Thursday, December 11, 2008

PSS and Hank Fischer at D.C.'s (12/4) and PSS at the Jersey City Museum (12/10) for a benefit

Hello Y'all,
"Jingle Bells, Batman Smells Robin Laid an Egg!" Yes, the holler-days are upon yee. So much too do; so little money. Drink until you smile and dance until it hurts... just please no requests. I know my dance card is pretty full this season and hopefully so is yours. First off there is the ghost of Christmas monthly. You know the one. Sometimes two headed shirtless beast spinning joy after joy with reckless abandon. That's right, I'll be setting the bar a flame with some holiday joy along with special guest Hank Mother Fucking Fischer on December 4th at the festive D.C.'s Tavern. You know the place where it feels like Christmas year round from 2AM - 1PM. But don't let that stop you from coming around from 9PM to 2AM for the usual, the unusual and the down right wrong selections made for all those brave enough to come down their chimney. The guests don't stop with those whose sleighs are weighed down with vinyl. Big Red, that's right people, Matt Dolan has returned to our shores and will be pressing the flesh and giving out free hugs. Please stop by, say hello, and have a drink or two. As always be kind, rewind and tip the bartender. See you there.

Primitive Sound System and Hank Fischer
Hank will be spinning some of his favorites from Glam, Oi, "77 Punk, old ska and reggae too!
Thursday December 4th 9PM to Closing
D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern

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On December 10th I have the great pleasure of DJing at a benefit for the fine folks at The Jersey City Museum. Please come by and support the museum.

Dissed and Dismissed: (Cartoons Not Meant for the Ages (and not in good taste, either))
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 7pm until late
Benefiting the Museum's exhibition and education initiatives (http://jerseycitymuseum.ecrater.com/category.php?cid=383019)
Ticket prices:
$65 for Museum Members
$75 In advance
$85 At the door

Join cartoonists from The New Yorker Magazine as they present uncensored cartoons that were too bizarre, too risqué, or too politically incorrect to be published in The New Yorker!
Featuring: Drew Dernavich and Matthew Diffee
Click here for the latest information on this event - http://www.jerseycitymuseum.org/template.cfm?cid=52
(* Signed copies of the books, The Rejection Collection Vol. 1 and 2, on sale in the Museum shop)

Come early for drinks (courtesy of Bar Majestic) and hors d'oeuvres and stay late for the raffle and hilarity!

Jersey City Museum
http://www.jerseycitymuseum.org
350 Montgomery Street Jersey City, NJ 07302

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- pat.
Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Records:
1910 Fruitgum Co. - "The Train" b/w "Eternal Light" (Buddah Records cat. BDA 130)
Not everyone I know is a fan of "The Train" but it is one of my favorites. That is not what prompted me to seek out this fine little 7-inch. No, it is the beacon shining from the B-side that drew me in. The Kasenetz-Katz crew were nothing if they were prolific. 100's of songs and most of them gems even if they get passed off as Bubble Gum. I have unearthed a few instrumental moments and this is one of them. Opening like the procession at a local Church, a solo organ intros what could be a sister act to Procol Harums anthemic "Whiter Shade of Pale" but nicely this takes a soft turn into a mellow Soulful build that suddenly launches into a very brief Jazzy organ based Rock instrumental complete with funky drumming and heavy bass. Damn, I want to hear this without the fade. Just two minutes and twenty five seconds and oh, so intriguing. Was it truly a studio improv that ended abruptly? Did the stretch this out beyond what would have been an acceptable B-side instrumental? As always the playing is sharp and what almost always sounds deliberate. The Kasenetz-Katz bands always have a "Yup, I meant to do that feel to them.' Blistering and fuzzy guitars, screaming organs, breaking drums, and backward recordings all found under what should be a cliche genre.

Billy Joe & The Checkmates - "Percolator" (Dore cat. 620)
Guitar instrumentals don't get much more amusing than this. Basically an extended version of the Maxwell House theme. There are some points when the guitar gets to be a bit more Surfy but actually the whole thing has a nice flow to it. There are no surprises here except for the slightly aggressive brief breaks. Other than that, this is a smile from ear to ear and of course the caffeine helps keep you smiling long after the pot is empty. Get your caffeinated groove on.

Warm Excursion - "Hang Up" Part 1 and 2 (Pzazz Records cat. 039)
This has always been one of my favorite instrumentals and I can't believe I have never written about it. Few records can stand up to the intro of this monster. This literally JUMPS out of the grooves and into your face like you were talking shit. Just kick drum counting us in and BANG! If I had to describe this with one word it would be "tough." The drums pound from start to finish and despite there being a lot going on every instrument has room to breath. The organ and horns are attached at the hip yelling and screaming all over the place. Sometimes you expect them and at others they sneak up and scare the hell out of you. The bass is heavy as hell and at times seems to push the other players out of the way to get up front and pound you back down. There are two sides of this and I think they easily could have given us more. Side two gives the guitar and organ their moment. Dodging and weaving between the riot the guitar hits us with some very creative soloing. Just when you think it is all over the drums kick it up which seems to inspire a flurry from the organ. No mas!

Oscar Brown, Jr. & Luiz Henrique - "Barra Limpa (Ba-ha Leem-pa)" (Fontana cat. F-1547 (white label promo))
It has been a while since I picked up some new Brazilian music. The vocalist is Oscar Brown but the backing couldn't be any more perfect for his gruff but sweet vocal tone. I have no idea what the title of the song means but from Mr. Browns vocals I assume it is a party. The backing is quick and eventually hits a fevered pitch but some how maintains that bossa sound that is always soothing and relaxing. As the backing speeds up Mr. Brown remains even keeled and never looses his cool. The music is penned by Mr. Henrique who also plays guitar. The combination of the Brazilian sounds and Mr Brown's voice is a perfect one and I can see why they called the LP "Finding a New Friend." I imagine this is the music my parents were going to see in The Village and the early and mid sixties. Beautiful.

Bobby Paterson and The Mustangs - ""Broadway Ain't Funky No More" b/w "I Met My Match" (Jetstar Records cat. JS-111 (Yellow Vinyl / DJ Copy Not For Sale))
Damn, Bobby Paterson was completely amazing. I also love that his records came on color vinyl. Yellow to be exact. How cool is that? "Broadway Aint Funky No More" is about as raw and Funky as he gets and that is pretty damn raw and Funky. This opens with a great little guitar intro and opens up into a thick wall of voices, drums, and especially bass. The whole first half sounds like an extend break and solo from each player. The band is super tight and stops on a dime to let Bobby smile through the chorus. The drums give us a break and then the horns get things started up again. Broadway may not be funky no more but wherever Bobby and his Mustangs go sure the hell is. The "B" is a tear jerker of a ballad but has some aggressive guitar and snapping drums to keep it from being typical.

Harvey Scales & The Seven Sounds - "Broadway Freeze" b/w "I Can't Cry No More" (Magic Touch Records cat. MTA 16001)
Harvey Scales knows how to get the floor moving. He is so confident in his skills that he even reminds us that the amazing "Get Down" was last years groove he has moved on to bigger and better things. Scales name checks his favorite artists and dances all the while he and the band kick it hard and keep things moving. Vocal breaks pop in and out through out but never disrupt the action. The band has a very live sound to them. It isn't just the calls and shouts in the studio giving it a party feel but a connection the players seem to have moving in unison from moment to moment anticipating Scales direction and not letting anyone fall off the beat. Playful yet perfectly executed.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

PSS and Bill Dolan at D.C.'s Tavern - Thursday November 6th from 9PM to closing

Hello Y'all,
Sometimes you really don't have to spend a lot of money to get what you really want. A couple of weeks back WFMU had their annual Record Fair which I can sadly say I look forward to almost the moment it has ended. I spent about 4 hours diggin' around and came home with twenty-nine records and spent just $50. This year my son was Obi-Wan Kenobi for Halloween and I was lucky enough to un-earth a copy of Star Wars - Story, Music and Photos From The Original Motion Picture so let's just say he was very happy and I think I may have scored a few points. Some of the records were upgrade copies of records I already had, some I have been looking for for a while and others I never knew existed. Dropping the needle on Sod's "Too Loose To Get Tight" was pretty mind blowing and The Truth's two-sider mines the same heavy Rock / Funk territory as the Sod 7-inch. Other surprises include "The Snake" by the Tradewinds, a very raw version of "Telstar" by Sam Wright Group and "The Beatnik Bounce" by The Beats. All in all it was a very good day and of course I can't wait to spread the audio wealth. See you all Thursday night and remember folks be kind and tip your bartender.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Primitive Sound System, Bill Dolan & Joe Raaen
Thursday November 6th 9PM to Closing
D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern

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What's in THE BOXXXX!

Deep Street Soul - "Loose Caboose" b/w "Nasty" (Jaycees cat. JCR-002)
I stumbled upon the Deep Street Soul MySpace page completely by accident. This is what you call a happy accident, a very happy accident. Raw organ based instrumentals touch me in a way few other styles of music do. This isn't an unwelcome touch on the no-no place by a creepy relative. This is deep in the soul where every part of your mind and body are brought together and then explode out of your body. The band takes off on side one as being chased by an axe wielding maniac. The pace of "Loose Caboose" can only be described as a terrified run. Similar to an extremely slow song it is a litmus test of how well a band can swing. If they can make it Funky at this speed then they are doing something right. This shit is all about the Drums and Organ. The drummer is hammering the hell out of his kit and the organ teases him with accents but never challenges or matches the forward attack. The bass and guitar keep everything contained by making sure nothing becomes too out of control. "Nasty" keeps the band and especially the drummer right up there in your grill. Here the pace is far more relaxed but the players have not lessened their attack. On "Nasty" the organ gets a little more room to strut its stuff and it uses the time well and in the end we are bobbing our heads and still very impressed. This band means business and they are taking it to the streets.

Birdwave - "Soul Lift" Part 1 & 2 (Jaycees cat. JCR-003)
From the same label as Deep Street Soul comes the deeply soulful Birdwave. I can only hope they are named after the incredible Jimmy McGriff song of the same name. The name may be obvious, but it is a very appropriate point of inspiration. Like McGriff, Birdwave knows how to set the perfect mood. This is playing late night and the crowd still has a little life left in them. They ain't ready to pass out on the bar or pour themselves into a cab. They need a few more sounds to keep the mellow and smile themselves to sleep.

Stereoscope Jerk Explosion - "Jerk a la Vague" b/w "Fuzz Party" (Les Disques Cosmic Groove cat. groove cosmique 07 (w/poster and post card))
"Fuzz Party" is the real winner here and it is not a misnomer in the slightest. The drums, organ and bass are sharp and popping but the guitar is fuzzed out and crunchy. There are even sweet wordless vocals floating over the top and giving it a bit more light feel as well as giving it a 60's soundtrack sensation. This is a real deep groove played by some stellar musicians. I will be going to this "Fuzz Party" quite often. "YEAH BABY!"

Sod - "Too Loose To Get Tight" (Part 1 & 2) (Decca cat. 32937 (Promotional Copy Not for Sale))
WOW! What the hell is this? A nasty, nasty, nasty break leads off as guitar, bass and powerful horn blasts JUMP out of the grooves. This is a Rock / Funk masterpiece. Having this and Iron Knowledge in the same box could be dangerous. This is tight as hell 70's bell bottom jeans, white guys with afros and a bottom so heavy it will crush you. All this is packed into a mere 7-inch vinyl record that certainly does not seem able to contain the contents of the grooves and ensure our safety. If the intro isn't enough to knock you on your ass, or at least get it shaking, there is spectacular percussion, monstrous organ, thudding bass that will rattle your brain and blistering guitar riffs that make you hate that weak ass crap tossed off by Eric Clapton even more than you already did... and you do. But wait folks... there is an equally great side two. First off, almost all "part twos" of a 45 RPM 7-inch record fade in but not here and I couldn't be any happier. Side two lets the horn section shine. First the flute gets to do its thing over the beats and then the sax. About half way through we get a taste of the chorus followed by the band picking up the tempo and pounding their way to one final statement of the theme. This is one brilliant little disc-o-fire.

The Truth - "Wade In The Water" b/w "Love Locked"
The Truth combine Rock, Funk and a touch of Jazz to produce a two-sided flood of grooves and sweat. The guitar stands out along with the percussion on "Love Locked" but then, as if someone thought I was in need of a treat, the organ bulldozes forward on the break taking this from the Rock Heavy side to the Soul Jazz side. Sometimes the Rock / Funk thing can be too slick or soulless but The Truth are raw and have plenty of soul to keep the band swinging and the crowd dancing. The side is short so all of this happens quickly. There is even an all too short guitar solo after the organ but instead of making this a jam it is a perfect 45. One of my favorite songs is "Wade In The Water" and The Truth certainly add to that section of my collection with an aggressive rendition. Unfortunately for me the lead vocals come off a bit stiff at times and seems at bit at odds with the beautiful version the band is laying down. The drums, the organ and the guitar keep the tempo up from the songs usual medium pace. The guitar really gets to shine with a great "vocal" sounding solo taking on a verse and chorus all its own. Both sides are fantastic and which gets spun will be determined by the mood of the set. I'm guessing this will be a regular in my collection box.

Ace Cannon - "Chicken Fried Soul" b/w "Drunk" (Hi Records cat. HI 2187)
I grabbed this for the obvious reason. A food song backed by a drinking song. Even if one side of this was a harpsichord solo the other side would have to be great. I didn't know either of these two sides but a friend recognized "Drunk" almost immediately as a version of the Joe Liggins tune. Liggins of course penned one of my current collecting obsessions "The Honeydripper." "Country Fried Soul" is probably one of the biggest disappointments I have had on wax in a while. Basically sounds like an answer song to "Yakety Sax." What a shame and yes it might as well be a harpsichord solo. "Drunk" couldn't sound any more different than the abomination on the other side. Call it a divine moment but Ace Cannon and gang truly get touched with a moment of greatness. The drums, bass and guitar seem to share a single heart as they pound away at this funky little groover. Right from the start our drunk in question gets to tell his story of a life where lessons aren't learned but instead they are drank away. Mr. Cannon gets to blow a forceful and soul infused solo. Is it too easy to say the whole thing is intoxicating? Well, fuck it. I'm DRUNK!

Don Covay - "Shingaling '67" b/w "I Was There" (Atlantic cat. 45-2375)
Sadly I did not know this. I need to be shamed publicly but that is actually what makes record collecting so exciting. The best part is, I don't just grab them and put them in a stamp collection and hide them away for ever. No, I get to play this for those lucky enough to have never heard it before and those even luckier who know it, and love it as much as I do. "There is a brand new dance going around and it is called the Shing-A-Ling!" Not only is this soulful but it has a huge arrangement for what should be a raw dance party staple. I don't think there is a person alive or dead who couldn't catch this groove. Covay's voice is so distinctive and when he is pleading he is at his best. Here he is having a fun time dancing but he needs to get everyone out on the floor, so plead he does. "I Was There" spotlights Covay's urging and begging tone and is sure to draw a tear from even the heartless amongst us. How he manages to add a playfulness to such a sad tail is a testament to his genius.

Lou Rawls - "Bring It On Home" b/w "Can You Dig It" (Monologue) / "Take Me For What I Am" (Capitol cat. P-2856 (Promotional Record Not For Sale))
I have said it before, I can listen to Lou Rawls sing pretty much anything his voice always gives me the chills. I was pretty sure this might be the one time he came up short on song choice because "Bring It On Home" can fall a little flat in its repetition. Oh, how happy I was when I found out how wrong I was. Lou Rawls plus David Axelrod almost always equals masterpiece and it is true here as well. A southern sounding guitar lick opens this up and leads into one of Lou's beautiful soloed voice intros. In true Axelrod form this is soon followed up by a beautiful yet brief break and then bring on the horns and raise the roof. Repetition is good and Rawls is great.

Sam Space And The Cadets - "Take Me To Your Leader Cha-Cha-Cha" (Cabot cat. Ca-127)
I LOVE songs about space and spacemen BUT could there be anything more incredible on earth, or to the ends of the Universe, than a Space song about Spaceman that is... a Cha Cha? I think not. I have already listened to this about 100 times. It is infectious and entertaining. Most likely it is from the late fifties or perhaps the early Sixties but needless to say it almost certainly could not be done nowadays and have the same sound and appeal. This is simplicity personified. Space, Spacemen, and Cha Cha Cha so c'mon what are you waiting for lets conquer the world, hell it doesn't even have to be this one.

Sam Wright Group - "Telstar" b/w The Mexikans - "The Lonely Bull" (BiG cat. C-17)
Ahh the wonderful Mr. Wright. I have another 45 where he takes a stab at "Green Onions" and sautés it to perfection. Here he takes a spin out of the stratosphere for a ride on the telecommunications satellite known as Telstar. This is easily the rawest version I have ever heard and the 20 seconds of rocket launch sounds at the end elevate this to a whole other Galaxy. I assume Mr. Wright is the man at the organ as it is the most prominent instrument on both this and Green Onions. There is nothing out of the ordinary with the performance but it is simply just enjoyable.

The Tradewinds - "The Snake" b/w "Congo Beat" (Dan - Tone Records cat. 1001)
Next two the organ instrumental there is nothing more satisfying than a ripping raw guitar one. I love to hear fuzzed up, distorted, loud guitars tangle with the saxophone for dominance on the bandstand. With a name like The Tradewinds honestly I didn't expect much but the song titles hinted at greatness carved into the vinyl. I was first drawn to the hard to disguise "Congo Beat" but was sadly let down by the pedestrian approach taken. Mind you, it is not bad, it just ain't evil. So flip it I did and slithering into my mind came, "The Snake!" This is what guitar instrumentals are all about. Pounding drums, hand claps, wailing sax, the mimicked sounds of a snake and guitar coil and strike you where you stand or hopefully dance. The guitar never busts out but remains part of the pack.

and the rest...
Jan & Dean - "Drag City" b/w "Schlock Rod (Part 1) (Liberty cat. F-555641)
The Kingsmen - "Louie Louie" b/w "Haunted Castle" (Wand cat. 143)
**Syndicate of Sound - "Little Girl" b/w "You" (Bell Records cat. 640)
The Show Stoppers - "Ain't Nothin' But A House Party" b/w "What Can A Man Do" (Heritage cat. HE800)
Nina Simone - "To Love Somebody" b/w "I Can't See Nobody" (RCA Victor cat. 47-9447 (Not For Sale))
Dusty Springfield - "Breakfast In Bed" b/w "Don't Forget About Me" (Atlantic cat. 2606)
Jazz Crusaders - "Tough Talk" b/w "The Thing" (World-Pacific cat. WP-429 (Audition Record))
**Rusty Bryant - "Soul Liberation" (Part 1& 2) (Prestige cat. 45-738)
**Eddie Harris - "It's Crazy" b/w "Live Right Now" (Atlantic cat. 45-2561 (Promotional Copy))
**Mickey And His Mice - "The Crackerjack" b/w "Abraham, Martin and John" (Marti Records cat. R12986)
Hubert Laws - "Bloodshot" b/w "Let Her Go" (Atlantic cat. 45-5077 (Promotional Copy))
El Chicano - "Cubano Chant" b/w "Viva La Raza" (Kapp Records cat. K-2129)
**Arthur Sterling With The Pucho Band - "Ain't That Right" b/w "Darin's Mambo" (Verve cat. VK-10490 (Special Disc Jockey Record))
Apollo 100 - "Telstar" (Short Version - Mono) b/w "Telstar" (Stereo) (Mega cat. 615-0080 (Promo Copy))
Star Wars - Story, Music and Photos From The Original Motion Picture (Buena Vista Records cat. 450 (Not Cleared For Broadcast))
Barnsley Bill - "Barnsley Rap" b/w "Dance With Ronnie Bossanova" - Music by The Daves - (Mother In Law Records cat. NAG1)
The Beats - "The Beatnik Bounce" (Part 1 & 2) (Columbia cat. 3-41781 (Small Hole 33RPM 7-inch - For Demonstration Use Only Not For Sale)
Al Casey - "Surfin' Hootenanny" with the K-C-ettes b/w "Easy Pickin'" (Stacy cat. 962)
**Bobby Gregg and His Friends - "The Jam" (Part 1 & 2) (Cotton Records cat. 1003)
Helmut Zacharias - "Respect" b/w "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (Capitol cat. P-2415 (Promotional Record Not For Sale))
Chordbenders - "I'm From New Jersey" (State Version) b/w "I'm From New Jersey" (Adapted Version (Phillipsburg, Alpha, Milford, Easton, PA, Bethlehem, PA, Allentown, PA) (Anniversary cat. NO. 1000)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Set List from The Lamp Post

Jody Williams - "Moanin' For Molasses" (Nike cat. 1013 (Promotional Copy Not For Sale))
The Sons Of Moses - "Fatback" (Coral cat. 62549)
The Rumblers - "Soulful Jerk" (Downey cat. D-127 (Promotional Copy))
The Five Counts - "Watermelon Walk" (Brent cat. 7034)
Kai Winding - "Dirty Dog" (Verve cat. VK-10407 (Special Disc Jockey Record))
Four Gents - "Soul Sister" (HBR (Hanna-Barbera Records) cat. HBR 509)
Bill Doggett and Orchestra - "Funky Feet" (Chumley Records cat. CHA-90001 (Promotional Copy Not For Sale))
Jo Jo and the Outcast - "Whole Lot Of Woman" (Sound-O-Rific cat. SOR-926)
The Diplomats of Solid Sound - "Pork Chop" (Estrus Records cat. ES7164)
Orgone - "No More Gravy" (Ubiquity cat. UR7214)
Speedometer - "The Real Me" (DJ Formats Funky People Remix) (Freestyle cat. FSR 7047)
Mauri Bailey - "Soul Pop" (Soul Fire cat. SF-021)
Bobby Blackbird and the Bluejays - "What You Wanna Do" (Cardboard City Records cat. CCR-002)
Lack of Afro featuring Steve Marriott - "Touch My Soul" (Freestyle cat. FSR7044)
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - "This Land Is Your Land" (Daptone Records cat. DAP-1019)
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators - "Holdin' On" (Timmion Records cat. 012 (Advance Disc Jockey Copy Not For Sale))
Evil Eddie & The Super Slinkys - "3 On The B" (Blow It Hard Records cat. BIH008)
Clarence Foster and the Internal Revenue Service - "Fry Chicken In Your Hot Pants" (Freestyle cat. FSR7014)
The Soul Snatchers - "Get Yourself Together" (Social Beats cat. Social701)
Baby Charles - "Hard Man To Please" (Record Kicks cat. RKX 020)
Marva Whitney - "Soulsisters (Of The World Unite) (Shout! cat. SHOUT-1001)
Quantic featuring Spanky Wilson - "When You're Through" (Modern Funk Freestyle Records ) cat. FSR7041)
J.J. Jones - "Darkness" (ebb cat. 130)
Soul Vendors / Mitchagan & Smile - "Scorcher" Rub A Dub Version (Studio 1 cat.)
The Three Souls - "Hi Heel Sneakers" (Argo cat. 5472)
The Pop-Ups - "Lurking" (HBR (Hanna-Barbera Records) cat. HBR 459)
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels - "Sock It To Me - Baby!" (New Voice Records cat. N V 820)
The Dartells - "Clap Your Hands" (HBR (Hanna-Barbera Records) cat. HBR 457)
Mickey Lee Lane - "Hey Sah-Lo-Ney" (Swan cat. S-4222-H)
The Children Of Darkness - "Sugar Shack A Go-Go" (Royce cat. 5140)
Sonny & Cher - "It's Gonna Rain" (Atco Records cat. 45-6359)
Tony Joe White - "Polk Salad Annie" (Monument cat. Mn45-1104)
Yellow Bird - "Function At The Junction" (Stereo Village Records cat. 603)
Bob Dylan - "From A Buick 6" (Columbia cat. 4-43389 (picture sleeve))
Python Lee Jackson - "Doin' Fine" (GNP Crescendo cat. GNP 449)
Tom Jones - "Looking Out My Window" (Parrot cat. 45-PAR-40035)
Ike & Tina Turner - "Funkier Than A Mosquita's Tweeter" (Liberty cat. 56216)
Della Reese - "Compared To What" (Avco Embassy cat. AVE-4515)
The Honey Drippers - "Impeach The President" (Alaga Records cat. AL-1017)
Eddie Bo - "Can You HAndle It" (Bo Sound cat. BS-5116)
Parliament - "Breakdown" (Invictus cat. Is 9095)
Cyril Neville - "Gossip" (Josie cat. 45-1014)
Eric Burden & War - "Magic Mountain" (MGM cat. K14118)
Syl Johnson - "Don't Give It Away" (Twinight Records cat. 118)
Irene and the Scotts - "I'm Stuck On My Baby" (Smash cat. S-2138)
The Capitols - "Afro Twist" (Karen cat. 45-1537)
Tom & Jerrio - "Great Goo-Ga-Moo-Ga" (ABC-Paramount cat. 45-10704)
Billy "The Kid" Emerson - "A Dancin' Whippersnapper" (Tarpon Records Inc. cat. 6602)
The Rhoda Scott Trio - "Hey - Hey - Hey!" (Tru-Sound cat. 45-417)
Juggy - "Oily" (Sue cat. SUE 9)
The Pharaohs - "Is That Black Enough For You?" (Capitol cat. P-3072)
The Dapps featuring Alfred Ellis - "There Was A Time" (King cat. 45-6169)
Clarence Paul & The Members - "Operation Breadbasket (Part II)" (Pride cat. PR-3)
The Hidden Cost - "Bo Did It" (Marmaduke Records Inc. (M-4001)
The Bamboos - "King Of The Rodeo (Feat. Megan Washington)" (Tru-Thoughts cat. TRU7177)
Naomi Davis & The Knights of Forty First Street - "Forty First Street Breakdown" (Desco cat. 45-1014)
Breakestra - "At The End Of The Day" (Ubiquity cat. UR7184)
The Boogaloo Investigators - "Let The Groove Move You" (Defunkt cat. DEFF-001)
The Sound Stylistics - "Party People" (Mocambo cat. 45-1003)
The Magnificent Freedom - "Fuck Off And Leave Me Alone" (Our Label Records cat. OUR45-003)
The New Mastersounds - "Drop It Down (B RMX)" (Record Kicks cat. RK45 011)
The Grits - "Mmwauu" (Music With Soul cat. MWS - 002)
Mark Ronson Featuring Alex Greenwald - "Just" (Exit Music cat. RR0047S)
Little Barrie - "Burned Out" (Showdown Records cat. SHOW 1)
Stoned Soul Picnic - "One Dollar Hotel Pt2" (R.W Records cat. 200)
The Stance Brothers - "Youth Groove" (Ricky Tick Records cat. RT024)
Dee Dee Sharpe - "You're Just a Fool In Love" (Atco Records cat. 45-6576)
Harvey Scales & The Seven Sounds - 'Broadway Freeze" (Magic Touch Records cat. MTA-16001)
Bobby Freeman - "S-W-I-M" (Autumn cat. Record No. 5)
Rhythm 'N' Blues Classical Funk Band - "Monster Walk Pt. 2" (Mankind cat. 12001)
Betty Wright - "Shoorah! Shoorah!" (Alston cat. 3711)
Johnnie Taylor (The Soul Philosopher) - "Doing My Own Thing" (Part II) (Stax Records cat. STA-0122)
The Stylistics - "People Make The World Go Round" (Avco Records Corp. cat. AV-4595)
Chocolate Milk - "Action Speaks Louder Than Words" (RCA cat. PB-10290)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Primitive Sound System - The Lamp Post - Oct 15th 9PM - Closing

Hello Y'all,
I had a such blast spinning my way Downtown JC that I am really looking forward to doing this again. Last time out I basically had to grab records that were organized to be filled away since there wasn't a lot of time to prepare. Luckily there were some of my favorite records I own in those boxes waiting to be put a way so mixing up a set was quite easy. Since it was such a good time I am going to keep things on the Soulful side again. This time I am going a bit heavier on the New Funk and Soul including some very recent releases like the Bamboos covering Kings of Leon. Also with All Hallows Eve creeping up on us I'll be giving out some audio Halloween candy. I am not kidding, it was a genuine good time so please come out, come out where ever you are. As always Steff will be holding down the bar (and the taps) so please make nice with the tipping. See you Wednesday.

- pat.
Primitive Sound System - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 15th
Spinning from 10PM to Closing
Lamp Post Bar & Grill
382 2nd St
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201)-222-1331
http://www.myspace.com/lamppost
Steff's Lampost schedule:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=71579&blogID=356928615

45's:
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - "This Land Is Your Land" (Daptone Records cat. 1019)
No event is more disturbing than the Presidential election. It is a time when we see how unfortunate our system has become. But, maybe it never was stable. Maybe that is what makes the USA so unique. A certain amount of instability or unpredictability that doesn't allow itself to become grounded. I can probably go on far too long but this is not a political soapbox. So instead, like most of us, I will forge on and continue to be an American regardless of the ruling party, economy and of course the rise of mediocrity. Warts and all... Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings put this out four years ago when most Americans saw there was something horribly wrong with the current administration. There is a somber horn that opens this funky take of the Woody Guthrie Folk classic. Ms. Jones talks each word as to remind us of the importance of the song's message. No matter who, what, where, when or why this land is ours and we always need to remember that. Barack Obama is not a Muslim. Sarah Palin is not folksy. John McCain is not a Maverick. Joe Biden is not a dick. All of them, like all of us, are Americans. This is a brilliant arrangement and much credit should go to Mr. Gabe Roth (who I assume handled this) for taking a standard and making it new. Toward the last half of the song the tempo picks up keeping things from being simply preachy and making sure they are always funky.

The Bamboos featuring Megan Washington - "King Of The Rodeo" (Tru-Thoughts cat. TRU7177)
The Bamboos have always been one of my favorite New Funk bands. They have always been willing to take a chance and make sure they were being different rather than just simply funky. Funky is not a difficult thing to be. It is how you present it that makes one band the JB's and another band just shit. The Bamboos are never shit. On this cover of a Kings of Leon song (that is damn good in its original version) the Bamboos certainly prove that they can take someone else's work and make it their own. The brilliance of this version is that the lead vocals of the original are showcased and used almost as another instrument in the arrangement so rather than imitate this, the Bamboos added the wonderfully soulful vocals of Megan Washington which are out front and take charge. The Bamboos don't change their typical lineup and this version so no less of its time than the Kings of Leon original. This is easily one of my favorite new records, nothing like a cover to spice things up.

The Grits - "Mmwauu" (Music With Soul Records cat. MWS002)
The Grits are the same band that did the amazing "Boom Boom" on the always great Freestyle label. Where "Boom Boom" was simple "Mmwauu" is a bit more complex and at times possibly a little difficult. Heavy ass drums kick this off but then some corny effects from what I could assume is a Rhodes or Yamaha electric keyboard pepper the intro. These are NOT corny to the point where you will fold over laughing or be embarrassed while it is playing but the effects are noticeable and do stand out. I get the feeling someone left the keys in their studio so they felt compelled to use them. The heavy drums, bass and guitar MORE than make up for the kernels left scattered about the studio and the guitar solo about half way through is blistering. Here the effects are combined perfectly with the guitar and drums and suddenly you don't want this to end. What I like about this most is the desire to try something new. Luckily for them, and us, the results are very, very good.

Baby Charles - "Hard Man To Please" (Record Kicks cat. RK45 021)
Baby Charles the band is a well oiled machine. They create a mood, feeling, sound and atmosphere with ease and aggression in equal parts. Too often a ballad is played limp wristed and that is not a crass bash but a fact. Watch one drummer attack the drums regardless of genre or style and then listen to a less aggressive drummer in the same circumstances and you will know exactly what I am referring to. "Hard Man To Please" is by no means a ballad but it needs to be said to understand the power of Baby Charles. Baby Charles attacks. The amazing Dionne Charles is one of the few who can be out front of such an onslaught and stand her ground unfazed. There are times when you can tell that she is building her own attack and bursts open like the top of a volcano. At others she whispers and wraps herself around you in the way a snake may do before striking. It's both beautiful and surprising and it's all Baby Charles.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

PSS and Bill Dolan at D.C's Tavern Thursday October 2nd 9PM - Closing

Hello Y'all,
...ehh...ohh...ahh... POP! Yes, that was my brain. This week is a crazy one for sure but the show must go on. Thursday October 2nd I'll be spinning the burning discs of fire along side Bill and Joe at the plush and luxurious D.C.'s Tavern. I have some great new spins in the box including some nice finds from the fine folks at Norton Records (purchased at the Iris Records' Record Riot) and also a stack of new Funk grooves. I've also stuffed the trunk with some Car-tunes and cover versions that I haven't brought out in a while. Despite the brevity of this email (most likely a pleasure to some) I spent a lot of time pulling records for tonight. ...grrr...psst..BANG!

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Primitive Sound System, Bill Dolan & Joe Raaen
Thursday October 2nd 9PM to Closing
D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern

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45-RPM Vinyl Recordings for D.C.'s Tavern:

The Bamboos - "King of The Rodeo" featuring Megan Washington (Tru-Thoughts cat. TRU7177)
The New Mastersounds - "Drop It Down (B RMX)" (Records Kicks cat. RK45 011)
Baby Charles - "Hard Man To Please" b/w "Jackson Fingers" (Records Kicks cat. RK45 021)
The Sound Stylistics - "Back On The Streets" (Mocambo cat. 45-1006)
James Taylor Quartet - "Walkin' The Walk" (Mocambo cat. 45-1008)
Speedometer - "Hot Packet" (Mocambo cat. 45-1013)
Reverend Cleatus and the Soul Saviours - "Mo' Dep" b/w "Paper Cut" (Soulfly Records cat. Tr - 1015)
Byard Lancaster - "Just-Test" (Palm cat. PALM 8)
Blues Rockers - "Calling All Cows" (Excello cat. 45-2062)
The Grand Prees - "Jungle Fever" (Golden Groove Records cat. GG 101)
The Ideals - "The Gorilla" (Cortland cat. C-110)
The Noise Makers - "Panic" (Astra Records Company cat. A-102)

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ALSO!

This Saturday I will be joining the amazing Justin Frohwirth for a night of Punk Rock, Converse sneakers and all the "I am so much cooler than you" attitude that the citizens of Viceland can muster. You need to RSVP at the link below so that you can get into the event and possibly be humiliated in the Do's & Don'ts! Admit it, you can't stop going through them. If you have never heard Justin spin and "claim" to like Punk Rock you would be stupid to miss him. Class is always in session and pleasantly you will know about 1% of what he is playing.

VICE Presents Pissed Jeans and Children @ Glasslands
Saturday Oct 4th - 9PM - 4AM
Glasslands Gallery, 289 Kent Ave, Brooklyn 11211
DJs Justin CollectorScum & Primitive Sound System
9PM - 11PM Complimentary Tito's Vodka, Colt 45 & Sake2Me
RSVP: www.viceland.com/runningshow

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And ALSO again... Wednesday October 15th at The Lamp Post Bar and Grill in Jersey City hosted by the wonderful Steff Kautzmann

Monday, September 29, 2008

Brooklyn Record Riot! Set list - Sept. 28, 2008

Brooklyn Record Riot Set List:
The Ventures - "Swingin' Creeper" (Dolton Records cat. No. 306)
Leo Valentino Trio - "Behind The Out House" (Camelia Records of Richness)
Eddie Chamblee - Dayton Selby on Organ - "Honeybee" (Prestige cat. PR 45-302)
Tommy Wills Man With A Horn - "K.C. Drive" (Juke cat. JB 2025)
Jimmy McGriff - "The Worm" (Solid State cat. SD 2524)
Rusty Bryant - "Fire Eater" (Prestige cat. PRT-750)
Vocal: Jimmy Jones, Soul Brother No. 2 Henry DeMeo & Orch - "Say, Amen, Brother" (Jody Records cat. 9014)
Victory Travelers - "I Know I've Been Changed" (Courtin' cat. 1003)
The Blues Groove - "Makin' It" (Verve cat. VK-10417)
Bobby Quesada - "Bataola Boogaloo" (Fania cat. 464)
Willie Colon - "Jazzy" (Fania Records cat. 444)
Monguito Santamaria - "Hey Sister" (Fania cat. 481)
Gate Wesley & Band - "(Zap! Pow!) Do The Batman" (Atlantic cat. 45-2319)
Lorenzo Holden - "The Wig" (Cee-Jam Records)
Lester Young and his California Playboys - "Wobble Time" (Chase Record Co. cat. 1200)
The Voxpoppers - "The Last Drag" (Mercury cat. 71282X45)
The Shades - "Skip It" (Joey Records Inc. cat. J-6206)
The Arrows featuring Davie Allen - "Moon Dawg '65)
Soul Continentals - "Bowlegs" (Sound Stage 7 cat. 45-2609)
Frankie Newsome - "Don't Mess With My Lovemaker (Part II)" (Savern cat. SN-104)
Curtis Davis - "Your Love And My Money" (Bev-Mar Records cat. BM 1001)
Dotti Wright - "Eclipse Of A Lover" (F - M Records cat. 471)
Mary Lou Williams - "The Credo" (Mary Records cat. MA-6)

Friday, September 26, 2008

Primitive Sound System at the Brooklyn Record Riot - Sun Sept 28th

Hello Y'all,
If there is one truth in this world and it is simple... "YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH VINYL RECORDS!" To prove this, people who already own thousands of records make up excuses for buying more and rationalize every purchase. So start thinking you collector geeks because this Sunday is the second Iris Records' Brooklyn Record Riot at The Warsaw. There is quite a line-up of DJ's and last time I picked up some great records. I meant to say, "I got ONLY records I had been looking for forever and spent WAY under what they were worth." Please join us for some great music, food and of course crates of records that you r e a l l y need. In honor of these heated political times I will spin at the pleasure of all those present.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Brooklyn Record Riot!
Sunday September 28th - 11AM - 8PM
The Warsaw
261 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn
http://www.myspace.com/bkrecordriot

The rest of the year visit them at their shop...
Iris Records
114 Brunswick St.
Jersey City, NJ
info@irisrecs.com

Line-up of DJ's:

11:00 AM : Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus
12:00 PM : Pat. James Longo - The Primitive Sound System
1:00 PM : DJ Crazeology, the Frequency Hopper
2:00 PM : Ira the K (of Yo La Tango)
3:00 PM : Miriam Linna (of Norton Records)
4:00 PM : Josh Styles (of Smashed! Blocked!)
5:00 PM : DJ Kaneta (of Facing Facts, Tokyo)
6:00 PM : DJ Sandman
7:00 PM : Alex Ferguson

Some records that I will not sell you... so don't ask:

Victory Travelers - "I Know I've Been Changed"
Sweet Jesus those are divine drums that intro this Gospel groover. Typical to many Gospel tunes the title is repeated many times throughout by both the lead and the background singers. The recording and the performance are raw and tough. The The drums pound and the bass is heavy as hell, oops sorry... I mean, powerful enough to shake the walls of Jericho. I love the raspy lead vocal. It sounds as if he may stop the song at any moment and clear his throat but he soldiers on and sounds amazing right to his last passionate shout. Please, don't change a thing.

The Tri-Ems - "Tea Box" (Maurci cat. M-112)
The Rhythm Ace and The Rhythm King are easily two of the coolest pieces of equipment ever invented to make music. When you combine them in just the right way with live instrumentation you get the magic that is "Tea Box." Of course this is the same beauty that was cut by Simtec Simmons also for Maurci. This version is a bit less loungey than Mr. Simmons brilliant version and also is recorded with a bit more punch. The guitar is free flowing and keeps everything from getting too samey. The beat is sped up and the Rhythm Ace/King takes the back seat to a very aggressive organ. I also love the way it just drops off so, so will I and start it right back up.

The Venture - "The Swingin Creeper" (Dolton cat. No 306)
I love The Ventures. I have about twenty LPs of their music and about five 7-inches. This is without a doubt one of my favorites. It has everything I could ask for and more. Steady, driving beat, swinging organ, fuzzed out guitar and thumping bass. This moves along like a spy theme but has enough going on to be the whole soundtrack. Swingin, creeping, spooky and fun. The drums never once break from their driving groove as the guitar takes an amazing fuzzy run, things drop of a bit to allow the organ to slide out of the darkness and create an even more deep, moody space. This would have fit nicely on The Ventures In Space LP but sounds right at home on The Ventures A Go Go!

The Arrows - "Moon Dawg '65" (Tower cat. 133)
WOOOOHOOO! A big drum roll and speeding guitar burst off the line and don't let up until the finish line. There are a few yelps and yells heard echoing down the track but this is all about the guitar and beat. I definitely don't have enough Davie Allen records and every time I listen to this I wish I had boxes of them. The double guitar sound here is so sharp and moving. As the rhythm keeps everything in line the high pitch chords and notes dance around it almost teasing it. I think Davie Allen made about a thousand records so I may have to borrow some money.

Miles Davis - "Right Off Part II" (Columbia cat. 4-45350)
I play the Jack Johnson LP quite often. It is hard to choose when reaching for the Miles but this LP hits the deck more often than not. It usually comes down to this and In A Silent Way. I knew there was a 7-inch out there from the session and it took a minute to track one down. No youngins, this aint no tribute to the barefoot hippy singer song writer but a cut from the proposed soundtrack for a documentary about one of the best boxers to step into the ring. Johnson's fight against Jim Jeffries dubbed "The Fight of The Century" caused riots after he easily defeated Jeffries. Johnson lived his life above the racism of his time breaking many barriers and sadly died the year before Jackie Robinson brought about an end to segregation in sports. "Part II" opens right in the heart of the groove and drops suddenly into a long held organ note that leaps into what can only be the sounds of lefts and rights finding the mark. The beat Billy Cobham lays down isn't necessarily funky but it would be impossible to describe it as anything else. John McLaughlin is masterful in his choices of notes and sounds and obviously the same is true for the rest of the band. Herbie Hancock beats the Frafisa picking apart the melody and breaking up the rhythm. Hancock and McLaughlin are joined together by Miles he seems content walking through and only adding "words" and action when necessary. I wish the 7-inch ended with the Brock Peters reading then this is just 2:49 of a 27 minute long track.

Willie Colon - "Jazzy" (Fania Records cat. 444)
Sometimes the title can be just as misleading as the cover. Willie Colon calls this burning Boo-ga-loo - "Jazzy." Although the piano is certainly swinging the rest of this is nothing short of Boogaloo madness. Colon's band is one of the tightest to ever step in the studio and that goes for Jazz or Boogaloo. Blasting horns open this up before letting the rest of the band hit the dance floor and keep ever moving. Heads are nodding and shoulders are shaking as the drums and percussion push this into feverish territory. The bones come back for a little solo action before the band jumps back in with a little tribute to the Madness of Joe Cuba.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Higgins - zs

Higgins write songs. Higgins compose music. Higgins are performers. Higgins is a band.

My, how Higgins have grown. No really. What used to be two has now grown to six. You would think there should be the obvious signs of growing pains or the usual good and bad traits exhibited by most large families. Higgins have somehow escaped the expected and as always never do the obvious. In this day and age of studio trickery the possibilities are endless when it comes to recording sounds to tape. In most cases the magic of the ones and zeros in the digital realm expands those options to the ends of the Universe. Not so for Higgins. The band is home in the studio and the musicians interact as friends and family would. There is a mutual respect and admiration amongst the musicians and this is no better represented then by simply listening to Zs. A typical Higgins composition is complex and deep with similarities to such greats as David Axelrod, Brian Wilson, Richard Evans, and the like. Higgins get the most out of each musician because they would not have it any other way. Live they are raw and real. Raw like an exposed nerve and not like a drunken Punk band. On stage the band performs as a well oiled machine. Their performances have enough loose moments to separate studio from club. The connection the musicians have to the music and to one another is awe inspiring and is sure to send a chill down your spine. These are performances that as a musician you can only hope to one day be a part of and as a fan you know years later you will proudly detail how, you were there.

Making comparisons of one sound to another or one band to another is only useful if the listener, reader or audience know the points of reference. To make obvious comparisons to Higgins seems unfair. There is something in their sound that harks to a more professional time in the world of music. A time when all musicians were musicians and schooled or rehearsed as such. This and this alone does not make a great band. Look to the rawest and best of Punk and Garage bands and you will know that professionalism is not even last on their list of priorities but not on the list at all. No, I am talking about music performed by true artists and craftsmen who are just as concerned with the notes as they are with the arrangements. To say their music is wise beyond their years is only appropriate because we don't expect this level of quality from the pedestrian performances and complacency with levels of mediocrity that are praised now-a-days by fans and sadly critics alike. Higgins stand above all in the studio and the music halls both of which seem to long for great sounds. This is not to say that Higgins don't know what it means to be primitive. They know that raw is no more powerful than polish and can embrace the two qualities with equal understanding and finesse. A typical Higgins song is layered with sounds, instruments and vocals all of which blend together like a chef preparing a signature dish. If Higgins were painters they would be Impressionists. If they were a movie they would be Film Noir.

Zs is a journey. Zs is an expression. Zs is music and it deserves to be heard.

Zs:

"There He Is"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Tambo/Shaker
Kevin Fish- Vocals/Guitar/Piano/Organ
Josh Kaufman-Guitars
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass

There is always something sweetly familiar about a Higgins song. Maybe it is the perfectly placed aggression reminiscent of bands like The Faces against the warmly laid down harmonies of so many late 60's and early 70's masters from the Raspberries to Badfinger. Maybe it is just their ability to interpret these sounds and make them their own. Many bands claim this, but fall deeply into the pit of good intentions and poor imitations. "There He Is" never loses itself in clichés and Pop trappings. Perfectly short the way a great Pop song should be and lastingly memorable.

"Always Something"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Tambo
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Guitars/Piano/Wurlitzer
Josh Kaufman-Guitar Solos
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass
Eric Jackson-Guitar Solos
Annie Nero-Cellos/First Bass Coach
Karen Waltuch-Violas
Travis Harrison-Mouse Gong

Kevin Fish can do more with his voice than most bands can with an orchestral backing. Sublime and wise beyond his years like Peter Sellers in "Being There." His words and delivery float through the compositions as a true storyteller and not just a singer songwriter (a title which is tragically thrown around and handed out far too easily). You can feel his presence around you as he walks through his life, and yours, as both observer and participant. The chorus, "There is always something to keep someone from loving me" is turned a few times to even include, "...to keep someone from mugging me." Our hero comes to his realization not sadly, but with full understanding that he has only himself to blame.

"Wall Of Dumb"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Tambo
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Piano/Wurlitzer
Josh Kaufman-Classical(30something)Guitar/Electric Guitar/Banjo
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass
Eric Jackson-Electric Guitar
Jordan Crowell-Shakers/Muted Triangle/Awesomeness

The piano intro to "Wall Of Dumb" sounds so similar to something you know that as it pulls off into unfamiliar territory your stomach drops like a ride up and down rolling hills. The rolling hills continue and so does the breeze as Mr. Fish's voice stretches to reach the top of each peak and then happily glides to the bottom as his sorts the meaning of life. Maybe not the big meaning, meant to answer all of our insecurities, but just enough to get him through another day. The band rattles along like an old car, cranked up just enough to carry him from one revelation to the next but not simply as a vehicle but also fellow passengers on this journey. To great effect the Guitars, banjos and keyboards pluck and bounce along with the broken beat of the drums and tastefully placed percussion never allowing things to become settled.

"Jamy"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Extensive Percussion/Bongos in the style of Travis Harrison
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Wurlitzer/Piano/Synth/Wah Wah/Bass
Josh Kaufman-Banjo/Josh and Kevin's sampled voice Keyboard
Eric Jackson-Trombone/I'm Gonna take a Solo.....Guitar
Travis Harrison-Bongo Arranger
The Suffolk County Man Pipes-Group Vocals

Each subsequent track on Zs becomes more layered with sounds. The level of composition goes up and so do the chances the band takes. "Jamy" has one of the coolest intros I have ever heard. There is even a synthesized breeze to make the point more definitively and by all rights should be corny yet feels perfectly genuine. Right before the first chorus passage there is a Guitar, Electric Piano and Drum part that passes in a fraction of a second but one I can get hung up on for a lifetime. It comes again and never loses its affect. Simple, pure and soulful. It is a moment that cannot be spoken, a moment when words are not enough or maybe too much to do it justice. Somehow Banjo manages to come off just as soulful as the more obvious choices of instrumentation but then with the swirling Wurlitzer and spectacular Guitar solo it would be hard to break the mood.

"Roy G. Business"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Percussion
Kevin Fish-Wurlitzer/Vocals/Organ
Josh Kaufman-Drop D Guitar/Piano
Eric Jackson-Guitar
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass
The Suffolk County Man Pipes-Group Vocals

Somber and zombie like "Roy G. Business" lumbers in with the band. There are moments when you can feel them lose their balance as if the band is playing on the deck of a storm tossed boat. Cymbals crash and tom toms roll like the waves crashing to the deck or at times trying to roll the boat and end the misery. The Suffolk County Man Pipes drunkenly try to save their souls with a sea worthy chant. Hopelessly trying to raise the dead or alert rescuers through the darkness but sadly all is in vein. No one hears, no one is coming; all is lost and the world has gone calm.

"Yes I Know"
*Brian Kantor-Drums
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Guitar/Piano/Glockenspiel/Shakers
Josh Kaufman-Guitars
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass
Travis Harrison-Tambo

Pure Pop perfection has had its moments and nothing is more pure than "Yes I Know." You can almost hear the crowd singing along with Kevin as he repeats "I found a new way" throughout the song. The band raises the excitement and tosses us around just because they can. The singer remains grounded and determined to make sure that we know he is enjoying a moment. This is a moment of clarity and happiness, a moment of pure bliss. At these moments we are best on our own. We are no longer needy, no longer wanting. We have reached a simple state of being. Egoless. This is what a flower must feel. In typical Higgins style, mere seconds before the song concludes Mr. Kaufman treats us to just enough of a guitar solo that we are both left wanting and satisfied.

"Write It Down"
Brian Kantor-Drums
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Organ/Wurlitzer
Karen Waltuch-Violas/Violins
Josh Kaufman-String arrangement

"Write It Down" is sentimental. Thinking of all the great things you could have said; the perfect sentiment, the timely quote or the humorous finish at the end of a thought. All the things you wish you would have said and sometimes things you should have said. Write it down, it doesn't mean any less. Sometimes it may even mean that much more. Drums drive a sharp string arrangement and lilting keys throughout. At times the voice peaks out of the darkness as if lost in thought, clouded by the possibilities to say the right thing.

"OK"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Shakers/Guitar Manipulation
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Acoustic & Electric Guitars/Wurlitzer/Synths/Synth Bass & Electric Bass
Eric Jackson-Electric Guitar/Fuzz Box Amp Guitar

Fuzz Guitar threatens to shatter the gentle sounds that open "OK." The mood is mist like and airy. Eric Jackson cuts the atmosphere with layers of feedback exposing the storm that is raging inside. Brian Kantor opens up and attacks his kit as if to prove that sometimes what we think is so delicate and fragile is actually quite stable.

Prelude To A Charly"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Bass/Electric and Acoustic Guitars/Piano/4th Drum solo
Travis Harrison-Drums/Special Effects/3rd Drum Solo
Dan Crowell- Drums/Bell Riding/Fire Cracker Fills/2nd Drum Solo
Kevin Fish- 1st Drum Solo

A band is only as good as its drummer. Period. Regardless of genre. Higgins is not a good band. Higgins is a great band. What makes them so is drummer extraordinaire, Brian Kantor. Rarely on a Pop record does the drummer get to express his or her greatness in such an overt way. Not only does "Prelude To Charly" demonstrate his aggression and skill but he invites and arranges three other drummers to pound his point home. "Prelude" whirls and crashes in what can only be described as a moment of Prog Rock brilliance. Big beats coming at you from all sides, Percussion, heavy Bass and Keyboards come together as one and at times separate as if unaware of each other. You are trapped in the vortex as the musicians surround you driving you closer and closer to the edge of insanity. Suddenly the mood shifts lulling you to sleep with rim shot driven rolls and gentle piano. The nightmare or ecstatic moment, depending on your perspective, builds back up before we are dropped hard and shot through the grease.

"Charly"
Brian Kantor-Drums/Percussion
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Guitar Left/Guitarmonies/Flute Organ
Josh Kaufman-Guitar Right
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass
Eric Jackson-Slide Guitar
Scot Gropper-Hammond Organ

Southern Rock with a boogie base is a very good place to land after the prelude. Kantor continues his brilliant assault and the band seems very revved and ready to join him. Fish comes on like he is ten feet tall and the band have an invincible quality to their sound. The addition of Hammond Organ is a great choice and one that more new bands need to explore as it is one of the greatest inventions of the 20th Century. Grooving with harmonies, several slashing guitars and thunderous bass "Charly" is one bad mother-fucker. The Prog flavor is evident in the vocals but the band is all business up front and you guessed it, you know what's going on in back. The outro shows just how sharp the band can be even in territory that is not necessarily familiar to them. This is like Queen meets Black Oak Arkansas.

"Everybody (Thunder Mountain)"
Brian Kantor-Drumkit Left/Acoustic Guitars
Kevin Fish-Vocals/Acoustic & Electric Guitars/Piano/Harpsiboard
Josh Kaufman-Vocals/Acoustic Guitars/Electric Guitars/Autoharp
Andrew Fuller Condon-Bass
Eric Jackson-Trombones/Electric Guitars
Jordan Crowell-Tambo
Travis Harrison-Drumkit Right
Billy Filo-Acoustic Guitars
Karen Waltuch-Violas
Meryl Joan Lammers-Flutes

Saying goodbye with a mix of what has come before is a nice way for a band to go out. "Everybody (Thunder Mountain)" combines all of what makes Higgins great and is certainly no throw away at the end of side two. By this point the band has grown to ten players all of whom complement each other as well as shine brightly. The rhythm section continues to kick up some dust, strings and flute dart back and forth avoiding the percussion and ducking cymbals while the keys challenge the bass and trombone to be heard. This is an explosive closer but after you catch your breath and begin to process what you just heard you will want to start it all over again from the beginning.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Primitive Sound System, Bill Dolan and Joe Raaen go Back To School - Thurs Sept 4th at D.C.'s Tavern

Hello Y'all,
Back to school days! If there is a more joyless time of year I dare you to name it. Back to school signifies the dead last second of Summer and even if it isn't your favorite time of year no other season's activities and features are missed more. Long days begin to give way to long nights and the weather becomes even less predictable. God I love this time of year! Let's stay inside and listen to records. Speaking of, I picked up a lot of records this Summer for very cheap from a friend selling off some 45's to make room for his 78 collection. Some of these are records I have been looking for, for a long time and others were a complete surprise. Tonight school is back in session with your scantly dressed teachers Bill Dolan, Joe Raaen and my sexy damn self. Please come to class prepared. Requirements for this evenings course are notepad, pencil, a hearty thirst and dollars to stuff in the barkeep's school uniform.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Primitive Sound System, Bill Dolan & Joe Raaen
Thursday September 4th 9PM to Closing
D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern

What's in my lunch box:
The Voxpoppers - "The Last Drag" (Mercury cat. 71282X45)
With the most time stamped sound from intro to finish The Voxpoppers grind their way through one street racers last race and a blown chance to impress his lady. The talked vocal moves slowly but we are slammed head on into one of the best 50's guitar sounds there is. Both twangy and raw with a big sound that needs no accompaniment to tell its story. Happily this solo goes on longer than the average 50's vocal track making it almost a guitar instrumental. One mile later the pistons blow and sadly not only is the race lost but so is the car and any chance of having a little fun in the back seat.

Dottie Wright - "Eclipse Of A Lover" (F - M Records cat. 471)
Mmmm... this is one of the tastiest 45's I have picked up in a long time. Les McCann's "Compared to What?" has long been one of my favorite songs and a few songs come close to its feel. Dottie Wright not only comes close but this little disc gives me chills. Bright piano and steady drums ride atop a heavy bass line in a perfect combination of Jazz and Soul. Ms. Wright has a very young sounding voice and one that also is reminiscent of the modern ladies of soul like Elizabeth Shepherd, Alice Russell, Dionne Charles, etc. I assume this record is from the late sixties or early seventies and hopefully Ms. Wright is an influence on the aforementioned ladies of Soul.

Dee Dee Sharpe - "You're Just A Fool In Love" (Atco Records cat. 6576)
Holy cow. Early Dee Dee Sharpe has always been a regular spin for me. I have practically worn a groove through her "All The Hits" LP. So while visiting Mr. Fine Wine on his radio show I was amazed to find out that this was Dee Dee Sharpe. This is one funky little groover and it even comes with a nice break. Sharpe's voice is big and soulful here as opposed to her younger cuts like "Party Lights." There is something similar to a Staple Singers side with spectacular guitar, big arrangement and deadly rhythms. Ms. Sharpe whoops and hollers after the choruses giving it a Marva Whitney thing as well. Simply perfect and this is what record collecting and DJing is all about. I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Bobby Womack - "Arkansas State Prison" (Minit Records cat. 32093)
From one of my favorite Bobby Womack LP's comes this down and dirty tale of imprisonment. Bobby Womack has one of the strongest voice that carries him effortlessly from the quiet moments to the shouts. Musically he provides distinctive guitar riffs and his band his always sharp as a razors edge. Similar to Arthur Alexander, Bobby Womack sits comfortably in the world of Soul as he does in the Rock world. "Arkansas State Prison" is at times bare and sparse and at others lush and and emotional. Tony Joe White minds a similar territory but never so beautifully.

Johnny Hallyday - "MAL "Hush"" (Philips cat. Bf370489b)
Johnny Hallyday tackles Joe South's incredible "Hush" with the same aggression that Deep Purple did but does it in a Mod Soul groove worthy of any dance party. The band never pushes Hallyday aside and lets him shine but they are certainly not taking it easy or sitting back on their heels. Hallyday has had an insanely long career in France both acting and singing and In 1969 he was even backed by the Small Faces on his Rivière... Ouvre ton Lit. LP. His version of "Hush" shows that not all actors suck when the sing.

Mark Murphy - "Daddy Must Be A Man" (Capitol cat. F4021)
Mark Murphy is a pretty great Jazz singer who did some his best work in the 60's. This must be his first recording or at least pretty damn close to it and it is easily one of the oddest records I have ever heard. This is a wolf is sheep's clothing. At first the song comes off like a domestic disturbance where Dad is a feared ruler of the roost. Slowly it unfolds that Mom maybe less than faithful and is able to convince Dad that he is the only one that matters and King of his castle. The song is sung from the perspective of one of the children and is certainly warped as such. The music is a pretty basic 50's early 60's hand-clapping romp with sweet female backing. Somehow this adds up to one insane little ditty that makes me bob back and forth.

The Aquatones - "She's The One For Me" (Fargo Records cat. LF-B1001)
I love a song that has an intro contrary to the rest of the song and "She's The One..." is one such song. This opens with the lead singer testifying his love of his baby in a pleading tone. As soon as he is certain we understand the band kicks in full tilt and never lets up. I am not sure but it seems that every great song from the 50's / Early 60's has a screaming sax even if it is a brief burst and for me, that is what makes them so great. The group uses their voices in very unique ways changing tone and shape in ways that are almost silly yet work incredibly well in this setting. "She's as sweet as she could be and she gets rid of my misery... she's the one."

Lester Young - "Wobble Time" (Chase Record Co. cat. 1200)
Ahh, now this is just fucking great. Lester Young and band lead us through the Wobble and make sure we never get lost by supplying the dance steps right there in the lyrics. Despite his bands obvious geographical tribute, the California Playboys, there is a New Orleans sound that runs under this. There is nothing like a nice pause and "The Wobble" has some nice "freeze" moments throughout. The recording is insanely clean and loud as hell which is really impressive. Young talks to us as the band tightly walks at a medium pace with bass, drums and piano leading the dance floor and wobbling about. Let's wobble baby.

The Stance Brothers - "Youth Groove" (Ricky Tick Records cat. RT024)
The Stance Brothers, The Stance Brothers, The Stance Brothers! These guys just know how to kick. I am not certain how to even describe this. There is a little Meters in there, maybe some JB's, maybe some Kool and The Gang, oh hell this is ALL Stance Brothers. Beautiful Vibes, sharp Drumming, stabbing and flowing Guitar all leading the horns through the brighter moments of their own brand of Jazz, Soul and Funk. The drums treat us to a very un-typical break and the band gives a shout in approval. I have watched video of these guys they are definitely all about feel and mood. Each member embraces their instrument and unlocks the beauty within and usually they do it funky as hell.

The New Mastersounds feat. Dionne Charles - "All We Can Do" (One Not Records cat. ONR7004)
There is nothing like Dionne Charles and there is certainly nothing like the tight as a duck's ass New Mastersounds. Ms. Charles gives her voice and attitude to this polished and 100% funky groove. This band adheres to the repetitive style of Funk that grabs a groove by the balls and never lets up. Equally as impressive instrumentally as the powerful yell of Ms. Charles the band can at times sound like a tape loop. There is a subtle and moody keyboard solo about three quarters the way in that floats above the never changing base but shakes things up just enough to keep it from getting samey and boring. Hard and heavy.

Trio Valore - "Rehab" (Record Kicks cat. RK45 020)
"Rehab" was an amazing Soul song from the first time you heard it. Amy Winehouse's waste of a life attitude is the only thing that can tarnish it. It has become tiresome to hear one more story about her and if I hear this song played one more time by some idiot who seems to think actual rehab may be a cool I may explode. It is painful. Along comes this giant organ instrumental version to breath life back into it and remind us all how great it really is. Drums kick this wide open and the organ jumps in to state the theme. Please don't sing along, just let it be. The organ is masterfully handled here by Seamus Beaghen who has quite a history wrestling the Hammond. The drum throne is manned by none other than Steve White formerly of the Style Council. Damon Minchella gives the bass its voice and the extra heavy bottom which helps keep this from being too Loungey. Suffice it to say these gentlemen are the cream of the crop and it comes through loud and clear on this fantastic reworking.

Ken Morimura - "Descarga Para Ti" b/w The Soultwisters - "Soulpudding" from Nik Weston Presents The Funky Instrumentals 45 Volume Two (Mukatsuku Records cat. MUKAT 008)
Both sides of this are pretty great but for some reason right now I can't stop listening to "Soulpudding." I have no idea if this is an old or new song. It sounds very modern but who knows, it may be a reissue. The band is quite explosive with pounding drums and blaring horns. There is a very aggressive blowing sax but he is not the only stand out no matter how hard he tries. The guitar makes sure of that with a slightly Southern flavor to a blistering solo. The band knows a good thing when they hear one and they pick up the pace behind him but drop right back in the pocket to state the theme and hand the whole thing back over to the sax. nothing like some friendly competition to get the blood flowing and the bodies moving.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

PSS; B. Dolan and special guest Justin Frohwirth - D.C.'s Tavern - Thursday Aug 7th

Hello Y'all,
This month Bill and are joined by Justin Frohwirth. Justin will be bringing a box of extremely rare and simply the best fucking Punk records you will ever hear. I think Bill and I are more excited than he his. We get to hear some amazing records, most of which we have probably never heard before, and unfortunately Justin has to deal with us two knuckleheads. Justin runs the amazing http://www.collectorscum.com website. Just take a look through the site and you will get an idea of what you are in for. Recently Justin said that he is into pure Punk rather than Hardcore, etc which we look forward to the focused set. He will grab the 10PM - 12 PM hours with Bill getting the action started at 9PM and as always I'll be entertaining the empty stools for two hours. It's all fun and games until My Brother the Bartender yells, "BOB GAUL!" "GET'DA'FUGH'OU'DA-ERE!" And of course, simply "GO HOME!" Since I wouldn't even want to compete with the likes of Justin, I'll be bringing some favorite, more common members of the Punk scene and some not-so-very Punk records including A LOT of recent acquisitions from the Iris Records Record Riot, and several other sources.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Primitive Sound System, Bill Dolan & special guest Just Frohwirth (10PM - Midnight)
Thursday August 7th 9PM to Closing
D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern

Justin's site - http://www.collectorscum.com

Personal Punk Favorites:
I have written about each one of these on many occasions. Hey, they really are my favorites. So this time I took a different approach.

Pere Ubu - "Final Solution" (Hearthan cat. HR102)
Discovering Pere Ubu was one of the most important moments in my life. Not only did I discover the sounds of one of the most creative bands ever but also the works of Alfred Jarry whose book Ubu Roi gave the band its curious moniker. Pere Ubu or Ubu is the vulgar, oafish, greedy and moronic character created by Jarry and his schoolmates to mock a hated teacher. Jarry continued to shape and mold the character and his story into an elaborate play. When the work first appeared on stage Ubu stood alone and declared, "MERDRE!" This translates as "SHIT-RR!" just in case anyone present didn't catch the vulgarity. A riot immediately ensued and so was born the career of one of the greatest absurdists. The band Pere Ubu were born from the ashes of Ohio Garage / Punk band Rocket From The Tombs. The amazing Rocket also spawned The Dead Boys. After being asked to describe their music by fans and critics alike Pere Ubu created a genre of music for themselves, Avant Garage. Ironically the music of Pere Ubu is easily explained BUT no one single explanation will cover all of their works and sometimes not even an entire song. Yes they are that unique. At times the music is visceral and pounding with primitive screams, riffs and rhythms typical of most Garage bands and at other times the music is complex, experimental, intellectual and always purely original. Just listen to the lyrics of "Final Solution" and you will instantly recognize it as a teenage angst anthem but this is no "My Generation." The song is a perfect companion for the Dead Boys "Sonic Reducer" and has an obvious formal connection.

Final Soulution:
The girls won't touch me
Cos I've got a misdirection
Living at night isn't helping my complexion
The signs all saying it's a social infection
A little bit of fun's never been an insurrection

Mamma threw me out till I get some pants that fit
She just won't approve of my strange kind of wit
I get so excited, always gotta lose
Man that send me off
Let them take the cure

Don't need a cure
Need a final solution

Buy me a ticket to a sonic reduction
Guitars gonna sound like a nuclear destruction
Seems I'm a victim of natural selection
Meet me on the other side, another direction

Don't need a cure
Need a final solution

The Dead Kennedys - "Police Truck" (I.R.S. (International Record Syndicate) Inc. cat. IR-09016)
Having friends with older siblings doesn't always mean hours of endless torture. Sometimes it means you are exposed to things that can help you skip steps in the natural evolution from child to young adult. In this case skipping Classic Rock and landing directly in the pit. While most of the kids in school were learning about Classic Rock my buddy Joey's sister was listening to Punk and New Wave bands (Ramones, Talking Heads, The Clash, etc...). I spent a lot of time at his house. Joey was a great friend and his sister and her friends were really good looking. I endured lot of teasing from Joey in their pool since I was quite large by age twelve but it was all worth it as his sister and her friends shared the pool with us. They controlled the radio, which in most cases would suck, but in that backyard the music and visuals were both perfect. Soon Joey and I were listening to bands we discovered through the music of his sister. The Dead Kennedys were one such band and a logical progression. To this day I can listen to "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables" over and over and never once get bored and at one point want to launch myself across the room. "Police Truck" is not on that CLASSIC Rock LP but is easily one of my favorites. This is also an early example of looking to the B-Side. The B-side is a place I have always felt more comfortable.

minutemen - "Paranoid Time' (SST cat. SST-002)
The Minutemen are probably the most influential band to me as a musician, OK, I am a drummer but that is almost a musician. Minutemen drummer George Hurley takes the fast paced, hard strumming guitar of D. Boon and makes it all swing. Simultaneously he can join with Mike Watt and go from blistering Hardcore to Funk grooves that would make James Brown smile. The songs of the Minutemen are short but they are filled with tempo shifts, breaks and parts that may or may not go together yet flow beautifully. Politics and timings come together without ever being disjointed or preachy. As time went on the songs of the Minutemen became structured more like Pop songs. Choruses were not only repeated but clearly sung to ensure the messages were heard and the meanings not confused. The band never lost any its power but sadly came to an abrupt end after D. Boon died tragically in an car accident. "EVERYBODY, SWING TO THE LEFT!"

Melvins - "Snake Appeal" (C/Z Records cat. CZ-1705)
Soon after I lost my taste for all things Hardcore I stumbled upon a few bands from the Great North West. At the time there was no way to know what the future soon held for this area of the States but from the first few records I picked up I began to notice similar names from one record to the other and consistency from a handful of labels. C/Z Records, Estrus Records, EMpTy Records and later on Sub>Pop were obviously at the forefront and involved in something different than the rest of the country. The idea wasn't necessarily new but it really did sound fresh. There were a few bands already combining the sounds of Metal and Punk (Black Flag surely comes to mind) so the sound itself wasn't particularly Revolutionary as much as you could smell and taste the ooze dripping from the turntable. The sound could be slow and dirge like Flipper or fast like Hardcore but almost ALWAYS the music was aggressive and in many cases "loud" became an ingredient and not just the final expression. I can't remember which I picked up first, this 7-inch or the Deep Six compilation but that doesn't really matter. Deep Six introduced me to Green River, Malfunkshun, The Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, and The U-Men. All of these bands instantly became favorites (except for Malfunkshin who later birthed Mother Love Bone and finally Pearl Jam). The Melvins had it all; Dirge, Punk, Hardcore, Metal (something I had never developed a taste for but was now beginning to understand) and to me the best aspect of all... NOISE!

LONG LIVE ROCK! BE IT DEAD OR ALIVE!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Primitive Sound System at Lamp Post - TONIGHT! 07-30 from 10 to Closing

Hello Y'all,
Looks like I'll be slinging the tunes DOWNTOWN. That's right folks. Downtown Jersey City at the Lamp Post. I wish there was a drunken bum at the foot of the post just like those lights that were on every home bar in the 70's. "See the cute drunken hobo. Don't be scared Timmy, he can't hurt you...for now." I'll be stuffing my sack and box full of a lot of Mono sounds as I hear they may be deficient in the ability to spread Stereo sounds of joy. Luckily there's no lack of the goods in that department in my collection. As usual I'll be spinning through 5 decades of Instrumentals, R&B, Soul Funk, Latin, Garage, Punk and Rock. I have some great new records that I can't wait to play.

- pat.
Primitive Sound System - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Spinning from 10PM to Closing
Lamp Post Bar & Grill
382 2nd St
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 222-1331

Set List July 31, 2008 at The Lamp Post - Jersey City, New Jersey

The Knockabouts - "Riot In Room 3C" (Shad cat. 5013)
Cyclones - "Bullwhip Rock" (Trophy Records cat. T-500)
Irving Ashby - "Big Guitar" (Imperial cat. X5485)
The Mysterions - "Transylvania" (Warwick cat. M 521)
The Shades - "Skip It" (Joey Records Inc. cat. J-6206
The Pacers - "Skeeter Dope" (Ally Records cat. 1013)
Tiny Fuller Group - "Turkey Jerk" (GAN Records cat. 1001)
The Vocaleers - "The Cootie Snap" (TwistTime cat. 45-T-11)
Sebastian and The House Rockers - "Nobody Can Do the Dog Like I Do" (Key Records cat. 302)
Bill Robinson and the Quails - "The Cow" (American Records Inc. cat. 45-6000)
Lester Young - "Wobble Time" (Chase Records Co. cat. 1200)
Dave Lewis - "Lip Service" (A&M Records cat. 735)
Bobby Boseman - "Astrological Soul Train" (Tangerine Records cat. TRC-1028)
The Turnarounds - "Soul Walk" (Tangerine Records cat. TRC-999)
Watson And The Sherlocks - "Funky Walk" (Soulville Records cat. SV-1015)
Charlie Earland's Erector Set - "Yes - Suh' " (Eldorado Records cat. 9969)
The New Way (Billy Guy of The Coasters) - "Lookin Like A Nut Nut" (GuyJim Records Inc. cat. GJ 587)
Alvin Robinson - "Down Home Girl" (Red Bird cat. RB 10-010)
Robert Parker - "Everybody's Hip Huggin" (NOLA Records cat. 735)
Allen Toussaint - "Soul Sister" (Reprise Records cat. REP 1109)
Baby Huey & The Babysitters - "Mighty Mighty Children - Pt II (Unite Yourself This Hour)" (Curtom cat. CR 1939)
Dr. John - ("Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away" (Atco Records cat. 45-6957)
The Watts 103RD Street Rhythm Band - "65 Bars And A Taste Of Soul" (Warner Bros. Seven Arts Records cat. 7222)
Trio Valore - "Rehab" (Record Kicks cat. RK45 020)
The Lifeguards - "Slow Swim" from the LP "C'mon And Swim" (Wyncote cat. W 9043)
Marsha Gee - "Peanut Duck" (Penniman Records cat. PENN 45 013)
Carol Jones - "Don't Destroy Me" (Mutt Records cat. M 27320)
Marlena Shaw - "California Soul" (Cadet cat. 5656)
Jodi Gales - "You Gotta Push" (Thomas cat. TH 808)
Mary Jane Hooper - "I've Got Reasons" (Power-Pac cat. 45-2053)
Betty Harris - "There's A Break In The Road" (SSS International cat. SSS-766)
Betty Davis - "If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up" (Just Sunshine Records cat. JSA-503)
Vicki Anderson - "If You Don't Give Me What I Want (I Gotta Get It Some Other Place)" (King cat. 45-6109
Ruff Francis & The Illusions - "Give Me Mercy" (Essica Records cat. 002)
Shadows Of Knight - "Shake" (Team cat. TM 520)
Fever Tree - "I Can Beat your Drum" (Fever Tree cat. 661)
The Combinations - "Bump Ball!" (RCA Victor cat. 47-9482)
The Barbarians - "What The New Breed Say" (Laurie Records Inc. cat. LR 3321)
The Flower Children - "Mini-Skirt Blues" (Allied Records cat. 101)
The Kingsmen - "Get Out My Life Woman" (Wand cat. WND 1174)
The Juveniles - "Bo Diddley" (Jerden cat. 770)
Guess Who? - "Shake It All Over" (Scepter Records cat. S 1295)
Hal Blaine - "Drums A Go-Go" (Dunhill cat. D-4049)
Jimi Hendrix - "No Such Animal" (Audio Fidelity cat. AF-167)
The Troggs - "I Can't Control Myself" (Atco Records cat. 45-6444)
The Remains - "Once Before" (Epic / Sundazed cat. S 181 / BVM 27565)
The Monkees - "Goin' Down" (Colgems cat. 66-1012)
The Fabulous James Brown at The Apollo - "I'll Go Crazy" (King cat. K-EP-826)
The Rivingtons - "The Bird's The Word" (Liberty cat. 55553)
The Falcons & Band - "The Swim" (Lu Pine cat. L-1003)
Donald & The Delighters - "Wang Dang Dula" (Cortland cat. C-109)
Eddie Chamblee - Dayton Selby on Organ - "The Honeydripper" (Prestige cat. PR 45-302)
Jimmy McGriff - "The Worm" (Solid State cat. SD 2524)
David Batiste & The Gladiators - "Funky Soul, PT 1" (Instant Records cat. 3308)
The Touch - "Pick And Shovel" (Lifesaver Records cat. 45-100)
The Dynamic 7 - "Squeeze Me - (Part 2) (Monument cat. No. 680018)
Lee Dorsey - "Four Corners Part II" (Amy cat. AMY 11,031)
Dyke And The Blazers - "Funky Walk Part II (West)" (Original Sound cat. OS-79)
Syl Johnson - "I Feel An Urge" (Twinight Records cat. 108)
Andre Williams - "Humpin' Bumpin' and Thumping" (Checker cat. 1187)
Alvin Cash - "Different Strokes For Different Folks" (Mar-V-Lus cat. 6018)
James Young and the House Wreckers - "Barkin' Up The Wrong Tree" (Jet Stream Records cat. 808)
The Banana Splits - "Doin' The Banana Split" (Hanna-Barbera Productions Inc. / Kellogg's cat. #34579)
Lorenzo Holden - "The Wig" (Cee-Jam Records cat. #1)
Jimmy Bee - "Hot Pants - Do You Wear Em" (Cherry Red Records cat. CR-4502)
Terrel Purde - "Funky Soul" (Tangerine Records cat. TRC-959)
The Sheltons - "The Cat" (Dot Records cat. 45-17174)
Leo Valentine - "Behind The Out House" (Camelia Records of Richness cat. 45-100-66-CB)
Bill Cosby with the Bunions Bradford Band - "Hikky Burr - Part One" (Uni cat. 55184)
Lou Rawls - "Season Of The Witch" (Capitol cat. 2550)
Etta James & Sugar Pie Desanto - "In The Basement - Part 1" (Cadet cat. 5539)
King Curtis & the Kingpins - "Whole Lotta Love" (Atco Records cat. 45-6779)
Parliament - "Red Hot Mama" (Invictus cat. Is-9091)
Thin Lizzy - "Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed" (Mercury cat. 73882)
Steppenwolf - "Hey Lawdy Mama" (Dunhill / ABC Records cat. 45-4234)
Iron-Knowledge - "Show Stopper" (Tammy records cat. T-1043)
Cheech & Chong featuring Alice Bowie - "Earache My Eye" (Ode Records cat. 66102)
The Stooges - "1970" (Elektra / Rhino Vinyl cat. R7 73206)
AC/DC - "Jailbreak" (Atlantic cat. 7-89614)
Enzo Bontempi - "Italian Spiderman Theme" (Soulful Torino Records cat. STR 003 / RK 45 017)
Bob McFadden And Dor - "The Beat Generation" (Brunswick cat. 9-55140)
Young-Holt Unlimited - "Soulful Strut" (Brunswick cat. 55391)
The Superlatives - "I Don't Know How (to say I love you) Don't Walk Away" (Westbound Records cat. W 144)
Curtis Davis - "Your Love And My Money" (Bev-Mar Records cat. BM 1001)
Elizabeth Shepherd Trio - "Reversed (Nostalgia 77 Mix) (Do Right! Music cat. DR018)

Friday, June 20, 2008

Primitive Sound System - Maxwell's - Sunday June 22 - before and after Polvo

Hello Y'all
Or better yet, in the immortal words of Mr. Steady Eddie, "Fuck all y'all!" Eddie Watkins was the original drummer of Polvo and seemed quite fond of saying that. He got me hooked and I couldn't stop. If anyone ever wondered why all these emails begin with "Y'all" now you know. POLVO. I never thought I would see the day that these guys would get back together. Polvo were one of the bands to connect aggressive rock with art school sensitivity or creativity depending on the song. Art fags who beat themselves up in gym class. At times the music is noisy even abrasive, others it is beautiful and repetitive and then again they can out Rock with the best of them and usually much better than all of them. I am not lying when I say the first time I heard "Can I Ride" back in 1990 I got chills. Just wait for Eddie's perfect open fill and you will too. The band is one of the few great bands the world will ever know and horribly they will be tagged with the "under appreciated" or "unkown" tag by the main stream. But you know what... to the main stream I say, "FUCK ALL Y'ALL! Guitarist Ash Bowie's vocals are nothing less than haunting and he is joined at the hip with Dave Brylawski also on guitar. At times there seems to be about twelve guitars humming, strumming and feeding back and the band will always sound as if they on the verge of a breakdown. The aforementioned Steady Eddie is partnered with the insanely deep and pounding bass lines of Steve Popson. Like all great Bass players poised on the verge of destruction they hold everything together, and when it is all over, gather up the parts and continue on for another day. Put down the channel changer and get to the show. (Eddie is no longer in Polvo and Brian Quast takes the throne.)

- pat.
Primitive Sound System

Sunday June 22 - 9PM
Polvo with Birds Of Avalon 9 p.m. $15
Primitive Sound System spinning Before and After
Maxwell's
1104 Washington Street
Hoboken, New Jersey
BUY TICKETS - http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&pl=&eventId=266307

Some Vinyl that RULES!

Batman & Robin - "I'm A Bat - I'm A Rock-N-Roll Animal!" "Gotham City Blues" "I Feel Pretty Good While Smashing Other People" and "Run - Joker - Run" (Bachelor Records cat. ???? (Inserts: Gotham Gazelle and a cut-out mustache)
That's right, the mighty Batman and Robin return with Vol. Twuh! Crazed and raw this duo is saving no one, not even themselves. "I'm A Bat - I'm a Rock-N-Roll Animal" certainly raises the bar pretty high for these guys but then again they are Super Heroes. "Animal" is frantic, sloppy frightening and if the Mummies were still active I could see them Batman & Robin as the perfect bill or dare I say... Dynamic Duo. Maybe somewhere in a Garage back in 1967 a group of possessed teens spit out similar brilliant audio destruction but I doubt it. Batman seems more focused than other but the poor Boy Wonder may have slipped into madness. "Gotham City Blues" has an actual chorus and even a melody. Batman truly has a classic Garage voice and Robin knows to keep it simple stupid. "Gotham City" is as much an anthem for their beloved home as much as it is its soundtrack. "I Feel Pretty Good While Smashing Other People" is proof that this is not the goody two shoes of the original Batman. This Dark Knight stalks the streets at night looking for a fight and if there is non to be had why not sucker punch some loser and get the mayhem started. It is always good to pay tribute to your enemy. But the dynamic duo rather taunt their villainous counterparts. That's right, "Run - Joker - Run" UH!

The Soft Boys - "Wading Through A Ventilator" from the ep Give it To The... (Raw Records cat. RAW 5)
I love when people are made uncomfortable. "Wading Through A Ventilator" is a song that seems to make people who claim to love Robyn Hitchcock very uncomfortable. It seems if they have not heard this and don't like what they are hearing they just wish it would stop. I feed on this anxiety created by music. The band is playing at a furious pace. Guitars sing in all directions, the bass rapidly bounces back and forth and the drums are caught in a death roll that would seem impossible to stop. Amazingly they do briefly come out and dive into a groovy little chorus but lurch back just before spiraling us down the drain on a trip reminiscent of the ferry boat ride in Willy Wonka. Hitchcock reminds us, "IF IT BOTHERS YOU YOU CAN TURN IT OFF." I have no intention of doing so but alas all things must pass.

Dymaxion - "Use Once and Destroy" and "Mice in Drain" (Duophonic Super 45's cat. DS45 - 24)
It is too easy to say that it is "impossible" to describe Dymaxion. Any time I find myself about to say that about any art I am reminded of getting my kid through the biting and hitting phase, "Use your words." "Use Once and Destroy," opens with a very sad growl from some Electronic and is met head on with a thudding bass and pounding drum groove that conjures visions of Robots at a dance. This is a band that really needs to concentrate to make these pieces fit. Several sounds and parts are stitched together with the precision of a surgeon. Sounds range from obvious electronics to sampled sounds. What makes Dymaxion so brilliant is that the must is never plodding nor does it come off as Mechanical. Tasteful, unique, moody, varied, etc, etc. What I love about Dymaxion is that they make Modern music that sounds like a Soundtrack for the "idea" of what 50's Sci-Fi thought "modern" would be. "One day in the future..."

My Bloody Valentine - "Soon" (Creation Records cat. CRE 073)
Like Spaceman 3, My Bloody Valentine are more about setting a mood and creating atmosphere than concerned with typical, common or ordinary song structure. "Soon" is a vibrating wall of feedback that has few equals. I can't make out one goddamn word but hell I appreciate that. The vocals pass through the music as if only a freak encounter and not a planned happening. Unlike Spaceman Three, the drums are pounding and creating what seems to be the only appropriate groove to buoy the sound. Sometimes repetition is next to godliness and Mr Shields and crew have certainly created a heavenly moment.

Offs - "Everyone's A Bigot" (415 Records cat. 009 (?))
Offs mine a similar territory as Konk. There is a little of everything here to make them appealing to a wide audience but not so appealing that you will here this booming from Tony's IROC. "Everyone's A Bigot" is a great twofer with "Ian Dury's "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" or even "Reasons To Be Cheerful." There are a lot of sounds and possible sources of inspiration here but the band rolls them up nicely and turns them out in a danceable Punk song that is playable over and over. There is a definite Ruts like quality and X-Ray Specs certainly comes to mind. The vocals are shouted over a slightly Ska like groove though the drums never lay into any traditional beat of any genre. Horns burst in and out looping over and over making the whole thing quite mesmerizing. A very cool guitar blast announces the sax solo and soon after the pace is picked up and thrown around a bit. The bass is steady and strong throughout and as the pace is accelerated the vocalist abandons singing and talks and shouts at us right to the explosive end.

Phantom Tollbooth - "Flip Your Lid" from the ep Valley of the Gwangi (Homestead Records cat. HMS 058)
Crazed vocals, time shifts, tempo changes and incredible musicianship have kept this a favorite since I purchased it some twenty-two years ago. Phantom Tollbooth lost nothing on stage. Improvised or extremely well rehearsed each song was captivating, moving and impressive. At one point during "Flip Your Lid" the vocalists assures us, "Don't worry I won't hurt you," but it would not be advisable to believe him. They ooze sarcasm and aren't afraid of injecting there heady creations with a little humor. Artistically created mayhem on the edge of sonic destruction.

Squirrel Bait - "Kid Dynamite" (Homestead Records cat. HMS061)
I try not to use the word brutal too often when describing heavy music because brutal is such a powerful word. If you have ever been violently punched in the face you fully understand. BUT. Squirrel Bait can be and are brutal. "Kid Dynamite" is all you need to hear to realize these kids were possessed to take music and their instruments where few had gone before. I didn't listen to Heavy Metal growing up because for the most part Metal is simply laughable. All show and for the most part no balls. When I wanted something good and violent I looked no further than bands like Squirrel Bait. Drop the needle on "Kid Dynamite" and nothing can prepare you for those first few seconds. It's like being blind sided at an intersection. Some how band and song NEVER fall apart. Buried deep inside the wreckage there are the remains of a pop song. Squirrel Bait breakdown into what can only be described as a groove but only briefly as we are thrown back on the pile and brutalized some more.

Stereolab - "John Cage Bubblegum" (Slumberland Records cat. SLR 024)
Stereolab can really kick ass when they went to. Luckily they seemed to like kicking ass. "John Cage Bubblegum" is so amped it up it makes you want to pogo wildly. Hopefully you get to see it all in slow motion and super saturated with color. I picture a field of tall sunflowers and suddenly bodies leaping to the skies over and over again. The organ buzzes like a race car and and the bass sets the pace. All the while the drummer tries to pound his kit into the ground like a spike and the guitar is ripped to shreds. The vocals are sweet and some how soothing in light of the chaos but as you speed off a cliff wouldn't you rather take in the sights than wail and scream in your final moments? A truly unique band that is set apart from other bands and music simply by doing what they do.

Plus a stack of some of North Carolina's finest!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

PSS / Bill Dolan / Joe Raaen - D.C.'s Tavern - Thurs June 5th - 9-Closing

Hello Y'all,
It has been some time since I have gotten to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Bill Dolan at the edge of the world and behind the turntables in that gritty little cave known Back In Back as D.C.'s Tavern. Well, this Thursday we return to the scene of the crimes with more music; some old, most new, some familiar and others downright obscure. Unfortunately for those who don't like to read it has been a month or two so the below descriptions may seem endless. For those of you who do like to read please be kind when observing my grammar and lack there of. There are some amazing new things coming out every day from some of the best new Soul and Funk labels including Hammond Beat, Tru-Thoughts, Freestyle, Skyline, Ricky Tick, etc. Also I have recently been lucky enough to find some things I have been searching for forever as well as others that I had no idea existed (or forgot about for one reason or another). I have also thrown in some 70's Action Sounds.. soundtracks that is and a set of "76 - "77 Punk inspired by "Punk On 45 (Revolutions On Vinyl 1976 - 70)" after devouring it in one bite. Come for the Beer but stay for the Floor Show.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com
Here is the link to the WFMU $mall ¢hange archive from my guest spot... I even talk. - http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/27315

Primitive Sound System & Bill Dolan & Joe Raaen
You will be in the sights of Larry "The Hunter" so be kind and rewind and tip.
Thursday June 5th 9PM to Closing
D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern


A LOT of records:

Captain Hammond - "Origin [the APOLLO 7 version]" (Hammond Beat cat. HB7-03 Side A (Ltd. Ed. 250 w/ credits insert))
I watch A LOT of documentaries about Space. A WHOLE LOT of them. The intro to "Origin (Apollo 7 Version)" could easily be the best soundtrack to the Big Bang Theory or perfect accompaniment for a lift off out of our atmosphere. There is a unique feel here not found on other similar minded recordings. Funky Cha-Cha drums under the bleeps and bloops of the synth that suddenly give way to a thick bass line and atmospheric wash of synth elevate this moment from an intro to a happening. The Organ underpins everything holding its course and allows the Synthesizer to be the guidance system but the Hammond is the true Captain of this ship and soon takes control for the rest of our voyage. As we fade to the horizon while the synth continues communicating with mission control and all systems are go.
B/W
The Futuro Seven - "Mercury Wonderland [the MECHANAUT version]" (Hammond Beat cat. HB7-03 Side B (Ltd.. Ed. 250 w/ credits insert))
Another amazing intro. Percussion, with what sounds like a backward loop kick off a nasty bass line from the organ. It is almost a fight between good and evil as somewhat silly bleeps and bloops trickle down throughout one tough little groove. Soon the silliness fades to the back and the Organ cranks up leading the charge. Sometimes repeating a groove can ruin the effect or lessen the drive but here it is almost relentless and burns until the floor gives out. It all winds down to to an out of breath finish. This is recorded really well giving room to each instrument and sound. The drums sound huge but never crush or get in the way of the tasteful percussion and synth effects. This is the only track I know by The Futuro Seven but I would love to hear a less effected piece. For now I'll have to settle for this little slice of greatness.

Tony Face Big Roll Band Featuring Yo Kalb / Tony Face Big Roll Band - "Lady Day & John Coltrane" b/w "Hey Bulldog" (Hammond Beat cat. HB7-04 (Ltd.. Ed. 250 w/ credits insert))
"Lady Day & John Coltrane" is easily one of my favorite Gill Scott-Heron songs so I'll try not to compare them. But, what does come to mind is the incredible Dana Bryant version of "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" from way back in 1993 (Yes, I used to frequent the Giant Step events. When they were good they were great but when they were great, they were transcendent). Tony Face and Band really push the tune along which adds to the songs tension but Yo Kalb (of The FABULOUS Soul Snatchers) never seems hurried. Her vocals have a confidence and a hint of sultry attitude enough to stand up to any thing the band serves. The band is certainly tight and dead on the money with their choices. The Organ steps out with some nice double timed playing that really gets the head bobbing. There is always something nice about playing or a player (Paolo "Apollo" Negri) who gets really aggressive right before graciously stepping aside to allow another to shine. In this case Ms. Kalb comes right back in never missing a beat and joined at the hip by the Guitar right to the end. On the B-Side of this Soulful Jazz Funk workout is one of the few Beatles songs I play on a regular basis. There is something very "Get Out My Life Woman" about the groove so right off the bat that's pretty damn appealing. This is the IN YOUR MOTHERFUCKING FACE treatment this song needs if you are going to cover it. Pounding Drums and stabbing Guitar are immediately followed by what seems to be a possessed Organ. There is control and things do appear to be organized but this is a blowing session of the best kind. Drums flail and crash, Guitar strings get tortured, Bass lines thunder through the house and the Organ is shook to its core. I will play this a lot and I will play it loud. If you are going to do a cover make it your own. Just like a stray you have to break it with love and then make it obey you. "ATTACK!"

Phat Fred - "Yu Nou Rili" [live in Denmark] b/w "Memphis Train" [live in Denmark] (Hammond Beat cat. HB7-05 (Ltd.. Ed. 250 w/ credits insert))
Goddamn these guys are tight. You can hear a thousand bands play a similar brand of music but when you hear it all come together like this it gives you chills. This is LIVE?! You gotta be shitting me. Aside from the completely outstanding playing the recording is equally as perfect. There is always an argument over whether the New Funk bands sound as good as their forefathers and whether or not to call this Retro or not. Here's a definitive answer to both of those questions, PHAT FRED! just listen to the sound of the Organ and the precision of the Drums and Bass. I am not kidding, at times I swear I hear horns but it is because of the layered combinations of sound. Extremely tasteful Guitar slips in and out with a warm lush tone but this is an Organ session so the Guitar will have to wait for the next 7-inch to take center stage. I'll certainly buy that one as well. On the B-Side the band takes Rufus Thomas' "Memphis Train" at a quick pace. There are vocals on this side though I wish there were not. Mr. Wilkinson doesn't have a particularly bad voice it is just that it isn't seasoned enough. Let's face it, you try to remove Rufus Thomas' voice from your memory. I hope I never do. Phat Fred is such a tight incredible band that an instrumental version would have been just as perfect as their performance on the A-Side. Here again the Organ bounces along with the slamming beat and Bass. Each time Mr. Wilkinson stops singing and tosses off one of his sweet ass guitar riffs so effortlessly it is inspiring. The band plays like they have been playing together since birth. In the fade we are treated to what may have lead to a tasty little drum break but fade it does leaving us wanting MORE!

The Five Aces - "Kick The Bucket" b/w "Movin' On" (Dynomite R&B Series cat. DYNO1)
Cutty Lark - "Get Caught" b/w "Get Caught' Instrumental (Do Right Music! cat. DR4504)
Funkshone - "Droppin" b/w "Droppin'" Instrumental (Skyline Recordings cat. SL45007)

Lack of Afro - "Touch My Soul" featuring Steve Marriott b/w "The Outsider" (Freestyle cat. FSR7044)
I check a few sites on a regular basis and Freestyle is one of them. When I saw this announced on their site I couldn't believe my eyes. I assumed it must be yet another sample / remix thing but I was only half right. Yes, it utilizes samples but this is so beautifully done it is almost a shame to think of it as anything other than a collaboration. There are a few recognizable bits like the "Afterglow" sample but I can listen to this over and over and smile every time. I have a few other 7-inches by Lack of Afro (a.k.a. Adam Gibbons) and I am ALWAYS impressed. Stellar as always. If I am supposed to recognize the samples that make up the "The Outsider" I am happy that (for the most part) I can not. These are done so heavy and so seamless that I can't get enough of these compositions. Brilliant. I will own many more Lack of Afro records in the future.

The Grips - "Fancy Roll" (G.E.D. Soul Records cat. GED 001)
I hate to admit it but I found this little bit of Funk through the bands MySpace page. It is really well played and for a first shot is pretty sophisticated with horns as the main leads but does remain raw enough to not be slick or "new" sounding. The track runs through some nice changes and an impressive sax solo despite the short time length. I look forward to other releases by them.

The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist - "Community Service Announcement" b/w "Cut You Loose" (Tru-Thoughts cat. TRU7157)
Similar to the Soul Investigators, The Bamboos like variety. They thrive on it. Also similar to The Soul Investigators they have taste for days. Here The Bamboos are joined by the incredible Kylie Auldist. Ms. Auldist can stretch notes, moan and at times come across like a young Queen of Soul herself. The groove on "Cut You Loose" is sharp as tacks and combines the best of the JB's and the Meters which is to say it is classic Bamboos. The A-side of this is a bit of a Girl Group romp. And a quite Soulful one at that. Like most releases on Tru-Thoughts it is going to be difficult to ever leave this one at home.

The Stance Brothers - "Roll Call" b/w "The Strong One" (Ricky Tick records cat. RT017)
WEEEEEEE! This sucker jumps up right in your face and has NO intention of backing down. Why not? It's about Drummers isn't it. A Funky roll groove is taken at quite a quick pace accompanied by sparse Electric Piano, Percussion and a Vocalist reading off a list of some of the greatest drummers to every grace the throne. Roll call indeed. The outro is a slightly Latinized Jazz groove which rounds out the side quite nicely. Here is the great irony. I think "The Strong One" is certainly just that. It has the same in your face Drums but this time at a far more leisurely pace, Vibes, Electric Piano, Bass and some nice shouts to keep things moving. It is an all round great side... BUT... how can I not play "Roll Call?"

Jo Jo And The Outcast - "Whole Lot Of Woman" (Sound-O-Riffic cat. SOR-926)
Joe Jeffrey - "The Train" (Wand cat. WND 11207 (DJ Copy Not For Sale)) - This is the B-Side of "Dreamin' Till Then"
Right off the bat I have always had a thing for train songs. It is the same obsession with animal songs, food songs, space songs, version of "Summertime," "Caravan," "It's Your Thing," etc, etc, etc. Hey what can I say I obsess on music. The band is kicking it real raw with just a beautiful feel. It all sounds so unrehearsed but yet so together. It is the type of song that wants you to get up and play music or groove around the dance floor. Joe Jeffrey's voice is suited well for a song like this. He has a perfect amount scratch! He comes in a bit smooth but he gets up a good head of steam soon enough. He is looking to impress and impress he does. My favorite part is when he seems to step off the record to explain, to what would seem to be an ex, about just how styling he really is. She foolishly seems to refer to his Hog as a Pig and he does not take it likely. "You keep on messin' with me I'll make it hard for you to chew soup!' An instant favorite and one that I will be wearing out the groove quite quickly.

Victory Travelers - "I Know I've Been Changed" (Courtn cat. CO-1003)
The New Way - "Lookin Like A Nut Nut" (Guyjim Records Inc. cat. GJ 587)

The New Apocalypse - "Stainless Soul" (MTA Records cat. MTA 185)
I have never heard of this nor have I seen this label before. But I couldn't be any happier with discovering this seemingly perfect instrumental. The pace is medium to slow and at times it seems like it is going to burst out in a big horn section sound yet remains pretty lean and very raw. The intro has a feel that has me thing Gary Byrd or someone similar should be doing a talk up. Maybe Butterball! That would be great, OK, shh... this thing is incredible. I lopes around like a drunk who is still able to look pretty cool dancing. Heavy bass, spitting horns, raw Funky Drums and a cool echoey guitar sound that leads into a more Jazz sounding guitar. The Organ peaks in and out at first but then it takes hold and sets another mood. Suddenly the song has an upbeat vibe but when the organ drops out it is apparent that things haven't changed at all. I have listened to this about 5 times and every time I pick up something different. The outro is a looped guitar that mimics a skipping record. This one is definitely not skipping but will listen to it over and over and over and over and over and over...

Freddi / Henchi And The Soul Setters - "Funky To The Bone" bw "I Want to Dance, Dance, Dance" (Reprise Records cat. REP 1175 (Promotion - Not For Sale))
Nasty guitar opens this short and yes "Funky to the Bone" track. If Webster's Dictionary is allowed to define a word by using that word in the definition than I am definitely allowed to call this "Funky To The Bone." I had this forever on a comp but never tracked down an original until now. The guitar has a Joe Walsh a la "Funk 49" sound and then takes it far beyond that. The band basically just repeats "FUNKY, FUNKY, FUNKY TO THE BONE; FUNKY, FUNKY, FUNKY RIGHT ON!" The band seems rather small sounding for such a big name but it would also seem everyone involved is singing. There seems to be at least Bass, Guitar, Drums, Organ and the shared vocals add a horn section like element. The B-Side isn't bad either. It has a very Sly and The Family Stone sound with an even bigger ensemble sound and that same Funky Bass, Guitar, Drums. and Organ sound. This may sound crazy but the only drawback is it seems to go on a little too long but hey he did say he was going to DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!

David Batiste & The Gladiators - "Funky Soul" PT. 1 & 2 (Instant Records cat. 3308)
This is easily two of the funky minutes you are likely to find any where. The title does not disappoint. This is Funky Soul at its best. The drums are heavy and exacting. The horns and guitar are just as sharp. Pumping organ and bass fueling this engine and the guitar stretches out a bit before a nice break cools things of momentarily. Not much more I can say and it isn't like any further description would make it that much better or appealing.

Lorenzo Holden - "The Wig" (Cee-Jam Records cat. #1 / CJ-8961 (wht label promo)
Some songs just hit you like a truck. This can happen in any genre or from any time period. The Wig is one such monster. I can't recall hearing this before because if I had I would have had to find it IMMEDIATELY. "Hey girl, don't come or your wig might fall off!" This is the classy intro to this Soulful R&B stormer. The first instrument to take the floor is a very soulful flute. Like the song of the siren it beckons you to shake your ass. Mr. Holden keeps shouting through out and soon the guitar cuts us like a knife with some insane and relentless riffs. If that isn't enough the Organ immediately jumps on the pile and if you aren't already up wrecking the floor the Drums and Claps should bounce you out of your seat with a repetitive beat that should inspire madness. I it sounds like I can't get enough of this

Adolphus Bell An The Up Starts - "Black Eye Peas" b/w "Lafin Gas" (Satin Records cat. SAT-1111)
"Lafin Gas" is either the best Halloween song ever or simply the best Stroll Instrumental. Not only are we treated to maniacal laughter but, what is certainly a rare appearance in 50's / 60's instrumentals, the lead is Trumpet. The trumpet speaks almost softly and with a calming tone but all the while you know the freak will be back. Mr. "Black Eye Peas" is just is good. I have probably said this every time I write about a food song but, there are very few bad food songs. These peas are whipped around a a good clip. Mr. Bell talks / sings through the whole song looking for, craving and offering Black Eye Peas to everyone. The guitar playing is frantic with that Wild Jimmy Spruill sound. This is one of my favorite two siders. Oddly enough Bell still plays to this day and more famously as a One Man Band.

James Rivers - "Bird Brain" b/w "Tighten Up" (Eight-Ball cat. 1560)
This is almost surprising as an A-Side but then I have seen the covers of Mr. Rivers LP's and they are odd to say the least. This is everything I could ever ask for in an instrumental. It has a very obvious 50's early 60's feel and the lead is...FLUTE! Flute instrumentals are a favorite of mine. Here the Flute is book-ended by Funky Blues Harmonica but the Flute takes hold of this composition and doesn't let go. There are a mix of sounds and genres buried in the extended solo but I am a sucker for the sounds of shouts, groans and growls through the Flute. I can see opening many, many sets with this beauty.

Eddie Chamblee - Dayton Selby on Organ - "The Honeydripper" (Prestige Records Inc. cat. PR 45-302 (Preview Copy))
Damn this is taken at a break-neck pace. This HAS to be the fastest paced version ever of this classic Joe Liggins' composition. For the past few years I have been playing the hell out of Herbie Mann's amazing spin on this gem. Eddie Chamblee rips through the tune and at one point gets his instrument to scream and squeal in a way I have heard very few players capable of. The steady drum groove keeps things from getting too out of hand but just listen to the aggressive organ solo to hear where each player could have stormed. Typically this would be known as a Blowing Session but that is almost a joke compared to what is happening here. Burnt, out of breath and certainly bloodied the band crashes to a dead end. Let's hope they recover to play some more.

Carol Jones - "Don't Destroy Me" (Mutt Records cat. M 27320)
This sounds like it was recorded in a hall or club. The horns have a big but distant sound, the drums are beautifully raw as if they remained unmixed and the vocals are almost shouted to be heard which is not a quality heard when the vocals are done in an isolation booth. The band is hitting really hard and the music is almost a dirge... so... how insanely surprising is it that this is all Funky as hell?! Ms. Jones vocals are genuinely pleading. This is not just some song she is interpreting or a story she wants to tell. This is a slice of life or a look behind the curtain. much to Ms. Jones credit this is quite an emotional performance.