Legendary Masked Surfers Featuring Dean Torrence ‎– Gonna Hustle You

Legendary Masked Surfers Featuring Dean Torrence – Gonna Hustle You / Summertime, Summertime

A wonderfully eccentric slice of California surf-pop history, Gonna Hustle You / Summertime, Summertime was issued in the early 1970s by the mysterious-sounding Legendary Masked Surfers, featuring Dean Torrence of the legendary duo Jan & Dean. The UK edition appeared on United Artists as UP 35542, released on 25 May 1973.

The A-side, “Gonna Hustle You”, has a particularly interesting history. The song was built around the musical backing of Jan & Dean's 1964 hit “The New Girl In School”, with Dean Torrence recording new vocals and revisiting the song almost a decade later. The composition is credited to Brian Wilson and Jan Berry, bringing together two hugely important figures from the classic California pop and surf scene.

Rather than simply being a straightforward reissue, this version represents Dean Torrence's attempt to give the material a fresh early-1970s presentation. Contemporary trade press described it as an updated take on the vintage California sound, while the Los Angeles Times later highlighted it as a distinctive summer-pop record with a slightly harder edge than the classic Beach Boys sound.

The B-side, “Summertime, Summertime”, continues the deliberately nostalgic California theme. Originally associated with the 1958 James and the Velvets recording, the song was written by Tom Jameson and Sherman Feller and was produced here by Dean Torrence. The result is another sunny piece of retro surf-pop that fits naturally alongside the records of Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys and other West Coast vocal groups.

For collectors, the record is especially interesting because of its unusual place in the Jan & Dean catalogue. It isn't simply a Jan & Dean release under another name: the “Legendary Masked Surfers” identity was used for this project, with Dean Torrence revisiting the group's earlier material and giving the classic surf sound a 1970s makeover. The unusual artist credit, United Artists label and connection to both Dean Torrence and Brian Wilson make it an appealing record for collectors of California pop, surf music and obscure 1970s reissues.

A great little 7" for fans of Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, surf rock and 1960s California pop, Gonna Hustle You / Summertime, Summertime is the kind of unusual crossover single that adds character to a specialist vinyl collection.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Gonna Hustle You – 2:43

Side B

1. Summertime, Summertime – 2:33