Willis Jackson - Nuther'n Like Thuther'n

Just bought some fluids* to clean my wax and making them sound even better. One of the first old bits that needed a bit of polishment was my copy of Willis Jackson's 'More Gravy' on Prestige. Provided here is obviously the classic jazz dancer - Nuther'n Like Thuther'n.
Still sounding a bit rusty, but hey - it's an old record which sometimes tastes even better with some dust. Enjoy!

Willis Jackson - Nuther'n Like Thuther'n (256)
*The magic formula for cleaning records is 3/4 of isopropanol and 1/4 of distilled water and a nice old, soft cloth. And trust me on this one, I got the tip from one of the finest in the business.

Heatwave - Goin' Crazy

This is a superbaad track. 'Goin' crazy' from Heatwave's Candles LP. Nothing ellusive or valuable moneywise in collectors circles. None the less fantastic music and a must have track due to its superior musical class.
I guess that's about it for this time. Well, keep looking back. I've had some good finds lately (think I need to slow down my bying a bit) and I'm planning a mix or two.
Till then - Enjoy the track!

Heatwave - Goin' Crazy (320)

Wallifornia Soul

I always find it great to hear stories on passionate people. This one is about a Belgian soul fan and crate digger. A nice little documentary by the people from Laidback.

Wallifornia Soul from Laid Back on Vimeo.

Colors - Am I Gonna Be The One

I got interviewed by a local paper today. It was a sort of '10 quick questions' for an article portraying some dj's from the area. Even though I knew the writer since before, and he's got some cool musical references, it's a bit tricky to describe what my dj'ing is about. And especially what I think makes good dj'ing. A bit arbitrary question to get into, but I'm not sure many get the idea for the passion of music. For me great dj's are really passionate about what they do, that's the foundation. A bit like Bill Brewster says in 'Last night a DJ saved my life': "you have to develop the hunger" (in the book referring to vinyl records which could be transfered to just music in this digital age).
Anyway, from my slightly 'constructed' intro for this post, to the essentials. Still to illustrate some of the hunger that I believe great dj's need. Colors - Am I gonna be the one, on First Take Records from 83' - a fantastic piece of boogie.
So here you go, enjoy:
Colors - Am i gonna be the one (320)

Jean-Luc Ponty - Computer incantations for world peace

Now to something slightly different content, compared to the stuff I normally post, this time from Jean-Luc Ponty. The french jazz violonist, possibly most known (at least within my circles) for the jazz-funk track 'In the fast lane'. This one, 'Computer incantations for world peace' from the 'Individual choice' LP, is a bit hard to define when it comes to genre.
None the less a great track which Underground Resistance sampled on one of my favourite UR tracks 'Journey of the dragons'.
The track was also recently comped by the Sonar Kollektiv camp, still nothing hard to find if you want the original LP. So for all of you who might be pleased with a digital version - here you go. Enjoy!

Jean-Luc Pony - Computer incantations for world peace (320)

Gene Harris - Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong

That's a great title. And certainly a fantastic song by Gene Harris. Today I had the pleasure to attend and speak at a 'DJ camp'. A local thing clearly inspired by the Redbull Music Academy, but very well executed. A cool venue, a nice setup with gadgets and things. I think they've been doing it for the whole week, and quite a few hours a day.
My role in this was to speak about the history of dance music, vinyl records, collecting etc. Obviously a quite big challenge to try to communicate with teenagers (mostly), who I don't share any musical references with. Whatsoever. Still I believe, or what i've heard, I managed to spark some interest for the roots of dance music.
So here's for all the young dudes (no girls i'm afraid), Gene Harris from the Astral Signal LP on Blue Note.

Gene Harris - Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong (320)

Doc Severinsen - I wanna be with you

Continuing my musical mission. This time with some funky soul-jazz from the old jazzer Doc Severinsen. I can't say I know much about him, or his back catalogue. This is from his 1976 LP - Night Journey and the track is 'I wanna be with you'.
I think he share his story with some other old school jazz players, I'm thinking of Webster Lewis, Benny Golson etc., going from straight jazz to more contemporary sounds in the seventies. I can recall when speaking with some hardcore jazz-dudes (in their sixties), and they were moaning about their favourite artists starting to play disco and other stuff. This don't dissapoint me though.

Doc Severinsen - I wanna be with you (320)

Woods Empire - Universal Love

Time for some sweet boogie-down-action. A biiig tune, one for the old school ravers. The title track from the 1981 Woods Empire LP. Well...can't really come up with anything more to say. Not really necessary, it speaks for itself.
Enjoy!

Woods Empire - Universal Love (320)

The Charles Stepney story

This is a trailer for, what I believe is an upcoming documentary of Charles Stepney. He's one of those characters that I tend to forget about, but when looking (or primary listen) back on music he's been involved with - he's one of the greatest. For me, one of the greatest all time. Top 5 easy.
He's been involved in so much great music; Rotary Connection, Minnie Ripperton, Marlena Shaw and Terry Callier to name a few. Reflecting on those artists and their music and you find some of the greatest LP's ever done. In his roles as composer, arranger, producer and musician he's influenced loads of contemporary artists and producers.

As a bit of bonus I'll give you a mega-mix from some Bavarian Nu-Jazzers (don't quote me on that though). This is from a bit shady 12" with some of the best pieces of Stepney's greatness. The strings (Chicago Symphony Orchestra apparently), the rhythms and drums, and the overall arrangements. Music doesn't get much better than this. Enjoy!

Stephnew (196)

Bob James - Westchester Lady

If your'e into your sexy R'n'B and house, read no more. If you have the slightest interest in new or older dance related, and...good music, you need this. You might actually be well aware of Bob James. Even though it's not the rare and elusive stuff, this is essential in many ways. It's the blueprint, the heritage. Heavy!
I particuraly like Westchester Lady. I can't really evolve why, it's just a complete song in all ways - the melody, the drums, the strings. Obviously he's behing several other great and heavily sampled tracks, but this one it it(!). Still goose bumps.
Hearing this vinyl rip, I realise I might need a second copy myself. Sorry about this, but enjoy anyway.

Bob James - Westchester Lady (320)

It's a Jazz thing

You know what is said - Jazz is the teacher. It was time to pull out some Jazz bits, and I thought I'll create a mini-mix out of some favourites. Starting of with the sample friendly Gap Mangione trio - 'Boy with toys' from the Diane in the autumn wind LP. Bit of Stereo Konitz, some Coltrane related (or tributes rather) from Billy Gault and Lateef. Some slamming drums on the Afreaka track, and speaking of drumming, there is only one. Art Blakey from the Holiday for skins volume 1 LP, together with Sabu Martinez amongst others. Heavy!
Finishing of with the always incredible Dee Dee Bridgewater. The title track from the classic LP, it's so nice to pull out that one now and then. So here you go; it's all good.
Enjoy!Tracklist:

1. Gap Mangione trio - Boy with toys
   
2. Lee Konitz - Five, four and three
3. Billy Gault - Mode for Trane
4. Yusef Lateef - Brother John
5. Lee Morgan - Afreaka
6. Art Blakey - Mirage
7. Dee Dee Bridgewater - Afro blue

Download mix

Happy birthday John Coltrane

A day late on this, it was actually on the 23rd.

Louie Ramirez - Barrio Nuevo

I'm quite a lot...a sort of 'periodic' when it comes to my music consumption. Occassionally i get the crawings for certain musical styles. Obviously, at least according to my own mind, with a stringency that relates to anything soulful and qualitative. Practically this means I've got some latin records laying about. I do play them at the right occassions, and they usually never fail to rock the party. This is one of those tracks, actually a bomb on any discerning dancefloor. Louie Ramirez - 'Barrio Nuevo' from the 'A different shade of black LP on Cotique, which I believe was an offshot from the Fania label at the time. Enjoy!

Louie Ramirez - Barrio Nuevo (320)

Black Gold - C'mon stop (Prelude)

Bit of proto-house, post-disco type of dance music from 1983 and Black Gold - C'mon stop. Bit hard to label, none the less great piece of music on the Prelude label. I'm sure this got loads of plays in Chicago, back in those days.
Even though this Long version is clocking at 10:40, it actually manages to to keep it flowing nicely throughout the whole track. Perfect for the toilet break.

Black Gold - C'mon stop (320)

Sandra Sa - Trem da central

Need to work on my posting frequency, and obviously keep the party vibe going. Therefore, a quick one, but certainly a goodie. Bit of brasilian boogie from Sandra Sa. The track is from her LP - Vale Tudo on the RGE label. Whether you're into brasilian music or bit of boogie, this certainly does the trick. Enjoy!

Sandra Sa - Trem da central (320)

Music is the weapon

Got into some stuff on Dj Harvey the other night, check a recent interview at Resident Advisor. Never been a huge fan, but very aware if his cult status and...yeah, I believe he's sort of a Dj's Dj. I don't know the reasons for his exile to the US, but he certainly seems to be a cool dude over there. I've possibly seen him at some occasion in the UK, I'm not entirely sure. But some inspired from his sarcastic disco stuff, I gave myself into doing this mix. As the man himself says - at the end of the day it's about playing the right records after each other.
So armed with a can of lager (or 2 - very hedonistic), some sh-t speakers, a stack of records, I thought I'll give it a go. Doing it in my mixed flavour - disco, boogie, modern soul, house etc., all in the same. Check for some Larry Levan, some old & future classics, mid-school house stuff from Pulsinger and Heard, even some Norwegian space-disco.
I've never had any patience doing edits on a computer, just playing the old vinyls, there's really no place for any tricks. So here you go; 1 take straight down to file, with some skips, dust and all that, and most and foremost with the soul:

1. Taana Gardner - Heartbeat
2. Benny Golson - I'm always dancing to the music
3. Phyllis Hyman - Living inside your love
4. Expression - Release Disco
5. Baron Zen - Burn Rubber (Dam Funk Rmx)
6. Floating Points - Love me like this (Dub)
   
7. Brainstorm - Journey to the light (A. Beedle edit)
8. Last Exit - Sweet Maryline
9. Breakwater - Say you love me girl
10. T Connection - Saturday Night
11. Alice Smith - Love Endevour (M. Fulton Rmx)
12. iO - Claire
13. Mr. Fingers - Waterfalls
14. Prince - 17 Days
15. Son of Sound - Life under bridges
16. Shit Robot - Simple Things (T. Terje Rmx)

Download Mix

Paul McCartney - Check My Machine

Riding a bit on the Beatles wave blowing up right now, with celebrations and all. This one is a bit of a surprise coming from Sir Paul, which I first discovered on a mix from my Brasilian hero - Dj Nuts. Don't think available on any LP, just a b-side and on a Brasilian (only) 12". When recording this, I noticed som flaws on my vinyl - sorry about that. Can't really be bothered to make it all over again. So here you go; a nice little quirky thing for those musical feasts of yours.

Check My Machine (320)

Courtial - Losing you

This is a fantastic track from the Courtial's - Don't you think it's time LP. A bit ellusive affair on the small Pipeline label. Not for every party, but certainly gets me going.
Speaking of hard work musicwise, I played this youth-festival-thingy. A bit to my surprise I was asked to take part. Not an obvious thing for me as I'm mostly into retro stuff nowadays and possibly can squeeze in some midtempo deep modern stuff. Sure a good opportunity to spread my gospel to a new audience, but do the kids really want to hear my stuff? And, sure I got it swinging, threw in a bit of hip hop and stuff that got'em nodding. Good to see some kids feeling the boogie stuff later on as well.
One funny thing was when a youngster was exposed to MJ's 'Off the wall' LP, and asked me - 'is that him'? Then the dude after me went on some sort of autopilot and played some poppy electro-house stuff. Needless to say, the kids went bananas...
So here's to all the David Guetta fans out there:

Courtial - Losing you (320)

Club Culture from 88'

More YouTube stuff. A great documentary, from 88', on Club Culture. Charting the Club scene, from Hip Hop, through House, Acid and the wider dance scene. Check this to get some insights on the history.

Lesette Wilson - Look into tomorrow

Just a quick one. Heard this track on a Patrik Forge mixtape recently. Sure I knew about Caveman boogie, but his kills it. Great drums and live feel.

Brownswood Bubblers - Promo mix

Brownswood is the record label of the one and only Giles Peterson of BBC Radio 1. A long time connoisseur of everything jazzy, soulful etc. Now and then they release these compilations of some of the nicest contemporary soul. They're up to No. 4, and this particular giveaway is mix a mix of tracks from all 4 of them.
Tracklisting:
1. Soundspecies – Can We Call It Love (with Ahu) [BB4]
2. Simbad feat. Steelo – Soul Fever [BB1]
3. Bullion – Get Familiar [BB3]
4. NSM – The Hype [BB2]
5. Katalyst feat. Steve Spacek – How Bout Us [BB3]
6. Cornish Waters feat. Duchess – Walking [BB2]
7. Ayak & First Man – Can We Go Back? [BB1]
8. DJ Day – A Place To Go [BB3]
9. Mayer Hawthorne – Maybe So, Maybe No [BB4]
10. Iman – Who Was I Trying To Fool [BB1]
11. Flying Lotus – Tea Leaf Dancers [BB2]
12. New Look – Everything [BB4]
Download it from here, and you get a nice set with the freshest music around.

Nancy Priddy - You've come this way before

Quite coincidently I came across this LP by Nancy Priddy. Apparently her only album, and released on the Dot label. A very nice funky, soulful and psych-ish listening almost all through. I particularly like the title track, with its heavy drums that recall to David Axelrod at his best.
Check it here:

Or save it for later. Don't miss!
Nancy Priddy - You've come this way before (320)

Billy Paul's 'East' covered by Shawn Lee

Looking forward to this forthcoming release on Ubiquity. Shawn Lee covers Billy Paul's Classic.

The Chubukos - At the sun up

Due to the abscense of summer up here in the northern shores I thought I'll share some nice summery vibes on the vintage soul side - At the sun up (Instrumental) by The Chubukos. Don't know the scarcity of this one, think it's a quite easy find. Appears on the flipside on a 7" on the Mainstream label. It just sends this nice feeling, and the strings obviously gives that extra emotionality. Hope you like.

The Chubukos - At the sun up (320)

R.I.P Baatin of Slum Village