Djalma's Soul Food

Matthew Larkin Cassell - "Five" (2010)

2009-10-23T09:49:00.008+02:00

Well folks, after long hiatus I'm back with some fresh news for y'all! I'm sure you all know him by now - Mr. Matt Cassell!

He's back with his upcoming release called "Five" and after I checked these two new songs, all I can say is - Matt has done it again! If you're into his previous soulful/funk/folk/whatever sounds, you'll dig this as well!

His official page can be found here and while you're there, don't forget to download two tracks from this album, "Like You" and "On a World Go Round"!

You know how some artists make shittier songs with every new album? Well, MLC is just getting better! I often wonder what would have happened if he never came back to writing music, if he never got back in studio... I guess we wouldn't be blessed with the previous EP (which I'm sure you checked out by now, if not, what are waiting for?) and with this one as well... I especially like how he incorporated that harmonica into his new songs...

Anyway...

....Artist's NOTES....

There are 8 titles on the newrelease including:

“Like You”, “On a World Go ‘Round”, “The Secrets to Michele”, and “Good to Me”

I stumbled upon the idea for “On a World-Go-'Round” while preparing to play some solo piano at a private Christmas party. I was poking around for some holiday-spirit possibilities, and while attempting to play "Silent Night," I really must have lost my way. I found an interesting chord sequence though, and when a bass part fell in line, in the vein of Puccini’s “Habanera” from Carmen, I glued things together and – sweet! Coincidentally, a close friend’s illness was on my mind and it really had me thinking,” Life is so precious, and man, we’re all just all spinin’ round here on planet earth and who knows…” and from there, the melody and complete lyric came to me. The harmonica is a great addition to the intro riff, and for the solo. I’m thrilled with the way the vocal harmonies came out, including the dissonant harmony at the end of each verse section, as in"...or why we spin around a star..." to its resolution – the chorus voices singing, "Every day, spinin' 'round..." it's very satisfying to me.

The lyric in “Like You” is emblematic of elusive love; the woman I always seem to be searching for, “...there are things I can't stop, things I still believe come true...like you”. The tune has an unforced funk feel that's right in the pocket. Subtle touches make the whole: a muted guitar line, the tasty bass and drums, while the piano & guitar chords nail down the rhythm framework for the background vocals, they're all involved in making it a funky feel.

“Good to Me” really starts to get its mojo workin' after the first verse, and the back-ground vocals are kickin' hard throughout, with the lead vocal stretching out some in the ending tag. Where as," The Secrets to Michele” turned into three vignettes. In the first section, I'm using the Rhodes keys with a rock groove. In the middle section, we break it down in half, and in flies a two-part harmony and I switch to acoustic keys. The tag ending is instrumental, and I'm back to the Rhodes, and I swear, it gets extremely funkinated here. The bass, drums, and keys – all coming together once again. Both songs were fully developed ideas that I never found the right time to record. They're right now.

“…Magic” I wrote so many years ago, so the song tends to morph. This variation is true to the way I originally conceived it – guitars only - just wood – with an acoustic bass. The guitar I'm using (on all three tracks) is a nylon string Spanish guitar, the one I've been writing and recording with all my life.

When I recorded and finished the lead vocal for “Suddenly,” it just took on this I'm a big tunefeeling. Long ago, I saw the singer-songwriter Anthony Newly perform on TV. Contorting, and coiling his body around the microphone, he was quite the spectacle to witness, grinding his way through his epic hit, ”What Kind of Fool Am I?”...a true classic! And I'd like to think there's a little bit of that moment in this song from me. What I'm saying is, the vocal gets a little near the top (OK, in parts, it's really near the top), and I'm thrusting and gasping for everything I've got by the end of the freakin' tune – absolutely nothing left in the tank. And after a good re-mastering, it's in full bloom now.

“The Meaning of it All” and “Blind as Love Can Be” are from the Privatepress4 vinyl issue from last year, the pressing of 100. I'm very proud of that release. But in the future, would somebody please remind me to never, ever fuckin hand-make a 100 labels again! I thought these songs should get a little more exposure; both songs are solid. And btw, the funky bridge to "Blind As Love Can Be" – the homage to Tower of Power, it's there, along with the Hammond B3, to remind me of all the great bands I heard growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and for the many good memories.

I’m so grateful to be around talented musicians once again, and their skills are on display on this newest release. There's a good mix of songs, all done out of Marinwest studio; a crisp and clean recording.

Enjoy these two tracks, and I'll announce a drop date for Five very soon.

My Best to All

Mlc

Orchestr Josefa Vobruby - Variace (1974, Supraphon)

2009-04-02T21:53:00.003+02:00

Here's one really rare LP for my friend Basso who's blessing us with some of the funkiest 7"!
Now I haven't seen this one anywhere on the internet, as a matter of fact, I couldn't find any info on it either!
This LP has some really dope beats on it, you should definitely check it out!

Enjoy!

Novi Singers - The Kid from the Red Bank 7" (1981, Tonpress)

2009-03-30T21:11:00.002+02:00

Now, you all know I wanted to post some East European jazz here but we've started this new blog, so I'll be posting there for a while... Here's the newest update though, and it's pretty rare one!

Peace y'all...

Andrzej Kurylewicz Polish Radio Big Band - Polish Jazz vol. 2 (1964, Polskie Nagrania Muza)

2009-03-28T09:57:00.003+01:00

The East Europe series continues! This time it's very rare piece of Polish big band jazz led by Polish pianist, trombonist and conductor, Andrzej Kurylewicz...
So, without any further a due, spin this baby neatly packed @320 and enjoy!

Peace y'all...

East Europe flavor anyone?

2009-03-27T16:17:00.004+01:00

A few months ago, Basso (of the Growing Bin blog) and I had an idea of a place dedicated to East Europe grooves... We mailed to and fro a couple of times and this new blog was born! Join us on a trip through some of funkiest, jazziest, and most of all, grooviest music that ever came out of East Europe! Hope to see y'all there!

Peace...

Janusz Muniak Quintet - Question Mark (1978, Muza)

2009-03-10T14:33:00.005+01:00

I've been into polish, czechoslovakian and romanian jazz lately so I've decided to share some of these gems with you and this will be the first one in the East Europe series y'all...

One of the lesser-known players of the Polish jazz scene of the 70s -- but a heck of a great saxophonist who stretches out nicely here in post-Coltrane freedom, but also manages to groove a bit too! The session has Janusz Muniak on both tenor and soprano sax -- working with a quintet in styles that range from open and almost free, to more inside and tightly grooving, with a sweeter electric feel. Instrumentation in the group includes electric piano, guitar, bass, and drums -- and the feel here is almost like some of the directions the Impulse Records scene of the 70s took their Coltrane inspiration when they electrified the rhythms, and tightened things up a bit. Titles include "Obertas", "Taniec Pawia", "Znak Zapytania", and "Przejazdzka Walcem".

review from Dusty Groove

Now this LP has been reissued recently and you can get it here only for a limited amount of time... Get it while you can as there will NOT be no further re-ups!

Peace y'all...

PURE DOPENESS!!!

2009-03-06T01:20:00.002+01:00

This has to be the sickest thing I've seen in a while!

01. The Mother of all Funk Chords
02. This is What it Became
03. I'm New
04. Babylon Band
05. Someday
06. Wait for Me
07. Just a Lady

Ophir “Kutiman” Kutiel was born in Zichron, Israel. A talented musician in his own right, he plays multiple instruments: guitar, bass, keyboard and drums. He started his musical career playing piano at age six and then switched to drums and guitar at age 14. When he turned 18 years old he moved to Tel Aviv, to study music at the Rimon College. It was there he was exposed to the wild world of college radio, and the eventual transformation into the psychelic Afro Beat/ Funk phenom he has become. Dubbed the “Psychedelic space funk architect” by Straight No Chaser magazine, Kutiman has gotten a lot of shine as of late, releasing records on Melting Pot Music, the German label that broke through so to speak with artist Breakout, among others. Embraced by the Afro Beat community as well as a variety of hipster monthlies, it’s easy to see how it could happen. His music is simple and keeps your head and body moving from start to finish.

source: Fleamarketfunk

Discuss...

You do the math...

2009-02-20T00:12:00.008+01:00

I'll try and re-up some of my previous post and also throw in some new stuff but...
I'm not trying to bitch or anything but come on, Zelia Barbosa 233 downloads and only 1 comment, Third Rail 71 and, once again 1 comment...

Something just doesn't add up y'all...

Third Rail - Reachin' For It (1982, Two Twenty Two Records)

2009-02-19T01:08:00.004+01:00

I'm finally back with this amazingly rare private pressed piece of modern soul boogie for your ears with the same line up as the highly sought after Maxx Traxx LP released the same year! You can just check out the prices here and here... Or you can play this baby right here and enjoy!

Peace...

edit:

I was so eager to share this one with you all I forgot to say that this one has been kindly shared by arkadin36... Thank you! Don't forget to show some love and thank him y'all...

Zelia Barbosa - Sertão e Favelas (1971) - RE-UP

2009-02-10T14:53:00.005+01:00

This one's for you Katonah! Thank you for schoolin' me! Keep on...

P.S. I was maaaad busy these last couple of months so I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like but now I'm back so get ready for some treats!

I bring you this great, maaaaad rare and in-demand LP issued on La Chant du Monde label (France). This LP was on my wishlist for a looooong time and now I give it to you! I haven't seen one in the whole blog-o-sphere, so, if you're into mad percussions and tight rhythm sections this is the one for you!

It's the very rhythm section, consisting of guitar (Raquel Chaves), bass (Max Hediguer) and percussion (Nelson Serra de Castro), which makes 'Sertão e Favelas' something special. The rhythm section has an important role, the only other instrument being Zelia Barbosa's mature, unsophisticated voice, which is of the medium-deep kind. Just once or twice it is a little shrill on high notes or insecure on low ones, but only sticklers for supernatural perfection will mind. She articulates well, so every word can be understood.

Now, this LP became famous and in-demand, thanks to Kon & Amir, because they included the song "Opinião" in their "Off Track vol. 1: The Bronx".

The songs on this album are about the less fortunate in society, but not in any weepy way. Side A holds six songs about the sertão (Brazil's arid northeastern territories) and this is the folk music side with religious overtones in one or two songs, and some grimness in others.

The B side song consists of six songs inspired by Rio's favelas. "Pedro Pedreira", by Chico Buarque de Holanda, has word-play on 'esperar', which may mean both 'hope' and 'wait for', and that may summarize the contents of the favelas songs; except to say that most of them are played in a downright jazzy style.

Peace...

Jimmy Smith - A New Sound, a New Star- Jimmy Smith at the Organ (1956, Blue Note)

2008-12-20T14:14:00.002+01:00

Okay, I've been maaaad busy these days, so I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like to but here's a quick one...

Catalog#: BLP 1512
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album,
Country: US
Released: 1956
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop
Credits: Artwork By - Reid Miles
Drums - Bay Perry
Guitar - Thornel Schwartz
Organ - Jimmy Smith
Photography - Francis Wolff
Producer - Alfred Lion
Recorded By - Rudy Van Gelder

Tracklisting:

A1 The Way You Look Tonight
A2 You Get 'Cha
A3 Midnight Sun
A4 Lady Be Good
B1 The High And The Mighty
B2 But Not For Me
B3 The Preacher
B4 Tenderly
B5 Joy

Enjoy!

edit:

Thank you for all your kind comments and contributions, especially arkadin36 who helped me with three items from my wishlist... Thank you...

@ POIVRE

Ricardo Marrero is available over @ My Favourite Sound blog...

Annette Peacock - The Perfect Release (1979, Aura Records)

2008-12-05T22:20:00.002+01:00

Okay, here's a quick fill-in-the-gap-in-the-blogosphere, it's Annette's highly sought after LP released in 1979 known for the massive "Survival" break... I can't go wrong with her, right?

Credits:

Bass - John McKenzie
Drums [Sonar] - Richard Bailey
Engineer - Dennis Weinreich , John Rollo
Executive Producer - Aaron Sixx
Guitar - Robert Ahwal
Keyboards - Max Middleton
Percussion - Darryl Lee Que
Producer, Written-By - Annette Peacock
Steel Drums, Percussion - Lennox Laington

P.S. The link will be available only for a couple of days, so get it while you can!

Peace...

Letta Mbulu - Letta (1970, Chisa)

2008-11-24T12:49:00.013+01:00

Well, I wanted to thank you all for all those kind comments made recently, so I thought I'd fill in the blogosphere blanks with this Letta Mbulu's rare LP from 1970... Just check out the amazing lineup of musicians here! OK, for those that do not know who she is, here's a short bio...

Letta Mbulu (pronounced "let-ah" "em-boo-loo") was born and raised in Soweto, South Africa.

Still in her teens, Letta began touring outside of Africa with the musical "King Kong," which ran for a year in England following a highly successful two-year run in South Africa. When the tour ended, she returned to South Africa but soon the policies of Apartheid were to force her to leave her native land for the U.S.A.

She arrived in the United States in 1965 and quickly befriended such fellow South African exiles in New York City as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa - all alumni of the "King King" musical. Performances at New York's famed Village Gate club began to attract attention to her talents, particularly from jazz legend Cannonball Adderley, who invited her to tour with him (which she did throughout the remainder of the decade).

Letta Mbulu also displayed an early gift for writing joyful, memorable songs. These were showcased by no less an authority than Miriam Makeba on the singer's albums THE MAGNIFICENT MIRIAM MAKEBA ("Akana Nkomo"), ALL ABOUT MIRIAM ("U Shaka," "Jol'inkomo") and MAKEBA ("U-Mngoma," "Magwala Ndini").

Letta first made herself heard on records as part of Letta and the Safaris, a group featuring husband Caiphus Semenya and the South African husband and wife team of Jonas and Mamsie Gwangwa. A single, "Walkin' Around" was issued in 1966 by Columbia Records (home at the time to Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkle), but lack of publicity failed to garner much attention to the clever little R&B swinger.

Letta and Caiphus soon relocated to the West Coast, joining Hugh Masekela, who became a fixture of the California concert and recording scene. While there, producer David Axelrod fell under Letta's spell and had her signed to Capitol Records - home at the time to both the Beatles and the Beach Boys and where Axelrod himself was scoring big hits for Lou Rawls and Cannonball Adderley.

Axelrod produced Letta's debut album, LETTA MBULU SINGS (Capitol/1967), an immediately attractive collection of Township-style pop mixed with American R&B. It was a hugely enjoyable style that Ms. Mbulu and her collaborator/husband Caiphus Semenya could nearly patent as their own.

Even though a single was released (the magnificent "Ardeze" b/w "Pula Yetla"), radio stations wouldn't play the record out of fear that no would understand the words (the Bossa Nova and the British were as multi-cultural as American radio was willing to get back then). As a result, hardly anyone ever heard the record and, worse, sales were slight.

Axelrod convinced Capitol to give Letta another chance. The following year he produced the singer's majestic FREE SOUL, as near perfect a collection of afro-pop as has ever been waxed, this time dropping Letta's surname, but in odd contrast, featuring the beautiful young Letta on the cover swathed in colorful afro-centric clothing.

Meanwhile, she toured often (fronting a piano trio led by fellow South African exile Cecil Barnard) and recorded frequently as part of musical aggregates put together by Hugh Masekela - most spectacularly as part of the anonymous collective known as AFRICA '68.

When Masekela and business partner/producer Stewart Levine first formed their Chisa Records label, Letta Mbulu was one of the first artists they signed. In 1970, Chisa issued the first of two Mbulu albums bearing only her first name (the second is from 1978 on A&M).

LETTA is a magnificent sample of African-American soul, bearing the UK dancefloor classic "Mahlalela" (written by husband Caiphus Semenya), Mbulu's great "Use Mncane" (an amazing song that beautifully showcases Mbulu's gorgeous vocal capacities), "I Need Your Love" (which could've easily been a hit), Masekela's fine "Macongo" and a Mbulu perennial in husband Semenya's anthemic "Jigijela."

Unfortunately, the Chisa label lost its independence in 1971 and was unable to issue another album Letta Mbulu had recorded that year. Mbulu continued to tour, often with Harry Belafonte. In 1973, the singer accepted a part in the Sidney Poitier's film A WARM DECEMBER (as a singer!) and issued the album NATURALLY for Cannonball Aderley's label, Fantasy Records. Indeed, Adderley and Mbulu were finally paired for the first time on record for several of the album's songs. It's here that the L.A. stamp on Mbulu's still-true take on African township pop starts to reveal itself. Songs like "Kube" (covered recently by South African singer Lebo M), "Noma Themba," "Hareje" and "Zimkile" reflect how comfortable - maybe a little slick - Mbulu could be at the crossroads of African and American music.

Mbulu raised the bar even higher when Herb Alpert (through Hugh Masekela) signed the singer to the trumpeter's high-profile A&M Records label. The first of two albums, THERE'S MUSIC IN THE AIR is a another Afro-soul masterpiece that should have made Letta Mbulu a household name. Each song is a wonderful, intoxicating concoction that yields such endless aural delights as Joan Armatrading's "Let's Go Dancing" (featuring Lee Ritenour and Richard Tee), Caiphus Semenya's "Mara A Pula," "Rainy Day Music" and "There's Music In The Air."

Composer and inveterate hit-maker (on his way to making Michael Jackson the king of pop) Quincy Jones then recruited Letta Mbulu to become the voice of ROOTS. Contributing to the historic 1977 soundtrack, Mbulu is best remembered for interpreting husband Caiphus Semenya's moving "Oluwa" (written several years before for another project).

The 1978 album LETTA (A&M) yielded several wondrous performances, including "Buza," "Baile Baneso," "Hareje" and "Mamani," but sadly no big hits. Another album recorded for A&M ended up coming out in 1980 on several different label(s) throughout the world as SOUND OF A RAINBOW, yielding a sizeable disco hit in "Kiliminjaro." However, there was no album in the United States and, in fact, no album under Letta Mbulu's name has been issued in the United States since 1978's LETTA.

But Letta Mbulu continued a busy - and diverse - career here in the states. In 1981, she narrated the documentary film YOU HAVE STRUCK A ROCK about African women's campaigns of non-violent disobedience. In 1983, she worked on husband Caiphus Semenya's first recording under his own name, LISTEN TO THE WIND, which yielded a huge dance hit in the lovely "Angelina."

In 1984, Letta Mbulu sung on Quincy Jones's soundtrack to THE COLOR PURPLE. In 1987, she was heard (if ever too briefly) as the other woman on Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" from the album BAD. Later, Mbulu appeared in such musical plays as husband Caiphus Semenya's BUWA (which was a presentation of South African Artists United (SAAU), of which Mbulu was a co-founder) and Mbongeni Ngema's SHIELA'S DAY.

Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya finally returned to South Africa in 1991, after 26 years in exile. The singer also returned to records in 1992 with the remarkable NOT YET UHURU, her first album recorded on South African soil. It was arranged and produced by Mbulu's multi-talented husband, Caiphus Semenya, who also composed most of the material. Check out Letta challenging any contender on "Not Yet Uhuru," Semenya's brilliantly arranged "Home Brew" (showcasing Letta Mbulu rapping) and "Kushukiti."

In 2001, Letta Mbulu was honored by the South African Music Awards for lifetime achievement. She has continued to sing on husband Caiphus Semenya's many projects - that continue to earn the couple a legendary and royal status in South Africa - but Letta Mbulu has been missing on record for quite a few too many years now.

Review from Dougpayne

Staff:

Hugh Masekela (tp, background vcl)
Wayne Henderson (tb, d)
Wilton Felder (sax, el-b)
Joe Sample (key)
Arthur Adams, Wayne West (g)
"Stix" Hooper (d)
Francisco Aguabella (cga)
Letta Mbulu (vcl)
Murray Adler, Carroll Stephens (vln)
Barbara Simons (viola)
Nathan Gershman (cello)
Frank Dale (string arr)

a. Mahlalela (Lazy Bones) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:51
b. Use Mncane (Little One) (Letta Mbulu) - 3:27
c. I Won't Weep No More (C. Semenya/O. Drake) - 2:42
d. You Touched Me (C. Semenya/M. Dancy) - 3:41
e. Melodi (Sounds Of Home) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:29
f. I Need Your Love (C. Semenya/O. Drake) - 2:45
g. Macongo (Hugh Masekela) - 3:15
h. What Shall I Do? (Hugh Masekela) - 2:30
i. Jigijela (Don't Throw Stones) (aka Jikijela) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:19
j. Qonqoza (Knock) (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:39

Issues: a-j on Chisa CS805P, Tamla Motown (SA) TMC 5213 (issued September 1970).

Peace...

Günther Fischer Quintett - Kombination (1978, Amiga)

2008-11-20T14:22:00.003+01:00

Here's another great and rare contribution from our kind contributor Mitsu! Thank you for helping me out with my wishlist bro! German Democratic Republic sure had some Holy Grails and this one could be one of them! And the beat heads will surely find some useful samples on it, like that drum break at the beginning of the "Kombination"! I couldn't find any info on the net so I'll just let the music speak for itself... Peace...

Larry Nozero - Time (1975, Strata Records)

2008-11-18T22:57:00.009+01:00

Here's the record I've been searching for a loooong time and finally laid my hands on it thanks to our good contributor Mitsu! Thank you!
First, a little something about the artist:

Best known for his performance with his jazz quartet, Larry Nozero's career has encompassed many musical styles and ensembles from quartets to big bands. His formative years were spent in Detroit, his hometown, during a time when the city was known as a jazz Mecca. While still in his teens, Nozero rapidly became a first call musician and could be found performing with many of the most prominent names in entertainment, both on stage and in the recording studio. As a constant in the stable of musicians that produced the Motown Sound, Larry Nozero became part of the marriage between jazz musicians and pop singers who created music that is now legendary. He has performed, toured, and recorded with many of the major names in jazz and pop music, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Sergio Mendez, Stan Kenton, and Henry Mancini. Larry has recorded several albums, including Sphere, Time, Island Fever, Four for Three, Grand Hotel, Kaleidoscopin', Street of Dreams, Warm, and Live at the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival.

In 1997, Larry received very special recognition when he was inducted into the Legends of Jazz International Hall of Fame for his outstanding quality and entertaining musical performances. He has also received the Spirit of Detroit Award in recognition of exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership, and dedication to improving the quality of life.

Recently, Larry received the "Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist" award from the Detroit Music Awards (April, 2001).

Larry has been on the staff of the Wayne State University Jazz Studies program since 1982.

Bio taken from his official page.

Now, this obscure, highly sought after piece of vinyl changes hands for insane prices and you can check 'em out here... And you can peep out this highly recommended LP here... And yeah, for all you beat diggers, the track "Tune for L.N." featured on this LP is an absolute killer, but y'all may know it already through Kon & Amir's Off Track series...

Don't sleep on this one y'all! And don't forget to show some love...

Peace...

Ezy & Isaac - Soul Rock (1974, Ri-Fi)

2008-11-18T11:25:00.009+01:00

A super rare soul, afro-funk & rock LP, italian only issue! They are 2 brazilian boys and they recorded this obscure LP in Milan, Italy in 1974. You can find out here why this one is a real gem for collectors and breaks DJs! Don't forget to check out Bawagbe, a very hypnotic afro-funk groove with ruff basslines, smacking congas, afro horns, wicked, rattlin' cowbells and afro chants! Beatheads need to check out the open drum break intro to "Don't step on my shoes" too! So find out why this LP is considered "the Italo funk Holy Grail!" You can check out the price here...
Don't sleep on this one!
And of course, don't forget to thank our kind contributor Mátyás, without whom this LP wouldn't be here in the blogland!

P.S. The track "Don't step on my shoes" is separate and you can find it here...

Matthew Larkin Cassell - Pieces (1977, private press)

2008-10-25T19:27:00.005+02:00

Is there a better way to celebrate the 1st birthday of this blog with this rare LP (only 250 were actually pressed!) and to contribute something to the community that gave me a lot? I don't think so.

Mr. Matt Cassell is a songwriter, keyboard player, vocalist and guitarist from San Francisco Bay Area. He is known for his jazzy, soulful-pop recordings which are all limited/private press vinyl releases. The 1977 LP "Pieces" recorded in the SF Bay Area has become highly collectible. Just check out the prices here and here... And here is some more Mr. Matt on Private Press 4, make sure you check him out, and if you like it and you can, BUY his music!

This is very hip work from this Bay Area 70s singer -- sweetly jazzy, and with a nice undercurrent of soul -- one that's ripe for rediscovery! There's a wonderful mix of moods going on here -- a quality that perfectly sums up the genre-trading aspect of the Bay Area scene back in the day -- a place where elements of jazz, soul, and mellow rock could mingle together in a unique blend, with qualities that were always way more than the parts of the whole! Cassell's keyboard work is especially nice -- always warm and jazzy, with sweet electric touches that underscore his vocals -- and given that the only other instrumentation is guitar, bass, and drums, there's plenty of room for the keys to soar out nicely. The vocals are great too -- often a bit compressed in the production, and set to some wonderful self-penned lyrics that are right up there with the best 70s work of this type. Titles include "Heaven", "Ecoutez Moi", "Beggin To Stay", "Holiday", "Another Day Gone", "In My Life", and "One Night".

review bu Dusty Groove

Credits:
Artwork By [Layout By] - William Seidel
Bass - Gary E. Arluck
Drums - James S. Hobson
Engineer - Harn Soper
Lyrics By [Words By], Music By, Vocals [Lead & Background], Piano, Guitar, Artwork By [Cover Artwork] - Matthew L. Cassell
Photography [Backliner Photograph] - Jamison Goodman

Alright people, show me some love... And don't forget to be polite...

And, once again, please, if you like what you hear, please go out and buy his music! It's the only way of showing support! P.S. This link will be available only for a short period of time because this LP has been reissued recently by P-Vine (Japan)...

Peace...

Celebrating 100000 visitors soon!

2008-10-23T15:05:00.004+02:00

Well, this month I'm celebrating one year in the blog-o-sphere AND my first 100000 visitors! The same month! So, I was thinking of showin' my appreciation to all y'all who visited me on the regular and showin' support through comments (y'all know who y'all are!), with a first-time-in-the-blog-land, mind-blowin, stuuuuuupid-rare LP! Stay tuned and find out! :)

Peace and keep diggin' y'all...

The Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble - Just Like Magic (1979)

2008-10-22T14:40:00.007+02:00

Here's another one! I told y'all I'm hooked on hot latin rhythms these days, and therefore, I bring you this monster LP!

Highly recommended!!!

"The first cut on this album, appropriately entitled "The Opener," establishes some of the most fierce, in-your-face percussion soloing to be found on the entire catalog of LP's re-releases of late seventies material. Perhaps we should attribute this to the union of the great Tito Puente with Carlos "Patato" Valdez and Johnny Rodriguez Jr. Whatever the reason: the song is one long vamp of loud, proud, tight percussion.

This contrasts with the second song, "Baila, Guajira," a strolling Cha-Cha featuring vocalists Nancy O'Neill and Jeanette Rodriguez. This song is instructive of how percussion can predominate and then, in a single breath, sit back and quietly propel a song. Incidentally, here Tito Puente doubles on vibraphone.

"Martinez Blues" takes us out of the walking four-to-the-bar mode to a jazz/African 6/8 groove. As in the preceding two songs, this one is not complex in structure and relies instead for effect on insistent percussion and Eddie Martinez's gentle, bouncing piano lines. This pace continues in "Afro Mood," an even more emphatically old-country groove that has LP cowbells of various sizes marking the traditional rhythm in alternating low and high pitches. The percussion is strident. Bassist Sal Cuevas is the other key ingredient in the mix: he seems to be playing a "baby bass" - a cutaway upright common in salsa, or perhaps a fretless electric. At any rate, his intonation and his keen sense of note value are critical in keeping the groove alive.

The title of the next song, "Talking Skins," is far from arbitrary. The congas virtually sing out to you, tuned to the melody. This device seems to be disappearing in modern, heavily amplified settings, this embodiment of the ideal of keeping drums musical. Although the congas may stray from the melodic line, they suggest it throughout. Tito Puente's timbale solo is exciting and playful; "Patato" Valdez's is delightfully quirky as usual. And here's a "listener challenge": Since it's going to be a tall order for one of the session musicians to look back twenty-one years and identify the LP instrument that makes that brilliant, sustaining bell sound at the 4:20 mark - you guess!

The Lieber/Stoller composition "Bernie's Tune" is slightly more complex than its predecessors, with a sixteen-bar theme and eight-bar chorus, all ignited by the pulsing cascara rhythm. Rodriguez shines with the others when he takes a bongo solo on the chorus. Finally we have "Tito and Patato" in a free-form intro that melds into a frantic groove at quick tempo. It's not so much a song as a forum for soloing. The approach is bombastic, until suddenly, around the two-minute mark, the dynamics fall to a hush and then build to a crescendo again. Tito leaves his signature at the end, conversing with "Patato" in a final free-form segment."

Review from LP Music

Credits:

Congas, Shekere - Carlos Valdez
Drums - Steve Berrios
Mixed By, Engineer - Bernard Fox
Photography - Martin Cohen
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] - Eddie Martinez
Producer, Mixed By, Bongos, Guiro - John Rodriguez Jr.
Timbales, Vibraphone, Marimba, Synthesizer - Tito Puente
Trumpet - Rene Lopez
Vocals - Jeanette Rodriguez, Nancy O'Neill

Don't forget to be polite...

Another guest post: Claudio Medeiros - Rotation (1975)

2008-10-18T01:13:00.006+02:00

After the first guest post by Reza, here comes another one by vpex... And it's a rare one! It was released on Nucleus Records in 1975 and produced by Victor Meshkovsky...

Dusty Groove said:

A fantastic batch of jazzy grooves -- featuring Claudio Medeiros and Victor M of the group Made In Brasil, plus other associates from the Bay Area fusion scene of the 70s! The record's got a strong mix of mellow tunes and funkier ones -- with touches of Brazilian jazz and CTI fusion swirled together in a San Francisco sunny mode. The set includes the incredible groover "Soar", which has nice moog bubbling through a jazzy midtempo groove -- and features many other great tunes like "Cachaca", "Generous", "Green Olives", "Grape Woman", and "Rotation".

Thank you vpex for bringin' this amazing record through! Peace...

P.S. zshare is under maintenance so my backup link will be up when zshare is up...

First guest post: Sabu Martinez - Afro Temple (1973)

2008-10-17T19:30:00.009+02:00

Well, as the title says, this is the first "guest post" on Djalma's Soulfood, and the contributor is the man without whom the blogosphere wouldn't be what it is today... I may have never heard of the Visitors or the Pyramids or Horace Tapscott if it wasn't for this man... Well, he has kindly contributed some of the LPs from my wishlist and it was he who gave me an idea to make it a post... I guess you all know Reza by now, right? OK, and now...

Louis "Sabu" Martinez was born July 14th, 1930 in New York City's El Barrio (Spanish Harlem). As a youth he got into all sorts of trouble but also banged on cans in a street band. His professional career began at age 11, when he began playing Latin percussion for reknowned mambo and jazz bands, touring. In 1944 he returned from Puerto Rico to New York, where he continued to play in famous bands and develop his technique.

Sabu claimed the Lecuona Cuban Boys as major influences as well as the legendary Chano Pozo. In 1948 Sabu replaced Pozo in Dizzy Gillespie's last big band; the baton of Afro-Cuban jazz drumming literally was passed to Sabu. He joined Benny Goodman the following year. Other mentors were his friends Art Blakey, with whom he was associated from 1949 to 1958, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Candido. He was a member of the original Joe Loco Trio, which recorded the first mambo in America. He performed in Broadway's "House of Flowers" and with other luminaries such as Xavier Cugat, Tony Bennett, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

From 1953 to 1957, Sabu recorded with Art Blakey, memorably leading a rhythm section on the fantastic Orgy in Rhythm session. The Blakey/Sabu recordings showcase the interplay of two master drummers and successfully pair both African and [African-derived] Latin rhythms. They provide convincing renditions of traditional African as well as improvisational tunes and motifs, complete with gongs, wild cries, and authentic Swahili chants.

Sabu formed his own quintet in 1957 and recorded three exotic classics: Palo Congo for Blue Note, Safari for RCA, and Sorcery for Columbia. While not masterpieces of jazz, Safari and Sorcery easily are the strangest, most powerful recordings in the dubious "exotica" idiom. Eerie jazz soloing, Sabu's "avalanche" of percussion, and unusual effects such as extremely weird bird shrieks guarantee a unique and unforgettable listening experience.

Like many jazzmen in the late 1950s, Sabu struggled with heroin addiction, which took its toll on him as on all of jazz. He took odd jobs and even left music for a time, at one point running a strip joint on Baltimore's famous "Block." But with the help of friends he landed new gigs. In 1960 his fifteen minutes of real fame arrived. He joined Louie Ramirez briefly to record the masterpiece of Latin jazz, Jazz Espagnole.

More work as a sideman followed. Sabu spent the early to middle 1960s in Puerto Rico (where he was involved in a Sammy Davis, Jr. film). He married and moved to Sweden permanently in 1967. Over the years he married several times and had many children. At least two sons, Rene and Johnny, are drummers. (One later played in the Swedish band "Hot Salsa," and several members of the family perform on 1973's ultra-funky Afro Temple.)

Sabu recorded, performed, and gave instruction throughout the 1960s and '70s. He played with the Radio Jazz Group of Stockholm and on many Scandinavian and European jazz, Latin, big band, fusion, and funk records. In 1973 he formed the group New Burnt Sugar and published a book of conga exercises. Life was not always easier, however; at one point Sabu had to move because of racist hostility.

Sabu died January 13, 1979, of a gastric ulcer. He was neither the first nor the last jazz-conga virtuoso, but he may well have been the best. Certainly he led an exciting life and was in most of the right places at the right times. Fortunately he left behind an incredible variety of unique, important, and truly excellent records.

Source: Sabu's Homepage

And now, let's all get back to music...

Sabu's Afro Temple was the last record in the 70's. It was released in 1973 on Grammofon Verket Records and is sooo rare (you can check the OG price here)... There aren't many records out there with so many quality breaks on them... You need downtempo funk break? Check out "My Christina". You need an uptempo break? There's "Hotel Alyssa". Some exotic drum orgy perhaps? You can find it on "Meapestaculo". Now, you can see why is this record so effin' great!!!

Thank you Reza once again... And don't forget to visit Reza's Sounds from the Edge of the Universe and give respect... Peace...

P.S. zshare is under maintenance so my backup link will be up when zshare is up...

Staff:

- Sabu Martinez (bongos, congos, bukoba, talking drums, tympani, gong, all sounds and percussion effects)
- Stephen Moller (drums)
- Ali Lundbohn (drums)
- Johnny Martinez (congas)
- Per-Arne Almeflo (congas)
- Bo Osten Svensson (congas)
- Conny Lundstrom (congas)
- Peter Perlowsky (extra percussion)
- Margarita Martinez (added chorus)
- Christina Martinez (added chorus)
- Bernt Rosengren (tenor sax piccolo flute)
- Christer Boustedt (alto sax flute)
- Red Mitchell (bass)

"In Sabu we have lost a fiery, controversial and inspiring daub of colour in the life of Swedish jazz."

H. Nicolausson

Kapingbdi - Kapingbdi (1978)

2008-09-29T02:28:00.005+02:00

Kapingbdi is Liberian funky Afro-jazz group which y'all may know through Off Track series... This is their self titled LP from 1978, recorded in Germany for Unsere Stimme label... So, grab yourselves some cool-aid, beer or whatever, play this laid back, trippy LP and enjoy! Peace...

Ricardo Marrero & the Group - A Taste (1976)

2008-09-15T15:29:00.008+02:00

I've been feelin' latin jazz a lot lately (which is still an uncharted territory for me) and in search of something to make the cold days warm I've stumbled upon this one... Boy, was I amazed! From the second I heard the opener "Tiny" followed by funky "Algo" I was lured right in!
Ricardo Marrero plays all percussion instruments, as well as piano, and vibes. His sound is reminicent of the late Cal Tjader, and the late and great - Tito Puente. He has been at the forefront of the salsa and latin-jazz musical scene since the mid 70's. He worked with The Fania All-Stars, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, The 5 Stairsteps, and most recently - Ruben Blades.
Ricardo was also one of the founding members of "Seis del Solar" (The Ruben Blades Band). His crossover classic "Babalonia" received regular rotation on WBLS radio back in the 70's. He also worked with Angela Bofill (on "My Friend"), and flautist Dave Valentin on "A Taste of Latin." Dave can also be heard with his frolicking flute on "Algo" (this track was crowd favorite).
So, maaaad raer record packed with hot latin jazz funk, all killer no filler, exchanging hands for more than 2000 $!!! Ridiculous... Also, the track "Babalonia" appears on Kon & Amir's comp "The Kings of Diggin"...

And, this one is also the first one in the blogosphere so check out the preview below and don't forget to be polite...
Peace...

Boomp3.com

Annette Peacock - I'm the One (RCA, 1972)

2008-08-22T02:37:00.008+02:00

Alright everybody, I know I've been away for too long and I think the only right thing to do is to lay some treats on you folks, right? I thought of posting some Albert Ayler but I've noticed it's already been posted in the blog-o-sphere, so... I've decided to go with Annette Peacock from 1972...
She began composing at the age of four. Her mother was a violist in the San Diego and Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra. At the age of nineteen, Annette married jazz bassist Gary Peacock who began working with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins and currently Keith Jarrett. At the beginning of the 60's she toured with Albert Ayler (whose album I wanted to post originally, but it can be found over at Grapewrath blog)...
In 1964, pianist Paul Bley first began featuring her avant-garde compositions - ultimately on over 60 records. At the end of the 1960s she and Bley became strongly associated with the musical possibilities of the newly-emerging synthesizer. Given a prototype by Robert Moog, Annette invented a way to externally augment and process her own voice through the synthesizer, as well as playing electric bass, elec. piano. and elec. vibraphone - most notably at Town Hall, and a concert produced by Annette at Philharmonic Hall, Lincoln Town Center, now known as Avery Fisher Hall (New York City) which she promoted with spots on late night TV and a guest appearance on the Johnny Carson Show.
In 1968 she recorded "Revenge" for Polydor, and 1971 recorded I'm The One (voted by the jounalists of WIRE magazine as one of the top 100 records that "shook the world") released by RCA in 1972; and appeared as a "Hologram" in a show and collaboration with Salvador Dali. After which began her first gap of six years until the release of her next album X-Dreams, when she was also recording with Allan Holdsworth on Bill Bruford's first solo project, the prog-rock classic Feels Good To Me.
She started her own indie label ironicrecords in the UK and issued four albums from 1981 to 1988 (see discography) distributed by Rough Trade.
In 1987 her vocals featured prominently in the track Goodbye Mr G on the Andrew Poppy album "45 Is" (released on the ZZT label). Here, Peacock performs one of her unique styles - a mixture of spoken, sung and sprechstimme vocals on the text provided.
In 1997, Manfred Eicher commissioned Ms. Peacock to compose a project for string quartet and herself on piano and voice. An Acrobat's Heart was released by ECM in 2000. Also in 1997, on ECM, the tribute double CD of Annette Peacock songs: "Nothing Ever Was, Anyway / Music of Annette Peacock".
Her song My Mama Never Taught Me How to Cook was included in the soundtrack of director Kevin Smith's classic indie film Chasing Amy in 1998.
At the beginning of 2006, she started-up her own label again ironic US with an unpromoted release 31:31. At the same time the result of her collaboration with Coldcut Just For The Kick, was released on their current album Sound Mirrors distributed by Ninjatune.
Other details can be found here, her MySpace page is here and her official web page can be found here...

EDIT:

This album has been officially released on CD and can be purchased at her official site.

Show some love and support fellas!

Here's the line up:

Annette Peacock - Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Piano (Electric), Vocals, Singer, Producer, Vibraphone, Direction
Barry Altschul - Percussion, Drums
Paul Bley - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
Mike Garson - Organ, Keyboards
Glen Moore - Bass
Airto Moreira - Percussion
Apache Bley - Piano
Laurence Cook - Drums
Tom Cosgrove - Guitar
Rick Marotta - Drums
Michael Moss - Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), Tenor (Vocal)
Dom Um Romao - Percussion
Orestes Vilato - Percussion
Stu Woods - Bass
Michael Garson - Organ, Piano

And here is a sneak preview:

Flash

Boomp3.com

This LP is commercially available so, PLEASE, if you like what you heard, hit the stores and buy it!
And, the link will be available only for a week, so there will be no re-ups... Have some understanding... Peace and enjoy...

Alive and kickin'!!!

2008-08-13T22:35:00.004+02:00

After two looooong months of hiatus, I'm back... I'll try and post real soon (I hope)... Thanks for all the comments in the meantime and for all the links you sent me, helping me with my wish list... Peace...

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: A Documentary about Gil Scott-Heron"

2008-06-08T17:59:00.002+02:00

I'm sorry for the lack of posts, I've been mad busy these days... I just wanted to thank to all of you who DID leave some feedback on the prevoius posts and show you something special... We all know Gil, and what he's been through, and we all know what he gave to us... Some timeless sh*t... Despite his troubled personal life, which actually makes him human, right? And now, let us all sit back and enjoy... Peace...

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Part Four:

Part Five:

Part Six:

Tihomir Pop Asanovic - Pop (1976)

2008-05-13T20:47:00.006+02:00

This is the second LP from one of the best ex-Yugoslavian keyboards players (his specialty was Hammond organ)! If you're into pure funky jamming and tight groovy rhythms, this is the one for you! It's a really rare one, it changes hands for more than 200$ (if you're lucky enough to actually find one)... Let me know what you think... Peace...

Make sure you check out this groove:

boomp3.com

Sunfire - Step in the Light 12"

2008-05-13T14:11:00.008+02:00

And here's this week bonus, great dance floor tune from the group based in from New York! The group is consisted of Kevin Moore, Michael King, Scott Lipsker, Bruce Fisher, Holden Raphael and Jeff Holman. They are best remembered for their "Step in the Light" which was written by Brian Jackson and produced by the great Reggie Lucas and James Mtume... It was released in 1982 by Warner Brothers... Try it and let me know if you'd like the whole LP posted... Peace...

Tihomir Pop Asanovic - Majko Zemljo (Mother Earth) (1974)

2008-05-05T03:25:00.006+02:00

Here's one very hard to find LP, rarely seen even in its origin land, former Yugoslavia. Asanovic's workouts on organ and rhodes are pure funky jamming as the whole 'Majko Zemljo' album is nothing but tight Jazz Funk Groove from start to finish with loads of mad Fusion Funk breaks on tracks like 'Balada O Liscu', 'Tema Za Pop', 'Rokenrol Dizajner' and 'Berlin II'. The outstanding title track is a wicked Progressive Funk Rock number with pulsating rhythm beat built by a killer bassline, fast congas, heavy rock vocals and dramatic brass riffs. 'Berlin I' turns out to be a mighty funked up version of the JB's 'Hot Pants Road', probably the track, why beatdiggers are after this album!

Enjoy!

If you want to buy this LP go here...

And here's the title tune...

And here's the "Berlin I"

boomp3.com

Zelia Barbosa - Sertão e Favelas (1971)

2008-04-18T14:23:00.015+02:00

I've changed my mind, instead of the album (I won't reveal it's name) I previously wanted to share and from which I've posted one track, I bring you this great, maaaaad rare and in-demand LP issued on La Chant du Monde label (France). This LP was on my wishlist for a looooong time and now I give it to you! I haven't seen one in the whole blog-o-sphere, so, if you're into mad percussions and tight rhythm sections this is the one for you!

It's the very rhythm section, consisting of guitar (Raquel Chaves), bass (Max Hediguer) and percussion (Nelson Serra de Castro), which makes 'Sertão e Favelas' something special. The rhythm section has an important role, the only other instrument being Zelia Barbosa's mature, unsophisticated voice, which is of the medium-deep kind. Just once or twice it is a little shrill on high notes or insecure on low ones, but only sticklers for supernatural perfection will mind. She articulates well, so every word can be understood.

Now, this LP became famous and in-demand, thanks to Kon & Amir, because they included the song "Opinião" in their "Off Track vol. 1: The Bronx".

The songs on this album are about the less fortunate in society, but not in any weepy way. Side A holds six songs about the sertão (Brazil's arid northeastern territories) and this is the folk music side with religious overtones in one or two songs, and some grimness in others.

The B side song consists of six songs inspired by Rio's favelas. "Pedro Pedreira", by Chico Buarque de Holanda, has word-play on 'esperar', which may mean both 'hope' and 'wait for', and that may summarize the contents of the favelas songs; except to say that most of them are played in a downright jazzy style.

Enjoy and peace...

The Wooden Glass feat Billy Wooten - Live (1972)

2008-04-10T15:12:00.000+02:00

Dusty Groove said: "Mad funky vibes from The Wooden Glass -- a group led by vibist Billy Wooten -- an obscure player in the history books, but one who has had a huge influence on 21st Century groove! Billy's got a hard style on the vibes that's like Bobby Hutcherson and Roy Ayers at their soulful best -- working here with a tight combo that includes guitar and organ, very much in the mode of his classic work with the slightly more famous (although equally obscure) Indianapolis combo The Ninteenth Whole! The set's a live one, but it really cooks with a sweet electric feel -- echoey, funky, and soulful -- as tunes spin out in a staggering approach to the vibes that's unmatched by any record of its time. Billy was a huge influence on Madlib and the sound of Yesterday's New Quintet -- and hearing this set, it's virtually a blueprint for that group's current work! Includes great covers of "In The Rain", "Day Dreaming", "Love Is Here" and probably one of the best funk covers of "We've Only Just Begun"-- plus Wooten's excellent original tracks "Monkey Hips & Rice" and "Joy Ride"." So, get this obscure piece of funk right here while you can!

Extra Ball - Marlboro Country (1978)

2008-04-08T16:26:00.000+02:00

My friend Basso was on point! Good lookin' out!
@Pagokid: Thanks for your effort!

Here's some info:

Extra Ball was born in January 1974 in a club Pod Jaszczurami in Cracow. The first line-up consisted of Jarosław Śmietana - guitar, leader, Władysław Sendecki - electric piano, Jan Cichy - bass guitar and Benedykt Radecki - drums. Jarosław Śmietana explained the origin of band's name: "When we begun playing in Pod Jaszczurami there were automatic billiards pools launched there. They were very popular and the bonus for good play was an extra ball".
Extra Ball's true debut took place during the festival Jazz nad Odrą in the same year where the band gained the second prize. In 1975 the band played on further contests and toured the USSR in Autumn that year.

This LP was recorded in Polish Radio Katowice, in march and august 1978.
Get ready for some "all killer, no filler" polish jazz stuff! Get it here!

Big Band Katowice - Music For My Friends (1977)

2008-04-05T15:13:00.000+02:00

After the Jazz Carriers post, another great one from Poland! This LP was recorded in Polskie Radio, Katowice in 1977 and released on Polskie Nagrania Muza.

The line-up:

Bass: Zbigniew Wegehaupt, Jan Cichy
Conductor: Zbigniew Kalemba
Drums: C. Szymanski
Flute: Mieczyslav Wolny
Guitar: Jarek Smietana
Percussion:B. Dziedzic, Marek Stach
Piano: Wojciech Gogolewski
Saxophone [Alto]: Jerzy Glowczewski, P. Pikielny
Saxophone [Baritone]: E. Mika
Saxophone [Tenor]: Eugeniusz Okoniewski, Jerzy Jarosik, S. Nakielski
Trombone: J. Smolarczyk, Lucyna Dziwoki, Lukasz Kurek
Trumpet: B. Aleksa, E. Modliszewski, G. Hartwig, J. Janiak

You can't find it anywhere else, so, enjoy it here!

Albert Jones - The Facts of Life (1977)

2008-04-02T23:27:00.000+02:00

This one is for all you beat heads out there, as promised! Here is the very little known Canadian Soul LP by Albert Jones with the well known "Mother Nature", used for Common's "Be". Thats' all about all info that I could find on this LP, but it's all killer, no filler! Enjoy!

Dedicated to the Brother Ze André & Brother Denniz over at Mojo Knights

2008-04-02T14:56:00.000+02:00

Mojoknights is a great project dedicated to brazilian music and culture in order to spread universal love through soulful brazilian vibes, so, show some support for the great effort they put in, hurry on over there and peep the stuff these brothers have to offer! Creative masterminds behind this project are Ze André, music afficionado and collector, a photographer and graphic designer by profession and Denniz also known as The Razor aka DJ Lamina. You'll find some great mixes there and, without any doubt, learn something new that you didn't know about Brazil!

New post in a few days... Stay tuned...

2008-03-18T18:12:00.000+01:00

I'm currently preparin' a whole new post for all you beat heads out there... Soon...

P.S. If anyone has any info on where can I cop any of my "Wishlist" LPs, please, drop a line here... Thank you...

Until then, may the needle groove all night! Peace...

Günter Hampel Quintet - Heartplants (1965, SABA) - vinyl rip

2008-03-13T15:29:00.000+01:00

Here is the legendary Günter Hampel Quintet in the following line up:

Günter Hampel - vibes, flute leader
Manfred Schoof - trumpet
Alexander von Schlippenbach - piano
Buschi Niebergall - bass
Pierre Courbois - drums

Hampel is one of jazz's most prolific and self-reliant musicians. In 1969, he formed Birth Records to release The 8th of July 1969, an album of his compositions performed by a group that included Anthony Braxton, Jeanne Lee, Steve McCall, Willem Breuker, and Arjen Gorter. Since then, Birth has released nearly 50 albums of Hampel's work in a variety of configurations; some of his performance and recording groups have been the Gunter Hampel Jazz Quintet, "Heartplants" Quintet, World Community Orchestra, Free Jazz Trio, and New York Orchestra.

Hampel began piano lessons at the age of four. By the time he was 16, he had added recorder, accordion, clarinet, saxophone, and vibes. His first exposure to jazz came at the end of World War II; American troops occupying his hometown of Gottingen listened to jazz on the Armed Forces Network and Willis Conover's Voice of America shows. The first jazz he heard was by Louis Armstrong; it affected him deeply. He grew up under the influence of European classical and folk music, as well as jazz. He formed his own jazz bands in his teens playing all styles of jazz, from early jazz to bebop. He also began composing his own tunes. After military service in the late '50s, Hampel studied architecture while continuing to play music on the side. By 1958, he had started playing jazz professionally. In 1964, he established the "Heartplants" Quintet, which included Alex von Schlippenbach and Manfred Schoof. The group recorded Heartplants (MPS/SABA), Hampel's first album, which received a five-star rating from Down Beat magazine. Hampel began playing festivals in Europe and elsewhere. He met vocalist Jeanne Lee in 1967 and began a long personal and musical partnership that lasted many years. In the '60s, he recorded for the Wergo and ESP labels and played with such American musicians as drummer Steve McCall and saxophonist Marion Brown.

With the formation of Birth, Hampel was able to document his music more completely; since the early '70s he's recorded an array of combinations, from duos to big bands. His various ensembles have included such famous musicians as Bill Frisell, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, and Albert Mangelsdorff, as well as such fine if unsung talents as Mark Whitecage, Perry Robertson, and David Eyges. In 1997, Hampel reconstituted his band with Schoof and von Schlippenbach for a gig at ~the Musik Triennale in Koln. The concert was recorded and the results were released on Birth under the title Legendary. Hampel continued going strong, touring and recording with musicians all over the world. As one might expect from so self-sufficient an artist, Hampel has embraced the Internet with a passion. His website is one of the most comprehensive devoted to a single musician. Hampel is also an accomplished painter.

All Music Guide

Preparing a new post... So stay tuned...

2008-03-12T03:51:00.000+01:00

I'm gonna give you some time to enjoy the fabulous Jazz Carriers sound while I'm diggin' for a whole new post for y'all! Peace...

Jazz Carriers - Carry On! (1973, Muza)

2008-03-10T19:01:00.000+01:00

First of all, I would like to thank to all of you for all those kind words you've left in the comments... Thank you! And here is one very rare and in-demand jazz fusion LP, straight out of Poland, that I give to you! The record features 7 amazing tunes of the highest quality, reminding of the music that you would hear on a top Peter Herbolzhimer record! If you like Andrej Kurylewicz Quintet, Jerzy Milian, Big Band Katowice and Wojciech Karolak you'll love this one! So, five people jazz combo featuring percussions, soprano and alto duet available here! Enjoy!

Preparing a new post... Stay tuned...

2008-03-05T16:58:00.000+01:00

Between preparing a new post and waiting for your ideas and thoughts on "comment situation", I have to thank to few people who DID leave their opinion on that particular topic. So, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. And now, we should all get back to what is REALLY IMPORTANT, and that is...

DIGGIN'...

Cortex - Troupeau Bleu (1975) - vinyl rip

2008-03-04T14:23:00.000+01:00

And here it is!
Dusty Groove review: "This is a wonderful lost album of grooves from France and it's got a sound that's unlike anything else we've ever heard! The group is a smooth funky jazz group -- with lots of electric bass and Fender Rhodes, similar to some of the Italian groups of the 70s (like The Cabildos), but they've also got a female singer in the mix, and she sings these groovy jazz vocals that have an airy breezy quality, similar to some of the best Brazilian fusion from the same time. The result is a stunning electric groove with a feeling that's really fresh, nice and warm, and funky in all the right parts. The original album's rare as hen's teeth and this reissue is very nicely done! Titles include "Automne", "L'enfant Samba", "La Rue", "Go Round", "Madbass", "Sabbat", "Mary et Jeff", and "Chanson D'un Jour D'Hiver"."

If you like this album, feel free to say a few words...

P.S. Make sure you leave a comment on the "Certificate of appreciation" post! I would like to hear from all of you!

Peace...

Salah Rageb - Egypt Strut 45 (vinyl rip)

2008-03-03T12:14:00.000+01:00

And some Salah with the Cairo Jazz Band... Dusty Groove wrote: "2 of the funkiest cuts to ever come from the land of the pyramids -- back to back on one 45! "Egypt Strut" is less a strut than a jam -- a hard funky number served up with blasting horns, vamping rhythms, and this weird piano that kind of floats through the air with a pharaoh-like feel! There's a great Eastern undercurrent to the number -- and that's continued on "Neveen", which has a really great rhythm pattern -- a bit complicated, but really compelling -- and with a romping groove that's topped with these great exotic horn passages!"

Side A - Egypt Strut

Side B - Neveen

Bobby Allen & The Exceptions - Soul Chicken (vinyl rip)

2008-03-03T12:01:00.000+01:00

In the meantime... Some funk breaks: Bobby Allen 45 on Soul Sound for y'all - here! (link removed)

I'm not expecting this certificate, but...

2008-03-03T00:40:00.000+01:00

I'm not expecting this certificate or anything like that... I've seen something like: "Next post after 20 or so comments" on other blogs...
I'm not into that... The purpose of this is TO SHARE, not only music but experience and words! DON'T BE SELFISH and GREEDY... It means so much to me, and I think it's not a hard thing to do...

Quote from 4 Brothers Beats: "Bloggers work hard to post music. Whether the rip is original or was acquired from some other source, we still go through the trouble of putting together an educational post, fight computer malfunctions and crashes, fret about the quality of the rip, and struggle with the hosting sites that delete the links that it may have taken hours to put together. No, it's not brain surgery, but it is work. The contributers have lives, jobs and families outside of this blog, but we do this because we love music and we get inspired by your love of music. In the time that it takes to download a link, one could leave a pleasant comment. The thing is, I'm guessing that you say thank you when you get a free sample of frozen yogurt at the mall. Hmm.

So I am turning to you for a solution, folks. I will weigh the advice and pick the best idea. If only one person responds with a valid idea, I will implement it. If no one says anything, then I will go with my own plan. Feel free to post any objections but make them civil. Any nasty, anonymous comments will be deleted immediately. This isn't a war, so please come with a peaceable spirit. Let's get together on this. Thanks."

It really is a drag when I look and see that there were 780 downloads of the DeWolfe album, but only 6 comments or 620 downloads od Willie Bobo album and only 5 comments... So, if anyone has any idea on this topic, please respond in an appropriate manner... Think about it and share your thoughts. Thank you.

Mal Waldron - Impressions (1959) - vinyl rip

2008-03-03T00:36:00.000+01:00

Mal Waldron (piano), Addison Farmer (bass), Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums)

This LP brings back one of pianist Mal Waldron's lesser-known sessions from the 1950's. Teamed up in a trio with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Al "Tootie" Heath, Waldron performs three originals from what he called his "Overseas Suite" along with a fine song by his wife ("All About Us") and three standards. Waldron's brooding Monk-influenced style is heard in its early prime on this excellent release! Let's see those comments! Enjoy!

Melvin Van Peebles - Sweet Sweetback's Badaasssss Song (1971)

2008-02-20T14:10:00.000+01:00

Here's another one! This is the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles' film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song from 1971. The score was written by Van Peebles himself and performed by the ,then-unknown group, Earth, Wind & Fire. Alongside Shaft, this is the album that started the whole blaxploitation boom. A young Earth, Find & Fire (friends of one of the film's production crew) provide a great, driving psychedelic theme interspersed with dialog. I'm sure you'll find a number of strong funky soul vocal tracks. Enjoy!

Alain Goraguer - La Planète Sauvage (1973)

2008-02-18T19:27:00.001+01:00

Dusty Grove wrote: "A totally excellent soundtrack! This is one of the maddest we've heard from the 70s -- with a baroque mix of wah wah funk and sophisticated orchestrations, very much in the mode of work by David Axelrod or some of the backings heard on Serge Gainsbourg's best records. No surprise it's handled by Alain Gouraguer, a groovy Frenchman with a style that's a mix of the late 60s baroquery of Michel Columbier, and some of the smooth sexiness of the best Italian composers of his age. Great electric piano, wah wah guitar, and soaring strings -- with a sound that's as odd as the cover! Titles include "Le Bracelet", "Deshominisation", "Mort De Draag", "La Femme", "Mira Et Ten", and "Ten Et Medor". Enjoy it here!

La Planète Sauvage

2008-02-18T19:27:00.000+01:00

Tenório Jr. - Embalo (RGE, 1964)

2008-01-28T13:55:00.001+01:00

I'm finally back, and I give you one great record, guaranteed to warm up the cold winter days! Dusty Groove wrote: "Fantastic! This is one of the all-time Brazilian jazz classics of the 60s -- and one of the most sought after bossa albums ever! Pianist Tenorio Jr leads a crack ensemble through some fantastic tracks -- as warm and soulful as they are tight and angular, a perfect summation of the bossa jazz idiom at its truest expression! The writing is fantastic throughout -- and the album includes loads of great numbers -- including the famous "Nebulosa", instantly recognizable from a sample used by United Future Organization, and the tracks "Clouds", "Nectar", "Embalo", and "Estou Nessa Agora". A delight through and through -- and one we never tire of!"

Tenório Jr. - Embalo (RGE, 1964)

I'm Back!!!

2008-01-28T13:55:00.000+01:00

I've finally managed to fix my computer so, I'm back!!! New posts coming up, so stay tuned! Peace...

Be Back Real Soon

2007-10-23T18:32:00.000+02:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, unfortunately mu computer died... I'll be back real soon, so stay tuned... Next post in a few days... Peace...

KPM All-Stars

2007-09-22T17:57:00.000+02:00

The full KPM Allstars line-up was:

Conductors -- Keith Mansfield, Duncan Lamont, James Cameron, James Clarke
Trumpets - Steve Sidwell, Simon Gardner, Noel Langley
Trombones - Cliff Hardie, Colin Sheen, Dave Stewart
Saxes - Andy Mackintosh, Jamie Talbot, Phil Todd
Keyboards - Richard Cottle, Alan Hawkshaw
Guitar - Mitch Dalton

Jimmy Smith - Sit On It! (1977)

2007-09-22T13:48:00.000+02:00

It took me a while to post this LP as promised, but - HERE IT IS!!! Dusty Groove liked it: "A fantastic LP that has Jimmy attempting a groove that's similar to the one that Johnny Hammond hits on his famous Gears album! The album's a mixture of funky jazz and smooth R&B, with production by Eugene McDaniels that's very much in the Skip Scarborough and Larry Mizell camp. A few cuts have some vocals, but the main star is Jimmy -- who's grooving massively over the top of the album, with soaring solos that are some of his best work from the late 70s. Don't be put off by the slick finish, because this is one heck of a great jazz funk album! Our favorite track on here is a masterful take of "Can't Hide Love", but there's a lot of other nice funky tracks like "Slippery Hips", "My Place In Space", and "Give Up the Booty".

Music DeWolfe -- Hard Hitting Grooves & Otherwordly Funk From Swinging London

2007-09-20T19:24:00.000+02:00

Easily one of the best collections of sound library funk we've ever heard -- an amazing set of rare numbers pulled from the legendary Music De Wolfe catalog of the 70s -- all put together with a great ear for a really quirky groove! All the tracks here are certainly funky -- but they hit the groove in very different ways than you might expect -- often exploding with rhythms that are slightly unusual, or featuring odd instrumentation and arrangements that really make common elements sound incredibly fresh! As with most sound library funk, the feel here is often in the best soundtrack funky mode -- but there's also a little something extra going on -- a hipper than hip sort of groove that's only finally getting its due all these many years later. Titles include "Hard Hitter" by Keith Papworth, "Gun Law" by S. Park, "Trip Wire" by Nick Ingman, "Silver Thrust" by Peter Reno, "Time Machine" by P. Milray, "Grey Sigh" by Roger Webb, "Gang Process" by Andre Ceccarelli, "Hammerhead" and "Hogan's Thing" by Simon Haseley, "Rock Bed" by Jack Trombey, "Hot Heels" by Barbara Moore, "Black Pearl" by Alan Hawkshaw and "Gloaming" by L. Decosne."

This joint is out of stock at Dusty Groove, but you can get it here!

Dedication...

2007-09-20T18:09:00.000+02:00

This one is dedicated to the 4 Brothers Beats blog courtesy of Lafayette, Raymus, Maceo and Manasses. These fellas have some serious sounds comin' out!!! Highly recommended!!! Go check 'em out!!!

ZSHARE LINKS FROM NOW ON!!!

2007-09-20T13:15:00.000+02:00

People asked if I could use zShare instead of Rapid... Well, from now on - zShare!!!

Willie Bobo & the Bo-Gents - Do What You Want To Do

2007-09-17T21:41:00.000+02:00

Dusty Groove wrote: Incredible work by Willie Bobo -- a slamming record of hard funky instrumentals, one that sounds different than any of his other albums! The record's a killer all the way through -- a mixture of Latin and deep 70s funk, one of the few perfect fusions of the styles, held up beautifully all the way through the set. We've always liked Willie a lot, but honestly, we don't know how he managed to make a record this funky -- but we're also not arguing, just enjoying the grooves with tremendous delight and surprise. Great all the way through, and includes the break cuts "Do What You Want to Do", "Broasted or Fried", and "Soul Foo Young" -- plus a version of "Dindi", which, for some reason, Willie seemed to record every chance he got! Other titles include "Shut Up & Pay Attention", "Come Together", and "Never You Mind".

Here it is!

A True Gem from Yugoslavian Vaults: Balkan Express

2007-09-08T16:49:00.000+02:00

Extract from sleeve notes:

RTB BIG BAND – BALKAN EKSPRES, RTB Big Band is institution on it's own. It is like a Jazz academy. Almost everyone who did anything in Jazz in Yugoslavia went through this band. It was formed in 1948 and still going strong. In 1978 they released double album for their 30 anniversary packed with quality music. Balkan Ekspres is just one of them. Tough funky fusion with excellent arrangements.

MISHA BLAM - SECANJE (MEMORY), Misha is the best and probably the most used bass player in Yugoslavia also well known for organizing Belgrade Jazz Festivals. He was a long time companion of Dusko Gojkovic and member of RTB Big band but had some projects as a leader as well. Here is represented with extremely tasteful and deep fusion track from his LP "Secanja" (Memories). The track rises gradually and gets you more and more by every second.

LALA KOVACEV - EMINA, Lala is the most original and definitely the best Yugoslavian drummer. Slow and deep fusion with a heavy funky bass line based on the traditional folklore theme. Full of excellent break beats. Check brilliant soulful solos on trumpet and saxophone.

MILAN STOJANOVIC - BAG’S GROOVE, This track is taken from the extremely rare 7" EP from 1961 and was the only record that multi instrumentalist Stojanovic recorded under his name. He plays flute on this track and resemblance to Yusef Lateef is unbelievable. I had to check cover to make sure.

DUSKO GOJKOVIC - QUO VADIS SAMBA, There is no need to talk about trumpeter Dusko. He is the best known Yugoslavian musician. Quo Vadis Samba is taken from the LP "Trumpet and Rhythm Units" and is Jazz Samba at it's best. It drives all the way through. Tip for DJs: Play it in a mix with Shamek Farrah's "Waiting For Marvin".

GABY NOVAK - CARAVAN, Gaby is well known singer but not in Jazz. Popular music and ballads were her forte. Digging through the crates I was supprised to find her Jazz 10" from the early 60’s including this astonishing version of Caravan. Very trippy 60’s sound and beautiful voice of Gaby will definitely move you up. The most enlightening version I've ever heard. Works excellent in clubs.

BIG BAND RTS - NE GA SI PRODAVAJ, RTB Big Band under the new name (Radio Television Serbia) strikes back. After all these years the quality has just improved. Amazing combination of Macedonian and Latino rhythms, and when you expect the least, beautiful string arrangements. It is a masterpiece and knowing that guests are Stjepko Gut, Peter Mihelich, Reggie Johnson and Alvin Queen there is no wonder. It is also worth mentioning String Ensemble “Jazzart”.

BORA ROKOVIC - STRING-EM, Pianist Rokovic was for many years member of RTB Big Band and also known by his work on MPS. String-Em is a soundtrack style composition consistent of several parts. It changes mood several times, from strings arrangements to Jazz-Fusion with solid bass line and back. Other musicians on this track are RTB Studio Ensemble and Mica Markovic on tenor sax with mad, mad solo at the end.

Get it here at 320 kbps! (link removed by Cosmic Sounds request)

UPCOMING, STAY TUNED!!!

2007-08-29T14:18:00.000+02:00

Stark Reality - Now (1969)

2007-08-19T19:41:00.000+02:00

Review by Dusty Grooves: "One of the most tripped-out albums of funk you'll ever buy -- a rare treasure with a very unusual history! The Stark Reality were a cool little combo formed to work on public television in Boston in the late 60s -- and the combo featured some heavy guitars, fuzzed-up vibes, and some monster percussion laid out in tight bass and drum rhythms that were years ahead of their time! The group recorded one rare album -- ostensibly a children's record, but based around old compositions by Hoagy Carmichael, completely pulled apart, sliced up, overly harmonized, and spat out into wild funky tunes that bear no resemblance to their originals! The original album -- Stark Reality Discovers Hoagy Carmichael's Music Shop -- has been a holy grail for collectors for years (we once sold a copy for hundreds of dollars!), and the music has only ever really been heard by a few dedicated beatheads that have tracked down rare copies. Now, though, the geniuses at Stones Throw have put out the whole LP, plus bonus material, in one fantastic package that is soon to make the Stark Reality legends amongst funky fans the world over! Mad vibes meet fuzzy guitars meet killer funky beats -- and the whole thing's a masterpiece that will never be duplicated again! Tracks include "Dreams", "Shooting Stars", "Rocket Ship", "All You Need To Make Music", "Junkman's Song", and "Thirty Days Hath September". Enjoy!

Stark Reality - Now (1969)

Track 02 - "Thirty Days Hath September"

Ann Peebles - Straight From the Heart (1972)

2007-08-19T14:53:00.000+02:00

"A lean, tough set that was not only a triumph for Peebles, but illustrated how the Hi label had surpassed its crosstown Stax rival for quality Memphis soul in the early '70s. The guitars are spare, funky, and bluesy, the horn section punchy, and the material far earthier and down-home than the increasingly formulaic grooves at Stax. There were three modest R&B hits on the album ("Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love," "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home," "Somebody's on Your Case"), much of which was penned by Peebles or her husband Don Bryant. Peebles' vocals were convincingly biting, and she never, unlike many other singers of the era, tried too hard for her own good. The main flaw of the record is its length (26 minutes), which was short even by early-'70s standards." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Ann Peebles - Straight From the Heart (1972)

Roger Webb - Vocal Patterns

2007-08-11T15:16:00.000+02:00

This is another rare record that I give to you, The Roger Webb Sound featuring the mighty Barbara Moore! This is the most serious female scat vocal library LP alongside "Vocal Shades and Tunes", featuring 14 amazing dreamy tunes! Enjoy it here...

Roger Webb - Vocal Patterns

Francois De Roubaix - Les Levres Rouges 7"

2007-08-10T23:23:00.001+02:00

Well, I've decided to give you this very, very rare record as my first post. The main theme (also issued on other LPs) is a French violin/accordion folky number, but the B side is a killer! Incredible and intensely powerful! Enjoy it here at 320 kbps!

Francois De Roubaix - Les Levres Rouges side A

Francois De Roubaix - Les Levres Rouges side B

1st

2007-08-10T23:23:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone, I've finally decided to create this blog and share some great music with you... And, I'm new to this so please leave a comment, and if you like the artists - show some support and buy their music, thanks!