Monthly Archives: February 2008

The Pac-Keys – Stone Fox

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The Pac-Keys – Stone Fox from the Hollywood Records 45

Here’s a little Friday goodness for you, which will hopefully hold you over until Monday’s post. Things have been pretty busy over here at Flea Market Funk at the moment, but I couldn’t let you guys start the weekend without a little bit of Rare Grooves. I got this record from the Asbury Lanes swap, and I pushed it right to the top of the queue. It is a double sider, and this post I’m going to focus on “Stone Fox’ by the Pac-keys on Hollywood Records.

Once again this is a side that one can not turn too much up on. It may be from Texas, but I can’t be 100% sure. The Hollywood Record label itself was responsible for records from around 1953 to 1968. They would put out sides from many artists such as Errol Garner, Damita Jo, Baby Face Willete, Lowell Fulsom, and more. From what I can tell the label put out Jazz, Soul, and Gospel records. While there were a few artists and or bands releasing multiple sides, it seems that there were a lot of one offs, and it looks that the rest of this discography definitely has some interesting sides, which I am going to keep my eyes out for.

The side itself starts out with a really nice drum break, then rolls along nicely with piano, organ and a saxophone for the remainder. It’s not something you’re going to throw on and get them killing the dance floor like an upbeat Soul shaker, but on the real, it’s a great record. I’ve not seen this one in the field and although it has turned up on a few play lists, and one review (from the guy I bought it from), I’d highly recommend this record, not only because “Stone Fox” is killer, but the flip side of “Dig in” is equally as good. Two for one on this 45, and you won’t be disappointed. If anyone out there has more info on the label or the record itself, please feel free to contact me. Have a great weekend and Keep Diggin’!

The Unemployed – Funky Rooster

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The great producer Wardell Quezerque

The Unemployed – The Funky Rooster from the Cotillion 45

If you haven’t already read about Sunday’s record show, it was a blast. I was able to really get a great pile of records, and it’s funny because this particular record is a record I’ve been trying to locate for a while. I probably could have just sought it out on E Bay, or rang up Craig Moerer and got it, but I guess it’s just the thrill of the chase for me. This record really isn’t rare, it’s on a subsidiary label of Atlantic, but that’s neither here nor there. It’s still a good record. While we’re gonna be a bit brief today, let’s check out The Unemployed with “Funky Rooster” on the Cotillion label.

I couldn’t really turn a whole heck of a lot up on these guys. I know for sure that they were produced by Wardell Quezerque, and that this was possibly his son’s band. A producer and a co-owner of Nola Records, Quezerque would score hits such as Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’ “, King Floyd’s “Groove Me”, Jean Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff”, Professor Longhair’s “Big Chief”, and many others. Known as the Creole Beethoven, he would orchestrate hits and become the maestro for many a recording session. He was associated with the Malaco label out of Jackson Mississippi, and was a well known fixture in the New Orleans music scene. So much so that his success with the King Floyd and Jean Knight singles (originally rejected by Atlantic for being not being commercial enough) would lead him to record with Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, the Pointer Sisters, and many other bigger stars. Let’s not forget he was sessioning and recording giants of New Orleans like Eddie Bo and Richard Tee as well before he took off.

This record is some Barnyard Funk if I ever heard it. Put your Fabulous Emotions records away on Nico because the Funky Chicken is no match for the Rooster. Some decent hitting drums and Southern style horns plus the requisite rooster calls keep your head nodding in this once forgotten side. The Unemployed had another record, “Funky Thing”, while it did not make much of a splash on the charts, found it’s way many years later to Funk comps and New Orleans area comps alike. Like I said earlier, this record really isn’t a rare one, and not necessarily the greatest Funk side, but it’s definitely unique enough to have caught my attention. With the production of Wardell Quezerque you just can’t go wrong. I’ll be back on Friday with another dusty gem from the crates. Keep Diggin’!

The Soul Catch – FMF Vol. 25

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Here’s the Flea Market Funk Catch of the Day: The Soul Catch – FMF Vol. 25. It’s hard to believe that I’m at 25 already. It works out to be about a mix every two weeks. My one year anniversary is coming up, and I figured I’d get in a mix before I work on something special for the big day, March 30th. I’ll release the details when I get them, but I think you all will be very pleased.

What we have here today is a few recent scores and a pile of stuff I’ve been stock piling for a little while. I’ve been hibernating in the lab, in the words of Method Man, “Cooking up some marvelous shit.” I have also been toying with the idea of taking the 45 Sessions on the road for sometime and every time I make a new mix, I think that more and more I’ve got to make it happen. So if any of you out there need a 45 night in your town, feel free to contact me. I know most of you are going back to work or just starting your week, so relax and enjoy The Soul Catch – FMF Vol. 25. There is something for everyone in this podcast.

The Soul Catch – FMF Vol. 25 Track Listing

Pretty Purdy – Funky Donkey / Epic (England Pressing)
Lil’ Lavair & the Fabulous Jades – Cold Heat/ Now-Again
Johnny Talbot – Git Sum/ Jasman
The Mystic Moods – Cosmic Sea/ WB
Midnight Movers Unlimited – Truck In/ Renee
Nu-Sound Express Ltd. – Ain’t It Good Enough/ Silver Dollar
Gene Chandler – I Won’t Need You/ Checker
Kokolo – Each One Teach One/ Afro Kats
Mongo Santamaria – Mongo’s Boogaloo/ Columbia
Soul Runners – What Can I Say/ Patches
Undisputed Truth – California Soul/ Gordy
Jackie Moore – It’s Hardest To Leave/ Kavette
The Sophistications – Feets and Hips/ Magnetic Fields

Download or listen to The Soul Catch – FMF Vol. 25

I’ll be back later this week with some more gems. Keep Diggin’!

**PS: Check out my review on the Blog of Steven Terrell, a political reporter for the Sante Fe New Mexican. Thanks for the shout out. Any press is good press.

Asbury Park Record Show 02.24.08

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Well, the second record show of the year was the most successful. There were about 10-12 vendors this time, lots of vinyl, a great brunch, plus Pete Pederson’s famous Bloody Mary’s. I was able to score a load of 45s, plus my man Greg (of Highland Park Record Sale Fame) hooked me up with a nice Horace Andy Lp. It was good to see everyone out, and there was a great representation by the Asbury Park 45 Sessions Crew, as well as some heads from Brooklyn and beyond. People actually came out of the wood work for this one. Fun was had by all, and of course we will be doing it all again next month. It looks like it’s going to be a monthly event, all the way through the Summer. In fact, we’re trying to orchestrate a weekend indoor/ outdoor Record Show and Garage Sale (or flea market) for sometime in June. Please stay tuned to FMF for details. A big shout out to Brian from 365 45′s for coming through with a really great load of records. Looking forward to the next batch!


Cool Hands Luke digging and looking cool.


Record Crowd


The Crew sampling Brian from 365 45s Blog’s great box of 7″ gems


Rabid Rob the Hip Hop Slob aka Rob Hell (r) and Brian from 365 45s looks on


Record Crowd Part 2

DJ Prime found his very own Prime Cuts record.


DJ Skills, the best producer you never heard of (yet), looks for some treats.

Here’s some photos and of course record scores:

45s

Ray Barretto – Hard Hands/ Fania
Lou Donaldson – Sassy Soul Strut/ Blue Note
Brass Monkey – Brass Monkey/ (White Label)
The Invitations – They Say the Girl’s Crazy/ Silver Blue
The New Apocalypse – Stainless Soul/ MTA
Cleveland Eaton – Chitown Theme/ Black Jazz
The Nite Liters – Cherish Every Moment/ RCA
Lee Williams & the Cymbals – Shing A Ling USA/ Carnival
The Pac-Keys – Stone Fox/ Hollywood
Sanchez & Macka B – God A Come/ Xterminator
Fabulous Five Inc. – What the Police High Command Can Do/ Stage
The Unemployed – Funky Rooster/ Cotillion
The Gaytones – Build Me Up/ High Note
Eddie Lovette – Together/ Steady
Sammy Gordon & the Hip Huggers – Jungle Bump/ Lu Lu
Lunar Funk – Slip the Drummer One/ Bell
The Flirtations – How Can You Tell Me?/ Deram

Keep Diggin’!

Gloria Lynne – If You Don’t Get It Yourself

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Gloria Lynne – If You Don’t Get It Yourself from the Up Front Records Lp Gloria Lynne

This particular record was something I was able to get in a pile from the feeding frenzy at the spot one early Saturday morning. The Meatball was digging through piles of 70′s lite Rock shit while the guy selling was pulling records out of his AMC Gremlin. I reached out to get a James Brown 12″ and he started to puff his feathers out a bit. “That’s mine”, he quipped. Fair play old Super Mario, I’ll take the Jazz records and of course this cut from Gloria Lynne. Here’s “If You Don’t Get It Yourself” from the Up Front Records Lp.

Gloria Alleyne was born in New York City in 1931. She grew up in Harlem, and after 5 years of vocal training, would go on the win an amateur night at the World Famous Apollo Theater. She was discovered by band leader, composer and A & R man for Everest Records, Raymond Scott. Not only a soloist, she released records with The Enchanters (Della Simpson, Pearl Brice, Frances Kelly) and the Dell Tones (Della Simpson, Sherry Gary, Frances Kelly as well). She would go on and release records on Everest, Fontana, Ember , Mercury and Impulse, in a variety of genres which range from straight up Jazz to Soul to R & B. Her signature song was 1964′s “I Wish You Love” on the Everest label. Throughout her career she’s perform with people like Ray Charles Billy Eckstein and more. In her later career, a career rich with the Jazz genre, she’d work with cats like Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock. She would co-write Hancock’s classic “Watermelon Man”. Lynne is a great example of of a singer who was not just great in one genre, but could adapt and be successful in several. Singers like Marlena Shaw and Della Reese, who could crank out some Soul among their Pop and Jazz pieces. Lynne has won many awards and was has been recognized not only by her peers, but the public as a legend.

“If You Don’t Get It Yourself” is a some great Funky Soul. It’s got a slight tinge of Blues guitar, but the beat is really solid. Lynne trades vocals with the guitar and has some great Sister help on the chorus. This was put out on the Up Front Record label out of Linden, NJ. Another New Jersey scorcher! I don’t know too much about the label, although I believe it to be some sort of a reissue label from the 70s. I do have a Bobby Hutcherson on the same label. It says Up Front is a division of Springboard Records, but to this date I can not turn anything up on that label as well. If anyone has any information to share with me, please feel free to hit me up. Have a great weekend. Keep Diggin’!

The Electric Express – I Can’t Believe We Did (the Whole Thing)

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The Electric Express – I Can’t Believe We Did (the Whole Thing) from the AVCO Records 45

What we have here is a midweek heavy piece of Deep South Funk. I got this record from Pops, and without even listening to it on my portable, I knew it was going to be good. How good? Well, I found out shortly. This side was one of the best records I have picked up in the field lately. Here is The Electric Express with “I Can’t Believe We Did (the Whole Thing)” from 1972 on AVCO Records.

Avco is no stranger to good music. Originally started by film producer Joseph E. Levine, who was the head of Avco Embassy Pictures, he also had Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore on board with him as well. These producers/songwriters/performers would help Avco Embassy (later just Avco) make a name for themselves with their eclectic roster of bands and performers. Their roster has everything from Funk, Soul, Psych, Pop, Folk, even Country and Western. While not really a label that had charting records, they did manage to get one to reach the R & B charts, Della Reese’s Black is Beautiful. Despite their non charting efforts, in a digger’s world, Avco had some gems. Artists like Donnie Elbert, the aforementioned Della Reese, The Chambers Brothers, and even Van Macoy can be found if you dig around. I really like the Donnie Elbert stuff, who out of the lot I just mentioned, has the better sides. Avco was purchased by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore in 1975, where they changed the name to H & L. Lasting only a few more years, they eventually went bankrupt.

There is not much to dig up about this band, other than they are out of the Greensboro, NC area and originally released records on Linco. Their biggest single was in 1971′s “It’s the Real Thing”, (#15 on the Soul Charts). They also put out sides “Where You Coming From” and “Life Ain’t Easy”, as well as this burner we have right here. The song itself was written by James Powell and Vick Hudson (who also is attributed to the group Inner City Function, who released “Don’t You Need Someone Like Me (I Can Set Your Love Free)” also on Linco.) It was produced by Walter Grady, who has been involved in 1974′s “People Get Down” by the Second Movement, E. W. Funktionaire’s “Noah” on Graytom , and “Stick Your Finger in the Ground (and Watch the World Go Round)” by Bridge, Also on Graytom. It does appear that there definitely was some shady dealings with the man, which may or may not have attributed to the disappearance of The Electric Express. Now was there a full length release from these cats in the works from Atlantic ( the Linco sides were distributed by them)? This we will never know for sure.

This record is a a funk bomb. In between “Give the Drummer Some More” by Little Hooks w/Ray Nato & the Kings, and any James Brown call and response, 34 years later this side still stands strong. As they go around from guitar to bass to drums, plus throw in a dash of horns, the band could really do the whole thing. It doesn’t hurt that here’s a great drum break in this side, either. They keep the groove movin’ and before you know it, the better part of 3 minutes is gone, similar to the way the band disappeared. This side is a definite keeper, and I will be keeping my eyes out for those Linco sides as well. See you Friday with some Soul.

PS: I want to shout out Jason Perlmutter of Carolina Funk and Carolina Soul fame who spoke to me in brief on the band. He’s got a 3 hour special called The Carolina Soul Radio Show this Thursday the 21st on WXYC.org out of Chapel Hill, NC from 9PM to midnight. The following night he’ll be performing with J-Rocc of the Beat Junkies. If you’re in the area, please check him out. Keep Diggin’!

The Scene – FMF Vol. 24

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Aah yes, another Monday, another mix. Actually, there are a few mixes. You’ve got this newest mix FMF Vol. 24 – The Scene, but I’ve also updated the Download page with all the up to date mixes (up to number 23), and given some artwork for the two live recorded shows from a few 2007 45 Sessions. In this particular new mix, I’m visiting some more Deep Funk nuggets, a bit of the old Soul, a few new records, and a little Latin to quench your Monday morning mix thirst. I gigged on Friday night, so unfortunately I had no digging stories from Saturday morning. I’m hoping to get my hands on some stuff in the mail this week that I’ll be featuring in the upcoming posts. I’d like to send a shout out to the guys from The Hook and Sling once again for our joint collaboration last week. Good look fellas. Also, a shout to Soul Brother Matt Fox, who I will be collaborating with very soon on a special mix for Rare Rillen . Germany stand up! As for now, sit back, relax, and check out what’s happening in “The Scene”.

The Scene – FMF Vol. 24 Tracklist

Garland Jefferies – I Can’t Believe You Quit Me/ Uni
Dizzie Gillespie – The Windmills of Your Mind/ Solid State
Hank “Soul Man” Mullen – He Upset Your Dreams/ Ever Soul
Truth – Excedrin Headache#24/ Sound of Cleveland
Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists – Detroit/ Lizard
The Electric Express – I Can’t Believe (We Did the Whole Thing)/ AVCO
S.O.U.L. – The Joneses Part 1/ Musicor
Burning Spear – S.O.U.L (version)/ Top Pop
The Lions – Jungle Struttin’/ Ubiquity
Brother Jack McDuff – Hot Barbecue/ Prestige
Hector Rivera – At the Party/ Barry!
Sherri Pye – Gimme A Break/ Match
The Futures – Stay With Me/ Gamble

Dowload or Listen To The Scene – Flea Market Funk Vol. 24

I will be back on Wednesday with some more goodness. Keep on keepin’ on and most importantly, Keep Diggin’!

PS: There was an article in yesterdays New York Times that is related to the review I did of Sugar Minott on last Friday. It involves Reggae and nursery rhymes. Enjoy!

Don’t forget this:

Sugar Minott – Vanity Pt. 1

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Sugar Minott – Vanity Part 1 from the Studio 1 45

I hope you all enjoyed the Blast from the past and Stinkie Steve’s athletic abilities from 1973. The guy is a trip. I’m gonna see if I can get him to host a guest mix. We’ll see how that goes. I wanted to give my man Larry from Funky 16 Corners a shout. He was just featured as on of WFMU’s top 6 MP3 blogs, and gave me a mention. Many thanks my dude, always nice to see a member of the AP 45 Sessions Crew get some press. Here is a bit of that heavy dose of reggae he was mentioning. This is another haul from Psyche Dave, from 1974, straight from Jamaica, Sugar Minott with “Vanity Part 1″ on the Studio 1 label.

Born Lincoln Barrington Minott in Kingston, Jamaica in 1956. Starting off at an early age, he became a selector in the Sound of Silence Keytone which later gave way to his own Gathering of Youth Sound System. He’s team up with one of my favorites Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard in 1969 to form The African Brothers. This Roots trio would eventually be associated with the Micron Music (run by Mick Johnson and Ronny Burke of Sunsplash fame). The band released a hand full of singles, and even started their own Ital record label. It was short lived and the three band members would go on to persue solo careers eventually. In 1974 Minott would link up with the famous Jamaican producer Coxsone Dodd and the Studio One label. It was here he would release this record, the first Studio One offering with Coxsone. Vanity was followed by “Mr DC”, “House is not a Home” and “Hang on Natty”. He would also gone on to be a session player at S1, loaning his talents as a drummer and guitarist. His first solo album “Live Loving” followed after, but in a few short years he would leave, only to form his own Black Roots label in 1979. This was the beginning of Dancehall and The Sound Youthman Promotion, Minott’s new crew, was ushering this new genre in. Black Roots would go on to be associated with Junior Reid, Yami Bolo, Don Angelo, Tenor Saw (RIP), Nitty Gritty, Garnet Silk, Tony Rebel, Daddy Freddy, Johnny Osbourne, and many more. Minott would not only dabble in Dancehall and Roots, he’d be associated with Lovers Rock, and work with many well known producers and performers throughout his career. He’d be involved in projects with Prince Jammy, Tappa Zukie, Gregory Isaacs, Scientist, Leroy Smart and Joe Gibbs. The list goes on and on, but you get the picture. This veteran was an integral part of Jamaican music in many levels, as a producer, artist, talent scout, and ambassador. He continues to keep the legacy going strong today.

This record is straight up Roots from start to finish. With Coxsone at the helm, like the captain of a ship, he was steering Sugar in the right direction. It’s interesting because the sound quality of this record, while the vinyl is in decent shape, the sound quality is not. It fades in and out, pops and tweaks, but still has that Studio 1 vibe to it. Sugar talks in nursery rhymes, and Coxsone still makes a child’s nursery rhyme sound like gold. I do not have enough good things to say about Studio 1. These 45s are few and far between in the field, so when you see them, scoop them up. I’ll be back over the weekend with some more tales from the dusty crates. Keep Diggin’!

A Blast from the Past: More Stinkie Steve

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Well who would have thought that “Big Time”, “Steve D”, or who’s commonly known throughout our record community as “Stinkie Steve” was an athlete in his former life? The guy has been everything: Most Knowledgeable Record Dealer in the World (Self Proclaimed), Screen Writer, Vegan, Porn Connoisseur, Hippie and now this: Power Lifter. It seems our beloved SS was into lifting, and it’s gotta be true. Did you ever see him lift a hug pile of records and carry them around? This issue from Strength and Health in 1973 tells no lies. Big Props to the Captain for sending these gems along to me. Keep Diggin!

Paul Humphrey and His Cool Aid Chemists – Detroit

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Paul Humphrey and His Cool Aid Chemists – Detroit from the Lizard Records 45

While I’m hoping you’re still enjoying my Ease Back Guest Mix over at the Hook and Sling, I had to get right back into the thick of shit again. Last weekend I scored a bunch of great 45s from my man Psyche Dave, and one of them I’ve been looking for out in the field for a while. Without this next man, there would be no Jimmy Smith “Rootdown”, or the Beastie Boys ever so closely stolen sample for their rendition of the same song from Ill Communication. Songs like “One Man Band Plays It All” by Monk Higgins would be not be featured on Breakbeat Lenny’s Ultimate Breaks and Beats (UBB) or sampled by The Biz among others. This man defines the word cool, and along with James Gadsen has played on many, many definitive records in Funk, Soul, Jazz, Rock, and beyond. Here’s Paul Humphrey and His Cool Aid Chemists with “Detroit” on Lizard Records from 1969.

Born in 1935 in Detroit, Michigan this mega session drummer in the Los Angeles area during the 60′s and 70′s was also the drummer for the Lawrence Welk Band. I have no doubt that my Grandmother was referring to Humphrey when she pointed out “the Black fella” on drums as I danced around the room while staying over their house as a child. His style has led him through a lifelong career as a drummer, and his resume is as diverse as you’ll ever see. For this record his assembled an all star cast of players that included David T. Walker on guitar, Clarence McDonald on keyboards, and Phil Upchurch on bass. “Detroit” minor hit in 1971, it would make the Top 20 R & B chart, and land them a spot on American Bandstand. Humphrey however, is really more well known through his session work, and had a revival in notoriety when DJ Shadow put out Keepin’ Time with B+ (Brian Cross). They brought together the best LA session drummers and paired them with Cut Chemist, J-Rocc, and Babu, and all going tit for tat. DJs and the drummers who Hip Hop sampled the original drums for, finally go head to head, or really finally get to play together. I first saw the film and bought it on VHS from Cross himself at a Shadow Irving Plaza Show back in the day. It’s since been repackaged, played live, done in Brazil (Brasilintime), and is highly recommended by FMF if you already haven’t seen it. Humphrey himself is a legend, I mean he played on Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” for crying out loud! See also Frank Zappa and Steely Dan (hello De La Samples) for further proof (as if you needed anymore), that this guy is Superman behind the kit. Still touring and gigging, the guy shows no sign of stopping any time soon.

This is a heavy drum, Funk driven piece from the left coast. At the time, he gathered the best of the best in LA, and in turn they all put their best foot forward, not for LA, but the hometown of Paul Humphrey. Starting off with Humphrey plain working his drum kit, David T. laying down that funky guitar he is known for, and Phil Upchurch taking his shot (and a good one at that) at keeping up with Paul’s drumming, this side is heavy all the way through from the opening traffic top the ending traffic horns. I’m glad this one turned up, and I think you will be too. It’s a short side that grows on you, you’ll see. I’ll be back Friday with some more goodness. Keep Diggin’!

Ease Back: FMF Meets The Hook and Sling Guest Mix

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After a productive weekend of digging, a 4 turntable 4 man assault at the Asbury Lanes on Saturday night, and the completion of two mixes, I bring you my first (of many I hope) collaborations with The Hook and Sling. Hoppin’ John the Popcorn King and Mr. Doubledown know how to throw down in old London town, and I’m excited to be a part of their Guest Mix Series. I’ve got a few guest drops by my main man in the UK, DJ Andy Smith, so big up to him for giving me the shout outs. So without any further delay, here’s the track listing.

Ease Back: FMF Meets The Hook and Sling

Black Heat – Chicken Heads/ Atlantic
Dap Kings – Nervous Like Me/ Kay Gee
Seven Seas/ Pat’s Jam/ Glades
Detroit Sex Machines – Funky Crawl/ Soul Track
Simtec Simmons – Classified Crazy Man/ Innovation 2 Records
Calvin Arnold – Funky Way/ Venture
Brenda & The Tabulations – Stop Sneakin’ Around/ Top and Bottom
The Budos Band – Ghost Walk/ Daptone
The Persuaders – Thigh Spy/ ATCO
Alvin Cash – Keep On Dancing/ Toddlin’ Town
GiGi – Daddy Love/ Sweet
Brother Jack McDuff – Win, Lose or Draw/ Cadet
Grant Green – Ease Back/ Blue Note
Soul Butter Cups – Soulful Strut/ Premier
Kay Robinson – The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow (Part 1)/ King

Go on over to The Hook and Sling to download Ease Back: FMF Meets The Hook and Sling.

Back in the Saddle and Inquiring Minds Want To Know

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This Roller Skate lady always has some HEAT, and today she danced at her table while I sampled. Bonus.

After taking a few weeks off, I got back in the saddle again, and pulled my ass up at the butt crack of dawn (is there any other way?) to get to The Spot. When I arrived, it was kind of desolate, mostly guys who looked like they were going hunting, and some deranged looking fella wearing a fanny pack frontwards and drooling like a 3 year old. The Old Man was not there, which was unusual, so I stopped to check out some records from Pops. Pops is an older black man who was holding straight up heat for a while. He even had some classic Hip hop ( I got a clean original pressing of Three Feet High and Rising among others). Trouble was, a lot of the records were beat up, and I mean bad. I got a Moments record once that could barely stay in the water logged cover, and the vinyl looked like it was laying under a tire in gravel since it was released. That was one of the better records I got from him. His stash has dwindled, but I managed to get some pieces out of it. Eggbeard was lurking about, and then something weird happened. He tried to strike up a conversation with me while I was listening to records at a table. He’s never done this before, and the only reason I can think of it, is that it’s leaked that I’m the FMF guy (or so I’m told from some inside sources). I also heard he’s not too happy about me writing about him. Guess what? I don’t care. I call ‘em like I see ‘em, and my depiction of him (or any other flea market person for that matter), is pretty accurate. I mean I’m sure he was hovering at the talk of Jazz records that he wasn’t involved in, but that’s how it goes. He can’t get all the records (although he tries). Dude, we all know your E Bay handle, and we know your game. Stick to your Jazz 78s, and I’ll stick to the Funk and Soul. No sign of Stinkie Steve today, but there was talk of him starting trouble again and fighting with a woman over table territory. Apparently, he lost. It’s usually the case, but give the guy an A for effort. He did get about 3 or so pages dedicated to him on Soul Strut as of late. Big Ups to DJ Prime for hepping that board to FMF. Good look my dude. The lady in the picture I fondly refer to as The Roller Skate Lady. She’s a friendly woman who always has unsleeved 45s, and if you catch her in the right mood (like this morning), she’ll dance and talk your ear off. I’ve always managed to get great records off of her (sometimes 5 for a buck), and her famous quote is: “I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s time to go skating!” She’s out in all kinds of weather, especially the cold, and always has a smile. Today she was even more excited her father brought her some hot cocoa, maybe that’s where the dance party came from. When I was leaving after purchasing another killer stack from Psych Dave (who made a posting appearance this past week), there was summit of all the Spot record guys at The Rug’s table. The Rug, or BGJ was holding court as usual, but I had spent my cash and wanted to get out of the cold and into some new vinyl at home. I like to dig alone for the most part, and with 6 record guys at the same table on a 30 degree February morning, you figure it out. Here’s the stash I picked up today, which was a pretty good haul.

Lps:

Dick Hyman – Brasilian Impressions/ Command
Diana Ross & the Supremes – Love Child/ Motown
Shirley Scott – Great Scott!/ Prestige

45s

Sugar Minott – Do It Sweet/ Creation
Sugar Minott – Africa Is A Black Man’s Home/ Jabba Roots
Sugar Minott – Vanity/ Studio 1
The Tams – Disillusioned/ Arlen
The Feathers – My Baby’s Soul Good/ Team
Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists/ Cool Aid
Brother Jack McDuff – Hot Barbecue/ Prestige
Hector Rivera – At the Party/ Barry!
Groove Holmes – Living Soul/ Prestige
Jimmy Smith – Got My Mojo Workin’/ Verve
Willie Bobo – Sunshine Superman/ Verve
Sherry Pye – Gimme A Break/ Match
S.O.U.L – The Joneses Part 1/ Musicor
Sammy Brown – Got To Leave This Town/ Grassroots
Phillip Upchurch Combo – You Can’t Sit Down/ Boyd
Young Ladies – I’m Tired of Running Around/ Stang
Bobbi Humphrey – Home Made Jam/ Epic
Troy Tyson – Not Too Young/ Double L
Quincy Jones – Comin Home Baby/ Mercury
VA Jazz Artists – Music For Swingin’ Cats/ Repertory
Louis Armstrong – Jazz Classics/ Brunswick (pic sleeve)
Sergio Mendes – Comin’ Home Baby/ Atlantic
Clarence Carter – Doin’ Our Thing/ Atlantic
The Chuck Jackson Orchestra – Just A Little Bit of Your Soul/ Wand
Jimmy Briscoe & the Little Beavers – My Ebony Princess/ Pi Kappa
The Poets – She Blew A Good Thing/ Symbol
Maurice & the Radiants – Baby You’ve Got It/ Chess
Barbara & the Uniques – What’s the Use/ Arden
The New Birth – Come Back Into My Life/ RCA
Sam & Dave – Hold On, I’m Comin’/ Stax
Frankie & the Classicals – What Shall I Do/ Calla
Little Esther Phillips – While It Lasted/ Lenox
Gene Chandler – No Peace, No Satisfaction/ Checker
The Temptations – Ball of Confusion/ Gordy
The Radiants – Choo Choo/ Chess
Tom Browne – Midnight Interlude/ GRP
The Electric Express – I Can’t Believe We Did (The Whole Thing)/ AVCO
Luther Ingram – Puttin’ Game Down/ KoKo
Vanity 6 – Nasty Girl/ WB (x2)

Gerri Granger – The Show Stopper

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Gerri Granger – The Show Stopper from the Double L Records 45

Well here we are on Friday already. It’s been a long week, with Super Tuesday and the Super Bowl, it’s finally coming to an end. Today I want to throw out a side I included in my That’s Heavy Old Man Mix with DJ Devil Dick. It’s a great upbeat Soul tune that I’m sure you’re going to dig. Here’s Gerri Granger and “The Show Stopper” on Double L Records.

Starting out at age 14 in Newark, NJ, Gerri Granger got an unlikely chance to sing at Teddy Powell’s Lounge on an amateur night. She won that night, but being a singer was not first and foremost to her. After graduation from high school she earned a scholarship for Design at NYU. She would go on and join Lloyd Price’s Big Band and then did a stint on the circuit in the Catskills of New York State as a singer and dancer. Her talent caught the eye of the William Morris Agency, who would launch her television career. She would meet her mentor in entertainment, Sammy Davis, Jr. during this time, and go on to have a great career working with him. The majority of the time she focused on television. She has led a great life, being involved in television not only in the States, but Europe as well, singing, acting, and entertaining. This particular side we have her today was recorded on Lloyd Price’s “Double L” label out of New York City. Granger has been noted for some really great Northern Soul sides, the most popular being, “I Go To Pieces”. She took a hiatus from singing, but has recently got back into the studio and started making music and touring once again.

“Show Stopper” is a great side, upbeat and bouncy. It spins a tale of a strong independent woman, who takes no shit from any man. It’s cutting chorus of “One monkey don’t stop no show” rings out along with the horn section and tambourine throughout this short piece. The big band influences from Lloyd Price are definitely obvious. This song is proof why Granger was making the rounds of the television circuits in the 70′s, her voice is that good. The Shirley Bassey of New Jersey? Perhaps, but comparisons aside, her voice is really great in her own right. I’ll be back Monday with a new mix for some new friends, and if the weather holds out, some digging reports on the weekend. Keep Diggin’!