[Album] V.A. – Diamond Mini Box (Various Artists) [2020.06.17] (オムニバス – 鑽石之星: Various Artists)
MP3 / 320 / CD
FLAC / Lossless / CD 1.42 GB

Release Info
In 2020, Universal Hong Kong decided to plunge back into its old Diamond Records catalogue once again, releasing multiple boxed sets covering that label’s roster. One such set was the “Diamond Boxset Volume 2,” a 28-disc monstrosity containing the complete (?) works of acts like The Fabulous Echoes, The Menace, and Teddy Robin and the Playboys (Diamond’s solo acts had earlier been featured on the first box).

Universal helpfully released some mini sets too, breaking up the larger box into smaller, bite-sized installments.

This one is probably the most interesting to normal people, featuring eight band-focused Various Artists compilations Diamond released in the late 1960s. Mostly consisting of pop-rock covers, they provide a fascinating insight into what kids in Hong Kong were listening to (the Beau Brummels! The Knickerbockers! And yes, The Beatles), and run the gamut from the tame to the muscular.

Universal clearly did not have access to tapes, and (as on previous Diamond-based releases) most of the tracks are needle-drops, sometimes not great ones. Still, this adds to the garage-rock feeling.

Standouts include anything by Danny Diaz and the Checkmates, a Filipino act whose Easybeats covers put the originals to shame.

Surprisingly, all of these releases are easily available on streaming services, although some are region-locked. But if you want the set from discs, well, here it is.

(1) Go Go
1. These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates
2. Hanky Panky – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
3. Monday Monday – Astro-notes
4. My Baby Don’t Care – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates
5. Fever – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
6. My Baby Treated Me Cruel – Astro-notes
7. Barbra Ann – Astro-notes
8. Lies – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
9. Medley: This Diamond Ring/ Everybody Loves A Clown/ Count Me In – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates
10. Shakin’ All Over – Astro-notes
11. Six Days In May – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
12. Ring Dang Do – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates

(2) The Hitmakers
1. I’m A Believer – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
2. Kicks – The Lotus (蓮花樂隊)
3. I Can’t Help Myself – The Mystics
4. She’s So Fine – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates
5. Get Off Of My Cloud – The Downbeats
6. Dum Da Da – D’Topnotes (特樂樂隊)
7. Once Upon A Time – The Zoundcracker
8. I Gotta Find Cupid – The Zoundcracker
9. You Baby – D’Topnotes (特樂樂隊)
10. Heart Of Stone – The Downbeats
11. It’s So Easy – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates
12. What Makes You Run – The Mystics
13. Be My Baby – The Lotus (蓮花樂隊)
14. Green Green Grass Of Home – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)

(3) Greatest Hits
1. I Dreamed of You Last Night – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
2. Send Her Back – The Mystics
3. (Love To Dance) Hala Hala – D’Topnotes (特樂樂隊)
4. It Won’t Be Easy – The Downbeats
5. Bad To Me – Joe Jr. & The Side-Effects
6. Spoonful Of Sugar – The Lotus (蓮花樂隊)
7. He May Say – Darryl Patton/ Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
8. Just A Little – The Lotus (蓮花樂隊)
9. A Letter – Joe Jr. & The Side-Effects
10. Listen – Darryl Patton/ Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
11. The Duck – D’Topnotes (特樂樂隊)
12. Dance Last Night – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
13. You Gotta Tell Me – The Downbeats
14. What Makes You Run – The Mystics

(4) Diamond Showcase
1. Why Don’t You Let Me Stay – Joe Jr.
2. Song Of The Wind – The Mystics
3. I’ll Be Waiting – The Lotus (蓮花樂隊)
4. The Look Of Love – Tony Orchez
5. I’m Your Puppet – D’Topnotes (特樂樂隊)
6. Don’t You Try To Love Somebody Like Me – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
7. Up Up And Away – Danny Diaz & Checkmates
8. Waving To Me – Anders Nelson & Inspiration
9. Stranger To Love – Mod East
10. You Don’t Even Wink Your Eye – The Menace
11. Suspended Love Affair – Sons Of Han

(5) Top Hits
1. Back In The USSR – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
2. Don’t Forget To Catch Me – Joe Jr.
3. Indian Giver – The Magic Carpet
4. Three Little Words – Michael Remedios
5. Goody Goody Gumdrops – The Menace
6. Something’s Happening – Joe Jr.
7. Shake – Anders Nelson
8. Kiss Me Goodbye – Michael Remedios
9. Obladi Oblada – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
10. My Little Lady – The Magic Carpet
11. I Started A Joke – Anders Nelson

(6) Diamond Dozen
1. Things Go Better With You – The Magic Carpet
2. Why Don’t You Let Me Stay – Joe Jr.
3. Don’t You Try To Love Somebody Like Me – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
4. Stop And Think It’s Over – Michael Remedios
5. Follow Me Follow – The Living Set
6. Strawberry Sundae – The Menace
7. Pretty Blue Eyes – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
8. A Letter From Susan – Joe Jr.
9. How Do You Do – Anders Nelson & Inspiration
10. Galveston – Mike Souza
11. Kiss Me Goodbye – Michael Remedios & The Mystics
12. On The Isles – The Menace

(7) Top Hits
1. Throw Down The Line – Joe Jr.
2. Proud Mary – Anders Nelson
3. Train – The Living Set
4. Everyday With You Girl – Michael Remedios
5. Big Ship – Joe Jr.
6. Special Delivery – The Magic Carpet
7. Don’t Forget To Remember – Anders Nelson
8. Sugar Sugar – Teddy Robin & The Playboys (泰迪羅賓與花花公子樂隊)
9. Ballad Of John And Yoko – Joe Jr.
10. Jilted – Deanie Ip (葉德嫻)
11. In The Year 2525 – The Menace

(8) Super Hits ’70
1. All Right Now – Teddy Robin (泰迪羅賓)*
2. Lookin’ Out Of My Back Door – Danny Tong
3. Close To You – Don Choi
4. The Seeker – Joe Chen (陳任)
5. Make It With You – Michael Remedios
6. Everbody’s Talkin’ – Don Choi
7. Summertime Blues – Teddy Robin (泰迪羅賓)
8. In The Summertime – Michael Remedios
9. Sweetheart – Don Choi
10. I Ain’t Got Time Anymore – Joe Chen (陳任)
11. I Who Have Nothing – Danny Tong
12. Railroad – Teddy Robin (泰迪羅賓)

*: This track is out of phase. As it is that way on the disc, it has not been corrected.