It’s here! Flea Market Funk has partnered up with the vinyl photo blog Dust & Grooves for Wax On Film: A Photo Contest. We want to see creative photos of your vinyl collections. We have an exclusive, expert panel of judges to help determine the winners. We’re talking not just Eilon from Dust & Grooves and myself, but people like acclaimed DJ, Rich Medina, Brian Ho from Dreams in Audio, and Brian Cross aka B+ from Mochilla, all vinyl experts in their own right. The chosen winners will receive Wax On Film gift packages from Nixon, Tucker & Bloom, Rare Byrds, Listen Clothing, 101 Apparel, Tropicalia In Furs, Cultures of Soul, Hot Peas & Butta, and more!
A while back I put out the 45 shirt design, but just couldn’t get a collaboration that was quite right. However, as like minded individuals seem to always get together, the collaboration between Flea Market Funk and Listen Clothing begins. I have been a fan and supporting this company since their inception, and when I was on tour a few years back, my man Renz sent me a box of Listen stuff that has been worn on countless gigs, tours, and the like. Listen Clothing has been preserving the music, culture, and quality artists for over 10 years through their clothing and accessory lines. I am proud to announce the first (of many hopefully) Limited Edition tee shirt collaborations between Flea Market Funk and Listen: The 45 shirt.
Here’s a shirt that all you 45 heads have been fiending for: a nod to graphic design and typography combined with some great Funk and Soul 45 bands. There are some easy finds on here as well as some Holy Grails. We all have some of them, we all want some of them, but the bottom line is that these records are appreciated. I wanted to help preserve these artists in one of the most creative ways I could think of, the tee. We’re also working on some limited edition prints as well. After all, it’s “The Way We Live”.
Stay tuned for more details about buying this design in shirt and print form.
If you are not familiar with DJ Format’s CV, then you should be. This guy is a true artist, who is promoting Hip Hop music and proper lifestyle, keeping the torch of the founding fathers of this genre alive. From his Music For the Mature B-Boy release to the video for “We Know Something You Don’t Know” to The Simonsound (with a ton of records and DJ gigs in between), Format has established himself firmly as a solid producer, DJ, and artist. We’re excited to have him this week on Big Ups.
A few years ago I was in a hurry to leave my local digging spot. I was supposed to make an appointment, and as usual I was neck deep in vinyl. Knowing I was really late, I was jogging to my car when I saw this box. It was a giant washing machine detergent box overflowing with 45s. I mean 7″s were on the ground, in the sand and tumbling out of this box. I tried to make a quick $10 dollar ploy for this monstrosity to the seller, a total dick record dealer, but the guy wouldn’t budge. He said $20, I said “bet” (and I still do), and off I went. I was driving home and digging through this box while driving. One eye on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other eye and hand on and in the box. What was in the box of goodness I found out, was a lot of rinked up, semi-playable, unsleeved 45s. At a light I pulled out Mickey and the Soul Generation’s “Iron Leg” on Maxwell. $20 well spent, and I was pumped. However, later on,, I got rid of all the garbage records when I was finally able to go through the box properly. The others I put in a bin, and kind of forgot about them for a few years. There were roughly 200 45s in the box, so that’s 10¢ a piece (plus the score of M&TSG). Yesterday, for no particular reason, I felt like looking in the box. The result is the mix you have before you. I wish I had done this before, but I didn’t. I was smart enough, however, to put all the James Brown and James Brown Production stuff on the top, and here’s what I came up with:
FMF presents: The $1 JB 45 Mix.
Let A Man Come In and Do The Popcorn Part 1.
Superbad, Superslick, Part 1
Escapism Part 1
Brother Rapp Part 1
It’s A New Day Part 1
Give It Up Or Turn It Loose
Mother Popcorn
Ain’t That A Groove
Bodyheat Part 1
Down and Out in New York City
10 JB tunes for a $1. Done in one take, live, and with some pops, clicks, and a skip or two. It’s JB and I got them for a buck. Nothing special, just the Godfather, the Minister of the New New Super Heavy Funk, and Soul Brother Number 1 on King, People, and Polydor. Enjoy.
The greatest thing about music, especially unreleased music, is that eventually someone finds it. Whether it’s some private press 45 in the trash, an acetate that was found at a garage sale, or as we found out this week from Jazzman Gerald, a lost master tape in a box in Texas, what one does with it is the important thing. Sites like mine and others that share these lost records help bring attention to the forgotten artists. Record labels like Minneapolis’ Secret Stash, go a step further. They not only find this forgotten and sometimes unreleased music, they put it out on vinyl. So far they have close to two dozen releases that range from African music to Russian and Peruvian Funk to Reggae interpretations of Miles Davis to lost Blaxploitation Soundtracks to Gospel Funk and more. The do it up right, give the Lp packaging the special deluxe treatment, and point blank put out good product.
“ We are dedicated to one thing, releasing great music in great collectible LP packages. ”
Their latest release is from Mickey Murray. Murray did his time on the Chitlin’ Circuit, as well as playing with Dyke and the Blazers, Wilson Picket, Staple Singers, and Aretha Franklin among others. Known for his hit single, the Otis Redding cover of “Shout Bamalama” from 1967, this Georgia native was slated to be the next James Brown. He released a record on King, People Are Together that never saw the light of day in proper retail stores. You know the rest. Fading again into obscurity, Murray has been out of the business for sometime. These days, singing at low key church functions and the like make up his schedule, as opposed to backing up the day’s best Soul singers and groups. Secret Stash have reissued this gem of a record, helping to resurrect the Soul legend’s career once again. The overall response for the record so far was overwhelming, and it’s first run with a bonus 45 has sold out already. It’s exactly the kind of stuff we like to see here at FMF. Reissues done properly, artists being taken care of, and lost music preserved. The secret is out, and you will most certainly hear from Secret Stash Records again in the future.
Stay tuned for an upcoming Big Ups interview with Secret Stash owner Eric Foss.
Of all of the Big Up interviews (which btw have all been great in my opinion), this has been the most anticipated. Jazzman Gerald is a guy who does things the way he wants. In other words, he is the guy who set the bar for reissues and bringing the underdog artist to the public’s eyes and ears. He has been doing it well, taking care of the artists he reissues, all the while running a record label dynasty that is quite impressive. When not DJing rare music all over the world, he’s keeping all the record collectors, DJs, producers and artists scrambling to get his latest releases and compilations. Heard he’s a football supporter, but no mention of it in the interview. Gerald get at me on that! It is an honor for us to have Gerald in this latest installment of Big Ups. Enjoy!
I promote a bunch of East Coast Funk and Soul and music events on these pages, but I need to give a shout to the left coast. I have been a fan of this series of different music nights for a long time. When it was the Root Down, I would try and get my friends in LA to send me the promo flyers because they were so dope. I know I have a few around somewhere. Funky Sole has definitely evolved in the past eleven years. They have had a who’s who of guests at all incarnations of the party (Keb Darge, J-Rocc, Adrian Younge, DJ Nu-Mark, Quantic, Chairman Mao, DJ Shadow, Skeme Richards(among others) and official DJs Clifton, Music Man Miles, DJ Chico, the gang of DJs known as the Soul Travelers, a rotating cast of LA DJs, and unofficial residents Cut Chemist and Egon who have blessed the turntables while opening people’s minds to all kinds of new, funky music from all over the world. Not commercial music. Not radio music. REAL MUSIC. The best part about it? It’s free, every week, and right smack in the middle of all the action.
“It wasn’t like Cut Chemist playing hits, or Egon playing hits, we were experimenting with different types of stuff. It wasn’t just Deep Funk, it was Ethiopian Soul, Psychedelic, Ghanaian, Salsa, Cumbia, Funk, Old School Hip Hop and obscure Cosmic Disco, twisted, dusted, psychedelia. Whatever we wanted to play. ”
I definitely wanted to shout out Miles and the Funky Sole crew, as they have been doing parties the way they should be done since day one. They do it and do it well. If you are out in LA and haven’t been to this party, I urge you to get there and get turned on to a whole different vibe. Miles describes the party itself as “A dance party where we celebrate mostly 60′s to early 70′s Funk Soul music, whether it’s instrumental or vocal. If it’s funky and it moves people on the dance floor, that’s what works at Funky Sole. And vinyl.” Sounds like my kind of place. Hit ‘em up when you’re in the LA area.
Funky Sole
Every Saturday
The Echo
1822 Sunset Blvd
LA, CA
Weekly Special Guests and Surprises
Funky Sole 11th Year Anniversary video directed and edited by Giovanni Solis
This week we have a special treat. Our Big Ups is none other than Jefferson Mao, aka Chairman Mao, co-founder of ego trip. If you have been living under a rock for the last 18 years, ego trip was the go to Hip Hop culture magazine in the 90′s. I think I may have shed a tear the day they stopped publishing it. Luckily, there is egotripland, your daily fix of the best Hip Hop music culture you will read, and I back that up 100%. Chairman Mao is a well known DJ, crate digger, writer, and all around good guy who knows his shit. We’re happy to have him aboard on FMF and Big Ups.
Check Out Chairmqan Mao’s radio show Across 135th St. on RBMA Radio.
Grant Green, JC Moses, and Larry Young Courtesy of George Heid
This morning we have some haunting Jazz organ originally from New Jersey, but reissued beautifully from the good folks over at Sticky Records in the UK. Larry Young Jr aka “The John Coltrane of the Organ” and Harold Martin originally released this floating 45 on an obscure NJ label London House Records out of Newark. Apparently this side was part of a concerto called Black Fantasy, although we have no other information if said concerto, master tapes, or anything even exists. If it does, it would be a major come up for some rare NJ organ Jazz.
Larry Young was an accomplished organist, and whether he was a band leader or sideman, made heads turn. He was known primarily for his side work with Grant Green on Verve and Blue Note, and Miles Davis on Bitches Brew. He had his starts on Prestige, and was a solid Jazz player. Young also released his own records, notably six Lps on Bluenote, which included the much applauded Unity record. Working with the aforementioned giants, he also played with John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana, as well as Lou Donaldson, Hank Mobley, and many more. Young died very prematurely at age 37 in 1978. It’s hard to say what kind of magic he would be working on these days if he was still alive. Suffice to say, this reissuing of the original early 70′s side with Harold Martin is a great discovery.
With a short run of only 400 being pressed, this is one side you may not want to let slip away. Sticky have been reissuing the best of Dub, Jazz, Sister Funk and more since 2005. It’s quite obvious these guys are serious about what they do, and they do it well. Reissued with permission by Harold Martin and Larry Young III (who owns a killer Jazz club in Newark, NJ), again, the lads at Sticky do it right. If some haunting organ Jazz is your bag, then this obscure Larry Young gem has your name written all over it.
This just in: someone finally made a poster for all us diggers, beat heads, collectors, and record nerds. Dave over at Rare Byrds out of Brooklyn has put together this gorgeous poster, which will be framed and on my wall before this post is up. Side A or Side B, you choose the Soul label. With the likes of King, Smash, Tico, Bang, Stax, Revue, Kent, Brunswick and many more, get this item before he sells out.
Creative Source was a short lived band out of Los Angeles, California. Comprised mostly of mostly unknown musicians, the band put out four Lps, 2 on the mighty Sussex label, and 2 on the equally big Polydor Records. Here’s their biggest hit, a cover of Bill Withers’ “Who Is He And What Is He To You” on Sussex Records from 1974.
Bill Withers, when he wasn’t assisting the whole of the country procreate with his music, was writing solid, Soul music. There is no way you can deny “Use Me” or “Just The Two Of Us” (among others). However, Creative Source took his song “Who Is He And What Is He To You” and elevated it to something else. Members Barbara Berryman, Barbara Lewis, Don Wyatt, Steve Ranagan, and Celeste Rose went the funky Disco route and hyped up this side. Although they would make the move from Sussex to Polydor after Migration, clearly a bigger record label, they didn’t find the success they wanted. In fact, after just two more records with not much promotion, Creative Source would be put back onto a dusty shelf. Even though they would reach the top fifth of the US R & B charts with several of the records, it seems like it’s the same old song and dance with the old record industry. No money, no promotion, and in a world where there was no social media let alone computers or Twitter, you actually had to rely on radio stations, A & R, and a record company to push a certain record or band. While they had a good run, Creative Source faded back into normal life as quickly as they came in.
Creative Source’s version of “Who Is He And What Is He To You” is something special. What I’m bringing to you today is the instrumental, which I think is the best version. The Lp version is well over 10 minutes long (imagine that playing on FM on a Saturday night), but the single version packs a punch too. A wah wah guitar, some fuzzed out guitars, plus some fantastic horn stabs will keep your head nodding (and the dance floor movin’) until the end of the night. They may have been a flash in the pan, but if Creative Source kept putting out belters like this, they might have had a little longer shelf life. In fact, this has Blaxploitation car chase written all over it. Black Dynamite, get on it will you? FYI, this band also did a great version of “Magic Carpet Ride” from the S/T first LP which I have included on a past FMF mix. Here’s to a funky MLK Day. Keep Diggin’!
Bristol, UK Selector Tim Partridge aka DJ Teepee has been holding down court with DJ Andy Smith with the Jam Up Twist series of nights around the UK, as well as his Bop & Soul night, spinning everything from Ska to Northern Soul to Jump Blues. FMF is happy to have Tee Pee in our Big Ups series, a veteran of the Bristol scene, and a guy with a very good taste in music.
Check out Tim when he and Andy educate the youngins at Bristol’s Jam Up Twist here .
Also check out Tim’s night at Cosies if you’re in the Bristol area.
After a short break for the New Year’s holiday, we’re back here at FMF. I’ve got a special treat for you. I did this mix at the end of 2011 for a special podcast, which should be out shortly on another site’s series, but since it’s the new year, I thought I would throw it up here to see what you guys think. I was particularly feeling some Soul 45′s that day, most of these records I haven’t used before on a mix (with the exception of a snippet of the the Willie Hobbs tune that was used on the first FMF mix ever in 2007, the Witches and the Warlock, and the Lee Williams I believe). If I’ve repeated some tunes, I apologize, but they are so good!
This mix is a tribute to all the lovers, the fighters, the heartbroken, the love struck, and those that still believe in this thing called love. Please enjoy and pass it on to a friend by spreading the love if you’re feeling this mix.
Lost Soul Track Listing
Shirley Brown – Love Is Built On A Strong Foundation/ abet
Willie Hobbs – My Goodness Yes/ Silver Fox
Brenton Wood – I Think You’ve Got Your Fool’s Mixed Up/ Double Shot
Unlimited Four – Walk Away Lover/ Chanson
The Gaslight – I’m Only A Man/ Grand Junction
Gloria Taylor – Loving you and Being Loved/ Silver Fox
The Ethics – There’ll Still Be A Sweet Tomorrow/ Vent
Sherry Pye – Gimme A Break/ Match
Thelma Jones – Souvenirs of a Heartbreak/ Barry!
The Ambers – Don’t Go/ Jean Althia Records Ltd.
Gene Burks – You Got It/ Calla
The Omystics – (I’m So) In Love With You/ Castle
Witches and the Warlock – Behind Locked Doors/ Sew City
James Carr – Love Attack/ Goldwax Records
Lou Courtney – What Do You Want Me To Do/ Rags
Ed Townsend – Don’t Lead Me On/ Tru-Glo-Town
The Charmetts – Breaking up Again/ Philomega
James & Bobby Purify – I Don’t Want To Have To Wait/ Bell Records
Lee Williams and the Cymbals – I Love You More/ Carnival Records
Sam & Bill – For Your Love/ Joda
In 2005, DJ Gu and Brother Tom decided to form their own record label. Gu, a DJ since age 12 had discovered that he loved rare Funk, Soul, and Jazz sometime in the mid 1990′s. His involvement with Urban Jazz Groove in Bremen, Germany (his hometown) put him on the international DJ circuit. One of his stops was in London, with Keb Darge and his Legendary Deep Funk night. Gu decided that in order to be more well recognized as a DJ (as well as a producer and composer), the two would start a record label. With intentions on bringing new and unheard Funk and Soul to the masses, Gu wrote a song, which was performed by the Leeds, UK band The New Mastersounds. The result, after a two hour studio session was a mobile recorded “Give Me A Minute Part 1″. The brothers describe the end result in their words: “… and all of a sudden we were on the train from Leeds to London with a very rough recording of The New Mastersounds on an old mobile.” Our Label Records was born.
“ When Our Label Records releases the Funk, I take note ”-Professor Groove, WEFUNK
Six years and six releases later, Our Label Records have absolutely made a name in the Funk world. Case in point: the first Osaka Monaurail 7″ and two exclusive Keb Darge productions sold out quickly. After a two year hiatus, Our Label Records is back, and they return with a new side: “ABX”, by Swiss multi-instrumentalist Sir Ali Bengali released in November, as well as four new releases slated for 2012. They have also parted ways with Unique Records who handled their distribution, to take over it themselves. This two year hiatus was used to get back to grassroots and will ensure that they will be able to oversee the whole operation, ensuring better international delivery and distribution and gain full control of the business. Their international artist roster so far has bands from the UK, Japan, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Canada, Italy and is growing.
Their stable of artists is very strong, the aforementioned Osaka Monaurail, The Magnificent Freedom (which is a great record btw), The Inmates, Wake and Bake!, as well as The New Mastersounds, and the addition of Sir Ali Bengali no doubt will raise eyebrows throughout the Funk and Soul community, if not the rest of the world. Our Label Records is another great example of a label that is putting out great music, even if it’s a bit under the radar. If you’re in the Funk and Soul community, most likely you have heard of these guys. I’ve featured releases on past FMF mixes, and they have gotten considerable airplay in the UK, Europe and Japan. If you’re not in the know, get familiar. It seems that the time out revamped the whole company, the philosophy, and expect to hear a lot from Our Label Records in 2012.
Jonathan Toubin and I have never met. We’ve been in the same circles, played the same clubs, and spun similar records. This past year we both had residencies at the Ace Hotel in NYC, Jonathan on Tuesday nights, me on Friday nights. He was a guy who I always said, “man we have to hook up and do a show, of course, all 45s”. It was one of those things that is on my list, but hasn’t happened yet. Even though we don’t know each other personally, we are brethren in the record sense, and he needs your help. In a complete and utter crazy event, while on tour in Portland, OR, Toubin was injured when a taxi crashed through his hotel room. A one in a million chance. Apparently the cab driver had a diabetic seizure, which caused the driver to lose control and plow through the first floor room Toubin was staying in. He was scheduled to play at the club Rotture on Thursday for the 5th Anniversary party I’ve Got a Hole In My Soul, and was listed in critical condition after the accident.
Tonight at the Motor City Bar & Home Sweet Home, they will hold benefits to help Jonathan and his medical bills. Here are the details:
HOME SWEET HOME
8PM – 9PM Ethan Miller
9PM – 10PM Andy Animal/Danny Goldshtein
11PM – 4AM Josh Styles/Billy & Miriam of NORTON RECORDS
There will also be a raffle for a bunch NORTON RECORDS merchandise!
$10 suggested donation! ALL MONEY GOING TO JONATHON!
——————
MOTOR CITY
10PM – 4AM Drew Redmond/Jerry Lee
Suzanne Rogaleski will be donating a private trapeze lesson to raffle winner!
Here is the Pay Pal e mail to donate to Jonathan directly.
Also, his booking agent released this message:
“Hi, this is Michelle, Jonathan Toubin’s friend and booking agent. If you are interested in organizing a benefit for Jonathan as I’ve been hearing a lot of people are, please direct your emails/ideas/ requests to this e mail address. We’ll be organizing benefits via that email account. Thanks for your support.”
We here at FMF are keeping Jonathan Toubin in our thoughts and wish him a speedy recovery.
