randall funk

Afro Funk - Body Music (LP)

2012-03-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

Here's a new release from Minneapolis-based Secret Stash Records. Recorded and released in London, England, in 1975, Afro Funk's Body Music (their sole album) only saw a few limited pressings, as SSR explains: "Despite the well crafted mix of various West-African styles and American funk, without the support of a label and no major touring [the album] quickly faded into obscurity." It's a fantastic set of catchy grooves.

You can order vinyl copies directly from Secret Stash Records, but Dusty Groove and Juno should also have stock.

Tracklist:
A1 Tei-Egwu 5:35
A2 Afro Funk 4:10
A3 Hot Love 3:33
B1 Try And Try 3:12
B2 Farewell To Ibusa 8:50
B3 Obanya Special 4:49

From Secret Stash Records:
Body Music, Afro Funk's 1975 LP, was recorded and released in London, England. The band was comprised mostly of West-African expatriates residing there. At the time, the city was host to a vibrant African music scene. The massive success of Osibisa created a swarm of young bands trying to use London as a launching pad for international stardom. Unfortunately, Afro Funk did not find the success they were looking for and Body Music became their only album. The deep funk grooves and driving afrobeat rhythms featured on this rare LP have made it a desired addition to record collections around the world.

After its small private press release in London on "Kabana Records," Body Music was also released in extremely limited quantites by Kojo Asare's Chairman Records in Ghana. Despite the well crafted mix of various West-African styles and American funk, without the support of a label and no major touring it quickly faded into obscurity. Today copies rarely surface. Secret Stash is proud to present the first ever reissue of this collectable piece of African music history. As always, this vinyl only release includes a digital download card giving the user high quality MP3s of the entire album.

Discogs Entry

Wild Jesus & The Devil's Lettuce - Family Party Band (LP)

2012-03-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

Here's an album from Chicago-based band, Wild Jesus & The Devil's Lettuce. Family Party Band is a nice set of tracks, sprawling into funk, jazz, gypsy rock, and psychedelic territory.

You can download the mp3s from Bandcamp at a "name your price" fee. Vinyl copies are limited to 350 units and can be found at the band's website.

<p><a href="http://wildjesus.bandcamp.com/album/family-party-band-lp">Family Party Band LP by Wild Jesus & The Devil's Lettuce</a></p>
Tracklist:
1. Ride Lettuce Ride 06:44
2. The Hammer 03:37
3. Thieves 03:00
4. Six-Eight 05:54
5. Liquor Coat 05:00
6. Hot Robbie 03:54
7. Wild Jesus 10:44

Photo / wildjesus.com

No Discogs Entry

Adrian Younge Presents 'Venice Dawn' – Something About April (LP)

2012-03-04T23:49:00.001-05:00

Here's some recent psychedelic funk and soul from Adrian Younge - on Wax Poetics. Something About April (2011) is a wonderful set of tracks.

Wax Poetics should have vinyl and CD copies, but you might also try Fileserve. Also, check out the free Adrian Younge EP from Wax Poetics.

Tracklist:
A1 Turn Down The Sound
A2 It's Me
A3 Anna May
A4 Two Hearts Combine
A5 Thunderstrike
A6 Reverie
A7 First Step On The Moon
B1 Dusts Of Gold
B2 Midnight Blue
B3 Lovely Lady
B4 Sound Of A Man
B5 Sirens
B6 Mourning Melodies In Rhapsody
B7 Something About April

From Dusty Groove:
A contemporary classic from Adrian Younge – and his first full soul album, after some previous soundtrack material! The record's got all the fragile, lovestruck qualities you'd expect from the image on the cover – a real throwback to the glory days of indie soul, particularly the East Coast indie variety of the early 70s – when beautiful ballads and falsetto vocals were the height of soul expression – often served up with surprisingly funky undercurrents in the backings! Younge gets all the right elements right for the set – and the whole thing feels like some lost All Platinum/Stang album from the New Jersey scene – really respectful, and delivered without any self-consciousness or gimmicks at all. Titles include "Turn Down The Sound", "Two Hearts Combine", "Reverie", "First Step On The Moon", "Sound Of A Man", "Dusts Of Gold", and "Sirens".

Photo / Southport Weekender

Discogs Entry

Lee Fields & The Expressions – You're The Kind Of Girl / It's All Over (But The Crying) (7")

2012-03-03T23:07:00.001-05:00

Here's a fresh 45 from Lee Fields (Faithful Man hits shops and mp3 distributors on March 13, 2012) - on Truth & Soul Records.

Truth & Soul has this 45, but you might also download the mp3 free from Rolling Stone.

Tracklist:
A You're The Kind Of Girl (45 Edit)
B It's All Over (But The Crying)

From Dusty Groove:
The first taste of the Faithful Man album from Lee Fields & The Expressions – a living oracle of deep soul and at the very peak of skills in 2012 – seriously, the man and the band are completely incredible here! "You're The Kind Of Girl" gives us what we need from Lee – achingly soulful vocals dripping with experience and emotion and with a classic groove – but the Lee and band up the ante with some of the richest Truth & Soul production we've heard to date! There's some laidback psych soul touches in the guitar, some strings soar over the chorus, the horns have a unique style and keys are just as sweet. "It's All Over But The Crying" isn't a weepy as you might think, with Lee singing the tale of emotional demise. Later high points in a legendary life in soul!

Photo of Lee Fields / ?

Discogs Entry

Sunny Murray - Sunshine (LP)

2012-03-01T12:39:00.000-05:00

Here's a pretty wild album from Sunny Murray. Sunshine (1969) features an all-star line-up including Lester Bowie, Archie Shepp, and Roscoe Mitchell.

Dusty Groove may have vinyl copies, but you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 Flower Trane 13:44
B1 Real 8:44
B2 Red Cross 7:50

From Dusty Groove:
One of Sunny's rarest from the time – and a full-on session that features Lester Bowie, Arthur Jones, Roscoe Mitchell, Archie Shepp, Kenneth Terroade, Dave Burrell, and Malachi Favors. The large group wails mightily, with a spiritual edge that's a bridge between Murray's New York avant roots and some of the late 60s work of the AACM. Side one features the extended "Flower Trane", and side two contains "Real" and "Red Cross".

Photo / AllAboutJazz.com

Discogs Entry

Vibracathedral Orchestra - Smoke Song (LP)

2012-02-27T22:24:00.001-05:00

Here's another experimental outing (part of a trio of limited LPs from VHF) from the Vibracathedral Orchestra. Smoke Song features the jazz/noise/rock collective's improvisational material recorded between 2007 and 2009.

You can grab vinyl copies from VHF Records or you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 Smoke Song
A2 Cholita Maria
B Get It? Got It... Good!

Discogs Entry

Bobby Womack - Communication (LP)

2012-02-26T19:56:00.001-05:00

-on a soul kick. Here's a solid set of grooves from Bobby Womack. Side note: Communications also features vocals from blacksploitation star, Pam Grier.

Dusty Groove often has used vinyl copies for cheap, but you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 Communication 4:30
A2 Come L'amore 3:00
A3 Fire And Rain 4:30
A4 (If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back 2:50
B1 Monologue / (They Long To Be) Close To You 9:30
B2 Everything Is Beautiful 2:55
B3 That's The Way I Feel About Cha 5:03
B4 Yield Not To Temptation 3:30

Bass – David Hood
Drums, Percussion – Roger Hawkins
Guitar – Jimmy Johnson (4), Tippy Armstrong
Horns – Bobby Womack
Saxophone – Harvey Thompson, Ronnie Eads*
Synthesizer, Piano – Barry Beckett
Trombone – Dale Quillen
Trumpet – Harrison Calloway, Jr.*
Vocals – Janice Singleton, Pam Grier, Patrice Holloway

From Dusty Groove:
Bobby says thanks to Sly Stone on the back of this album – and it's clear that he's gotten a good dose of Sly's funky soul to kick things up a bit from earlier albums. Part of the record was cut in Muscle Shoals, and it's still got that rootsy southern style of Bobby's late 60s work – but there's also a slicker LA funk sound in the mix, with lots of electric guitar solos and funky electric keyboards. Features the righteous "Communication", plus "That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha", "Everything Is Beautiful", "Come L'Amore", and a monologue-heavy version of "Close To You" that's a bit on the Isaac Hayes tip. And hey, Pam Grier's on backup vocals, too!

Photo of Bobby Womack's "Communication" 7" single - Discogs Entry

Discogs Entry

Quincy Jones - Walking In Space (LP)

2012-02-26T18:52:00.002-05:00

-just dropped this on the turntable now. I forgot this album was on the shelf - Quincy puts together some catchy grooves. Roland Kirk contributes to the sax, flutes, and reeds section.

Dusty Groove might have vinyl copies, but you might also try depositfiles.

Tracklist:
A1 Dead End 4:05
A2 Walking In Space 12:00
B1 Killer Joe 5:08
B2 Love And Peace 5:45
B3 I Never Told You 4:15
B4 Oh Happy Day 3:35

Arranged By – Bob James (tracks: B3), Quincy Jones (tracks: A1 to B2, B4)
Bass – Ray Brown (tracks: B1)
Conductor – Quincy Jones
Design [Album] – Sam Antupit
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: B2, B4), Grady Tate (tracks: A1 to B1, B3)
Electric Bass – Ray Brown (tracks: A1, A2, B2 to B4)
Electric Piano – Bob James (tracks: A1, A2, B2 to B4)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Guitar – Eric Gale, Toots Thielemans (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Liner Notes – Morgan Ames
Photography By [Cover] – Pete Turner (4)
Piano – Paul Griffin (tracks: B1)
Producer – Creed Taylor
Saxophone, Flute, Reeds – Hubert Laws, Jerome Richardson, Joel Kaye, Roland Kirk
Trombone – Alan Raph (tracks: B1, B2, B4), George Jeffers (tracks: A1, A2, B3), J.J. Johnson (tracks: B1, B2, B4), Jimmy Cleveland, Kai Winding (tracks: A1, A2, B3), Norman Pride (tracks: B2, B4), Tony Studd
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Dick Williams (tracks: B1), Snooky Young* (tracks: A1, A2, B3), Freddie Hubbard, John Frosk (tracks: A1, A2, B2 to B4), Lloyd Michels (tracks: B1, B2, B4), Marvin Stamm
Vocals – Hilda Harris, Maretha Stewart*, Marilyn Jackson, Valerie Simpson

From Dusty Groove:
One of the greatest Quincy Jones albums of all time! The record's a spacey jazz masterpiece – and it combine's Quincy's soulful soundtrack vision with the excellent production talents of Creed Taylor, for a monster album of long drawn out cuts that mix soul jazz with more sophisticated arrangements! Bob James plays electric piano on a number of cuts, and in a way, the record's kind of a blueprint for some of James' later CTI albums. Titles include "Killer Joe", "Dead End", "Walking In Space", and "Love & Peace".

Photo of Quincy Jones / ?

Discogs Entry

Various – The Way Up The Hill: Gospel Hits Of The 1970s (Cassette)

2012-02-26T17:49:00.001-05:00

Here's a nice assortment of funk and soul inspired gospel tracks from the 1970s. This one is part of the Mississippi Records cassette-tape series.

You can still purchase cassettes from Mississippi Records distributor, Little Axe. You might also try Divshare or Sendspace.

Tracklist:
A1 Mighty Mellotones – Jesus Will Never Fail
A2 Clarance Glenn & Violinettes – When Will I
A3 Rev. Foots & His Traveling Stars Of Long Island, NY – A Little More Love
A4 Brother Sammie Cheatam* – Troubles Of The World
A5 Little Bolden & Mighty Golden Stars – Let You Will Be Done
A6 Spiritual Tornadoes – Climbing High Mountains
A7 Trumpet Jubilee Singers – He's Using Me
A8 Revelators Of Englewood, NJ – I Know A Man
A9 Wondering Souls, The – A Trip To Heaven
A10 Sons Of Christ – Tell The Truth
B1 Northington Singers – Around God's Throne
B2 Hampton-Aires Of Memphis, TN – It's A Blessing
B3 Gospel Flying Clouds Of Birmingham, Alabama – A Seat In Glory
B4 Gospel Ambassadors – Send Your Cleansing Power
B5 Gospel Enchanters Of Patterson, NJ – Don't Move The Mountain
B6 Kindly Sheperds Of Chicago, IL – I Found Someone That I Love
B7 New Golden Star Of Washington – What Shall I Do?
B8 Gospel Clefs – By The Waters Of Babylon
B9 Salem Travelers – Give Me A Few More Days
B10 Christian Tones – God Got His Eyes On You

Discogs Entry

Sun Ra & His Solar-Myth Arkestra – The Solar-Myth Approach Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (2xLP)

2012-02-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a two volume set (sold separately as two LPs or as one CD compilation) released by French-based label, BYG Records, in 1972. The Arkestra plays a solid set of dark and free music over Ra's experimentation with multiple electronic instruments. June Tyson is also on board, adding some nice vocals.

Dusty Groove will likely have vinyl reissues, but you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
Vol. 1:
A1 Spectrum 4:52
A2 Realm Of Lightning 12:00
A3 The Satellites Are Spinning 3:25
B1 Legend 9:44
B2 Seen III, Took 4 3:25
B3 They'll Come Back 3:51
B4 Adventures Of Bugs Hunter 6:25

Vol. 2:
A1 The Utter Nots 11:00
A2 Outer Spaceways, Inc 1:05
A3 Scene 1, Take 1 8:02
B1 Pyramids 2:22
B2 Interpretation 7:30
B3 Ancient Ethiopia 2:43
B4 Strange Worlds 8:27

Alto Saxophone, Clarinet [Alto], Flute – Danny Davis
Alto Saxophone, Oboe, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Marshall Allen
Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Danny Ray Thompson, Pat Patrick
Bass – Ronnie Boykins
Drum [Hand Drums] – Nimrod Hunt
Oboe, Flute, Drums – James Jacson
Percussion – Clifford Jarvis, Lex Humphries
Piano, Synthesizer [Moog], Other [Spacemaster], Clarinet – Sun Ra
Tenor Saxophone, Percussion – John Gilmore
Trombone – Ali Hassan, Charles Stevens*
Trumpet – Kwame Hadi
Trumpet, Mellophone – Akh Tal Ebah
Vocals – Arthur Jenkins, June Tyson
Written-By, Arranged By – Sun Ra

Recorded at the Sun Studios, New York, 1970-71.

From Dusty Groove:
Vol. 1: Very dark stuff from Sun Ra – one of his records that received wider circulation than most of the Saturn releases of the 70s, and a set that maintains a pretty sharp edge overall! Ra plays some killer keyboards – moog, spacemaster, and acoustic piano – often with these really eerie tones – and other players include Kwame Hadi on trumpet, Akh Tal Ebah on space dimension mellophone, Ali Hassan on trombone, Marshal Allen and Danny Davis on alto and flute, John Gilmore on tenor, and Pat Patrick on baritone – and the whole group vocalizes at points, joined by other singers who include June Tyson and Art Jenkins. Recorded at the Sun studios in New York in 1970, the album features a number of shorter tracks like "Spectrum", "The Satellites Are Spinning", "Seen III, Took 4", "Adventures Of Bugs Hunter", and the longer tracks "Legend" and "The Realm Of Lightning".

Vol. 2: The 2nd volume of the Solar-Myth sessions! Recorded in New York in 1970, with an Arkestra that includes Kwame Hadi, Ali Hassan, Danny Davis, John Gilmore, and Clifford Jarvis – and instrumentation that includes moog, space dimension mellophone, ancient Egyptian Infinity drum, and lots of other weird percussion instruments. Longer titles are "The Utter Nots", "Scene 1, Take 1", and "Strange Worlds", and the whole thing's packaged in a glossy gatefold cover, with good photos of the band, and a good cover shot of Ra wearing cool goofy glasses!

Discogs Entry Volume 1
Discogs Entry Volume 2

Sun Ra - The Antique Blacks (LP)

2012-02-25T11:04:00.001-05:00

Here's a nearly impossible to find Saturn release, reissued by Kindred Spirits and Art Yard. Sun Ra picks up the rocksichord and mini moog along with Arkestra regulars including John Gilmore (tenor sax), Marshall Allen (alto sax), and Akh Tal Ebah (trumpet).

Dusty Groove may have vinyl copies, but you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 Song No.1
A2 There Is Change In The Air
A3 The Antique Blacks
B1 This Song Is Dedicated To Nature's God
B2 The Ridiculous "I" And The Cosmos Me
B3 Would I For All That Were
B4 Space Is The Place

Alto Saxophone – Danny Davis
Alto Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals – Marshall Allen
Bassoon, Percussion, Vocals – James Jackson*
Congas – Atakatune
Electric Guitar – Sly (20)
Engineer [Transferred By], Mastered By – Peter Beckmann
Keyboards [Rocksichord], Synthesizer [Mini Moog], Vocals, Performer [Declamation], Composed By, Arranged By – Sun Ra
Reissue Producer – Peter Dennett
Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals – John Gilmore
Trumpet, Vocals – Akh Tal Ebah

From Dusty Groove:
Amazing work from Sun Ra – record that really features a great range of sounds and styles, and a heck of a lot of soul as well! Ra plays some especially nice rocksichord on the set – that freaky, fuzzy keyboard that comes off sounding like a guitar, even though it's played with keys – and there's some spiritual undercurrents to the set that are different than some of Ra's other albums with the instrument – some deeply feeling rhythms and soulful, spiritual expressions that really belie the Space Is The Place generation in which the album was cut. A few recitations imbue the record with a bold sense of poetry, which seems to be carried through strongly in the instrumentation too – especially on John Gilmore's tenor lines, which almost have a Shepp-like quality at points. Other players include Marshal Allen and Danny Davis on alto, Ahk Tal Ebah on trumpet, Clifford Jarvis on drums, and Sly on electric guitar – and titles include "Song No 1", "There Is Change In The Air", "Antique Blacks", "Would I For All That Were", "Ridiculous I & The Cosmos Me", and "This Song Is Dedicated To Nature's God".

Photo / ?

Discogs Entry

John Coltrane - Sun Ship (LP)

2012-02-24T11:17:00.000-05:00

This was on the turntable earlier this morning. Sun Ship is a pretty free set of tracks from John Coltrane - also featuring Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison. This one was recorded in 1965 at RCA Studios in New York, but wasn't released until 1971, four years after Coltrane's death.

Dusty Groove may have CDs and vinyl copies, but you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 Sun Ship 6:16
A2 Dearly Beloved 6:18
A3 Amen 8:18
B1 Attaining 11:28
B2 Ascent 10:10

Art Direction [Reissue] – Hollis King
Bass – Jimmy Garrison
Composed By, Tenor Saxophone – John Coltrane
Design – Wally Caldwell-Potter*
Drums – Elvin Jones
Other [Prepared For Release By] – Alice Coltrane, Ed Michel
Photography By – Chuck Stewart
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Reissue Producer – Michael Cuscuna
Supervised By [Original Recordings] – Bob Thiele

From Dusty Groove:
An excellent set of tracks that was recorded by Coltrane in 1965, but not released until after his death – when Impulse were going through the vaults, and pulling out some amazing work that ranked with his best official releases of the time. This set's definitely one of those gems – and it features the classic quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones – playing in a mode that's spiritutally informed, but never too "out" to be swinging. Tracks include "Amen", "Dearly Beloved", "Ascent", "Attaining", and "Sun Ship".

Photo / johncoltrane.com

Discogs Entry

Various - Roqe Folqe Psych (Music from Quebec 1969-1979) (Cassette)

2012-02-23T22:25:00.003-05:00

Here's a cassette compilation from Mississippi Records featuring a range of rock, folk, and psychedelia tracks by French Canadian artists.

You can still order this cassette from Mississippi Records' distributor, Little Axe Records. You might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
1 Ginette Langlois (Georges Dor) – Ne Cherchez Pas
2 Marc Lebel – La Pluie
3 Louise Forestier – Mont Athos
4 J-F Lamothe – Du Soir Au Matin
5 Claude Gauthier – Le Doux Voleur
6 Ben St.Onge – Et Nous Ferons
7 Suzanne Jacob – Abitibi
8 Claude Dubois – Pas De Roses
9 Plume Latraverse – 18 Piasses De L'heure
10 Ginette Bellavance – Mister Canada
11 Michel Conte – Les Enfants Du Ciel
12 Jean-Pierre Ferland – Si On S'y Mettait
13 Renee Claude – La Bagomane
14 Robert Charlebois – Ya Sa Pichou
15 Ajour – Y Fait Bo
16 Mathieu – Toute La Nuit
17 Pauline Julien – Demenager Ou Rester La
18 Anne Joyal – Harmonie
19 Jim & Bertrand – Toute Tend A Disparaitre
20 Guy Trepanier – Pour Chaque Soir, Un Matin

Photo of Plume Latraverse / ?

Discogs Entry

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane (LP)

2012-02-22T23:18:00.000-05:00

-just dropped this on the turntable. Duke Ellington and John Coltrane pair up on this 1963 release featuring Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison.

Dusty Groove may have vinyl copies, but you might also try Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 In A Sentimental Mood 4:12
A2 Take The Coltrane 4:40
A3 Big Nick 4:25
A4 Stevie 4:20
B1 My Little Brown Book 5:20
B2 Angelica 5:56
B3 The Feeling Of Jazz

Bass – Aaron Bell (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B3), Jimmy Garrison (tracks: A2, A3, B2)
Drums – Elvin Jones (tracks: A1 to A3, B2), Sam Woodyard (tracks: A4, B1, B3)
Piano – Duke Ellington
Producer – Bob Thiele
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – John Coltrane

From Dusty Groove:
A seminal meeting of the old and new generations of jazz – put together in perfect Impulse fashion! At some level, this is actually a Coltrane Quartet album, with Duke sitting in for McCoy Tyner – as that's the lineup on about half of the album, tracks that feature Coltrane, Elvin Jones, and Jimmy Garrison with Ellington on the keys. At another level, it's Trane playing with a Duke-ish trio that has Aaron Bell on bass and Sam Woodyard on drums – but either way, it's a surprisingly successful meeting of the minds. Titles include "Big Nick", "The Feeling Of Jazz", "Take The Coltrane", and "My Little Brown Book".

Photo / ?

Discogs Entry

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol - Punks, Twats, And Urban Cowboys (LP)

2012-02-22T12:32:00.000-05:00

Here's the fifth vinyl LP only release from The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol (TBWNIS). Equal parts prog and experimental rock with elements of free and spiritual jazz, TBWNIS serves up a wicked set of tracks.

Limited to 100 copies - you can purchase this LP from Birdman Sound in Ottawa, ON.

Tracklist:
A1 7 White Guys And An Arab
A2 Jaz-Per Usual
A3 At The Gates Of Ra
A4 Gatineau Breakdown Pt. 1
B1 Sno-Cave Movement
B2 Inertia Syndrome
B3 Gatineau Breakdown Pt. 2

Artwork, Design – Jason Vaughn
Mastered By – Bill Guerrero
Mixed By – Bill Guerrero
Producer – John Westhaver, Bill Guerrero, Nathaniel Hurlow, Mark McIntyre, Jason Vaughn, David Reford, Jan Lis, Hesham Attya, Eric Larock

Photo / Birdman Sound

Discogs Entry

Randall Funk / CKCU 93.1 FM (20 February 2012)

2012-02-20T11:49:00.000-05:00

Fill-In Show: Mixed Bag

Click here for playlists via CKCU 93.1 FM

Artist	Album	Name	Label
The Natural Yogurt Band	Tuck In With...	Biscuit 25	Stones Throw / Jazzman
Sir Richard Bishop	Graviton Polarity Generator	Augmentations	Social Music Records
Colin Stetson	New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges	Judges	Constellation
Miles Davis	Dark Magus	Tatu (Part 2)	4 Men With Beards
Dead Prez	Let's Get Free	Wolves	LOUD Records
Sonny Sharrock	Black Woman	Peanut	4 Men With Beards
Gil Scott-Heron	I'm New Here	Where Did The Night Go	XL Recordings
Colin Stetson	Those who didn't run EP	Those who didn't run	Constellation
Madvillain	Madvillainy	Supervillain Theme [Instrumental]	Stones Throw
Sun Ra	The Shadows Cast By Tomorrow	Rocket Number Nine	Jazzman
Archie Shepp	The Magic Of Ju-Ju	Shazam	Impulse!
Craig Pedersen Quartet	Early Winter	Wellman's Revenge	Self-Released
Kelan Phil Cohran and Legacy	African Skies	Cohran Blues	Captcha Records
Larry Young	Unity	Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise	Blue Note
Sun Ra	Disco 3000	Disco 3000 incl. Space is the Place	Art Yard / Kindred Spirits
Gil Scott-Heron	I'm New Here	Being Blessed (Interlude)	XL Recordings
Floyd Batts	I'll Meet You On That Other Shore	Dangerous Blues	Mississippi Records
Son House	Father of the Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions	Grinnin' In Your Face	Sony / Legacy
R.L. Burnside	Acoustic Stories	Death Bell Blues	MC Records
Abner Jay	The Original Folk Song Style of Abner jay	I'm Georgia Bound	Mississippi Records
Charles Caldwell	Remember Me	I Know I Done You Wrong	Fat Possum
Feist	Let It Die	When I Was A Young Girl	Arts & Crafts
Hanni El Khatib	Innovative Leisure 45	You Rascal You	Innovative Leisure
The Natural Yogurt Band	Tuck In With...	Biscuit 24	Stones Throw / Jazzman
Little Ann	Deep Shadows	Deep Shadows	Timmion
Liam Bailey & The Dynamic Set	Truth & Soul 45 (TS-034)	When Will They Learn	Truth & Soul
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings	I Learned The Hard Way	Mama Don't Like My Man	Daptone Records
Dayton Sidewinders	Let's Go Down To Funksville	Slippin' Into Darkness	Funkadelphia Records
Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band	SPIN Presents Newermind: A Tribute Album	Stay Away	SPIN Magazine
Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7	Seahorse And The Storyteller	Dr. Killjoy	Truth & Soul
Gil Scott-Heron	Reflections	Is That Jazz	Arista
Mickey Murray	People Are Together	Fat Gal	Secret Stash Records
Slim Moore And The Mar-Kays	Introducing Slim Moore And The Mar-Kays	Help Me Now	Marlow Records
DJ Shadow	Endtroducing.....	Organ Donor	Mo' Wax
Shawn Lee & Clutchy Hopkins	Clutch Of The Tiger	Full Moon	Ubiquity
The Equatics	Doin It!!!!	What They Doin?	Now Again
Mehrpouy	Persian Funk	Ghabileye Leyli	Secret Stash Records
Madlib	Shades of Blue	Funky Blue Note	Blue Note
Shawn Lee & Clutchy Hopkins	Fascinating Fingers	What More Can I Say (Top Chillin)	Ubiquity
Colin Stetson	New History Warfare Vol. 1	OHP	Aagoo
Remi Kabaka	Black Goddess	The Quest (Piano Solo)	Soundway
Nomo	Ghost Rock	All the Stars	Ubiquity
The Souljazz Orchestra	Rising Sun	Awakening	Strut
The Budos Band	The Budos Band	Monkey See, Monkey Do	Daptone Records
Sun Ra	The Solar Myth Approach Vol. 1	Spectrum	Affinity

Canadian Content

New Release

Lee Fields - Problems (LP)

2012-02-19T23:22:00.001-05:00

- some super soul from Lee Fields, late on a Sunday evening.

You can order vinyl copies direct from Truth & Soul Records or you might try Filestube.

From Dusty Groove:
Tight!! Lee Fields, one of the great criminally under appreciated funky geniuses of the 70s is back with another pounding, raw funk classic that still finds the man at the peak of his powers, decades after he first made mark on the funk landscape! This is Lee's first full length effort for Soul Fire, a label that we all know goes to painstaking lengths to carefully carry the torch lit by the People Records scene in the 70s into the future, and it's great to see a titan like Lee do amazing work for a great label that does it purely for the love! Lee is absolutely on fire on all 10 of these tracks, with a Godfather like delivery that knocks us out of our chairs every time, whether it's that fiery funk howl that we love so much, or a smooth, soulful glide on the occasional ballad. He's backed up by a bona fide funky orchestra at Soul Fire Studios that includes TONS of hot drums, propulsive percussion, and some driving conga work that steers things into an afro funk groove on several of the tunes. The group MVP, other than Lee himself, could be multi instrumentalist Leon Michels, whose work on flute, keys, tenor and baritone sax, as well guitar and bass not only helps keep the classic 70s feel going, but keeps things crackling at breakneck speed. This isn't newfangled funk revival, this is the real deal from one of the originators – a 33-minute funk maelstrom that will knock you right out of your chair, and have you restarting it the second it ends! Includes "Problems", "The Right Thing", "Rapping With Lee", "I Don't Know Where I'm Going", and "Honey Dove". Oh, if only all of our heroes remained this vital!

Photo / Truth & Soul Records

Discogs Entry

Various - A Little Bit Of Hurt (Cassette)

2012-02-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

Here's an older (but amazing) rhythm and blues cassette compilation from Mississippi Records. The tape features well known and much more obscure artists alike.

You can actually still order this cassette directly from Little Axe Records, but you might also try SendSpace or Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A1 Pat Hervey – Pain
A2 Evangeline – Little Bit Of Hurt
A3 Magic Tones* – Together We Shall Overcome
A4 Clyde McPhatter – Lover Please
A5 Barbara & The Browns – Please Be Honest With Me
A6 Pat Lundy & Bobby Harris – A Thing Going On
A7 Marvin Gaye – You
A8 Mary Wells – Strange Love
A9 J.J. Barnes* – Don't Bring Mo Bad News
A10 O.V. Wright – Born All Over
A11 Yvonne Baker & The Sensations – When My Lover Comes Home
A12 Ike & Tina Turner – Pretend
B1 Garnet Mimms – Cry Baby
B2 Joyce Davis – Stop Giving Your Man Away
B3 Blue Rhythm Combo – Never Let A Kiss Fool You
B4 Freddie Watson & The Restorators – Unlucky Seven
B5 Barbara & The Browns – In My Heart
B6 Bettye Swann – Don't Take My Mind
B7 Eldridge Holmes – Where Is Love?
B8 Jimmy Sinclair – When I Pray
B9 Tarheel Slim & Little Ann – You're Gonna Reap
B10 Nina Simone – I Can't See Nobody
B11 Freddie Watson & The Restorators – It's All Over Now

Photo of Clyde McPhatter / Dedica.la

Discogs Entry

Various - Spiritual Jazz Volume II: Europe (2xLP)

2012-02-19T21:03:00.000-05:00

Here's a new compilation from Jazzman Records, a second installment of Spiritual Jazz - a series that I hope will continue to grow. This time around the label sets its sights on esoteric, modal, and deep European jazz from the 60s and 70s.

You can order CDs and LPs direct from Jazzman Records, but you might also try Dusty Groove.

Also, click here for the first volume.

Tracklist:
A1 Erich Kleinschuster Sextett – Communion 5:39
A2 Albert Mangelsdorff Quintet – Varie 7:33
A3 Michael Garrick Sextet* – Temple Dancer 4:08
B1 Raphaël* – Archangelo 12:52
B2 Barney Wilen – Africa Freakout 5:58
C1 Nicolai Gromin – Corrida 6:36
C2 Heikki Sarmanto – Duke And Trane 10:32
C3 Wroblewski Jazz Quintet* – Nana Imboro 3:15
D1 Dusko Goykovic* – Bosna Calling 6:03
D2 Pedro Iturralde – Las Morrillas De Jaen 8:30
D3 Hans Dulfer & Ritmo-Natural* – Candy Clouds (Part II) 6:46

From Jazzman:
As the ‘60s progressed, cultural and political revolutions occurred both in the US and in Europe. Jazz was both a victim and a saviour, with radical developments in the music occurring in both continents. In the US, artists took control of their own musical destiny as small labels broke away from the mainstream, expressing new and creative visions of freedom and peace against a backdrop of civil unrest, repression and war. Be sure to check the first volume of this series, Spiritual Jazz (JMANCD.020). In ‘60s Europe the jazz community forged ahead with a different revolution; that of breaking away from mere emulation of their American counterparts. A distinctive, European jazz sound began to develop that combined traditional music from across Europe and around the world with the creative freedom so abundant in American jazz. Over time the most forward-thinking creative talents of the post-Coltrane European jazz generation crafted and nurtured sophisticated and multi-faceted styles of jazz that were as radical as they were beautiful, giving modern jazz a characteristically European flavour.

A heady mix indeed; stirring jazz overtures with orchestra and choir, festival performances recorded live from the grassy heartlands of central Europe, modal montages inspired by pilgrimages to Asia and Africa, experiments in rhythm and sound where modern jazz meets traditional Balkan and Flamenco folk music. This is Spiritual Jazz – European style.

We dedicate this album to Michael Garrick, who died shortly before its release. His contribution to UK jazz was profound, and we’re proud to include one of his previously-unreleased tracks.

- All tracks fully licensed and digitally restored from the original master tapes
- Comprehensive liner notes with individual notes on each track with original stories direct from the musicians and artists
- 16 page colour CD booklet with in-depth liner notes, album cover scans
- Most tracks never before reissued – previously only available on rare LP’s that change hands for hundreds of dollars.
- 180g double vinyl pressing with thick, glossy double gatefold sleeve and colour inserts
- RARE and FINE music heard only on Jazzman – all because WE DIG DEEPER!

From Dusty Groove:
The sound of spiritual jazz from the European underground of the 60s and 70s – a really rich music-making scene that's every bit as impressive as the one going on in the US – as you'll hear from this amazing set of tracks! As with the first volume in the series, the collection is filled with modal jazz and other groovers – mostly long tracks that really stretch out, yet still always have a tight sense of rhythm – one that makes the music completely infectious right from the start! It might be tempting to think of European jazz of this sort as kind of a copy of a US mode – but instead, it really happened simultaneously – as younger players were really pushing past the styles of previous years – and drawing not only on American jazz for inspiration, but also a range of different post-colonial modes particular to the European scene – bits of African, Latin, Brazilian, and other styles that really helped influence their approach. And in a way, it might even be said that the Europeans of the 60s had a much looser approach to rhythm, one that really allowed for experiments like these – and which, in turn, went back to have an influence on the American side as well. Titles include "Temple Dancer" by Michael Garrick, "Communion" by Erich Kleinschuster, "Archangelo" by Raphael, "Africa Freakout" by Barney Wilen, "Corrida" by Nicolai Gromin, "Duke & Trane" by Hiekki Sarmanto, "Nana Imboro" by Wroblewski Jazz Quintet, "Las Morillas De Jaen" by Pedro Iturralde, "Bosnia Calling" by Dusko Goykovich, and "Candy Clouds (part 2)" by Hans Dulfer & Ritmo Natural.

Photo / HansDulfer.nl

Discogs Entry

Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires / Corona Theatre, Montreal, QC

2012-02-19T11:42:00.003-05:00

Here's a few photos from last weekend - Daptone Records' Charles Bradley at the Corona Theatre, Montreal, QC.

From the Corona Theatre website:

10 February 2012

With: Little Barrie
Door: 20:00 Time: 21:00
Price: General admission standing. Advance: $22 / $26.90 Day of show: $25 / $29.90 | taxes and service charges included - shipping fees excluded.

Charles Bradley (born 1948, Gainesville, Florida) commonly referred to as "The Screaming Eagle of Soul" is a funk/soul/R&B singer signed to the Daptone Records label under the Dunham Records division. His performances and recording style are consistent with Daptone's revivalist approach, celebrating the feel of funk and soul music from the 1960s and 1970s. One review stated that Bradley "echoes the evocative delivery of Otis Redding".

www.myspace.com/charlesbradleymusic
www.daptonerecords.com

Madlib - Shades Of Blue (2xLP)

2012-02-15T18:28:00.001-05:00

One of Madlib's early albums, Shades of Blue (2003) features some amazing hip hop remixes of material from the Blue Note Records catalogue. Released with Blue Note, the album samples from many 60s and 70s jazz recordings by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Bobby Hutcherson, Donald Byrd, Milt Jackson, and more.

Dusty Groove will likely have vinyl copies, but you might also try Rapidshare.

Tracklist:
A1 Introduction 0:33
A2 Slim's Return 3:56
A3 Distant Land 3:59
A4 Mystic Bounce 3:56
B1 Stormy 3:42
B2 Blue Note Interlude 0:42
B3 Please Set Me At Ease 5:03
B4 Funky Blue Note 3:08
B5 Alfred Lion Interlude 0:45
C1 Stepping Into Tomorrow 7:37
C2 Andrew Hill Break 1:07
C3 Montara 5:52
D1 Song For My Father 5:46
D2 Footprints 4:58
D3 Peace / Dolphin Dance 5:39
D4 Outro 0:15

From Dusty Groove:
Madlib invades Blue Note! He gets free reign of the catalog for this mix of sampler genius and live band interpretations, too, as/with Ahmad Miller, Yesterdays New Quintet, Malcolm Catto, Medaphoar, and others from the Stones Throw camp. This one's truly a conceptual triumph, if there ever was such a thing – one of the greatest hip hop producers alive, given carte blanche with the source beats of the century! Madlib's Blue Note crates are heavily weighed in the mid 60s through mid 70s electric beats that often get the shaft in mainstream jazz round-ups, but floor the beathead world into overdrive. Re-interpretations, remixes, and revisions are spliced seamlessly with the source samples, creating a whole new world where hip hop and late model live funk not only co-exists with classic Blue Note jazz, but it actually draws a linear transition between the 2 genius art forms. Beautiful stuff – if the album isn't the most original idea to come along all of these years into the hip hop & jazz underground, it's certainly one of the most perfectly realized projects of its kind, ever! It's one for the time capsule – pure funky sample wizardry by any standard! Includes Monk Higgins' "Slim's Return" interpreted by Ahmad Miller and DJ Lord Such on cuts, "Donald Byrd's "Distant Land", "Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Bounce", Yesterday's New Quintet's adaptation of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints", Madlib Invazion's "Funky Blue Note", the Joe McDuphrey Experience take on Horace Silver's/Herbie Hancock's "Peace/Dolphin Dance" and lots more.

Photo / EmbracePresents.com

Discogs Entry

Craig Pedersen Quartet - Early Winter (mp3)

2012-02-07T11:10:00.000-05:00

Here's a wonderful set of improvised jazz tracks from Ottawa trumpeter, Craig Pedersen. Linsey Wellman plays alto sax, Alex Mastronardi is on bass, and Mike Essoudry is behind the drums.

For a limited time, Craig is offering a free download of the full album at Bandcamp.

Tracklist:
1. Early Winter
2. Wellman's Revenge
3. Little Bird
4. Bad Big Hill Ju Ju

Craig Pedersen - trumpet, composer
Linsey Wellman - alto saxophone
Alex Mastronardi - bass
Mike Essoudry - drums

recorded, mixed and mastered by Matt Ouimet (www.mattouimet.com)
design by Renée Yoxon (www.reneeyoxon.com)

www.craigpedersen.com
www.linseywellman.com
www.mikeessoudry.com

Photo / Improvised Moo

Discogs Entry Unavailable

Archie Shepp - The Magic Of Ju-Ju (LP)

2012-02-04T13:17:00.002-05:00

Here's a wicked set from Archie Shepp and company, The Magic Of Ju-Ju. This one is heavy on percussion (two drummers; three percussionists) and features some wild, free-wheeling tenor sax solos.

Dusty Groove should have vinyl reissues, but you might also try Mediafire / Mediafire.

Tracklist:
A The Magic Of Ju-Ju 18:34
B1 You're What This Day Is All About 1:47
B2 Shazam 4:43
B3 Sorry 'Bout That 10:08

Bass – Reggie Workman
Drums – Beaver Harris, Norman Connor*
Engineer – Bob Simpson
Percussion – Dennis Charles*
Percussion [Rhythm Logs] – Eddie Blackwell*
Percussion [Talking Drums] – Frank Charles (2)
Producer – Bob Thiele
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Martin Banks
Trumpet, Trombone – Michael Zwerin*

Recorded 26 April, 1967

From Dusty Groove:
Beautifully balanced 60s work from Archie Shepp – a record that mixes newer freedoms with sharper vision – all wrapped up with some wonderfully intense solo work! As with some of Shepp's other great dates for Impulse at the time, the group's a largeish one – a nonet of players who are arranged tightly at some moments, but set loose on their own at others – in a style that many other leaders would copy in years to come, but never really match as strongly! Trumpet is by Martin Banks and Michael Zwerin, the latter of whom also plays trombone – and other players include Reggie Workman on bass, Beaver Harris and Norman Connors on drums, and added percussion from Ed Blackwell, Frank Charles, and Dennis Charles. Shepp wrote all titles for the date – and there's a great mixture of soulful undercurrents and more angular modern edges in every tune. Titles include "The Magic Of Ju Ju", "You're What This Day Is All About", "Shazam", and "Sorry 'Bout That".

Photo / ArchieShepp.net

Discogs Entry

Archie Shepp - Life At The Donaueschingen Music Festival (LP)

2012-02-02T17:13:00.000-05:00

Archie Shepp's Life At The Donaueschingen Music Festival features one forty-five minute long free-wheeling track, "One For The Trane," which is split over two sides. It's a phenomenal live set, recorded in 1967 just before Shepp would release some of his best work on the BYG label.

Dusty Groove should have vinyl copies, but you might also check MultiUpload.

One for the Trane.part1 by Archie Shepp on Grooveshark

Tracklist:
A One For The Trane, Part I 22:00
B One For The Trane, Part II 21:45

Bass – Jimmy Garrison
Drums – Beaver Harris
Engineer – Rolf Donner
Liner Notes, Producer – Joachim E. Berendt*
Photography – Hans Harzheim, Joseph Werkmeister
Technician [Recording Director] – Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Trombone – Grachan Moncur*, Roswell Rudd

Recorded live at the "Donaueschingen Musiktage 1967", October 21st, 1967.

From Dusty Groove:
Some of Archie Shepp's most freewheeling material of the 60s – a long, extended, single-song album recorded at the Donaueschingen festival a few years before his classic work for BYG/Actuel – and very much in the same bold spirit as his recordings for that label! The single tune – "One For The Trane" – is opened up, stretched out, and run freely by Shepp on tenor, Roswell Rudd and Grachan Moncur on trombones, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Beaver Harris on drums – a very unique lineup that benefits not just from the presence of two trombones, which gives the record a very deep, rich sound – but also from the creative rhythms of Garrison and Harris, a really great team for a session like this! Shepp is wonderful – still with this inherent sense of soul that also ties the performance to some of his brightest moments for Impulse Records – this structure, even when blowing free, that creates an amazing sense of swing somewhere back in the music.

Photo / ArchieShepp.net

Discogs Entry

Mickey Murray - People Are Together (LP+7")

2012-02-01T15:38:00.003-05:00

Here's a new release from Secret Stash Records. Mickey Murray's People Are Together was originally set to be released by Federal, a subsidiary of King Records, but the album never really saw the light of day. Secret Stash gives us some context:

"In 1969 Murray was signed to King Records. The label was preparing for the inevitable loss of James Brown. Since they obviously couldn’t afford to sign another act of Brown’s caliber, they decided to develop their own. Mickey was groomed by the label to become their next superstar act. He recorded People Are Together and they prepared to release it in 1970 on their Federal Records imprint. They chose the title track as the lead single. The response from most of the black DJs they relied on for support was that they wouldn’t play the song. Most of them feared that the song was far too racially provocative for a developing artist. In fact, many black DJs said they were concerned they’d lose their job if they played the track. It didn’t take long at all for King to abandon the release. According to Murray, the record may have never actually been formally released in stores."

The LP has much of the flare you'd expect from a King production of the 60s - it's a wicked set of short and raw JBs-style funk cuts. You can pick up vinyl copies directly from Secret Stash Records.

Tracklist:
A1 Fat Gal 2:15
A2 Try A Little Harder 2:37
A3 Ace Of Spades 3:05
A4 Going Back To Alabama 2:12
A5 I Wanna See My Baby 3:14
A6 Money (That's What I Want) 3:00
B1 People Are Together 3:05
B2 The Buzzard 3:07
B3 Explosive Population 1:52
B4 Fever 3:50
B5 I Found Out 2:10
B6 I Don't Know Why 3:05

A I Can't Tell You 2:02
B Ain't Nothing We Can Do About It 2:50

From Dusty Groove:
One of the last great funk albums from King Records – a set recorded in the early 70s, but done with a crackling sharp sound that's like the best late 60s James Brown albums for the label! Mickey Murray is from Augusta, GA – James Brown's hometown – and his approach is similar to James' at times, but it's also got more of a southern funk groove too – a bit like the great combination you'll hear in Lee Fields' music, which is a perfect fit for the album's raw, rootsy production! The record includes a great funky cut called "The Buzzard", plus other nice ones like "Explosive Population", "People Are Together", "Going Back To Alabama", "Fat Gal", and "I Wanna See My Baby".

Photo / Secret Stash Records

Discogs Entry