Monthly Archives: January 2010

Harvey Scales and the 7 Sounds – Get Down

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Download or Listen to Harvey Scales and the 7 Sounds – Get Down from the Magic Touch 45

With so many announcement and gigs going on, let’s get back to the music, shall we? I had some other stuff lined up this week but bumped it because at the last 45 Sessions this past Friday DJ Bluewater brought some sales and trades. This very record was in the box, and well, now it”s in mine. Also a shout out to all who came out for Mastergroove at Forbidden City this past Wednesday. This night is building into a really great night, with Guest Dj’s such as Nick Cope spinning black gold so far. More guests and more music every Wednesday. I’ll be doing another one of the nights very soon, it was a blast. When you’re there, try the Chicken Donburi, it kills it. Ok, so with all that out in the open, make way for Wisconsin’s own, Harvey Scales and the 7 Sounds with the flip side of “Love-itis” (which kills it in it’s own right) and “Get Down” on Magic Touch Records.

I originally reviewed “I Wanna Do It”, a later Stax side Scales did, which is a scorcher of a 45. However, this time I’m headed back to 1967 when they had a hit (their biggest one) on Lenny LeCour’s Magic Touch label. Twistin’ Harvey Scales, was/is a genius. His fervor and showmanship, not to mention his songwriting abilities have had him stand out as a solo artist, and the latter has helped others along the way (Johnnie Taylor) as well. Quite comfortable at writing, Funk, Funky Soul, and later on, Disco records, Scales proved to be still relevant within the last few years when the cats over at Dig Deeper in Brooklyn had him perform at one of their Live Soul nights. See the video from my previous Scales review link, and you surely will not be disappointed. Recording for Magic Touch, Chess, Stax, Chew, Cuca, Casablanca, and Earthtone among others, Scales has led an interesting life. As mentioned in a previous review, he had the first Platinum single ever with Johnny Taylor’s “Disco Lady”. The man is massive, and why haven’t you heard of him? If you’re in the Funk and Soul scene, especially the 45 game, you most likely have. Perhaps you haven’t heard of this side though, and as my good buddy Primitive Sound System says about this side: “Flip that baby over!” You’ll be glad you did.

“The brand new dance in the Midwest called the Get Down”, is a sweet little number that Scales jumps, hollers, and pushes through. A driving drum beat and horns throughout, plus the hand claps (who the hell puts hand claps in anymore?) drive the dance floor into a frenzy. The screaming of Scales, telling everyone to Get Down and then FREEEEEEEEEZE is enough to make you get up out of your desk chair and shake it ( I know I did). He even tells you that the freeze is like it’s cold outside in January baby. Harvey Scales could sure make a record. I hope you enjoyed this side, and as Pat says, flip that baby over, and enjoy the second side of “Love-itis”. Keep Diggin’!

Wed. 01.20.10 Master Groove @ Forbidden City NYC

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Attention! Here’s another party alert. This time it’s my man DJ Bluewater breaking it down in New York City. A night of Funky Soul, every Wednesday at Forbidden City called Master Groove. Tomorrow night I’ll be spinning dirty Funk and Raw Soul with the host and DJ Prime Mundo from 10Pm til close. Come on out!

01.15.10 Asbury Park 45 Sessions Wrap Up

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So here we are, in the third year of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions, and coincidentally the third year of Flea Market Funk. I couldn’t do it without the people who support my DJ nights and of course the great DJs I get to DJ beside at these gigs. This last installment of the 45 Sessions brought out the best in everyone, and of course the crates and music were, to put it bluntly: heavy. There were a lot of old faces in the crowd, but plenty of new faces as well, who were astonished that we were all just spinning 45′s. You see, even though this music is old, it’s the foundation for all of the music today, and it still kicks ass. Every DJ who spun played some sort of record that has been sampled, sometimes even more than once. Funny thing is, a lot of these records don’t get the respect they deserve. That’s where we come in. DJ Bluewater again impressed with great stuff, including a Pete Rock sampled 45, The Ambassadors (Let’s Straighten It Out! What!) to close out his set. Funky 16 Corners Larry Grogan brought out his Beauty Hardcase full of goodies and was nothing less than fantastic. Special Guest selector Devil Dick hit everyone HARD with the record of the night: African Music Machine’s “Tropical”. DJ Prime Mundo threw in a great Reggae version of “I’m Your Puppet”. M.Fasis and I tag teamed the closing portion of the sessions with some uptempo Soul, James Brown Disco Funk joints, and Barbara St. Clair. Shout out to DJ Andy Smith for turning me on to Jackie Beavers “Mr. Bumpman”, which brought down the dance crowd. All in all, a great night! I’m looking forward to the next sessions for sure. Here’s some photos from the night and set lists as they come in. Keep Diggin’!


DJ Prestige Setlist (a 4 on 4 Tag Team Set with M.Fasis)

Wilson Pickett – Mama Told Me Not To Come/ Atlantic
The Vibrettes – Humpty Dump/ Lujon
James Brown – Bodyheat Part 1/ Polydor
Mophono – The Shuffle/ CB Records
Herbie Hancock – Bringing Down the Birds (B Boy Edit)/ MGM
Stevie Wonder – Uptight/ Tamla
Gus “The Groove” Lewis – Let The Groove Move You/ Tou-Sea
King Rubin and the Counts – Cow Peas/ Top Pop
Barbara St. Clair – Teacherman/ Soul 7
Jackie Beavers – Mr. Bumpman/ Buddah
The Isley Brothers – Fight The Power/ T-Neck
Etta James – Out On the Street, Again/ Chess
Ground Hog – Bumpin’/ Gemico
Maceo & the Macks – Soul Power ’74/ People


DJ Prime Mundo Setlist
the wallace brothers – woman, hang your head in shame (jewel)
freddie scott – run joe (shout)
grover washington jr. – mister magic (kudu)
lonnie liston smith – expansions (flying dutchman)
the rising sun – feel it (kingston)
alvin robinson – down home girl (red bird)
myron e & the soul investigators – cold game (now again)
jimmy london – i am your puppet (jama)
syl johnson – let them hang high (twinight)
black ivory – surrender (today)
mophono – groovin’
the soul cop – i keep coming back for more (norfolk int.)
ella washington – fragile (sound stage)
cinnamon suns – funkapy (ida)


M.Fasis as Skills looks on.


Funky 16 Corners bringing it as usual.


Devil Dick aka Big Papi doing it to death.
Devil Dick Setlist
Jimmy Norman – I Don’t Love You No More – Little Star
Tommy G and the Charms – I Know What I Want – Hollywood
Little Ben and the Cheers – Brown Eyed Devil – Rush
Bobby Moore’s Rhythm Aces – Go Ahead and Burn – Checker
Hollis Floyd – Black Poncho Is Coming – Silloh
Godfrey Daniel – Dance to the Music – Atlantic
The Johnny Otis Show – The Watts Breakaway – Epic
Brooklyn People – “Wreck” – Cheri
King Curtis and the Kingpins – Whole Lotta Love – Atlantic
African Music Machine – Tropical – Soul Power
Jack Ashford & the Sound of Detroit – Do the Choo Choo (Part 1)
Rimshots – Do What You Feel – Stang
Inez Foxx – Circuit’s Overloaded – Volt
Little Jimmy Taylor – What You Need Is A Ball – Galaxy
Lou Donaldson – Sassy Soul Strut – Blue Note


DJ Bluewater Straightening It Out.


Old School Asbury Park Crew: Sinner, Rueben, Skills, Prestige.


Trades and sales…who’s buyin’?

See You in March!

Asbury Park 45 Sessions Friday January 15th 2010

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After a four month layoff due to scheduling conflicts, another edition of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions is kicking off this Friday. Pulling into our 3rd year of doing this night, there is a cast of the usual suspects on the area’s only all 45 rpm night. The Asbury Park 45 Sessions Crew includes myself, Funky 16 Corners, DJ Bluewater, DJ Prime Mundo, M.Fasis, Jack the Ripper, and special guest selector Devil Dick. I’m really proud of what this night has become, as it started out slow, but has now become one of the premier Funk and Soul nights in New Jersey (if not the only one). So, if you’re in the area on the 15th, stop on by the World Famous Asbury Lanes and listen to the best in Raw Funk and Soul spun by the AP 45 Sessions Crew, you won’t be disappointed!

Photo by Mike McLaughlin

Bob Dorough featuring Grady Tate – I Got Six

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Download or Listen To Bob Dorough featuring Grady Tate – I Got Six from the Multiplication Rock Soundtrack

Hello people! I have a few things going on in the upcoming weeks I figured I’d let you know about. On Friday, January 15th, there is the latest Asbury Park 45 Sessions at the Asbury Lanes with the AP 45 Crew. The special guest selector will be the infamous Devil Dick. Also, on January 20th, I’ll be guest DJing at Master Groove @ Forbidden City in NYC with DJ Bluewater, DJ Prime Mundo and others, spinning nothing but dirty Funk and Soul 45′s all night. So, that being said, let’s get down to business.

About a month or so back, I covered some bands that played on children’s records, Sesame Street and the like. They were fun-kay! There is a HUGE list of artists that have made Funky songs that were children’s records. This just happened to come along right after I had put out the Sesame Street post, which was definitely influenced by the Village Choir article. Stuff like that really interests me, number one, because it’s a throwback to my childhood, when I’d sit and wait for the Super Friends on a Saturday morning and Schoolhouse Rock would be playing in between cartoons, and number two, it’s damn funky. So, without any further delay, here’s Bob Dorough featuring Grady Tate on vocals with “I Got Six” from the Multiplication Rock Soundtrack.

Bob Dorough: pianist, jazz improvisational vocalist, music instructor, scorer of television shows. These are titles that Dorough has held throughout his life. Born in Cherry Hill, Arkansas in 1923, music would take him all over, including Paris and of course New York City. He started to record in 1955 for Bethlehem, co wrote “Coming Home Baby” for Mel Torme with Ben Tucker in 1962, and eventually released his second effort in 1966, Just A Beginning. It was after this that Dorough got into television, and this recording we have here today. He continued to teach music (as a main way of making money) as well as releasing the odd Jazz side all the way up until around 2002. On this track he enlisted the help of drummer/ vocalist Grady Tate. You may remember Tate from such performances with Quincy Jones, and for being the house drummer for Creed Taylor and CTI Records. Primarily known for hitting the skins, Tate’s vocals were definitely unappreciated, although he has put out some vocal work throughout his career. An unlikely pairing on this record with Dorough, but somehow it works.

Basically this novelty record is just that, a novelty learning record for kids. However, it’s got breaks on it. That may not mean a lot to a lot of people, but to me it means something. Hell, it meant a lot to Prince Paul when he used Dorough’s “3 Is the Magic Number” off of the Lp for a track off of 3 Feet High and Rising. I know what you’re going to say: “but they got sued!!” These are the breaks kids, and history can’t be changed. This was also sampled on the Sublime song “Get Out!” from the original Skunk Records Lp 40 oz. to Freedom. What can happen though, is that kids can learn to count, and they can learn it well by counting to some funky ass drum breaks and songs. If they can do it, you can too. So go count by six, shake your ass a bit, and enjoy some Funk off another children’s record. Keep Diggin’!

Multiplication Rock Original Video

RIP Willie Mitchell

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Looks like we lost another one today folks, as Artist/ Producer Willie Mitchell passed away this morning. As a new decade is upon us, these men and women of the Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Reggae game (look out you Hip Hoppers too!) get a little long in the tooth. Just as those Jazz and Blues giants R.Crumb immortalized in his drawings faded away eventually, so will the foundation builders of yesterday. It’s unfortunate, but you can not stop such a thing. Willie Mitchell, artist and produced was one of the good ones. “Papa Willie” took over Hi Records in Memphis in 1970. Known for his own sound (a hard hitting kick drum sound provided by Al Jackson of Booker T. and the MG’s), Mitchell’s was responsible for the sound of the one and only Al Green, and made records with Ann Peebles and Syl Johnson, among others. Mitchell and Green would get back together in the 80′s, and also in the early 2000′s to put out more records. His most notable work was with Green, and he continued to work today at Royal Studios, still putting out records and doing what he did best: producing. He has been sampled as well, most notably by the GZA, who used the beginning of “Groovin’ ” for his anthem “Liquid Swords”. That is a record I will always work doubles to, and even more as a tribute to one of Memphis’ best.

Check out this link for another one of Mitchell’s records “20-75″ that I reviewed earlier.

Rest In Peace Willie Mitchell. Keep Diggin’!