Friday, October 29, 2004

Primitive Sound System - Filet of Soul!

The People's Choice - "Let Me Do My Thing" (Phil-L.A. of Soul)
From the "People" who brought you "Big Leg Woman" comes another soulful groover with that distinct Phil-L.A. of Soul sound.

Mr. C & Funck Junction - "Hot Butter 'N All - Part 2" (Hurdy-Gurdy Records)
The first time I heard this I had to listen to it over and over. Slamming instrumental food song. Doesn't get any better than this for me both sides are delicious.

Frankie Newsome - "Don't Mess With My Lovemaker" (Part II) (Savern)
Every time I play this I get into it like it was the first time I ever heard it. Part II starts with a Cow bell heavy break beat that would sound great in a Stoner Rock tune. "No dontcha do it.." Tortured, soul/funk that sounds like it was recorded live to two track in his bedroom.

Joe Arnold, Davis Combo - "Ride The Wind" (instrumental) b/w "No Clouds In The Sky" (2 Spot Records) So not an instrumental.
I got this from Robert at Finyl Vinyl. I listened through a collection that had been "cherry picked." HAHA! Apparently this wan't good enough for the experts. I also got Bill Johnson's version of "You Got Soul" from this stack. "Ride The Wind" is not an instrumental as the label reads. Great scratchy vocal over a junk yard band ripping through some soulful grooves.

Little Willie Jones - "You're Welcome To Try" (VRC - Vernell Record Co. Newark, NJ) NEWARK, NJ in the hizzouse!

Freddie Scott - "Am I Grooving You" (Shout)
So this is not "You Got What I Need" but this is definitely is what the Doctor ordered. "Am I Grooving you, Am I Grooving you, Am I Grooving you? WHOA!" Screaming for confirmation and obviously going the extra mile to please.

James Carr - "To Love Somebody" (Goldwax Records)
The Bee Gees were undeniably one of the most soulful groups to come out of the British Invasion. "To Love Somebody" gets the James Carr treatment and even throws in a cool little break during each chorus pass. Exceptional and as good as Nina Simone's version.

Howard Tate - "Stop" (Verve Records)
Jerry Ragovoy and Howard Tate mede one of the greatest soul recordings of all time with Tate's "Get It While You Can" and the damn thing came out on Verve Records. At this point I think I have most of the 45s from the session plus the two versions of the LP and I still wish there were more tracks. Leave 'em wanting more. "Stop" is a great representation of how incredible the mood and feel of the LP is.

Betty Davis - "Shoorah Shoorah" (Alston) Written by the great Allen Toussaint
I first got a copy of this after hearing it on Mr. Fine Wine's show many many years ago. Since then I have burned through about 5 copies.

Jo Ann Garrett - "Can You Deal With That" (Duo Records) Written and Produced by Andre Williams.
The great Andre Williams teams up with Jo Ann Garrett on a soulfully funky romp of empowerment. Jo Ann tells it like it is whether you give a shit or not. She's not really asking as much as she is telling, "Deal With It."

Marlena Shaw - "California Soul" (Cadet)
This is a big production with a big voice. The 45 pins the meters on this one and rightfully so. Marlena Shaw belts out Gerald Wilson's groovy lounge track of the funkiest backing track the tune has ever experienced. Ms. Shaw has so many great cuts in her catalog it would be hard pressed to choose one but this is as good as it gets and she gets it quite often.

Mr. D. & The Highlights - "Nose Full of White" JAS Records)
Instrumental ode to yeyo! OK, maybe Mr. D was a lifeguard. Whatever the reason for this organ driven instrumental I am glad I have a copy. This cut almost made it to "Vital Organs." It may have only been cut from the track listing last minute if I remember right. Both sides are great but I can't say no to an instrumental.


The T-K-O's with Hank Jacobs at the Organ - "The Charge" (Ten Star)
I have a few Hank Jacobs' 45s and this one is killer. The T.K.Os do a fine job on their own on the flip with "Can You Dig It" but "The Charge" really brings it home.

The Packers - "Soul Time, Part 1 & 2" (Tangerine Records)

Leon & The Burners - "Whiplash" (Josie)
Honey got me this one

Booker T. & The MG's - "Red Beans and Rice" (Stax)

Toussaint McCall - "Shimmy" (Ronn Records)

The T.S.U. Tornadoes - "Getting The Corners" (Atlantic)

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Primitive Sound System - Tuesday Night Mix Tape at Maxwell's!

Hello Y'all,
Not really sure what the connection is between the songs below considering I pulled them 2 weeks ago. Seems to be singers and their songs. That is a good thing considering This Tuesday Maxwell's back room will be host to Laura Veirs. I know there must be some great stuff amongst the over 150 singles I have packed up as well. I promise it will be good.

- pat.

http://www.primitivesoundsystem.org

Featuring - Primitive Sound System and the food stylings of el Diablo
Every Tuesday
Maxwell's
(maxwellsnj.com)
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

The LP Box:
The Monkees - "Porpoise Song" From the Original Motion Picture Sound Track "Head" (Colgems)
The Monkees have always seemed more a part of my life than the Beatles. As I got older and experienced "Head" it became clear that there was a connection artistically with these four far beyond my love of "Goin' Down," one of the most maniac songs ever recorded. "Porpoise Song" is the soft trip leading into one of the most Dada celluloid releases ever. Exquisite and entertaining.

The Stars Come Out on Sesame Street - "Nasty Dan" (Children's Television Workshop)
Johnny Cash with Oscar The Grouch - Normally this would be a candidate for the "Need I say more" but I feel compelled to say how much I love this duo. Oscar should have cut a full album with The Man in Black. Maybe call it "The Man In Trash." This whole album is great but the standouts are Johnny Cash, The Pointer Singers, Ray Charles, Madeline Kahn and Jose Feliciano.

The Beach Boys - "Fall Breaks and Back to Winter (W. Woodpecker Symphony)" (Brother Records)
Call me crazy but does it seem like most people ignore the existence of this record? "Good Vibrations," "Heroes and Villains," "Vegetables," etc, etc... "Smile" isn't that much different. The Beach Boys went from surfer boys to drug addled adults during Pet Sounds and by these recordings they went beyond. The cover's simple primitivism is better than the happy neighborhood of "Smile" as well. This may be considered a mish-mash but considering "Smile" never saw the light of day in the late 60's it is way better than any rerecorded Anniversary Edition could ever be. (The four LP legit/bootleg is pretty great but not the easiest listen)

Warren Zevon - "Wanted Dead or Alive" From the LP of the same name. (Imperial Records)
When Warren Zevon passed away this was the first record of his I listened to. Some would consider this a lesser album but I won't even talk to those people. If I am ever on the run from the law, or just want to add a soundtrack to such a scenario this is one of the songs on the short list that come to mind.

The Flying Burrito Bros - "Hot Burrito #2" (A&M Records)
Another amazing band that has been discussed to the point of boredom. Thank god the music is so fucking good that it will never get boring, ever. So shut up! No one cares how the Burritto's changed your life and were the inspiration for starting your alt country band. It's a given. Hey, is "Exile on Main Street" your favorite Stones LP as well, imagine that. This is great music it will touch anyone who hears it.

Tony Joe White - "Woman With Soul" - from "...continued" (Monument)
One of the most soulful voice to play Rock-N-Roll. Tony Joe White gracefully connects Sehorn's Farm to Stax and he could sing the Blues too. Best known for "Rainy Night In Georgia" (included on this LP) Tony Joe could get down dirty and meaner than most.

New stuff:
Reverend Charlie Jackson - "God's Got It!" The Legendary Booker Singles (Crypt Records)
Punk/Garage label Crypt puts out one of the best Gospel releases I have heard in years, go figure.

Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - Grow Fins Volume III (Xeric/Table of Elements)
The third (and final volume on vinyl) in the most incredible Beefheart compilation ever (no disrespect for Rhino's Riding Some Kind Of Unusual Skull Sleigh - $500, but it is CD only). I actually have the CD box of Grow Finds which comes with some great film footage.