Roosevelt In Trinidad

Calypso music has a bad rap in some people's eyes for being monotonous, and bordering "lower class" folk. But this CD shows how educated and witty some of these topical records can be. "Roosevelt In Trinidad" compiles a good bulk of classic 78 rpm records from the golden age of Calypso, primarily the 30's. The primary instrumentation on most of these tracks are clarinet and violin, giving these raw street recordings a refined duality, my particular favorite recordings are the ones in minor chord.

Track list:
1. Trinidad Hurricane - Wilmoth Houdini
2. The Treasury Fire - Lionel Belasco And His Orchestra
3. West Indian Federation - The Atilla
4. Mannie Dookie - The Tiger
5. Captain Cipriani - Egbert Moore (Lord Beginner)
6. Duke And Duchess Of Kent - Raymond Quevedo (Atilla The Hun)
7. M.C.C. Vs. West Indies - Egbert Moore (Lord Beginner)
8. Unfortunate Bridegroom - King Radio
9. Movie Stars - The Tiger
10. Four Mills Brothers - The Radio
11. Body Life - King Radio
12. Intercolonial Tournament - The Atilla
13. Edward The VII - The Caresser
14. Roosevelt In Trindad - The Atilla
15. King George VI - The Lion
16. Reign Of The Georges - The Executor
17. Modern Times - The Lion And The Atilla
18. History Of Woodbrook Vicinity - The Growler
19. The Beautiful Land Of Lere - The Tiger
20. The Vendor's Song - The Lion
21. School Boys' Adventure - Black Prince
22. Fire, Fire In Port Of Spain - The Caresser
23. Police Diplomacy - The Growler
24. Bing Crosby - The Lion
25. Poppy Day - Lord Executor

A few of these selections were covered by Van Dyke Parks for his album "Discover America," which starts out with an excerpt from the Mighty Sparrow's song "Jack Palance." Since none of the Mighty Sparrow's recording's appear on this disc, as a bonus I am throwing in his album "Sparrow" AND an alternate complete cut of "Jack Palance," along with a very ribald recording of his entitled "Village Ram." I ALSO am throwing in bonus cuts from Wilmoth Houdini and Lionel Belasco which are supreme legends of West Indian rhythms. ENJOY!

Download the imported crate of 78's here.

Kurt Weisman - More Is More EP

I'm behind a couple days in blogging. With blogger being down for an ENTIRE day, and my Isaac Hayes post getting deleted, I took a two day break. In the mean time I picked up my last tote of 45's which I stacked into four nice and neat piles on my new record shelf I got at Ikea, and now I begin the last of the single transfers before moving on to the LP's. So, to begin, I thought I'd start with my most recent acquisition... I found this yesterday in the Amoeba clearance bin. I've never heard of Kurt Weisman, but I'd recognize that art ANYWHERE!
A few years ago, my wife got me into this collaborative effort art group known as Paper Rad. Their DVD "Trash Talking" opened up a new world for me. A world of low-fi animated gifs, 80's pop art icons, and super groovy MIDI beats. They have a television show now on Adult Swim entitled "Problem Solverz" I suggest you check it out... if you're into Super Mario, Gumbi, Troll Dolls, Garfield and Alf this is the show for you!
As for this record, the best way to describe it is poppy electronic folk experimentation. It's noise bubble gum. And it's growing on me... as it will grow on you too.

More Is More, Mad Monk (Un-Numbered)
Kurt Weisman
2006

The Soundtrack singles of Isaac Hayes

Here's a single I digitized today of two lush and soulful numbers from Isaac Hayes' soundtrack work for the '71 film "Shaft", which if you haven't seen yet... you really should. Although not my favorite, it definitely is a staple in the blaxploitation genre. And like "Superfly," the soundtrack to the movie is as well known, and just as good... if not better! Say what you will about Barry White, in my opinion Isaac Hayes had twice the voice, arrangements and sex power Barry White ever did. And let these recordings be the proof of it. I haven't even got around to offering his studio albums such as "Hot Buttered Soul" and "Black Moses" yet, but here's just a sample to wet your appetite.
Isaac Hayes started as session player and writer for Stax records in the early 60's. He co-penned the bulk of Sam & Dave's biggest hits, along with producing and participating in the albums of Booker T. & The MG's. After his first solo efforts led him to motion picture scores where he became the third African American to win an Academy Award. His movie work is his most well-known output as a musician, and so as an introduction to Isaac Hayes, to those whom may not be too familiar with his work outside of the show "South Park," I give you these eight soundtrack slices:

1. Do Your Thing (The A-side of the second single released for the soundtrack to "Shaft", 1971)

2. Ellie's Love Theme (The B-Side to the above single for "Shaft", 1971)

3. Early Sunday Morning (Album cut from "Shaft" soundtrack, 1971)
4. Truck Turner (Theme song to film "Truck Turner" also used in "Kill Bill" but not available on soundtrack, 1974)
5. Run, Fay, Run (From the soundtrack to the Italian film "Three Tough Guys" also used in "Kill Bill" and available on the soundtrack, 1974)
6. Good Love (solo song from the soundtrack "South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, 1999)
7. Theme From Shaft (live performance from the Wattstax concert documentary, 1973)
8. Theme From Shaft (album version, 1971)

Do Your Thing here!

J.J. Jackson - Boogaloo Baby/But It's Alright

This 45 hails from the same fifty cent bin as yesterday's record. My copy has a label defect where they listed the A-side on both sides! Normally that'd be a good thing, except the B-side is what charted! J.J. Jackson's "But It's Alright"... normally when I'm at work I am put through muzak hell with this song, primarily because stations don't play the original, but the Huey Lewis & The News cover. But the original '66 version has a lot of soul. Primarily an English record, the song was co-written with Pierre Tubbs and recorded with an all English band, this fell right in line with the mid-60's mod "Northern Soul" school of music. I honestly, prefer the B-side, but that's me. As a bonus, I'm including "Oo-Ma-Liddi," a wild R&B song he did in the early 60's on the Prelude label. This one has a real gone Richard Berry feel, and he REALLY CUTS LOOSE! You can find this second nonsensical rocker on "Born Bad Volume 6" and as an added bonus I included the song as it appeared on the Lux Interior "Purple Knif" show, with his outro announcement. Enjoy!

Boogaloo Baby/But It's Alright
J.J. Jackson
Calla-119
1966

Three songs by The Three Sounds

Last month I found this 45 in the bottom of a giant rubbermaid container of dirty broken 45's this guy was selling at a buck a piece. I talked him down to .50 a record and made out with several... this being the highlight of the haul. The Three Sounds consisted of Gene Harris on piano, Andrew Simpkins on double bass, and Bill Dowdy on drums. This 45 comes from their live album "Live At The Lighthouse" from 1967, which puts them at their mid-period. The LP is one of the very few live albums they released, and it's been reissued with bonus tracks. But here's the 45 single, hopefully to give you an itch to seek out their ultra-hip albums. As a bonus I threw in their track "Your Love Is Just Too Much" from Gene Harris' solo album "The Three Sounds" which was released in 1971.

Still I'm Sad/Makin' Bread Again
The Three Sounds
Blue Note #1935
1967

Back from hiatus.

Been gone for awhile. Moved from Florida back to California, which means I have access to my complete record collection again. I spent the last six months digitizing my CD collection to my terabyte, which as of this morning, has finally been completed. So, I think I'm at a point where I can begin uploading all of my records. I probably won't post them all, but I will be uploading everyday, so perhaps I'll post a highlight record for the day. I approximate this project taking five years to complete. I'll start with my 45's, move on to my LP's and end with my 78's, of which, the latter will take the most time. As with all my posts, I'll include bonus tracks, or even bonus albums, and as of always... honoring requests anyone might have. So, without further ado, let the blogging re-commence!