Jerry Cole was a Southern California session guitarist who played on everything from the Beach Boys Capitol releases to low-budget Crown cash-ins. Mid-1964, however, he came to the foreground, securing a three-record deal with Capitol records. While the previous two albums (and additionally his Crown releases) had left much to be desired, his final album, Surf Age ended up being the masterwork for which he is most remembered.

​

The album opens up with the jet-powered 'Surf Age,' which is a strong number fueled by gritty saxes and some excellent guitar work. 'Martian Surf' again features smooth production and top-notch material. "Night Rumble" holds up well, while the Spanish-influenced 'Rosarita Surf ' fits in quite nicely. Some low saxophones and trombones open up 'Movin' Surf,' another great slice of surf-pop. Equally as memorable, 'Power Surf' shows just why Cole was such a sought-after guitarist of his day. 'Bronze Surfer' is a nice break from the hard-hitting string of rockers. The moody 'Deep Surf' is one of the genre's best offerings, complete with island marimba. Springing back into a full frenzy of early sixties rock, "Ride-Um!" again features some fantastic playing from the indelible Cole. If there had to be the weakest track on the album, it would probably have to be 'Jerry's Jump,' which among the 11 other winners here, it seems the least remarkable of the bunch. Cole steps back just long enough in 'One Color Blues' to allow steve Douglas' trademark sax to take the spotlight. 'Racing Waves,' the record's final track, is an up-tempo surf-rocker that mimics some of Cole's earlier work for the Crown label, a perfect closure to a near-perfect album.

 

In every genre of music, there are always those landmark albums that aficionados point to as essential to understanding the culture or genre from which it was birthed; Mile's Davis' Kind of Blue,  The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Michael Jackson's Thriller, to name a few. I would suggest that Surf Age belongs somewhere closer to the bottom of that list. Even though it may not have had the same cultural influence as the aforementioned juggernauts, it is the perfect snapshot of a specific genre and time. There are so many excellent moments here that embody the characteristics that the surf genre has become known for that it warrants a closer look.