changes once more people listen to Ork Records: New York, New York. The collection is released by Chicago archivists Numero Group.
Ork died in 2004 but his New York-based label is remembered on this phenomenal compilation. The almost 50-track set brings together songs from some of the most interesting punk, post-punk, pop and new wave artists of the mid- to late 1970s (Television, Feelies, Alex Chilton, Richard Hell, Cheetah Chrome, Richard Lloyd, Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple are among the many represented).
In addition to the well known bands and individuals on this collection, there are long-forgotten or entirely unknown acts like Prix, a Big Star replica.
Ork’s singles introduced landmark bands such as Television with the early single Little Johnny Jewel. Also included here are bands that should probably have received greater notice (the Revelors, Erasers, the Idols). Even legendary rock critic Lester Bangs is represented with a couple of songs.
This is great music that still sounds fresh and innovative today. This is not only one of the best reissues of 2015, it’s one of the year’s best releases.
Among the many highlights:
The collection includes Richard Hell’s classic Blank Generation.
Here’s Prix’s Girl:
Television’s Little Johnny Jewel:
Here’s former Dead Boy Cheetah Chrome:
Here are a pair of trailers for the collection:
All the Young Punks 