Monthly Archives: April 2008

Guest Mix Series and a Nice Write Up

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I know that I normally do not post up on Thursdays, but today is a special occasion. It’s been two weeks in a row that I got some shine here in the blogosphere from some good people. Eric over at Dirt Castle was kind enough to put me up with the big boys and their mixes last week, and Evan Mix of Listen In did a feature on FMF yesterday. It definitely excites me that this blog is getting out there to people that are as passionate about this music as I am. Big Ups to all of you, and more great things to come here in the future.

Which leads me to the following announcement: The Flea Market Funk Guest DJ Series is about to kick off at the end of this month. I told you I wanted to do something special for the first year anniversary, so I decided to combine that with my rapid approach to 200,000 hits (which is unbelievable, it seems that I was just at 100,000). I’ve sought out a bunch of people who have been contributing to this Funk and Soul game for a long time, as well as some of my peers, who definitely have some great music to share. This list is far from complete, but as of FMF time today, I had commitments from the following DJ’s:

-Cosmo Baker (The Rub)
-DJ Mr. Supreme (Soul Gorilla)
-Larry Grogan (Funky 16 Corners)
-Jason Perlmutter (Carolina Funk)
-DJ Bluewater (Bluewater Music)
-COOP (the Artist)
-Aaron Soma (Milwaukee, WI )
-DJ Prime (Prime Cuts Ltd.)

I’m pretty excited to start this off, and even more excited to bring some other DJs into the mix. I will keep you posted on the progress of the project and when exactly we’re gonna kick it off. Thanks for all the support and Keep Diggin’!

Shirley Scott – Soul Shoutin’

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Shirley Scott – Soul Shoutin’ from the Prestige Records Lp of the same title

With all this inclement weather coming my way this week, I thought I’d put some music out there that reminded me of a sunny Spring day. It’s music like this, that I can listen to anytime, but what really makes me feel like I’m hanging out on a day with no rain. I’ve been buying up everything I can find out in the field from this woman. It’s this kind of Jazz that I featured on The Real Roast Mix previously. So, no matter where you are, let Shirley Scott give you a bit of “Soul Shoutin’ ” with Stanley Turrentine on Prestige Records.

Born in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, PA in 1934, Shirley Scott would start out her musical career by playing the piano and trumpet. However, she’d make that progression to the B-3 Hammond, in the vein of maestro Jimmy Smith, and turn be one of the most notable female Jazz organists around. A Philadelphia Jazz scene veteran, Scott would often play with a younger John Coltrane. She caught the eye of Basie alum Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and her recording career began. Scott and Davis would record many a record, most recognized for their 1958 hit “In the Kitchen”. Her career was long and she recorded for all the big labels: Prestige, Impulse, Cadet, Atlantic, Strata East, and much later in her career, Muse and Candid. She would marry saxophone great Stanley Turrentine, where she would make most of her greatest music with. Scott stood out, not only because she was female, but because her mastery of of the organ and versatile playing of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and eventually a newer genre called Soul Jazz. The organ’s popularity would soon fade out, but regain it’s popularity in the early 80′s. Masters like Groove Holmes, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith (who Scott was a great admirer of) would be back on the scene respectively, still tearing it up throughout the country. Despite their age, Soul Jazz had made a bit of resurgence, and these players were exposed to a whole new appreciative audience. Shirley Scott’s health would fail, as she would be involved with the drug fen-phen, eventually winning an $8 million lawsuit from the manufacturer before she succumbed to heart failure in 2002.

“Soul Shoutin’ ” is a brilliant piece of Soul Jazz for sure. Scott and Turrentine are both playing like they hadn’t a care in the world, almost if they were just happy playing as husband and wife. Drummer Grasella Oliphant (Grant Green, Bobby Hutcherson) keeps the time on the drums, while Earl May (Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Billy Taylor Trio) lends his massive bass skills to the quartet. It’s this organ sound, that really grabs me every time. The fact that it was recorded in Bergenfield, NJ, is also near and dear to me. I am proud to be from the Garden State, who has turned out some pretty damn good Funk, Soul, and Jazz musicians. The fact that Rudy Van Gelder recorded this thing doesn’t hurt either. I’d love to ask him about this session, but getting him to talk is like winning the lottery. I hope you enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Turrentine doing their thing on this record. I’ll be back Friday with some more of the good stuff. Keep Diggin’!

**PS: Hopefully within the next week or too I’ll have some Flea Market Funk vinyl stickers. I will keep you posted. Put one on your portable turntable.

Counts – Funk

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Counts – Funk from the Aware Records 45

Well we had a big turn in the weather this weekend. The Summer like conditions dropped back into the 50′s and brought rain, which deterred me from getting my dig on on Saturday morning. Not to worry though, I believe I have a few 7″ records that are piling up in my queue. This one is a recent purchase, and on second thought I should have bought both copies the guy was offering. I’m happy with this piece of Funk though, so much that I featured it as the first track on my collaboration with DJ Jack the Ripper, Funk and Soul for Losers. Get on down with The Counts, and an aptly entitled record, “Funk” from the Hotlanta Sound label Aware.

The Fabulous Counts, as they would start out as, were formed in 1968 in Detroit, Michigan. They were comprised of: Mose Davis (organ), Leroy Emanuel (guitar), Demo Cates (alto sax), Andrew Gibson (drums), Jim White (tenor sax) and Raoul Keith Mangrum (percussion). Typical story of the time, the band backs national acts while they come to town, plays locally and makes a name for themselves. They would eventually hook up with producer Richard “Popcorn” Wylie, who would record their classic “Jan Jan” on Detroit label (and Atlantic affiliate) Moira. Like so many of these bands, and god damn if it bums me out to keep hearing the same story over and over, the commercial interest for this urban, edgy, Funk band was slim. Detroit Funk would keep rolling though, and they would release one full length on Cotillion, Jan Jan, produced by Oliie McLaughlin. Their string of 7″s, “Get Down People/ Lunar Funk” and “Dirty Red” on Moira, “Pack of lies” on Westbound, and this line up and name changed 45 have solidified them with some cult staus among the diggers. Both of the full lengths on Cotillion and Westbound have been reissued, and they were featured on the What It Is! box set. As far as the Aware record label, it was started by Mike Thevis, and besides the cool owl and “Hotlanta Sound” tag line on the label, boasted such acts as Delia Gartrell, King Hannibal, Loleatta Hollaway, Deep Velvet, and the Counts among others.

“Funk” is the epitome of a description of the genre. If someone would ask me, what exactly is this Funk music you’re so crazy about? I feel confident I could pull out this gem (and definitely not their best) of a 45 and illustrate my point with it. Funky organ, check. Great wah-wah guitar, check. Midtempo funky ass beat, check. Inaudible mumbling and screaming at some point, check. Even though the Fabulous Counts changed their name, their location, and some of their players, they remained true to themselves and kept it funkay. It didn’t hurt that their publishing company was called Fudgie Lips, I mean if any of the members read this, please contact me, I need to know that story. See you midweek with some Soul Jazz organ. Keep Diggin’!

FMF 28: Funk & Soul FOR LOSERS: DJ Prestige and DJ Jack the Ripper

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For those who have been following FMF since it’s inception, y’all know the deal. I like to do collaborations. In fact, this is the year of collaborations. I’m trying to do a week of collabos in the near future, and I will have some guest mixes which should make you very happy. For now though, I finally was able to pin down the elusive DJ Jack the Ripper. Here’s a low key kinda guy that has quietly made a niche for himself here in New Jersey, spinning dirty R&B, pre 1990 Hip Hop, Rockabilly, and heavy doses of Horace Andy. We have been talking about a joint mix for quite sometime, and over some Sly Fox Dunkel Lager, we whipped this baby up. I have to give Archie Shepp a nod, because his cover art is exactly what we needed. It’s all 45′s from start to finish, even the breaks inbetween. You see, people call us losers. Not just any losers, record losers, record nerds, vinyl heads, old record men, you name it. The thing is, we’re OK with that. Getting into records has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. It may not be a huge deal to many, but for guys like us, music is life, and we go to great lengths to preserve it, and get it out there to share with others. Which leads me to this: FMF Vol. 28: DJ Prestige & Jack the Ripper – Funk & Soul For Losers. Enjoy this trip, we’re taking the train. Next stop: Loserville, and along the way hear some drug references, blaxploitation tales, and kung fu fighting, but most of all, solid Deep Funk, Rare Grooves and Raw Soul 45′s. We’ll keep digging up the lost gems, and you keep listening.

FMF Vol. 28: DJ Prestige & Jack the Ripper – Funk & Soul FOR LOSERS Tracklist

1. Counts – Funk/ Aware
2. Clarence Paul & The Members – Operation Breadbasket (Part 1)/ Pride
3. Merced Blue Notes – Thompin’/ Galaxy
4. Vic Pitts Cheaters featuring Omar Dupree – Loose Boodie/ Jewel
5. The Zeet Band – Moogie Boogie/ Chess
6. Simtec & Wylie – Do It Like Mama/ Shama
7. Helen Shapiro – Woe Is Me/ Epic
8. Merced Blue Notes – Do The Pig/ Mammoth
9. Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists – Funky L.A./ Lizard
10. The Electric Express – It’s The Real Thing-PT.1/ Linco
11. Dave Bartholomew – Junk Man/ Broadmoor
12. Harmon Bethea – She’s My Meat/ Musicor
13. Filthy McNasty – Filthy McNasty/ Filthy McNasty’s
14. Javier R. Rodrigez – Rumble/ Raw-Wax
15. Memphis Black – Why Don’t You Play The Organ Man/ Ascot
16. Wendy Rene – Bar-B-Q/ Stax
17. Brother Jack McDuff – Can’t Get Satisfied-Part 1/ Atlantic
18. Harold Burrage – Got To Find A Way/ M-Pac!
19. Assagai – Telephone Girl/ Vertigo
20. Marsha Gee – The Peanut Duck/ Joker

Download or Listen To FMF 28: Funk & Soul FOR LOSERS: DJ Prestige and DJ Jack the Ripper

Keep Diggin’!

Herbie Mann – Philly Dog

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Herbie Mann – Philly Dog from the Atlantic Records 45

Here we are at midweek, and I had a great 45 to write up, however the info was really scarce. I thought I’d do a bit more scouring and searching before I just put it up. It’s something I think the FMF family will enjoy, so keep an ear out for that in the upcoming weeks. I was definitely down with the Augustus Pablo side from Monday, and if anyone can settle the flute vs. the recorder from that track, I’d surely appreciate it. Up today is an artist that I pretty much buy up anything I see from him. He is definitely a musician that has done some straight ahead as well as some funky stuff. Here’s Herbie Mann with “Philly Dog” on Atlantic Records.

Herbert Jay Solomon was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1930. He progressed from pots and pans, to a clarinet (after attending a Benny Goodman concert), to a saxophone, and ending up with the flute, an instrument he has been well known for throughout his career. He played gigs in the Catskills at 14, and played tenor in the Army. After his Army stint, he threw himself into the NYC music scene, only to be lumped in with many other sax players. When an opportunity arose to be one of only a handful of Jazz flute players, he jumped at the chance to be included on a Carmen McRae record. The rest is history. Along the way he played with quality notables, and after he decided to take up the flute, his added many a Latin percussionist: Willie Bobo, Candido, Ray Barretto, Potato Valdes and others. It was around this time he would put out Live At The Village Gate, which is one of my faves. He’d go on to tour Brazil and Africa with the State Department, which would filter into his music. Mann would play a variety of styles, incorporate popular music of the day, and collaborate with a lot of big players. From Roy Ayers to Chick Corea to David Newman to Bill Evans and beyond, Herbie Mann was the man. Mann would also be a producer, television music composer and arranger in his long career. His collaborations with Ayers to me are legendary, especially Memphis Underground. This is one record I can not get enough of. That will have to be for another write up. Throughout his career, he would record for Prestige, Savoy, Riverside, Bethlehem, and most notably Atlantic among others. Afetr he left Atlantic, he’d release records on his own label, but not before he would get a feel for even more genres, which would include Reggae, Pop, and Disco. Herbie Mann would die in 2003.

What we have here today is one of Herbie Mann’s many, many covers. Whether it was Brazillian, Funk, Jazz, or Soul, he could cover them better than the rest. It’s 1966, and Mann does a great version of Rufus Thomas’s classic. Mann has a great knack for putting out quality covers, all done with his own unique twist. I can’t give props enough to Herbie Mann and his Jazz flute. If you had mixed feelings about the man and his music, give it a try, you’ll be glad you did. I’ll be back Friday with a joint mix collaboration with Jack the Ripper called funk & soul For Losers. Keep Diggin’!

Rockers All Stars – Jah Dub

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Rockers All Stars – Jah Dub from the Rockers International Lp Chanting Dub With the help of the Father

This weekend has definitely been a busy one. With the No Half Steppin’ Party I did with Jack the Ripper, a Red Bull match (a draw at that), and Sunday’s Hazlet Record Show, I wanted to slow down a bit. Before I push on, I wanted to give a shout out to the good people over at Dirt Castle. I’m honored that they would put the Flea Market Funk Vol. 1 Mix on their site along side DJ’s I’ve looked up to for years. Guys like Pete Rock, Kon and Amir, J-Rocc, Miles Tackett, and many, many more. It’s a good feeling to know that all this craziness with records and mixes can get out there. Good Look guys. On that note, here’s some Monday Reggae to get your week started. Say hello to The Rockers All Stars with “Clean Sweep” on Rockers International Records from 1978.

I bought this record from Psyche Dave, who has been kind of slow in the record game as of late. If I see him at the Spot, I usually buy vinyl crack from him out of his van. He usually holds good Reggae for me, and I’m hoping to get another load of it from him shortly. So as in many cases in Reggae records (Jamaica releases hundreds of records every week), there isn’t too much out there on this record. It is a collaboration of the great Augustus Pablo and Everton Da Silva. Pablo, the king of the melodica, producer, keyboard player, and genius of Roots and Dub would co-produce this side, as well as the full length with Da Silva. Legend has it, the whole record is really a reworking of 10 Da Silva productions. The backing band is listed by the Rockers All Stars, but no names are given at all. Prince Jammy may or may not be the Dread at the Controls, but one could assume Pablo has drawn from the usual pool of players and studio cats (Jamaica was always full of them) to lay the foundations of this piece of Dub.

“Jah Dub” moves along slowly like any one of the Augustus Pablo productions I have grown to love throughout the years. It’s slow, chugging drum beat and great guitar work, combined with just enough delay and reverb will have you nodding your head and dancing like Horsemouth from Rockers. Pablo had a distinctive sound, and what really makes this Dub treat special, is the flute (or fife as Bob Marley would say on Talkin’ Blues) sound. At first I thought maybe it was a melodica (with the Pablo involvement), but it’s definitely a flute or a recorder, and it separates this track from the rest. As seen in the photo above, Pablo is playing a recorder, and I’m hoping he put that piece of goodness on the track. Please enjoy some Monday Dub from one of the masters. Keep Diggin’!

45′s are dead….

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…..according to a voice at today’s Hazlet, NJ record show. I beg to differ people. 45′s are alive and well, and there were plenty for all today. This Groovy Productions Show, run by Creepy Ira, a guy who usually sells porn at his “Fantasy Island” table at the Spot, has been around for quite some time. He used to have a record store up in East Bruinswick, and is a staunch follower of the Stinky Steve Goldmine book practice. In fact, for those not in the know, the show was formerly held over at the Raritan Center. It used to be huge, but has now been stuffed into a small, overcrowded, and hard to move around Holiday Inn banquet hall. Ira is there, a sort of a tanned looking George Gobel type. I mean he could sit on the panel of the Gong Show or Match Game AM (not PM). “While shopping for records, she liked to put _______ in her mouth.” You get the picture, definite slimy material. He wears a lab coat throughout the whole show, which raises the creep factor up a few notches. I cruised up with my man Larry from Funky 16 Corners, and we met the digger’s digger DJ Prime, hungry for some vinyl scores. Apparently he got shut out at the Spot on Friday. It must be that time of the year, where the droves of part time diggers try to hijack the Spot when the weather turns a bit warm. Not one to be kept down, Prime was back for some vinyl gold. All the usual suspects were there, DJ Skills, DJ Jack the Ripper, and a whole crop of out of area diggers carrying Vestax, Columbia, Numark, and Fisher Price portables. The early admission is key, it’s where I get my best digging done. I find 95% of my stuff before general admission begins. After the GA, it gets too crazy: people pushing, no room to listen, and the English or European diggers are about, some right up your ass or in the crate you’re in. I saw some of the local dealers: Egg Beard (lurking about us again), The Mooch (who was trying to move in on my shit and I had to tell him to step), Big Gay Joe, Candy and her husband (who are really great people with really great records), and one of my favorite dealers, Doug from American Oldies. He always has quality product, and has some great conversations.

Here’s a question, why are there always guys asking me while I’m diggin if i have any Beatles records for sale? It’s always some mop topped dude with ankle high zipper boots trying to recapture “the good old days” asking the same question. This guy actually was walking around with a FLIGHT CASE. These cases are heavy (even heavier when full), and are not conducive to small spaces, let alone a small spaced record show. I can’t believe people are still looking for Beatles records. It amazes me every time, as they are pretty easy to come by. He must have just discovered E Bay, and needs to put some other artists like Elvis, The Eagles, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller (because it’s rare) up on his auction block. Ok, I’m way behind on reading the times and there is some fresh pressed coffee ready to be drunk. See you tomorrow with another gem. Keep Diggin’!

45 Scores:

James Brown – Soul Pride/ King
Betty Everett – Better Tomorrow Than Today/ Uni
The Jaggerz – Born Poor/ Kama Sutra
The Formations – At the Top of the Stairs/ MGM
Simtec & Willie – 9 Times Out of 10/ Mister Chand
Simtec & Willie – Do It Like Mama/ Shama
Bobby Byrd – I Can’t (Do It Alone)/ King
Pieces of Eight – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?/ A&M
Counts – Funk/ Aware
Freddy Robinson – Black Fox/ World Pacific Jazz
Leon Thomas – L-O-V-E/ Flying Dutchman
Gershon Kingsley On the Moog Synthesizer – The First Step/ AF
The Sand Pebbles – Soul Keeps Rolling Along/ Calla
El Chicano – Michaels Theme/ MCA
Nina Simone – O-O-H Child/ RCA
Barbara & the Uniques – You’re Gonna Make Me Cheat On You/ Arden
Oscar Weathers – The Spoiler/ Top and Bottom
Clarence Paul & the Members – Operation Breadbasket/ Pride
Kool & the Gang – Funky Granny/ De-Lite

Tonight! No Half Steppin’! Golden Age Hip Hop in Asbury Park

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Hot damn Ho here we go again. It’s the start of what will hopefully be more than a one off partay here in Asbury Park. It’s all about the Golden Age of Hip Hop this time people. You know where I’m coming from: De La, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. and Rakim, Public Enemy and the rest. Let’s not forget about Joeski Love, Cool C, Spoonie G, Princess Ivory, BDP, and maybe even some Captain Skyy. Let’s Do it in the Park like they used to say. DJ Prestige, DJ Jack the Ripper, and Special Guest Roger T. Quinn will be holding it down. This is going to be a good one folks, so come up and say hello. See you on the dancefloor. Keep Diggin’!

Marley Marl (feat MC Shan) – Marley Marl Scratch

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Cold Chillin’ Promo Photo

Marley Marl feat MC Shan – Marley Marl Scratch from the NIA Records 12″

When I started this blog over a year ago, I wanted to focus on the foundations of Hip Hop, the songs that were sampled, and the originators. These were the men and women of Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Reggae who would lay down these foundations for Hip Hop since it’s inception. There are so many Hip Hop blogs out there who can do a better job than me, so that is why I didn’t include Hip Hop commentary in this blog specifically. I do own an enormous amount of it, and like I’ve said in earlier posts, Hip Hop is what started me DJing. However, in light on the new party I’m throwing, someone (DJ Jack the Ripper) suggested I write up this very record, said to be one of the most influential Hip Hop 12″ of all time. So without delaying it any further, here’s Marley Marl and “Scratch” on Nia Records from 1985.

Marley Marl. aka Marlon Williams was born in Harlem in 1962. Starting out in Queensbridge, the famous housing project that fueled Hip Hop’s first beef, he learned his production as at Unique studios. He would release a record on Tuff City under the name NYC Cutter with “DJ Cuttin’” in 1985. An innovator in drum sampling, the man set the bar (and it was a high one), combining drum machine sounds and record samples, James Brown, Parliament, etc. His weapon of choice was the Roland 808, and it would be by mistake almost that he would combine a sampled snare on a record with a snare from the drum machine. The Marley Marl Sound was born. It took quite a while for other producers to catch up. By that time, he had scored hits as a producer with Roxanne Shanté , The Biz, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. and Rakim, and went on to have production credits on records by LL Cool J, Lords of the Underground, Masta Ace, and many, many more. His record “The Bridge” by MC Shan spawned the first Hip Hop beef, with the Bronx’s own Boogie Down Production answering back on their record “The Bridge Is Over”. Hip Hop beefs and crew battles begin. The Juice Crew, which consisted of Kane, Markie, MC Shan, Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap & Polo, Shanté, and others, would really be a super crew of performers, who all gained iconic success and fame with Marley as the leader (also A&R man) and captain of Cold Chillin’ Records. A great group effort can be heard on “The Symphony” (where you’ll hear the Juice Crew and a young Nas doing his thing), which is said to be the first Posse cut. Marley Marl, besides being a ground breaking producer, artist, and A&R man, also held down several radio shows in his illustrious career. Starting out on Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack on WBLS, he also did In Control with Marley Marl, teaming up Chocolate Boy Wonder Pete Rock, and also the latest and greatest, Future Flavors, which has launched careers for many rappers.

My man Jack the Ripper is right. This timeless classic, featuring MC Shan, shows the all around skills of Marley Marl: his production and scratching as a DJ. “All you other DJ’s are a bunch of jerks” is challenging all comers to battle. It introduces the Marley Marl scratch (which is funky fresh), and is the epitome of an 80′s rap record. This side has all the right pieces: A dope MC, great beats and production, and some tight scratching. Shan and Marley call everyone out, and I can imagine there were many in Queensbridge trying to get to what Chuck D has called “the one man production predecessor to Dr. Dre.” Marley Marl once said that if people were feeling his production they heard out the window in Queensbridge, he knew it was right on time. His production has come a long way, has influenced many an aspiring Hip Hop producer, and make shim one of a kind. Without Marley Marl, we would not have many of the classic Hip Hop records we have at present time. He changed the game then and continues to keep the game fresh today. I’ll see you Friday. Keep Diggin’!

Just For Fun – FMF Vol. 27

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I haven’t dropped a mix in a minute. It seems that real world moves have been getting in the way of making a few, so since I had the weekend off from DJ gigs, I decided to do a another one. Before I start on that, I want to give a massive shout out to Groove Holmes’ daughter, Denise Holmes Carter. She contacted me about my review, and thanked me for writing it. There is no thanks needed, as her father is a legend, and his music desperately needs to be preserved. That being said, on with the program. This time, the mix I’m dropping will coincide with a new party I’m throwing next Friday April 18th. The Party is called No Half Steppin’ with DJ Jack the Ripper, and will feature Golden Age Hip Hop and some definite 80′s and 90′s party jams to keep you moving. Since I stopped doing my Rock Box party, I’ve wanted to do a few one offs that focused on Golden Age Hip Hop and related tunes. This mix is some of the records you’ll here on the new night. I’ve had a lot of these records under wraps for 10 years or more. So enjoy some unheard classics and pre Yo! MTV Raps sides, all on original 12″, because back in the day, it was just for fun.

Just For Fun – FMF Vol. 27 Tracklist

1) Love Bug Starski – Live at the Fever/ The Fever: This former Bronx DJ at The Fever was credited by Afrika Bambataa for coming up with the name Hip Hop. This record was sampled by The Beastie Boys on “Get on the Mic” on Paul’s Boutique, Run DMC on “Krush Groove”, and then later on the Beasties would use the lyrics as an extra nod on To the Five Boroughs. Released in 1983 and is still strong despite some corny lyrics.

2) Queens Brooklyn Connection – This Is Called Hip Hop/ Capitol: It’s ’88 we have to set it straight. This record was produced and mixed Mantronix. The crew consisted of Bryce-Luv, DJ D, and Rev-Rock. They released another 12″, which I have, called “Back to School”.

3) Word of Mouth feat. DJ Cheese – Coast to Coast/ Profile: I had my man Skills over the house one day and he told me his sister had a kid with DJ Cheese. Apparently, he’s locked down, but before all that, he was a 1986 DMC Champion. Teaming up with KMC and Ali-G, this classic from 1986 was launched. Known for the ever used scratch record sample of “Listen Up”.

4) Fresh 3 MC’s – Fresh/ Profile: Signed to Profile in 1982 and releasing this in 1983, this trio was featured on the Pumkpin 12″ “Here Comes the Beat”. A term not used too much, but you know what? I’m gonna bring it back. Yo, those Sergios are fresh. Do you think it sounds dated?

5) Ruthless Rap Assassins – Just Mellow/ Syncopate: I picked this up when I was in London from The Big Man. This band came from Hulme in Manchester and were made up of MC Kermit La Freak, Dangerous Hinds, and Dangerous C. This record came out in 1990, and also features a remix by Norman Cook, aka Fat Boy Slim.

6) T La Rock and Jazzy Jay – It’s Yours (Scratch Party Death Mix) / Def Jam: This very first Def Jam record has a great background. Originally Rick Rubin had it lined up for Treacherous Three rapper Special K to team up with Jazzy Jay on this record. Special K couldn’t make it, so his brother T La Rock subbed, and well, that was that. Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys helped make the beat, the Beasties sang some back up, and an instant classic was born in 1984.

7) Gangster D – Smooth/ Creative Funk: Released in 1988, and definitely influenced if not biting Rakim’s style, this is a record I actually picked up in a basement sale of some crazy couple. It’s recorded a bit low on the Creative Funk label, but after browsing their discography, I can see why. The biggest name on the roster is DJ Kool, unless you feel Smoothie or Scratchmaster Chuckie T were household names.

8.) Whistle – Just For Fun/ Select: Whistle was Jazzy Jazz, Kool Doobie, and Silver Spinner. Known more for their 12″ “Just Buggin’ “, this side is the A side on Select Records from 1986. It was produced by The Kangol Kid and Howie Tee.

9) Stetsasonic – Sally/ Tommy Boy: The band was originally named after Stetson hats, and this 1988 classic sampled Dyke and the Blazers and would be an example of what members Daddy-O, Prince Paul, and Fruitkwan would be capable of in the future. Prince Paul and Fruitwan later founded the Gravediggaz, Paul would become an All Star producer with De La Soul (although he would almost bankrupt them by not clearing samples on 3 Feet High) and independently, while Daddy-O would work with the RHCP, Mary J. , and others.

10) Jimmy Spicer – The Bubble Bunch/ Mercury: Released in 1982, it was a side after 13 minute rap opus “The Adventures of Super Rhymes” on Dazz. I can remember listening to this thing on Philadelphia’s Power 99 and 98 WCAU as a teen.

11) Chuck Chillout and Cool Chip – I’m Large/ Mercury: Original member of The B-Boys from the Bronx. Chillout would go on to host a radio show on WBLS, and then team up with Cool Chip to release this side in 1989.

12) Marley Marl – Scratch/ Nia: What more can I say about Marley Marl? He’s the originator of the Juice Crew, super producer, and all around Hip Hop guru. Released the first beef record (unintentionally..or was it?), released the first posse cut (The Symphony), and still continues to make records, do a ground breaking radio show, and be respected as one of the best Hip Hop producers ever. Teaming up with MC Shan, this 1985 record is a sought out piece. Thanks to Jack the Ripper for this copy.

Download or listen to Just For Fun – FMF Vol. 27

Keep Diggin’!

***PS: Don’t forget Friday April 18th!

10 cc – Dreadlock Holiday

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10cc – Dreadlock Holiday from the Polydor Lp Bloody Tourists

Good Friday to all of you. Every once in a while I like to throw out a curve ball. Today is one of those days. This particular side is one that has been in my record box for quite a while. I always bring it, and it’s something I might start off the night with, but I may also wind down with it as well. For the most part, I definitely am not a fan of white guys attempting to play Reggae. There is a particular thing that irks me about a guy who isn’t from Jamaica trying to front with a patois. Although these cats don’t try to make themselves Jamaican, they do a fine job with their attempt at a Reggae style song. It’s short and sweet today, but the reward IMHO is what counts. Here’s 10cc with “Dreadlock Holiday” from 1978.

Straight out of Manchester, and probably United supporters (although one can only hope they followed City like Oasis), the band was compromised of an all star musical line up. Graham Gouldman, who wrote songs for the Yardbirds and the Hollies among others, studio session geniuses Lol Creme and Kevin Godley, and Eric Stewart, who played in Wayne Fontana and the Minbenders, would all contribute to the longevity of 10cc. Named after the average amount of semen ejaculated by a male, these cheeky lads went on to back Neil Sedaka, release a handful of records that would dominate the UK charts, and eventually disband for a short time in 1977. Two members would push on and record “The Things You Do For Love” (a song I distinctively remember singing while in grade school on the bus) with session cats, while the other members would work in video production and invent guitar effects. The best thing is they would reunite in 1978 and record the following side off of their Bloody Tourists record. I, for one, am glad they did. Reintroduced to the masses by Guy Ritchie ion the Snatch Soundtrack, it’s a great record.

For one, like I said earlier, while it originally might have come across as a bit of a mockery, it really is one of the best Reggae songs put out by a White band. The song itself, is supposedly a tale spun by the Moody Blues Justin Hayward, about a tourist lost in Jamaica in a part of town you would not want to be in at the wrong time. Whether it’s 100% true or not, 10cc pull it off. It’s a feel good tune, and since it was upwards of 70 degrees and sunny here yesterday, it’s something I can listen to always, but reminds me most of a warm, sunny day. I’ll be back, hopefully over the weekend with some digging stories. Before I get out of here, I’d like to shout of Stinkie Steve fan (or Station wagon Steve as he was known back then) Joe Flynn. He was so kind to reach out and give me a shout here at FMF. Welcome aboard and hope to see you more often. Keep Diggin!

**PS: I’ll be here next Friday night with DJ Jack the Ripper

Billy Strange – Put A Little Led In Your Zeppelin

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Aretha Franklin and Billy Strange in the recording studio.


Billy Strange – Put A Little Led In Your Zeppelin from the AIR Lp Bunny O’Hare Motion Picture Soundtrack

It’s been a long weekend, and the beginning of an even longer week here at FMF. I’m still recovering from the NY Red Bulls home opener (I got word my mug was featured on Fox Soccer Channel for a little bit during the pregame, singing my ass off), the Asbury Lanes Record Show, and now the Champions League here on Tuesday. Liverpool have beaten Arsenal at Anfield, to go through to the next leg, taking on Chelsea again. I’m sure the Big Man will be in contact about that very soon. What I bring to you today, is a little piece of Soundtrack goodness. We’re all familiar with the Blaxploitation soundtracks, which are mostly funky as hell. Take your pick man, you know what I mean. Had I not talked to Allan from Soul Spectrum about this record, I still probably would have bought it anyway. It’s off of the soundtrack to Bunny O’Hare, a movie released in 1971 starring of all people, Ernest Borgnine and Bette Davis. This unlikely pair are a couple of bank robbers disguised as hippies. I can only imagine that anyone who has seen this flick has no doubt asked for the hour or so of their life back. While the soundtrack is just as forgettable, there is one track that salvages the whole thing. Let’s check out “Put A Little Lead In Your Zeppelin” by Billy Strange, from 1971 on Air Records.

Billy Strange started his career out early as a live television guitar player and singer. Playing with such notables as Roy Rogers and Spade Cooley (on the Country side), would eventually lead him to play with the “in” Jazz musicians of the day. With his experience piling up as a musician, he’d go on to play, arrange, and conduct for CBS, Capitol Records, Disney, and a many other television shows and Hollywood movies. He was in demand as a player, and played with Jan and Dean, The Monkees, and the Beach Boys, and even as a ghost player for a few years for the Ventures. He’d be specially chosen by Elvis to play with him on his ’68 Comeback Special, and went on to pen “Viva Las Vegas” (along with Mac Davis). The guy was unstoppable, writing TV themes (The Partidge Family theme, he Munsters, among others), working with Nancy Sinatra, and also still hitting the Hollywood soundtracks hard. He’d eventually settle in Nashville, TN, start a publishing company and eventually retire.

A man with so much experience in so many different genres, it’s no wonder Strange could sneak in some kind of fuzzy Funk in within the assortment of wacky TV themes and major and B-movie soundtracks. To me, it just shows what a professional Billy Strange was. He had the know how of the business to churn out specific themes and songs for whatever Hollywood, Nashville, or anyone else in the record business wanted for that matter. “Put A Little lead in Your Zeppelin”, while the title may suggest a nod to Robert Plant and Company (Whole Lotta Love anyone?), is a great , but short piece of fuzzed out Funk. I’d like to thank my man Allan for introducing me to this record, and I hope you all enjoy it (especially Devil Dick). See you Friday with some more goodness. Keep Diggin’!

04.06.08 Asbury Lanes Record Show Recap

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Another Asbury Lanes Record Sale and Garage Sale has come and gone. Although the vendor numbers were a little down, the quality of vinyl wasn’t, and with about 3 new vendors who kept the diggers in the Lanes, the show itself turned out to be a really fun time. Allan from Soul Spectrum made the trek from Brooklyn to sell, and let me just say he had a really great stash of stuff. I spent most of my time digging through his records. What was interesting today is that not only were there new Funk and Soul diggers (as well as vendors), but a good representation from vinyl collectors who were buying the Rock, Psych, Punk, and Classic stuff people had to offer. I didn’t see a tremendous amount of Jazz, but Larry from Funky 16 Corners had a good amount of assorted heat up for grabs. The Snack World Inferno served up some killer breakfast burritos (Thanks Laura), and Pete Pederson was slangin’ drinks, the best Bloody Marys around, when he was not buying bad 80′s and white boy Beastie Boy wannabe Hip Hop 12″s. We’re gonna do this again in about a month or so, so if anyone else would like to sell, it’s fairly cheap at $20 a table. It’s not limited to vinyl, and there is always a spot for a table. You can contact me at the e mail address to the right. All in all it was a great day, despite the shitty weather. I know I scored some excellent vinyl, mostly Lps, all of which will be reviewed on this site in the near future. Here’s a list of the records scores:

12″
Run DMC – Down With the King/ Profile
Krystal/Shabba Ranks – Twice My Age/ Anchor

Lps:

Stevie Wonder – I Was Made To Love Her/ Motown
Bill Cosby – Hooray For the Salvation Army Band/ WB
The Ventures – Guitar Freakout/ Polydor
The Undisputed Truth – S/T / Gordy
Bill Black’s Combo – Turn On Your Love Light/ Hi Records (Thanks Larry)
Jorge Ben – Solta O Pavao/ Philips
Les McCann – Bucket O’Grease/ Limelight
Bunny O’Hare – Music From the Soundtrack by Billy Strange
Shirley Bassey – Is Really Something/ UA (finally a clean copy, thanks Rich)
Rolling Stones – Goat’s Head Soup/ Rolling Stones Records

45s

Filthy McNasty – Why Not Meet Me Face/ Filthy McNasty Records
Melo do Tubarao – Super jaws/ Pats Jam (Pic Sleeve)/ Top Tape
Paul Humphrey – Funky LA/ Lizard
Charmels – Sea Shell/ Volt

Keep Diggin’!

Here’s some photos of the Show:


Alan from Soul Spectrum fame gets some digs in


Jack the Ripper didn’t get a decent breakfast burrito so he cut her.


Pederson is happy with any cheesy 12″


When did Juicy get so into vinyl?


The infamous Prime Cuts, who now sells out of his trunk, boot sale style.

Tomorrow! Asbury Lanes Record Sale

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For all you guys making the trek, I’ll be there around 10 for load in. Last months was a real great time, and I hear there will be some new vendors setting up. Hope to see you all there. I’ll be at the Red Bulls home opener tonight, so look for me in ESC 101. Keep Diggin’!

Kenny Burrell – Soulero

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Jimmy Smith and Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell – Soulero from the Cadet Records 45

I’m still on a high after meeting Mick Jones Wednesday night. It’s not often you get to rub elbows with musical greatness, but I’m glad I got to do it, and by the way, his new project rocks. This weekend is a busy one as well, with the Red Bulls home opener against Columbus, plus another Asbury Lanes Record show and Garage sale on Sunday. All this week there has been an unintentional theme, so I figured I’d throw another funky Jazz guitar side out to finish off the week. Here’s Kenny Burrell with “Soulero” on Cadet Records.

Born in 1931 in the Motor City, Detroit, MI, Kenny Burrell was the product of a musical family. His grasp and mastery of the instrument was evident at age 12. He would continue his secondary education at Wayne State University, where he would play with The Dizzy Gillespie Sextet for a short period in 1951. (Burrell was Diz’s favorite guitar player he said.) Burrell would move on to tour with The Oscar Peterson Trio ( where he briefly replaced Herb Ellis) before moving to New York City in 1956. Here he would start his music career as an in demand sideman, as well as a band leader. His career started off with Blue Note and Swingin’ in 1956, and has kept steady until the present day. He’s recorded for Savoy, Verve, Prestige, Argo, Columbia, Chess, CTI, Cadet, Fantasy and others. As mentioned earlier, his sideman work includes stints with Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Quincy Jones, Yusef Lateef, Milt Jackson, Herbie Mann, Lalo Schifrin, Herbert Laws, Jimmy Smith, and the list goes on. His reputation is evident from the recordings he’s been on. He has played a bop style, and has adapted to different genres throughout his career, and is considered to be a bit more simple and more of a conservative player to his peers. Equally comfortable as a soloist, big band member or his most popular group style of a trio, the man has recorded close to 100 records in his career. He continues to play music, and teach at UCLA at the present day.

Soulero starts out with almost a Flamenco/ South Pacific feel. Building up to a nice little pace, Burrell starts to wail, and the composing of Richard Evans starts to shine. The arranging of Evans is interesting as well. This piece easily could have been on a soundtrack to a movie or a detective television show. He has a knack for being great with an orchestra, especially strings. Please see my review of Evans in a previous post here at FMF for more info on the unsung bass player and musical genius . All in all, this side is more of a Jazz side than the Funk you may be used to, but it is funky in it’s own way. Burrell is amazing, and there is a reason why he is one of the greats. Soulero would be covered by greats like Eddie Higgins, Sonny Cox, Paul Jacobs, and Bob James. See you over the weekend. Keep Diggin’!

Please take a minute to reflect on the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorainne Motel in Memphis 40 years ago today.

In 2008, remember, there is still hope.