Greets! Back again for a third come back or so. But you know, it's all been good, with a little rest and travelling. I actually went to the UK for a quick stop, and anyone into their retro glasses and jazz need to look at the Black Eyewear shop. It's in St Albans, not too far from London. I had to go and see myself and ended up with a new pair. I also listened to GP's jazz special some weeks ago and slowly but surely started to build up the urge for some jazz again. So here we go! An old favourite, a fine vocal piece from Vince Andrews in 'The one who needs you'. It's off the 'Love, oh love' LP, I believe there's a japanese reissue and it's been comped as well. I hope you dig and come back soon! It's certainly gonna back to normal here now. Thanks for checking!
Another come back from some great time off! Kicking off with a classic killer groove from Charles Earland in 'Coming to you live'. I was lucky enough to score a mint copy of the 12" some years ago, at a very reasonable price that is. Again, an old jazzcat going disco in his career. I've mentioned a few before - Jimmy McGriff and Doc Severinsen amongst others. Hope you dig!
Back again from some absence. Actually, I've been overloaded on music for the past weeks. You know sometimes you just need a rest from whatever you're into. For me it's been about quite a few gigs recently, they were all good, but too much music can wear you out. Even the finest. Anyways, here's good one from The Charlie Rose Band in "Backwoods Echo". Possibly not for everyone, but for the more adventurous jazz-funk dj's - certainly a fine tool. Dropped in the right context at the right time, it has huge potential. Hope you dig!
You probably heard parts of this loads of times. Sampled here and there, but very much a great track in it's own. "Faded Lady" by the S.S.O Orchestra is off the "Shine your ligth" LP on Shadybrook. I believe, last year, a BBE 7" sampler surfaced with an unreleased instrumental of the track. Enjoy!
I made this yesterday at a friends place. I wanted to do that as he got a nice set up with these rotary things and isolators. I must say I'm hooked on playing with a rotary mixer. As I'm not much of a technical virtuoso I get these smooth blends, but it's very much about the great feel turning the knobs. Obviously the sound quality is second to none. As always, a quite spontanious affair. It needs to be done when there's inspiration and flow. So here's one take, strictly vinyl down to file. Bits of soul, disco, house. Mostly original tracks, but a few edits here and there. Thanks for checking - enjoy!
This is such heavy and sweet tune! Proper jazz funk for serious dancers. There are some heavy weight players behind this, formerly known as The Jazz Crusaders. Played by the usual suspects, GP and TP et all, but I've also seen Dj's like Harvey spin this. It's Off the 1977 'Free as the wind' LP and if you like to mix up with some jazzy styles there are no reasons to ignore this tune! Hope you dig!
I was doing this jazz gig earlier this week. It was great! A bit like finding back to the essential bit of playing records out publically. Just letting the music connect you and the audience. In a very pure way. No hyped up or banging tunes, sure funky, but you know, still jazz. I guess I covered the most spectras, anything from Gainsbourg to Coltrane. Great fun, hard work though. Originally planned for 3 hours, the gig went up to almost 6 hours. So here's a little honour to all things jazz. Yusef Lateef has been a favourite since day one basically. Well, day one counting from my involvement in jazz that is. This song - 'Like it is' is off the 'The blue Yusef Lateef' LP. Hope you feel it!
Jimmy McGriff is an old jazz cat and organist with loads of releases on labels like Groove Merchant and Blue Note amongst others. And like many jazzers he went a bit disco-ish in the late seventies. This certainly have a cheesy moment or two, but wait till you get to the breakdown. Then we're talking breaks on an another level, and add some of Jimmy's organ skills to that. One for the serious jazz disco heads. Check & enjoy!
Nowadays news travels really fast. Unfortunately the first news this morning was about the passing of Gil Scott Heron. Truly one of the greatest, a genuine legend. Looking back on his work, there's so much fantastic and timeless music. This song is one I've been playing a lot recently. Peace go with you brother.
Back to the jazz, straight into some heavy dance stuff from Kamal Abdul Alim or Kamal and the brothers in 'Brotherhood'. It's off the 1988 LP 'Dance' on Stash, which possibly could be their only relese. I don't know. However, this one is certainly something to look for if you like your jazz dance stuff or are drawn to the more adventures side of dj'ing. Check out the 'Al Nafs' track too. That's it, hope you dig!
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
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!
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?
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
