Hello Y'all,
So welcome to 2009, it's a new day. Oh boy, the future is so bright you just gotta wear shades... PHEH! Well, who knows where we are all headed but at least there is still good music for the ride. This Wednesday I'm back at The Lamp Post spinning a box of 45's. I have been making sure not to repeat a song from the previous session and sticking to an all 7-inch format. I've kept the genres limited to 50's / 60's Instrumentals, 50's R&B / Rock, Jazz, Funk and Soul, Instrumentals, Garage Rock, 70's Rock and New Funk & Soul. Because of this I have broken out records that I haven't played in ages, some of which I will probably be adding to regular rotation. The Lamp Post is easily one of my favorite places to DJ because the regulars are very open to music they most likely have never heard. As always Steff will be holding down the bar (and the taps) so please make nice with the tipping. See you Wednesday.
- pat.
Primitive Sound System - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 7th
Spinning from 10PM to Closing
Lamp Post Bar & Grill
382 2nd St
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201)-222-1331
http://www.myspace.com/lamppost
Steff's Lampost schedule:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=71579&blogID=356928615
45's:
El Michel's - "It's A New Day" Instrumental b/w the drums only (Street Beat Records cat. SBR-771)
This is one of those great little series that shows that the new bands can definitely play it as cool as the originals. The fabulous El Michels Affair tackles the Skullsnaps legendary Hip Hop break monster "It's A New Day" and keeps it close pretty to the vest. Of course I couldn't be any happier as this is an instrumental version. For me the wordless song is always preferred to all that talking regardless of how insanely cool the Skullsnaps original is. With that said the lyrics couldn't be any more relevant today then the day it was written, "It's a New Day, and a better days coming." "What'cha gonna do?"
Binky Griptite - "One Time, You're Mine" b/w "Your'e Gonna Cry" (Daptone Records cat. DAP-1042)
Ah, this is Summer time music if there ever was. Kickin' it William DeVaughn style. Binky Griptite keeps things raw and aggressive vocally over a slow paced conga heavy groove. More of a rap than singing but it works perfectly. The band is sharp as ever and allows Mr. Griptite the space to make this work flawlessly. There are sweet guitar and baritone sax flourishes that keep the band from slipping to far into the background. The B-Side is a ballad (at 3:25 it makes it a long one as well) but as Ballads go it's a good one. This won't get much play out so we'll have to slow dance in the kitchen waiting for the pot to boil.
The Fantastics! - "Soul Child" b/w "Soul Sucka" (Freestyle cat. FSR7-051)
If you want to be easily criticized negatively call your band the The Fantastics! One can write the shortest review ever. "The Not Fantastics." BUT, the easiest way to keep things positive is to simply be... fantastic and this band has yet to disappoint. Here the band is throwing vocals into the mix and does a pretty great job of it. The vocals dance around "samples" and sounds in tribute to past songs and the performance is solid. The band is sharp as ever but takes a back seat to the vocals giving them room to breath and shine. Similarly the vocalists allows the drums do break, the horns do blow and, of course, the organ to grind. No offense to the A-side but there is a smoking instrumental spinning on the B-side that would make a category five tornado cower in fear. Horns, drums, bass, and organ jump out and get things going but nothing could prepare you for what is coming, and it is coming on quickly. The Organ, frenzied and powerful, grinds and burns until it whips itself round and round at dizzying speeds. Sounds come from every angle and engulf us. Out of the dust and debris left in its wake the band has become wound up so tight from the devastation that they can't hold themselves back any longer. The first survivor to make itself known is the sax who comes out of the clouds screaming. This is one of those in your face, reed splitting solos that sends chills up your spine and brings a smile to your face. Before this weather system passes the congas and guitar step out just far enough to be noticed and remind us that we should be dancing. That last sound we hear is a laugh that is both surprised and confident. Like laughing in the face of danger and knowing you can not be beaten. I have probably listened to this about 20 times tonight alone. Oh yeah, "The Fucking Fantastics!"
The Perceptions - "Rolling & Tumbling" b/w "Right The Wrong" (Freestyle cat.FSR7050)
The Perceptions have a classic Soul Jazz sound and from the Prestige influenced label of this 45 it is obvious that is what they are going for. The band is so tight and together you would assume they have known each other their entire lives. Each player seems to be attached to each other like the cars of a train as they closely follow each other through twists and turns. The recording is beautiful, it seems to highlight each musician equally yet has a very live room feel. The sax and guitar get the solo action on side one and display their wares with excitement and professionalism. Don't be confused by all this impressive playing and clean recording sounds this is a burning little Soul Jazz track that should definitely keep bodies moving on the floor. A nice break kicks open "Right The Wrong" and the band takes it in a more Funk instrumental direction than a Jazzy one also reminiscent of the fabulous Prestige label. The organ takes on the "vocal" duties and despite the seemingly slow start it quickly becomes apparent that this band can drive and kick. On the surface this side seems medium paced and easy going yet with very little effort the band begins to pick up the speed and intensity just beneath. This is similar to a Rhoda Scott live track but usually she and her band take a good five or six minutes to get to this level. The organ is just plain unfuckable and stops on a dime just before hitting the run-out groove.
Steve Ellis - "Loot's The Root" b/w "The Undertaker Song" (Licorice Soul cat. LSD 013)
These are two cuts from the extremely hard to find Loot soundtrack. There is a similar feel to both cuts like a great soundtrack should have. "Loot's The Root" is a vocal cut and obviously the theme and "The Undertaker Song" is instrumental and as groovy as they come. "Loot..." is a song that makes me wish I had seen this film, hopefully it is as good as its theme. Simple repetitive vocals from Steve Ellis are backed by a big band and in the break we are treated to a great little organ solo from Alan Hawkshaw. There is a nice drum and conga break toward the end with some sweet female coos and ohs from Madeline Bell. The Undertaker Song is far more aggressive and opens with a big break beat drum that must have been used somewhere. The organ takes the vocal part on this side and makes some nice runs only pausing to let the drums jump out with a few solo moments. Usually this type of interplay can kill the momentum and flow of a tune but not here in the able hands of Keith Mansfield.
From the "I can't believe I have never written about this" pile:
Foster Sylvers - "Misdemeanor" (Pride cat. PR 1031)
Whenever I play this and someone asks who it is they always mention the Jackson Five. That isn't a bad reference or place to start but Foster is not some Michael Jackson wanna be. The Sylvers, nine of them, were easily as talented and extremely popular through the 70's. "Misdemeanor" spent a good amount of time on the charts and sounds just as incredible today as it did over 30 years ago. The sisters Sylvers open up the track over a striking piano and heavy drums. Foster comes in right on top of them sounding far more seasoned than a nine year old. The backing, by his only slightly older sisters, keeps the vocal sound consistent and even. Without sounding completely insane, the sweet female vocals are an element that really separates the Sylvers from the Jacksons. At this early stage in their careers it would have benefitted the Jacksons to have some sisters backing Michael and Jermaine. Of course the Jacksons sounded great and the combination was more than just a winning one. Foster's performance is forceful and passionate. There is also a Laissez faire attitude as if he knows that playing hard to get is a good strategy for winning the affections of a young lady. The backing track is simple and repetitive but never boring or pedestrian. There are lovely percussive choices like the triangle which also sounds like a child's piano. This is a slow to medium paced groove but always seems to get someone dancing whether it be on the floor or in their seat.
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