Monthly Archives: January 2009

Myron & E with The Soul Investigators – Cold Game

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Download or Listen To Myron & E with The Soul Investigators – Cold Game from the Timmion Records 45

I still have this flu bug so I apologize for being a bit dodgy with the posts over the last few days. It’s got the best of me, and that combined with Friday and Saturday gigs and a full time job during the week has got me a bit sluggish. Not to worry though, my mailbox has been blowing up with a ton of newer releases and shout outs from Funk and Soul guys from the four corners of the world. Big shout out to DJ Ceil out of Slovakia, who is doing his thing and doing it well. Give him a shout out and check out some mixes he has for free. Another new member of the FMF family keeping this music alive. Speaking of music from around the world, I got a little piece of goodness from the cats over at Timmion Records out of Helsinki, Finland. They have some hot fire ish with Myron and E with the Soul Investigators and “Cold Game” on their Timmion Records imprint.

The Soul Investigators are already established in this Funk and Soul game, starting out in 1998 and never looking back. This Helsinki, Finland band has put out sides on Invada, the now defunct Soul-Fire (as the label’s first 45), Jive, Nite-Club, and now Timmion. Working with greats Herb Johnson, Ernie Hawks, Big Joe Louis, and teaming up with siren voiced Nicole Willis, the Soul Investigators have proved themselves in this music game. Myron Glasper’s life is reflected through his music. Working with artists such as Blackalicious, DJ Mike Relm, Lyrics Born, Gift of Gab and others, his success and failures can be heard right in his music he releases. E (or E Da Boss) is a DJ and producer, while younger was influenced by Mark the 45 King’s work ethic and search for the perfect beat through dusty grooves and out of print sides. Djing for a whole slew of artists on Quannum, he’s manned the decks for Blackalicious, Gift of Gab, Jennifer Johns, Lateef the Truth Speaker, and Bicasso of Living Legends among others. Both of these talented cats make their singing and co-producing debut with Timmion.

“Cold Game” is fucking up my world right now as we speak. I’m instantly transported back into the late 60′s: strings, harmonies, some crazy organ work, plenty of heart ache,and of course a MONSTER drum break. It’s all a Soul record should be and more. The Soul Investigators are t-i-g-h-t tight. For some Hip Hop cats Myron & E have done their homework in digging for records, picking the right backing band, and straight killing it on the vocals. Look for this record HEAVY in my upcoming mixes and live 45 Sessions. Big shout to all these cats holding it down and making music this way. Also, big announcement:

Larry Grogan and I will be taking a small version of the 45 Sessions on the road in March to Washington, DC (03/06) and Richmond, VA (03/07). The next Asbury Park 45 Sessions is on February 20th. Stay tuned for more details. Keep Diggin’!

Mayer Hawthorne and The County – Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out

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Well here we are, it’s ’09, we have as the late great JB said: ” a brand new funky president”, and I have in my hands a record I have tried to get my hands on for a while. Shout out to Havana Joe at Stones Throw Records for hooking me up with a copy. I found this record to be really unique in today’s mostly pile of crap that comes out of most record company’s rosters. Not that everything is really bad, but let’s face it, if I hear a god damn vocoder one more time in a song I’m gonna scream. I’m serious. Here’s Mayer Hawthorne and The County with “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” on Stones Throw Records.

Straight outta Ann Arbor,MI, crazy instrumentalist called Mayer, from the group called the County (formerly the County Commisioners). Ok I got a little carried away there (I still have some NWA flowing through my head after a gig this weekend). Another band, really one guy, who is taking the Funk and Soul scene by storm. A self taught musician, an appreciator of the Detroit sound and Motown DIMY (do it mostly yourself) work ethic, Hawthorne was singed by honcho Peanut Butter Wolf after only hearing two songs. Influenced by such notables as Curtis Mayfield, Leroy Huston, Barry White, and Smokey Robinson among others, Mayer has not only caught the eye of PBW, but BBC 1′s Gilles Peterson and Mark Ronson. This effort, has been called equal parts Smokey Robinson and J-Dilla. That’s a pretty big compliment for a guy’s first effort of making music and producing as well. When I first heard this I really freaked out. It’s as good as something coming out and any of the Midwest labels during the early 70′s: Burt’s, Way Out, or dare I say Curtom? I just did. Influenced by Mayfield, you can see why.

Now once again, I don’t ask for you to buy too much here at FMF. Hell, I give mostly everything away. In this instance, I’m saying, if you dig new artists like Mayer Hawthorne who put out and record like they did back in the day, then you won’t mind getting this side for $1.98 by downloading it off the Stones Throw site. Tell ‘em FMF sent you. Keep this music alive people, and support these record labels that are doing the same. Keep Diggin’!

From MLK to Obama, the Dream is Reality

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Today we celebrate the birth of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If it weren’t for great men like him, the road would not be paved for one of, if not the biggest piece of United States history: The inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama. Flea Market Funk pays tribute to Dr. King, and once again Barack Obama, and welcomes this change. Keep Diggin’!

Beastie Boys – She’s On It

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Download or Listen To The Beastie Boys – She’s On It from the Def Jam 12″ on the Krush Groove OST.

Every once in a while I throw you a curve ball here, and today is the day. I’ve really been fighting this Flu bug going around, so I’m gonna keep it short and sweet. My man Dunny over at Bumpy Pitchand The Original Winger turned me on to this show. It’s called Under the Influence, and it’s all Beasties Tribute art show. It takes place at Gallery 1988 in LA, and seriously, it’s way cool. Anyone that knows me knows I ride hard for the B-Boys. Ad Rock even ordered a pair of Wu wear Wullabes from us one time at my job. He signed the package from UPS Rick Cerrone. I went nuts. These guys are straight up innovators: from License to Ill to To the 5 Boroughs, they’ve done it all. From Frat Boy, beer swilling goons to refined instrumental musicians, who to this day have not forgot their Hip Hop roots, it’s only fitting that over 100 artists pay tribute to them. I figured I’d tie in the show and a side I scored back when I was in high school. I remember playing this on this shitty Sears turntable/ cassette/ tuner combo that was on my dresser. I inherited it from a friend who had moved from Hip Hop, Punk Rock and Hardcore to this new band: Guns and Roses. So here’s an extra treat. Check out the Beastie Boys from the Krush Groove Soundtrack with “She’s On It” from 1985. Enjoy and Keep Diggin’!

Art from The Under The Influence Show

The Keystones feat. Malcolm Catto – Double Dutch

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Connie Price & the Keystones Photo Courtesy of Ubiquity Records


Malcolm Catto Photo Courtesy of Mr. Mass

Download or Listen to The Keystones feat. Malcolm Catto – Double Dutch from the Now Again Ep Blood’s Haul OST

Good midweek to all the FMF peeps. I have been a bit under the weather as of late, but I wanted to talk about a record that I’ve been digging a bunch as of late. This record, upon first listen could have been recorded in 1971. Even taking a look at the record cover looks like something Guy Ritchie stole for props from a B movie from the same year. Here’s The Keystones featuring Malcom Catto with “Double Dutch” from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to the faux movie Blood’s Haul.

When I first heard of this band, or Connie Price and the Keystones, I was excited that there was a new lady on the scene. Imagine my surprise when I found out the real truth. The Keystones are the brainchild of LA music veteran/ producer Dan Ubik, who played multi instruments on the first record, and trumpter/ arranger Todd Simon (Breakestra). 2004 brought Blood’s Haul on Now Again, which was followed up by the all instrumental and well received Wildflowers. BH was an Ep, and Sticks and Stones followed again in 2005. By the time 2008 rolled around, CPATK had a revolving door of LA music scene players doing duty along side Ubik and Simon, and landed them on the ever present and respectable Ubiquity Records. They would go on to back up Hip Hop legends such as Big Daddy Kane and Brand Nubian, plus release 12″s and collaborations with Scion, who have been putting together dope DJ tours as well as Hip Hop stars all around the world for a minute now. It’s fitting that they would collaborate with Malcom Catto on this side. Malcolm Catto is an all around monster: drummer, producer, Funk afficianado. He’s got a long resume and has been know to collaborate with the likes of Keb Darge, Jazzman Gerald, DJ Shadow, James Lavelle, and the list goes on. Like I said, an all around monster who deserves much credit. His involvement as of late with the Heliocentrics and Stones Throw Records further illustrates the point.

“Double Dutch”, as I mentioned earlier, could have easily been recorded in the early part of the 70′s. It’s almost got a bit of Afro Beat feel to it, and Catto’s heavy sound is obvious throughout. The horn section reminds me of some old Ethiopiques, and this coupled with that heavy 4 on the floor make this side a definite keeper. See you at the end of the week. Shout out to Havana Joe from Stones Throw for hooking me up with this side. Keep Diggin’!

Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers – Searching For Soul

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Download or Listen to Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers – Searching For Soul from the Mutt Records 45

Today’s post is going to be a bit short. You see, I’ve been working way too much. Along with my regular 9 to 5 gig, I’ve been DJing 2 to 3 extra times a week. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but it’s been kicking my ass. This weekend I decided to take it easy a bit, and really do nothing except watch football during the day (my Liverpool played a horrible match against Stoke City, and the hopeful tie I wished for between Man U and Chelsea was dashed to bits by United’s 3 nil crushing of the Blues) and catch up on sleep. I’ve had this one on the burner for a while. Here’s Jake Wade and the Soul Searchers and “Searching For Soul” on Mutt Records.

I couldn’t dig up too much about the history of this record, other than Nate Dorr was the owner of Mutt Records, and it was located at 27316 Michigan Avenue in Inkster, MI. Jake Wade’s real name was Wade Washington. His band consisted of himself, JuJu aka Cornelious Johnson and an anonymous player on horns, and Miles Joseph and Chuck Middleton on guitars. Miles Joseph was not an original member, but was approached by JWATSS at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival around 1969 as he filled in for the missing guitar players for Albert King and Luther Allison. The band itself ran the Detroit circuit and backed up every major band that came through the area. Now this same band also went on to be another group, El Riot, after adding vocalist Roz Ryan. El Riot put out a side on the Mojo label called “Do It Right”. Originally called Riot, a not so smart manager had them put the “El” before it to avoid getting signed by Motown who had a band of that name already. Nice move my man. That’s how it goes though, and these two records will remain in the want lists of diggers and collectors for as long as breaks and rare grooves are collected. Some members of these bands went on to do some things musically. Cornelius Johnson still plays in Detroit, while Roz Ryan moved on to Broadway, movies, and television. Miles Joseph has also staye din music, playing as a sideman for notables such as Aretha Franklin. Now I know this record is not rare, and came to light recently when Beyonce sampled it on “Sugar Mama”. I was introduced to it a while ago, and was blown away by Short Kut when he massacred the record on the Brainfreeze DVD. YouTube that one, it’s nuts. Many thanks to Save 1 for selling me this thing a way back. Also shout out to the guys at Ubiquity for trying to help me out image wise, there are no pictures to be found of them. If anyone has a pic to contribute of this band or El Riot, feel free to contact me.

This record is a killer. Bangin’ drums, horns, a sweet bass line, Jake Wade and the Soul Searchers knew how to lay it down. Their DIY attitude was a great indication of just how much music that was under the radar at that time. Motown was a machine, but they weren’t the only ones making music. There is a great compilation put out by Luv ‘N Haight called Searching For Soul that illustrates my last point. Most of the music never really saw the light of day. It’s an unbelievable account of the Michigan music scene during the 60′s and 70′s. Highly recommended by FMF. Keep Diggin’!

Tony Allen Live

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This just in from the good people at Folded Chair. If you’re in the UK this is not to be missed!

“In 2009 Broad Casting will be a quarterly event built around unique artist-led collaborations kicking off with this month’s pairing of Tony Allen and The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.

Fela Kuti once said that without Tony Allen he’d need four drummers at once. Of course, the style we know as afro-beat wouldn’t sound anything like it without him. A true intuitive pioneer, Tony Allen managed to mix the brevity and snap of jazz drumming by the likes of Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Guy Warren, with the deep extended forms of African rhythms from highlife, Yoruba, and Ghana. Still flipping poly-rhythms today, Tony’s involvement with Damon Albarn, and label Honest Jon’s has brought his talent to a mainstream audience via The Good The Bad and The Queen whilst he still continues to write and record his own music, and collaborate with a diverse range of musicians – from rapper Ty to French man of mystery Sebastien Tellier and now of course The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble….

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is an instrumental group comprised of 8 horn players and a drummer. All 8 of the horn players are sons of jazz musician Kelan Phil Cohran (who played trumpet in Sun Ra’s Arkestra). Originally formed as a band of street performers in Chicago IL, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are currently based in New York City where and have played and recorded with artists such as Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Maxwell and of course Phil Cohran. We are thrilled that they will be performing for us in advance of the spring release of their debut album for Honest Jons. Witnessing these guys pack the Cargo stage with Tony Allen doubling their rhythm section is not an opportunity to be missed!!

Warming up the stage for Tony and The Hypnotics will be another Honest Jons signing, the inimitable Elmore Judd. Formed around producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Hackett, Elmore Judd followed up their critically acclaimed debut album Angel Sound with the inspired fusion of Insect Funk in 2007.

Not content with one legendary drummer on the premises, our DJ support tonight comes courtesy of Malcolm Catto who is no stranger to Cargo – his band The Heliocentrics having collaborated with Mulatu Astatke for what is already a legendary live Broad Casting show.”

The Closer – FMF Volume 31

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Happy New Year to all of the extended Flea Market Funk Family. It’s been a while since I dropped a mix, in fact I owe one to a certain someone, and I promise I’ll get off of my ass and get it to you. For now, I’m offering up a fresh mix for 2009. It’s a mixture of some Deep Funk and of course some Raw Soul straight out of the Flea Market Funk Crates. I put my man Rollie Fingers on the cover because when I was young, I was a baseball card fanatic, and I always loved the Rollie Fingers ‘stache. I also just added some KRK monitors to the FMF Lab, so hopefully I can get back on pace with the mixes of the past year, but this time with an even better sound. Wishing everyone a healthy, prosperous, and of course a FUNKY New Year. Keep Diggin’!

The Closer – FMF Podcast 31 Tracklist

The Keystones feat. Malcom Catto – Double Dutch/ Now Again
The Fatback Band – Kiba/ Perception
African Roots of Jazz – The Healer/ Don’t Break/ Luv ‘N Haight
Willie Hutch – Mack Stroll/ The Getaway/ Motown
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St. Band – Must Be Your Thing/ Warner Bros.
Syl Johnson – Sorry ‘Bout Dat/ Twilight
George Macrae – I Get Lifted/ TK
Al Hirt – Harlem Hendoo/ RCA Victor
Paul Humphrey & His Kool Aid Chemists – Baby Rice/ Lizard
Booker T. & the MG’s – Soul Dressing/ Atlantic
Lee Fields – Love Comes and Goes/ Truth and Soul
Novella Nelson – Cold Water Flat/ Arcana

Download or Listen to The Closer – FMF Volume 31