Re-issue of Greece Goes Modern by Mimis Plessas

We are very proud to announce that together with B-otherside records we present you a reissue of one of the rarest Greek LPs of all time, ''Greece goes Modern" by Mimis Plessas and the Orbiters, a wonderful blend of Greek folk music with beat, shake, bossa nova and jazz rhythms.

This reissue (MRSPECIAL002) of 800 limited gold color LPs is for the first time available for worldwide distribution. The release is accompanied by an insert with hand numbering and information about the album and its history.

Only 30 copies available via Bandcamp.

Special thanks to Mimis G Vas for the collaboration

Greece Goes Modern was recorded by Mimis Plessas in 1966 and released by the Pan Vox label in the following year. The music was commissioned by the beverage company FIX for use in a Greek television program, and the mission was to combine traditional Greek folk music with the contemporary (somewhat psychedelic) sound of the day. Unfortunately, the LP was released at the start of the coup d'etat that installed seven years of Greek dictatorship. Copies of Greece Goes Modern were confiscated and the album was not sold to the public, making this one of the rarest Greek albums of all time. Original copies on Discogs now trade hands for at least a couple of thousand dollars each.

The music on the album reflects the exuberance of the Greek musical tradition as Mimis Plessas, with help from his backing band Orbiters, uses melodies from well-known folk dances and interprets them through modern beats and instrumentation. The result is groovy and unique in its sound, foreshadowing the popular trend of 'world music' fusions yet to come. Patches of psychedelic rock, garage R&B, energetic bossa nova, and hippie-shake throwdowns are found throughout the album's ten tracks. The varied instrumentation includes the likes of fuzz guitar, flute, clarinet, funky drums, and, most prominently, Plessas's Philicordia, a Hammond organ knock-off produced by the Philips company.

Mimis Plessas remains one of the most famous Greek composers, with a huge discography that features many acclaimed film soundtracks. Still with us at 97 years old, it's a joy for him to see this special reissue of an almost-forgotten masterpiece. As Plessas wrote about Greece Goes Modern in 1967, "We invite you to listen and enjoy this album and remember Greece and dance with your friends. This unique musical repertoire is yours."