Francois K

I came across this interview with the legendary Francois Kevorkian and as this blog somehow is about production, re-production of knowledge, on and about music, I'll share it with you. 
So listen and learn!
  François Kevorkian Audio Interview 20.08.09 by djmixes

Kenny Rankin - I was born

I quite recently found out about Kenny Rankin and obtained 2 LP's quickly. Nothing ellusive, not costing you more than a pint or two. Perfect. "I was born" is off the "Like a seed" LP and got the jazzy, folky, rocky elements that i'm into. 
Actually very nice - check it out! 
As we're at it, the other LP I'm talking about is "Silver morning". I'm especially digging "In the name of love" for more of the folky stuff. For those of you who can't get enough of versions of "Berimbeau", it's there too.
Go Kenny!

Kenny Rankin - I was born (192)

Diana Ross - Brown baby

Aaaah, this is such a sweet tune. The strings and all. Diana Ross at her best in 'Brown baby'. This rip is off the 'Touch me in the morning' LP, where it's part of a medley. Not that it has been much of concern, but i've always wondered if it's available anywhere else, as a 45 or LP track?

Diana Ross - Brown baby (192)

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

This is some stuff that I heard recently recently. At the time I couldn't tell if it was new or old, having that retro sounding production. Though this is some new is*t from a 23(!) year old cat - Michael Kiwanuka. His first EP is due in June, which I certainly got under my radar now. Check it out - it's great! 
This also reminds me that I need to go back to the jazz a bit more, Lately it's been all about the disco and such. It's not a bad thing, but you know what they say about jazz being the teacher. So, stay tuned!
Update: Buy the 10" vinyl here.
 Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale by Stayloose

Heat up, Cool down

Cool In The Pool by Trustmybeats on Mixcloud

Nicolette Larson - Lotta love

How about some Neil Young?! 
This sweet, little disco number is actually written by Neil Young. Performed by Nicolette Larson and this 12" version, slightly discofied by Jim Burgess.
Not much more to say really, I hope you like as much as I do.

Nicolette Larson - Lotta love (196)

Patsy Gallant - It'll all come around

The spring is in full bloom up here in the north, some days we're even getting some nice summery vibes. It's funny how some music gets related to different times of the year. Possibly it's about where you live, as we nordics tend to get all melancholic during the dark times and slightly more lively during the few summer months. 
Anyway, here's a personal summer tune from Patsy Gallant in 'It'll all come around'. It's of the self titled Canadian release, and for those into your jazz dance might know her for the 'Te Caliente' track off the same LP. 
Enjoy!

Patsy Gallant - It'll all come around (192)

Michael Zager Band - Don't Sneak On Me

Here's another piece of mature music, and with enough swing to tickle my legs. Michael Zager Band's - 'Don't sneak on me' off a promo release. I can't say I know much about them as I don't own any other stuff by them, obviously the 'Let's all chant' song comes to mind. 
Hope you dig this one!

 
Michael Zager Band - Don't Sneak On Me (192)

Ednah Holt - Serious, sirius space party

Busy times and a well needed effort to make it happen here again. And we'll go all in. You know the spacey and cosmic stuff is all hip and happening right now, and to be totally frank i'm all dragged into it as well. Obviously it's all about picking the best ones. Here's a serious one with monsieur Levan at the controls. From Ednah Holt and West End - 'Serious, sirius space party' in the club version. Possibly a tune that some of you might think is a bit too much, even if you're a devoted fan of the West End, Levan stuff. Personally I quite dig this.

Check out yourself!

 

Ednah Holt - Serious, sirius space party (192)

Inner city blues - Paul Lewis

Here's a solid, slightly left of center, version by Paul Lewis of Marvin's 'Inner city blues'. The 12" also has a fine take on Eddie Kendricks' 'Girl, you need a change of mind'. For the Idjut Boys fans there's an edit of 'Girl, you need a change of mind'. 
Hope you dig!

Inner city blues - Paul Lewis (192)

Pointer Sisters - Don't it drive you crazy

Another reminder for one those LP tracks that are so easy to foresee and forget about. Classy rare grooves from Pointer Sisters in 'Don't it drive you crazy'. It's off the 'Having a party' LP, a really easy find, neither costing more than a take away coffee.

Pointer Sisters - Don't it drive you crazy (192)

Ronnie Dyson - All Over Your Face

Back to the boogie! 
This one has been a big spin recently; Ronnie Dyson's 'It's all over my face'. Classic John Morales & Sergio Munzibai sounds. Actually it was a friend of my who pulled it out on a recent night we were playing together with the consequence that I had to step out on the floor and have a swing with a big grin on my face. I've had my own copy for quite some time, but it has mostly been lying around and now when hearing it in the right context again; it's gonna come along for forthcoming boogie sessions. And certainly getting the plays it deserves.
On a more personal note, I'm glad I've created a local alliance with some other heads. It just prooves the importance of the social aspect of the musical interest. Obviously dj'ing and playing out is all about interaction with people, but being able to sit down and have a coffee and talk about whatever musical nerdery  you want is fantastic. Living in a place where I share musical references with quite a few, this has been something I've missed for quite some time. 
And this is what we've going down to - Salute!

Ronnie Dyson - All Over Your Face (192)

Milton Nascimento - Para Lennon Et McCartney

It's been while since last proper post. Too exhausted and actually an overload of music, too much playing for the past months. As much as I like playing out, I need to keep on fairly reasonable level. I need to build up a hunger for the music, avoiding going into routine. Doing both Fridays and Saturdays is therefore a bit risky. 
Anyway, it's slower now, which is good.
Following on the Brasilian tip since a few weeks back. Here you get a true classic from one of the greatest ambassadors of Brasilian music. Para Lennon et McCartney by Milton Nascimento off his self titled LP. Just a great track, nice to pull out and drop whenever there's room for some quality audio.
Classic stuff!

Milton Nascimento - Para Lennon Et McCartney (320)

Reggae Britannia

Ooooh, been really busy for the past time. Not much energy for new posts. But here's another quick one. A fine documentary from BBC on the sociocultural role of caribbean music in the UK, mixing musical genres and ethnicities.

The Legendary: A Film about the Roots

Even though this blog is not much about Hip Hop, the connections are there. And, The Roots obviously, are a relevant contemporary group within the field of soul and funk. And as I want to bring you the good stuff; here's a recent documentary on them.

The Legendary: A Film About The Roots from Cam Be on Vimeo.

American gypsy - Golden ring

This is from a dutch Philips release from American gypsy and the LP 'Angel Eyes'. Apparently this american funk-rock group came to Holland in 72' which resulted in this LP. Later also released on Chess on the US market. There are several nice tracks in the same vein as 'Golden ring', be sure to check out if you dig this one.
Enjoy!

American gypsy - Golden ring (320)

Bebeto - Falda

So, I've been doing some tidying today. Especially focusing on the records, move them off the floor and such. Unfortunately not as in organising the collection. But obviously you bump into stuff that you haven't seen, or listened to for a while.
During some periods I've been bying some Brazilian stuff. I haven't got a huge amount, but there are some nice bits lying around. This is one; some nice and clubby stuff from Bebeto in 'Fadla' of the 'Batalha Maravilhosa' LP.
Check and dream away for some warmer places. 

Bebeto - Falda (320)

We all need a bit of Dilla

"Created in 2006, this remembrance piece is created as a tribute to the memory and legacy of James "J.Dilla" Yancey. This is a piece designed for his fans and supporters who knew of his accomplishments before February 2006 and those that have grown to appreciate his genius. Here, we gain a greater insight and understanding about our musical icon. 
J.Dilla is Still Shining."
"J.Dilla: Still Shining" from B.Kyle on Vimeo.

Ray Barretto - Stargazer

Here's a proper party track! From Ray Barretto - 'Stargazer' on a Fania 12". Somehow it feels so much New York in its vibe. Well, possibly a quite obvious guessing, but i'm saying that without any references. I'd be surprised if this wasn't played a lot on various block parties at the time. 
Possibly a track for the editers as it could easily be stretched with another 2-3 minutes. There's certainly enough pieces and breaks to work with. 
Enjoy!

Ray Barretto - 'Stargazer' (196)

Rance Allen Group - Peace of mind

Anyone into soul, jazz and the rare grooves knows about the Mizell brothers. There's so much to choose from and which is of the highest quality. Fairly new knowledge for me is that Fonce Mizell took part in writing and producing Jackson 5's 'I want you back'. 
Anyway, here's a great example of their magnificent musicality. Rance Allen groups' 'Peace of mind' off the 'Say my friend' LP. 
Classic Mizell stuff!

Rance Allen Group - Peace of mind (320)

Coke Escovedo - I wouldn't change a thing

This is a serious piece of soul, I like to go back to now and then. Coke Escovedos' "I wouldn't change a thing", which got those musical elements that usually for me fits into most disco sets. Written by Johnny Bristol and from the 1976 LP "Comin at ya!".
Nuff said really, hope you dig!

Coke Escovedo - I wouldn't change a thing (320)

Steve Davis - It's all because she's gone

Here's a quick one that I needed to rip for a friend. Off the Music LP by Steve Davis, the track is "It's all because she's gone". Great piece of music, though my favourite off the LP is the "Lalune blanche". But, I'll save that for another time.

Steve Davis - It's all because she's gone (192)

Damaris - What about my love?

Here's a fine piece of mature and soulful boogie. Damaris 'What about my love?', a nice take on Johnnie Taylors version. Personally I prefer the Damaris one, and that's the one ripped here. I've chucked in the Johnnie Taylor as well - hope you dig either one of them!

Damaris - What about my love? (196)

Thanks!

Another year and back again from some deserved festivities and rest. I just want to say thank you to everyone who's been interacting with me and checking this blog in the past year. It will keep going!

Here's a bit of a special treat for you and a perfect piece of 3am gospel. The Dynamic Clark Sister with the life affirmative 'Ha-ya' recorded live in Detroit, off the 'Is my living in vain' LP. A friend of mine said; this is house before house existed and I totally agree. It's a spiritual things as the house community would call it. I know Mark 7 did an edit of this, possibly less ellusive, still close to the original version.

Enjoy and thanks again!

Clark Sister - Ha-ya (196)

R.I.P Teena Marie

About a week ago, we were reached by the sad news of Teena Marie's passing. At the age of 54 it was way too early. I'm sure many of you know about her, for me she was one of those artists I got to know of at an early stage of my musical journey. I remember getting the 'It must be magic' and 'Lady T' albums long time ago. Still, both are LP's I like to get back to, and play out now and then. Specifically the bombs in 'Square biz' and 'Behind the groove' that never fails on a dance floor.

My personal all-time favourite is 'Portuguese love' off the 'It must be magic' LP. So here you go, some classic soul from the great artist in Teena Marie.

Teena Marie - Portuguese love (196)