J Dilla documentary pt.3

3rd and last part of the Stussy documentary on Dilla.

Stussy - J Dilla Documentary Prt3 (of 3) from Stussy on Vimeo.

I believe in miracles

There's been a huge buzz on a version of the great 'I believe in miracles' track. Most famously performed by The Jackson Sisters, but written and actually first recorded by Mark Capanni. Apparently only pressed as a Capitol promo, which of the majority probably were destroyed. Prominent soul DJ's, working at Capitol at the time don't recall to have known about the track. Now it's been blowing up big time within some discerning circles (though known before this within the even more discerning soul circles, especially up here in Scandinavia). And rightly so. It's quite different to the Jackson Sisters version, and not really comparable, but it's a really a fantastic song.

The most recent version is by the Sunlightsquare Latin Combo. Actually just recently released, and available as a quite limited 7". Again not really any reason to compare to the other versions, but this one is certainly a party starter. Go seek if you want one, it's soon gone.

Dionne Warwick - You're gonna need me

A follow up on the Dilla theme going on here. Dionne Warwick's fantastic 'You're gonna need me' from the 'Just being myself' LP. From 73' and produced by the legendary producers Holland & Dozier.
Pure class on the arrangements and strings!

 

Dionne Warwick - You're gonna need me (320)

Jay Dee pt. 2

Ok, here's the next part on the Dilla documentary.

Milt Matthews - It ain't your fault

I'm busy ripping vinyl for some forthcoming and strictly digital dj-action. Obviously i'm not too happy about it - playing the music from a record is still important to me. 
Anyway, I thought, I might as well share a track with you. Just off the deck, from the Milt Matthews Inc. "It ain't your fault" - a very nice funky and folky number.

Milt Matthews Inc. - It ain't your fault (320)

J Dilla documentary

Stussy celebrates the legendary producer, this is the first part of three. There's some tee's as well. Check site for more info.

Update: I've seen some criticism on the making of this video, and I can fully agree on some points. If you think it's bad for commercial brands to capitalize on culture this way, there might still be some upsides as well. At the end of the day it can make these sort of cultural artefacts get the recognition it deserves.

Ray Parker Jr. - It's time to party now

I've been drawing my attention to lots of disco, and sort of post disco, boogie grooves lately. I've had the urge to go through old LP's, in my own collection, and through various other spots. Just to look for those forgotten and great LP tracks. 

This particlular track is from Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio and the 1980 LP - 'Two places at the same time'. 

The title of the track sums it up - 'It's time to party now'. 

Voila - Here's one to get it started!

Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio - It's time to party now (320)

Another 45 in the post

You get surprised everyday when the postman gets his deliverys to the door. The weather is mad up here in the northern shores. So this time again, i fail when not trying to purchase too many 45's. But this one from Action was too cool not to. Arrived today and is a nice little disco number.

The Gap Band - Out of the blue

This could easily be taken as a long lost Stevie gem. From 1977 and their self titled LP - The Gap Band with 'Out of the blue (can you feel it)'. For me they're more known for their slightly more accessible 80's funk tunes. Checking back on their discography this was quite early in their career. What's more to say? Well not much really, this is just vintage dance music of the highest order. Enjoy!

The Gap Band - Out of the blue (320)

Winter warmers Vol. 3

The continuation of musical treats moves on to new parts. I try not to buy too many 7"s, I find them a bit un-handy. Obviously I love playing them but they don't really store that well at my home. Anyway, occasionally I fail, and recently I found the General Lee and...sometimes it makes life a bit better. Absolutely amazing tune. I feel I could go on with all the tunes here - No fillers.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:

• General Lee - We did it baby (pt 1)
• Jacksoul - Unconditional love
• Dee Dee Bridgewater - People make the world go around
• James Vincent - Space traveler
• Bohannon - Save their souls
• Darrow Fletcher - Now is the time for love (pt 1)
• Arthur Verocai - Na boca do sol

Download mix

Dick Schory - Jungle Root

This is right up my street - a percussive sound with that big band brassy feel. Obviously I'm into loads of different styles,but as far as a sort of 'Cross-over Jazz Dance track' goes this is it. From the Movin' On LP on the Ovation Records label. 
Need to put up the weird, and rather dysfunctional, sleeve as well. Mr. Schory just looks like a mad old geezer on his train. Check out the track which in this case can't be judged on its cover.

Dick Schory - Jungle Root (320)

Mayer Hawthorne

I came across this piece of video with Mayer Hawthorne and his story on digging and artistry. Filmed at the Groove Merchant store in San Fansisco which is, as far as I know, a great purveyor of all things vinyl and funky.

Mayer Hawthorne's Dusty Fingers from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
From Yours Truly

It's all gone Pete Tong

Almost finished reading Snowboys' book on the history of the UK Jazz Dance scene. Filled with great stories and anecdotes from the 70's and 80's. The book mainly contains interviews with all (lots!) of relevant DJ's and dancers etc. Occasionally bit repetitious and messy in its outline, but still really interesting read on the origins of black dance music in the UK and eventually (as a prolongation) worldwide. 

Obviously the Northern Soul scene was the beginning of the DJ and Dance culture, but then you had the Jazz Dance/Funk scene, and its relation Soul, Disco and Rare Groove. Further on even with a connection to electro and house music. Actually I wasn't aware of that, the legendary record label Factory was releasing Jazz related records in its early days. The Hacienda was also playing Jazz music mixed with the contemporary electronic music. I did know that Pete Tong used to be a Soul boy and quite involved in the Rare Groove scene in the 80's, though he was also a key player and heavy taste maker in the jazz dance scene.

I can't tell if the Danser's Inferno track - Sombre Guitar was played at the time. I presume there's been quite few findings along the way, even after the scene started to dissapear. Anyway, it's a huge favourite of mine and I try to squeeze it in whenever I can. Thankfully the Creation One LP is available on a nice japanese reissue since quite recently. Still a bit ellusive and limited, so check your Japanese dealers asap. I know Russ Dewbury put it on one of his great Jazz Bizniz comps, because trying to find the original release is not an easy one. We're talking four-figure sums of ca$h. 
So here's one that should fit into the context, at least as far as speed an jazzability goes. Check out the book as well, nice read and essential knowledge on the history.

Danser's Inferno - Sombre Guitar (320)

Winter warmers Vol. 2

Happy holidays!

Tracklist: 

1. Nico - Petit chevalier 

2. Morgana King - A song for you 

3. Placebo - Aria 

4. Gary Bartz - Music is my sanctuary
5. Terea - Pretty bird

6. Deniece Williams - Free  
7. Marlena Shaw - Look at me, look at you

 

Download

Nancy Holloway - Hurt so bad

Was shifting through some records today and got stuck on this one from Nancy Holloway. The great 'Hurt so bad' from the 'Hello Dolly' LP. Pretty much a one track LP, but what an amazing song. Enjoy!

Nancy Holloway - Hurt so bad (320)

D.I.S.C.O

Or something. The ususal mix of good grooves - soul music and related scapes. This has been lying around for some time, might as well post it. Enjoy!
Tracklist:

1. Will Powers - Adventures in success (Dub)
2. Soul Phiction - Prison song
3. Dj Leftoo - Untitled
4. Calender - Hypertension
5. LCD Soundsystem - 45:33 (Theo P Rmx)
6. Floating Points - Truly
7. Maze - Twilight
8. Mark E - Untitled
9. Omar S - Flying gorgars
10. Moodymann - J.A.N.
11. Imagination - Burning up (Dub)
12. Ronnie Dyson - All over your face
13. Chic - I want your love (T. Terje edit)
14. Rainbow Brown - Till you surrender

Download

Danny Hunt - What's happening to our love affair

Need to keep up with my posting. So here's a quick one. But still very tasty. Danny Hunt's - 'What's happening to our love affair' on Dynamite. I came across this 45 not too long ago, first heard on a 12" from the excellent and ellusive Truth is light label.
I believe this track is fairly big on the Northern Soul scene. For me it's all about the Stevie-esque feel about the track. Looking forward to drop this on a decent party in the future. Voila!

Danny Hunt - What's happening to our love affair (320)

Winter warmers Vol. 1

This is a spontaneously put together mini-mix. I chucked in the Erykah Badu in the last few seconds. Still with a lot of care.
Possibly suitable for your bus ride during these darker months (unless you live on the other side of the planet or walk for that matter). No clever idea behind the programming, just great tunes basically. I actually did left some jazzy bits out from this one. Just to save for later.
Starting of quite dark with the Harry Whitaker(!) produced 'I can see the sun in late December' by Roberta Flack. Then into one of the best releases of old unreleased music, from the last few years; 24-Carat Black. Check that LP! Some moody psych-ish stuff from Spirit and then into some top-class and slightly more joyfull soul music.
The idea is to try to make a few more, therefore the volume bit in the labelling.
Hope you'll enjoy it!

Tracklist:

• Roberta Flack - I can see the sun in late December
• 24 Carat Black - I want to make up
• Spirit - Ice
• Clark Sisters - Ha-ya
• Erykah Badu - Bag lady
• Dionne Warwick - You're gonna need me
• Odyssey - Our lives are shaped of what we love
• Marvin Gaye - Where are we going

Winter Warmers Vol. 1 (Download)

Deirdre Wilson Tabac - I Can't Keep from Cryin' Sometimes

When your record consuming gets close to collecting habits, one of the great rewards is when you get a good bargain. Sometimes it's like a sport. Your skills such as knowledge and patience are well needed when looking for records. Obviously you need some luck to score that particular record. And when you do win, or in this case find the record, it's a great feeling.
A had a bit of that moment today finding the Deirdre Wilson Tabac LP. Sure, it's quite an easy find as long as you're willing to pay the price. But getting it for less than a dollar is great. So to celebrate this moment i'll share the best track from it. It also has a quite cool version of Beatles' 'Get back' on it. Both available on a Jazzman 45.
So here you, tomorrow the search goes on for another victory.

Deirdre Wilson Tabac - I Can't Keep from Cryin' Sometimes (320)

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)