Exploito

Exploito is a term generally given to describe cover version or sound-alike recordings that capitalize on the official recordings of artists. Typically they are of the budget release type of album. Often the buying public would think they are buying an album by the actual artist.

The typical exploito album is aimed at the unsuspecting buyer with the attraction of a budget price. In the United States Alshire was one label that released this type of album. In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the label there was Arc. The current hits of the day would be recorded. Sometimes local musicians would be used. Also some extra original compositions would be added by hired writers or people that worked for the label. One example of how an exploito album imitates a genuine release is the Mark, Don & Terry album which has the layout and cover art and design copies a recent release of a legitimate album. They often ended up being put into stores by Rack Jobbers. Some of the releases are by unknown or no-name artists and the sound quality and packaging in the early days made for an inferior product.

There seems to almost a subgenre that is referred to as semi-exploito or exploito psychedelic rock. The Animated Egg is one. It was released on budget label Alshire Records and on Somerset Records in 1968. Others that give some info on the musicians are Grass, A Rock Musical by Sven Libaek,

In 1969, Alshire Records released an album called Famous Songs of Hank Williams: A Return Trip with the Modern Sounds In Modern Rock-Acid Sound, an album that featured musicians covering Hank Williams songs, but in the acid rock genre. The album was a combination of country-style vocals with fuzz guitar and garage rock backing. All Music reviewer Jason Ankeny described the release as "the most absurdly conceived exploito release in the entire Alshire catalog."

One label that is well known for exploito and budget albums is Crown Records. Two collectable exploito albums released on the label are The Firebirds Light My Fire album and 31 Flavors Hair album which were both rereleased together on a CD by Gear Fab Records.

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