Monthly Archives: June 2009

Don Gardner – My Baby Likes To Boogaloo

Posted on
5


Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford

Download or Listen to Don Gardner – My Baby Likes To Boogaloo from the Tru-Glo-Town 45

Here we are again on a Monday, and it feels like Summer is halfway over. We’ve had record rains throughout the month that have prohibited some digging, so hopefully July will bring us some better weather. I’m still working away on some Guest Mixes, and when they are done, I will let you know how to get them. I revisited Myspace, a place I really haven’t been on in probably a year, so if you’d like to follow me on there, click on this link. Today’s record is something I also revisited at the last Asbury Park 45 Sessions. I had put it in a box, and when I was flipping through stuff for a mix, I said “Hot Damn!”, I need to play this record out again. Here it resurfaces once more at FMF. Straight out of Philly, this is going out to the Devil Dick and the JJB. Here’s Don Gardner and “My Baby Likes To Boogaloo” on Tru-Glo-Town Records.

Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1931, Gardner has been involved in music for almost 60 years. He released in first recording in 1949, a 78 called “Dearest Darling”. In the late 40′s he was a singer in Harry ‘Fat Man’ Crafton & The Craftones, before he had his own band. Gardner (labeled as Donald), out out a side for the Gotham label in 1949 as well, “September Song”. “He spent most of the 1950′s touring the chitlin’ circuit of the East Coast with his band the Sonotones. The Sonotones had three singles: “How Do You speak to an Angel”, “I Hear a Rhapsody”, and “I’ll Walk Alone”, all on Bruce Records. Gardner would also put out side for DeLuxe and Junior labels. Said to have discovered the great Jimmy Smith, the band would also feature Richard “Groove” Holmes at one time. Holmes would leave in 1960, and Gardner would go on to partner up with Wrecia Holloway, aka Miss Dee Dee Ford. They instant gelling of the two would produce hits for the two of them (“I Need Your Lovin”, “Don’t You Worry”) and Ford would also write a hit for others, Betty LaVette among them. Gardner and Ford would see much success, being embraced in Europe, and after a few European tours (and stands in Sweden particularly), the two would soon part ways due to Ford’s illness. She eventually dropped out of the music scene and Gardner went on solo. His release of this side in 1966, and 1967′s “Cheatin’ Kind” filled the dance floors up. Don would move to to do promotions and be the road manager for Curtom Record, specifically Curtis Mayfield after that. His only brush with the charts after that was a duet with Baby Washington on “Forever” in 1974, where after that he left the music game until a few years ago. Inbetween he owned a construction copmpany in Atlanta, and after relocating back to Philly in 1985, he started doing music again with a nonprofit group called the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts. Don Gardner has started to perform again within the last five years, and the good people at Dig Deeper have had Don slay them in Brooklyn as of late. Gardner was and still is a Northern Soul legend to this day.

A sweet little number with some dirty guitar and a out of sight and uptight drum beat, My Baby has Gardner wailing, moving and grooving like JB. The addition of the organ (I was instantly in love!) just puts this thing over the top. You should have this in your collection and or record box. It is definitely a dance floor killer and most importantly a great side indeed. East Coast and Philly stand up! Issued on the Englewood, NJ label Tru-Glo-Town, this side really smokes. FMF recommended for sure. See you midweek. Keep Diggin’!

The Soul Investigators – The Soul Investigators Theme

Posted on
Reply

Download or Listen to The Soul Investigators – The Soul Investigators Theme from the Mitwit Records 45

As we end the first week of me entering my 4th decade, I wanted to try to go out on a high note. Yesterday’s death of Michael Jackson was quite a surprise. The guy was only 10 years older than me. Hell, I work with guys that age. Despite what opinions you may have about Jackson (and we all have them), the guy’s music was genius. Unfortunately, we all can’t see how that 50 night stand in London was gonna go. We do have other music though, and that’s why I am here. I promised one Soul Investigators side a week, and this is the last of the bunch. So here’s an unreleased Soul Investigators 45 on Mitwit Records, it’s “The Soul Investigators Theme”.

Starting of with a slick bass line and equally slick drums, “The Soul Investigators Theme” starts to groove with a little bit of vibes and then the piano riff kicks in. The fun does not end. This is Funky Soul for today people. Actually, it’s Funky Soul from 2005/6, an unreleased side from Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators Lp Keep Reachin’ Up. Close your eyes. If you didn’t know any better the year is 1969. This mid tempo groover keeps your head nodding from the first note to the last. It’s quite obvious that the guys at Timmion have mastered the art of making music sound like it was made back then. There are only a few record labels that can pull it off, and they are one of them (Truth and Soul, Daptone, Starla, and a handful of others that slip my mind at the moment). I’m hoping that this side is the theme to the start of your weekend. I will be back Monday with some fresh goods to Funk your head up with. Have a good weekend. Keep Diggin’!

Buy all of the Timmion and Soul Investigators sides here.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Posted on
4

Download or Listen to The Jackson 5 – It’s Great To Be Here from the Motown Lp Maybe Tomorrow

I know that this isn’t really a record, or person I would normally review. I play a fair amount of Michael Jackson on certain nights. How could I not? He earned the nickname “The King of Pop”, and his extra curricular activities aside (the Howard Hughes like existence he lived, the children incidents, which I am definitely not a fan of, etc.), has impacted the music industry like no other performer. This is definitely not a post to give a history of the performer, because every major media outlet will no doubt be covering that and the weird life he lived for more than the last 10 years. I just wanted to give some props to a guy who put out some pretty fine music. I wanted to share a side that I do spin on the regular. It’s got a great break in it, and most people have no idea that it’s the Jackson 5. So with that, I say Rest In peace MJ. Thanks for all the great music. Enjoy The Jackson 5 and “It’s Great To Be Here” from the Motown Lp Maybe Tomorrow. Keep Diggin’!

The DT6 – (Theme from) The Baden Persuader

Posted on
5

Download or Listen to The DT6 – (Theme from) The Baden Persuader from the Starla Records SRC 1002 45

After a great weekend, and a great 40th birthday party, FMF is back. Even if I wanted to get something out on Monday, the old Dell “shit the bed”, as my friend Mark would say, in military jargon. So Sunday I went and picked up a new desktop. I had my Mac, but all my Photoshop stuff had to be reloaded on the PC, so it was best that I just relaxed. This midweek post brings us back to Glasgow, Scotland again, and our old friends at Starla Records. They have kept me abreast of there ever growing stable of seven inches, and when this one came my way through the post, I was excited to play it out. I first gave it a spin at the last Asbury Park 45 Sessions , where there were a lot of inquiries on what it was, and exactly where it was from. Let’s not delay any further, and get into latest release from The DT6 and the “(Theme from) The Baden Persuader” on Starla Records.

Coming straight out of Glasgow, the Starla Records house band has come away with another winner. Sounding like it has come out of some 60′s soundtrack to a spy movie done by the illegitimate love child of Lalo Schifrin, Mikis Theodorakis, and those unknown Turkish Psych Funk comps that mysteriously turned up a few years ago, this forty five starts out with a BANG. It’s Turkish and or Middle Easter flavor leads you right into slamming drums and the newly installed Starla Hammond organ, which dominates the track. And why wouldn’t it? It sounds lovely. The horns are a nice touch as well, giving it that soundtrack flavor. You would swear this thing was the theme song to a chase scene involving a Turkish outdoor market, bullet dodging, and screeching tires from a Hacı Murat. On a whole, this side is tighter than tight. If the first two releases on Starla are any indication on how the third is going to be, how do I preorder? I ride hard for these guys, and wouldn’t mind hooking up some Asbury Park 45 Sessions/ Starla Records DJ collaborations in Glasgow. Let’s make that happen guys.
The DT6 make their live debut proper on Friday 26 June supporting the legendary James Taylor Quartet in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket as part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival. Tickets and info are available from www.jazzfest.co.uk. I’ll be back Friday with the last Soul Investigators 45, until then, Keep Diggin’!

Buy this record here. Support this record label and preserve Funk and Soul music!

Check out the video for the song:

The Johnny Otis Show – The Watts Breakaway

Posted on
6

Download or Listen to The Johnny Otis Show – The Watts Breakaway from the Epic Records 45

It’s Friday here at Flea market Funk and I’m excited about this record. Actually I’m excited about a few things. First off, the good people over at Monday Jazz have asked me to contribute a mix. I’m very excited for this, and I will let you all know when it’s ready to go. Also, if you scroll down on the right of the blog, you will see a link for you Facebook users to link up on the Networked blogs. If you could (and I’d love if you would), add me so we can spread the word of Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Reggae on Facebook as well. Thank You in advance. Ok, here’s a record I have been trying to find in the field for a while, but since it popped up in a set sale a few weeks ago, I snapped it up right quick. It’s the Johnny Otis Show with “The Watts Breakaway” on Epic Records.

I’ve written about Johnny Otis before, as he is no stranger to FMF. You can read about his background there. Along with all his R& B producing, writing, band leading, politicking, and singing, he would release this sweet piece of Funk. With vocals by Delmar “Mighty Mouth” Evans, this thing smokes. Even if it was called the Portland Breakaway, the drums hit hard , and the horn stabs plain kill it. There’s a break drum break in the beginning, but by the time the proper drum break hits midway, the horns are in full swing, and Johnny and Delmar show you what’s up with the Watts Breakaway. In the words of my man Larry over at Funky 16 Corners: “It’s a stone gas.” I hope that this side gets your weekend moving, because it has got about the last three moving for me. I’m taking off Monday (I think) to celebrate my first day of my fourth decade, in other words I’m turning the big 4-0. See you all soon. Keep Diggin’!

Asbury Park 45 Sessions x Metromix

Posted on
3

I thought that the Flea Market Funk extended family would like to see some more photos from the last 45 Sessions on June 12th, 2009. They were taken by Mike Mclaughlin, local photog hero. Check out all the photographs here on the Jersey Shore Metro Mix. We’re also going to be in the Islander newspaper this week as well, so if you’re in Jersey, pick it up. Cheers to the Asbury Park Press for giving us some shine this past session. Keep Diggin”

**PS: Check me out in Beachcruiser Magazine Online here.

The Soul Investigators – Brown Sauce

Posted on
Reply

Download or Listen to The Soul Investigators – Brown Sauce from the Timmion Records 45

Well, as I promised last week, I have 2 more Soul Investigators sides to review, this being the second one. I had an overwhelming response with the first side, so I’m excited to get this one out. The first installment of the FMF Sticker series are here. I will be selling them singly for a bit, but only in a limited quantity. The rest will be for the 4 part Series. So if you’re jonesing to get you Flea Market Funk on and you want to represent, you can Pay Pal me at djprestige@djprestige.net. US orders are $1 for the sticker and 50 cents for postage, International orders are $1 for the sticker and $1.50 for postage. Please specify the quantity of stickers you want. That being said, let’s get into another great side by The Soul Investigators on Timmion Records. Here’s “Brown Sauce”, Timmion #017.

Starting off with some heavy drums, “Brown Sauce” moves right into some decent Hammond organ and just takes you away. It’s drums/ guitar combo remind me of a lost Meters track that was eventually sampled by Premier for another break-neck beat. However funky Jukka’s drums are, and Pete and Sami’s guitar/bass combinations slam it, the sound that resonates throughout the song and brings it to the next level is Antti’s organ. It moves you man, from start to finish. I know it’s 2009, but really I’m feeling 1971. I’m feeling like I’m in some chicken shack of a bar, drinking a Schaeffer from a pop top can, and dressed in my best Saturday night outfit. This is how music should be made. I know I’m partial to the Hammond organ, but hell, this track smokes. I urge all of you to get over to the Timmion site and buy it. I’ll see you Friday with some more goodness. Keep Diggin’!

Inez Foxx – Watch The Dog (That Brings The Bone)

Posted on
1


Inez with brother Charlie promo photo

Download or Listen to Inez Foxx – Watch The Dog (That Brings The Bone) from the Volt Records 45 from 1972.

After a killer 45 Sessions on Friday night, I’m gonna bring it back to some Sister Soul. I haven’t touched on the sisters in a while, and quite frankly, I feel bad. I have so much Sister Soul taht I need to man up and start reviewing it. I believe the last time I did was Marva Whitney, so shame on me. Thanks again to all who came out to the Sessions this past weekend, and a huge shout out to my new friends from Baltimore that stopped into the Annex on Saturday night. Let’s make some things happen in B’More. In some other news, the first sticker is done. I will be selling a few individually, and keeping the rest for the sticker packs which will be available at a later date. Message me for now on the details of the individual stickers. Also, I’m revamping DJPrestige.com, and it will be hopefully up and running in the upcoming weeks. The template looks great, very streamlined, and this one will have a media player to play rotating mixes when you vist, a flyer gallery from the beginning of my DJ start, and lots more goodies. Stay tuned. Let’s get into some Sister Soul with Inez Foxx and “Watch The Dog (That Brings The Bone)” on Volt Records from 1972.

Born in 1942, Inez Foxx was half of the brother/ sister duo Inez and Charlie Foxx. The two shared vocal duties while Charlie played guitar. With their biggest hit being “Mockingbird” (you know, Dumb and Dumber’s version made you laugh hard: “Mock..Mock…”) in 1963, the two were a huge part of the Northern Soul Movement and toured throughout Europe. Their live show was their gem, and Inez would finish the set up a la James Brown, being carried off the stage by her brother. They churned out hits such as “Hurt by Love,” “Ask Me,” and “(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days.” They recorded for such record labels as Sue and Dynamo early on, before Inez moved over to Volt in 1971. Inez stayed making music through the 70′s after the duo broke up, and Charlie played the part of record producer before dying of leukemia in 1998.

While Inez didn’t garner much attention with critics with her release on Volt: Inez Foxx at Memphis, I still believe that she was more than a novelty act. A true Soul singer, she shines on this 1972 song produced by Randy Stewart and Willie Hall done before the At Memphis sessions. Back by, or rather Rhythm by, The Movement, this side is uptight and out of sight. This is the type of Soul music I like to get down to people, and I think you should too. Enjoy the start of your work week with some Sister Soul. Keep Diggin’!

06.12.09 45 Sessions Recap

Posted on
Reply


Some dub plates make their first appearance at the 45 Sessions!

When I think back about the very beginning of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions, I never thought that almost into our third year, we’d be going strong like this. I knew that there was some interest, but as I surveyed the crowd from the stage before and after I played, I saw many familiar faces. It makes me happy to think that 6 to 8 guys, who have a deep love for this Funk and Soul music can introduce people to records, songs, and artists that really have been (for the most part) forgotten for untalented hacks that have to use auto tune. That rant will have to be for another post. Here’s what went down: I got a call from Juicy Jenn of the Asbury Lanes who told me that number one, there was a newspaper coming to cover our night, and two, VH-1 was in town. Apparently the foggy weather had messed up their reason for being here, so she gave them the option to film whatever they had to do at the Lanes. While the newspaper photog did show up (photos, links to the websites etc. to follow), VH-1 did not. Despite our almost brush with the channel that brought us Rock of Love, we still pressed on. Larry from Funky 16 Corners, as always, brought through some heavy 7″, and started the Sessions out right. Next up was DJ Bluewater who had some, gulp, Wanda Davis in his bag of tricks, and even threw in some funky Disco to move the crowd. I wanted to mix it up a bit more than my usual heavy Funk bag by throwing in some Wilson Pickett (I’m on a Pickett kick these days). M.Fasis, as always, let us in in the genius mind of NJ’s best unknown beat maker. His record will be out soon (he’s about 3 cuts in), and you know I will be featuring it on FMF. Closing the night, after being the head chef all day at an upscale Jersey Shore restaurant about an hour away, was DJ Prime-Mundo. When he dropped the remix of David McCallum’s “The Edge”, it was game over. People were scrambling for pencils and pads because they needed that record. All in all, I’m proud of the guys, and I’m proud of what we have turned the 45 Sessions into. There is another Session in mid August, where hopefully I will have a DJ that is humble, but has a fantastic amount of 7″s. Stay tuned. Here are some photos and DJ set lists as they come in.


Thanks for the t-shirt Mr. Longo!
DJ Prestige Set List

Lou Courtney – Hey Joyce/ Pop-Side
Foxy – Trouble/ Double Shot
Sarah Webster Fabio – Sweet Songs/ Tramp
The DT6 – (Theme From) The Baden Persuader/ Starla
Wilson Pickett – Soul Dance Number Three/ Atlantic
Mickey and the Soul Generation – Iron Leg/ Maxwell
The Soul Investigators – Brown Sauce/ Timmion
Inez Foxx – Watch the Dog (That Brings the Bone)/ Volt
James Brown – My Thang/ Polydor
Rufus Thomas – Itch & Scratch Part II/ Stax x 2
Skorpyons of Jamaica – Think About It/ Dynamite Soul
The Johnny Otis Show – The Watts Breakaway/ Epic
Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band – Taurus/ Sussex
Gene Chandler – No Peace No Satisfaction/ Checker
Danny Delaney – Stop and Think/ Palmetto
Lavell Hardy – Don’t Lose Your Groove/ Rojac
Don Gardner – My Baby Likes To Booglaoo
Mr. Percolator – Got A Think For You Baby/ Wax-Wel
The Village Callers – Hector/ Rampart
The Fabulous Emotions – Funky Chicken/ Nico
Johnny Jones & the King Casuals – Soul Poppon’/ Brunswick
The Meters – Here Comes the Meter Man/ Josie
Lee Fields & the Expressions – My World/ Truth and Soul


Funky 16 Corners came through again with some heat.

Funky 16 Corners Set List

Dixie Cups – Two Way Poc-a-way (ABC/Paramount)
Jimmie Preacher Ellis – Put Your Hoe to My Row (Round)
Bar-Kays – Give Everybody Some (Volt)
Scatman Crothers – Golly Zonk!(It’s Scatman) (HBR)
JJ Barnes – Day Tripper (Ric-Tic)
Fabulous Emotions – Number One Fool (Nico)
Otis Goodwin – Mini Skirts (Walker-Reeder)
Bobby Byrd – I Know You Got Soul (King)
Gene Chandler – In My Body’s House (Checker)
Chuck Carbo – Can I Be Your Squeeze (Canyon)
Exotics – Boogaloo Investigator (Excello)
Gunga Din – Crab Cakes (Valise)
Meiko Hirota – On a Sorrowful Day (Columbia)
Lulu – Love Loves to Love (Epic)
Baby Huey & the Babysitters – Mighty Mighty Children Pt2 (Curtom)
ST-4 – Funky (Scepter)
Charles Brinkley – In the Pocket (Music Machine)
Eldridge Holmes – The Book (Deesu)
Little Royal & the Swingmasters – Razor Blade (Trius)
Freddie Scott & the Four Steps – Same Ole Beat (Marlin)
Johnny Otis Show – Country Girl (Kent)
Etta James – Tighten Up Your Own Thing (Cadet)
Rumplestiltskin – Rumplestiltskin (Bell)


DJ Bluewater got heavy with some new scores.

DJ Bluewater Set List
Lefties Soul Connection – Have Love Will Travel
The Stance Brothers – Youth Groove
Judson Moore – Everybody Push And Pull
Soul Fantastic – Funky Puggin
York Wilborn – Thank You
Menahan Street Band – The Wolf
Bobby Darin – Song For A Dollar
Willie Johnson – Lay It On Me
Wanda Davis – Save Me
Communicators & Black Experience Band – The Road
Henry Peters – Master Groove
Fred Williams – Tell Her
Paul Burton – So Very Hard To Make It
Sidney Owens – Sputnik
Lee Fields – Problems
The Mohawks – Landscape
Avant House Band – Scorpio
Kings Go Forth – Don’t Take My Shadow
Dojo Cuts – See and Don’t See


M.Fasis let us into the records behind his beats.

M.Fasis Set List
Sandy Nelson – Teen Beat
Rene de Marie – Triste Janero
Main Ingredient – Happiness is Just…
Mother Lode – Hard Life
Cymande – Zion I
Latimore – There’s No End
Pearl Mixed Co. – Have You Had Any
Johnny Taylor – Who’s Makin’ Love
Frankie Lee – I’m Makin’ Love
Gene Ammons – Jungle Strut
Genesis – I Know What I Like
Black Ivory – Our Future
Mills & Co. – If Only I Could
James Brown – I Can’t Stand Myself
Archie Bell – I Can’t Stop Dancing


Fear and Prime Mundo in Asbury Park.

DJ Prime Setlist
sister janet mead – the lord’s prayer (a+m)
sir latimore brown – shake & vibrate (sound stage)
marva whitney – things got to get better (king)
isley brothers – keep on doin’ (t neck)
willie tell & the overtures – kick-back (chess)
mocambo – the next message (next message)
kc & the sunshine band – i get lifted (tk)
pieces of a dream – mt. airy groove (elektra)
mophono – the edge
jimmy bee – the outside man (ala)
paul kelly – soul flow (happy tiger)
fantasy funk band – dr rubberfunk (fantasy)
manu dibango – weya (atlantic)
greenwood rhythm section – salsa verde
sergio mendes – for what it’s worth (a+m)
phil flowers – like a rolling stone (a+m)
gi gi – daddy love (sweet)
kenny fickens – you got it (tarx)
willie west – hello mama (deesu)
pat kelly – if it don’t work out (randy’s)
lee scratch perry – kentucky skank (trojan)


Jack the Ripper’s on the active but disabled list. Next Sessions JTR!


This is how we do it.


Thumbs up to this 45 Sessions for sure.

Keep Diggin’!

Friday June 12th: Asbury Park 45 Sessions LIVE!

Posted on
Reply

Well, it’s that time again folks. If you like Funk and Soul spun on all 45′s, well then you will have to motivate and get out to the World Famous Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ. I have been doing this party with the 45 Sessions crew for 2 years, and it just keeps getting stronger. Where else in NJ are you going to get to hear the foundations of today’s music spun on vinyl, let alone on 45? Stop getting all excited that Scion has DJ’s with 45′s, we’ve been doing it for over two years strong, right in your back yard! The usual suspects will all be out bringing you the best in Deep funk, Raw Soul, and other surprises, all on 7″. So walk, run, drive, hitch hike, or however you can down to the Lanes. It’s only $5. Support your local Funk and Soul DJ. The Asbury 45 Sessions is preserving Funk and Soul, one 45 at a time. To see what kinds of stuff we spin, do a search for “45 Sessions” in the box to the lower left. Keep Diggin! Hope to see you out.

The Soul Investigators – Home Cooking Part 1

Posted on
3



Download or Listen to The Soul Investigators – Home Cooking Part 1 from the Timmion Records 45

This week might be all about short posts, unfortunately. With the 45 Sessions approaching on Friday, and a back log of Guest Mixes to do, my free time will be in the studio here in Asbury Park rather than in front of FMF’s office. However, I’m happy to announce that for the next three weeks, I will be featuring The Soul Investigators once a week here at Flea Market Funk for the next three weeks. The good people over at Timmion hooked me up with their very limited edition releases of never released The Soul Investigators 7″s, straight out of the home of Santa Claus. That’s Finland for those of you not in the know. The Soul Investigators and Timmion celebrate their 10+ years on the scene, making great records, even if they are just on the radar of Funk and Soul collectors. This doesn’t matter, hopefully, like any good music (or any great Funk and Soul 45′s), it won’t take 20 years for them to get their due. I’m gonna give them their props right here, right now. Funk coming out of anywhere, if it’s good, needs to be shared, and I am hoping if you weren’t familiar with these guys, you will be now. I’ve given a short background about them with their collaboration on the 7″ “Cold Game” with Myron & E here. Enjoy The Soul Investigators and “Home Cooking Part 1″ on Timmion Records.

Issued previously or not, this band is a force to be reckoned with as far as any band goes. Channeling the spirit of the Meters, Booker T. and the MG’s, James Brown & extended family, plus (insert organ band here) heavy Hammond goodness thrown in make The Soul Investigators exactly what this Funk and Soul game need. I’m proud to feature these guys on FMF, and maybe if they get back to the States we can set up a show. Get at me guys!

If you like what you here, please pick them up on the Timmion website.

Also, I’m in the process of making up a four part sticker series, honoring some great musicians in the 4 genres I focus on here at FMF: Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Reggae. The first will be Jazz, and Jimmy Smith. Once the series of 4 is complete, I’m gonna offer the Limited Edition (Only 500 pieces of each) Stickers for sale as a set. I will keep you posted. Here’s a sample of sticker one I got sent today:

Keep Diggin’!

Also: Don’t forget the Asbury Park 45 Session this Fridat at the World Famous Asbury Lanes:

HeavySoulBrutha Dave’s Deep Groove Mix

Posted on
2

I wanted you to start the weekend off right. This cat has been a huge supporter of Flea Market Funk since Day 1. His blog, Put the Needle On the Record has been killing it for a while. In fact, he’s always spread the word about my blog and my mixes. He is a really great guy that I hope to finally get to meet in person when we do another gig in Richmond. Maybe we can do one together? That’s a hint Dave, hit me up and let’s make it happen! At any rate, he supported his local record shop (which I urge you to do!), and came away after one day of digging with this mix. So FMF family, here’s HeavySoulBrutha Dave’s Deep Groove Mix. Enjoy!

01. Intro
02. Twenty Five Miles – Mongo Santamaria (Columbia)
03. Funky – The Chambers Brothers (Columbia)
04. Hikki Burr – Quincy Jones w/Bill Cosby (A&M)
05. Bad Walking Woman – Leon Spencer (Prestige)
06. Slippin’ Into Darkness – War (United Artists)
07. Billy Jack – Curtis Mayfield (Curtom)
08. Cleo’s Mood – Willie Mitchell (Hi)
09. The Vinyl Experience
10. If You Really Love Me – Stevie Wonder (Tamla)
11. Let It Be Me – Gloria Lynne (Fontana)
12. Keep On Pushing – The Impressions (ABC-Paramount)
13. Clean Up Woman – Betty Wright (Alston)
14. California Soul – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (Tamla)
15. Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You – Wilson Pickett (Atlantic)

Download or Listen to HeavySoulBrutha’s Deep Groove Mix

PS if you’re in Brooklyn tonight, go to this, I can’t!

Pharoah Sanders – Astral Traveling

Posted on
4

Listen or Download Pharoah Sanders Astral Traveling from the Impulse LP Irrepressible Impulses from 1972

I have always been a huge Jazz fan. From my early discoveries of Miles Davis to my obsession with Jazz Funk legends like Lou Donaldson and further explorations of cats like Ornette Coleman and this musician here, Pharoah Sanders, I can’t get enough. I’m always on the search for a good or different Jazz record, whether it be some private press stuff, or maybe a mid 70′s Art Farmer Lp. I love to learn about the genre and also like to open my mind. I can remember buying this artists famous Karma, at the old Vintage Vinyl in Ocean Township, NJ about 15 years ago. I was hooked. Imagine my surprise when I discover this record, Irrepressible Impulses on the cheap at my local spot. I need to say, apparently someone has been opening their big mouth about “The Spot”. If you go there, don’t go blabbing where it is. Just go. I hear the flood gates have been opened as of late and every person looking for records, especially 45′s has been flocking there. Thanks a lot. Before I get on a huge tangent, get at me privately and I will tell you how I really feel. Here’s Pharoah Sanders with “Astral Traveling”, from the 1970 Impulse Records release Thembi , and 1972′s Irrepressible Impulses.

Born Ferrell Sanders in 1940 in Little Rock Arkansas, Sanders came from a house of music. Both of his parents were teachers, in the public school and private sector. Sanders originally started out playing the clarinet, but switched to tenor saxophone in high school under the influence of the band leader Jimmy Cannon. Exposed to Jazz at this time, he became a fan of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Charlie Parker. Through his teens he would play his part as a sideman, backing such greats as Bobby Bland and Junior Parker. A move to Oakland, CA after high school would start Sanders on his journey to musical enlightenment. He got in with the right musicians (coincidentally the best) in the Bay area, and soon played a variety of styles: Free Jazz, Be Bop, R & B, etc. His move to NYC was not all it was cracked up to be. Unable to make money, Sanders struggled so much that he even pawned his horn and took a regular day gig, which had nothing to do with music. He did play at times when he struggles, with luminaries such as Don Cherry and Sun Ra, but it was still a dark time for the man. He eventually started a group with John Hicks, Wilbur Ware and Billy Higgins. A chance gig at the Village Gate was seen by the genius himself, John Coltrane. Coltrane asked Sanders to play with him, which he did until Coltrane’s death in 1967. Their relationship created some of the most intense (and some say controversial) Jazz music ever. The complete lack of care for structure or “regular” (ie: straight ahead) Jazz makes this period in Sander’s career quite exciting. From 1964 on, Sanders has recorded for ESP, Impulse, Evidence, Timeless, Arista (his first major label effort) and Verve. As he matured as a player, he showed his versatility for the out of the box stuff as well as mainstream, which IMHO makes him the Jazz great he is.

While this may be a bit different than you’re used to here at FMF, it’s a great side none the less. Sanders assembled a great cast of players for this tune: Lonnie liston Smith (Fender Rhodes, Electric Piano), Michael White (Violin), Cecil McBee (Bass), Clifford Jarvis (Drums), and Sanders on Soprano Sax, Bells and Percussion. Although it may not sound like it’s not going anywhere, the atmospheric Fender Rhodes of Smith starts off as if Sanders and company were aboard some space ship moving towards another dimension. This moody, head trip of a Jazz trip I think is best experienced with a pair of headphones. Like I said, it’s different for FMF today, but have I ever steered you wrong? I’ll see you on Friday with some more treats. Keep Diggin’!

Lee Fields – My World

Posted on
4

Download or Listen to Lee Fields – My World from the Truth & Soul Records 45

This is something I’m excited about. The good people over at Truth & Soul hooked me up with the advance of this full length a while ago, and since the June 2nd release date is coming soon, I figured I’d put out this single. Now of course this single isn’t brand new, but it’s still included on the Lp. Here’s Lee Fields with music by the Expressions and “My World” from the Truth and Soul Records single from 2007, also featured on the full length of the same name.

Nicknamed “Little J.B.” because of his sound, looks, and moves (this side even has a tribute In Loving Memory of the Godfather of Soul printed on the label), Lee Fields is serious. His release of the hard to get singles from the late 60′s through the 70′s that echoed James brown first put him on the map. Starting off with the Bedford label in 1969 and “Bewildered”, he then moved over to London in 1973 and released “Gonna Make Love” and “Let’s Talk It Over”. The much sought after 1974 side “Funky Screw” on Angle 3 was followed up by “Everybody Gonna Give Their Thing Away to Somebody (Sometime)” on Sound Plus and a full length entitled Let’s Talk It Over in 1979. He would also go on to put out a full length Enough Is Enough for Ace in 1982, but remained under the radar until the 90′s, where he released a few more for Ace and one for Avanti. The late 90′s brought Lee Fields over to Desco. Way back when I got this package from Desco, and the Lp Gimme the Paw. Backed by the Soul Providers Fields, straight killed it. He played around NYC and was the first to release a full length on the Desco label. Reminiscent of the Godfather, the record was recorded in the same style as the JB records of the early 70′s. This old Funk and Soul sound brought new fans to see Fields, as well as a high demand for his early singles. The limited run 45′s, especially for guys like Lee Fields, who keep this flame lit and this music alive, make his Desco and consequently Soul Fire singles go for loot. He has also released records for Daptone, and performs along side Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. I can attest first hand that the man ripped it up when SJ & TDK held their record release party for 100 days, 100 Nights at the Apollo Theater. He most recently tore up the Five Spot in Brooklyn as well. As of late he has gotten his props and major recognition in Europe, doing vocals for French house producer Martin Solveig. It’s a shame he is more recognized in Europe than here. Hopefully this record will help make that change.

With the ever talented musicians of the Expressions backing him up on this record, Lee Fields seems to be on a course of being unstoppable. Trying to recreate a record that sounded like The Moments, The Delfonics, or The Stylistics, Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels have come to near perfection in their quest. Looking for a sound that was “both tough as nails and sweet as honey”, I believe they have achieved it. I’ve been bumping this single for 2 years, and I haven’t stopped listening to the full length since I got it last month. Now here’s my only question? How do I get Lee Fields to Asbury Park? I’ll have to work on that. Make sure you hit up the link below and buy this record. Support a label like Truth & Soul. They’re doing it for the love. That’s why we all do this, to spread the Gospel of Funk and Soul. Lee Fields helped write the scriptures on this one. Keep Diggin’!

Get the Lee Fields Full length here

Don’t forget this: