tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84835639612538165422024-03-05T19:22:59.938-07:00Funky CoversHakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-17525655593786083882011-07-07T20:08:00.005-06:002011-07-12T00:22:24.982-06:00Allen Toussaint - From A Whisper To A Scream (1970)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxoKfeJoNsYbdlxLbxX_DNsA9Kr8h9bsA0RTpQmIWxDXr0W614kKBNiVQJe2uYFuClMizw42Xazn0-FlyWVKRNzI3IIXy3Ymy-8YqpqDY9S_AZuZBbcjQjMGN9SMQ6e9r78jPbkMzDLzQ/s1600/Allen+Toussaint+-+From+A+Whisper+To+A+Scream.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxoKfeJoNsYbdlxLbxX_DNsA9Kr8h9bsA0RTpQmIWxDXr0W614kKBNiVQJe2uYFuClMizw42Xazn0-FlyWVKRNzI3IIXy3Ymy-8YqpqDY9S_AZuZBbcjQjMGN9SMQ6e9r78jPbkMzDLzQ/s320/Allen+Toussaint+-+From+A+Whisper+To+A+Scream.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626802789420424194" /></a><br /><div>By 1970, when this album was recorded, Allen Toussaint was already a New Orleans legend on several fronts: as pianist, arranger, songwriter and producer. In the 60's, he had written and produced hits for Irma Thomas, Art and Aaron Neville, Lee Dorsey and others, and his compositions had been covered by a range of artists, including Otis Redding, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones and The Who. Though not technically his debut, this marks his true start as a solo artist. The proper title for this release is a little confusing; it was first released as "Toussaint" on the Scepter label, and re-released in the 80's as "From A Whisper To A Scream" by Kent. The album is split into two parts: Side 1 is the "vocal" side, and Side 2 "instrumental." Vocal highlights include the title track, "Sweet Touch Of Love" (used recently in an award-winning TV commercial for Axe deodorants) and "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky" (covered by the likes of Lou Donaldson, Claudia Lennear and O'Donel Levy). The breadth of Toussaint's influence in the music world is vast; other artists who have recorded his songs include The Judds, Devo, Robert Palmer, The O'Jays, The Band, Glen Campbell, The Pointer Sisters, Boz Scaggs and Herb Alpert, to name just a few. Legend indeed!</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info at Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Allen-Toussaint-Toussaint/master/138012">Toussaint</a></div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Allen-Toussaint-From-A-Whisper-To-A-Scream/master/138000">From A Whisper To A Scream</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available at Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SLYE7Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000SLYE7Q">Toussaint</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SLYE7Q&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000SLYE7Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000SLYE7Q">Toussaint</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B000SLYE7Q" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000SLYE7Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000SLYE7Q">Toussaint</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000SLYE7Q" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-76001822484880173742011-07-07T17:24:00.003-06:002011-07-07T19:00:11.152-06:00Chocolate Milk - Actions Speak Louder Than Words (1975)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWY4GdDbClBW7dI9cpUdv3AFFpE-aVt9-tu4MFqpCDu8uklZ0bkmO6y9vRlJR7zpJo-vuMVXoq4gARl0qciBcb5mfLHFn_xGDBPHoCc3RWzmRTzfhQIGiayUzt1FufgshFeSbfgD_gK40/s1600/Chocolate+Milk.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWY4GdDbClBW7dI9cpUdv3AFFpE-aVt9-tu4MFqpCDu8uklZ0bkmO6y9vRlJR7zpJo-vuMVXoq4gARl0qciBcb5mfLHFn_xGDBPHoCc3RWzmRTzfhQIGiayUzt1FufgshFeSbfgD_gK40/s320/Chocolate+Milk.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626766275865203474" /></a><br /><div>Chocolate Milk formed in 1974, shortly after Kool & The Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire hit the big time. The band soon moved to New Orleans to replace The Meters as Allen Toussaint's studio and live backing band. The group is best known for this, their debut album, though they would release seven more increasingly discofied albums before breaking up in 1983. "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" is a gem of an album, with tight, funky rhythms overlaid with spacey, jazzy electrics. Although not overtly political, there are messages in many of the tracks. The title cut - a slow funk classic - has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists, including Eric B. & Rakim and Stetsasonic. "Time Machine" - another slow groover - is still a favourite, while "Pretty Pimpin' Willie," "Ain't Nothin' But A Thing" and "My Mind Is Hazy" are all strong efforts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info found at Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Chocolate-Milk-Action-Speaks-Louder-Than-Words/master/138014">Actions Speak Louder Than Words</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EQHSLE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000EQHSLE">Action Speaks Louder Than Words</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000EQHSLE&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000EQHSLE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000EQHSLE">Action Speaks Louder Than Words</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=funkcove-20&l=as2&o=15&a=B000EQHSLE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000EQHSLE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000EQHSLE">Action Speaks Louder Than Word</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000EQHSLE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-69351911997105931192011-07-07T03:36:00.002-06:002011-07-07T04:44:30.288-06:00Creative Source - Creative Source (1973)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oF0Tt9VNfM-HmN8PMf5P0gohbjEA2pLN0cq1m9QrRILHp914ly_FCmYIsqfrVdHf25ZScV6yyYzMV6QYoTVr_oLwFP5mVkBOiPS__m-euV5SKi1CBesgfZouZXJ5IaH4rCr2ujG_KhiC/s1600/Creative+Source+-+Creative+Source.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oF0Tt9VNfM-HmN8PMf5P0gohbjEA2pLN0cq1m9QrRILHp914ly_FCmYIsqfrVdHf25ZScV6yyYzMV6QYoTVr_oLwFP5mVkBOiPS__m-euV5SKi1CBesgfZouZXJ5IaH4rCr2ujG_KhiC/s320/Creative+Source+-+Creative+Source.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626547755701367794" /></a><br /><div>Creative Source formed in 1972 when several West Coast session musicians joined up under the management of Ron Townsend, of 5th Dimension fame. Their self-titled debut album was released a year later on Sussex, which also happened to be Bill Withers' label. THE highlight of the album was the drawn out, funky cover of Withers' "Who Is He (And What Is He To You)," which would become a staple track for club DJ's of the time. The song reached #21 on the US R&B singles charts in 1974. Two other singles, "You Can't Hide Love" and "You're Too Good To Be True," also charted, and the album made it to #21 on the R&B album charts in 1974. Four more Creative Source albums followed over the next three years, but none came close to the promise of their debut, and the group disbanded in 1977 after losing their recording contract.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info at Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Creative-Source-Creative-SourceAnd-More/master/92846">Creative Source</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-38223135331602670582011-07-06T00:53:00.002-06:002011-07-07T03:35:35.983-06:00Bill Withers - Still Bill (1972)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu7D1-PbcJjwHktXPnuVN1dx4WbiPRu9Rv4LtHZjNRqtrEob1cAHIbJJlaGWEH4AJwpBNM9Ym0TqH768gfdlRw54wbHwrJsrPLWredK6SN1CZ_-B8ETSCYgaeealyDb3E3RWfcF9uSyNF/s1600/Bill+Withers+-+Still+Bill.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu7D1-PbcJjwHktXPnuVN1dx4WbiPRu9Rv4LtHZjNRqtrEob1cAHIbJJlaGWEH4AJwpBNM9Ym0TqH768gfdlRw54wbHwrJsrPLWredK6SN1CZ_-B8ETSCYgaeealyDb3E3RWfcF9uSyNF/s320/Bill+Withers+-+Still+Bill.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626129115834192226" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Bill Withers' debut album, "Just As I Am," was a huge success, and expectations were justifiably high for the self-produced follow up, "Still Bill." Withers delivered, and then some, with a cohesive effort that expounded on all varieties of love, from purely romantic on "Kissing My Love," to jealous paranoia on "Who Is He (And What Is He To You)," to one-sided love on "Use Me," to supportive friendship on "Lean On Me," and everything in between. The music is sometimes laid back, sometimes gritty and funky, with able back up from friends and ex-Charles Wright band members James Gadson, Benorce Blackmon, Ray Jackson and Melvin Dunlap. "Lean On Me," number 205 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time, went to #1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts, and "Use Me" hit #2. "Who Is He..." has been covered numerous times, including a 12-minute stunner by Creative Source in 1973, and versions by Gladys Knight and Meshell N'degeocello. The album is available on CD, both as a standalone and as a 2-for-1 with "Just As I Am." Either disc makes a welcome addition to any collection.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info from Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Bill-Withers-Still-Bill/master/92896">Still Bill</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YUR8A4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B002YUR8A4">Still Bill</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B002YUR8A4&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B002YUR8A4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B002YUR8A4">Still Bill</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B002YUR8A4" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00008CLM2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00008CLM2">Still Bill</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B00008CLM2" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-28620005771189807712011-06-25T14:35:00.006-06:002011-07-01T11:06:49.924-06:00Johnny "Guitar" Watson - A Real Mother For Ya (1977)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUEPsxMbqBaQB7t3anR8-wY1-lstV28SbqDn8PWf3Gh7Gs13zG0xcrUHbTxbgmCO50KcIWyX_OTR4dD4dR04HaQRDcTTAMwElGpD81LnsRGnQpZ_36r2EkfVknYUWo8JRtdqhIGFaD2-N/s1600/Johnny+Guitar+Watson+1977+-+A+Real+Mother+For++Ya+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUEPsxMbqBaQB7t3anR8-wY1-lstV28SbqDn8PWf3Gh7Gs13zG0xcrUHbTxbgmCO50KcIWyX_OTR4dD4dR04HaQRDcTTAMwElGpD81LnsRGnQpZ_36r2EkfVknYUWo8JRtdqhIGFaD2-N/s320/Johnny+Guitar+Watson+1977+-+A+Real+Mother+For++Ya+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622299310648545858" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSUvgZFMUUau246luTWhSS3UszAf9LROFN9lm7HPBNiouY8TTo8DiPQ6SLukr_3oNgFspADJubCw4LDpHbfVxpaWDtRqMqRfO4_dHkwtcXcMIIQD7bxxX7WKNsJp5DkdDMGFpx_ISNLs_/s1600/Johnny+Guitar+Watson+1977+-+A+Real+Mother+For++Ya+3.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSUvgZFMUUau246luTWhSS3UszAf9LROFN9lm7HPBNiouY8TTo8DiPQ6SLukr_3oNgFspADJubCw4LDpHbfVxpaWDtRqMqRfO4_dHkwtcXcMIIQD7bxxX7WKNsJp5DkdDMGFpx_ISNLs_/s320/Johnny+Guitar+Watson+1977+-+A+Real+Mother+For++Ya+3.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622299309217776738" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div>"A Real Mother For Ya" followed up the massive "Ain't That A Bitch," and showcased Johnny "Guitar" Watson at the top of his game. Confident, ever humourous, grooving, slinky and sexy, the album mixes funk, blues and soul, with some deft jazzy touches. The album featured three singles: the title track, "Lover Jones" and "The Real Deal." After this album, Watson continued recording into the 90's, with a brief hiatus in the 80's after the shooting death of his good friend Larry Williams. He died on stage in Yokohama in 1996 while on a tour of Japan. After collapsing mid guitar solo, his last words were, "Ain't that a bitch!" Watson influenced legions of guitarists and musicians, including Frank Zappa, Steve Miller, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sly Stone and George Clinton. Bobby Womack called him "the most dangerous gunslinger out there," while Etta James said of him, "They call Elvis the King, but the sure-enough King was Johnny 'Guitar' Watson."</div><div><br /></div><div>Find album info. on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Guitar-Watson-A-Real-Mother-For-Ya/master/102309">A Real Mother For Ya</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B5XZJ2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000B5XZJ2">A Real Mother For Ya</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000B5XZJ2&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000B5XZJ2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000B5XZJ2">A Real Mother For Ya</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B000B5XZJ2" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000B5XZJ2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000B5XZJ2">A Real Mother For Ya</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000B5XZJ2" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-56703194366743740282011-06-25T13:09:00.002-06:002011-06-25T14:32:58.172-06:00Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Ain't That A Bitch (1976)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx7PL854HacQrlDp8H2Y7RYDOUc0DsU8EERSeFf4uyEseMP2FjG1q6suX_OYiasRttguB_oHYtvPIgWc_cAuezPjORO2jnrQEFVg3EKsnqoLmGmj2XN7jCdLfPRh0OfGngasLMYd9y2O7/s1600/Johnny+Guitar+Watson+-+Ain%2527t+That+A+Bitch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx7PL854HacQrlDp8H2Y7RYDOUc0DsU8EERSeFf4uyEseMP2FjG1q6suX_OYiasRttguB_oHYtvPIgWc_cAuezPjORO2jnrQEFVg3EKsnqoLmGmj2XN7jCdLfPRh0OfGngasLMYd9y2O7/s320/Johnny+Guitar+Watson+-+Ain%2527t+That+A+Bitch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622242602120237890" /></a><br /><div>John Watson, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas in 1935. As a child he learned piano from his father, but was fixated on the electric guitar as played by T-Bone Walker and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. When he was 11, his grandfather, a preacher, gave him a guitar on the condition that he not play the "devil's music" (blues), but play blues was the first thing he did. At 15, Watson moved to L.A. with his mother after his parents divorced. In the early 50's he won numerous local talent contests, and made a name for himself on the West Coast, playing under the name "Young John Watson." In 1954 he saw the Joan Crawford movie "Johnny Guitar," and his new stage name was born. Watson was active through the 50's, 60's and 70's, both as an artist in his own right, and as an accompanist - he toured and recorded with Larry Williams, Little Richard, Johnny Otis, David Axelrod, and Sam Cooke, amongst others. As the popularity of blues music waned in the 60's, Watson transitioned to soul and then funk. "Ain't That A Bitch," released in 1976, and "A Real Mother For Ya," which followed a year later, were landmarks of 70's funk. "Ain't That A Bitch" went gold, selling over 500,000 copies. The album featured two highly successful singles, "Superman Lover" (later sampled by Redman, Ice Cube, Ghostface Killah, and others), and "I Need It." Although intensely musical, Watson's often humourous lyrics were typically spoken as opposed to sung, and as such he is seen by many as one of the forefathers of rap.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Album info. on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Guitar-Watson-Aint-That-A-Bitch/master/102305">Ain't That A Bitch</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B5XZJW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000B5XZJW">Ain't That A Bitch</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000B5XZJW&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000B5XZJW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000B5XZJW">Ain't That A Bitch</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B000B5XZJW" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000B5XZJW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000B5XZJW">Ain't That A Bitch</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000B5XZJW" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-33635766506731992452011-06-18T15:13:00.002-06:002011-06-18T16:02:15.029-06:00Daniel Salinas - Atlantis (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj76xolHW60qvS-4NNplPeHsEqCtCLEYW1h1ZSaGTVSBMETA84_COflhpNTVH4D-gH6BYdZaCY9TJa67ShwPVmz0h6c06pDswOl6NzEFZGWlV4hKRkqxA9VaNWDMlVvixE1aS7LIL75j6E/s1600/Daniel+Salinas+-+Atlantis+1974.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj76xolHW60qvS-4NNplPeHsEqCtCLEYW1h1ZSaGTVSBMETA84_COflhpNTVH4D-gH6BYdZaCY9TJa67ShwPVmz0h6c06pDswOl6NzEFZGWlV4hKRkqxA9VaNWDMlVvixE1aS7LIL75j6E/s320/Daniel+Salinas+-+Atlantis+1974.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619671189277980946" /></a><br /><div>Daniel Salinas, from Sao Paolo, released only two albums. "Paz Amor E Samba," from 1972, was a collection of samba and other Brazilian styles. In 1974, "Atlantis" - a jazz-funk masterpiece in a Blaxploitation soundtrack style - was released. The ambitious album is a mix of electric grooves, Baroque instrumentations, horns, conga, flute, and Fender Rhodes, sometimes dance-funky and other times classical-mellow. The album features a killer funk version of Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra," here named "Straussmania" (a song made popular as the theme to Stanley Kubrick's 1968 movie, "2001: A Space Odyssey," and recorded two years earlier by another Brazilian, keyboard maestro Deodato).</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Daniel-Salinas-Atlantis/master/335164">Atlantis</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009E3CTS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0009E3CTS">Atlantis</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009E3CTS&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0009E3CTS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0009E3CTS">Atlantis</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B0009E3CTS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009E3CTS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0009E3CTS">Atlantis</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0009E3CTS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-83541344971369154952011-06-18T14:20:00.003-06:002011-06-25T14:34:29.226-06:00Junior Parker - Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On (1971)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C7uSkk56oo8EGoR9ojxGLlJ05EUdbSmNDgTQcOrbZ91-dReYggqRUnwNiqBUJ1r3cmJOIqohsvXnwRVHXIYg3gHPzI3Zkd4jR20SQdEDyFopOMXJc0jQYx1MUD3ZWkey84JMGVfEsCHB/s1600/Junior+Parker+-+Love+Ain%2527t+Nothin%2527+But+A+Business+Goin%2527+On.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C7uSkk56oo8EGoR9ojxGLlJ05EUdbSmNDgTQcOrbZ91-dReYggqRUnwNiqBUJ1r3cmJOIqohsvXnwRVHXIYg3gHPzI3Zkd4jR20SQdEDyFopOMXJc0jQYx1MUD3ZWkey84JMGVfEsCHB/s320/Junior+Parker+-+Love+Ain%2527t+Nothin%2527+But+A+Business+Goin%2527+On.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619661367976980466" /></a><br /><div>Bluesman Junior Parker was born in Mississippi in 1932. As a teen he worked with and learned from some of the early greats of Blues music, from Sonny Boy Williamson to Howlin' Wolf to Bobby "Blue" Bland to B.B. King. Parker released a string of singles through the 50's and 60's, with many scoring well on the R&B charts. He died from a brain tumour in 1971, the same year that "Love Ain't Nothin'..." was released. The album - a real gem from start to finish - combines soul, funk and blues in a hip pot-pourri that avoids many of the clichés of other blues albums of the time. Parker's velvet-smooth, honeyed vocals shine through on the title track, along with "Outside Man" and "River's Invitation," while three Beatles covers - "Taxman," "Lady Madonna" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" - are pure quality. Al Green, on his 1974 album "...Explores Your Mind," dedicated the song "Take Me To The River" to Parker, describing him as "a cousin of mine who's gone on, and we'd kinda like to carry on in his name." Strong tribute indeed!</div><div><br /></div><div>Go to Discogs for album info:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Junior-Parker-Love-Aint-Nothin-But-A-Business-Goin-On/release/1395724">Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available at Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NO2CWM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000NO2CWM">Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000NO2CWM&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000NO2CWM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000NO2CWM">Love Ain't Nothin But A Business Goin' On</a></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NO2CWM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000NO2CWM">Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business Goin' On</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000NO2CWM" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-12148157108769773522011-06-18T11:58:00.003-06:002011-06-18T14:06:12.110-06:00Exit 9 - Straight Up (1975)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEu84bLJzyYK9H3qcyoMGbnKe0tMkCtXS-6g8Mx-MdfEm1LVBfEBaW6x9ZFdSk7vhrzkE-cFiMyRaT-N5X9hV3ZQDh3ttAS8fg3s35C7o6dtNi57VvvOQXmT4yCEPdDo6Q3t60VcnDSDs/s1600/Exit+9+-+Straight+Up.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEu84bLJzyYK9H3qcyoMGbnKe0tMkCtXS-6g8Mx-MdfEm1LVBfEBaW6x9ZFdSk7vhrzkE-cFiMyRaT-N5X9hV3ZQDh3ttAS8fg3s35C7o6dtNi57VvvOQXmT4yCEPdDo6Q3t60VcnDSDs/s320/Exit+9+-+Straight+Up.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619621064322466514" /></a><br /><div>"Straight Up" was the only album released by Exit 9, a nine-piece funk band out of New York. The group was a young one, with all members aged between of 16 and 20 when "Straight Up" was recorded. Originally called "Qualified Funk", the group built a reputation as a solid soul/rock outfit. A few months before this album was recorded, the group signed on with new managers, John Jenkins and Modeste Clark, changed their name to Exit 9, and shifted to a more dance music approach, with funky rhythms, strong melodies, tight brass, and guitars adding a raw edge to many of the songs. "Miss Funky Fox," an upbeat dancefloor favourite, is probably the best known track, but the entire album is strong, with highlights including the title track and "Jive Man," both infectious, up tempo groovers, and the mellow "Thoughts Of You." Exit 9's sound has been compared to pre-disco Bohannon and early Kool And The Gang - heady company to say the least! No wonder "Straight Up" is so popular with crate diggers and groove junkies!</div><div><br /></div><div>Album information on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Exit-9-Straight-Up/release/554311">Straight Up</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Find it on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006J3WR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00006J3WR">Straight Up</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00006J3WR&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00005NSAF/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B00005NSAF">Straight Up</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B00005NSAF" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00006J3WR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00006J3WR">Straight Up</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B00006J3WR" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-41070702832300469242011-06-16T22:14:00.004-06:002011-06-16T22:40:23.869-06:00Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Winter In America (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWKz2t_VFef5IQzhrhkFzOMFHnwIbCJePkG1RFGZvyS89YBjb-dEBAgybH6Qjhn6-Zctmj63Wf5TuXtBNpxx3GNJM24lBqycRfp8FTs8kDulUXyqiOeRg5W3BvGdQq2-azoHt1rnO8Bmk/s1600/Gil+Scott-Heron+1974-+Winter+In+America.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWKz2t_VFef5IQzhrhkFzOMFHnwIbCJePkG1RFGZvyS89YBjb-dEBAgybH6Qjhn6-Zctmj63Wf5TuXtBNpxx3GNJM24lBqycRfp8FTs8kDulUXyqiOeRg5W3BvGdQq2-azoHt1rnO8Bmk/s320/Gil+Scott-Heron+1974-+Winter+In+America.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619037582687977282" /></a><br /><div>For all that Brian Jackson played a large part in his first 3 albums, Gil Scott Heron's 4th album, "Winter In America," was the first to be released with both musicians' names on the cover. Like "Pieces Of A Man," this is a solid, cohesive effort, with not a weak track to be found. The two standout tracks are "H2Ogate Blues," a stinging commentary on Tricky Dick Nixon's second term as president, and the stellar "The Bottle," a grooving, lyrical and powerful anti-alcohol warning. This is another highlight of Heron's ouvre, and together with "Pieces Of A Man," a great place to start a collection of his works.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. from Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Gil-Scott-Heron-Brian-Jackson-Winter-In-America/master/7849">Winter In America</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available from Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BL0B1I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B003BL0B1I">Winter In America</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003BL0B1I&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003BL0B1I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B003BL0B1I">Winter In America</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B003BL0B1I" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-51113009682098154362011-06-11T12:09:00.005-06:002011-06-11T22:49:16.772-06:00Gil Scott-Heron - Free Will (1972)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IbAEsrXowQEGU88cUMIHESZdGhvDUFQDoFIx4sT6tGXBmzW6dAUeGB6KVuKQEmHsMP54kvV5blWyAKwCB7W_zW8hFKQ5AkN-m8KDeOL7F23KpHFHZpqftrO0QdWOxwwc8lV-zNzBUsRD/s1600/Gil+Scott-Heron+1972+-+Free+Will.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IbAEsrXowQEGU88cUMIHESZdGhvDUFQDoFIx4sT6tGXBmzW6dAUeGB6KVuKQEmHsMP54kvV5blWyAKwCB7W_zW8hFKQ5AkN-m8KDeOL7F23KpHFHZpqftrO0QdWOxwwc8lV-zNzBUsRD/s320/Gil+Scott-Heron+1972+-+Free+Will.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617026544286039650" /></a><br /><div>Gil Scott-Heron's third album is something of a mishmash of the first two - part confrontational, spoken word, rhythmic poetry, and part soul-jazz-funk-blues musical genius. On Side 1 - the music side - Gil, backed by many of the same musicians as on "Pieces Of A Man," excels. The title track, "The Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues," "Speed Kills" and "Did You Hear What They Said?" are all classics. Side 2 is a mixed bag, ranging from the blunt, paranoid conspiracy theory of "The King Alfred Plan" to the simple and subtle "Billy Green Is Dead" to the tongue-in-cheek flippancy of "Sex Education: Ghetto Style." Overall a bit of a mixed bag, but still a strong effort with typical Scott-Heron inventiveness and insight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out Discogs for album info:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Gil-Scott-Heron-Free-Will/master/7641">Free Will</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Available on Import CD from Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008OJSS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399701&creativeASIN=B00008OJSS">Free Will</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00008OJSS&camp=217153&creative=399701" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-65311270715990105282011-06-05T21:00:00.008-06:002011-06-11T22:50:05.613-06:00Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces Of A Man (1971)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2dgfGE0Jrd9WanAcMz1ifbXyWVheX2dfcgtB2roK8z9ou5yUy5sw8YdCQj83n9DF1v6CtgVfg8thhSFCQjXexZRzQPrTEjyp4f1Klu4otXuum27GOsEoPwrwth0XBwScI3pvZV-6jNaQ/s1600/Gil+Scott-Heron+1971+-+Pieces+Of+A+Man.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2dgfGE0Jrd9WanAcMz1ifbXyWVheX2dfcgtB2roK8z9ou5yUy5sw8YdCQj83n9DF1v6CtgVfg8thhSFCQjXexZRzQPrTEjyp4f1Klu4otXuum27GOsEoPwrwth0XBwScI3pvZV-6jNaQ/s320/Gil+Scott-Heron+1971+-+Pieces+Of+A+Man.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614936409250446882" /></a><br /><div>Gil Scott-Heron's second album, "Pieces Of A Man," was far more musical than his minimalist, poetic debut. Backed up by a bevy of talented musicians, including Ron Carter, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Hubert Laws, and soon-to-be main collaborator Brian Jackson, the album was quite possibly his most cohesive and accessible. Of Scott-Heron's voice, Carter would later say, "He wasn't a great singer, but with that voice, if he whispered it would have been dynamic. It was a voice like you would have for Shakespeare." Dynamic and full of feeling certainly applies to this collection, with not a weak piece to be heard. My fave's include the reworked "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," the biting, honest "Home Is Where The Hatred Is," and the haunting "Pieces Of A Man." If you're a fan of Gil Scott-Heron, you probably have this already; if not, this is as good a place to start appreciating his genius!</div><div><br /></div><div>On to Discogs for album info:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Gil-Scott-Heron-Pieces-Of-A-Man/master/7608">Pieces Of A Man</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-31985804057187242322011-06-05T20:24:00.005-06:002011-06-11T22:15:29.882-06:00Gil Scott-Heron - Small Talk At 125th And Lenox (1970)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZpq3Qfbn5P3Ahhk-Zwha2u-VkMaXpyAsEoPGa3-Kdk_Nf_bYQDA0zWE2Y55kAIahMAOt3HjGGSjB8sksoa-z_Yp851WoHpN8mLmkQzYAtTkpym8JqGPkyjpSpTslF9uvVVMujVM3Ww-F/s1600/Gil+Scott-Heron+1970+-+Small+Talk+At+125th+And+Lenox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZpq3Qfbn5P3Ahhk-Zwha2u-VkMaXpyAsEoPGa3-Kdk_Nf_bYQDA0zWE2Y55kAIahMAOt3HjGGSjB8sksoa-z_Yp851WoHpN8mLmkQzYAtTkpym8JqGPkyjpSpTslF9uvVVMujVM3Ww-F/s320/Gil+Scott-Heron+1970+-+Small+Talk+At+125th+And+Lenox.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614927336294770498" /></a><br /><div>Gil Scott-Heron died just over a week ago, on May 27th, 2011. One of THE black musical pioneers of the 70's, his death passed almost as a footnote; I didn't learn of his passing until several days later when "R.I.P." posts of his better known albums suddenly started appearing on other blogs. Out of the limelight since the early 80's, it's hardly surprising that his end went almost unnoticed; at the same time, the loss of the man many consider the father of Rap and Hip Hop (a title Scott-Heron actively avoided) should probably have received greater coverage. As a high school and college student in the 60's, Scott-Heron studied writing and poetry, and it was through these media that he first garnered attention. He first gave serious consideration to music as a medium for expression in 1969, after the Last Poets played a concert at his university, and in 1970, his debut album, "Small Talk..." was released. Mostly spoken-word, in a live setting and with minimal accompaniment, the album took on varied themes, from the hypocrisy of many black "revolutionaries," to the superficiality of TV and mass consumerism, to the ignorance of the white middle classes regarding difficulties faced in inner-city ghettos. Highlights included "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," possibly his best known song, along with the title track, "Enough" and "Everyday". This album is hard to find on CD - hopefully his passing brings Scott-Heron's music renewed attention, and a re-issue of his catalogue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album information on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Gil-Scott-Heron-Small-Talk-At-125th-And-Lenox/master/7675">Small Talk At 125th And Lenox</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-45156154605500162192011-05-28T07:23:00.005-06:002011-05-28T10:17:34.544-06:00Syl Johnson - Is It Because I'm Black (1970)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDhTMSpkycvnkkDdw-YYEHT9r1NA8sRWjw5j-1Tg4eDMI1iXgu1gKqcfwOlTmcfSlXuQsuYWo0d2HlaIOY4zrP6n5vZccVBEEmxPNxKBnEjHaxs3ai2tuWmbk8CvHIYiIHVuZ8cOHb94I/s1600/Syl+Johnson+-+Is+It+Because+I%2527m+Black.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDhTMSpkycvnkkDdw-YYEHT9r1NA8sRWjw5j-1Tg4eDMI1iXgu1gKqcfwOlTmcfSlXuQsuYWo0d2HlaIOY4zrP6n5vZccVBEEmxPNxKBnEjHaxs3ai2tuWmbk8CvHIYiIHVuZ8cOHb94I/s320/Syl+Johnson+-+Is+It+Because+I%2527m+Black.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611758307135290274" /></a><br /><div>"Is It Because I'm Black" is yet another candidate for the "Best Album I Never Heard" prize. At the time of release, Syl Johnson had been living and recording in the Chicago area for several years. Like many black artists of the time, his writing often took on social issues such as poverty and equality, and with this album, these themes became a unifying focus, to the extent that "Is It Because I'm Black" is considered by some to be the first black, political concept album, and a precursor to such classics as Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and Sly & The Family Stone's "There's A Riot Going On." The title track is a drawn out, bluesy, gritty groover, with Syl pleading the case for his race. The song reached #11 on the R&B charts, and was also a minor hit on the Pop charts. "Concrete Jungle," another highlight that broke the R&B top 30, draws parallels between the black experience and that of Native Americans, with the difference being location of their reservations. The album closes strongly with "Right On," a rambling, energetic funk masterpiece. Definitely worth a listen, if you can find it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Syl-Johnson-Is-It-Because-Im-Black/master/221532">Is It Because I'm Black</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Available as part of 2-for-1 CD on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000013C2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0000013C2">Dresses Too Short & Is It Because I'm Black</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000013C2&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0000013C2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0000013C2">Dresses Too Short & Is It Because I'm Black</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B0000013C2" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000013C2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0000013C2">Dresses Too Short & Is It Because I'm Black</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0000013C2" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-46758670111064661782011-05-23T15:39:00.005-06:002011-05-25T21:11:24.571-06:00Brass Construction - Brass Construction (1975)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASE1zjq3AuFmCaQbkER04kdMZXn5C5hwTqSNQzMt7H6z4F-674Plt_A9IvPvMXwq_q_AKsizOhHujw_n89OKzzIWiZJxDH8GmEhFeSqq7SFrnY7uZpOrr4P8-FTeNtLzR2caMeGKkavlh/s1600/Brass+Construction+-+Brass+Construction+1975.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASE1zjq3AuFmCaQbkER04kdMZXn5C5hwTqSNQzMt7H6z4F-674Plt_A9IvPvMXwq_q_AKsizOhHujw_n89OKzzIWiZJxDH8GmEhFeSqq7SFrnY7uZpOrr4P8-FTeNtLzR2caMeGKkavlh/s320/Brass+Construction+-+Brass+Construction+1975.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610029632843869842" /></a><br /><div>Brass Construction, originally known as Dynamic Soul, came together in Brooklyn in 1968. They were signed by United Artists in 1975, with their self-titled debut released later that year. Although the funk ensemble recorded at an album-a-year pace over the next decade, "Brass Construction" almost certainly counts as their most successful collection. Brass Construction's dance-funk sound was centred on the horn section, though most songs also featured vocals. The standout track here is the first single, "Movin'," a catchy, energetic, up-tempo dance number that would be the group's only chart topper (reaching #1 on the US R&B chart in 1976). The follow-up, "Changin'," also did well, reaching #24, while "Love" and "Dance" were also strong efforts. The group would only crack the top 10 again once, with the single "Ha Cha Cha" from their second album reaching #8 on the R&B chart in 1977.</div><div><br /></div><div>Discogs page for album info:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Brass-Construction-Brass-Construction/master/6408">Brass Construction</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IS03E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0002IS03E">Brass Construction</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0002IS03E&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0002IS03E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0002IS03E">Brass Construction</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B0002IS03E" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002IS03E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0002IS03E">Brass Construction</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0002IS03E" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-27345363276512063752011-05-23T14:36:00.005-06:002011-05-24T19:23:42.766-06:00Tom Scott & The L.A. Express - Tom Cat (1975)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LJMasgHuecz_pW5GFCuIZ7VNBRcLnFmD7iUDnjm9zxkiIgs5hLb3pjlwRaDk3Hk_mfT3_Ove7O6Ok98xqW1qmcwQPaVS08gguh0PIi4sJGTtxcOuP5GtLKL5kVGaDZ_Rc9T9DEo05vd4/s1600/Tom+Scott+%2526+The+L.A.+Express+-+Tom+Cat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LJMasgHuecz_pW5GFCuIZ7VNBRcLnFmD7iUDnjm9zxkiIgs5hLb3pjlwRaDk3Hk_mfT3_Ove7O6Ok98xqW1qmcwQPaVS08gguh0PIi4sJGTtxcOuP5GtLKL5kVGaDZ_Rc9T9DEo05vd4/s320/Tom+Scott+%2526+The+L.A.+Express+-+Tom+Cat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610013274946153074" /></a><br /><div>"Tom Cat" was the second album for the brief-lived Tom Scott & The L.A. Express. Larry Carlton and Joe Sample left after the recording of the group's debut and the sessions backing up Joni Mitchell on her "Court And Spark" album. Robben Ford took over from Carlton on Guitars, and Larry Nash replaced Sample as pianist. "Tom Cat" proved popular and sold well. Highlight tracks included "Rock Island Rocket," "Tom Cat," "Keep On Doin' It" and "Refried." Scott left the band to perform solo after this album, after which the remaining L.A. Express recorded two more albums before calling it quits.</div><div><br /></div><div>Info. from Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Tom-Scott-LA-Express-Tom-Cat/master/138253">Tom Cat</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available from Amazon Marketplace:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002AE7/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B000002AE7">Tom Cat</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002AE7&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0012GN33C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0012GN33C">Tom Cat</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B0012GN33C" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0012GN33C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0012GN33C">Tom Cat</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0012GN33C" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-18285576756357790072011-05-23T13:44:00.005-06:002011-05-24T19:20:35.682-06:00Tom Scott & The L.A. Express - Tom Scott & The L.A. Express (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7NLov9-K_m8eeuOO402_u_HCJhVzwSHN_UrBbN_Lyep9oxBz7tC4F8LCYrBgc_y7I5-mOoFD2fZ3H-P5149hMRfS13FQsmyzDqlmPIHNfYqAF7kBddFo8eCn10AVgWlFs7Kp-dca4aP6/s1600/Tom+Scott+-+LA+Express.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7NLov9-K_m8eeuOO402_u_HCJhVzwSHN_UrBbN_Lyep9oxBz7tC4F8LCYrBgc_y7I5-mOoFD2fZ3H-P5149hMRfS13FQsmyzDqlmPIHNfYqAF7kBddFo8eCn10AVgWlFs7Kp-dca4aP6/s320/Tom+Scott+-+LA+Express.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610000355663120290" /></a><br /><div>Saxophonist Tom Scott is probably best known for his TV series compositions, including the theme songs for "Starsky & Hutch" and "The Streets of San Francisco." As a teen, Tom led a jazz ensemble called the Neoteric Trio. He was also a "first-call" (high demand) session musician. Over the course of his career, on top of his own solo and lead work, he played back-up to the likes of the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd and Quincy Jones, among others. In 1973, the L.A. Express formed as Tom's backing band. The original lineup featured Max Bennett, John Guerin, Larry Carlton and Joe Sample. This group was short-lived, recording the album "Tom Scott & The L.A. Express" and playing back-up on a number of tracks on Joni Mitchell's "Court And Spark" album. By the time the group's second album "Tom Cat" was recorded, Carlton and Sample had left. The songs on "Tom Scott & The L.A. Express" are all jazz funk instrumentals, with a heavy sax emphasis. Highlights include "L.A. Express," "Strut Your Stuff" and "Sneakin' In The Back" (from which the opening bass riff was sampled by Massive Attack for the song "Blue Lines").</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. available on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Tom-Scott-And-The-LA-Express-Tom-Scott-And-The-LA-Express/master/188116">Tom Scott & The L.A. Express</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Available from Amazon Marketplace:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002AE6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B000002AE6">Tom Scott & The L.A. Express</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002AE6&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000002AE6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000002AE6">Tom Scott & The L.A. Express</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B000002AE6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000002AE6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000002AE6">Tom Scott & The L.A. Express</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000002AE6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-45690416864740161032011-04-26T21:08:00.002-06:002011-04-26T21:37:57.388-06:00The Counts - Funk Pump (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m_-HM0bE5fQ24VMP2nOsLYpslVWZERLsuRcF3nxcncAE529zxX3m1tEt9z7nydWxVtqysjiaEPV-Di9wVmWFC8fr-ViWfHbYiA_OZFojiDL8cgtjwntVcp91cxmCqj0xrS1RAtCOqG0E/s1600/The+Counts+-+Funk+Pump.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m_-HM0bE5fQ24VMP2nOsLYpslVWZERLsuRcF3nxcncAE529zxX3m1tEt9z7nydWxVtqysjiaEPV-Di9wVmWFC8fr-ViWfHbYiA_OZFojiDL8cgtjwntVcp91cxmCqj0xrS1RAtCOqG0E/s320/The+Counts+-+Funk+Pump.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600095068040326690" /></a><br /><div>The Counts began life in Detroit in 1968 as the Fabulous Counts. In their original incarnation, they were well know for their instrumental prowess, and for backing up solo artists visiting the Detroit area. After releasing the album "Jan, Jan" with Cotillion in 1969, the group moved to Westbound Records, dropping the "Fabulous" from their name, but not from their music. They only released one album with Westbound before moving on again to Aware Records in Atlanta (Westbound chose to focus on Ohio Players and Funkadelic at their expense). None of the three funk albums released by the Counts in the early 70's sold spectacularly, but all charted. The group split up in 1976. The Counts' sound is full-on funky groove - part blaxploitation, part Fatback, part Kool And The Gang - with toe tapping basslines, wa-wa guitars and soaring horns. The slow, jazzy groover "Tecalli" is worth the price of admission all by itself, while the title track, "Magic Ride" and "Flies Over Watermelon" are also strong efforts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. on Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Counts-Funk-Pump/master/245586">Funk Pump</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-68873452757758631652011-04-26T18:54:00.003-06:002011-04-26T19:30:00.295-06:00Kool And The Gang - Spirit Of The Boogie (1975)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqsUGLwrL5j7bVqzpqH1AUUUiFo8TdX9k393qKXy6wUU2oIOAY70iCIkKpg31wflizwYUPPAj3YJJAq9WOuGNfylGRfuIFymOAZ5b1AdfrqtUL04WXTjAxXLbf6pHNsfp1cGPrD19DN5Q/s1600/Kool+And+The+Gang+-+Spirit+Of+The+Boogie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqsUGLwrL5j7bVqzpqH1AUUUiFo8TdX9k393qKXy6wUU2oIOAY70iCIkKpg31wflizwYUPPAj3YJJAq9WOuGNfylGRfuIFymOAZ5b1AdfrqtUL04WXTjAxXLbf6pHNsfp1cGPrD19DN5Q/s320/Kool+And+The+Gang+-+Spirit+Of+The+Boogie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600060943324352354" /></a><br /><div>"Spirit Of The Boogie" is a masterpiece that blends an incredible funk sensibility and energy with reverence for the groups musical and ancestral heritage. In 1975, Kool And The Gang were the kings of funk, and this album was their crowning glory. Even James Brown was in awe, saying, "They're the second baddest out there. They make such bad records that you got to be careful when you play a new tape on the way home from the record store. Their groove is so strong you could wreck." The title track made it to #1 on the Black Singles chart, while "Carribean Festival" reached #6. Both songs also did well on the Pop Singles chart. Two album releases in 1976 ("Love & Understanding" and "Open Sesame") were commercially less successful, and marked the end of KATG's funk period, and the beginning or their transition to disco later in the decade.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. from Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Kool-The-Gang-Spirit-Of-The-Boogie/master/99539">Spirit Of The Boogie</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-17028511120881240742011-04-25T17:29:00.006-06:002012-02-14T06:26:38.883-07:00George McCrae - Rock Your Baby (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLDJ6EfmGYzGpy352lHomTM8-tDcCyfNTmtCeGwR054AZhgSBlA1abP1jqRsJf3p6HSnY99Xhc31qD7QZlNU66b4mcdUwTgEmIhKLhlga9e3mywrdaEEmyREeTNr24BOkdAIA2O3v3Lnf/s1600/George+McCrae+-+Rock+Your+Baby.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLDJ6EfmGYzGpy352lHomTM8-tDcCyfNTmtCeGwR054AZhgSBlA1abP1jqRsJf3p6HSnY99Xhc31qD7QZlNU66b4mcdUwTgEmIhKLhlga9e3mywrdaEEmyREeTNr24BOkdAIA2O3v3Lnf/s320/George+McCrae+-+Rock+Your+Baby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599668184874354146" /></a><br /><div>When George McCrae recorded "Rock Your Baby," he had been in the music business off and on for over a decade. He was about to give up on music, with plans to return to college to study law enforcement, when the opportunity to do vocals for the track arose out of the blue. Richard Finch and Harry Wayne Casey of KC & The Sunshine Band had recorded "Rock Your Baby" for their own group, but they couldn't hit the high notes. They were going to have Gwen McCrae, George's wife, sing it, but she was late for the session and George recorded it instead. The song became one of the first hits of the disco era, reaching #1 on both the Black and Billboard Pop singles charts in the US. The follow-up single, "I Can't Leave You Alone," also did relatively well, making it into the Top 10 on the Black Singles chart. The ensuing album, also titled "Rock Your Baby" and no doubt helped along by the first single, was a success, reaching #7 on the Black Album chart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. at Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/George-Mc-Crae-Rock-Your-Baby/master/122875">Rock Your Baby</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Available as part of 2-for-1 CD on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002VEQ0M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0002VEQ0M">Rock Your Baby & George McCrae</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0002VEQ0M&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="0" height="0" border="0" alt="" style="border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border-color: initial !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; display: none !important; visibility: hidden !important; opacity: 0 !important; " /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0002VEQ0M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0002VEQ0M">Rock Your Baby & George McCrae</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B0002VEQ0M" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002VEQ0M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0002VEQ0M">Rock Your Baby & George McCrae</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0002VEQ0M" width="0" height="0" border="0" alt="" style="border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border-color: initial !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; display: none !important; visibility: hidden !important; opacity: 0 !important; " /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-21798050202302673932011-04-25T17:02:00.006-06:002011-05-25T21:16:06.284-06:00Gwen McCrae - Something So Right (1976)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ2lHYkoHsX2osQUEGJws1ohNRynwCgmske73dQrOtIRJlFRs0-fy5JlpyC0NsGue-wcooALduoNatTXrPOBRLqiDNmxApfmP5X2zr-cLBBXmnH4vayikAXgT_rhsowsFwcDmC8UR3a_A/s1600/Gwen+McCrae+-+Something+So+Right+1975.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ2lHYkoHsX2osQUEGJws1ohNRynwCgmske73dQrOtIRJlFRs0-fy5JlpyC0NsGue-wcooALduoNatTXrPOBRLqiDNmxApfmP5X2zr-cLBBXmnH4vayikAXgT_rhsowsFwcDmC8UR3a_A/s320/Gwen+McCrae+-+Something+So+Right+1975.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599660817719715554" /></a><br /><div>"Something So Right" was released shortly after the break-up of Gwen's marriage to George McCrae, a recording artist in his own right. The two had recorded together as a duo through the late 60's before transitioning to working solo in the early 70's. After George's unexpected 1974 hit, "Rock Your Baby" (which was supposed to be a song for Gwen but was recorded by George when she couldn't make it to the studio), and Gwen's own hit, "Rockin' Chair," individual success began to take a toll on the marriage. An album of duets failed to repair the relationship, and the couple separated. "Something So Right" came out a short while later, with the song "Damn Right It's Good" charting successfully. Other strong efforts included the title track and "I've Got Nothing To Lose But The Blues."<br /><div><br /></div><div>On to Discogs for album info:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Gwen-McCrae-Something-So-Right/master/304410">Something So Right</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Available on 2-for-1 CD from Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009Y8MMK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0009Y8MMK">Rockin' Chair & Something So Right</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009Y8MMK&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0009Y8MMK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0009Y8MMK">Rockin' Chair & Something So Right</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=15&a=B0009Y8MMK" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009Y8MMK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0009Y8MMK">Rockin' Chair & Something So Right</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0009Y8MMK" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-86540542355756043842011-04-25T16:41:00.006-06:002011-04-25T22:55:32.350-06:00Brother To Brother - In The Bottle (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VepAWZgkjcvQLT3Y3P0SE8f_wg-QoyfZwr5wODmP6PI-h-9VCKehhjiU4obB93V0Gi0OD9gx5cySOeuHmXToWXDF2LS9JrZakZwbXsJf_xxMEU-oBSXHEpt8L54afrt3cVWtH1csyDoi/s1600/Brother+To+Brother+-+1974+-+In+The+Bottle.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VepAWZgkjcvQLT3Y3P0SE8f_wg-QoyfZwr5wODmP6PI-h-9VCKehhjiU4obB93V0Gi0OD9gx5cySOeuHmXToWXDF2LS9JrZakZwbXsJf_xxMEU-oBSXHEpt8L54afrt3cVWtH1csyDoi/s320/Brother+To+Brother+-+1974+-+In+The+Bottle.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599655185352906418" /></a><br /><div>Brother To Brother was formed in St. Louis in the early 70's by Michael Burton and a group of studio musicians. "In The Bottle" was the band's debut album, and they would go on to release two others on Turbo Records. The head of Turbo was Sylvia Robinson, founder of Sugar Hill records later in the decade, so the group was in good hands musically. "In The Bottle" is a fairly typical album for this period - funky, with some nifty jazzy touches and a club groove feel. Wood, Brass & Steel (also with Turbo) provided back-up. Highlights of the set include the title track (a fantastic cover of the Gil Scott-Heron original) and Norman Whitfield's "I Wish It Would Rain," along with "Big Brother" and "Mother Earth."</div><div><br /></div><div>Info. on the album from Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Brother-To-Brother-In-The-Bottle/master/310165">In The Bottle</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-49172613838991226702011-04-22T11:46:00.004-06:002011-05-25T21:19:25.062-06:00Ohio Players - Angel (1977)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHTyJk-JBIg7w5U3Xuy5lO1WKdT_Lx8Nyym_ShfpvkLCxqWzzx93LucogkPp9NFCD8NeRh-4KODZKfoVgTu3XQvm9ktY_F5rFkg8cHF-B5b2ahyfiNeNGPdV0g_J8J5jxnvuT68tqmSBg/s1600/Ohio+Players+-+Angel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHTyJk-JBIg7w5U3Xuy5lO1WKdT_Lx8Nyym_ShfpvkLCxqWzzx93LucogkPp9NFCD8NeRh-4KODZKfoVgTu3XQvm9ktY_F5rFkg8cHF-B5b2ahyfiNeNGPdV0g_J8J5jxnvuT68tqmSBg/s320/Ohio+Players+-+Angel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598466002361912290" /></a><br /><div>Ohio Players were probably as well known for their album covers as for their music. While the covers probably helped sell a few records, the music was top quality, too. The core members of the band got together in 1959 as the Ohio Untouchables, and stayed together through various projects through the 60's (including a period as house band for Compass Records in New York). Things kicked into gear in 1972 with the release of "Pain," the first of four albums (not counting the compilation "Rattlesnake) on the Westbound label. "Angel" was the group's 12th album, and the 6th with Mercury Records. Highlights of the album include the title track and three singles, "Body Vibe," "Merry Go Round" and "O-H-I-O" (which became a concert favourite, with crowds shouting out the letters during choruses).</div><div><br /></div><div>Album info. can be found at Discogs:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Ohio-Players-Angel/master/91563">Angel</a></div><div><br /></div><div>CD available as part of 2-for-1 CD on Amazon:</div><div>(amazon.com) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039L1JF2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0039L1JF2">Angel & Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0039L1JF2&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div><div>(amazon.ca) <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0039L1JF2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0039L1JF2">Angel & Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee</a></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0039L1JF2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B0039L1JF2"></a>(amazon.co.uk) <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0039L1JF2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=funkcove-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0039L1JF2">Angel & Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B0039L1JF2" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-36432515361396891772011-04-22T08:34:00.012-06:002011-06-25T17:15:16.364-06:00The Undisputed Truth - Face To Face With The Truth (1972) and Law Of The Land (1973)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoRtYo5hyphenhyphenHk7Lfgb34TajbHYm7Q50xM8j_DcYCsYmETweCJSyNtLXTPAV0_qLhoXJZyYyeQDmqsly8_obxYCdCLxSEahq-DrgIgvjkPw6PpFRas-HEv0NsHYCxB0W4D8vuP7X8tYWvuNp/s1600/The+Undisputed+Truth+-+Face+To+Face+With+The+Truth+1972.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoRtYo5hyphenhyphenHk7Lfgb34TajbHYm7Q50xM8j_DcYCsYmETweCJSyNtLXTPAV0_qLhoXJZyYyeQDmqsly8_obxYCdCLxSEahq-DrgIgvjkPw6PpFRas-HEv0NsHYCxB0W4D8vuP7X8tYWvuNp/s320/The+Undisputed+Truth+-+Face+To+Face+With+The+Truth+1972.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622299897519804066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsyxh8BLofa3j3P_QkZ_L92FJq9SqC4O852ziPy6MpoXrfxoI7ep37yaTEdutkxdVCl6loT-9GOzVN1ac_LSpuikBS4mrm9U1cQawEOlAk4H6r-jze8ohuJHeuYX0DQHQbDUQKjhH569_/s1600/The+Undisputed+Truth+-+Law+Of+The+Land+1973.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsyxh8BLofa3j3P_QkZ_L92FJq9SqC4O852ziPy6MpoXrfxoI7ep37yaTEdutkxdVCl6loT-9GOzVN1ac_LSpuikBS4mrm9U1cQawEOlAk4H6r-jze8ohuJHeuYX0DQHQbDUQKjhH569_/s320/The+Undisputed+Truth+-+Law+Of+The+Land+1973.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622299890591779522" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The second and third albums by the Undisputed Truth saw more crossover with the work of the Temptations, with versions of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth," "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ungena Za Ulimwengu," "Friendship Train," "Law Of The Land" and "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." Much of the other material on these albums also consisted of covers, with highlights including an extended version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," and a rather attractive reading of Lori Lieberman's "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (completely overshadowed by Roberta Flack's Grammy-winning version released at almost the same time).</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Album info. from Discogs:</span></span></div></div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Undisputed-Truth-Face-To-Face-With-The-Truth/master/55674"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Face To Face With The Truth</span></span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Undisputed-Truth-Law-Of-The-Land/master/55692"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Law Of The Land</span></span></a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483563961253816542.post-24727711189323921782011-04-22T07:16:00.004-06:002011-04-22T08:34:13.929-06:00The Undisputed Truth - The Undisputed Truth (1971)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesdNC1LZc9pT3UoqhwFasA9haFctOnyH6bRUtk4pXc3PKJ-C1pb8vWQZim86QCVRCHl6SbT0iE1Ko6w8k8K801fwjJfPVC3a7aCzUK4KhGf9vs_E37HdbDqFIV8m-h_cU4IagPMk8sGdD/s1600/The+Undisputed+Truth+1971.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesdNC1LZc9pT3UoqhwFasA9haFctOnyH6bRUtk4pXc3PKJ-C1pb8vWQZim86QCVRCHl6SbT0iE1Ko6w8k8K801fwjJfPVC3a7aCzUK4KhGf9vs_E37HdbDqFIV8m-h_cU4IagPMk8sGdD/s320/The+Undisputed+Truth+1971.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598410115418087042" /></a><br /><div>The Undisputed Truth came together as a trio in 1970. Original members were Joe Harris (formerly of the Preps, and involved with the Ohio Players in the 60's), and Billy Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce (previously with the Delicates, and back-up singers for Diana Ross, the Four Tops and Edwin Starr). The "project" was backed by Norman Whitfield, the famous Motown producer, who at the time was also reworking and reshaping the Temptations. The Undisputed Truth were always seen as something of a warm-up-band, with Whitfield using them to experiment on his psychedelic soul ideas (a number of Temptations songs were also recorded by this group); however, their work has merit in its own right, with great musicality and vocal quality. Highlights of "The Undisputed Truth," their debut album, include "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (which reached #3 on the R&B charts), "California Soul" and the hyper-extended, 11-minute "Ball Of Confusion."</div><div><br /></div><div>To Discogs for album info:</div><div><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Undisputed-Truth-The-The-Undisputed-Truth/master/167502">The Undisputed Truth</a></div>Hakushondaimaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169286916676582399noreply@blogger.com0