The summer of 1970 was the summer of Mungo Jerry.  The British band's catchy "In the Summertime" began a seven-week stay atop the U.K. Singles Chart, while in the U.S., Mungomania propelled the tune to No. 1 on Record World and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Now, 7a Records is preparing for another wave of Mungomania with the well-timed release on July 19 of the band's 1971 album Electronically Tested in newly remastered and expanded editions on both CD and LP.

With its mélange of varied musical styles including rock-and-roll, blues, folk, country, jug-band, and beyond, Electronically Tested can best be described, in the words of the band's frontman and primary songwriter Ray Dorset, as "Mungo Jerry music."  The title of the LP - the band's second for Pye Records' progressive Dawn imprint - clued listeners in that this was no ordinary record.  In an expansive interview for the liner notes with TSD's own Joe Marchese, Dorset revealed, "I came up with the name of the album. [Condom manufacturer] Durex used to have 'electronically tested' written on their packets. I thought that was quite the talking point, if people in the know said, 'That's the same name as on the packet of condoms!' It was taboo to mention stuff like that." It wasn't taboo, though, to savor the unusual, foot-stomping sound of "In the Summertime."  It sounded like nothing else on radio at the time, and remains a staple of '60s/'70s formats today.

"In the Summertime," originally released on EP, made its U.K. album debut on Electronically Tested.   There's much more to the LP, too, including the carnal "Baby Jump," the glam-anticipating "She Rowed," the pub-styled sing-along "Somebody Stole My Wife," Dorset's semi-autobiographical "Memoirs of a Stockbroker," the moving "Coming Back to You When the Time Comes," and an epic jam on Willie Dixon's blues standard "I Just Want to Make Love to You."  Eclectic and cohesive, Electronically Tested peaked within the top 20 of the U.K. Albums Chart in spring 1971.

7a's upcoming expanded edition adds four bonus tracks including the infectious single "Lady Rose" and its flipside "Little Louis," the "Baby Jump" B-side "The Man Behind the Piano," and the then-controversial "Have a Whiff on Me," Dorset's adaptation of a folk song popularized by Lead Belly and, later, Lonnie Donegan.  (Both "The Man Behind the Piano" and "Have a Whiff on Me" would be included by Janus Records on the U.S. issue of Electronically Tested which was retitled Memoirs of a Stockbroker.  Confusingly, "In the Summertime" wasn't on that LP, as Janus included it on the U.S. version of the band's self-titled debut.)

The deluxe package includes a 24-page, full-color booklet with liner notes and rare photos in CD format, while the liner notes incorporating Ray Dorset's interview are also reprinted within the lavish gatefold of the 180-gram red vinyl edition.  Both editions offer newly remastered audio, making for the best-sounding version of Electronically Tested yet. Look for this underrated rock classic's rebirth on July 19 from 7a Records.  A limited number of copies of both the CD and LP signed by Ray Dorset are available for pre-order now; just head over to eBay and search for "Mungo Jerry Electronically Tested Signed."  Amazon and Deep Discount links can be found below!

Mungo Jerry, Electronically Tested (Dawn LP DNLS 3020, 1971 - reissued 7a Records 7A066 (CD)/7A067 (LP), 2024)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount

1. She Rowed
2. I Just Wanna Make Love To You
3. In The Summertime
4. Somebody Stole My Wife
5. Baby Jump
6. Follow Me Down
7. Memoirs Of A Stockbroker
8. You Better Leave That Whisky Alone
9. Coming Back To You When The Time Comes

Bonus Tracks:

10. Lady Rose (Single Version) (Dawn EP DNX.2510/single 7N.2510, 1971)
11. Have A Whiff On Me (from Dawn EP DNX.2510, 1971)
12. Little Louis (Dawn EP DNX.2510/single 7N.2510, 1971)
13. The Man Behind The Piano (Dawn EP DNX.2505/single 7N.2505, 1971)