Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday September 13th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
First up, an old friend is bringing his brand of song writing craft and distinct vocals to the back room of Maxwell's this Tuesday. Eric Bachmann will be performing solo even though the show is listed as a Crooked Fingers gig. The last time I saw Eric it was also a solo show and as always he could have played for 3 hours with out a complaint from the audience. Eric is always engaging and when his voice hits that soulful Neil Diamond sound at times it makes what he does seem slightly surreal. He started his career with the drunken punk band Archers of Loaf and slowly made his way to his current status as a Singer/Songwriter after briefly visiting a more wild and varied sound under the moniker Barry Black. With or without band Eric has proven to be one of the major and lasting talents of the 90's (horribly titled) Indie Rock scene.

Secondly, I want to spin the tracks I collected after the 1999 release of The Vital Organs that appeared on that comp. Only one of the tracks on the LP was something I was very familiar with. "Shimmy" had already become a regular spin for me and remains one of my favorites to this day. Myself and Grooovy Sounds Unltd. label guru "The Record Brother" were obsessed with this track and it was the only cut we brought to the table. Although we were humbled by Matt's choices it does lead off side two nicely... if I say so myself. I'm not even sure when I first met Matt "Mr. Fine Wine" but I know I was a fan from his very first show on FMU. Matt can school the schooled. He was one of the few folks that the statement, "What he has forgotten about Soul music is more than you hope to ever learn" is not only accurate but an understatement. Putting together the comp took and extraordinarily long time. Unlike most of the comps and reissues prior to the Vital Organs we wanted everyone to get their due. Bootlegging had become all too common and it wasn't something we wanted to be a part of. Matt was the best person for the job because not only did he have the best and rarest records in the world but he knew some of the artists personally. Little did I know prior to my research that I too would get to know some of these men very well and I am certainly the richer for it (and you know I am not talking about money).

WFMU Playlists and Archives for "Mr. Fine Wine"
http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/SV

The Vital Organs on Dusty Groove:
The LP: http://www.dustygroove.com/varfunklp2.htm#27934
The CD: http://www.dustygroove.com/varfunkcd2.htm#27933

The Record Brother:
http://recordbrother.typepad.com
Vital Organs write up from The Brother:
http://recordbrother.typepad.com/imagesilike/2005/02/vital_organs_.html

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

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

Groovy Sounds Unlimited & Mr. Fine Wine Present: Vital Organs (Grooovy Sounds Unltd. cat. GROOVE 0004-1)

SIDE ONE
The TMG's - "The Hatch"
Beyond rare. Beyond good. I tracked down the man who held the rights to this song after talking to about 20 people. Kenneth Higney of Chess and "Attic Demonstration" fame was my last call before reaching Mr. Leonard Mietus. Mr Mietus was one of the most helpful people I dealt with and he wanted nothing in return. His advice was what made putting the comp together easier than it would have ever been. Mr. Meitus holds the rights to 1000's of songs for one reason or another and we promised him we would be back when we put together further comps. I hope Mr. Mietus didn't think I was lying. Grooovy Sounds broke down and then broke up before any of our bigger visions were realized. He was excited to see that we loved the music from this time period and we planned on paying everyone involved.

Louis Chachere - "The Hen"
After the comp came out Matt gave me this as a gift as a thank you for asking him if he would share his knowledge and collection with the world. Thank you. Thank You. Thank You. If anyone asks me what my favorite genre is within the genre of Funk and this 45 is within arms reach this is what I play them. I knew almost all the cuts that made it to the comp from Matt's radio show. This song always stuck out and I had a version on Pure Vol. 3. (I have to do a !Pure night)

Recorded in a cave this has a raw as hell sound that us Troglodytes love. The drum sound is something I hope to achieve one day because I have rarely heard anything like it. Tight snare drum, kicking bass pedal and fast bubbly rolls drive this Hen outta the house. The organ is screaming and perpetuates the myth that the organ is a physical being or monster. All this and screaming horns too. This is what they mean by diggin' in. GET IT, GET IT!

Buddy McKnight - "Everytime Pt. 2"
Anthony Renfro was a sad character to deal with but oddly and pleasantly he was always positive and sometimes downright happy. He knew he had the goods and should be using them to make some cash but hard times and divorce were eating up his time and money. He mailed me several tapes of other available music but unfortunately nothing came close to the party action of "Everytime Pt. 2." He told me of a track that he played on and recorded that featured a young James Marshall Hendrix and that he would send me one. He said that the last one he sold paid for his rent and kept him from being evicted. I pleaded with him to NOT send me one but to send me a tape as he needed it more than I. We sent Anthony a check for the full amount of the royalties before we even pressed the LPs/CD's. I never heard that track and was unable to track him down to say thank you one more time.

Smooth but with a real party feel "Everytime" is sure to put a smile on your face. The playing is tight and the song has a composed feel to it. About midway through the band opens up a bit and the organ really cooks. This is one of those tracks where the very expressive organ is really the vocals of the track.

Ross Carnegie - "Cool Dad"
The man smiling back at you from the cover of the Vital Organs is the one and only Ross Carnegie. I met Mr. Carnegie through one of my favorite musicians, Harold Ousley. Originally we were going to put Carnegie's version of the Ousley penned groover "The Kid." Harold was very easy to get in touch with as he was still recording, performing and was the host of his own cable access Jazz show. Harold came to Finyl Vinyl where I worked at the time and Grooovy Sounds was based and we talked for hours. It was like we knew each other our whole lives. He came in on a regular basis just to shoot the shit and we spoke on the phone often. While recording the 45's that made the final cut suddenly Matt realized he had forgotten to play me the other side of "The Kid." He flipped it over and I flipped out. "Cool Dad" was INSANE. Jazzy-Organ-Funk-Soul-Jazz or whatever the fuck you want to call it this track was IT! Harold was sad to find out that "The Kid" was cut and "Cool Dad" was in. He got me in touch with Ross and one afternoon they made their way down to Finyl Vinyl. Ross was the very definition of 70's style. Where Harold had kept himself very current and forward thinking (many of our talks were about meditation, organic and health foods and the state of music and the world in general) Ross on the other hand was a bit of a throw back. Ross was teaching piano and had his own Church in the ground floor of his home where he stored the organ that you see on the cover of the LP. I went to visit Ross at the Church and in his home. It was so perfect. His office was covered in photos, sheet music, awards and show posters. His daughter ran his daily operations and kept him on his very busy schedule. Ross still performs weekly at the Nordstrom in the White Plains mall (http://rosscarnegie.com/calendar.htm) I hung with Ross on a regular basis and even built him a website (not the one currently active). Saddly (and for reasons unknown to me) Ross stopped talking to me.

"Cool Dad" is all around heavy and truly a bad ass. Ross' band was certainly made up of top notch players (with Harold Ousley on sax you can't go wrong). The track features the organ but the guitar lays down a real cool solo and suddenly off we go again into the theme and beyond. Rolling congas, steady bass and drums round out the sound that is equal parts Funk, Jazz, Soul, R&B and Gospel. Ross's daughter used to tell the other children in the neighborhood that she had the coolest Dad because he didn't have the typical job their parents had. He felt he had to record a song expressing her feelings.

The Martini's - "Bullseye"
I don't have a copy of this and that is not for a lack of looking. I do have a copy of "Hung Over" which includes the sound of someone puking. This was a fun one to track down and ironically due to a split up of publishing companies and lawyers who actually didn't know what to do no one seemed to want to take our money. It's not like these guys are unknown. They are basically the Hi Rhythm Section. Again, I spoke with many many people and no one seemed to know what to do. Oh well.

SIDE TWO
Toussaint McCall - "Shimmy"
eMusic owned the rights to "Shimmy." We had never heard of eMusic but had recently read that they were buying up the rights to catalog after catalog of southern Soul, R&B, Gospel and Rock. Now, of course like 1000's, I have an eMusic monthly MP3 account. I can't think of his name right now but the guy we were dealing with at eMusic was working from his home at the time. I'd say they have grown significantly since then.

"Shimmy" is perfection.

Jimmy Willis - "Soul Power"
I scored a copy of this 2 years ago at the WFMU Record Fair. As for licensing I spoke with no one. Our only lead returned no call backs. I did speak with someone who said they knew Mr. Willis. He gave me the name of a woman he believed was her daughter. She hung up on me.

Sometimes a song can be just about the groove and this song illustrates that perfectly. It's announced at its beginning just so you don't get it wrong, "For your information, this is Soul Power!" Hand claps with shouts, congas and organ are basically all you get here but there is a phantom piano buried in there that keeps it all on track. One of the more interesting and simple tracks in the Soul/Funk genre.

The Organics - "Foot Stumping"
The first time Matt played this for me all I could think was God I hope this one is in my price range... NOPE! "Foot Stumping" is a Bluesy Funk romp that has a very live sound to it. The organ comes in on a long held note and vamps for a while before bowing out to the guitar solo. I have to find my notes but I believe it was Mr. Griswold who told me he was extremely happy to get some money because all he got was a few bucks and a coupon for a chicken from the studio.

King Cain/Silvertone Band - "Don't Give a Damn"
It was near impossible to find info about these guys. This was the one track we never got even one lead on. After we released the comp "Don't Give A Damn" appeared on several other comps.

Filmore Street Soul Rebellions - "Put Your Weight On It Pt. 1"
OK. Let's just say that I completely understand what makes DOLOMITE! so damn appealing. I never had to talk to the man, the myth, the legend known as Rudy Ray Moore but he is responsible for bringing the Filmore Street Soul Rebellions to the attention of the world via his comedy LPs and movie Soundtracks. From what Billy Miller (Norton Records) says I may be lucky because we just might not gotten the comp done. Rudy has tons of music and memorabilia and wants anyone interested to see it all and hear everything he had a hand or tongue in on. Could have sidelined this project for a Rudy Ray Moore release. So I tracked down the two men who's names appear on all the music, Mr. Benjamin Taylor and Mr. Arthur Wright. My initial contact was with Ben Taylor. He asked me if I would call back and talk to both himself and Mr. Wright as Mr. Wright was a better judge of character and to tell you the truth trusted no one. Apparently I passed the test. One thing is for sure these guys loved to talk and being blessed with the gift of gab myself talk we did. Like Mr. Renfro, Ben and Art sent tapes of music but unlike Mr. Renfro's sweet soul tracks their music was just not something I was interested in. It was very processed and sounded like it could be called Disco but it was probably recorded in the 90's sometime. I asked them if they had any tracks from the 60's and 70's but they wouldn't send it to me as Art's paranoia took over. I told them they could send me snippets of the tracks but they were unable to get a studio to make copies. Again I promised them if we do more comps I would fly to Cali and listen to the cuts with them. Grooovy broke down, blah, blah blah and I unfortunately I lost contact with two of the comps more interesting characters.

I have two copies of this. One on Cherry Red Records and one on the Kent Comedian Series LP Rudy Ray Moore Presents The Mr. Jerry Walker Album "The Fairy Godmother." The 45 is a bit more studio than the LP which seems to have a more live feel and includes an introduction by Rudy Ray Moore and some of the best hand claps on any recording. Maybe the live effect was produced in the studio to make you believe The Filmore Street Soul Rebellions were at the club with Mr. Walker. Either way this is a mid-tempo funk stew of organ, shouts, heavy bass, guitar, piano and skittering drums that move between heavy and accents fluidly. To this day I don't think there is a better track that could have closed out the album.

Well that closes part one of my Vital Organ remembrances. When I dig up my notes I'll write up a part two. The below list is just some of the events, people and things that I need to remember more details about. Without a doubt Joe Robinson was by far the best phone call I have ever been a part of.
NOTES:
Joe Robinson
The Hurricane
Moses
Europadisc Direct Metal Mastering (CD's vs LP's)
The Green van
Taxi cab door

I recently picked up a lot of new records and will include them in my next email but I had to include this one item here. If you have never heard this you are in for a treat.

BONUS TRACK:
The BBC (a.k.a. Bill Black's Combo) - "Upside Down" (The word "DOWN" is actually upside down on the label.) (MEGA cat. 615-0091)
The guitar that rips the intro to this funky instrumental is something any current Punk band would be happy to nail down. Almost Jon Spencer Blues Explosion with horns. Slamming drums, organ and bass push this bad ass along and it never once loses the groove. AMAZING!

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday September 6th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
In the past month or so I have been fortunate enough to stumble upon some great 45's at unbelievably reasonable prices. Some of these slabs of hot sticky wax cost less than a dollar. There is no better feeling than the one you get from finding records not only that you want but at prices worth picking them up at. Some of these cost a lot more than a dollar but those are things I have been looking for, for a very long time. For example The Pharaohs are a band that I was introduced to while working at Finyl Vinyl in NYC. I was lucky enough to be able to sell/share this band with nearly 100 customers via two Ubiquity Records re-issues (which is an incredible number of copies for a small store). The one song off their album proper that I played out the most was "Black Enuff" and I finally got a copy of the 7" and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg. What a great feeling. This along with a handful of others on the list below will see a lot of time on my turntable both at home and where ever anyone will let me spin.

In 1999 I was part of what I thought would be a very long running label based out of NYC. Grooovy Sounds Unltd. only got to put out 3 releases and distributed the fabulous Music Today catalog but I still think it could have been successful for a very long time despite its short run. One of those 3 releases was "Mr. Fine Wine and Grooovy Sounds Unltd. presents Vital Organs Volume I." If you have never heard this comp and claim to be a fan of Organ based Instrumentals Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz etc... you are sorely missing out. I had the pleasure of organizing the entire comp. I worked directly with Mr. Fine Wine and all the artists we were able to track down and in some cases with publishers, lawyers and record label/industry folk from the 50's, 60's and 70's. When the comp came out it was not exactly common practice to license all the tracks and pay any and all the people who deserved a cut but that is exactly what we did. What this is all leading up to has nothing to do with this weeks set of music. Last week I was notified that Dusty Groove in Chicago has been able to get a hold of many many copies (both CD and vinyl) and are selling them at a reduced price.
The LP: http://www.dustygroove.com/varfunklp2.htm#27934
The CD: http://www.dustygroove.com/varfunkcd2.htm#27933
Scoop them up and give them as gifts. Not only will your friends love you for it but your friends friends will too.

Maybe next week I'll spin the 45's I have collected that were featured on the LP. In the meantime this week will feature some of the cuts below leaning heavily to the soul side. We missed my friend Betty's Birthday a few weeks back and she deserves some down home soulful goodness along with some mid and late 70's dance floor grooves.

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

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

45's:
Ertha Kitt with The Henri Rene' and his Orchestra - "Santa Baby" b/w "Under The Bridges Of Paris" (RCA Victor cat. 47-5502 pic sleeve) Could be the best picture sleeve ever. Totally hot Ertha Kitt in fishnets up in Santa's arms.

Dave Mitchell & The Screamers - "The Trip" b/w "Hang In There" (MET Records cat. 2768-2)
Greg Tormo plays this one at every DC's Record Swap and I HAD TO HAVE one. He emailed me that there was one on eBay and now it is mine. He says it is most likely a 70's Boot but I don't care. The sound is great and I get to play it whenever I want to now.

The Pharaohs - "Is That Black Enough For You?" b/w "Tracks Of My Tears" (Capitol cat. P-3072 promo copy)
First heard of the Pharaohs through the Luv-N-Haight comps. I knew Earth Wind & Fire had a connection to The Salty Peppers but I never heard The Pharaohs. Then Luv-N-Haight reissued the first LP and a previously unreleased live session. Let's just say I was hooked. Their version of "People Make The World Go Round" was nothing short of mind blowing.

The Parliaments - "Good Old Music" b/w "Time" (Revilot cat. RV-223)
I have had a weird love/hate relationship with the monster known as Parlafunkadelic over the years. Maggot Brain is easily one of my favorite records of all-time but as time went on they lost it for me. So, I stick to the early years. This cut is from the Invictus years and it is one of the funkiest records The Parliaments released. This is raw, hard and in your face.

The Fabulous Capris - "Stagger Walk" b/w "In The Alley" (Sticky cat. ST001 re-issue)

Bill Deal & The Rhondels - "Swingin' Tight" b/w "Tuck's Theme" (Heritage cat. HE 818 pic sleeve)
Didn't know this one but something about it seemed worth a listen. The "A" side is pretty mediocre. BUT... the "B" side is a heavy Rock/Funky instrumental. Big organ and big clean production, and as a bonus there is a big ass break beat towards the end.

Coasters - "Love Potion Number Nine" b/w "D.W. Washburn" (King cat. 45 - 6385)
The Coasters album on King is a bit like the Blues LP's cut for Cadet Concept. The tracks on "On Broadway" are heavier and funkier than anything they previously released and from what I can tell over the years was not a favorite amongst Coasters fans/collectors. I never got a copy of the LP but I do have a few of the 45's. ("Cool Jerk" b/w "Talkin' 'Bout A Woman" and "Soul Pad" b/w "Down Home Girl" are the others.)

Billy Guy and The Coasters - "You Move Me" b/w "Take It Easy Greazy" (Sal / Wa cat. 1001-A)
My Dad was a huge Coasters fan and I remember this song from and 8 Track I guess.

Sam & Dave - "Soul Sister, Brown Sugar" b/w "Come On In" (Atlantic cat. 45-2590)
Kickin soul burst. Sam & Dave were so good James Brown recorded similar minded duets with Bobby Byrd just to try and knock them off the top.

War - "Why Can't We Be Friends?" b/w "In Mazatlan" (United Artists Records cat. UA-XW629-X pic sleeve)
Is there a better Summer time band than War? One of the very first tapes I owned was War's Greatest Hits. I walked around with a cassette player that looked like the ones they issued in Elementary School to follow along with film strips. My first Boom Box. The other two tapes in constant rotation were "Best of The Stylistics" and "KISS Alive!" I was 8.

Fatback - "King Tim III (Personality Jock) b/w "You're Are My Candy Sweet" (Spring Records cat. SP 199)
Some consider this the first Rap record. Debates about these subjects are so subjective. Certainly a great 45 regardless of its historical stature.

Gary Byrd - "Every Brother Ain't A Brother" b/w "Are You Really Ready For Black Power" (Real Thing cat. RT 100)
Gary Byrd was a DJ who did some pretty great recordings. Most of them spoken word over slow grooves and beats. Hmm, very Hip Hop...

Freddie Roach - "My People (Soul People)" b/w "Johnny's Comin' Home No More" (Prestige cat. 45-454)
Spoken word over slow organ groove. The history broadens.

Barry White - "For Your Love" (? (Electrosound Group Midwest Inc.) TWX 810-260-2618 ES GRP SHEL Test Pressing)
Big modern sounding recording from Barry White.

King Ernest Baker - "Somebody Somewhere (Is Playing With Yours)" Vocal b/w Instrumental (Funk Records cat. 1007/8M)
Apparently King Ernest Baker recently passed away. He was still recording for the enigmatic Blues label Fat Possum. The Vocal side isn't all that but the Instrumental is incredible. Slamming drums and organ.

Bobby Moore's Rhythm Aces featuring Chico - "Try My Love Again" b/w "Go Ahead And Burn" (Checker cat. 1156)
"Go Ahead And Burn" is a screaming instrumental.

Ben Sidran - "Slippery Hip" b/w "Chances Are" (Blue Thumb cat. BTA 223)

The Sharpees - "Do The 45" b/w "Make Up Your Mind" (One-derful! cat. 4835)
For some reason I always thought I had a copy of this record. Now I do.

Pointer Sisters - "Yes We Can" b/w "Jada" (Blue Thumb Records, Inc. cat. BTA 229)
Big beat intro to one of my favorite versions of this great song.

Albert Collins - "Do The Cissy" b/w "Turnin' On" (Imperial cat. 66391)

Tom Jones - "Looking Out My Window" (Arranged by Keith Mansfield) b/w "A Minute Of Your Time" (Arranged by Mike Vickers (parrot cat. 45-PAR-40035)
I had this song on a horrible compilation so it's great to get it on 45. Tom Jones is always soulful even when he is at his cheesiest. Here he is down right funky and why not with the legendary Keith Mansfield at the helm.

Orchestra Harlow - "Voy Para La Luna" b/w "Larry's Complaint (Me & My Monkey)" (Fania cat. 495)
Beatles covers are for the most part better than the Beatles originals. The "White Album" is one of the few Beatles LP's that I really really like so covers from this LP make them even better. Here Larry Harlow tackles the full throttle pop blast of "Everyone's Got Something To Hide (Except For Me and My Monkey)" and succeeds quite nicely. I have passed on the LP that this comes from for years because the LP is a little uneven at best. (See Ramsey Lewis' "Mother Nature's Son" LP for another incredibly funky version.)

Joe Bataan - "Uptown" b/w "Obatala" (Fania cat. 483)
Most people pick this up for the "Uptown" side but hopefully they flip this bad boy over for one of my favorite Salsa jams ever.

The Ides Of March - "Vehicle" b/w "Lead Me Home Gently" (Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records cat. 7378)

Rod Stewart - "Oh! No Not My Baby" b/w Rod & Faces (and a bottle of Compari) - "Jodie" (Mercury cat. 73426)

Golden Earring - "Radar Love" b/w "Just Like Vince Taylor" (Track Records cat. MCA-40202)

Elvis Presley - A Touch Of Gold - Volume 3 "All Shook Up" Don't Ask Me Why" b/w "Too Much" Blue Moon of Kentucky" RCA Victor (Gold Standard Series))

Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock - "It Takes Two" Vocal / Instrumental (Profile cat. PRO-5186)

Candi Staton - "He Called Me Baby" b/w "What Would Become Of Me" (fame cat. 1476)

Archie Bell & The Drells - "Here I Go Again" Mono / Stereo (Atlantic cat. 45-2693)

Eric Burdon And War - "Home Cookin'" b/w "They Can't Take Away Our Music" featuring Sharon Scott and The Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California (MGM Records cat. K14196)

Jimmy Ruffin - "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" Mono / Stereo (Motown cat. M 1329F wht. label promo)

Jimmy "Bo" Horne - "Dance Across The Floor" (Sunshine Sound cat. 1003 wht. label promo)
A friend of mine played me this about 6-7 years ago. I knew the song but never really paid much attention to it. Aggressive congas and a really strong pre-disco feel.

Joe Simon - "Moon Walk Part I & II" (Sound Stage 7 cat. SS7-2651)

All from "Little Richard's Grooviest 17 Original Hits":
Little Richard - "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey" b/w "Good Golly Miss Molly" (Specialty cat. 624)
"Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey" is a top 10 favorite party tune if there ever was but then again how many really bad tunes did the self proclaimed King (and deservedly so) actually record.

Little Richard - "Long Tall Sally" b/w "Slippin' And Slidin'" (Specialty cat. 572)

Little Richard - "Send Me Some Lovin'" b/w "Lucille" (Specialty cat. 598)

Lipps, Inc. - "Funytown" b/w "All Night Dancing" (Casablanca Record and Filworks, Inc.cat. NB 2233)

Rufus Thomas - "The Breakdown" (Part I & II) (stax cat. STA-0098)
Lost or accidently sold my copy. This VG at best copy will have to do right now. I am on the look out for a clean one. HELP!

Sister Janet Mead - "The Lord's Prayer" b/w "Take My Hand" (A&M / forget me nots cat. 8574-S)
I saw this record once many years ago and was told to give it a listen. I didn't. This time I didn't let the opportunity pass and holy cow... excuse my French Sista. The intro to this is a monster. Too bad the rest of the song doesn't match. I can't wait to get the damn M-Audio working (I'm almost there) so I can loop this bad boy and play it endlessly.

The Premiers - "Farmer John" b/w " The Blendells - La La La La La" (ERA Records "Back to Back Hits" cat. 024 (BH2))
All too familiar with this classic Garage Rock floor filler but this re-issue has amazing sound so I couldn't pass it up. I have the LP and I have heard the original 7" countless times but I must say nothing comes close to this very loud weirdly cleaner produced 45. Of course The Blendells' "LaLaLaLaLa" is certainly no slouch. I just may have to flip them one after another Papa Rib style (my Dad DJ'd parties with a single record player.)

Free - "Stealer" b/w "Broad Daylight" (A&M Records cat. 1230-S)
Free are one of those bands like The Small Faces/Faces most people just don't know enough about. Recently Bob Segar has been getting his due from those in the know and hopefully the attention will swing to other greats from the most bloated era of rock.

Bob Seger & The Last Heard - "East Side Story (vocal)" b/w "East Side Sound (instrumental)" (Cameo cat. C-438 D.J. Copy)

Ted Nugent - "Cat Scratch Fever" b/w "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" (Epic cat. 8-50425)
Something both mind blowing and surprising that these two beauties came out on a single 45.

Elf - "Hoochie Coochie Lady" Mono b/w Stereo (Epic cat. 5-10933)
Threw this in my pile not expecting much. Boy was I wrong. Yet another heavy electric Blues Rocker in the vein of Ram Jam...

CBS "Note Book - For Students Only" - SIDE A Pierce Arrow - "Hot Summer Night" Lake - "Time Bomb" b/w Crawler "Stone Cold Sober" RAM JAM - "BLACK BETTY"

Warrant - "Cherry Pie" (Columbia cat. 38-73510)
HAHAHAHA! WEEEEEEEEEE!

Deee-Lite - "Power Of Love" b/w "Deee-Lite" "Theme power of Love (LP edit)" (Elektra cat. 7-64912)

Apache - "Gangsta Bitch" clean version edit...I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT. Not what the description said.

Edwin Starr - "Agent Double-O-Soul" b/w "Back Street" REISSUE again...not what the description said.

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday August 30th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
I am DJIng a birthday party this Tuesday for the Mixed Taped Sessions. Actually since I would be DJing anyway I guess I can say I was DJing Tuesday and a Birthday party broke out. There are three bands playing in the back-room all from various edges of the world of Rock via Punk. But enough about them. Just kidding. The line -up is The Black Hollies/The Monumentals/Stuyvesant doors open at 8 p.m. and all this entertainment is FREE. Like the bill I'll be making my way through almost 40 years of Punk Rock and of course anything else that crawls into my boxes from genres far and wide.

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

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

Adrenalin O.D. - "The Nice Song In The Key Of "D" (Buy Our Records Inc. cat. BOR-7-005)
Fast, Loud, and Stupid. Welcome to the world of Jersey Hardcore. These guys were untouchable. I saw them a lot and they were always amazing. Buzzing is an understatement for their chosen guitar sound. This thing blasts by in 1:13 and it never looses its La,La,La feel. Stooopidly I sold "The Wacky Hijinks of..." and "Let's Barbeque" ep. You can only own so much.

JFA - Blatant Localism EP - "Beach Blanket Bong Out" (Placeb cat. PLA101)
JFA are from Arizona so when they are talking about "beach" that is pretty much all there is. The singer goes as far as to say, "Surf Punks we're not," yeah no shit, not much of a surf in Arizona from what I can tell. The photo on the cover has always killed me. There are 4 kids on the cover. Three of which are a bit Hardcore but it is the fourth kid that cracks me up. He is wearing his Dad's bermuda shorts with a short sleeve T tucked in his pants and big ass 60's Foster Grant type shades. This kid IS Punk Rock. (I dropped my first copy of this right on its edge and it cracked in half. I ordered a new one by mail in 1985. To this day I prefer ordering records from the labels directly.)

Gang Green - "Alcohol" (Taang! Records cat. TAANG SIX)
I'D RATHER DRINK THAN FUCK! This sounds like it was one take in someone's garage. This is one of those many TOP 10 FAVORITES of mine. this song gets me going every time. Screamed, pummeling ode to what else, BEER! Let's make no mistake, these guys aren't screaming for the Grey Goose. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT... I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT! .... ALCOHOL!

Dead Kennedys - "Too Drunk To Fuck" (Alternative Tentacles cat. Virus 2 pic sleeve with insert)
LET'S RIDE! Jello's voice is so unique and the band is as tight as the Bad Brains but with a very California feel. There is something surfy buried in there that keeps it all weirdly "fun" despite the subject matter. I only saw these guys twice and both times it was jaw dropping. The sharp as knives guitar lines of East Bat Ray are the only thing that could possibly compliment Jello's pissed off whiny screams. Hammering beats and a bass line (that is felt not heard) keep it all a bit head bobby.

Dils - "I Hate The Rich" b/w "You're Not Blank (So Baby We're Through)" (What? Records cat. WHAT 02 pic sleeve (No this isn't one of the ones with the stain on it)
"I Hate The Rich" opens with a guitar line that could easily intro a children's song. I bet Hank would run around slamming into things while this is playing. I guess that does make this a children's song. I'll have to wait some time before I tell him what it's about though. I won't call this nostalgia but what the hell happened to music? Did kids forget what is necessary to make Punk Rock? 1-4 members who hate their very existence and even more than that hate everyone else and the state of the world around them. Don't worry how it sounds on tape just shove it in people's faces and when preaching to the converted make sure you don't talk down to them. Don't worry if it doesn't sound like anyone else, actually that is the whole idea. No one cares who your influences are. Yes, Gang of Four was a great band. No your band is not and guess what... you couldn't sound like them if you were doing cover versions. Oh yeah, and play your instruments like you were using them to demolish the room you are playing in. The Dils understood.

The Weirdos - "Destroy All Music" (Bomp! cat. Bomp112 pic sleeve)
DITTO!

buzzcocks with Howard Devoto - Spiral Scratch "Boredom" (a New Hormones product cat. ORG-1)
The Buzzcocks were like no other band before or after. I almost don't feel anything else need be said. I only wish I had gotten to see them live in 1977. Hopefully there is no Heaven and Hell and just a peaceful existence where you get to experience the things you weren't able to do for whatever reason while breathing.

Alternative TV - "You Bastard" (Deptford Fun City Records cat. DCF 002)
Straight up snotty. Why can't all Punk bands except the fact that a rehearsal and a show should be the same thing. Listening to the drummer struggle to make his moves is so anxiety filled it makes me want to smash his kit for him. "Leave me alone, you wasted time, You Bastard, you waste of time." I think I want that on my headstone. Two minutes and thirty-eight seconds!

The Mekons - "I'll Have To Dance Then (On My Own)" Fast Product cat. FAST 7 pic sleeve)
Ahh, The Mekons. I'll be in an old age home and these fuckers will still be relevant. This is an early burst of Punk creativity. This is what Pere Ubu would sound like if they picked up the pace. Crazy Beefheart guitar lines jangle away while the "rhythm guitar" practically gets splintered by lightning fast riffing. The bass is heavy and upfront and it's all held together by stylized vocals and roll heavy drumming.

The Last - "She Don't Know Why I'm Here" (Bomp! cat. BOMP-119 D.J. Copy pic sleeve)
One of the few tracks that people think is the real deal. Instead it came out 10 years after the "67 hey day. Lead off by a throwback guitar intro, double timed drumming, sloppy organ and just slightly off set vocals the track screams from start to finish. The only moment that breaks form is a Punk guitar line about 3/4 of the way in that should get anyone pogoing. I gotta be honest, I can barely make out many of the words but who cares. Echoed screams and 4 track recording muddy everything up and push the meters into the red just the way I like it.

The Special A.K.A. - "Gangsters" b/w "The Selecter "The Selecter" (2 Tone Records cat. TT1/2)
No Doubt are Ska... HAHAHA. Ok, so some might not even consider this Ska but hey this 45 is one of my favorites. Nicely paced and played way better than most New Wave bands wished they ever could. I have said it before and I will say it again...a band is only as good as its drummer. Both tracks have nice loud drumming cranky guitar and naive organ sounds. "The Selector" could qualify as one of the spookiest as well as grooviest tracks ever. Slow horn lines over steady beats, percussion and bass. Perfection.

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday August 16th - 9PM - 2AM

YIKES!
I thought this week was a sold out show or something and I wasn't spinning... I was wrong. For whatever reason in my mad dash to fill my boxes I pulled a whole bunch of Latin, Blues, Gospel, re-issue/previously unreleased Funk and Soul as well as New Funk and some 50's Rock. I could see cruising around in the summer with the windows low and the radio loud announcing your arrival to each unwilling audience with this mix leading the charge. Some notable folks waiting their turn are Ray Barretto, Fania All Stars, Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental, Oscar Brown, Leon Thomas, The Meters, Little Sonny, Dale Hawkins, Swamp Dog, The Meditation Singers, Merry Clayton, Nina Simone, Solomon Burke and numerous others. I definitely pulled this one from the gut and it should prove to be spontaneous if anything.

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

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

Spencer Jackson Family - "Bring Back Peace To The World Pt II" (Scarab cat. SR-002)
Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental - "Anabacoa" (Salsoul - Salsa Series cat. S-8713)
The Creators - "Boy, He's Got It" (Phillips cat. 40058 (PHW26162))
Soul Fire Educational Series Vol. 1 (Drums) - "fast paced funk instrumental" (Soul Fire Records cat. SFE-001)
The Jimi Entley Sound - "Charlie's Theme" (Espionage Disk - Microgroove Test Record cat. ESP 00I)
The New Mastersounds - "Butter For Yo' Popcorn" (Soul Cookers - "Still Cookin' The Hardway" cat. ?)

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday August 9th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
Maybe it is just the heat (because we definitely know it is the humidity) but I began pulling Summer records including records that just remind me of Summer. Some how this culminated in a stack of records including Summer, surf, cars and girls (as the Dictators taught us), mini-skirts and hot pants and finally a handful of records with booty or Go-Go in the title. Ah, Summer. I have a lot of Summer music and it turns out there are a lot of records that remind me of Summer. The thermometer has broke 90 almost 20 times already this year. OK, I'm just throwing that out at you, do with it what you will. I guess what I am saying is; wouldn't it be nice sipping a cold one while the sounds of Summer crash down around you? Come by and remember; if your drinking don't drive; if your driving don't drink and always tip your bartenders... oh yeah, and NO swimming for 30 minutes after you eat.

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

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

45s:
Supercharger - "Rev It Up" (Bag Of Hammers cat. ?)
The completely incredible Supercharger picked up where The Gories left off... shitty equipment tortured by sloppy, fast, and hard playing but resulting in what can only be described as brilliant. "Rev It Up" speeds along at double time and sounds like it is fighting its way out of a smashed AM radio. If you can even make out half of what is going on you will be sucked into the instantly catchy lyrics and hooks. Like the Minuteman the guitar solo is part of the song no different from a chorus and the whole thing will blow by you if you blink.

Hal Blaine (The Drummer Man and The Cougars) - "Gear Stripper" b/w "Challenger II" (RCA Victor cat. 47-8282)
Come for the stripper but stay for the challenge. "Challenger II" starts off with the sounds of a hot rod launching off the line and on to victory. Twangy, fuzzed out guitar and vibes race Blaine's constant rolls and Go-Go style beat. "Gear Stripper" starts out with the same revving engine but dies a fast death in a corny ass song. I think my kid might like this. (Both sides were produced by lee Hazelwood.)

Syl Johnson - "Annie Got Hot Pants Power Pt. 1 & 2" (Twinight cat. TW151)
Ohs, Ahhs and Koos from the ladies and nothing but the deepest admiration from the guys. Heck Syl's neck hurts just from looking at his ladies style. As best I can tell I recently completed my collection of Syl Johnson 45's on Twilight/Twinight and I look forward to featuring them on an upcoming night. Syl plays guitar with the best of 'em but his talents don't stop there. He has one of the strongest voices that he perfectly highlights on his Soulful Funky songs.

The Phantom "Surfers" - "Banzai Washout," "Oribitron," "Aye Five Gold," "Erotica," and "Surf Rider" (Estrus Crust cat. ES-713)
The Phantom Surfers never disappoint whether it be an entire record dedicated to the grueling sport of slot car racing or pseudo surf tunes ala The Ventures these guys are nothing if they are not the funniest and most entertaining band ever. The music has an authenticity to it that seems lost on other bands just trying to damn hard to imitate their forefathers. The Surfers should teach a class in this stuff. Lighten up people it's only Rock-N-Roll. God I miss these guys... "Hey Surfers, New Jersey has an ocean too! How's about another East Coast Swim?"

Billy Stewart - "Summertime" (Chess cat. 14257)
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a hell of a lot of songs that are "one of my favorite songs of all time," BUT... The actual song "Summertime" regardless of the performer is a flawless composition. Taken fast, slow, mid tempo, funky, soulful, bluesy, Rock Jazz, Latin, etc... it is hard to fuck this one up. Billy Stewart's arrangement with its own brand of vocalese and scat make it a true stand out. I have brought along a few other versions to represent the versatility and brilliance of this song.

Pavement - "Summer Babe" (Drag City cat. DC9)
Something about Pavement makes me think of Summer despite the title on this one. These guys were handi-capable of doing everything perfectly without ever looking like they gave a crap. That feeling that everything could go horribly wrong or just fall apart without warning yet (and sometimes regardless) it all works perfectly and dare I say flawlessly. Here the band grooves through a mid-tempo Pop Hit which is at times is velvety smooth and equally rough at others.

New Crack:
Parliament - "Red Hot Mama" b/w "Little Ole Country Boy" (Invictus cat. Is-9091)
Parliament - "Breakdown" b/w "Little Ole Country Boy" (Invictus cat. Is-9095)
This is the original more guitar heavy version of "Red Hot Mama" (another one of my favorite songs of all time) is a raw burst of emotion and music as physical presence. If you weren't ready for what is contained in these grooves it could easily knock you on your ass and don't expect a hand up when its two and half minutes are up... you're on your own.

"Breakdown" opens with some incredibly steady and groovy drums which are complimented nicely by guitar and Gospel tinged vocals and backing. Like some of the Sly Stone stuff this track highlights the drums perfectly and would seem to be a showcase for them. It's as if the band wanted to show off the talents of the fancy foot and stick work of their very fine man at the traps and all I can say is I am glad they did.

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday July 19th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
This past Saturday I got to do a friend's radio show (Transpacific Sound Paradise with Rob Weisberg on WFMU (91.1). I have done the show in the past and it's always a lot of fun. This time the show was 3 hours long and I came armed with about 2 weeks worth of music. As always I was shooting from the hip and had no idea what I would actually play. I think I came out the other side with only a few bumps, skips and scratches. I will say that DJing in a studio is so different from a club. First and foremost no one has to bare my air drumming, goofy fat guy dancing and spacey head bobs. Secondly it is impossible to gauge how it's going. No faces pissed, happy or otherwise; no criticism what so ever. So, like with my drumming a chose records that pleased me and I could only hope someone else was enjoying them as well.

Check it out - http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/15727 here.

A couple of Saturdays ago I DJ'd a friend's wedding. It was an outdoor wedding and we set up the tables in a Tiki Hut (right next to the keg and just stumbling distance from the pool). There was no roof on the hut but several trees provided shade and all started out well. As the sun moved and began to beat down on my hairless basketball sized head I began to get a bit loopy. Unfortunately I didn't notice that the 45s were not enjoying the sunlight, at all. Only two 45's decided to buckle under the heat and luckily I have already replaced one of them.

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

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

The Viscounts - "The Touch (Le Grisbi)" b/w "Chug-A-Lug" (Madison cat. M129 (sample copy))
My original copy was played a lot and the sun finally got the last play at the aforementioned wedding. This copy is a very clean promo and I hope it is prepared to take the place of its courageous and loyal predecessor. Swampy and mid tempo guitar, bass and sax work their way over hyperactive drumming on my beloved "Chug-A-Lug." The drums get a bit of a "solo" and everyone wisely drops out to just let him go. The sax jumps back in first and wails away as the others join in and take us out to the fade.

The Boys In The Band - "(How Bout A Little Hand For) The Boys In The Band" b/w "Sumpin Heavy" (Spring Records cat. SPR 103)
Horns blast the arrival of "Sumpin Heavy" and I am certainly happy they are here. This is one of those heavy tracks like The Backyard Heavies or even Spaghetti Head. I'd say the only reason it isn't as famous is dere taint no break. Horns, heavy drums and bass. "Breaks? I don't need no stinking breaks."

Flamingos - "Lover Come Back To Me" (Polydor cat. PD 2-14044)
The Flamingos remained in the game with a drum heavy funked version of "Lover Come Back..." As is expected the vocals are just killer with smooth as glass backing vocals supporting a lead that is blistering as it is sweet. Strings usually can kill the groove on tracks like this but in this case they just add to the backing and elevate the atmosphere. They also cut a Latin version in the mid 60's that I would love to get my hands on.

Ruby Andrews - "You Ole Boo Boo" (Zodiac Records cat. ZR-1020)
I keep saying I need more scorching female Soul tracks and this does not disappoint at all. Ruby gives it her all over a mid to slow paced backing. Backing vocals, bass, organ, drums and harmonica punctuate her vocals and also know when to pull back or drop out and let her shine. The guitar plucks and strums in and out of the track like it is just reminding everyone where the beat is. I have said it before and I will say it again I need more of these...

Betty Davis - "Ooh Yea" (Just Sunshine Records cat. JSA-512)
Hey, look at this; here's another one! What can I say about Betty Davis that I haven't said before... pretty much nothing. Davis is more woman than anyone could handle and she rarely disappoints. If giving 110% was actually something you could possibly give she is giving 125. "Way to go Timmy, great job. See kids Timmy gives it his all. He really knows how give 110%." Hey Coach, that forward thinking is probably why you ended up here.

Lou Donaldson - "Say It Loud" b/w "Snake Bone" (Blue Note cat. 45-1943)
This 45 comes from one of my favorite Donaldson LPs. Containing just 5 extended tracks all clocking in at over 5 minutes it's nice to have the two longest cuts in nice 3 minute blasts. Next to Ray Baretto's "Head Sounds" LP "Say It Loud!" is the record I have spun most when I take a break on Tuesday nights. Both cuts groove along in a typical Soul Jazz/Funk pace featuring organ (Charles Earland) and sax over Idris' (Leo Morris) trade mark New Orleans meets Hardbop era Blue Note drumming. The LP also contains versions of "Caravan" and "Summertime" two songs that I unashamedly collect and endlessly enjoy.

Most of the 45 box is filled with 70's and 80's Punk (and New Wave) records...
Minor Threat - "s/t" 8 song ep.
Dinosaur Jr. - "Freak Scene"
XTC - "Senses Working Overtime" (Beautiful fold out cover.)
The Ramones - "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker"
Iggy Pop - "I Got A Right"

and some stuff like this...
Frijid Pink - "End Of The Line" (I can't get enough of this...OK it's not Punk but it is so fucking heavy.)

Mixed Tape Sessions - "Weekends paying off..." - Tuesday July 12th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,

No matter how many you have one more is never enough. Sometimes the rationalization for a vice is also the drive you need to find that holy grail. Recently I moved the last LPs from my studio to my new home office. You would think this would be enough to stop me from ever wanting to buy another record...ever. NOPE! I met my brother at the studio where we filled his 1955 Chevy Pick-up with the remaining 24 boxes of LPs and the final 2 remaining record cases. I have had the record cases since I was a kid. In the past they have housed everything from art supplies, books, awards, tchotckes and anything I may have decided to collect briefly before records left barely room for even myself. The weight of this load pushed the limit this antique beauty could bare and we rolled at a snails pass. Riding slow and low we made our way up to the house past angry bus drivers, cars unable to stop at red octagon shaped signs and pedestrians too important to wait for anyone or anything despite the size difference. Almost immediately after delivering the 12" thick wall paper to its new home Michael and I looked at each other and said, "Let's go record shopping!" Lately actually shopping in a real store has been more than an impossibility so it felt good to get back in amongst the dust and split covers found in any good record store. Two hours past while I slowly flipped the 45s and storm clouds began to roll in outside which meant we needed to get back on the road. As on any good day digging for vinyl I needed closure that only the New Arrivals boxes could deliver. The new arrivals were split between two boxes, one marked "Rock/Pop" and the other marked "Soul/Jazz." I flipped the box I stood in front as Michael began the Soul/Jazz box. As I hit the usuals (Beatles, Stones, Kinks, The Who and any modern band pretending to be them) I felt the edge of an LP bump me in my back. As I turned I saw my brother holding a copy of the first Kool and The Gang record. What I noticed first was the cut-out corner which immediately signified this was most likely an original. In short most great music or LPs go largely unnoticed, under appreciated and for the most part sadly unknown and end up in the cut-out bins until the rest of the world catch up to their bar raising grooves. I have only seen one nearly mint copy of this LP and gladly it went home with a friend of mine. That was over 10 years ago. Michael handed my the copy and I inspected it momentarily before placing it in our growing pile of vinyl and never once lost my Poker face. As I continued to make my way through the Rock Box I stumbled upon a mint copy of the gatefold version of "Mongrel," Bob Seger System's third LP and one of my favorites. Oddly the day before our trip to the store I had been looking for a copy of this exact LP because it turns out this is the best sounding version of this great Rock record. Now, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning, I decided to quit while I was ahead and we cashed out.
Below is a list of the records that made their way home with me and I will be adding most these to my set this Tuesday. A good friend of mine didn't realize I was no longer doing Sabroso! so I agreed to open the night with an hour (or two) of Latin music for him and his Dad. I have pulled basically a Greatest Hits set of music from the first 3 years of Sabroso!

Primitive Sound System Mixed Tape Sessions and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM)
Maxwell's

1039 Washington Street

Hoboken New Jersey

(201) 653-1703

45s:
Herbie Hancock - "Crossings" (Warner Bros. Records (wt label promo) cat. WB 7598)
Frijid Pink - "End Of The Line" b/w "Sing A Song For Freedom" (parrot cat. 45-PAR349
Blackbyrds - "Do It Fluid" b/w "Summer Love" (Fantasy cat. 729)
Tommy Tucker - "Hi-Heel Sneakers" b/w "I Don't Want 'Cha" (Checker cat. 1067)
Workd Supreme Funky Fellows 2102 - "(not for ) Lovers) b/w "Guitar Version" (Angel's Egg cat. AE 2102-4S)
Jimmy Briscoe And The Little Beavers - "I Only Feel This Way When I'm With You" b/w "Country To The City (I'm Going Back To The Country" (Pi Kappa Records cat. PK 604)
Treacherous Three "Santa's Rap" b/w Luther "At Christmas Time" (Atlantic cat. 7-89593) - Although I do condone teh playing of Christmas music year round I just may leave this one home for Maxwell's Christmas party.
George Baker Selection - "Little Green Bag" b/w "Pretty Little Dreamer" (Colossus cat. C 112)
Tommy Roe - "Jam Up Jelly Tight" b/w "Moontalk" (ABC Records cat. 45-11247)
Sam Cooke - "Little Red Rooster" b/w "You Gotta Move" (RCA Victor cat. 47-8247
LPs:

Kool and the Gang - "S/T" (De-Lite Records cat. DE-2003)
Jersey City's favorite sons come out of the gate unbridled, original and funky as hell.
Bob Seger System - "Mongrel" (Capitol cat. STEREO SKAO-499)
HELL YEAH!

(and yes Dave I will bring a Santana record for you.)

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - "You Say It's your Birthday" - Tuesday June 28th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
This week I'll be manning the turntables while the fine folks at Maxwell's Party Party Party in celebration of the birth of twins Beth Ann and Danielle. Since one party deserves another I figured I would pull records for a close friend's wedding at the same time. Picking the Party hits proved to be quite fun and many of this weeks tracks will hopefully inspire some asses to make for the dance floor at the wedding as well as the Birthday. The idea for The Mixed Tape Sessions was to always try and turn someone onto to something new. Sometimes it's not about educating the crowd as much as it is about just having fun. This week you are allowed to sit back and relax but only between songs.

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

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

I feel like dancing, dancing...WOO!
45s:
Monguito Santamaria - "Hey Sister" (Fania cat. 481)
Opening with a familiar Beatles-esque intro and hand claps Monquito and his crew charge head on with this Boo-Ga-Loo ass kicker. Horns come blaring and off we go. Monquito proves to be one hell of a fine Soul singer regardless of genre. The track is layered so heavily with horns, piano, vocals, percussion and bass that even the slightest misstep would send this track careening off its course. Monquito keeps everything in order with repeated phrases and handclaps and we make it to the end uninjured but a bit more sweaty and out of breath.

Hal Blaine - "Drums A Go-Go" (Dunhill cat. D-4049)
Hal Blaine must be the single most recorded drummer in history. He and his Wrecking Crew have backed more hits than any other combo. Blaine recorded about 5 LPs under his own name and most can be categorized as beefed up batches of Car/Surf-toons and full force Go-Go and Lounge tunes. "Drums A Go Go" is of course caged, white, thigh high boots and the beat the beat the beat. Hand claps and hoots dance around this Kinks inspired romp. Blaine's drums are the lead but organ and guitar must get honorable mention. The track bounces and shakes its way through with everyone in the club joining in and falling about the place.

Toussaint McCall - "Shimmy" (Ronn Records (a Division of Jewel) cat. RONN 3)
OK, this is one of the ultimate grooovy tracks. The A Side was a bit of a hit but unfortunately I am not even the slightest bit interested and for the most part unable to even drop the needle on "Nothing Takes the Place of You." It's a beautifully sung ballad but half way through I keep thinking of the slapping, trash can drums and screaming organ just a flip away. I know something that takes the place of you...SHIMMY that's what. "Shimmy" is so infectious and moving that I want it blaring out of my radio everyday when I wake up. The track is audio caffeine. The organ on Shimmy can only be described as a horn announcing "GET OUT MY WAY!" The drums skitter and slam and it almost seems as if the drummer is simultaneously holding the kit together while also beating it apart. The song has several breaks in which the drummer and organ could get creative yet they take the time to recoup a bit from the onslaught they have created.

The Mar-keys - "Grab This Thing, Part 1" (Stax cat. S-181)
Stax can almost do no wrong in my eyes. Whether it be an instrumental backing track or a stylish vocal cut they always had the dance floor n mind. "Grab This Thing" is no exception. Steady and tight from start to finish the band bobs a long with confidence. A screaming horn cuts the track in half and other instruments follow suit as they break from center. Everyone falls back in line after one more "Ah, yeah" vocal in the break and we leave the way we came in... strutting.

Harvey Scales & The Seven Sounds - "Get Down 1970" (Chess cat. 2093)
You can never get enough of a good thing. Harvey Scales takes his classic dance floor number at a slightly quicker pace but he never forgets that it's asses he is entertaining and not heads. Like Monguito's "Hey Sister" this track is not for the weak at heart. One wrong move and you can be thrown from the dance floor like a drunken version of ring-around-the-rosy. "Get, get down, Baby!"

Bobby Freeman - "S-W-I-M" (Autumn cat. Record No. 5)
This, for the lack of a better word, re-make of "C'mon Swim" is an incredible bridge between to worlds I love, Soul and Garage Rock. Like the above "Get Down 1970", this version has a bit more propulsion behind its stroke. There are some incredible Garage organ moments as well as some triple time drumming that is tiring just to listen to. You might as well join in or you are likely to be pulled into the undercurrent. I swear I saw a wake left behind by the needle as this was spinning.

Arthur Alexander - "Need A Shot of Rhythm and Blues" (Dot cat. 45-16309 (Mw-16390)
Arthur Alexander was a usual topic at the counter in the early days of Finyl Vinyl. If a Garage Band or some English Invasion band, namely the Stones, covered a tune the original was coveted regardless of the quality of the remake. Arthur Alexander was a true original and seems to still be one of the most overlooked influences, if not an actual cornerstone, in the creation of Rock-N-Roll. In this incident, the Beatles couldn't hold a candle to the Master. "Need A Shot of Rhythm and Blues" demands you to get up and dance in any way you possible can. This is one you can easily pop drunkenly across the floor to as well as glide in rhythmic perfection with its shoulder and finger popping ease. If you need to define what "cool" is to someone, jut play them this tune.

The Capitols - "We Got A Thing That's In The Groove" (Karen Records cat. 1526 (K-10880))
Congas pound out an intro to one of my favorite tunes since I was a kid. How is it that the Capitols always sound so current in some way? I can't explain that statement but it is a sound that is always there when I listen to them. This is music that is happy, their sense of humor comes through with every spin but it is never clownish or dopey. The congas pound throughout the track and the track never eases for even one second, not even during the breaks. Boo-Ga-Loo, Funk, Soul, R&B, Rock, call it what you will but whatever you do call it often and get ready to move to the groove.

The Barbarians - "What The New Breed Say" (Laurie Records Inc. cat. LR 3321)
HEY, HEY, HEY! Think for your self! Or just jump around like you have lost your mind. The Barbarians are laying down their philosophy while you bounce from one foot to the other and shake wildly in agreement. Let's face it, we dig what the Barbarians are laying down and we aren't going to sit idly and let it pass us by.

The Children Of Darkeness - "Sugar Shack A Go-Go" (royce cat. #5140)
Quite a name for these Frat Rocking Troglodytes. I don't believe the The Children Of Darkness are going for a Horror Movie moniker here as much as they are letting us know that they excel at what they do best after dark. Apparently what they do best is drink, kick their instruments across the stage until they fall down and above all rock the floor. Taken at triple time you are lucky if you can breath at the end of this. Where's my puffer?

The Strangeloves - "Cara-Lin" (Bang Records cat. W-10017)
This could be one of the loudest records I own. The Strangeloves play really really big ass drums and percussion and can sing in Harmony really really loud. I wish I could hire these guys for a party but I have a feeling they can't pound them out like this anymore. The song opens with a big beat break that practically becomes the chorus of this hyper-energetic vocal and guitar duel. A two and a half minute party if there ever was.

...and there is tons more where these came from. I gotta hit the hay. I grabbed a full box more than I usual do so I guess I am going until they kill the power.

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday June 21st - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
I was all prepared to talk at length about the Jazz and Instrumental 45s I filled my box with for this weeks session. The discs range from the 50's to the 70's and include Blues, Soul Jazz, Hard Bop, R&B, Boogaloo and Boo-Ga-Loo (one for Jazz and Soul and one for Latin), Funk, Soul and Rock. I can go on at length why I prefer Instrumentals to Vocals but I will not at this time. Instead I decided to go through the little stack of 45s I snagged in JC this past weekend and became a perfect Father's Day gift. Driving around in hopes of getting my son to nap we stumbled across some of the finds I was hoping to begin to unearth in town. All the records were seemingly unplayed store stock and promo copies. By-the-way the price was as good as the haul and I couldn't be happier. Thanks Honey and thanks for napping Lil B.
- pat.

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

Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703
Some very nicely priced Father's day finds that I'll be spinning into the mix:

Otis Redding - "Hard To Handle" b/w "Amen" (ATCO Records cat. 45-6592 (white label promo))
The piano intro and break are unmistakable. Most people unfortunately know this song from the Black Crowes and not from the original. Not that there is anything wrong with the Black Crowes but this is Otis Redding we are talking about. Redding's ability to genuinely Rock is what made him standout from his major label Soul brethren. Hard to handle packs a mean punch at a mid tempo and Redding's vocal double times the beat at points and feels as if it just may fall apart but who you kidding. This is tight and all done to great effect. If "Hard To Handle" isn't enough to win you over simply flip this and lose yourself in the most incredible version of "Amen" you may ever experience.

Archie Bell & The Drells - "There's Gonna Be A" SHOWDOWN b/w "Go For What You Know" (Atlantic cat. 45-2583 PLUG SIDE promo)
Archie Bell can always put a smile on my face. Showdown skips along at a hurried pace but is always in the pocket. When he said he could dance as good as he could walk he wasn't kidding. Weirdly I don't imagine Showdowns were ever this happy.

The following Latin sides are mostly from the late 70's and taken from some of the best Salsa LPs that period had to offer. The recording quality is noticeably approved over the 50's and 60's recordings I prefer, favor and veraciously collect. The better sound quality heightens some impressive soloing and of course entire bands that move effortlessly as one through tight as a duck's ass changes and at all times never waver from the groove keeping the dance floor moving. I will always and forever be awed by Latin music and those who play it.

Mongo Santamaria - "Happy As a Fat Rat In A Cheese Factory" b/w "Amanecer" (Vaya Records Inc. cat. V - 5131)
Mr. Santamaria why are you so ef'n good? Proof that there are more LPs in this world than you will ever here this is off a Mongo record I have never heard. "Happy..." is as funky as Mongo gets and if you are familiar with him you know he can get pretty funky. I know "Amanecer" from the Vaya hits package called "Mongo Mongo." It's a mellow Summer time groover that makes me wish it was almost sunset and I was kicking back in a lounge chair. You know...Loungin'.

Lou Perez - "Afro Hustle" b/w "De Todo Un Poco" (Tico cat. T-660)
I have probably sampled 1000 Lou Perez tracks over the years and have never been all that impressed. Well, other than a chorus of ladies singing "Afro Hustle" in a very Disco kind of way this track grooves pretty hard. Even the strings work as they punctuate the percussion and the groove in general. Nice one Lou, and welcome to my record boxes. Maybe I always knew he had it in him.

Fania All Stars - "Desafio" b/w "Foofer Soofer" (Fania cat. 764 (white label promo))
Where "Desafio" is best suited for a play on Lite FM "Woofer Soofer" is a bad ass Soul Jazz track played by the Fania All Stars who are best known for their sweaty dance floor Salsa grooves. I am not familiar with the LP "Delicate & Jumpy" but I hope there are more tracks like this on it than the sappy "Desafio." Tight, ensemble, funky Soul Jazz from a more than qualified source. I am digging this in a big way.

Orchestra Harlow - "La Raz Latina" b/w "Salsa Suite - Pt. 2" (Fania cat. 794)
A classic LP where Harlow and his crew explore the many sounds that make up the history of Latin Music and their own Nuyorican styles.

Pete Conde - "Sentimento" b/w "Pueblo Latino" (Fania cat. 759)
Hard Salsa in a classic mode. "Sentimento" benefits from the great sound quality as the piano and what I believe may be a tres intro the side sweetly yet with a clarity that fills every inch of space.

Orquesta Novel (Vocals: Willie Ellis & Marco Motroni) - "Monono" b/w "De Quien Tu Eres" (Fania cat. 774)
The slow bass and cymbal intro only lasts for a few seconds and sends chills up my spine. The vocals have a very story teller quality and the music goes from a bit corny to insanely good after the final chorus of the first part. Flutes and violins kick it very Pacheco and that's just OK for me. I dare anyone to sit still through the last half of this tune.

The Allegre All Stars - "Bobby ...Bajo Y Clarinete" b/w "Perdido" (Alegre Records cat. 4090)
This one has a very live sound not necessarily a live show recording but a live sound that you get from a Webster Hall type studio session. This band is one of the true masters of Latin music with a sound that is both confident yet relaxed. I can't decide which side to drop first.

Ismael Quintana - "Pierdes" b/w "No Es Preciso" (Vaya Records Inc. cat. 5134)
Horns open this moody vocal track and as it skips along mid tempo. About half way through the band jumps and chases the repeated chorus of "Pierdes, Pierdes." The piano takes a short solo before things take off again and are highlighted by screaming trumpet and trombones. A thing of beauty.

The Latin Brothers - "Te Encontre" b/w "Patrona De Los Reclusos" (Fuentes cat. 1616)
In an original Fuentes sleeve this is two sides of pure Latin groove. The Latin Brothers are a tight outfit if there ever was. I would say this is a vocal with instrumental accompaniment as I wouldn't want to say one stands out over the other. Trombones and trumpet duel over some sharp piano soloing and aggressive percussion.

Bill Withers - "Ruby Lee" b/w "Heartbreak Road" (Sussex Records cat. SR-629)

Anita Ward - "Ring My Bell" b/w "If I Could Feel That Old Feeling Again" (Juana cat. 3422)
I am doing a very close friends wedding in July. One of the few records I have seen EVERYONE dance to regardless of whose wedding it was was this song.

Issac Hayes - "Chocolate Chip" (Vocal and Instrumental) (Hot Buttered Soul Records / ABC Records cat. ABC-12118 (white label promo))

This is Chef's original Chocolate Salty Balls! I have to mention the HBS (Hot Buttered Soul Records) logo. Holy cow do designers suck now. The logo is simple and filled with attitude. A thin line drawing of Issac's bald head from his eyes up and a stylized "HBS" on his forehead like the Super Hero he is. "Shaft" like drums intro this familiar sounding groove for Mr. Hayes and the instrumental track doesn't sound much different from the vocal track but does give more presence to the horns, keys and percussion.

Funkadelic - "Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On" b/w "Jimmy's Got A Little Bit Of Bitch In Him" (Westbound Records cat. w 224)

Masekela - "The Boy's Doin' It" b/w "Excuse Me Please" (Casablanca cat. NB 848)
This is one of my favorite Hugh Masekela 45s. I am so happy to find a nice new clean copy.

2 Puertoricans A Blackman And A Dominican (Featuring Tonya Wynne) - "Do It Properly" Side 1: Special Hot 103 Mix - A Jose "Animal' Diaz Edit Side 2: Fierce Radio Mix - A Jose 'Chep" Nunez Edit (Grooveline cat. GRL 17A)

Again, something has to be said about the label design on this one. If the design wasn't so cool I might have passed this up because I do somewhat remember this song and I remember not being a big fan. The label is bright yellow with a ball of fire shooting across the top with "GROOVELINE" printed in the middle. The type and the fire ball have a nice scratchy hand drawn quality which gives it an older 60's feel. Obviously the band name has always stuck in my mind. Band names don't get more direct than that do they? In 1987 I was not a very big fan of much stuff like this which leads me to one of the things I am most drawn to about collecting music. Something you may have hated years ago can one day sound totally different to you and even become a new found genre to obsess over. I don't think I am going to become a big house music fan but this track sounds pretty fucking good to me now.

L.L. Cool J - "Rock The Bells" (Def Jam Recordings cat. 38-05840 (white label promo)
This is more of what I was still listening to in 1987. Late 80's Hip Hop still sounds so good to me to this day. L.L. Cool J is hard as hell!

Mantronix - "Ladies" b/w "Ladies Dub" (Sleeping Bag Records cat. 7-TLX-006 (white label promo))

Cameo - "Word Up!" b/w "Urban Warrior" (Atlanta Artists / PolyGram Records 884 933-7 picture sleeve)
I am guessing that this one will be hitting the decks at the wedding as well. "Wave your hands in the air like you don't care!" Hey, Word Up! Granny.

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - "Listening to the Higgins" Tuesday June 14th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
This Tuesday at Maxwell's one of Pop Music's best soon-to-be known gems, The Higgins whose sound is as unique as it is familiar, will be entertaining the masses in the back room. The first time I heard them I assumed it was an unreleased Badfinger track as it creeped out of the speakers in D.C.'s Tavern. On second listen more current influences and sounds revealed themselves including the fact that they back Sean Towey who is better known as The Ankles. Aside from stellar song writing, guitars and vocals what is most noticeable about The Higgins is the amazing drumming driving these elaborately simple songs. The true art of aggressive Pop drumming has been lost in the past few years. Of course I may be biased, but if you ask me drums can make or break a band and this is especially true in Pop. If I am lucky I can catch a few glimpses of the band on stage in front of an audience filled mostly with friends. The Higgins debut effort is forth coming from the eclectic Hoboken label Maggadee Records and after a listen I don't think they will be worrying about attendance at their shows in the future.

- pat.

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

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

Some interesting pop selections:
Suicide - S/T LP - "Ghost Rider" (Red Star Records Inc. cat. RS1)
The United States of America - S/T LP - Pretty much anything off this one. (Columbia cat. CS 9614)
Kevin Ayers - Joy Of The Toy - "Song For Insane Times" (Harvest / EMI cat. SKAO-421)
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band - Clear Spot - "Crazy Little Thing" (Reprise Records cat. MS 2115)
Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets - "Baby's On Fire" (Editions EG cat. ENO 1)
McDonald and Giles - S/T LP - Again, anything on this is worthy of a spin. (Island cat. ILPS.9126)

Primitive Sound System Mixed Tape Sessions and the continuing food stylings el Diablo

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

$1 Records from the Swap:
Guitar Gable - "Congo Mambo" (Excello Records cat. 45-2082)
The Super-Sonics With Third Dimension Sound - "New Guitar Boogie Shuffle" (Rainbow Records cat. 45-214)
The Swingin' Six - "The Green Door" (Decca cat. 32042 (117,655))
The Buddy Rich Big Band - "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" b/w "Big Mama Cass" (Pacific Jazz cat. 88145)
McCoy Tyner - "Rotunda" (Mono/Stereo) (Milestone cat. M-304)
Irving Ashby - "Big Guitar" b/w "Motatin'" (Imperial cat. X5485)
The Applejacks - "Rocka-Conga" (Cameo cat. C155-A)
The Wild-Cats - "Gazachstahagen" b/w "Billy's Cha-Cha" (United Artists UA-154 (ZTSP-28739))
The American Rock Revival - "Stompin' It" (Bell Records cat. B-788)
Archie Bell & The Drells - "Tighten Up Part I &II" (Atlantic cat. 54-2478)

New genius releases from Daptone and Truth & Soul:
Charles Bradley and the Bullets - "This Love Ain't Big Enough For The Two Of Us" b/w Dirt Rifle and the Bulletts - "(She's Got) Twighlight Eyes" (Daptone Records cat. DAP-1021)
Sharon Jones/The Dap-Kings - "I Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Is In" (Vocal/Instrumental) (Daptone Records cat. DAP-1022) El Michels Affair - "Creation' b/w "Behind The Blue Curtains"
This consistently amazing crew rewards it's most hardcore fans with this "online only" release. But this is not what you think in this day of low quality downloadable MPee3's this is an online offer for a precious vinyl slab spun at 45 and pressed with the BIG Goddamn hole the way nature intended!

LPs:
MFSB - "s/t" (Philadelphia International Records cat. KZ 32046)

George Russell And His Orchestra (Narration by Jon Hendricks) featuring Bob Brookmeyer, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Frank Rehak, Phil Woods and others... - "New York, N.Y." (Decca Records cat. DL 79216)

The Steve Miller Band - "Your Saving Grace" (Capitol cat. SKAO-331)
The Bob Seger System and The Steve Miller Band produced some of the best music of the late 60's and early 70's and then along came the HORRIBLY recorded 80's and none of the big label Rock acts (except maybe the Kinks) were able to make the transition. Oh yeah, and Neil Young doesn't count because he is above all this music industry crap with almost "0" attitude and none of the Eric Clapton "LEGEND" bullshit. Anyway, this is the fourth LP from Mr. Miller and has eclectic band. The songs are a bit pulled back from "Brave New World" but that doesn't hurt the quality of the compositions.

The James Gang - "16 Greatest Hits" (MCA Records cat. ABCX-801-2)
The James Gang is one of those bands who were perfect one moment and a bit snoozy the next. This is easily explained when you view the writing credits. Any combination not containing "J. Walsh" just might not stand up to the rest of the songs and almost certainly won't stand the test of time. BUT, and as you can see that is a big but, the songs containing Mr. Walsh are never anything short of awesome. "Funk 48," "Funk 49" and "The Bomber" are all insanely good as well as containing breakbeats. The rest of the tracks on this compilation should make any Rock band cower and drop to their knees in not-worthiness.

The Detroit Night Riders - "Night Time In The Ghetto" b/w "Getting Funky" (Mutt Records cat. AR 1670)
I first heard "Getting Funky" on one of the worst titled comps from Goldmine called "Funk Superbowl." Yikes. What the hell kind of title is that? Hopefully they were done compiling had all the rights cleared and realized they had no title as they were preparing for pressing. I digress... "Getting Funky" strolls along and gathers steam as the guitar breaks out.

Hopping on the Dance Caravan - A Day In Deep at Hoctor Records
Hoctor Records is still based out of Waldwick, New Jersey. David Hoctor explained to us that they credit a lot of their success on the fact that they actually purchased many of the dance studio recordings of competitors that were going out of business. I'd say their longevity comes from a spot a little closer to home. We had an opportunity to sample any record they currently had in-stock and the Hoctor Records LP's and 45's were by far-and-away the best played, recorded and programed (whoever selected the songs to be covered should be commended). I was first introduced to the Hoctor catalog by Aldo at A1 Records in NYC and was at the time unfortunately unable to afford the hefty price tagged on the "Robin Hoctor presents Jazz on the road - 12 special arrangements for jazz dancing" LP. The cover was enough to peek anyone's interest and like most of the Hoctor LP's the design sense is as good as the selections and playing. The cover shows Robin dressed in a Wonder Woman-like outfit and striking a pretty bad-ass power stance overlaid on a graphical representation of... a road. OK, that works. Then flip it over and the titles show great promise; "Moving World," Super Fly," and "Cisco Kid" just to name a few. Of course dropping the needle on this unknown gem proved that "if it looks right, feels right and even smells right...it's probably right." It was right and I had another obsession and some more records to add to my endless list of records I would never own. A few years past and I received a phone call from a friend (Mr. Fine Wine) and he said that he was going to set up an appointment with the Hoctor people and wanted to know if I would drive. HELL YEAH! Knowing my place in such situations I let Matt grab carry and stash anything he wanted from the shelves. So I headed for the LP's. Not finding the "Jazz on the road" LP I asked David Hoctor if they might have any "in-stock." He stared at me and then said, "Let me go check in our warehouse." Warehouse? Where the hell were we then? It turns out the warehouse didn't house many Hoctor titles and was more of an "Isle of Misfit Toys" for their competitors stock now in their procession. This pleased me some what after going through a sampling of material repeated in the warehouse and found much of it to be crap. Pleased also because it meant we didn't need to come back. Trust me on this one. I continued to unearth and sample every LP title in their catalog on my portable player and then the stacks of 45's Matt was feverishly sorting through. Hours and hours later I was knee deep in booty produced to help people to learn how to shake theirs. Below are the LP titles and descriptions as well as a few 45 titles not found on any of the LP's (at least as far as I can tell).


Discotheque A-GO-GO! Directed by James Mitchell (Hoctor Records cat. HLP-4007)
This LP is beautifully designed with a laminate cover and one of the best photos I have ever scene. The shot is of Mr. Mitchell out fin front of a sea of (mostly) woman posed in what can only be described as half a Cha-Cha or simply a Cha. You have seen people in 50's films do this dance. The entire floor thrusts their lower extremities in unison simultaneously popping there shoulders back all the while smiling like they are on Lithium. Despite it always being very hard to get past this cover I must. The track listing is phenomenal. Here goes "Hang On Sloopy," "Cerveza," Tequila," "Honky Tonk No. 2," "Batman," "Twine Time," "Wiggle-Waggle," "Satisfaction," "Love Potion No. 9," "This Diamond Ring," "Secret Agent Man," and finally "Wipeout!" Get the picture. Call Annette, drop the needle and hope this Dance Party becomes a Sleep Over! The band name is Discotheque A-GO-GO, how cool is that?

"Strictly Percussion Featuring Daniel Barrajanos and his Drummers playing all the rhythms used in dance accompaniment" (Hoctor HLP-4085)

Jazz Dance Today - Directed by Jo-Jo Smith (Master Teachers Series) (Hoctor Records cat. HLP-4104)

Byron Peterson Orchestra - "Jazz Rock USA - show stopping arrangements for dance accompaniment" (Hoctor Records - Vibrant Stereo HLPS-4138)

"Robin's Rock for Jazz Technique and Dances" - Music by Dittamo (Produced by Robin and Jamie Hoctor) (Hoctor Records - Vibrant Stereo cat. HLPS-4194)
From the back cover:

MUSIC BY DITTAMO

Glenn Lomaro - Organ, Piano, Moog, Vocals
Ricky Dittamo - Bass, Vocals
Jay Dittamo - Percussion
William Ivory - Guitar

SELECTIONS

Side 1. Contains 16 Original rock tunes to accompany Robin Hoctor's Manual of Jazz Technique Exercises.

Of course you are dancing with yourself...you suck!

Ahh, the first in the Disasters column! This is big. Everything about this is just wrong. Right from the first pedestrian almost sleep inducing guitar line to Ms. Hewitt's appalling walk through the lyrics like she is seeing them for the first time. If I had the chance I'd ask the world to please stop the onslaught of mediocrity. I sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat SWEAT! Jennifer Love Hewitt – "Dancing With Myself" By-the-way, ever since Madonna thought it was OK to do a half ass rendition of Don McLean's "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" this has been happening more and more. Sometimes it is best to not emulate your heroes and try to make your own mark on society. Thanks to EF for the tip or better yet I should say, "WHY DID YOU SEND THIS TO ME?!" All apologies to Mr. Idol. You deserve better.

Memmories....

I need to send a CD to someone interested in playing with myself and guitarist Mark Maloof. Mark and I made up 2/3s of the instrumental trio known to the world as Hippopotamus. Bassist Colin Kohnhorst rounded out the lineup. In an extended format we were known as Project3 and were augmented by a trumpet player (Walter Kingsley Fogg III), a keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist (Liz Bustamante); a percussionist/multi-instrumentalist (Nick Birmelin) and a host of others including flutes, sax, bass, more percussion, etc, etc. I figured I should listen to the CD (Hippopotamus – "3 Sounds") prior to sending it to someone. Being more of an "of the moment" style player sometimes it is hard to remember what any particular session may have sounded like. Ironically I was pleasantly surprised or at least my ears were. The recording is great sounding thanks to the fabulous Nicholas Vernes of Rare Book Room fame. The playing is not bad at all. At certain moments the playing sounds cautious but that is to be expected as some of the songs were very recently added to our set. All in all I still think it is a good session and one I had no problems listening to all the way through. The musician I am sending it to is a trumpet player and the two songs performed with Project3 do hold up so we'll see if there will be another chapter to the Mark Maloof/Pat Longo musical saga.

Daily Musical Selection...

I never thought I would have anything resembling a Walkman but as technology rages past me I have been thrust into the not so distant past and have been outfitted with an iPod. The greatest thing about the "magic" portable jukebox is the ability to listen to all my favorite LPs as I walk to and from work. This morning I started listening to what I consider a "Must Have" and probably one of my top 10 (I have many of these) if not my top 1 favorite LP – Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers – "L.A.M.F", (The ULTIMATE L.A.M.F CD only) This is nasty Rock-N-Roll played by the already seasoned veteran Mr. Johnny Thunders. This is what every Punk band wishes they were, what every Punk kid should want to be and this LP should be the standard that all "Punk" records are held to. Best yet Johnny didn't even really consider himself a Punk. How Punk is that?! Regardless it is Like A Mother Fucker!

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - One Big Lounge Scene! Tuesday March 22nd - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
There isn't a band playing this week so there will be no competition with the sound coming from the back room for this weeks Mixed Tape Session so for the first half of the night I have decided to keep things Loungy. For me most of the best bits of Lounge have a Latin Tinge and some of these LPs like, Candido in Indigo, are not only Lounge classics but essential LPs for any well rounded collection. Of course like all genres, Lounge Music, can have cliches (practically the definition of Lounge Music), and trappings that can keep them from being regular listens. Ironically one of the cliches that is also a simple trap for Lounge Acts to fall into is actually one of the genres finest songs, Caravan, but luckily for us it is also the one track that is usually the standout on many of these LPs. Let's celebrate the positive and accentuate the repetitive. Kick back and enjoy.

For the rest of the evening I've loaded up on enough 50's instrumentals, 60's Garage and Jazz, 70's Punk, Soul, Funk and Rock to keep everyone happy. For my own listening pleasure during my dinner break I have brought an old favorite, Ray Barretto's "Head Sounds" and Gil Scott Heron's "Pieces Of A Man."

See ya there,
-pat.

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

The LPs:
Like the 70's Action films the Lounge Music LPs are all about the covers...

Sabu and his Percussion Ensemble- Sorcery! (Columbia cat. WL 101)
I shit you not I bought this for $1 at Kim's in NYC. It is a beautiful "Adventures in Sound" Gold Label pressing. Thanks gang, it is worth ever penny. About the music. This is pure mood produced by exotic sounds...well that is at least what you would be lead to believe. Instead you do get beautiful exotic mood music played by some of the finest musicians to walk into a studio. So much for the primitives. I think I will start off the evening with the beautiful "Milk Weed" as I don't think the fine folks at Maxwell's could handle many of the more percussion driven epics. "Milk Weed" starts off with a lilting flute line which suddenly crashes head on with Sabu and his hulking ensemble. On this particular track things don't ever really get too out of hand and the flute is allowed enough room to express its delicate groove along side the propulsive beats.

Eddie Cano - Eddie Cano at P.J.'s (Reprise cat. R-6030)
OK, this is an actual Lounge recording and it's a winner at that. Cano had backed both Jack Costanzo and Cal Tjader so he obviously has the chops and proves it on this LP. The selections move through many styles of Afro-Cuban but of course at all times keep it in check to not get to aggressive because we wouldn't want you to spill your drink. After al we are lounging. "Watusi Walk" represents the set well. Beautiful piano leads Latin Percussion and Jazzy bass and drums through some nice changes and even kicks up a bit of dust. it is almost impossible to pick a stand out track here but who wants to. "Barkeep another round please."

The Mad-Hatters - At Midnight (20th Century Fox Records cat. TFM 3141 monaural)
This is another Lounge act in a similar vein as Eddie Cano. The Mad Hatters can really cook and of course know how to glide along at a clouds pace when necessary. "Mad-Hatters Stomp" starts this set off and is 2:15 of pure joy and is just a preview of how good things are going to be. Vibes and organ get equal billing through most of the LP. I don't think I'd be out of line to tell you to get down to any Lounge that these cats are playing. Soulful, swinging and always cool. Other originals include "The Sanctified Thing," the powerful "Soul Samba," and the ever groovy "Monkey Children."

(The Exotic Sounds of...) Martin Denny - Hypnotique (Liberty cat. LRP 3102 "Spectra-Sonic-Sound - The Ultimate in Hi-Fi")
Something magical happened that night in the studio... yeah, the late great Denny and his gang got lit. Hey, I'm just guessing. Of all the Martin Denny LPs I have heard this one is the trippiest and weirdest. The lineup isn't different from his other LPs but his mostly percussion group seem to really go the extra mile on this one to put us in the mind of hookah pipes and scantly clad women. The cover is a mix of modern art, Oriental decor, Southern bumpkin, Italianate style all surrounding a beautiful Vampiraesque lovely seducing us with her stare. Thank you Mr. Denny for "Voodoo Dreams."

...performances by Los Admiradores - Bongos/Flutes/Guitars (Command Records cat. RS 812 SD)
Ah, listen to my technically advanced new home stereo. Hear the way the music bounces from speaker to speaker. That is Modern sound baby, and it kicks. This LP contains one of my favorite versions of "Caravan." Ping Pong percussion and all the trimmings. Of course this is produced by Enoch Light and contains more technical information than Rudy Van Gelder would ever need or use. Even Phill Schaap may give pause at the amount of info provided on the liners. By the way, the Bongos in the title of this gem are played by Willie Rodriguez and Ray Barretto. [For some reason the amplifier at Maxwell's more than not REFUSES to play in Stereo. So unfortunately this track just may not be a Ping Pong of sound. Oh well.]

Al Jazzbo Collins And the Bandidos - A Lovely Bunch of... (Impulse cat. A-9150)
There couldn't be a Lounge night without Jazzbo and his crew. This LP contains one of the coolest readings of "The Three Little Pigs." Radio DJ Al Collins is joined here by Terry Gibbs (vibes), Hal Blaine (probably one of the greatest unsung heros of the throne) on drums, Funky Bluesman Mel Brown on guitar, and Steve Allen tickling the ivories. The Pigs swing easy behind Collins crazy voot. The Wolf eventually gets his in the end, as he always does, but never has his story been so cool. I wish I had a Bandidos club card that was offered inside the gate.

Ken Nordine - The Son of Word Jazz (Dot cat. DPL 3096 "Ultra High Fidelity")
"I Used To Think My Right Hand Was Uglier Than My Left." Wow, this is the musings of someone high as a kite or on the verge of killing. The sad character in this revealing tale is torturing his right hand like it was detached and treating it with prejudice. Suddenly there is an epiphany and he embraces both hands as beautiful. Weirdly you can tell this is not his final conflict he will have with his own body. Nordine's voice is so recognizable. Full round and warm as a wool sweater. "Looking At Numbers" trips along as Nordine describes the shapes of numbers and the power they hold. Vibes, flute guitar, sax, piano, cello, piccolo, bass, and percussion skip over the top in abbreviated solos driven by a repetitive drum line. "Down The Drain" is chilling and open. Again sounding a little crazy but oddly in complete control of his factions describing odd behavior as if he was one up on us. In this case, seated showers are the topic du jour. Hmm, maybe I'll try this tomorrow morning. I hope I don't pour down the drain, end up in Indiana and twist my way back again.

Candido - In Indigo (ABC-Paramount cat. ABC-236)
If there could be a monster session amongst the Lounge records this would be it. Candido is joined here by Joe Puma, Dick Hyman, Ernie Royal, George Duvivier, and Charlie Persip. Though the LP starts off with "Caravan" the majority of this session is made up of originals and this band can seemingly do no wrong with this material. Unexpected twists and turns surprise the ears amongst passages that should be familiar if not cliche. The Joe Puma tune "Candido Cocktail" is my personal favorite. His guitar playing is stellar throughout the LP but hear opens in tandum with Ernie Royal's trumpet and sends chills down my spine. Each member grabs a piece of the floor and so should you.

Other favorites along for the ride:
Gary McFarland - The In Sound (Verve cat. V-8632)
Harry "The Hipster" Gibson - Boogie Woogie In Blue (Musicraft Records cat. MVS-2003)
Chef Slim Gaillard - Smorgasbord ...help yourself! (Verve Records cat. MG V-2013)
Jane Birken / Serge Gainsbourg (Fontana cat. 885 545 MY)
Three Martinis & Olive - Slightly Muddled Medley of Dean Martin's Hits Live... At Somebody's Basement (Mira cat. MLP 3015)
Esquivel His piano and His Orchestra - More of other Worlds, Other Sounds (Reprise cat. R9 - 6046 "Dual 35mm/120 CMPS/Stereo")
Frankie Stein and his Ghouls - Ghoul Music (Power Records cat. 340)
Dracula's Greatest Hits (RCA Victor cat. LPM-2977)
Babs Gonzales - Babs (Chiaroscuro Records (a division of Audiofidelity Ent.) cat. CR2032)
Etc...
Etc...
Etc!

Primitive Sound System Mixed Tape Tuesday March 15 at Maxwell's

Hello Y'all,
After spinning through the dark allies and seedy hotels of Crime Jazz last week I figured I might as well keep the soundtracks coming. The 70's produced some of the finest movies Hollywood had to offer and the music was nothing less than stellar. These soundtracks were not vehicles to sell some half ass should-a-been one hit wonders like todays ANNOYING soundtracks but highly conceptualized, composed works performed by the eras top musicians, arrangers and composers. A favorite genre of my from the period are the action films and the music that accompanied them can be summed up simply and to the point - Baad Asssss!

In most cases I am going to play cuts I don't usually play. It's so easy to fall into that trap. The best thing about these LPs is that there is something for everyone and there are usually more than one "best cut" on each one.

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

I have got way too many records this week. I have some great themes on 45 but this genre is all about the LPs and the fantastic cover art. For those who care, all but two of these are original copies and sound amazing. Most of these have been re-issued and are still available on vinyl.

I have stuffed the backpack to its limit with the following:
Willie Hutch - The Mack
Willie Hutch - Foxy Brown
Edwin Starr - Hell Up In Harlem
Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come
Jerry Butler - Joe
Grant Green - The Final Comedown
Herbie Hancock - Death Wish
Herbie Hancock - The Spook Who Sat By The Door - I tried to track this down forever and then heard that this LP was only given out at the premier as a promotional item. Thank God for the re-issue.
Solomon Burke - Cool Breeze
Joe Simon and Millie Jackson - Cleopatra Jones
James Brown - Black Caesar
James Brown - Slaughter's Big Rip Off
Dennis Coffey and Luchi de Jesus - Black Belt Jones
Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle - Themes From Star Trek and Planet Of The Apes - "Ape's Shuffle" This is the Lalo Schifrin composed track from "The Planet of The Apes" TV series.
Soul Ecstasy - I am pretty sure this is a fake soundtrack but it is pretty great.
Lalo Schifrin - Enter The Dragon
Lalo Schifrin - Bullitt CHOICE: "Hotel Daniels" or "On The Way From San Mateo"
Lalo Schifirn - Sudden Impact This LP was an unexpected find. I bought it for $1 and was so blown away to find that it included songs from the original Dirty Harry films. "Dirty Harry Creed" is worth the price of admission - "Do you feel lucky Punk...well, do ya?"
Mike Jackson and the Soul Providers - The Revenge of Mister Mopoji - This is 100% a fake soundtrack and it is incerdible. Philip (Pure, Desco, Soul Fire) told me they included the track "The Chicken (Catch It!) for realism. As he said every soundtrack has one dud and in the action film genre it is usually the music played during the scene with the hicks in it.
Curtis Mayfield - Short Eyes
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
Monk Higgins and Barbara Mason - Sheba Baby CHOICE: "Who The Hell Is That" and "Heavy Shot" or "The Hoods"
Issac Hayes - Shaft
Issac Hayes - Tough Guys CHOICE: "Red Rooster" or "Buns A Pleanty"
Issac Hayes - Truck Turner CHOICE: "Breakthrough" or "Hospital Shootout"
Marvin Gaye - Trouble Man - I don't think soundtracks get much better than this. This will be the LP I play through start to finish while I take my break.
Barry White - Together Brother CHOICE: "You Gotta Case"
Quincy Jones - Smackwater Jack - This great comp contains the full version of Hicky Burr as well as the theme from Ironside and the theme from The Anderson Tapes.
J.J. Johnson - Willie Dynamite CHOICE: "Willie Escapes" This is the organ driven version of "Willie Chase"
Booker T and the MGs - Up Tight CHOICE: "Run Tank Run"

The following have great versions of some favorites:
Bernard Purdie - "Shaft" from the Prestige release of the same name.
Sammy Davis Jr. - Now - "John Shaft" If you don't own this there is something wrong with you. This is the same LP that contains Sammy's reading of "The Candy Man" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Louis Jordan - One Sided Love then Sakatumi - "Bullitt" Yes, Louis Jordan doing the theme from Bullitt. When I bought this from the Jazz Record Center Fred asked me "are you sure? Have you heard it?" It may not be a traditional Jazz record but this has some pretty cool funky Jazz and R&B tunes. The cover is pretty crazy too.

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Tuesday March 8th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
OH MY GOD am I tired. There is no way in hell I am writing descriptions tonight. Here's the deal, have you ever organized and been to a 2 year old's birthday party? If you haven't you should try it, it's pretty wild. Be assured you will tire before they do but remember like all drunken frat boys they ain't helping with the clean up. Anyway here's what I got; 50's Instrumentals and Rock; 60's Psych and Garage; 70's Punk; 80's Underground; R&B/Soul/Funk from the 50's to now, Latin Jazz and Boo-Ga-Loo, Afro Beat and some Dub and Ska. In the back pack I have some insano Crime Jazz and Spy records that I really wish I had the time to write about. Oh well...ZZZzzzz...See you there...zzzz.

Thanks to Todd and Everyone at Maxwell's who helped out. Thanks to Lou Barlow for being so patient. Hell, he got a Balloon and Hank got to move around some mic stands. So a good time was had by all.

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