The Strangers | This Brave New World | Afton | 1966

’This Brave New World’/’In The Beginning’ (Afton Records A-1700) 1966

The Strangers | This Brave New World | Afton | 1966 | This is a curious record for the time, being a twangy guitar instrumental two-sider. And just who were The Strangers? And why were they ripping off world renowned English group The Shadows?

According to a couple of online sites, it’s thought that The Strangers hailed from the Chicago, IL and were signed to Afton Records Inc., releasing their one and only single in early 1966. I have two more 45s on the Afton label, perhaps the best being The Five Bucks “Now You’re Gone” / No Use In Trying” (1701) April 1966.

“This Brave New World” allegedly written by Bob Rubin is in fact a cover version of “The Savage”, originally recorded by The Shadows and released by them as a single in November 1961. Young Bob probably thought he’d get away with stealing another group’s instrumental and renaming it, but he probably didn’t think sixty years later a record sleuth would put the facts straight.

On the other side of the disc there’s “In The Beginning”, a much slower and smoother sound, not so much twang guitar going on but I like it nonetheless. Jay Allen has the writing credit on the label for this number. Both sides produced by Bob Rubin.

What I find quite confusing is that this record is prohibited for sale on Discogs! Does anyone know the reason for this?