Monthly Archives: August 2009

Michael Leonhart & The Asvamina 7 – Scopolamine

Posted on
1

Download or Listen to Michael Leonhart & The Asvamina 7 – Scopolamine from the Truth and Soul Records 45

Here’s a quick one for Monday from our friends over at Truth and Soul Records:

“Truth & Soul is proud to present the first single from Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7. Long time trumpet player for many of the T&S releases, Michael Leonhart has masterfully created something that sounds like the musical love child of R.D Burman, Fela Kuti, & Beck. A mix of reverb drenched vocals, afro beat horns, and fluttering tablas all work in perfect harmony on The Avramina 7′s first single on Truth & Soul.

A Little bit about Michael Leonhart & The Asvamina 7: ” As a solo artist Michael has released six albums — “Aardvark Poses” (1995), “Glub Glub vol. 11″ (1997), and “Slow” (2002) all on the Sunnyside label; “The Suzy Lattimore EP” (2005) & “The Ballad of Minton Quigley “(2006) self released and 2008’s “Hotel Music” on limited edition vinyl with hand painted covers released through St. Ives (an imprint of Secretly Canadian). He has composed and performed music for movies, television, dance, fashion shows and theater, and has appeared on over 100 albums. At age 17, Michael was honored as the youngest Grammy recipient in history, cited as the most outstanding musician in a U.S. high school. That same year ABC World News named him “Person of the Week”.

Michael has performed with Steely Dan since 1996, recording two albums with them, including 2000′s Grammy winning Album of the Year “Two Against Nature” on which he was a featured soloist, arranger and conductor. He has performed and/or recorded with such diverse artists as A Tribe Called Quest, Arif Mardin, Arto Linsday, Bill Frisell, Bobby McFerrin, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Eno, Busta Rhymes, Caetano Veloso, D.J. Spooky, David Byrne, Henry Mancini, James Brown, John Barry, Joshua Redman, Lenny Kravitz, Mark Ronson, Michael McDonald, Mos Def, Natalie Merchant, Q-Tip, Raekwon (Wutang Clan), Slash (Guns and Roses/ Velvet Revolver), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Todd Rundgren, and Wynton Marsalis. Most recently, Michael recorded with Yoko Ono as a featured member of the Plastic Ono Band for her upcoming album, “Between My Head and the Sky”. Michael also appears on upcoming albums by Sharon Jones and the Dapkings, Foreigner, Sean Lennon, and Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto).

After 20 plus recordings as the house trumpet player for Truth and Soul records, the Brooklyn based funk and soul label will release Leonhart’s heavy-funk concept album “Seahorse and the Storyteller” late this year.”

This record is a scorcher people. If you like the Afro-Beat groove, some wicked horns, and an all around burner, than this is the record for you. Following in the steps of Fela and combining some great harmonies throughout, you can hear why this guy has been a success since he was seventeen years old. An in demand guy by many different, diverse, bands, you get the reasons he and the people around him shine on this release. I’ll be back mid week with some more goods. Keep Diggin’!

Here’s some photos from the Barefoot Wine Surfrider Beach Rescue Gig:


View From My Decks


Rick and the DJ


Schoolin’ em!

Today: Barefoot Surfrider Beach Rescue Benefit in Asbury Park

Posted on
Reply

Ok kids, here’s what’s going down. Originally this benefit show was going to be at the Stone Pony, but due to the expected bad weather, it’s moved to Convention Hall, which is 1300 Ocean Ave. between Asbury and Sunset Ave. This is a benefit celebrating 25 years of the Surfrider Foundation, and it’s put on by Barefoot Wine. Get more information, and sign up for free tickets here. The line up is as follows: Joss Stone, Gavin DeGraw, Cold War Kids, and Mason Jennings. I will be spinning from 5 to 6 PM and then in between acts until the headliner, Joss Stone goes on. It looks to be a great concert for a great cause. If you’re in the area, please stop by. Keep Diggin’!

This Weekend: Brooklyn Soul Festival

Posted on
2

Unfortunately, I have to work both of these days here in Asbury Park. But you, you can do anything! While I’m opening up for Joss Stone and the Surfrider/ Barefoot Wine Charity event here in AP, you can go to Brooklyn for SOUL: Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Otis Clay, Barbara Lynn, Roscoe Robinson, Maxine Brown, and the best DJ’s spinning Soul 45′s ever. Just do it baby! Tell ‘em FMF sent ya. Keep Diggin’!

Johnny Griffith Inc – Let’s Get It On

Posted on
Reply


The right photo thanks Larry for pointing that out. I uploaded the wrong one


Very Nice and Slow like the handwritten message says!

Download or Listen to Johnny Griffith Inc – Let’s Get It On from the RCA 45

Monday again, and it comes so quick. Only having one day off really wears on you, but at least I had a good day off doing nothing. Sometimes that is exactly what you need. For all of you Reggae heads, there will be more where Friday’s post came from. I hope you enjoyed a little bit of the sounds of JA as much as I did. Ok, here’s one that I’ve been sitting on for a while. This will most definitely make the FMF Covers mix that I plan to make at some point. Here’s Johnny Griffith Inc. with “Let’s Get It On” on RCA Records from 1974.

Johnny Griffith was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1936. This future Funk Brother’s main influence was Jazz, and his instrument was the piano. He held music degrees from Wayne State and University of D (that’s Detroit people), before moving on to be a part of one of, if not the most famous studio band to ever back up a band. Before his outstanding FB gig, Griffith signed to the Motown’s Jazz Workshop label. He released Detroit Jazz and The Right Side of Lefty Edwards, before his studio adventures began with Motown’s Pop, R&B and Soul acts. So, not only did he play with notables such as Lou Rawls and Dinah Washington as a Jazz musician he would go on to play behind some the most popular music of our time as a member of the Funk Brothers, a Motown studio staple. The list of tunes Griffith played on is immense. Here are a few you may or may not know (and I hope you DO know them): “Stop In the Name of Love”, “Mercy, Mercy, Me”, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, “Ain’t To Proud To Beg”, and “Shotgun”, to name a few. He was involved in many other tunes that were non Motown as well. Songs such as “Cool Jerk” by the Capitols, “Soulful Strut” by Young Holt Unlimited, and The Artistics “I’m Really Gonna Miss You”, and “Agent Double-O Soul” by Edwin Starr among others. Griffith continued to make music and play live well into the 90′s. Let’s not forget his funky side “Grand Central Shuffle”, also out on RCA. Pick that up if you can. When the story behind the Funk Brothers was released to DVD, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, Griffiths went out to promote it. While on that promotional tour, he died suddenly in 2002.

Johnny Griffith’s cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” is superb. His organ work really stands out on this slow burner. With just the chorus echoing in, and Griffith and company doing all the rest, it sounds good. His Jazz influence really stands out on this side, and like I said earlier, it’s the organ that gets me. This Funk Brother knew how to do it and do it well. I will see you midweek with another winner. I hope your start to the week got off to a good one with this cover. Keep Diggin’!

U-Roy – Chalice In the Palace

Posted on
Reply

Download or Listen To U-Roy – Chalice In the Palace from the Virgin Records LP Dread In A Babylon from 1975

It’s Friday, and I’d thought I’d throw some Reggae out today. I got a great haul this week, and this is a record I’d been looking for for a while. It turned up (as well as a huge haul of JA pressing Lp’s) at my local. Apparently there is more, so I will hopefully be grabbing a bunch more over the weekend. Here’s a song that Prime-Mundo featured on his FMF Guest Mix: Yes Rasta. Check out U-Roy with “Chalice In the Palace” from the Dread In A Babylon Lp from 1975.

U-Roy was born Ewart Beckford in Jones Town, Jamaica in 1942. He gained his ever famous nickname from someone who couldn’t pronounce Ewart. He cut his teeth at various Sound Systems in the 60′s: Doctor Dickie’s Dynamite, Sir George the Atomic, Duke Reid’s, Coxsone Dodd, and eventually King Tubby. At this time Tubby was developing his pioneering Dub sound, and recruited U-Roy to be his top DJ of his new Sound System. This would be around 1969. In 1970, he would go on to record for Duke Reid (at the recommendation of John Holt, who heard U-Roy toasting), releasing some powerful singles: “Wake the Town”, “Rule the Nation”, and “Wear You To the Ball” on Treasure Isle. Although they are really reworkings of other songs (riddim, etc), these are very important songs in their own right. He changed the game, and as a DJ he would lead the way for others to follow. His work in this period with Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, and Peter Tosh would not go unnoticed either. The version was born, and U-Roy was in high demand, recording all over JA. The list of people influenced by him runs from Big Youth to Dennis Alcapone to I-Roy and beyond. After this record in 1975, U-Roy was at his most powerful. Interest grew from Jamaica to Europe, and in 1976 he’d go to Britain. This was a trip that would be crucial to his career. Shortly after a live record of the shows (backed by the Revolutionaries) was released, and he went on to form his own Sound System Stur-Gav in 1978. This in conjunction with his new record labels Del-Ma and Mego-Ann kept him on top. He furthered his world domination with the release Jah Son of Africa. Unfortunately, as in many of Jamaica’s greats, the music tells an all too real account of daily life in JA, and his Sound System would be destroyed due to election violence. U-Roy would come back strong though shortly after, enlisting new DJ’s Josey Wales and Charlie Chaplin. A superb appearance at Jamaica Sunsplash in 1983 lead to further live appearances at the landmark event and collaborations with Tappa Zukie and Prince Jazzbo. However, it was Mad Professor that would coerce U-Roy to go back to his recording pace (after a decline in output) in the 1990′s. He has been back on top ever since. U-Roy is an integral part of Jamaican DJ and Dub culture, and will forever remain an important figure throughout the music’s history.

Backed by the Soul Syndicate and Skin Flesh and Bones Band, U-Roy was the epitome of Natty Dread on this record. The song itself is a recut “Queen Majesty” by the Techniques. Produced by Prince Tony Robinson, U-Roy’s initial release for Virgin was a showcase of his Rastafarian beliefs. This was a turnaround from earlier recordings, and was a tactic used on Robinson’s Big Youth releases as well. Although it was said that he “chatted commercial dread lyrics over rocksteady classics” at that time, which may have been true, some almost 35 years later, this record does make sense. From the imagery of U-Roy engulfed in smoke from his chalice, to a cover of Trenchtown Rock, it may have been passe at the time, almost corny. It did serve a purpose, however, and there is no denying that U-Roy has paved the way for many a conscious DJ, eager to promote Rasta, and toast their way into Jamaica’s rich history of Reggae music. I’ll see you on Monday, Keep Diggin’!

Nolan – I Like What You Give

Posted on
4

Download or Listen to Nolan – I Like What You Give from the Lizard Records 45

Greeting to all the Flea Market Funk Family and to many of you new comers who just joined the FMF this week. Welcome aboard! I had to share this record with you, and I wanted to thank a guy I don’t even know for turning me on to it. I was digging up research for another record and I ended up on this guy’s page. At first I was skeptical because the guy was dancing all crazy in his videos. As I started to watch more and more, well I realized that this Northeast transplant from Florida had a great knowledge of music and DJing, and his enthusiasm about records was just like mine. So I say thanks to DJ Funktual for turning me on to this next choon. It’s none other than Nolan Porter and “I Like What You Give” on Lizard Records.

There is not a tremendous amount of information on Nolan Porter out there. From what I can gather, his earliest years were in the Los Angeles, CA area, where he ended up on Gabriel Mekkler’s Lizard Record Label. I’ve spotlighted some Lizard stuff, particularly Paul Humphrey and His Cool Aid Chemists “Funky LA”. A track coincidentally written by Nolan Porter. This track is funky as hell, so you know where his head was at, collaborating with one of the best drummers EVER. He would contribute to some writing for Steppenwolf, and continue to make music. Porter, or Nolan Porter, or NF Porter, or just plain Nolan was known in the Northern Soul circuits as well. He released records such as “If I Could Only Be Sure” and “Keep On Keeping On”, both widely accepted by Northern Soul enthusiasts, one being a Wigan Casino anthem. Porter would jam with the Mothers of Invention and Jimmy Carl Black, Lowell George and Roy Estrada, an early incarnation of Little Feat. He was a well rounded musician, writer, and producer. Besides releasing sides on Lizard, he put out a full length, Nolan on ABC, as well as sides on Kent. In later life, Porter would collaborate with Candy Zappa.

To me, this Nolan Porter tune is really a Summer anthem. It starts of slow and smooth, with Nolan crooning his way over some nice percussion, a sweet bass line and some low key guitar. The kicker is when his falsetto “fiiii-hine” finishes and a few bars later a killer B-Boy drum break comes out. All instruments pick up and all bets are off for about 20 seconds or more. Then Nolan goes back to getting his groove. It’s killer, and I just couldn’t hold back any longer. I had to get this out. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I’ll see you Friday with some more goodness. Keep Diggin’!

08.14.09 45 Sessions Recap

Posted on
1


A little personal touch on some sale items from Pat.

Well, the last 45 Sessions of the Summer really went off with a bang. We had just about all the 45 Session Crew (who brought HEAT by the way), and guest selector Primitive Soundsystem (Pat James Longo) killed it! Put that together with a good crowd and it makes for a really good send off to the Summer Sessions. DJ Bluewater’s set was so good that he played til he ran out of records! I was too busy yakking to Pat and buying some records from him. I will put both of the 45′s I copped on a future mix. Funky 16 Corners, fresh off some DC success at Marvin and Saint X, got things moving quickly. Pat Longo’s set was amazing, he went from Jazz Funk heat to Latin to some really great Funk and Soul. I shortened my set but tried to throw in some different stuff (some B-Sides) and a special record I had overnighted for Friday. The secret B-Boy break from Nolan. M>Fasis paid tribute to Michael Jackson, and the hardest working chef who’s a DJ, Prime Mundo finished off the night lovely. Fun was had by all, and I’m excited to be able to do it again in a few months. Keep Diggin’!


Tasty Treats to start the night!


DJ Prestige Set List:

Nolan – I Like What You Give/ Lizard
Lavell Kamma – I Can Help You Find Yourself/ Jewel
Booker T. and the MG’s – Red Beans and Rice/ Stax
The Fabulous Counts – Jan Jan/ Moira
Marva Whitney – Ball of Fire/ King
George Franklin Smallwood & Marshmellow – Lady Disco/ Small Wood
Bobby Byrd – Hot Pants. I’m Coming, Coming, Coming/ Brownstone
The Fatback Band – Goin’ To See My Baby/ Perception
Lee Williams – Half Steppin/ Black Soul Records
Jerry O – Soul Lover/ White Whale
Joe Tex – Papa Was Too/ Dial
Billy Sugar Ray Garner – I Got Some/ Fryers
People’s Choice – I Likes To Do It/ Phil-LA of Soul
The Boys in the Band – Sumptin’ Heavy/ Spring
Reynaldo Domino – Don’t Go Away/ Blue Rock
Nina Simone – Save Me/ RCA
Dick Hyman – Respect/ Command


Primitive Sound System dropped some hot, hot records!
Pat James Longo Set List

Jimmie Willis – “Soul Power PT. 1″ (Orr Records cat. 1100 (Prod. by
Porter – Sago))
Charlie Lucas And The Thrillers – “Wonderful Feeling” (Waterbird cat.
WB001 (Produced by C. Simmons))
Curtis Davis – “Your Love And My Money” (Bev-Mar Records cat. BM 1001)
Bobby Freeman – “Do You Wanna Dance, 1970″ (Double Shot Records cat.
#152″ (Prod. by: Winn-Rodgers))
Big Mac – “That’s The Way YouTreat Your Woman” (Jewel Records cat. SL
1274 (Produced by Dan Clay Upia Productions))
Lorenzo Holden – “The Wig” (Cee-Jam Records cat. INSTRUMENTAL #1
CJ-8961 (Plug Side / Wht Lbl Promo)
The Sensational Guitars of Dan & Dale – “Robin’s Theme” (Tifton cat.
45-125 (with Pic Sleeve)
The Combinations – “Bump Ball!” (RCA Victor cat. 47-9482 (Producer
Jim Foglesong)(Plug Side / Not For Sale))
The Blues Groove – “Makin’ It (Verve cat. VK-10417)
Ruff Francis & The Illusions – “Give Me Mercy” (Essica Records cat. 002″)
Bo Diddley – “I’m High Again” (Checker cat. 1200 (Produced by Gene
Barge & Charles Stepney)
Frankie Newsome – “Don’t Mess With My Lovemaker” (Part II) (Savern
cat. SN-104 (Prod. By Sago – Stevio Arr. Cond. by Z. Sago)
The Pazant Brothers – “Skunk Juice” (RCA Records cat. 47-9634
(Production / Prod. by Ed Bland)
Ray Barretto – “Together” (Fania cat. 501 (Produced by: Jerry Masucci))
Monguito Santamaria VOCAL BY: Ronnie Marks – “Hey Sister” (Fania cat. 481)
Ray Rodriquez – “Workout – Part II” (Ghetto Records cat. G – 010
(Music Directo – Joe Bataan / Producer – George Febo))
The Stark Reality – “Say Brother” (Big Yellow cat. 45-63 Produced by
Spotlite Enterprises))
Rusty Bryant – “Fire Eater” (Prestige cat. PRT-750 (PR-2932))


The hardest working chef DJ in the world!
DJ Prime Mundo Set List

the gass co. – walk on by (goodway)
hollywood persuaders – drums a go-go (original sound)
eddy grant – time warp (portrait)
ultrafunk – kung fu man (contempo)
the t.s.u. tornadoes – getting the corners (atlantic)
zz hill – I think I’d do it (mankind)
fred wesley & the jb’s – if you don’t get it right the first time (people)
ray barretto – soul drummers (jazzman)
switch – you pulled a switch (gordy)
manu dibango – dangwa (atlantic)
maxayn – check out your mind (capricorn)
c.c.s. – boom boom (rak)
karl hector & the malcouns – jb rip (now again)
suzzette & tellers – sugar boy (techniques)
catalino – la danza de la chiva (lee)


Bluewater killing it in all green.
DJ Bluewater Set List

Naomi Davis and The Knights of 41st Street – 41st Street Breakdowne
Honey & The Bees – Love Addict
Inell Young – What Do You See In Her
Sandy Gaye – Watch The Dog
Union – Strike
Coletta Woodson – Follow The Wind
The Lovations – Later Baby
Barbara Lynn – You Better Stop It
Della Reese – It Was A Very Good Year
Ann Sexton – You’re Losing Me
Lucinda Slim & The Lone Stars – All This Time
Little Mary Staten – Steppin’ Stone
Barbara King – What I Did In The Street
Emotions – Blind Alley
Inell Young – Next Ball Game
Delores Ealy – Its About Time I Made A Change
Helene Smith – You Got To Be A Man
Betty Harris – There’s a Break in The Road
Betty Barney – Momma Momma
Marlena Shaw – California Soul
Riley & The Fascinations – Super Cool
Mary Jane Hooper – I’ve Got Reasons
Naomi Shelton – Wind Your Clock

Funky 16 Corners Set


Larry repping Jersey strong once again!

Titanic – Sultana (CBS)
Santana – Jin-Go-La-Ba (Columbia)
Oneness Of Juju – African Rhythms Pt1 (Black Fire)
Mandrill – Fencewalk (Polydor)
Buena Vistas – The Soul Ranger (Marquee)
Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs – The Four Corners (Veep)
Tommy Wills – (Funky) 4 Corners (Airtown)
Quincy Jones – Money Runner (Reprise)
James Brown – The Payback Pt1 (Polydor)
Royalettes – River of Tears (Roulette)
Isley Brothers – Get Into Something Pt2 (T Neck)
Dyke & the Blazers – Shotgun Slim (Original Sound)
Commodores – Machine Gun (Motown)
Tony Camillo’s Bazuka – Dynomite Pt1 (A&M)
Bar-Kays – Sang and Dance (Volt)
Willie West – Said To Myself (WB)
Bobby Byrd – If You Don’t Work You Can’t Eat (King)
Laura Lee – Crumbs Off the Table (Hot Wax)
Richards People – Yo Yo (Tuba)
Louis Chachere – The Hen Pt1 (Paula)


Milton always feelin’ it!

Check out DJ Bluewater’s new mix Stay Fresh.

Tonight! Asbury Park 45 Sessions!

Posted on

Well we all know you’ve been waiting for it, and the final 45 Session of the Summer of 2009 is upon us. We have a great Guest Selector in Primitive Sound System (Pat James Longo). He’s a great guy with deep crates and a great love of music. If you are anywhere near the Asbury Park area tonight, I suggest you come out, because it’s the last of the Summer. Let’s make the Summer go out with a bang! I’m doing something I never do this session, flying by the seat of my pants and playing some stuff I might not otherwise. We’ll see. I do have 2 really great records I can’t wait to play. You’ll have to come out to see. Keep Diggin’!

Lonnie Liston Smith with The Cosmic Echoes – Goddess of Love

Posted on
3

Download or Listen to Lonnie Liston Smith with The Cosmic Echoes – Goddess of Love from the Flying Dutchman 45

Here we are midweek, and I have some great news. I’ll be opening up for Joss Stone on August 29th at the Stone Pony here in Asbury Park, NJ. It’s a great event put on by Barefoot Wine, benefiting The Surfrider Foundation. It’s a free show, just click the Barefoot link to sign up. 21+ please. I’ve had kind of a stressful week, so today I bring you some Jazz Fusion, brought to you courtesy of a Jazz legend, Lonnie Liston Smith. Here he is with the Cosmic Echoes and “Goddess of Love” on the Flying Dutchman label from 1976.

Lonnie Liston Smith was born in Richmond, VA in 1940. He was basically born into music, as his father was a member of Gospel Harmonizing Four. There were frequent visitors during his childhood, and not the usual ones. How about Same Cooke and the Soul Stirrers just popping on in? He started to play piano as a teen, but idolized players such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. It was horn players he took his style from, not traditional pianists. He could appreciate the greats of the time (McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, and others), but wanted to have a style all his own. He started playing gigs while still a teen, and would back up such luminaries such as Betty Carter and Ethyl Ennis. He moved on to college at Morgan State and played with future Jazz stars Mickey Bass, Gary Bartz and Grachan Moncur. Bass was playing with Art Blakey at the time, which led Smith to a gig in NYC with The Jazz Messengers. He would also play with Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Max Roach. This high profile gigging raised his status in the Jazz world. Smith would play in probably the most important sideman time in his entire career when he moved over to gig with Pharoah Sanders. His sessions on Karma released on Impulse! are unbelievable, and if you don’t own that record, I suggest you pick it up. Lonnie Liston Smith’s sideman work also reached another pinnacle with Miles Davis’s On the Corner and Big Fun. His use of the electric piano/ organ (said to be introduced to him by Davis himself), forever changed his sound. This sound captured Bob Theile’s ear and Smith got signed to Flying Dutchman, where he released such classics as Expansions (“like two sealed copies of Expansions” – Mike D, Professor Booty), Astral Traveling, and Cosmic Funk. Smith stayed busy and his association with Theile moved him on to RCA and Columbia up until the late 70′s. He continued to tour with the who’s who of the Jazz world: Gato Barbieri, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clarke, Roy Ayers, and more. The 90′s saw Smith collaborate with Hip Hop legend Guru for his Jazzmatazz series, as well as Phyllis Hyman and others. He continues to make music today. His sound may have mellowed a bit, but he is still a legend.

The original line up of the Cosmic Echoes included Smith on keyboards, George Barron, soprano and tenor sax, Joe Beck guitar, Cecil McBee bass, David Lee Jr. drums, James Mtume percussion, Sonny Morgan percussion, Badal Roy tabla drums, and Geeta Vashi, tamboura. However they definitely had personnel changes throughout their career. On Cosmic Echoes, Donald Smith was added as a vocalist. Later Echoes included Dave Hubbard on tenor and soprano sax, Ronald Miller on electric guitar, Hollywood Barker on drums, and Al Anderson on electric bass. On this particular track, Smith gets kind of spacey ( the beginning sounds a bit like a track off the new Lee Fields record “Ladies” ) , and just kinds of rolls along throughout. It’s got a solid groove, with Smith’s keyboard work dominating throughout, and a myriad of percussion adding some flavor to a sick little drum beat and bass line. Like I said, this a great track to unwind to, and if you’re having a stressful week like me, open a bottle of wine, bring out a book, and just chill. I’ll see you Friday. If you’re in the Asbury Park, NJ area, stop by the World Famous Asbury Lanes for another installment of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions. Special Guest Primitive Sound System Pat James Longo. Keep Diggin’!

Ten Wheel Drive – Ain’t Gonna Happen

Posted on
2

Download or Listen To Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Raven – Ain’t Gonna Happen on Polydor Records

It amazes me how fast Monday comes along. I actually got in some digging this weekend, but the rewards were kind of sparse. Lots of orchestra and Doo Wop on 45, and my local store had been kind of picked clean (I just missed a good stash I was told). As I was browsing though, I came across this record that was missed. I had heard of it, but hadn’t seen it in the field as of yet. So today I bring you some Afro Rock Psychedelic Soul from the one and only Ten Wheel Drive. So check out “Ain’t Gonna Happen” on Polydor Records.

Ten Wheel Drive came about after lead singer Genya Ravan’s band Goldie and the Gingerbreads ceased as a band. She hooked up with Mike Zager and Aram Schefrin (two Jersey boys!) through a mutual friend, Billy Fields. After a few times playing together in NYC, they formed the band. The cast of players was revolving, but apparently that’s what really made the band great, the change. They signed to Polydor after a successful Atlanta Pop Festival performance, and went on to release four Lps: Construction #1, Brief Replies, Peculiar Friends (all on Polydor), and a self titled Ten Wheel Drive on Capitol, with ex-Rascal’s vocalist Annie Sutton. With label troubles and the ever shifting band personnel, Ten Wheel Drive were short lived. While some band members went on to other, bigger gigs (Bette Midler, etc.), TWD sort of fizzled out. Zager went on to do soundtrack work and Schefrin became a lawyer. Genya Ravan, however, would stay in the music business. She released a solo album on Polydor in the early 70′s, but continued to make music well into the 80′s.

With a comparison to Janis Joplin, Geyna Ravan’s voice really stands out. She wails on this track. It’s a bit Bluesy, and with some killer horn work. If you listen closely, you can hear the Jay Z sample. That’s right, Hova used this track with Beenie Segal and Freeway on 1-900-Hustler. Back to TWD. It’s said that if their Rock Opera had been released on a record, rather than shelved by their record company, that Ten Wheel Drive would have been a household name. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards. What was in the cards though, was a slot in musical history. You can’t take that away from them, they had a good run. I’ll be back midweek with more goodness. Don’t forget Friday’s 45 Sessions at the World Famous Asbury Lanes and special guest Pat James Longo (Primitive Sound System). Keep Diggin’!

Rebirth Brass Band in NYC on 08.14.09

Posted on
Reply

From time to time, I like to talk up an upcoming show. Usually it’s here in Asbury Park, or something the Funk and Soul Community in London has going on. Today, I’m gonna mention something a little closer to home, New York City. It seems the good people over at Sullivan Hall in conjunction with NolaFunk are putting together a bunch of New Orleans Funk shows, and the nothing screams New Orleans like the Rebirth Brass Band. An institution in the Big Easy since 1883, the band has come a long way: from playing on street corners in the French Quarter to rocking venues all over the world. Their signature heavy Funk brass sound mixes the tradition of a Brass band with certain modern elements of today’s music. There unique sound has become the Soundtrack to New Orleans and soon to be the sound of the world, as this band moves full steam ahead, spreading the musical word of New Orleans.

They will be playing on Friday, August 14th over at Sullivan Hall in New York City. Opening the bill will be Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra. The show starts at 10:30 (get there early because it’s gonna be packed!), with tickets at $20 in advance, $25 at the door. If you’re in the area, support this type of music! New Orleans rich musical history is kept alive by bands like these two. Keep the faith brothers. Have a good weekend. Keep Diggin’!

Brother To Brother – The Bottle

Posted on
5

Download or Listen to Brother To Brother – The Bottle from the Turbo Records 45

This is a record that I have wanted to do since the inception of Flea Market Funk. I’ve since bought multiple copies, after not seeing it in the field for a while. It was a record I probably got back in the early 2000′s sometime. I knew it was a cover, so I scooped it up. I’m glad I did. Before I get into this record I want to give a shout out to The Get Involved Club for bigging me up on their site. I’m glad they feel that “my inspirational blog about crate digging, is quite frankly, awesome.” You guys look like you have a good thing going over there. If you need somebody for an all Funk and Soul set, ring me up chaps. Also, thanks for the input on my site, I’ve added some stuff on the front page to fill up that space. Good looks! Ok, kids, here’s Brother to Brother with “In the Bottle” from 1974 on Turbo Records.

All that I could dig up about this band was that it was formed by Michael Burton out of St. Louis. He gathered some studio musicians: Frankie Prescott, Billy Jones, and Yogi Horton, and the band was born. They would release Bottle to Bottle, Let Your Mind Be Free, and Shades In Creation on Sylvia Robinson’s Turbo Records, a subsidiary of the All Platinum label. Robinson, of course would go on to found Sugar Hill Records, which is said where a few of these musicians went on to play at, as well as go on to make some Reggae records. If anyone has some more info on this band, please contact me. Thanks.

This a great cover of Gil Scot Heron’s original. In fact, I like the vibe that Brother to Brother went for on this cut. Just because they were from St. Louis doesn’t mean they couldn’t be socially conscious, no? The flute, which I love in a Funk record, is killer. It adds a slightly Latin tinge to the side, and I dig it. The groove they’re keeping is tight and this was their highest charting record before they all went their separate ways. When I put together a Flea Market Funk Covers mix, it’s definitely gonna be included. See you Friday with some cool show announcements in New York City. Keep Diggin’!

Ramsey Lewis – High-Heel Sneakers

Posted on
Reply

Listen to or Download Ramsey Lewis – High-Heel Sneakers from the Columbia Records 45

Here we are at Monday again folks, the Summer is just slipping away fast. I wanted to thank everyone that came out to Tasty Beats again this weekend on Saturday, it was another epic night. I’m seeing a lot of new faces, plus the old faces, and that’s a good sign. As I was looking for some records while the world outside was in a torrential downpour, I came across this 45. I thought originally that I had posted a piece on this artist, and after a quick search through my posts, I hadn’t. I found that kind of odd. So as I sat at my desk with one of my portables out, I put this record on, and I’m glad I did. Here’s Ramsey Lewis with “High-Heel Sneakers” from 1973 on Columbia Records.

Ramsey Lewis was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1935. He started playing piano at age 4, and by the time he turned 15 was playing in a seven piece Jazz band called the Clefts. This band would turn out to be important later on, because two of the Clefts would become part of the first Ramsey Lewis Trio. Bassist Eldee Young and drummer Redd Holt joined Lewis in the famous lineup. Playing straight ahead jazz they released their first record in 1956, but it wasn’t until 1966, when they put out The In Crowd that they were noticed a bit more. (Coincidentally, that was the first record I ever bought from them, and my love for Ramsey Lewis has never stopped). Young and Holt would soon leave to form the Young-Holt Trio and the personnel changes would move on the Cleveland Eaton on bass and Earth, Wind, and Fire founder Maurice White on drums. Meanwhile the Ramsey Lewis sound started to evolve, from straight ahead Jazz to a Jazzy Pop Covers. This caught on with the public, most of them who were not Jazz fans. Records like Wade in the Water and Hang on Sloopy reinforced this. He would also visit areas such as Brazilian Bossa Nova and Spanish songs in his 80 or so album career. My favorite period for Ramsey Lewis was the early 70′s, where he started switched to electric pianos and keyboards, and put out classics such as Funky Serenity, The Groover, and The Sun Goddess. This is his funky period, a period of experimentation where Lewis explored different shapes and sounds of Jazz and Funk. With more lineup changes throughout the late 70′s and 80′s, Lewis continued to push forward and switched back to acoustic piano performances. He had his own radio show in Chicago for 3 years up until 2009, and continues to fill out his nickname ” The Great Performer.”

“High-Heel Sneakers” starts off a bit like Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, (Lewis would cover Wonder on The Sun Goddess) but Lewis goes off to do his own thang and the groove begins. What we have here is really a legend again moving with the times, trying some different stuff, and while the straight ahead Jazz crowd would always reject the notion of straying away, his record sales and popularity show something different. Lewis wasn’t shunned, and as add this period as another feather in his music cap. See you Wednesday with some more dusty goodness. Keep Diggin’!