Monthly Archives: July 2008

Alvin Cash – Funky ’69

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Download or Listen to Alvin Cash – Funky ’69 from the Toddlin’ Town 45

Well here we are midweek, and almost in August as well. I can’t believe the Summer is coming and going so quickly. It’s been quite hot here and we’re not even in August yet. I’ve been laying low digging these past few weeks, and hopefully I’ll get some in this weekend. A trip to Philly to dig with the Devil Dick might be in order, so we’ll see. I have a date for the next Asbury Park 45 Sessions, which is on Friday October 3rd. I’m in the process of lining up a special guest, so I will keep you posted on that. For now, let’s get into a solid side: Alvin Cash and “Funky ’69″ on the Toddlin’ Town label.

Alvin Cash was born Alvin Welch, in 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting out dancing tap and soft shoe with his brothers, he would go on to attend the prestigious Summers High. Summers would be responsible for future R & B stars Tina Turner, Luther Ingram, and Billy Davis from the 5th Dimension, as well as Cash. Eventually Cash and his brothers would move to Chicago, where they were discovered by Andre Williams. Now I interviewed Andre a few years ago, and have never released it, so hopefully I can get my act together one of these days and put it out. Williams would record Cash reworking his hit “Bacon Fat”, and calling it “Twine Time”. In fact, Bacon Fat in essence was really a reworking of The Five Du-tones song “Woodbine Twine”, so here it comes full circle. The side reached number 14, and Alvin Cash and the Crawlers had themselves a hit. However, the backing band was said not to be his brothers the Crawlers, but the Nightlighters band. Williams was definitely (and still is) a character, and his run ins with Berry Gordy and shady moves are legendary, so of course this tale makes sense. The Nightlighters would then go on to back up Cash, changing their name proper to the Crawlers, then the Registers. His brothers could not measure up as a backing band and were pushed away for this new band. Cash would put out a bunch of sides: “The Philly Freeze”, “The Barracuda”, “Unwind the Twine”, and “Mr. Penguin”, among others. He recorded for Toddlin’ Town, Mar-v-lus, Dakar, and Contempo. His later recordings were a tribute to Muhammad Ali, and “The Ali Shuffle”. I came across a Toddlin’ Town compilation some years ago in the field called Funky ’69. I was excited because it had Cash doing “Keep On Dancing”, that DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist had made popular in the 90′s through Brainfreeze (although I believe they used the Commodores version on Atlantic). At any rate, this comp made me a believer in Cash, and here we are today. Cash would die, unfortunately in 1999 from complications of a stomach ulcer. I kind of wish he was around today, I would have loved to interview him.

Alvin Cash has no problem showing you how Funky ’69 is. The Crawlers (aka the Nightlighters) tear this up on this track. That’s why I like Cash so much, he’s animated, and the screaming and shouting during the tracks really, to me, let you know what raw Funk is all about. Of course it’s another chapter in the dance craze, but who cares. The jangly guitar and horn stabs “whoop it” like Cash himself. The abrupt stops and proclamation of the dance name are right on time, as is Cash. It’s short, but you get the point at what this side is all about. Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and dance. See you Friday. Keep Diggin’!

Linton Kwesi Johnson – Inglan Is A Bitch

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Download or Listen to Linton Kwesi Johnson – Inglan Is A Bitch from the Mango Records Lp Bass Culture

What we’re gonna do this morning to start the week at Flea Market Funk is get a bit political. It’s something I like to shy away from in this blog (although I have stated my support for Obama in the past), because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The political stuff I want to touch on today, has more to do with today’s side and artist more than my own rant on the state of US politics. We’re gonna get into some Reggae this morning with Linton Kwesi Johnson and “Inglan Is A Bitch” on Mango Records from the 1980 record Bass Culture.

Born in 1952 in the rural parish of Clarendon, in the small town of Chapelton, Jamaica, Johnson emigrated to London, England in 1963. Johnson would join the Black Panther Party while still attending school at Goldsmith’s College at the University of London. He would go on to organize a poetry movement within the Panthers, and Rasta Love a group of poets and drummers was born. Winning a C Day Lewis Fellowship in 1977, he would move on as a Library Resources and Education Officer at the Keskidee Center, where it became the first official home of the Black Theater in London. Starting out as a writer and poet way before he was even a musician, he was first published in socialist newspaper Race Today with Voices of the Living and the Dead in 1974. His second group of writings, Dread Beat An ‘ Blood in 1975, would be the title of his first record ( released on Virgin )in 1978. Also in 1978, a documentary on his works and life, also entitled Dread Beat An ‘ Blood would be released. This record was released in 1980, and this side is the title of his third book. There would be three more records released on the Island related label before he would start his own record label, LKJ in 1981. It makes much sense that an activist who was revolting and writing on the treatment of Afro-Brits by the British government would eventually break off from an established corporate label to go out on his own. He had been an activist and doing his own thing all along anyway. Moving closely back to the journalism and writing he started out with, the 1980′s were filled with close affiliations to the Brixton Race Today collective of people. He was also a reporter for Channel 4, and released a 10 part radio series entitled From Mento to Lovers Rock on the BBC. Kwesi Johnson has since toured with other bands, produced artists, and of course written politically and released poems and the like. His academic accolades include an Associate Fellow of Warwick University and Honorary Fellow of Wolverhampton Polytechnic while also receiving he XIII Premo Internazionale Ultimo Novecento from the city of Pisa for music contribution in Italy.

“Inglan Is A Bitch” tells the story of struggle of the Afro-Brits in London. It details how the perception of the Black youth must be changed (dem seh dat black man is very lazy,but if y´u si how mi wok y´u woulda sey mi crazy”), and how the Black man struggles from modern day oppression. Johnson just wasn’t preaching about it, he was living it day in and day out. He was called the Dub Poet for a good reason: his experiences scorched newspapers, news reports, documentaries, radio shows and the like; then were put to music. His involvement with the Black Panther Party is no secret, and the way he moved forward, spreading his word and challenging the British government is commendable. He assembled a great band behind him which was lead by keyboard player Dennis Bovell, who he’d later go on to record with. Kwesi Johnson is the real deal, a man who walks the walk and talks the talk, championing the human rights for the oppressed, and making a difference in the Reggae music world, and in the world in general. Nuff Respect to this man. See You midweek. Keep Diggin’!

The Show Stoppers – Ain’t Nothin’ But A House Party

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The Show Stoppers – Ain’t Nothin’ But A House Party from the Heritage 45

Aaah Friday, it takes so long to get here, but you know what? We’re always glad it does. After a long week mostly working out of town, I needed to get back into the swing of things. Things have not been normal in the FMF household for quite some time, and I’m hoping after this weekend I can start to get back to feeling a bit normal. I chose this next side because I wanted to feel good. I wanted to feel like I did way back when, when actually going to a house party like Kid n’ Play made you feel good. Those crazy parties where we’d jump off the balcony of the second floor onto mattresses lining the floor, and inevitably someone or their girlfriend would puke where they weren’t supposed to, and we’d all get a laugh. Those kinds of innocent times when you don’t have to think about growing up. Times do change and as much as we do not want to be an adult, we have to. Over the past few years I’ve watched myself really grow into adulthood, and feel good about it, while some close to me refused to, and did not follow the same course. It’s been a tough one for me to deal with, but thanks to the music, and good people around me, I’ve managed to keep my head up, and find out who I am, and of course who really cares about me. That’s why I’m serving this up as a weekend warmer if you will, a tribute to the innocent times when a house party mattered. Here’s the Show Stoppers with “Ain’t Nothin’ But A House party” on Heritage Records.

Philadelphia has had it’s share of R & B, Funk and Soul legends, so I’m not surprised that a record like this would be coming out of the City of Brotherly Love. This group out of Germantown High School, was formed in the middle 1960′s. The group was comprised of two sets of brothers, Earl and Timmy Smith, and Laddie and Alec Burke. It didn’t hurt that the latter were brothers of the great Solomon Burke himself. Written initially by Del Sharh (who went under another name, which is explained in an old Funky 16 Corners webzine article), this song was later recorded by the J.Geils Band. Originally put out on the Showtime Label, it was also put out on Heritage under the MGM company. As always, this side didn’t make too many waves here in the States, but of course broke the top 20 in the UK. Go figure. Not as funky as “Shake Your Mini”, the Show Stoppers none the less knew how to get their Soul on, and being from Philly, there is no way you couldn’t. Especially if 1/2 of the group was related to a Soul giant!

This side will not make you stand still. It’s a piece of upbeat Soul at it’s finest. You will dig the back beat, the horn stabs, and the dance name checks throughout. This tune commands you to move your feet, get in the groove (not unlike Madonna 30 years later) and feel the effects of a house party. It’s a party, y’all, brought to you by the Show Stoppers, and it’s going all night long until the broad day light. That’s what we’re celebrating here today at FMF: A good time. I hope this thing moved you like it did me. Enjoy, and play it again. See you over the weekend possibly, but if not, Monday morning for sure. Keep Diggin’!

Brass Monkey – Funky Monkey

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Brass Monkey – Funky Monkey from the White Label 45

Here’s a midweek piece of goodness, that I have to be completely honest about: I couldn’t dig up a thing about it at all. If you were looking for the Beastie’s version, you’d find everything under the sun about it. In fact, if you want to know how to make Brass Monkey, the drink, you’ll find that too. However, fortunately for me, and unfortunately for you, this is going to be a super short post. My life as of late has been a complete whirlwind of craziness (those who know me personally can vouch for this), and real world moves have to be made on the daily, which has left me little time tonight. I wish I could have dug up a bunch of info about this record up, but I had no luck. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great side. I bought it at one of the Asbury Lanes Vinyl shows, and as soon as the needle hit the groove, I knew it was a keeper. Brass Monkey and “Funky Monkey” bring me back to the days when living was easy, you could probably still drink a can of Budweiser while you were driving, and you got laid to War’s “Lowrider” in the back seat of your car. It’s a great double sider, but I always choose the instrumental side (force of habit) with a sweet little chorus that’s just a bonus. It’s driving bass line, smooth back beat, and guitar riff make it another head nodder. Let’s not forget the piano and horn section that round the whole side out. All in all, this is a great side. If anyone has any info about this side, hit me up, I’d love to share it with the FMF family for sure. See you Friday with another slice of dusty heaven. Keep Diggin’!

07.18.08 Asbury Park 45 Sessions Recap

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The 45′s were so hot we broke the fan!

This 45 Sessions was definitely a special one. All the nights are basically free form, as long as you play it on 7 inch. We all bring the Deep Funk and Soul, but it’s always nice when someone throws in some Classic Rock Breaks, Hip Hop, or some good Reggae in the mix. What we did tonight, is just switch every half an hour, so each of the five DJ’s had to be on their toes, and so did the audience. The night had a little bit of drama, but when isn’t there any at a bar, filled with people drinking and bowling? We got a great write up in the local paper the day of, and I thank the Asbury Park Press for hooking that up. Here’s a few photos of the night, as well as my play list. More play lists as they come in.


DJ Prestige on the cut
DJ Prestige Play List for 07.18.08 45 Sessions

Intro: Monster Shindig/ HBR
Hank Johnson – You Lost Your Thing/ Sex Machine Records
Ohio Players – Funky Worm/ Westbound
Tony Newman – Soul Thing/ Parrot
Binky Griptite & the Mellowmatics – Mellomatic Mood/ Daptone
John KaSandra – (What’s Under) The Natural Do/ Respect
Mophono – Tighten Up Remix/ CB
Roger Collins – She’s Looking Good/ Galaxy
TnT Band – The Meditation/ Cotique
$mall Change – Steviano Italiano/ Bstrd Boot Nuggets!
James Brown & the Fabulous Flames – Night train/ King
Charles Bradley & the Bullets – This Love Ain’t Big Enough for the Two of Us/ Daptone
Tammi Lynn – Mojo Hannah/ Cotillion
Betty Wright – Baby Sitter/ Alston
Joe Gibbs & the Professionals – Lick To Yu Chin/ Belmont
Cobra – Flex/ Shang
Tony Tuff – Run Come Come/ Scorcher
The Expressions – Money I$ King/ Truth and Soul
Edwin Starr – Back Street (Instrumental)/ Ric Tic
Pamoja – Oooh Baby/ Lotus Land
The Undisputed Truth – California Soul/ Gordy
Tom Jones – Looking Out My Window/ Parrot
Wendy Lynn – I Can Remember/ King
Sammy Brown – Got To Leave This Towm/ Grassroots


The Devil Dick layed down heat


M.Fasis threw down some great 45′s.


Funky 16 Corners Larry Grogan en fuego.


DJ Prime Cuts (Mundo) always coming through with the goods.


DJ Jack the Ripper straight from Gitmo.

Tonight Asbury Park 45 Sessions

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Tonight is another installment of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions. Our special guest of course is the Devil Dick. We’ll all be serving up some fresh, funky, and of course dusty 45′s the whole night. If you’re in the area, do stop in. Cheers. Keep Diggin’!

Melvyn Price – Rhythm and Blues

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Any of you that know me personally, know that I ride for Wax Poetics magazine. I have been there from day one, where at one time I had about 10 or more copies of issue one, which I traded for records, t-shirts, other issues (even with one time WP employees when copies were scarce), Brazilian mixes and 45′s. For those of you who aren’t familiar with (and it’s hard to conceive you may not be), get familiar, and catch up with as many issues as you can. This group of writers, DJ’s, collectors, and producers are the authority on rare Funk, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Disco, and the like. Recently, they’ve started a Digital Download service and a record label, which reissued the East of Underground record (Can somebody get me a copy of that, please!). They have some new downloads, one of which is this record today: Melvyn Price, “Rhythm and Blues” on Wax Poetics Records.

Pontiac, Michigan’s Melvyn Price was making music in an explosive time in the United States: the 1960′s. While many people were expressing themselves about the War, about Civil Rights, and about the changing times, Price was doing the same through his rebellious music. The trombonist/ conga player was not happy with the political state of the U.S. He evaded the Draft, and made his way overseas, traveling and playing in Europe with just his Congas on his back. Landing in Sweden and making friends with a Swedish girl, Price soon found himself a father to be, and wanted to return back home to the States. Finding the atmosphere in the US still quite hostile and changing, the couple moved back to Sweden with hopes of a better place to raise their child. Soon after his return to Sweden, he had no problem gigging with the Jazz elite of the country. Drawing on influences such as Motown, Afro-Cuban percussion, and Folk music, while honing his chops and building his unique sound, he put out two dance percussion instruction records. However, his break through came when he released Rhythm and Blues on his own Meldor label. Price imported Latin American percussionists and paired them with top Swedish session players to create this record. It’s a record that was never widely distributed, and up until now has brought in big money for original copies.

“Behind Kungstradgarden”, a track I got to preview, is a great piece of private press Soul Jazz that is filled with plenty of percussion. Price’s choice of studio and out of country musicians (aka the real deal percussionists) is spot on. The organ groove paired with the saxophone throughout is right on point, which makes this a head nodder for sure. It’s amazing that a side like this did not make it further than Sweden, and it’s obvious why the original pressing goes for big bucks. This is the fourth release by Wax Poetics Records, which is available on CD, 180-gram vinyl, and digital download. Every purchase of the vinyl will receive a free download of “The Subway” off of Price’s 1971 release Rytmer II. Now you know I don’t ask you to pay for anything here at FMF. In fact, I give everything away for free, to spread the love around. This music needs to be preserved. Here’s something that 99% of the diggers or collectors out there won’t be able to get their hands on. Wax Poetics is offering this almost impossible to get piece of private press goodness for a great price. Below is a link to purchase it, in any of the aforementioned medias. Wax Poetics is good people, and I back them 100%. I will be keeping you guys abreast of any other great WP releases, in what will hopefully a great working relationship with WP and FMF. Keep Diggin’!

Wax Poetics Records Digital Download Melvyn Price – Rhythm and Blues

Don’t Forget this Friday:

FMF Vol. 30: Summer Sweep

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Since the Guest Mix Series is all but officially over, I figured I’d drop something for the masses this week while I had some time. I was excited to get some drops from one of my all time favorite rappers, Guru and his latest Super Producer Solar. That motivated me to get some sides together for about a 40 minute mix or so. It’s a mix that features a funky Rock Cover, a Jackson Five Organ Cover, Sweet and Sad Soul, a Brazilian white label treat (courtesy of my man Allen over at Soul Spectrum), some heavy drums, and of course a little Afrobeat from North of the border, and then some. I’m sweeping up a bunch of sides and well, making this the official Summer Sweep mix. I’m also still working on a few other mixes that I’m hoping will eventually see the light of day before the end of the Summer. I like to keep these mixes (and podcasts) around 40-45 minutes so I don’t lose your attention. There’s so much to do in the Summer months, I’m hoping this might be a soundtrack to one of them. So sit back, enjoy the beginning of the week, sweep whatever troubles you have under the rug, and enjoy the 30th mix here at Flea Market Funk, the Summer Sweep.


FMF Vol. 30: Summer Sweep Track List

Intro: Lighthouse – One Fine Morning
Bohannon – Rap On Mr. DJ/ Dakar
Deodato – Black Dog/ MCA
Shirley Scott – It’s Great To Be Here/ Atlantic
Tim Maia – Que Quiera Quer Nao Quiera/ Soul Spectrum Secret White Label
Hank Johnson – You Lost Your Thing/ Sex Machine Records
Mojo Hannah – Tami Lynn/ Cotillion
Maceo & The Macks – Parrty Part 1/ People
Afrodizz – Propaganda Part 1/ Afro Kats
Ruth McFadden – Ghetto Woman Part 2/ Gamble
Lou Courtney – I Can Tell/ Riverside
The Free Movement – I Can’t Convince My Heart/ Decca
Bob and Gene – You Don’t Need Me/ Mo Do
The Equations – Have Faith/ Pure Platinum

Download or Listen To FMF Vol. 30: Summer Sweep

Keep Diggin’!

45′s Are Scarce, Jazz Lps and Blazing Heat Are Not

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With the forecast as mostly sunny and in the high 80′s, the meteorologists were finally on point. For me, this means that I need to get in and get out. I walked by many familiar faces who were already digging through various small record crates. Stinky Steve had what looked like a soft cooler that he was filling with Neil Young records, the Meatball was buying and asking about obscure reel to reel tapes, Eggbeard was just wandering around like he was lost, and assorted characters were milling around. I have a theory that all guys who smoke cigars or pipes just go early to the Spot because their wives or significant others won’t let them smoke in the house, so I have to smell some smelly turd while digging for records. I already have to smell Steve, and that is enough. He is rolling large these days, with some new wheels. It has carpeting on the dashboard, and what looked like samples of various food from the warehouse in small cups, with his utensils placed neatly around it. I can imagine the smell in that vehicle. No one else was really around except Silent G, who was digging along side of me for a while. The Old Man, and everyone else for that matter had zero 45′s. He did hook me up with a grip of Jazz Lp’s, a few that I wouldn’t normally buy, but I like to keep him happy, so I figured Jazz is Jazz is Jazz. I did however get one 45, which is a label that I never see around here, and has one of the best names ever: Bunky. The heat crept up very quickly and it was time for me to ramble on. I did, however, get a shot of the Stinkie Steve get away car as well as a piano that was outside of a motor home, propped up by a milk crate (which should have been filled with records). See you Monday with the 30th podcast from Flea Market Funk, The Summer Sweep.


With over 90 warrants, Stinkie Steve needs an ex-cop getaway car.


My home has wheels and we got a pi-ano!

The Lone 45:

The Esquires – And Get Away/ Bunky Records

Lp’s:

Gerry Mulligan – Mulligan Plays Mulligan/ Prestige (reissue)
James Moody & George Wallington – The Beginning and the End of Bop/ Blue Note
V/A – Newport in New York ’72 The Jam Sessions Vol. 3 and 4/ Cobblestone
Johnny hodges and Wild Bill Davis – Joe’s Blues/ Verve
The Jackie McLean Quintet w/ Donald Byrd & Elmo Hope – Lights Out!/ Prestige (reissue)
V/A – Jazz For A Sunday Afternoon Live At the Village Vanguard/ Solid State
V/A – Riverside Modern Jazz Sample $1.98/ Riverside
Freddie Hubbard – Windjammer/ Columbia
Herbie Hancock – Secrets/ Columbia
The Supremes at the Copa/ Motown
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Eveybody Loves the Sunshine/ Polydor (I couldn’t resist it for 50 cents!)

Keep Diggin’!

Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby

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Download or Listen to Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby

It’s Friday here at FMF, and I have to be honest, this tune has been in my head since last weekend. As a matter of fact, the song that samples it, the Geto Boys “My Mind’s Playing Tricks On Me” has as well. I’ll get to that a little further down. I want to give a shout out before I get into Black Moses here, to the people at 7 Grand, and Mr. TnT, who got some shout outs to FMF from the Icon, Guru, and Super Producer Solar for the next podcast. I had originally tried to set up a Q & A with the two, who are promoting Jazzmatazz 4, but we couldn’t hook up. Hopefully I still might be able to get the Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal one to drop some science on his top 10 Jazz records of all time. We’ll see. Ok, I am excited to get into this next record. It’s neither rare nor hard to get, but an often over looked side. Here’s Isaac Hayes with “Hung Up On My Baby” from Tough Guys on Enterprise Records.

Born in 1942 in Covington, TN, Hayes’ parents died when he was an infant, and he was raised by his grandparents. Self taught on the saxophone, piano, and organ, Hayes started out singing in the church before making the trek to Memphis, TN. He would cut sides for a variety of record labels, and performed in groups such as Sir Isaac and the Doo Dads, Sir Calvin and his Swingign Cats, and the Teen Tones. From here he would start playing sax in The Mar-Keys (Last Night, Satellite Records). This is the start of Isaac’s association with Stax Records, where he was recruited to be a house keyboard player for Stax, after several successful sessions with Otis Redding. His partnership with David Porter was begining as well. This successful duo has written well over 200 songs, and I could wax poetic about the hits, but let’s face it, if you’re reading this and you don’t know about “Soul Man”, “B-A-B-Y”, and “Hold On I’m Comin’ “, step your Stax game up. 1967 would see Hayes go solo with Presenting Isaac Hayes, and the hit records would follow. 1969′s Hot Buttered Soul, To Be Continued, The Isaac Hayes Movement, and the well known Shaft Soundtrack made Hayes a household name. He lent his expertise to more Blaxploitation films in this very record from Three Tough Guys, Truck Turner, and of course the Lp’s Chocolate Chip, Joy and Groove-a-thon. It wasn’t all good times, as Hayes would soon file for bankruptcy. You can’t keep the man down though, and soon Hayes was back on his feet. He would do a string of duets with notable female singers, release a few more records up into the 1980′s, but then would shift into an acting career. Hayes did come back in the 90′s with “Ike’s Rap”, but still continues to act today, and got to a whole different level as the voice of Chef on South Park. That’s not to say he still doesn’t do and produce music, I mean seriously, he’s Isaac Hayes.

This a long one for FMF, although the Joe Farrell “Canned Funk” clocked in at over five minutes. This is everything you would expect from Isaac Hayes at this particular time. The man was noted for for throwing these sick Jazz style arrangements, combining horn sections, fuzzy guitars, a symphony, and everything but the kitchen sink. He’s a genius, and despite his questionable Scientology connection (to each his own), there is no way you can say that Hayes wasn’t one of the best composers of Funk and Soul music in the history of the genre. His involvement in Stax records, the scene in Memphis, and his contribution as a musician, songwriter, composer and arranger, and the persona of “Ike”, has kept him in the spotlight as a player his whole career. FMF celebrates Isaac Hayes and the fact that “Hung Up On My Baby” was flipped that much further by The Geto Boys to create a Hip Hop classic with it. Let’s not forget the cover by El Michels Affair, it smokes too!! Enjoy this side, and enjoy the Geto Boys video as well. Keep Diggin’!

Roger Collins – She’s Looking Good

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Download or Listen To Roger Collins – She’s Looking Good from the Galaxy 45

It seems like it was yesterday when COOP dropped his Ghetto Organ Mix as the first mix in the Guest Mix Series. I can say once again that Tony C’s 45 Tear Up! was a fine ending to the series. The music goes on however. Even though there has been a ton of 45′s, Lp’s, and 12″s used by all our guest selectors, this is still a drop in the bucket, and FMF is bringing you even more music. This midweek I bring you one of my favorite Bay Area musicians, who I was introduced to in the 1990′s. I went ape shit over his record “Foxy Girl In Oakland”. Thanks to the super diggers over at Ubiquity Records for unearthing the Bay Area classics which included that side. I searched high and low for it, and refused to buy it on E Bay ( I have since changed my mind about online auctions ), only wanting to find it in the field. I never have, unfortunately. However, I uncovered another side, which turned up in Psych Dave’s box of goodies one Saturday. Here’s that gem, “She’s Looking Good” by Roger Collins, on Galaxy Records from 1968.

Roger Collins is a Bay Area musician (San Francisco and Oakland) that, as I imagine, was a staple on the circuit like Johnny Talbot in the 60′s. Influenced by Blues, Gospel, Soul and Hillbilly music, he would go on to release a string of records of the Galaxy Label. The Galaxy label put out a variety of records by a nice cross section of artists. Their roster would of course include Collins, but notables like the Apollos, Cal Tjader, John Lee Hooker, and Little Johnny Taylor. They would also put out sides by Johnny Lewis and the Gents, Ella Jamerson, The Merced Blue Notes, and JJ Malone among others. This record was an international hit, with a version done by Wilson Pickett. Some may argue that Wilson’s version “bitch slapped” Roger’s original, but let’s be real here people: Roger Collins was and is still a baaaaad man. I am gonna ride for this side not because I don’t like the Wicked One, but because I root for the underdog. Collins is just that. He would release the party anthem of the Bay area, the aforementioned “Foxy Girl In Oakland”, which I can not say enough about, and where Collins would combine many of his musical influences. Apparently this Collins side is a little bit easier to get ahold of, and I would definitely recommend this side to any and all. I included it on the last FMF podcast Frank ‘N Beans, and it was on a past mix by Tony C. Great minds think alike, and I needed to share this side with all of you. See you Friday with another dusty piece of 45 goodness. Keep Diggin’!

FMF Guest Mix Series: Tony Crampton

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Well folks, it was bound to happen. It’s the end of the line for this Guest DJ Series here at Flea Market Funk. I’ve been sitting on this mix for a little bit, and well, when I finally broke the bad boy out I was not disappointed (like I would be with a professional like this guy). Tony Crampton, or Tony C. as he is known over in the UK has been holding down his Jazz Syndicate Radio Show “The Melting Pot” for quite some time. Currently off the air for a bit, the man himself took some time to put together a cracker of a mix for me here at Flea Market Funk. I want to say thanks to Tony, and to everyone who has contributed to this series. It was indeed a great success. I may have one or two stragglers, but when I do get those, of course I will post them straight away. Thank you all again for participating, and also for the readers out there who were digging all these unique new mixes. I’m working on a special blend of a mix (Number 30!) that will be up shortly. So start your Monday off right with the 45 Tear Up! by Tony C. Enjoy!

Track list for 45 Tear Up Guest Mix for FMF by Tony Crampton

Intro
Do the 45-Sharpees-One-derful
I’ve Got Just the Thing – Lou Courtney/ Riverside
If You Cant Go, Don’t Hinder Me – Virgil Griffin/ Reginald
I’m Going and Get It – Joe Tex/ Dial
Boogaloo Tramp – AC Reed/ Nike
The Woodbine Twine – Five Du Tones/ One-derful
They Call Me Jessie James – DC Sound
Have Mercy Someone – ZZ Hill/ U.S Kent
Kiss Me Baby – Stevie Wonder/ Motown
New Breed – Jimmy Holiday/ Diplomacy
Money Won’t Change You – James Brown/ King
Secret Love – Billy Stewart/ Chess
Honey Trippin – Mystic Moods/ Soundbird
Done Got Good to Me – Bobby Rush/ Sedgrick
Big Boss Man – Shirley/ Paula
It Was A Very Good Year – Three Sounds/ Blue Note
Take Me in Your Arms – Kim Weston/ Gordy
Between the Lines – Charlie Whitehead/ Stone Dogg
Funky Woman – Maceo and the Kingsmen/ House of Fox
Watch Yourself – Al Gardner/ Sir Rah

Download or Listen to 45 Tear Up! FMF Guest Mix by Tony C.

Keep Diggin!

Quincy Jones – Soul Bossa Nova

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Download or Listen to: Quincy Jones – Soul Bossa Nova from the Mercury Lp Big Band Bossa Nova

And now for something completely different. Happy Birthday United States! I’m taking a few off from the blogosphere to relax, gather my thoughts, and actually enjoy myself from the drudgery of the work week. Here’s something from the great Quincy Jones in 1962 off of his Mercury Lp entitled Big Band Bossa Nova, and “Soul Bossa Nova”. You may remember this from Austin Powers, but Hip Hop heads will remember it from the North of the Border jazz influenced band Dream Warriors, who sampled Quincy for “My Definition of A Boombastic Jazz Style”. I still play that side out at gigs, go figure. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday with one of the last Guest Mixes in the series. Here’s to the birthday of the USA, and as always, Keep Diggin’!

Sandy Nelson – Alligator Boogaloo

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Download or Listen to Sandy Nelson – Alligator Boogaloo from the Imperial Records Lp Boogaloo Beat

As we approach midweek, of a short holiday week, here in the States no less, I’d like to shout out my man Jason Perlmutter from Carolina Funk fame once again for putting out a superb Guest Mix. I have one more guest mix next week, and hopefully a special one from a heavy hitter to follow sometime shortly after. Let’s just say the guy is busy. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. So to keep things moving along this week, I have a little something different than my usual. I think you all might agree. Here’s a recent acquisition, Sandy Nelson with a cover of Lou Donaldson’s “Alligator Boogaloo” on Imperial Records.

Sander L. Nelson, drummer extrordinaire was born in Santa Monica, California in 1938. Attending high school with such notables as Jan and Dean and Phil Spector, he would start out with Kip Tyler and the Flips alongside future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston. They recorded sides for the Challenge and Ebb labels. He worked his way up to an in demand studio drummer, and eventually would play on the Phil Spector produced hit by the Teddy Bears: “To Know Him Is To Love Him”. His playing with Gene Vincent and “Crazy Times” was commendable, but he is more well known for his “Teen Beat” record he put out on the Original Sound Record Label in 1959. He’s also put out “Let There Be Drums”, and “Drum Are My Beat” shortly thereafter. What’s so unusual about this string of hits is that these songs were all instrumentals, a difficult and unusual feat at the time. Instrumentals generally didn’t chart high. He still continued on as a session drummer, playing with the likes of the Coasters, Ernie Freeman, and Duane Eddie among others. His playing helped the Hollywood Argyles ( written by Dallas Frasier ) score a chart topping hit for with “Alley Oop”. He signed up with Imperial records in 1961 and would release a series of all instrumental cover records, that are shall we say, drum heavy that covered Funk, Soul, Rock, Boogaloo, and more. Unfortunately, Nelson was involved in a motorcycle accident, which would result in the partial loss of his leg and entire right foot. That did not stop him, and he pushed on through the 1970′s, and as he approaches his seventh decade, still records a bit today from his home base in Nevada.

He has literally hundreds of cover songs. This particular cover came from an all Boogaloo only Lp, and since Mr. Nelson decided to cover the great Lou Donaldson, it was a no brainer for me to pick this side. I am a great fan of Lou, who is a great fan of Johnny Jazz over in Red Bank, NJ. Johnny Jazz’s grocery store has been on the West Side of that town forever. He once played me a tape of Donaldson live in Newark, NJ giving him a shout out about his pork chops! Classic Jazz story, and true as hell. Nelson would enlist the help of fellow session musicians Steve Douglas (sax), Ernie Freeman (piano), and Rene Hall (guitar) to do the myriad of cover records that included some lackluster originals as well. Well versed in Surf, Rock, and able to interpret other styles like Funk and Soul, Sandy Nelson held up to his amny Lp titles, but I think one fits him the best: Super Drums. See you on Friday with some more heavy shit. Keep Diggin’!