
Prolific keyboardist and singer Lee Michaels, whose music has been commercially unavailable for almost two decades, is due to release two collections on Manifesto Records. Long hidden since Michaels' retirement from music in 1981, fans as well as newcomers will be able to enjoy these buried treasures on a best-of disc as well as a complete recordings set.
Heighty Hi, The Best Of Lee Michaels is a single CD compiling some of Michaels' greatest radio hits, including career-defining songs "Do You Know What I Mean," "Heighty Hi," and "Keep The Circle Turning." The other release, The Complete A&M Collection brings together all seven albums Michaels recorded for A&M Records between the years 1968 and 1973. Both recordings will be available for purchase on November 20.
A prolific and influential artist, Michaels and his drummer Frosty were pioneers of the organ and drum duo, anticipating future artists like Silver Apples and Suicide who employed a synthesizer and drum combo. Lee Michaels' music was heavily informed by the psychedelic acid movement of the era as well as its heated Vietnam War political protest. At his most complex, Michaels was known to layer multiple keyboards to build a wall of sound, such as the Hammond and church organ, electric and acoustic piano, and harpsichord, among others.
Since retiring from music in the 1980s, Lee Michaels has avoided any press or performances, focusing instead on a popular restaurant he founded in Los Angeles called Killer Shrimp. He still enjoys playing music at home, and now a new audience can reap the benefits of his talents since his music is back in print.