Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Primitive Sound System - Maxwell's Tuesday 02-22; DC's Thursday and Saturday 02-24 and 26th

This could possibly be the longest email you will ever get from me but there are 3 events this week alone. - pat.

Maxwell's Tuesday February 22nd 9PM - 2AM
There are so many things going on this week that my head is spinning a bit. Tuesday February 22nd at 9PM I'll be a Maxwell's for another Mixed Tape session. I originally settled on this name hoping I was going to be able to record some of these nights on my MiniDisc recorder but the drummer in me isn't able to figure out the reason I am getting unlistenable low volume to the recorder. This week's session will span 55 years of musical genre jumping.

Primitive Sound System and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM)
Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

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DC's Tavern Thursday February 24th 10PM - 2AM
Matt "Mr. Fine Wine" Weingarden," Greg "Solid Hit Soul" Tormo and Pat. James Longo aka "Primitive Sound System" will be spinning slab of soul after slab of soul past and present. This is another great installment of DC's Tavern Thursday Night Music and Alcohol Appreciation Series. That's right every Thursday night DC's features music spun by local DJ's as well as some folks who may know a whole lot about music but never even dreamed of spinning records. "Drop by for the music but stay for the drinks." As always if you're drinking don't drive; if you're driving don't drink.

DC's Tavern Saturday Record Swap Winter Wing Ding - Saturday February 26th 1/2PM - 7/8PM
Well at DC's Tavern we just don't ever see a reason to not flare up the grill. Saturday February 26th will be our winter swap aka "The Winter Wing Ding." This time around there will be no bands, just records and wings. Some people claim to get cabin fever in the winter or depression from the earlier than usual darkness. At DC's Tavern we look for reasons to stay out of the light with plenty of alcohol, good music and the pleasant company of friends at least until they have had one too many of those drinks. The swaps are one of the few days we shut down Michael's iPod (the jukebox) and cover the pool table but of course this is for the noblest cause of all... the amicable exchange of vinyl recordings (styrene or shellac is also allowed). Rumor has it that Carolynn Spence will be handling the fryer duties. Hello, this is one of the chef's at NYC much ballyhooed Spotted Pig! "We are NOT worthy!" OK, so I think you all get the picture. Bring a box to sell or trade. Bring a friend. Bring something edible (if you are capable). Bring money for alcohol. Remember, if you're drinking don't drive, if you're driving don't drink and always tip your bartenders. (Jersey still smokes.)
To see the poster for the event --> http://www.primitivesoundsystem.org/images/posters/dcs_tavern/wing_ding.gif

Saturday February 26th - 1/2PM - 8PM
DC's Tavern
"Back In Back"
505 8th Street (Between Jefferson and Madison)
Hoboken NJ
For More Info:
phone: 201-792-5550
email: dcs@dcstavern.com

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SOME MUSIC I'LL BE BRINGING ALONG:

Tuesday's Picks:
Barrett Strong - "Money (That's What I Want)" (Anna Records cat. 1111 (54027-G1))

Nappy Brown with Teacho Wiltshire's Orchestra - "My Baby" (Savoy Records cat. 45-1551 (45-SNB-614848))

Don and Dewey - "Justine" b/w "Bim Bam" (Specialty cat. 631)

The Rolling Stones - "Honky Tonk Women" b/w "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (ABKCO Record Company / London cat. 45-910)

The Zombies - "Time Of The Season" (date cat. 2-1628 (ZSP 139169))

The Strangeloves - "Cara-Lin" (Bang Records cat. W-10017))

Devo (De-Evolution - Q: Are We Not Men ?) - "Mongoloid" b/w "Jocko Homo" (Booji Boy Records cat. 7033-14)

Joe Jackson Band - "Out Of Style" (A&M Records cat. AMS 7536)

The Raunch Hands - "Ford" (Whap-A-Dang Records)

Girl Trouble - "Work That Crowd!" (Empty Records cat. MT-184)

Africa - "Widow" (Ode cat. )

Michael Olatunji - "Soul Makossa - PT. 1" (Paramount Records cat. PAA-0222)

Carol Kaye / Earl Hooker - "Bass Catch" b/w "Two Bugs In A Rug" (Disque D'Or cat. D747)

James Taylor & The New Mastersounds - "Foxy Lady" b/w "Fire" (Blow It Hard Records cat. BIH006)

Thursday's Picks:
I figured my try to go head to head with two of the finest soul DJ's around so I am bringing Soul Nueva.

The Quantic Soul Orchestra - "Babarabatiri" (Tru Thoughts Recording cat. TRU7 055)
The Quantic Soul Orchestra is basically Will Holland getting down as raw and dirty as anyone before him. The sound is beautifully authentic and the original tunes could only be described in the truest sense of a Webster's Dictionary redundant definition...original. His version of "Babarabatiri" explodes out of the grooves combining the comical aspect of early mambo with a tight funk groove. Somewhere Beny Moré and Perez Prado are smiling in appreciation. The Quantic Soul Orchestra LP "Stampede" is a perfect LP and should be owned by anyone claiming to like Soul/Funk.

The Baker Brothers - "All Baked Out" (Peddler cat. PDLR001)
Damn I can't get enough of The Baker Brothers. Adding Modern/Acid Jazz touches to their 70's funk sound has them standing just left of center of the other progenitors of late 60's early 70's funk. "All Baked Out" is no exception. The Brothers push snapping drums, stylish guitar and searing sax to its limit on this mid tempo head bobber. The recording quality on The Baker Brothers material is a real pleasure. Talented mothers if there ever was.

The Whitefield Brothers - "In The Raw" (Soul Fire Records cat. SF-018-A)
OK, most people would disagree with me but The Whitefield Brothers are better than Poets Of Rhythm any day. The Poets can be a little too slick for my liking and it too often "wimps" up their groove. The Whitefield Brothers on the other hand brought to Soul Fire what Philip Lehman had always been searching for; raw, slamming heartfelt late 60's Soul/Funk. These guys not only had the chops but they brought real composition to the New Funk scene. Most of the young lions were satisfied with imitating a beat from the past and laying down a pedestrian melody or groove which sorely trailed behind. The jazzier than the rest Sugarman 3 was one of the first band to school the scene but The Whitefields were the first Funk outfit to show them how to do it. Other than The Bamboos "Eel Oil" I have yet to hear an equal to the appropriately titled "In The Raw."

The Other Side - "Diggin' In The Yard" (Desco cat. DS-1003)
The Other Side was one of Philip Lehman's first forays into the world of New Funk. Philip was so set on making people believe these tracks were old unknown or unreleased tracks that he would out and out lie in every conversation we had to the point where it became comical. Like all musicians, Philip was proud of his drumming and every now and again would slip and say so. I don't believe it is Lehman on drums on the Other Side. The Other Side takes some parts of the JB's and some parts of early Kool and The Gang and come out sounding pretty tasty and unique. "Diggin' In The Yard" sounds just as good today as it did when I first heard it sometime in the 90's. Pumping organ, smooth bass, ensemble horn lines, steady drumming and a wonderful trombone solo keep this cut just diggin' in any yard.

Calypso King & The Soul Investigators - "C'Mon Boot-It!" (Jive (Recorded in glorious Mono)
WEEEEE! This, another mid-tempo stormer, comes out of Finland. Calypso King? OK, if you say say. This is hard as nails funk and it is played so beautifully it should be included on any list of top Funk 45's. Organ, very distinctive guitar and badass drums hold this little gem together as it moves through a few different parts and solos. As a note the A-Side "Investigators Testifying" is a not so surprisingly fast tempo dance floor mover but followed by the very surprising untitled very short free jazz noise piece. This short piece was enough for me to know that these guys would be putting out some great music in the future. Of course they went on to form Timmion Records and have released some of the best 45s and LPs in the past 6 years or so.

Saturday' Picks:
Pickin' The Bone!

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Primitive Sound System - Maxwell's - Tuesday Feb 15th!

Hello Y'all,
This week I'll be paying tribute to Jimmy Smith and Tyrone Davis. Both these soulful greats recently passed away. Jimmy Smith was my entrée into the world of Organ Jazz. Organ based Jazz was not very prominent before Smith but the sound of Jazz was soon changed forever by him. He also set the standards and practically wrote the book on the sound of Jazz organ. Over a 3 day period in February of 1957 Smith recorded hours of music which proved the validity of the organ as a true Jazz instrument. Mosaic Records compiled the entire session on "The Complete February 1957 Jimmy Smith Blue Note Sessions" and is as inspiring as it is entertaining. Smith continued to record and perform practically to his last day. Tyrone Davis had an immediately recognizable voice and style. The majority of his career was spent on Dakar/Brunswick Records one of Americas true Independent label gems and bona fide success story. The sharp dressed Mr. Davis seemed most at home with mid-tempo grooves wrapped in warm, smart productions and stories about chasing women. Both of these greats will be missed but we are all lucky that they once walked among us.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM)

Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

More gigs and dates...
Thursday February 24th - DC's Tavern Thursday Night Music and Alcohol Appreciation Series. This Thursday features Matt "Mr. Fine Wine" Weingarden, Greg "Solid Soul" Tormo and Pat. "Primitive Sound System" Longo for a night of all things Soul.

DC's Tavern
505 8th Street Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
URL: http://www.dcstavern.com

AND DON"T FORGET...

DC's Tavern Saturday Record Swap Winter Wing Ding - Saturday February 26th from 1PM - 7-8PM - DC's Tavern 505 8th Street Hoboken, New Jersey - PH: 201-792-5550 URL: http://www.dcstavern.com

THE MUSIC:

Jimmy Smith:
Jimmy Smith At The Organ - Volume 2 (Blue Note cat. BST 81552)
"The Duel" starts off with very churchlike organ but played double time. Blakey's machine like drumming is tiring to listen to even after few minutes. These gentleman are setting an inhuman pace. Smith is the first to break form and hints at the otherworldly sounds to soon follow. Smith's left and right hands are seemingly governed by separate brains. Sounds bounce, ricochet and at times do not sound like they are produced by a B3. Blakey solos but never lets up the machine driven hats. Rolls and strokes are produced by what sounds like a second drummer. Smith returns to add more sounds that could be mistaken for manipulated tape loops. Blakey finishes is solo among Smith's free jamming and then ends the trip with a very traditional run and roll. Amazing, I am not sure if the patrons of Maxwell's would even tolerate it. We'll see how the night goes.

House Party (Blue Note BST 84002)

The Sermon! (Blue Note cat. BST 84011)
"The Sermon Part 1 and 2" (Blue Note cat. 45-1879)

Home Cookin' (Blue Note cat. BST 84050)

Back At The Chicken Shack (Blue Note cat. ST-84117)
"Back At The Chicken Shack Part 1 and 2" (Blue Note cat. 45-1877)

"Prayer Meetin' Part 1 and 2" (Blue Note cat. 451909)
We are definitely in for some religion here. this is the kind of preaching I am always up for, wailing sax over a stroll groove. Stanley Turrentine tells it like it as and the band is steady as can be. Preach Brother Preach!


"Bucket" - Stereo Littlle LP (Blue Note cat. L4235)
"Bucket" and "Sassy Mae"

"Got My Mojo Working Part 1 and 2" (Verve - Sounds Of Fame cat. VK-147 (65-VK-630)

"The Cat" Arranged and Conducted by Lalo Schifrin (Verve cat.VK-10330 (64-VK-343))

Monster - The Incredible Jimmy Smith Arranged and Conducted By Oliver Nelson (Verve cat. V-8618)

"Groove Drops" (Verve cat. VK-10652 (106,623)
Nothing improved the sound of late 60's early 70's Organ Jazz more than the drumming innovations that came out of New Orleans and the drummers of The James Brown bands. "Groove Drops" foreshadows what was to come on the AMAZING "Root Down" LP with the drums having equal billing as Smith's stylish funky organ. Jimmy gives space and lets the beat be heard throughout "Groove Drops." This was not exactly a common recording quality in Jazz as late as the mid 60's. Even when drummers were the leader on the date the drums took a backseat as not to overwhelm the other players. Here the Orchestral backing and heavy drums give the track a very soundtrack.

Root Down - Jimmy Smith Live! (Verve cat. V6-8806)
"Root Down" is what funky Soul Jazz is all about. Congas, guitar, pounding drums and screaming organ. This is one of the top 10 Organ grooves of ALL TIME! I once read that Smith sold these from the back of his car at gigs because Verve wasn't being very helpful promoting or distributing it. If that is true it is just another example of the shortsightedness of the half wits working at labels. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but add a little success and you have Kid Rock, Limp Dickless (Bisquick or whatever the hell they are called). How Jimmy Smith and other Jazz greats aren't living a life like Sean Combs, KISS, Brittany Spears and the rest of mediocrity is beyond me. No accounting for taste I guess. (I am actually a huge KISS fan but the fact remains America as a whole is not about quality. It's all a popularity contest and the winners are just doing the minimum to get by. Mediocrity.) A big thank you to those who strive for greatness and not fame.

Tyrone Davis:
Without You In My Life (Dakar Records cat. DK 76904)
The playact "I had It All the Time" is so incredible. It begins with a reprise of "Something That You Got" and then out of no where the voice of a stewardess obviously places on on an airplane. Tyrone missing his lady calls her pleading lets her know he is a changed man and he is crawling back to her... Then bang, right in the middle of his begging he throws in, "Aw yeah, I had a date or two but they couldn't take the place of you." Damn!

The Tyrone Davis Story (Kent cat. KENT 037)

"Is It Something You've Got" (Dakar Records cat. 45-605 (DAK-16174-PL))
Songs don't get much better than this for me. Aggressive drumming, guitar and bright horns announce Davis' arrival. "Something" is sung with a smile in his voice regardless of the fact that he can't win the young ladies affections. he seems content to love her from afar but you can tell is isn't going to give up on her too easy.

"Need Your Lovin' Everyday" (Dakar Records cat. 45-609 (DAK-ST-17285-SP))
The formula is similar on "Need." Sounds like ole' Tyrone was busy with few of the ladies.

"Turn Back The Hands Of Time" (Dakar Records cat. 45-616 (DAK-18441-SP))
Classic. This is 100% a perfect soul track. I carried an AM radio around with me as a kid (only rivaled by my portable tape recorder) and I can distinctly remember this magnificent track squeezing its way out that little inadequate speaker and still I loved it.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Primitive Sound System - Maxwell's - Tuesday Feb 1st!

Hello Y'all,
Fat Tuesday comes one week early in my record boxes as next week I will be working on the poster for our next Record Swap. This Swap known as "The Winter Wing Ding" (Saturday February 26th at DC's Tavern) will prove how great Cosco really is, apparently they sell 200 count bags of Chicken wings. You all know that we have a grill and a fryer and we're not afraid to use it. We won't be deterred by our still lingering Snow Storm of 2005! (Or whatever this icy season brings. Remember FIRE is ICE's most feared foe.)

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
At 280lbs every Tuesday is Mardi Gras for me. Next to the music and vast influence of the Godfather of Soul from Augusta, GEE A, New Orleans must be in the top 5 of funkiest locales. Not relying of the Blues/Gospel base of traditional R&B, New Orleans' groove is one of the most unique sounding vibrations you can ever be exposed to. Odd timed beats, inflected vocals and a constant party feel (dare I say its Holy Trinity) seem to be the stand out sounds from the regions funkier recordings. Eddie Bo, Allen Toussaint, Lee Dorsey, Huey "Piano" Smith, The Meters/ Nevilles, Marshall Sehorn, Dave Bartholomew, Ernie K-Doe, Leo Morris (a.k.a. Idris Mohammed), etc, etc... Music for your mind body and soul, it's gonna hoodoo you!

- pat.

Primitive Sound System and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM)

Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

Some 45s:
Anthony Butler & The Invaders - "Katty's Thing" (Big Deal Records cat. 1001 (AR-106 (4072))
A pretty good example of the odd timings of New Orleans. This sluggish stroll kicks off with a nice open drum intro. At times throughout you can't really tell if the drummer is ahead of the band or if he has fallen behind but don't let him fool you he is right where he is supposed to be. Medium to rare, thank you.

Robert Parker - "Let's Go Baby (Where The Action Is)" (Nola Records cat. 721 (174-1594)
B-side of Barefootin' and a bit more laid back than the title implies and that is certainly not a negative. This is a cruising around, with the top laid down, checkin' out the town kinda song. Seems safe for use during Day or Night. There is just something so appealing about Parker's squeezed vocal sound. I also slipped the LP in my backpack.

Ernie K-Doe - "Gotta Pack My Bags" (Duke cat. 437 (LRS 7289))
More open drum intros from N'olens. I saw a video a few years back where Ernie K-Doe was "the celebrity" endorsing this weird homemade one man band thing. He was dancing around jacked up, sportin' a turban and for the most part unintelligible. The products "inventor" may have been only slightly crazier but certainly no way near as entertaining. "Gotta Pack My Bag" is a perfect vehicle for Ernie to shout and yell on his journey to bliss. The drummer breaks it up again about half way through as the band reclines and looks on in awe. Ernie doesn't seem to notice and can still be heard to this day. Om Shanti Ernie, Om Shanti.

Lee Dorsey - "Four Corners - Part II" (Amy cat. AMY 11,031)
Drums! Drums! Drums! But that ain't all folks. We also get Lee and group testifying over the top of some swinging horns bubbling/churning organ and smooth almost "Tighten Up" bass vamps. "Eww Yeah!" Not the best presentation of what I consider the regions top voice but I love this cut so much. I also brought the Amy LP "Working in The Coal Mine and The Polydor LP "Yes We Can."

The Meters - "Message From The Meters" (Josie cat. 45-1024 (Joz 681))
The Meters - "Groovy Lady" (Josie cat. 45-1026 (Joz 686))
Two cuts from the band that made a career out of open drums, thumping bass, fabulously fuzzy/scratchy guitar and enough meaty organ to make any creepy double entendre work freakishly perfect right here. "Message..." adds vocals. The Meters almost rarely played a bad note and they seemed to have recorded as much as Hal Blaine and The Wrecking Crew. If you are not easily impressed try listening to the entire output (including as backing band) of The Meters a feat that is not likely to happen but one challenge well worth taking.

Cyril Neville - "Gossip" (Josie cat. 45-1014 (Joz-663))
Betty Harris - "There's A Break In The Road" (SSS International cat. SSS-766 (711-453))
Mary Jane Hooper - "I've Got Reasons" (Power-Pac cat. 45-2053 (AR-105-4051)
James K Nine - "Live It Up" (Federal)

Curley Moore And the Kool Ones - "Shelley's Rubber Band" b/w "Funky Yeah" (House of The Fox cat. MH-1934)
Just got this one in the mail today! Good God this thing cooks. Echo cracking guitar pops its way through the rubber band-like intro. Suddenly everyone falls into place like soldiers into formation. The band is tight as hell thorough out. Simple, hard and the amp buzz just kills me. Crazy shit. I love this! "Funky Yeah" is just as heavy with some insane guitar riffing throughout. Unfortunately it can't compete with the creativity of side one but on any other day this would be the "Pick Hit" side. Easily classifiable as a two-sider though. Just like it says, "Funky?" "Yeah!"

Some more new stuff...
Joe Simon - "The Whoo Pee" (Vee-Jay Records cat. VJ-694 (65-8600)
I heard this track first on Mr. Fine Wine's amazing "The Shing-A-Ling" giveaway CD from the last drive (Maybe two years ago?). However long I have had this CD I have played it over and over and over. Just like his amazing Friday night radio show every track is a winner. This track in particular was unforgettable and to tell you the truth I didn't want to forget it. Like any good addict this track ate my guts out as I couldn't seem to locate a copy. I finally asked Matt a couple of weeks ago if the track was an impossible find or was I just having some bad luck. He said to check the usual suspects which I had NUMEROUS times. BUT! Magically buried in the wonderful world of all things obsessive (eBay) I located a copy while still answering his email with the message, "I tried those all many many times." Well, 4 Days and 16 hours later I paid my $7.99 plus shipping and I am the proud owner of a nice clean copy. Did I mention that you have to hear this?

Don Pierce - "This Funky Thing" b/w "Spook-A-Delic" (Majesty cat. MAJ-1041)
This one came along with the Curley Moore 45. Slamming slab of funky grooviness. Hard drums, guitar and bright horns that sound like they might be in the studio next to Mr. Pierce. Beautiful female backing vocals are punctuated by guitar before the guitar breaks out into a subtle solo mode. Smooth as ice, but still heavy as hell. "Spook-A-Delic" is far less subtle and even heavier. Pounding, steady drums and layers of guitar bounce around like a set of audio pong. Great 45!

Stan and the Man - "(Muscle Man) "Does The Football" (B And G Records cat. 7750 (b. G. 1124))
"The Football" needless to say an odd sub-genre but one that is always great. This groove is one of those grooves that forces you to jut your head forward like a chicken on the move. Don't worry if you get lost because Stan and The Man will let you know exactly what you need to know to accomplish "The Football" or the "Muscle Man" Apparently you can go home and do the funky football as you wanna. Dancing everywhere any where you want to is truly freedom. Thanks guys.

OK. I am so tired I can't go on. There are a few more newbies but that will all have to wait 2 more weeks. I have a pack full of LPs from Louisiana from many fine folk. Come by and just have fun.