Free In L.A.: The Dutch West Coast Sound (Mixcloud Exclusive)

Ethan Jones

Like so many artists elsewhere, a lot of Dutch bands and musicians were influenced by the West Coast sound too. As my fellow Smooth Operator, Martijn Soetens, once wrote on his blog:

“In the Netherlands an umbrella and a sweater are necessary almost any time of year. So it's quite natural that we need sunny music to get our vitamin D.” 

Dutch duo (although born in South Africa) Rob and Ferdi Bolland are best known for their work with Austrian singer Falco. They wrote, produced and sang on the Billboard number one Rock Me Amadeus in 1986. In the 1970s they started as a folk duo, sounding like Seals & Crofts, but by the end of the decade they tried several other styles, like disco and the West Coast sound. Free In L.A. is the b-side of their single Music Man, which did not make the Dutch charts at the time.

“I can’t get enough
Of that West Coast stuff”

(Free In L.A. / Bolland & Bolland)

The duo also wrote and produced Presidential Suite by Tiffany (not to be confused with the American singer), which is on this cloudcast as well.

Although Erik Tagg is an American singer-songwriter, his song Mutual Feeling from his 1977 album Rendez Vous was recorded in the Netherlands with Dutch musicians, like famous singer Anita Meyer, under supervision of Dutch producer Hans Vermeulen, so to me it is a Dutch production 😀

Gé Titulaer is a singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and father of Dutch Idols winner Boris, later known as Bo Saris. His 1979 album What's New was awarded with an Edison in The Netherlands.

Enjoy this Mixcloud Exclusive! Next up is a new Sunshine Radio show for all listeners.

Tracklist:

Bolland & Bolland – Free In L.A. (1980)
Wouter Hamel –  Hollywood (2014)
The President – You’re Gonna Like It (1984)
Lo Van Gorp – The Right Time (2022)
Oattes & Van Schaik – Everything About You (1985)
Erik Tagg – Mutual Feeling (1977)
Dawn Patrol – Bring On The Good Times (2022)
Kris Berry – Always Or Never (2012)
American Gypsy – Inside Out (1974)
Gé Titulaer – Just To Prove My Love (1979)
Sven van Zweden – Love Forever (2014)
Son Mieux – Drive (2021)
Maggie MacNeal – Life Is Going On (1976)
Breeze – Gypsy Woman (1977)
The Johnssons – What If (2015)
Margriet Eshuijs Band ‎– Black Pearl (1981)
Blue Feather – Who Will Be The One (1985)
Tiffany – Presidential Suite (1980)
Spargo – Back In My Arms Again (1980)
Chaplin Band – Il Veliero (1982)