The fourth installment of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions went down this past Friday night and once again it was one helluva time. A lot of heat was dropped, with newcomer DJ Devil Dick and returning guest Cool Hands Luke having a strong showing. They both brought some great records that were appreciated by the people who were in the audience listening as well as the group of resident DJs. I enjoyed playing a Soul heavy set late, and definitely enjoyed the visuals courtesy of Cool Hands Luke and Dave the Spazz’s “Spazz TV”. Devil Dick opened up with a hearty helping of Soul and some Deep Funk records that made some jaws drop and run to the turntables. Jack the Ripper really stole the show early, DJing in a bondage mask and being lead in by a leggy young lady, ultimately to rip his outfit off with a knife while simaltaniously gyrating to a cover of Led Zepplin’s “Moby Dick”. How could anyone follow that? Well, Connie T. Empress did and brought her signature Empire State Soul to Asbury Park, finishing her set off by dancing on the monitor. M.Fasis was up next and paid tribute to our nations birthday through records. From Rock to Soul to really great drum breaks, Lady Liberty would have been really proud. Funky 16 Corners himself was nothing less than spectacular, dropping his signature heavy Funk, and ending up with the original version of “Louie Louie”. Cool Hands Luke had the spotlight for the night and dropped some great Soul and a healthy portion of breaks, at one point working two copies of “Cramp Your Style” (to the groans of one DJ Bluewater screaming: “Is that the original Blue Candle copy…? NOOOOOOOOO!) and every other break you can think of. DJ Prime threw out some breaks and even some Spoonie G to the mesmerized crowd who stuck around to close up the bar. All in all, it was a great night. Good People, Good Music, Good Times. Thank You to all who were involved in the night.

Fast forward to Saturday morning, Cool Hands Luke and I are digging at the spot, where I incited a riot at the table after I purchased a very large collection of Northern Soul, Funk, and other 45s before a certain dealer (Stinkie Steve) got there. These records were exclusively for me, and since I left the guy scraps, he launched into a tirade (which I only heard about) that confirmed, if anyone ever had a doubt, that the man is certifiably crazy. At one point, and this is hearsay from a witness, he said that people who aren’t dealers are beneath the dealers and we aren’t worth getting the good records. My guy stuck up for me, and basically told him off, then walked away. Steve then proceeded to yell at a stool when no one was there for ten minutes. I wish I could have caught the audio, which I will try to do next time, because I heard it was one of the all time tirades at the digging spot. People were actually moving away from the guy before he snapped and went further off the deep end. I scored a lot of good records, but so far out of the ones I have sat down and listened to, I am digging Honey and the Bees “Why Do You Hurt the One That Loves You” on Arctic records. A lot more to come. Check over at Funky 16 Corners for everyone’s set lists.

Yours Truly DJ Prestige

Here’s my set from 07.06.07

Thomas East – Funky Music Part 1/ MGM
The Inner Drive – Smell the Funk/ Zodiac
Little Hooks w/ Ray Nato and the Kings – Give the Drummer Some More/ Enjay
Lee Moses – Time and Place/ Front Page
General Crook – Gimme Some Part 1/ Down To Earth
Johnny Hammond – Shifting Gears/ Milestone
400 Years of What – Get Down People (Undercover Brother Edit)/ Dope Brother
Moonlion – Laid Back/P.I.P
Binky Griptite & the Mellowmatics – Mellowmatic Mood/ Daptone
Magnificent Freedom – Fuck Off and Leave Me Alone/ Our Label
Jerry O – Soul Lover/ White Whale
The Persuaders – Love Gonna Pack Up (and Walk Out)/ Win or Lose
Pamoja – Oooh Baby/ Lotus Land
Thelma Jones – Souvenirs of a Heartbreak/ Barry!
Roy “C” – Got to Get Enough (of Your Sweet Love)/ Alaga
Billy Sha-Rae – Do It/ Spectrum
Mike & the Censations – Don’t Mess with Me/ Highland
Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto – In the Basement/ Cadet
Don Gardner – My Baby Likes to Boogaloo/ Tru-Glo-Town
Johnny Griffith, Inc. – Grand Central Shuttle
The Harvey Averne Band – Stand/ Fania
The First Edition – Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)/ Reprise
Sharon Jones – I Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Is In/ Daptone
Monica – I Don’t Know Nothing Else To Tell You But I Love You/ Toxsan
Menham Street Band – Make the Road By Walking/ Dunham

Devil Dick

Jack the Ripper, Showman of Asbury Lanes with Master Heather

Connie T. Empress dancing again!

M.Fasis gave a tribute to America with 45 Records

Funky 16 Corners Larry Grogan shimmies with his “Iron Leg”

Cool Hands Luke repping Brooklyn to the fullest

DJ Prime feelin’ it.