This week’s Big Ups takes us to the Left Coast with DJ Platurn. The 45 Sessions and Oakland Faders DJ and producer has been rocking the Bay Area for more than a minute. It is our pleasure to have him in this installment of the Big Ups series.
Check out more information about DJ Platurn on his site.
A decade old mix Flea Market Treats by Spair and DJ Platurn that still bangs!
Keep Diggin’!
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.
Click here to enlarge the graphic.
Keep Diggin’!
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
Download or Listen to The 10 for a $1 JB 45 Mix mixed by DJ Prestige
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.
Keep Diggin’!
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!
Jazzman Records on the web.
TheJazzman Gerald Blog. See what he’s up to.
Follow Jazzman on twitter.
Keep Diggin’!
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.
You can purchase this item here.
13″ x 9″ and printed on matte paper, this thing is begging to be put over your turntables. Viva la Soul!
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.
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
Download or Listen to FMF presents Lost Soul: Forgotten Soul 45′s Mixed By DJ Prestige
Keep Diggin’!
Hot Damn ho here we go again! If you thought that the Hot Peas and Butta Crew were just about spinning records (and dropping heat), well you are partially right. If you have been following them around the world, you may have heard of a little documentary project called Wheedle’s Groove, documenting the Seattle Funk and Soul scene in the 60′s and 70′s. Chief Rocker Supreme La Rock has put his heart and soul into this project, and along with Light In The Attic Records (who continue to be one of the best record labels around) have come up with a limited edition, all vinyl box set of the music. It’s one of the nicest, put together packages I have seen in a while. Here’s what you get:
* Only 2,000 hand-numbered copies worldwide
* Ten 45rpm singles featuring original label art and housed in a gorgeous custom made magnetic flip-top box
* 96 page book with new liner notes interviewing the musicians and key players, unseen photos, endless ephemera, replica Seattle SuperSonics trading card, countless photos, and loads of other archival gems
* CD of “lost” Robbie Hill’s Family Affair session, circa 1975
* Meticulously remastered
* Free Download Card for all songs
What’s even better, is that there is a release party on 12/13 with Supreme La Rock blessing the 1′s and 2′s lovely.
Tuesday 12/13
The Crocodile & Light In The Attic presents:
Wheedle’s Groove 45s Box Set Record Release Party
w/ DJ Supreme La Rock spinning all 45′s!
Artists in attendance signing autographs!
8pm / Free / 21+
at Crocodile Cafe (in Back Bar)
2200 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
This is what I call a good time. If you’re in the 206, you better be there. Keep Diggin’!
Here’s a bonus mix from Supreme La Rock courtesy of Hot Peas and Butta: Grab it!
Keep Diggin’!
Nydia Ines aka The Honeydripper has been an NYC 45 staple for a minute. I remember sharing the booth with her back in the hey day of The Lucky Cat when The Budos Bad would pack the small club and all 45 DJs would drop gems to sweaty dancers dancing until the wee hours. We’re happy to have her here in Big Ups, and if you see her playing in your town, make sure you don’t miss it because she packs heat!
Check her out at the The Daptone 10th Anniversary Party this December.
For all you Finland Funk and Soul heads, she will be DJing in Helsinki on Christmas Day along the Soul Sides Crew.
Here’s a few mixes The Honeydripper has out, they’re FREE!
Guest Spot on A Downtown Affair
Keep Diggin!
This Monday we are traveling to the Windy City, Chicago, mecca of Soul, Jazz and the Blues, deep dish pizza, and Wrigley Field among others to get some. The some I’m referring to today is gritty Funk, courtesy of General Crook on Down To Earth Records. Check out the General with “Gimme Some” (Part 1) from 1970.
Born in Mississippi in 1945, General Columbus Crook Jr. made his way to Chicago in his late teens. It was in Chi-Town that the General befriended another Mississippi transplant Burgess Gardner. Gardner gave Crook a shot at the lead singer of his Soul Crusaders Orchestra, a group based out of Chicago. For a few years Crook and company played shows in clubs and dance halls throughout the area. However, in 1969, the General got his big shot to go out as a solo artist with a contract with Capitol Records. The result was less than stellar, resulting in two obscure 45′s: “In the Warmth of These Arms” and “When Love Leaves You Crying”, both basically flops. It was no surprise that Capitol dropped General Crook. Down but not out, he would go on to sign with Down To Earth Records, run by the brother duo of Burgess and Walter Gardner. He released four sides on DTE, including this side, but would eventually part ways with the Gardner brothers. Four years later the General was back at Scepter, and released a S/T debut full length of Wand. Taking direction from no one but himself (and the fall out over direction with the Gardner brothers long gone), Crook put out a fantastic funky Soul piece, including ballads, pure Funk, and a Marvin Gaye cover, all which was unfortunately lost in obscurity despite his great effort. Releasing a single here and there in the future, Crook focused primarily on production duties in the years to come.
A solid piece of Funk on 7″, and clearly a nod to James Brown (via Archie Bell and the Drells), complete with drummer, bass, and guitar shout outs, General Crook hoots and howls his way thorough out this 2:49 of heat. Backed by the Soul Crusaders Orchestra, both parts of this side really groove. Part II is the instrumental to the track (without the General), so in essence it’s just the Soul Crusaders Orchestra, with just one hook and some goofy General Crook mouth noises thrown in (IMHO ruins it). The Genera asks: “What do you want me to give you baby?” at the end, and my reply is a clean instrumental. A great record over all, and another great Funk and Soul artist who was on the cusp but didn’t make it big. Keep Diggin’!
Download or Listen to General Crook – Gimme Some (Part 1) from the Down To Earth 45
Today we visit the Pacific Northwest by way of Calgary Alberta, Canada. It’s a well know fact that this area has put out some great music. A little known band called Nirvana, some guitar player named Jimi, Sir Mixalot, who brought his posse on Broadway with SWASS, one of the Kings of Diggin’ Supreme La Rock, and now in 2011: Polyrhythmics. It must be something in the water, because this eight piece outfit out of the Emerald City is on repeat at the moment. Don’t just take my word for it. Their first Ep, Indy received a massive amount of regional airplay, as well as propelling them through the festival and Rock club circuit of the Left Coast. Influenced by the greats of yesterday: James Brown and Fela Kuti, as well as modern giants such as the Budos Band and the Whitfield Brothers, Polyrhytmics are making their mark with own dance floor Afro Funk and Soul dubbed “Worldbeat Music”. Their well received full length, Labador, released in June 2011, has given birth to their first 45 release on Calgary’s Kept Records.
“The Imposter”, point blank, is a great side. Drawing from Afro Beat like Fela, (the horns, the percussion, organ and guitar), but injecting their own style to the side with a tinge of blaxploitation car chase guitar and a smoth bass line, this side is also the definition of funky. While the new Afro Beat movement was lead by bands like Antibalas and the Budos, in 2011, the new kid on the block is Polyrhythmics. There is always room for a band like this who pay tribute to the artist as well as the sound. With an “all live” in one room recording process, they not only keep it real but keep it fresh as well. Papa has got a brand new Afro Beat bag, and it’s name is Polyrhythmics. My bet is they will be opening their bag as they execute their “occupy dance floors movement” in a venue near you.
Buy the 45 from Kept out on 11.11.11 here.
Follow the Polyrhythmics on Twitter.
Keep Diggin’!
So I finally got off my ass and put together an all 7″ Reggae mix. I have been stockpiling these records for such an occasion, and here are 15 to start. I did this mix in one take, so it’s live and has a live feel (cracks, pops, one lickle skip) and added a few drops from Bob, Daddy Rodigan and the tour guide we had when we stayed in Jamiaca. Her shout of “To the wooooooorrrld” was something I always wanted to use. I’m glad I got the chance to do it. For the most part, this mix has a lot of Rocksteady throughout, with a few Roots cuts and a small amount of Dub. The Johnny Jones side I had to research because the entire name on both sides of the label was blacked out, so if I’m off on that one (I was off when I reviewed the white label “Cool Operator” side) someone give me a shout. Leave it to those Reggae dudes to hide their records in their sound system. At any rate, I’m hoping you enjoy this side, all these records are original Jamaican sides with the exception of a few UK Pressings and the Steady side out of NYC, many are hand stamped and all found in the field. Sometimes you gotta have some Reggae your way, all on 7″. Enjoy. Bonus label scans at the bottom of the page.
What The World Wants Is Reggae: Seven Inch Selections Track List
Jah Grundy – Shaolin Disciples/ Belmont Records
Leroy and Rocky – Love Me Girl/ Coxsone Records
Eddie Lovette – Together/ Steady Records
The Gaytones – Build Up (Version)/ High Note
Sugar Minott – Vanity Pt. 1/ Studio 1
Delroy Wilson – Cool Operator/ White Label JA
King Tubby & The Aggrovators – Straight To Andy’s Head/ Jackpot
Johhny Jones – More Dub/ Gibbs Record Globe (Artist Name Scratched Out on Label)?
Val Bennett – Blow Mr. Horn’s Man Blow/ Roots from the Yard
Robert French – Give Me Your Love/ Mister Tipsy
The Revolutionarys – Rig-Ma-Roe Dubwise/ High Note
Tony Tuff – Run Come Come/ Scorcher
Marcia Griffiths – Peaceful Woman/ High Note
Dennis Brown – Money In My Pocket/ Lightning Records
Harry J. All Stars – The Liquidator/ Harry J
Listen to What The World Wants Is Reggae: Seven Inch Selections from my Mixcloud page. Enjoy. If you want to download the mix, use this.
Label Scans:
Keep Diggin’!
Electric Cowbell has another batch of 45′s ready to go. The Brooklyn Boutique label is hot off of it’s 101 Things To Do in Bongolia, a retrospect of it’s first singles from 2010-2011. Well received all around, the label has been called “the hardest working new label in Brooklyn” by the Village Voice and this latest group of 7″ releases backs that up. In the upcoming weeks, releases from Karthala 72, No! BS Brass Band, Sway Machinery, OS Magrelos, Little Shalimar, Cheick Diabate, and the band featured today: Debo Band. They will be available in limited runs of 45s on quality vinyl as of October 11th.
“ Electric Cowbell Records is a Brooklyn-based record label started by Jim Thomson that releases vinyl 45 records with no genre-specific agenda. ”
Here’s what the label had to say about the first release, “Debo Band – Gedawo (Kiddid Gedawo Remix)
“Debo Band returns to the Electric Cowbell roster with another hit out of the park! “Gedawo” is an Ethio-funk classic by the great singer Ayalew Mesfin who recorded several hits in the 1970s. 
Recorded live in Ethiopia, this version features the background vocals, clapping, and traditional drumming of the group Fendika, Debo’s vibrant collaborators from Addis Ababa. A perfect vehicle for charismatic Debo-frontman Bruck Tesfaye, Gedawo is a rousing dance anthem performed by a contemporary 15-piece funk powerhouse. In stark contrast, Kiddid’s B-side “Gedubwo Mix” swaps drum kit and sousaphone for drum machine and square-wave, flipping the tune on its head into digi-dub territory. A chugging Tubby-esque take on the raucous original. Comes in medium weight 7″ brown paper sleeve with full-color vintage postage stamp sticker of the group on the sleeve.” These releases are a great example of what we like here at Flea Market Funk: quality music (and quality remixes) brought to you by people who believe in the music, and aren’t just doing it to make the money. Check out this release below:
Dowmload it for FREE while it’s up here.
Electric Cowbell Records Fall/Winter Catalog
Check out Electric Cowbell Records on the web.
The Electric Cowbell Facebook page.
Follow Electric Cowbell on Twitter.
Keep Diggin’!
Supreme La Rock has been one of the premier DJ’s/Diggers/Record Collectors for as long as I can remember. It’s an honor and a pleasure to have him in the Big Ups series. ‘Preme has been down since day one and has the resume to prove it. Check out what’s up in the world of Supreme La Rock in the links below.
Check out Supreme La Rock’s blog.
Follow Supreme La Rock on Twitter.
Check out Supreme La Rock’s website.
Listen or Download Supreme La Rock’s Flea Market Funk all 45 Guest Mix
Many Thanks ‘Preme!
Terry Cole is a hardworking man. The Ohio Funk and Soul record label head honcho has been busy making and recording music the way it was in the late 60′s and early 70′s. With a roster of talent that includes The Jive Turkeys, Monophonics, Los Suspechos, Dojo Cuts, Ikebe Shakedown, Third Coast Kings, and Othello & DJ Vajra among others, this Midwest label is making a splash worldwide. Big Ups to Terry Cole and company for keeping this kind of music alive.
Check out Colemine Records here.
Buy Colemine music from the Colemine online store.
Photos Courtesy of Soul Treasures
I remember getting a call from Prime Mundo a few years back. Apparently, this dude who was always buying up what I didn’t buy at the Spot was opening up his garage to buyers in some retirement village in Jersey. He had a huge garage filled with 45′s and Lps pretty much untouched. I jumped at the chance. I remember the both of us digging from 8:30 AM until about 1 PM, before the guy priced everything out for us. We scored Funk, Soul, and some serious Reggae joints. Unfortunately, we only got to dig through the 45′s, and the 15 foot walls covered with shelves full of Lps would have to wait. I know PM has seen him and asked, but the guy always refuses. I’m hoping that I can get back down there over the Winter sometime to do another dig. Fingers crossed. This is one of the records I dug up that day: Marvin L. Sims and “Talkin’ ‘Bout Soul” on Revue Records.
Born in 1944 in Sedalia, Missouri, Sims got into the music business after his stint in the Air Force which ended in 1965 in groups like the Valentinos and the Gaypoppers. He went solo in 1966 and released a string of sides. There were three on Mellow: “Have You Seen My Baby”, “Disillusioned”, “Now I’m In Love with You”, two on Revue, including this side we have here today: “Danger”, “It’s Your Love” on Uni, “Dream A Dream”, “Love Is No Sin”, “It’s Too Late” on Mercury, “Sweet Thang” on Karen, and “Love Is On the Way” on Rivertown. There sides were released up until around 1973. In 1998, after a 25 year absence in the music business, he released the CD Heart Talk on Rivertown. This side, “Talkin’ ‘Bout Soul”, was on the Revue label. Revue was a subsidiary of MCA, and operated out of Hollywood, CA. The label itself was in operation from 1966 to 1969, where they released primarily Black music from all over the country. If an artist did well on Revue, they were transferred over to Uni to release full length records. Revue had a roster that included Marvin Holmes and the Uptights, David T. Walker, The Chi-Lites, Eddie & Ernie, and Garland Green among others.
Coming in strong with the horns, this upbeat dance floor stomper has Sims preaching from the pulpit throughout. While going through a list of Soul greats and urging you to feel the Soul through your body, (and also breaking into an impromptu Sam and Dave lyric), Sims was a favorite in the Northeren Soul scene with these kinds of records. His other side on Revue, “Get Off My Back”, while not quite as upbeat, is also horn heavy and weaves another break up tale we’ve heard all too many times. Definitely a good side if you can pick it up. So, Monday morning has some Soul, and so does Marvin L. Sims. Keep Diggin’!
Download or Listen to Marvin L. Sims – Talkin’ ‘Bout Soul from the Revue 45
