Monthly Archives: May 2008

Sister Nancy – One Two

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Sister Nancy – One Two from the ADA Lp: Special Request and Popular Demand

Finally, Friday. It’s been a long couple of weeks here at the Flea Market Funk Camp, and I’m heading South tonight to our nation’s capitol for the weekend. Do not fear, as Jack the Ripper and the Lanes Crew will be holding it down at the Asbury Lanes Garage Sale and Record Show on Sunday morning. I unfortunately will not be back in time. I’m hoping to maybe get some digging in in DC or Maryland, along with some definite rest. I’ve been vibing to Reggae a lot lately, and I figured I’d end the week with a live cut. As a matter of fact, it comes from the Part 2 of A Dee-Jay Explosion: Special Request & Popular Demand on ADA Records from 1983. It’s none other than the first female DJ, Sister Nancy, with “One Two”.

Born Nancy Russell, in Kingston, Jamaica in 1962, she is the 13th of 15th siblings, and sister of Robert Russell, aka Brigadier Jerry. Known as the groundbreaking first female DJ, Sister Nancy has been on the scene for 30 years plus. Her anthem “Bam Bam” has been heard around the world, and she’s been an innovator and leader for female DJ’s and toasters throughout Reggae’s history. At 15, she began DJing with the Chalice, Black Star, and Stereophonics Sound Systems. Her first records were put out on Winston Riley’s Techniques record label in 1979, where she offered up the single “Papa Dean”, but it was the aforementioned “Bam Bam” off of her record One Two (and the single reviewed here today) that she would be known for. Nancy was the first female DJ in a male dominated DJ world, and she was good. Her performance at the Reggae Sunsplash in 1982 would introduce her to the world. From there, Nancy could not look back. Her straight forward toasting and strong style (despite the boos and oppression from many males) would help propel her further along her musical career. Sister Nancy’s female presence would open the door for other female DJ’s to follow suit and join the Reggae game. Without her there would be no Sister Carol, Patra, etc. Don’t get me wrong, singers like Norma Fraser were killing them with Sweet Soul covers in the 70′s, but Nancy straight changed the game. She is the Queen of the DJs, with ‘Nuff Respect from all the big sound bwoys. She resides in New Jersey today, and i’d love to get her to the Lanes for a show. We’ll see how that goes.

This record was recorded live in 1982 at the Skateland Roller Disco, Halfway Tree, Kingston, Jamaica. Like I said earlier, this is the second part of “the most authentic Reggae album ever made”, according to Reggae Bloodlines author Stephen Davis. Nancy was joined by such greats Lee Van Cliff, Yellowman, Michigan and Smiley, Sassafrass, Principal, and Eek-A-Mouse among others. She gets a bit of help with Papa Lee (Van Cleef) towards the end of the track, but she can stand on her own two feet firm. To me, this is Reggae: raw, powerful, and sexy. I only wish I could go back to that time and experience it as Nancy did. I’ll be back on Monday, when the one and only DJ Bluewater will drop his guest mix for FMF. See you then. Keep Diggin’!

Enjoy Sister Nancy Live at the Knitting Factory NYC with the Jammyland All Stars from 2004

Donny Hathaway – The Slums

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Donny Hathaway and Arif Mardin

Donny Hathaway – The Slums from the ATCO Lp Extension of A Man

Good midweek FMF Family, I hope you enjoyed this week’s guest mix from Funky 16 Corners. Today’s post is gonna be a short one, a long weekend mixed with some sunburn has kept me a bit lethargic, and the first road ride of the season (although it was short and cut off by thunderstorms) has left me friend. This side, and this whole record in particular has graced my turntable for a while, and it has helped me through some difficult times. This side I chose in particular is more on the funky side rather than Soulful, but if you don’t have any Donny Hathaway, I urge you to get out there and do yourself a favor: get it without question. It took a while for this to turn up for me in the field, but by the time it did I was aware of the genius he was. Here is a favorite artist of mine, Donny Hathaway with “The Slums” from the 1973 ATCO Lp Extension of A Man.

Born in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois in 1945, Hathaway began playing the piano at an early age. His skill on the ivories paid off, as he was awarded a full scholarship to Howard University after high school. Professional musicians would call, which would lead Donny to leave Howard after 3 years and pursue real gigs. He did do some performing with the Ric Powell Trio while in college before taking a step to the bright lights. Before he was a front man, he did studio work as an arranger, producer and piano/ keyboard man for The Mayfield Singers, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, and the Staple Singers. His ability shined bright, and he would move on to house producer at Curtom Records. Moving over to ATCO shortly after as an artist, he recorded “The Ghetto” in 1969. This song is a monster, and I personally love it. This inner city soulful anthem would be followed by Everything is Everything, Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack, and his third and final Lp where this side is from, Extension Of A Man. Hathaway and Flack would team up for a few duets, notably a cover of James Taylor’s “You’ve Got A Friend”, and “Where Is the Love” that would gain them even more notoriety and a Gold Record. While also recording some music for television shows, Hathaway was starting his long battle with depression. This depression resulted in him stepping out of the spotlight, his partnership with Flack to go downhill, and in and out hospitalization. He would pull it together for another duet with Flack in 1977, “The Closer I Get To You”, but before things could really take off again, he was found dead below from a fall out of a 15 story window. There were no signs of struggle or foul play, and the conclusion was that Hathaway committed suicide. Another great artist lost with so many years to go, losing to his inner demons.

“The Slums” is great Funky Soul piece, with Hathaway leading the pack on keyboard, and a great “The Ghetto” type vibe going on throughout. Check out this laundry list of people who played on the record:
Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Willie Weeks (bass), Rick Marotta (drums) David Spinozza (guitar), Donny Hathaway of coure (vocals, acoustic & electric piano, organ, keyboards, bass), Wayne Andre (trombone), Marvin Stamm (trumpet), Phil Bodner (clarinet, alto saxophone) Seldon Powell (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Julien Barber (violin), Gloria Agnosti (harp). This list isn’t finished because the additional players were: Stanley Clarke, Hubert Laws, Cissy Houston, Grady Tate, Cornell Dupree, Phil Upchurch, David “Fathead” Newman, David “Fathead” Newman, Joe Newman. This is a killer lineup throughout the whole record. This Lp was thought to be one of his weakest offerings, and I’d agree to some point, but “The Slums” is a standout IMHO. Besides this particular song, you need to rush out and get 1972′s Donny Hathaway Live though. His masterful cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” is amazing. Donny Hathaway could have done so much more had he gone on living. He left us with these great records, and I for one am grateful for that. I hope you dug this review, and I’ll see you on Friday with some more juice. Keep Diggin’!

PS: Check out my top ten over at the Soul Portrait site. Big Ups Alex!

FMF Guest Mix Series: Funky 16 Corners

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I know it’s a holiday here in the States, but guess what? The FMF Guest Mix Series continues! Today we have a good friend, digging cohort, and mentor throwing down some great records: Larry Grogan from the mighty Funky 16 Corners. He’s got as deep as crates as anyone I know, and there is always some straight H-E-A-T from start to finish on these mixes. I know you’ll enjoy it. Here’s Larry’s take on the mix:

“Hey there.
Allow me to get things rolling by saying Happy Anniversary to my man DJ Prestige and the mighty Fleamarket Funk blog.
I’ve known Pres for a couple of years now and it’s been clear to me (and anyone else paying attention), that he is a man with deep crates and a contagious enthusiasm for the music he loves.
A little over a year ago, when he asked me to saddle up with the Asbury Park 45 Sessions crew (another enterprise that just celebrated it’s one-year-anniversary) I was both psyched and honored because I know that in addition to the fact that he’s what they used to call a righteous dude, he’s got his eyes on the prize.
If you’ve been fortunate enough to fall by one of the 45 Sessions you will have witnessed the gathering of a DJ crew with a wide range of sensibilities and approaches to the music we call soul. You can come down to the World Famous Asbury Lanes, grab yourself a cold beer and a basket of tater tots, take a load off your feet and open your ears as the resident selectors (and a growing list of stellar guests) lay down gritty R&B, Northern Soul, solid hardcore funk and all manner of breaks covering the entire soulful spectrum of the last 50 years. The thing that really hits home is the fact that no matter how diverse the sounds, no matter how many subgenres are represented, things always sound as if they belong together.
There’s a vibe there, and we’re all tuned into it, and we were all brought there by DJ Prestige.
The vibe here at Fleamarket Funk takes that journey into the macro and fine tunes it to the micro, reflecting his own diverse tastes with bits of funk, soul, jazz and reggae laid side by side, always worth a listen (and a read) and always groovy.
When Pres asked me to whip up a guest mix to help celebrate the anniversary of FMF, I hit the crates right away. Though initially unsure of what path I might take (in the process I eventually pulled a couple of stacks of 45s out that I’ll mix for Funky16Corners) I locked on to a record I pulled during a recent dig (side by side with AP45 cohorts Prestige, DJ Prime and DJ Jack the Ripper) – that being Moe Koffman’s ‘James Brown’s Bag’ – and worked from there, building on a soul jazz/jazz funk thing until I had just over an hours worth of superior grooves to bring to the table.
I won’t go into great detail, but I will let you know that herein you will find some tasty Hammond, groovy guitar, cool flute and vibes and the funkiest version of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ you’ve ever heard.
I hope you dig it, and that we’re all here next year to do it again.
I’ll see you around the interwebs.”
Peace
Larry

Six Million Dollar Groove Track List:

Buddy Rich – It’s Crazy (World Pacific)
Wynder K Frog – Jumping Jack Flash (UA)
Bobby Christian – Boogaloo (Ovation)
Roy Meriwether Trio – Jesus Christ Superstar (Notes of Gold)
Moe Koffman – James Brown’s Bag (Jubilee)
Odell Brown & the Organizers – No More Water In the Well (Cadet)
Johnny Lytle – The Snapper (Tuba)
Freddy Robinson – The Coming Atlantis (World Pacific Jazz)
Wilbert Longmire – Scarborough Fair/Canticle (World Pacific Jazz)
Ernie Wilkins Big Band – Funky Broadway (Mainstream)
Little Richie Varola – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Verve)
Freddie McCoy – Beans and Rice (Prestige)
Brother Jack McDuff – I Can’t Be Satisfied (Atlantic)
Jimmy Smith – Sugar Sugar (MGM)
Herbie Mann – Bitch (Atlantic)

Download or Listen to Six Million Dollar Groove by Funky 16 Corners

Keep Diggin’!

Beat the Bennies, Go Diggin’

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Look at this hot mess.

If you live on the Jersey Shore like me, you know the headache of the Summer. The good weather is all fine and well, but the hassle of the traffic from all the Bennies (or Shoobies futher South) is unbearable. They tie up traffic just to get down to da shore. That can carry over to the Spot as well. Since it was the first real Summer like day, it was completely jammed by 7am. Traffic, people stopping everywhere to get coffee or a muffin, and just plain foolishness was all around me. This was at the Spot, not just the road. The cast of characters must have gotten their fill from the Friday record rush, because besides The Old Man (who had a few nuggets for me), I only saw Johnny No Change, The Meatball, and the infamous Egg Beard (with Egg Sangwich in hand) this morning. No Stinkster in sight. I found Silent G early, and we made some rounds together. Most of the stuff was pure trash: about 2000 records from a 90 year old guy who just died. If there was one Hugo Montenegro and Polka record, there were 500 of them. The lady was trying to talk it up, meanwhile the photo up top illustrates how in order they were. Not very. Good luck carrying them around. Wally had some great Jazz which I picked up, but for the most part, there was a lot of junk around on the whole. I did notice that thee were some more city folk around, as I chatted with a Hipster cat from NYC who was buying vintage skateboards, classic Hip Hop and Reggae. It’s a good thing we cleaned the joint up before he got there. I’ve got to be there earlier and earlier now, and ready to battle for the good stuff. I am always up for a challenge.

I wanted to share a story someone told me recently about the Spot, the records I find, and why I write about it. A stranger approached me in regards to records, we struck up a conversation, and he told me about his friend who declared the Spot D-E-A-D. “There’s no records there”, he proclaimed. His buddy said: “Well this guy is writing about them”. “Why would he do that? He’s revealing the his secret!” Let’s set the record straight. I do this for the sheer love of music, under appreciated and lost records, and because it’s necessary. As far as me talking about the Spot, well if you know where it is, then fair play. I’m not advertising the name because there are enough record nuts up my ass on any given Saturday and Sunday. So to further the record, the Spot is not dead. It’s the most consistent record buying place I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve been hitting this joint up for 10-15 years plus. I will have nothing bad to say about it, and that’s that. Now I’m going to finish up the French Press of Cuban Espresso blend I got from the Asbury Park Roastery and enjoy this weekend while I can. I highly recommend this place for fresh roasted, Organic Fair Trade Coffee. They do it right.

LPs:
Various Artists – Jazz of Two Decades/ EmArcy
Roland Kirk – Volunteered Slavery/ Atlantic
Big Daddy Kane – I Get The Job Done/ Cold Chliin’ 12″
Pharoah Sanders – Love Will Find A Way/ Arista
The 3 Sounds – Moods/ Blue Note
Mongo Santamaria – Mongo 70/ Atlantic (Sealed!)

45s:
The Equations – Oh, You Sweet Darling/ All Platinum
Otis Redding – Don’t Mess With Cupid/ Volt
Shorty Long – Night Fo’ Last/ Soul
Betty Wright – Baby Stitter/ Alston
Tammi Lynn – Mojo Hanna/ Cotillion
The David Rockingham Trio – Soulful Chant/ Josie
Betty Lavette – Love Makes the World Go Round/ Karen

Keep Diggin’!

PS: Don’t forget the FMF Guest Mix Series Part 3, with Jersey’s own Larry Grogan from Funky 16 Corners which will drop Monday.

05.23.08 Asbury Park 45 Sessions Recap

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The sessions sneak up so quick even though they are bi monthly. This session fell upon a holiday, which is normally a dead night at the Lanes. However, we were all pleasantly surprised that the crowd consistently showed like they normally do. There were older couples dancing, young faux hawked guys wearing sunglasses at night doing some interpretive dance, a request for “No Parking on the Dancefloor” (seriously?), and lots of Summer Shandies drank. Don’t knock the 70 year old Scottish Grandma drink, we have Leinenkugel’s, and they’re not too shabby. The crew was slimmed down a bit this time, but it gave everyone the room to flex a bit and play some more records. We all played a great mix of Deep Funk, Soul, Reggae, and M.Fasis was even dropping a few Classic Rock nuggets. Good times we had by all, if you missed it, you have another chance to catch it in July. Here’s some photos along with my set list, other set lists as they come in.


DJ Prestige Set List
Intro: – Al Downing – The Whole World’s Gone Funky/ Chess
C.C.S. – Whole Lotta Love/ Rak
Simtec & Willie – Do It Like Mama/ Shama
James Brown – Soul Pride Part 1/ King
Eddie Senay – Hot Thang (Instrumental)/ Sussex
Paul Humphrey – Funky L.A./ Lizard
Brother Jack McDuff – Hot Barbecue/ Prestige
The Ska Kings – Jamaica Ska/ Atlantic
Carlton Moore – Soul Jamaica/ Tobin
The Unemployed – Funky Rooster/ Cotillion
Lil’ Lavar & the Fabulous Jades – Cold Heat/ Now-Again
Barbara & the Uniques – I’ll Never Let You Go/ Arden
3 Stars – Jersey Slide/ Stang
The Sister and Brothers – Yeah, You Right/ UNI
Oscar Weathers – The Spoiler/ Top and Bottom
The 5th Dimension – Feelin’ Alright?/ Bell
Counts – Funk/ Aware
El Michels Affair – C.R.E.A.M./ Truth and Soul
Kellee Patterson – I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More, Baby/ Shady Brook
Jesse Gresham Plus 3 – Shootin’ the Grease/ Head
Breakestra – Baby Don’t Cry/ Stones Throw
Brother Lloyd’s All Stars – Tramp/ Dynamite Soul
Dirty Fingered B-Boys – The King Is Here/ Sure Shot
The Mad Men – Do The African Twist/ Gamble
Mickey and His Mice – Cracker Jack/ Marti
Nina Simone – O-O-h Child/ RCA


Larry Grogan Set List
Roger & the Gypsies – Pass the Hatchet Pt1 (Seven B)
Eddie Bo & Inez Cheatham – Lover and a Friend (Capitol)
James Brown – Talking Loud and Saying Nothing (“rock version”) (King)
Roosevelt Grier – Slow Drag (MGM)
Dee Felice Trio – There Was a Time (King)
Rufus Thomas – Do the Funky Penguin Pt1 (Stax)
Jimmy Smith – The Cat (Verve)
Georgie Fame – El Bandido (Imperial)
Backyard Heavies – Expo 83 (Scepter)
Cymande – Fug (Janus)
Boogaloo Joe Jones – Right On (Prestige)
Gloria Walker – Them Changes (Federal)
King Curtis – Changes Pt1 (Atco)
Bill Doggett – Honky Tonk Popcorn (King)
Johnny Griffith – Do It (Triple B)
Bill Cosby – I Luv Myself Better Than I Luv Myself (Capitol)
Joe Hicks – Home Sweet Home Pt2 (Scepter)
The Flamingos – Boogaloo Party (Philips)
Chuck Edwards – Downtown Soulville (Punch)
Billy Wade and the 3rd Degrees – Tear It Up Pt1 (ABC)
Lou Courtney – Hot Butter n’ All Pt1 (Hurdy Gurdy)
Jimmy McGriff – The Worm (SS)
Village Callers – Hector (Rampart)
Melvin Sparks – Thank You Pt1 (Prestige)
Freddie McCoy – Funk Drops (Prestige)
Rusty Bryant – Soul Liberation Pt1 (Prestige)
Wynder K Frog – Jumping Jack Flash (UA)
Ross Carnegie – The Kid (El Con)
Earl Van Dyke – Soul Stomp (Soul)
Soul Brothers Six – Some Kind of Wonderful (Atlantic)
James Brown – Funky President (People It’s Bad) (Polydor)

DJ Bluewater Set List
Soul Believers – The Popcorn – (King)
Soul Explosion – Barnyard Pimp – (Tramp)
Soul Partners – Spead – (Bell)
Organics – Foot Stumping – (Compose)
Soul Believers and The Dapps – I Don’t Want Nobody’s Problems – (King).
Charles Bradley and The Bullets – Now That Im Gone – (Daptone)
Dynamic Walter B. And The New Breed Band – Butter Toast – (Playground)
Queen Eve and The Kings – Bringin’ Home The Bacon – (Melting Pot)
Lee Fields and The Explorers – Soul Dynamite – (Soul Fire)
Sohail Rana – Soul Sitar – (Jazzman)
Breakestra – Getcho Soul Togetha Pt. 2 – (Stones Throw)
Lovations – Later Baby – (Cap City)
Dynells – Let Me Prove That I Love You – (BlueBerry)
Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings – Im Not Gonna Cry – (Daptone)
Richi Corbin Trio – A Woman Was Made For A Man – (Funk45)
Diplomats Of Solid Sound – Plenty Nasty – (Record Kicks)
Dyke and The Blazers – Black Boy – (BGP)
Grips – Fancy Roll – (GED)


M.Fasis

DJ Prime

Memorial Day Weekend Kick Off: Asbury Park 45 Sessions

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For those of you that have been a follower of this blog, you know I like to do some all 45 events. Tonight is another installment of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions at the World Famous Asbury Lanes. Recently it was passed on to me that a reputable publication named Asbury Park, NJ as the number one best place to see live music anywhere. I don’t know how true that is, but if it were up to me, I would agree with it. Within the City of Asbury Park, The Asbury Lanes is right up there as a great venue. People rave about the Stone Pony’s rich history, which I will not deny. However, the Lanes atmosphere is second to none in the area, or dare I say the whole state of NJ? Where else can you go to see live music, and I’m talking good live music, whether it be a National touring act, a local Punk band, or even a group of DJ’s all playing 45′s, and bowl, eat great food, and be in one of the East Coast’s richest city with music history? FMF says you can’t. You have no idea who might show up at any given night: Bruce Springsteen, celebrity DJ’s, movie stars, or even movie directors. Let’s not forget about actors, and even a guy from the Sopranos. The best part about it is nobody cares. It’s not a star fucking event, different types of people mix; whether you’re black, white, latino, gay, straight, poor or rich, nobody cares. It’s all about having a great time. This venue is an integral part of a diverse music and art scene here in Central NJ.

This reason is as good as any to kick off your 2008 Memorial Day weekend with the Asbury Park 45 Sessions. We have a great line up of selectors who will be rocking Deep Funk, Raw Soul, real Reggae, Hammond scorchers, Titty Shakers, and everything in between, all on 45 records. So come on down this evening and bring your dancing shoes, you’re gonna need them.

PS: Let’s not forget the FMF Guest Mix Series on Monday: Larry Grogan from Funky 16 Corners drops HEAT!

Keep Diggin’!

Tomorrow Night! Asbury Park 45 Sessions!

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Just a short reminder that the Asbury Park 45 Sessions will be taking place tomorrow night. The usual suspects: DJ Prestige, Larry Grogan, DJ Bluewater, M.Fasis, DJ Prime and Jack the Ripper will be spinning the best in Deep Funk and Raw Soul, plus all things gritty and funky on 45. You’ll hear some heavy Hammond Organ, so fuzzy guitars, and real Reggae sounds all on 7″. We give the 12″ record a break for one night and celebrate the large holes. Come on down to Asbury Lanes and have a ball.

Also on June 1st, there is this:

The Sister and Brothers – Yeah, You Right

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An alleged Cold Gritz & Black Eyed Peas connection in New Orleans

The Sister and Brothers – Yeah, You Right from the UNI Records 45

This record was a little piece I got off of Psyche Dave in a great set sale this past week. I dropped the needle on this thing, and didn’t even have to listen to more than 10 seconds of it and knew it was hot. There is not too much out there about this 45, other than a few clues which are on the label. It was recorded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Deep South Recording Studios. It’s produced by Ron Shaab & Cold Gritz. Now Ron Shaab has been involved with other records, Earnest Jackson’s “Hogwash” on Stone Records (which is a great little 7″ if you can get your hands on it), and a few of the Product Placement records used by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. These records, Fried Chicken’s “Funky DJ” from 1976, and another one of Earnest Jackson’s “Funky Black Man” from 1974 (again on the Stone label), are both excellent and always fetch higher prices due to the PP connection. They’re great sides and if you haven’t heard either one, please seek them both out. Here’s another curious connection: Cold Gritz. Cold Grits put out a scorcher, the cover of the Isley Brothers “It’s Your Thing” on ATCO in 1969. Allegedly, it would be Cold Gritz (who shared some members with Cold Grits) that would be the backing band on “Yeah, You Right”. Along with super drummer Ronald “Tubby” Zeigler, the band consisted of Jimmy O’Rourke on guitar, Billy Carter on keyboards, and Harold Cowart on bass. The sister on the track was Geraldine Richards (aka Sister Geri), who handled the vocals. The players would get in with Jerry Wrexler over at Atlantic and eventually make their way to Miami, Florida as studio and backing musicians. Ziegler went on to play with Stephen Stills, The Bee Gees, and a bunch of Country acts. They would also contribute to many TK (Henry Stone’s Label) releases under the various TK affiliated labels. The band itself, Sister and Brothers, released a few more singles, most notably “Ack-A-Fool” on the Calla Label which I’ve included in previous FMF Podcasts, and “The Jed Clampett Parts 1+2 ” on the Lucky Label and UNI again. So with that being said, this is one of those records I haven’t come across before, with a mysterious and sorted past. There is some alleged connection of Cold Gritz and a band called The Black Eyed Peas, which may or may not have had Sister Geri in it. If someone can clarify that for me, or has any other information on any of these bands, I’d be grateful. That photo is included below the label scan.

Starting out with some nasty keyboard playing, and continuing with some heavy guitar and back beat, the Sister and Brothers, being seasoned studio vets, really knew how to lay down some heavy stuff. Sister Geri is preaching on this track people. This band was determined to be noticed, and well, if it only took some 38 years to get the message out, then so be it. It’s most definitely a great combination of heavy Funk with some Rock guitar. Throw in those keys and you’ve got a Deep Funk digger’s dream (at least for me it is). I’m certain that this record will make it on the next FMF Podcast, which will be up shortly. I will see you Friday with some more goodness, and let’s not forget the next installment of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions that very night, May 23rd.

Keep Diggin’!

PS: Imagine my surprise that FMF got a link (randomly generated no less), from my wife’s favorite time wasting site: I Has A Hot Dog. It was a link to the AP 45 Sessions Recap. Thanks who ever made that ridiculous magic happen. Here’s the screen capture:

Red Bull Music Academy’s Wandering Feet Podcast Series

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Mulatu Astatke featured in the RBMA Wandering Feet Podcast

Here’s a short Tuesday post for all of you. I’ve been a fan of the Red Bull Music Academy for a while now, and I’ve always found their podcasts to be really informative. Their wide variety of DJ’s, producers, and artist from around the world, in many genres makes the podcasts hardly dull. Imagine my surprise that I got word from the RBMA that they had a new podcast series called Wandering Feet. I’m all about promoting dope projects, and the RBMA does things right. Here’s the press release:

“Music journalist, and Red Bull Music Academy team member, Emma Warren, gives us the indispensable insiders’ guide to all things RBMA related in the Wandering Feet podcast. Getting deep inside the London Workshop Session, she speaks to past participants Hudson Mohawke and Flying Lotus, hears from Academy Lecturers – DMZ’s Mala and Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet – and pokes her nose into some heavy live Master Classes. Witness Danny Breaks teaching MPC skills, Beni G smashing Serrato and Wookie perfecting the art of the remix. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also hear Ethio-Jazz legend Mulatu Astatke in conversation with Gilles Peterson and hear all about his groundbreaking collaboration with Now Again’s Heliocentrics.”

Check out the Wandering Feet Podcast Series Here

Keep Diggin’!

FMF Guest Mix Series: Supreme La Rock

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I wanted to thank all of you who downloaded and checked out the first installment of the FMF Guest Mix Series. Coop’s Mix was dope as hell, and brought the most visitors ever over here at FMF. That’s no small feat people, so I’m hoping to raise the bar even more on our next guest selector. This DJ is no stranger to digging, 7″ records, or rare Funk, Soul, Reggae and the like. Coming straight out of Seattle and repping the Pacific Northwest lovely, the DJ formerly known as Mr. Supreme, Supreme La Rock is a guy who knows his shit. In fact, he’s a full time DJ, jet setting around, making real world moves, and supporting the vinyl crack addiction we all are familiar with by rocking clubs across the world. Not only a DJ, but a producer, record label owner, and record collector with a collection of over 50,000 (that’s right I said 50K) records, Preme has been doing it and doing it well for more than a minute. While not making music for television shows or reissuing local Funk acts, Preme took time out of his busy schedule to do a proper mix, all live, one take, no do overs. I know you will enjoy this mix as much as I did, because it’s PURE FIRE.

Flea Market Funk Strictly 7″ Live Mix Track List

1. Dust A Soundboy – Super Beagle
2. Zambezi – Fun Co.
3. I Got Some – Sugar Billy Garner
4. The Next Message – Mighty Mo
5. Girls – The Moments
6. The Burg – Larry McGee Revolution
7. Feelin’ Loose – Jonah’s Whale
8. Everybody Disco – Ike Noble
9. Do On My Feet – Dewey Terry
10. Branch In Out – Forest Terry
11. Time – JB Green
12. 90% Of Me Is You – Vanessa Kendrick
13. Spring Fever – Reggie & Percy Thomas
14. She’s A Lady – Great Pride
15. If I Could – The Teques

Download or Listen to: Flea Market Funk Strictly 7″ Live Mix by Supreme La Rock

Check out Supreme La Rock over at Soul Gorilla.

Keep Diggin’!

Midweek Gold and a Beat Sunday

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Charlie Parker Wins over Classic Rock today

Well, I just want to say Thanks again to all the people who sent me their condolences this past week. That was quite thoughtful of you all, and it is definitely appreciated. I had to get back into the field though, and even though circumstances were beyond my control, I managed to get some midweek digging in, as well as a rare Sunday morning session with the JJB and Devil Dick at the Spot.

I finally caught up with my man Psych Dave, who was holding some HEAT for me. It was nice to chat over some coffee, with out lurkers behind me, or the ominous, ever present Egg Beard or Stinkie Steve ravaging the spot for anything vinyl. I did manage to get some really great pieces, and you can check them out below. As for Sunday morning, that was a whole different story. I got up early after a rain soaked night watching the NY Red Bulls draw against Kansas City, and made tracks towards the spot. The Devil Dick and the swingingest lady record collector I know, the JJB met me at a greasy spoon diner along the way. The food is cheap, the coffee strong, and the atmosphere is second to none. The diner boasts such patrons as The Boss and Bon Jovi (and has the autographed ancient photos to prove it). It’s great because even at 7 am, we were the only patrons. Full of grease and coffee, we headed out out to the spot. We spotted Silent G doing his thing, but he said he was out, so we hit the rows of junk. We eventually ended up at the Old Man’s table, but he didn’t have anything for me (because Saturday is usually my day). We walked around, and found bad pile after bad pile of vinyl. If you wanted Beatles today, or even some Classic Rock, you would have been in heaven. I spotted the Flea Market Nazi, a Ukrainian woman who sometimes has ok 45′s, but they are always unsleeved, in the dirt, or in todays case: in a suitcase that could have been stolen from another vendor. I actually got into it with her at another flea market because she was trying to get like 3 dollars a pop for records in the sand, that’s right I said sand. Did I also mention it was about 95 degrees and the sun was baking them? I’m sure these were the same records and that confrontation was about 3 years ago. At some point she needs to cut her losses as a record dealer. I did manage to locate some reissue Blue Note pieces, as well as some 80′s and 90′s Hip Hop 12″ records, but the Spot was beat with a capital B. It did feel good to be back in the swing of things, and clear my head in the light of recent events. I’ve got two days to go, and then there will finally be some closure. I guess that’s why I’m a Saturday guy at the Spot. I mean the real day is Friday, but it’s hard to pull me away on a work day, I simply do not want to do anything except listen to my stash instead of going into the office. There are also about a hundred E Bay guys trying to do the old grip and flip, and I’m doing this to relax, so I don’t need the attitude. That’s why Saturday rules for me. As for Sunday, I got out of there fairly early, and can now enjoy my day. Here’s the midweek and Sunday scores:

Midweek Finds:

45′s:
The Sister and Brothers – Yeah, You Right/ Uni
Direct Current – Everybody Here Must Party/ TEC

Lps:

The Super Dudes – Super Dude Movie Sounds/ Pickwick
The Joe Cuba Sextet – Bustin’ Out/ Tico
Augustus Pablo – Thriller/ Echo Records
The Temptations – Psychedelic Shack/ Gordy
Gabor Szabo & the California Dreamers – Wind, Sky and Diamonds/ Impulse!
Myrna Summers & the Interdenominational Singers – Tell It Like It Is/ Cotillion
King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown/ Clocktower
Les McCann – Hustle To Survive/ Atlantic
Les McCann – Comment/ Atlantic
Sly Stone – High On You/ Epic
Jimmy McGriff – Let’s Stay Together/ Groove Merchant
Melvin Van Peebles – Don’t Play It Cheap/ Stax
Lou Rawls – The Soul of Lou Rawls/ Sears
The Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds – The Black Motion Picture Experience/ Buddah
Toots & the Maytals – Funky Kingston/ Island
Jimmy McGriff, George Freeman, Lucky Thompson & O’Donel Levy – Friday the 13th Cook County Jail/ Groove Merchant
Shirley Scott – Sweet Soul/ Prestige

Sunday’s s Weak Finds:

Stanley Turrentine – Hustlin’/ Blue Note
Warren G – Regulate/ Death Row 12″
Lady B – To The Beat Y’All/ TEC 12″

Iron Leg: A Dedication

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4 Generations of my family: Grandpop, Pop Pop, My Father, Myself circa 1973

Now I know for the most part I keep this blog on the serious side of Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Reggae, with the occasional tongue in cheek digging humor. This week was a tough one here at Flea Market Funk, as I lost my grandfather at the age of 88. He was a man who lived a hard life: he lived through the Depression, supported both his parents even as an adult, raised a family as a Bayman (crabber, clammer, lobsterman, fisherman), and taught me a lot about life, music, and what it meant to be a man. Later on in life he’d battle Alzheimer’s, and while he couldn’t remember the present, he could always tell me about his past. I’m gonna reflect today on my Pop Pop, who truly was the Iron Leg of the family. His love of music (At one time he passed on a Jr. Walker record to me), his passion for the water, and devotion to his family will always remain firmly planted in the many memories I have of the man. “There is no young, there is no old: reach out and touch the Soul.”

Please enjoy Mickey and the Soul Generation with “Iron Leg” on Maxwell Records.

Keep Diggin’!

Bobbi Humphrey – Uno Esta

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Bobbi Humphrey – Uno Esta from the Blue Note 45

As I thought, the Flea Market Funk Guest Mix Series has started off with much success. In fact, COOP’s mix brought me the most traffic ever, which says a lot about the man, the mix, and the people who belong to the FMF family. Thank you for checking this collaboration out. I have 3 more mixes in the can from 3 special guests. These will drop on the next three Mondays. Up for next Monday, is an all around digger, and DJ who can rock any party. His collection of rare 45′s will make even the most seasoned digger blush. Supreme La Rock, formerly known as Mr. Supreme threw down a live mix, no do overs, as it should be done. Keep your ear out for this gem filled with dusty beats and raw drums. Until then, please enjoy Bobbi Humphrey and “Uno Esta” from 1975 on Blue Note Records.

Born in Marlin, TX in 1950, but raised in Dallas, this well known Jazz flautist has released some really great sides. Picking up the flute while she was in high school and continuing on at TSU and SMU college wise, she was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie convinced her to pursue her playing in New York City, where she would take his advice and start things off by winning an amateur at the Apollo Theater. This jump start would lead her to regular circuit gigs in the Big Apple, as well as some with Gillespie. Blue Note would sign her to the label in 1971,( as the first female flautist on the Blue Note roster), and she’d go on to release six long players with them, including my favorite, 1973′s Blacks and Blues, Flute In, Dig This, Live in Montreaux, Satin Doll, and Fancy Dancer. Her perfect blend of Jazz Fusion, Funk, Soul, and R & B earned her not just a place in many digger’s crates, but the nickname “The First Lady of the Flute” and numerous Billboard awards. From Blue Note she’d move over to Epic, Malaco, and finally settle on her own label, Paradise Sound. I have a sweet spot for the funky flute, and Bobbi Humphrey. I definitely celebrate her early catalog, especially the work she did with the Mizell Brothers. Humphrey has worked with Lee Morgan, Stevie Wonder (on the classic Songs in the Key of Life), the aforementioned Dizzy Gillespie, Marlena Shaw, and in the modern day on Common’s Electric Circus record.

Uno Esta comes from her 1975 Lp “Fancy Dancer”. Written by Larry Mizell, Humphrey joined forces again with a mighty Mizell, creating a Jazz Funk Fusion that will keep you moving along in your headphones while riding your bike or bumping it in your ride. The Mizells were still laying down hits (Johnny Hammond’s Shifting Gears, Blacks and Blues, Donald Byrd’s Places and Spaces) with this Spanish influenced groove (Salsa anyone?). Humphrey’s flute meshes too perfect with the keyboards and horn section, but let’s not forget those drums. Speaking of Harvey Mason Sr. on the skins, let’s not forget the stellar line up: John Rowin on guitar, Chuck Rainey on bass, Dorothy Ashby on harp, Tyree Glenn on sax, Oscar Brashear on trumpet, Craig McMullen on guitar, Fonce Mizell on trumpet, Jerry Peters on piano, Julian Priester on trombone, plus the great flute playing of Bobbi. You may be familiar, you may not be familiar with Bobbi Humphrey. She may be small in stature, but she is a giant in the Jazz sense, and has laced us with some really great sides throughout her career. Keep your eye out for this mid 70′s slice of Mizell produced goodness. Keep Diggin’!

FMF Guest Mix Series: COOP

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The artist COOP and one of his amazing pieces.

Well, I’ve been talking this up for a few weeks, and since I had a really great response, I figured I would start this Guest Mix Series off a little earlier. Our first guest, if I can be honest, I’ve been a fan of for quite sometime. I was first introduced to his art in college via various Rock posters. One that really sticks in my mind was a Southern Culture on the Skids poster for the Troubadour, which portrayed a Rat Fink looking ghoul farting while simultaneously having sex with some country bumpkin girl in the back of a hot rod. I believe I was sold on COOP shortly after that. Fast forward to 2007, and imagine my surprise that an artist I admire is a fan of Flea Market Funk. Music and art go hand and hand, and I am honored to kick off the Guest Mix Series with this man. He’s got great taste in music, plus an insane knowledge and appreciation for all things that are Funky; whether it be cars, toys, photography, etc. When not creating mind blowing duotone paintings by hand, or hanging out with major league photographers taking great photos, he can be found over at Positive Ape Index giving you a peek inside his world. Here’s a nice mix from my man COOP.

1. No No No / Dawn Penn
2. Barbwire Disaster / Augustus Pablo & King Tubby
3. Kentucky Skank / Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters
4. Steppers / Scientist
5. Ital Stew / The Revolutionaries
6. Chucky No Lucky / Big Youth
7. Vigorton Two / King Stitt
8. Surfin / Ernest Ranglin
9. Throw Me Corn / Brentford All-Stars
10. Electric Shock / The Music Doctors
11. Mun-Dun-Gu / Cedric ‘Im Brooks & The Sound Dimension
12. Bionic Horn / Aggrovators Feat. King Tubby & Bunny Lee
13. Coco-Macca / Vin Gordon, Lee Perry & The Upsetters
14. K.G.’s Half Way Tree / Augustus Pablo & The Simplicity People
15. Natty Dread Dub / The Revolutionaries
16. More Scrubbing the Dub / Derrick Harriott
17. Middle East Rock / Dillinger
18. Meditation / Count Ossie
19. Ghetto Organ / Jackie Mittoo

Dig The Ghetto Organ: A Jamaican Mix Made by Coop for Flea Market Funk.

Buy COOP’s art here.