Gwen Mcrae - Doin' it

I think I first heard this played by Ashley Beedle some 12 years ago. It's another of those lost LP tracks that rarely get the attention.  This is from the 'On my way' LP, easily available for anyone wanting the wax. Well, even more accessible here if you're happy with my slightly rusty vinyl rip - Enjoy!

Gwen Mcrae - Doin' it (320)

Patti Jo - Ain't no love lost

Keeping it on the female and funky retro tip. Here with Patti Jo's - "Ain't no love lost" edited by Tom Moulton. Produced by Curtis Mayfield and originally released in 72' and later exclusevily released in this edited version on a Scepter disco comp. 
Sweetness guaranteed!

Patti Jo - Ain't no love lost (Tom Moulton edit)

Vera Hamilton - But I ain't no more

I am a musical omnivore, I know. It's jazz, soul, funk, house, techno etc. But I taste it as long as its got the funk, the soul and sounds good. You know, joining the dots and all that. And here's a bit of special nugget for you. Vera Hamilton's - 'But I ain't no more' is certainly the sound of funk.

Vera Hamilton - But I ain't no more (320)

Odyssey - Our lives are shaped by what we love

This group from the early 70's is not to be mixed up with the later and more famous disco group. There are actually quite a few Odysseys'. Anyway these are the ones to look for and there are only one release on the Motown subsidary Mowest. The same titled LP is from 72' and there's another great soul track in 'Battened ships' which I think get some plays on the (northern) soul circuit. Though this one is my favourite, great soul with hints of folk and such. Hope you dig!

 

Odyssey - Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love

Judy Roberts - Never was love

It's time for some jazzy and funky fusion. This track is off the 'Judy Roberts Band' LP and I believe it's the Inner City pressing which is the first. However, not of highest importance. Check the track as it's a fine piece of jazz funk.

Judy Roberts - Never was love (320)

Ned Doheny - Get it up for love

How about some AOR!? A fantastic track from Ned Doheny, possibly more known in Tata Vega's version. "Get it up for love" is from the Hard Candy LP, there are a few various pressings. If you're happy enough to get it on a comp there's a recent one out by DJ Spinna. Here's a digital for you - enjoy!

Ned Doheny - Get it up for love (320)

Autumn mix up

This is something I put together the other night. A spontaneus process ending up in a fairly varied mix ranging from funky & folky; soul, rock, psych and even som Dilla. 
Enjoy!

• Steve Davis - It's all because she's gone 
• Chris Harwood - Wooden ships
• Air - Mr. Man
• Tunng - Tale from black
• Stereolab - Metronomic underground
• J Dilla - Workinonit
• Wilson Deirdre Tabac - Get back
• Colosseum - Elegy
• People - Glastonbury
• Placebo - Humpty Dumpty
• Dorothy Ashby - Soul vibrations
• Darrow Fletcher - Now is the time for love (Pt. 2)
• Trevor Dandy - Is there any love
• Milt Matthews - It ain't your fault
• Michael Franks - Born with the moon in virgo
• Nancy Priddy - You've come this way before

Download mix

Hip ain't what it used to be

I think this might be the official week for Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" 40th anniversary. I'm not a massive fan, I've got the odd record. Though the "Someday my prince will come" was one of the first LP's I bought when I seriously started to get into jazz. Previously I had some Hancock records and the sort of jazz stuff you just 'wanted' in your collection. But this was the time when I really started to feel the music and I remember Recordmania was the place for the actual purchase.

This particular track, a fantastic modal piece, has always been a favourite since. Without knowing the history in detail I'm guessing this is a tribute to his longtime producer Teo Macero. For those of you who hasn't checked Miles' autobiography- it's great read. I haven't tried the Bitches Brew beer yet, but I'm sure it has been produced with a lot of care. Cin cin!

Miles Davis - Teo

Alicia Myers - I want to thank you

A really nice and strong soul/gospel number from Alicia Myers. Also check 'You get the best from me' by her.

Alicia Myers - I want to thank you (320)

General Lee - We did it baby (Pt. 1)

This is pure gold on 7". Heartmelting, spaced out, mellow soul from the man General Lee and his Space Army Band. This reminds a bit of Roy Ayers, which always is a good thing. I also put it on a mix over here (check if you haven't).

Hope you dig!

General Lee - We did it baby (Pt. 1) [320]

Percy Faith - First Light

I remember hearing this at David Holmes excellent Essential Mix back in 98' (I believe). 'First Light' originally written and arranged by my favourite Freddy Hubbard, here performed by Percy Faith. At the time when looking for this, when there where no Discogs and such, all I found was various cheezy easy listening records.This one - the LP Corazon from 73' might still be one of those, but it gots this killer version. 

Check!

Percy Faith - First Light (320)

A loud minority

Go out and buy & support!

Monsters of Folk - Dear god

As heard on GP's 'Worldwide' a few times and recently sampled by the Roots.  Oh, and MoF actually sampled Trevor Dandy's - 'Is there any love' - You gotta love these synergies. A really nice modern folk track and I'd really would like to get a 7" of this.

Phyllis Hyman - Living inside your love

Earlier today had a good conversation with a friend, where he pointed out that we're now reaching the time of the year (i.e autumn up here in the north) when it's perfect to seriously get into the music again. So taking it from there I wanna give you a real disco beauty from Phyllis Hyman. "Living inside my love" is for me one of her best songs and is taken from the LP "Somewhere in my lifetime". Later on it also got a 12" release, but it could be one of those LP tracks that are easily neglected. Nothing ellusive but still for me one of those tracks that I try to play whenever I can. 

Phyllis Hyman - Living inside my love (320)

General Johnson - Don't walk away

I was going through some old mixes the other day. This one caught my attention and when going trough to it, I realised there are some nice & heavy tunes in the mix. One of them is General Johnson's "Don't walk away".

This rip is from a nifty little 7", the track is also available on his self titled Arista LP from 76'. It speaks for it self - just pure, emotional soul music at its best.

General Johnson - Don't walk away (320)

Collectors (are nuts)

Some primary players in the world of record collecting.

From Spine TV

Stefano Torossi - Feeling tense

This is possibly as complete as music can get for me. It's got the breaks, strings, horns and the arrangement. Library of highest order from Stefano Torrosi. I'm not by any means an expert in this genre, but this record cought my attention after hearing the "Running fast" track from the LP - "Feelings". After that it went straight to my wantlist and I recently found one at a reasonable price. 
So far I'm happy with the Easy Tempo reissue, as looking for earlier pressings isn't really realistic right now. We're talking big money. Even though I haven't had the time to listen to this record properly, I must say from what I've heard, this is a baaad record. 
I hope you dig!

 
Stefano Torossi - Feeling tense (320)

Clifford Jordan Quartet - John Coltrane

Ok, it's time to go back to some jazz. Gradually I felt I've ignored the jazz and I don't want to go there, I need to step back back to the roots. And how's this for you?! A fantastic alternate version of Clifford Jordan's "John Coltrane".
This song was first recorded and released on his (probably) biggest LP "Glass Bed Games" on Strata-East. This one is from a later live session recorded in Paris. The LP is Night of The Mark VII on Muse from 75'.

Now I know why this music will stay with me forever. Enjoy! 

Clifford Jordan Quartet - John Coltrane (320)

[Heads Up] 2 Excellent 45 Reissues

And now over to something completely different. I've been lazy at buying jazz and older soul sounds lately. Obviously it's a matter of prioritizing, but I can also be very periodic in my music consumption and for the past time it's been very much about the newer soul/disco/boogie stuff that is reflected in my postings. 

Anyhow, these two recently reissued 45's grabbed my attention and I immediately got an urge to bag these. 

The first one is from Jerline and friends. Taken from a cd only reissue from the Streetsoul label with previously unreleased tracks, only available as acetates in the past.  It's unbelievable how these tracks wheren't relesed back then. The quality is second to none, and accordingly to some sources these Chicago based musicians later became Starvue. Check it - it's killer stuff.

The second one comes from the great French label Vadim Music. Doing very much 'soundtracky' stuff from obscure sources. I think I heard this one from Jean Pierre Mirouze played by Jazzman Gerald and never bothered to look further as it's just one of those things that would cost you and arm and a leg to get hold of. I'm also quite certain it's been sampled or chopped up but can't for the moment recall by whom (please fill me in). Anyway, great funky organ stuff with enough groove to swing your legs to. 

Li'l Louis - How I feel

I haven't really gone much into newer programmed music in this blog. Although it's always been a great part of my musical interest. I guess, as with lots of other afficiandos, it's where it all started and then you go backwards for the roots of all music. This summer as I've played out lots more than usually, and also doing longer sets, I've been able to integrate more house and related music. 

This is one of those tracks that always do it for me. Electronic dance music that has aged well, deep Chicago rawness from Li'l Louis in 'How I feel'. 
Let there be some house!

Li'l Louis - How I feel (192)

Teddy Pendergrass - Take me in your arms tonight

Although this is Teddy Pendergrass' release, Stephanie Mills should definately be credited for her vocal duties. That's it really. Well, add Dexter Wansell on production and PIR - Amazing vintage dance music!

Teddy Pendergrass - Take me in your arms tonight (192)

RIP John Coltrane

The 17th of July 1967 was the day when one of the greatest passed away.

Chaka Khan - What Cha' Gonna Do For Me

Sometimes you tend to forget about the obvious records. The sort of non-rare LP's by classic artists. This is the title track from one of those - Chaka Khan's "What cha' gonna do for me". Definately one of my favourite vocalists all time.This is such a solid LP, filled with great tracks that has standed the test of time. All I can say; if you haven't got this one - you need it.

Chaka Khan - What cha' gonna do for me (320)

Left of Centre

Making mixes is a bit of a mental hassle, this is usually where my confidence gets a bit of a tackle. The thrive for perfection is against accomplishment. Anyhow, last weekend, on the warmest day so far, I grabbed a stack of records and took it from there. To keep it simple and just to get it done.
No sync tools or other gimmicks, a bit ruff round the edges - one take on the decks. Soulful and sleazy, occassionally slightly left of centre, bits of house and all that.
I hope you dig!

Tracklist:

• Joe Cocker – Woman to woman
• Blair – Nightlife
• Michael Zager Band – Don’t sneak on me
• Sunburst band – Everydub
• Dennis Parker – Like an eagle
• Parlour – Sark powers
• Norman Giscombe Jr – Get up and dance
• Secrets – Unknown
• Vakula – Different tone
• Theo Parrish – Twin cities
• Toby Tobias – Macasu (MCDE rmx)
• Mascara - Baja (Instrumental Dub Version)
• Was not was – Wheel me out
• Chicago Shags – Flamingo world
• East 17 divisions – Textures
• Charles B - Lack of love (Garage mix)
• Maurice Fulton - This Is What You Want (Dr Scratch Vibe Mix)
• Seahawks – Omega beach    

Download

Summer Boogie

From tomorrow i'm starting a new summer residency throughout July and August. I'm very exctied to say the least as I haven't done this for quite a few years. I guess it's going to be a quite ruff mix from jazz to techno. You know; joining the dots and all that. That's obviously the beauty of having a 'residency' - to form and shape the musical direction.

So here's some tunes to share my enthusiasm and which most certainly will get some spins throughout the summer.