Posted on Radio

Be Our Guest: The Sandwitches on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Grace (L) and Hiedi of the Sandwitches Perform At KPFK

It was our great pleasure to welcome the Sandwitches into the KPFK studios a little while ago for a performance and interview. Because of the ongoing fundraiser we weren’t able to broadcast this session until this past Sunday, but it was well worth the wait. As I’ve mentioned here before, there aren’t a lot of bands around that sound quite like the Sandwitches. Grace, Hiedi and Roxy take a little bit of country, some indie-rock, add it to some bluesy soulful sounds and mix it all together in their music.

Roxy of the Sandwitches at KPFK

In the interview we discuss that sound, how they came up with the name the Sandwitches and a little bit on what I find to be the most distinctive quality of the band, the sound of their two vocalists. While a lot of groups harmonize their vocals, it’s rare to have two vocalists, who aren’t twins, play off of each other’s vocals like this, to the point where sometimes it’s hard to tell if there are two different vocalists. In this session, they play four songs, with Grace & Hiedi alternating lead vocals on each track. The first two songs, “The Pearl” and “Benny’s Memory Palace” are featured on their new 7″ on Hardly Art. The third song, “My Heart Does Swell,” is featured on their latest release Mrs. Jones’ Cookies on Empty Cellar records. The final song, “You Only Get What You Want” is a brand new song, previously unreleased and a special treat just for us.

The Sandwitches on KPFK’s Melting Pot: Recorded 11-02-2011

…as an added treat, here’s the performance that Roxie mentions in the interview, an acoustic version of “Summer of Love” recorded in the bathroom of Berkeley’s The Shattuck Down Low, that really shows that distinctive singing style of the group.

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: November 13th on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Back to business as usual this Sunday, after a successful fundraiser. Many thanks to everyone who supported Melting Pot and KPFK, and keep safe from corporate meddling. Yesterday’s show features the mad mix of styles you’d expect from Melting Pot. We got a bevy of new tunes from the likes of the Strange Boys, Terror Danjah, Phonte, Real Estate, Jose James and Atlas Sound, as well as some recently reissued gems from the Lijadu Sisters, El Rego, the Southland Singers, Hemany Bhole and The Matta Baby. The belle of the ball is the interview and performance from San Francisco’s The Sandwitches that starts off the second hour (separate post coming up). We pre-recorded this one a little over a week ago, but it’s well worth the wait to hear their special and haunting (especially on the last couple of tracks) blend of styles. A band definitely to watch in the next couple of years. Next week we have another recorded session (a preview of which you get in this show, their smashing version of “No No No”) that I’ve been dying to bring to you from the Boogaloo Assassins! Until then enjoy this week’s show.

Melting Pot on KPFK #63: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #63: Second Hour

Playlist: 11-13-11
{opening theme} Booker T & the MGs – Melting Pot – Melting Pot (Stax)

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Heavy D & the Boyz feat. Kool G. Rap, Grand Puba, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Q-Tip and Big Daddy Kane – Don’t Curse – Peaceful Journey (Uptown/MCA)
El Rego – Hessa – El Rego (Daptone)
Southland Singers – Save Me Jesus – This May Be My Last Time Singing (Tompkins Square)
The Flamin’ Groovies – Headin For The Texas Border – Flamingo (Kama Sutra)
The Strange Boys – Omnia Boa – Live Music (Rough Trade)
Roy Ayers – Red, Black and Green – Red, Black and Green (Polydor)

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Roy Ayers – People and The World – Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Polydor)
Terror Danjah feat. Meleka – You Make Me Feel – 12” (Hyperdub)
Hemany Bhole – Sansani Khez Koi Baat – Bollywood Bloodbath (Finders Keepers)
Atlas Sound – Parallax – Parallax (4ad)
Eugene Blacknell – Getting’ Down – These Are The Breaks (Ubiquity)

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Jose James – Trouble – 12” (Brownswood)
Horace Silver feat. Bill Henderson – Senor Blues – Senor Blues (Blue Note)
Boogaloo Assassins – No No No – Recorded Live at KPFK (KPFK Archives)
People Under The Stairs – Too Much Birthday – Highlighter (Piecelock 70)
The Matta Baby – Do the Pearl, Girl Part 2 – Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels (Numero)

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The Sandwitches – Interview and Performance – Recorded Live At KPFK (KPFK Archives)

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The Sandwitches – Joe Says – Mrs. Jones’ Cookies (Empty Cellar)
Real Estate – Younger Than Yesterday – Days (Domino)
Hunx & his Punx – Too Young To Be In Love – Too Young To Be In Love (Hardly Art)

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Phonte feat. eLZhi – Not Here Anymore – Charity Starts At Home (Foreign Exchange)
The Lijadu Sisters – Amebo – Danger (Knitting Factory)
The Rock*A*Teens – Losers Weepers – Cry (Daemon)

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{closing theme} Dungen – C. Visar Vagen – Tio Batar (Kemado)

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Mose Allison – Wild Man On The Loose – Atlantic (1966)

Mose Allison – Wild Man On The Loose
Mose Allison – No Trouble Livin’
Mose Allison – War Horse

There are few artists I can think of who can match the quiet coolness of Mose Allison. A major part of his coolness is in his voice. Born in Mississippi, Allison’s voice has a lot of the South in it. The words roll out with this smoothness that never sounds forced, never sounds like any thing other than just the man himself. It’s easy to see why this unaffected style has been such a big influence (though much more in the UK with Georgie Fame, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello), and it also fits the personality of his songwriting perfectly. Allison writes a lot of observational songs, often with wry witticisms that you just don’t find in a lot of “jazz” singers. His classic “Your Mind Is On Vacation” is probably his best example, but on this album “No Trouble Livin'” has always been a personal fave, with that chorus, “I Don’t Have No Trouble Livin, It’s Just the Dyin’ that bothers me”.

Another representative of that trademark sly style of Mose Allison is the title track of this record. “Wild Man On The Loose” remains my single favorite track from Mose, with it’s portrait of a man out for nothing but trouble. Even though all told the story is done in just a shade over 2 minutes, the “Wild Man” is so finely characterized that I could see him easily serving as the basis of a fantastically violent and debauched film.

Look out! Stand Back!
Wild man on the loose,
Been in the country for 30 days,
Saved up his money, got some hell to raise,
Soaking up that juice,
Wild man on the loose,

Look out! Stand back!
Panther on the prowl,
Get yourself some coffee and a glass of water,
Lock up your wife and hide your daughter,
There’s one man tonight to howl,
Panther on the prowl,

Look out! stand back!
Tiger in the street,
Gonna find a woman, beg, steal and borrow,
gonna wake up feelin’ bad tomorrow,
a fight will make the night complete,
Wild man in the street,

Look out! Stand back!

What kept this album in my mind over the years (I must have owned every Mose Allison album up to 1970 back when I had a load of records, even did a two-hour tribute to him back in the day on WRAS) was not just his singing and great style, but his playing as a piano player. This album has some of his best piano work on instrumental tracks like “Night Watch,” “Power House” and “War Horse.” As well known for being a King of Cool with his vocals, Mose was and is a highly under-rated piano player and someone who should truly take his place with all the greats in the post-bop era.

Interestingly enough (and a fact I was only aware of after I’d chosen to post this record), Mose just celebrated his 84th Birthday on 11-11-11. Even into his 80s, the man still performs, even recorded a new album last year and sounds just as cool as did when he stepped fully on the scene in 1957.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: V/A – This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel on 45 RPM 1957-1982 – Tompkins Square

The Southland Singers – Save Me Jesus

After thoroughly enjoying Tompkins Square’s collection Fire In My Bones, I was very excited to receive this companion volume. I was surprised at how little Gospel Funk ended up on this collection, especially given the fact that all the music was culled from 45s. But what the compilation lacks in funk it more than makes up in body moving, shoulder shaking, finger popping, soul clappin’, foot stomping and rockin’ gospel music (though still nothing nearly as rocking as the indefatigable classic “Rock’n’Roll Sermon” from Fire In My Bones, but then again NOTHING else rocks like this either!). My chosen track by the Southland Singers, “Save Me Jesus” gives you a good example of the more upbeat offerings from this collection. As with the prior volume, I personally wish things had been condensed into a single CD/LP, but with 72 total tracks there are certainly plenty of gems. Other personal faves include Sound of Soul’s “Perfect Like The Angels” with it’s synthesized drum beat sounds feeling strangely like a devotional version of Alan Vega’s music with Suicide. Another highlight is “Jesus on The Mainline” where the lead singer of the Whirlwinds extols the listener to call up Jesus on the “111” line and tell him what you want. I’m gonna call him and hope that he answers my prayers for even more collections in this fine series.

Posted on Ephemera

Giveaway: Real Estate @ the Echoplex November 12th!!!

Real Estate for me, at this particular moment, is the best band in all of indie-rockdom. Every single release has gotten better and better with each listen, and the release of their 2nd LP, Days, in the last month has reinforced everything I thought about the band over the last couple of years. They blend 60s surf guitar with 90s indie into a suburban inspired hazy mix that I find completely engrossing. Days (expect a review later this week) is one of the few records from this year that I could (and have) literally listen to again and again and again. This Saturday Real Estate are in Los Angeles playing at the Echoplex and you could have a chance to win tickets if you send an e-mail to michael[at]meltingpotblog.com by Friday at 12noon!!!

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: November 6th on KPFK’s Melting Pot…End of the Fundraiser!!!

For the first time in my 18 year radio career, I had the privilege of closing out a fundraiser on this Sunday’s Melting Pot. I was a pretty incredible experience, the chaos, the drama, and ultimately the truly rewarding experience of raising over $3000 for KPFK! Thanks to everyone who listens and especially to those of you who pledged during this, past or future fundraisers. I’m only able to have this kind of show because of the freedom you give us as programmers. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be broadcasting a couple of amazing performances recorded at KPFK while the fundraiser was going on and at the end of the month we’ll have an all Hendrix Birthday special. Onwards and upwards!

Melting Pot on KPFK #62: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #62: Second Hour

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Pete Rodriguez – Ay, Que Bueno!/Oh, That’s Nice! – Alegre (1967)

Pete Rodriguez – Oh That’s Nice
Pete Rodriguez – Fango
Pete Rodriguez – Asi Asi

Still mired in grading with my academic work, but here’s a brilliant no brainer of a latin LP. Joe Cuba’s “Bang Bang” might have been the first big Boogaloo song, but in my opinion, Pete Rodriguez’s “I Like It Like That” is one of the biggest latin crossover tracks of all time. Rodriguez and his band followed up that success with this LP, released later in 1967, and featuring one of my favorite all-time dance floor numbers, the title track “Oh That’s Nice.”

I’m a well known sucker for a soul clap, and I don’t think there’s another song that is soul clapperific as “Oh That’s Nice.” Right from the start the rhythm hits hard, those hand claps hit even harder and all together it makes it impossible to sit still. It’s a can’t miss and can’t fail track for just about any soul party. For me there’s nothing cooler than seeing a dance floor packed with people lift there hands up to sky during the breakdown in the middle and start clap along Pete Rodriguez and his band…pure magic.

Though “Nice” has been comped several times, this is definitely an LP worth tracking down, for a couple other nice Boogaloo tracks, including a rare all in spanish boogaloo “Asi, Asi” which breaks down just what the Boogaloo is all about (I’m pretty sure they say it’s like a crazy Guajira, no?), and the upbeat proto-Salsa tracks, “Que Mania” and “Fango.”

Quite nice indeed…

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: El Rego – El Rego – Daptone

El Rego – Dis-Moi Oui

Based on the recent reissues over the last couple of years from the Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo De Cotonou, it’s clear that Benin had some serious funk going on in the 1960s and 1970s. The godfather of all things funky in that country was Theophile Do Rego, better known as El Rego. Along with his group “The Commandos,” El Rego released some heavy heavy 45s that are now finally getting their proper due thanks to this fantastic collection from Daptone records. Upbeat burners like “Djobime,” “Cholera,” “Feeling You Got” and “Dis-Moi Oui,” the track I’ve selected here, show just how funky the man could get. Slower tracks like “Kpon Fi La” and “Ke Amon-Gbetchea” show the deep and soulful range of an artist everybody needs to get a little more familiar with.

Posted on Ephemera

Giveaway: Wild Flag @ the Troubadour November 2nd and November 3rd!!!

Even without a show today, I still get a chance to give some treats just ahead of Halloween. This is the second of two giveaways for this week, this time I have a pair of tickets available for All female Indie-Rock Supergroup Wild Flag, featuring Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney and Mary Timony of Helium. These women love to jump around, have fun and rock the house and you could be there if you win tickets! All you have to do is e-mail by 12noon on Tuesday November 1st to michael[at]meltingpotblog.com to get a chance to win for either show!

Posted on Ephemera

Giveaway: tUne-yArDs and Cut Chemist @ the Music Box November 2nd!!!

There’s no Melting Pot on KPFK today, but I still have some treats for you, this is the first of two giveaways for shows this week in LA. Electro-indie darlings tUne-yArDs and one of LA’s best DJs Mr. Cut Chemist perform live at the Music Box on November 2nd…I actually have a few pairs of these, so if you (or some of your friends too) would like to go courtesy of Melting Pot, make sure you send me an e-mail to michael[at]meltingpotblog.com by 12noon on Tuesday November 1st!!!

tUne-yArDs – Bizness

Cut Chemist – Sound of the Police (Live at Amoeba)

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: David Porter – Victim Of A Joke: An Opera – Enterprise (1971)

David Porter – Pretty Inside
David Porter – Storm In The Summertime
David Porter – I’m Afraid The Masquerade Is Over

Tracked down a copy of this in August, at a local record show that was going on just before my birthday. I think I was literally the last person to show up with most of the vendors having already packed up, and the rest starting to pack up. Kevin from Action Records had a spot there and was extra willing to make deals at the end of the day. This was a record I’d been looking for a solid copy of for quite some time and I was more than happy with where the price ended up given the time of day. Sometimes it seems, the late bird gets the worm too.

Most people know this record because of an absolutely monster of song, “I’m Afraid The Masquerade Is Over,” which has been sampled in some classic ways by a host of producers in Hip-Hop. The LP is also notable as a rare “Soul Opera,” a concept album that plays out with dialogue between each track and each song telling story that fits where the “Opera” is at.

The basic story is as follows, at a surprise birthday party thrown for David, he meets a girl, Shirley, who’s dating a friend of his. Against the wishes of his other friends he begins a relationship with this girl, leading to her boyfriend and his friends beating him up. Later as Dave tries to mend his wounds and his broken heart, the woman tells him that she’s leaving, but even though things are over, he can’t get this woman out of his mind. His friend attempts to take him to the beach for a beach party (which includes some unfortunate homophobia), but David can’t forget Shirley, eventually he discovers that she’s moved to Philly and, with his friend’s help, he appears to be on his way, I say appears because unfortunately we don’t really discover what happens. “Airplane Ticket, Bus Ride, Can I Borrow Your Car?” closes out the record but leaves things open as to whether David and Shirley actually get back together. I suspect Porter believed he’d be able to continue the story on his next record, but I also imagine that this record couldn’t have been very popular when it was released and any plans for a true follow-up must have been dashed.

The project for me is marred by the very elements that make it unique, the story telling segments that accompany each track. First off, the woman who is playing Shirley is clearly reading her lines, she has no rhythm to her lines and she doesn’t get into her role the way David gets into his lines, especially on the rap in the restaurant that begins “Pretty Inside.” I’m actually not sure why the album is even called Victim of a Joke, no one is joking with Porter on this record, unless he thinks falling in love is a joke. Perplexing…

There’s nothing perplexing at all about the music, in addition to “Masquerade,” this record includes a couple of Porter’s better songs, especially “Strom In The Summertime.” It also features a really amazing sound, especially the way the horns are captured. I’m not sure if Porter is responsible for that, or if we should thank the incomparable Dale Warren of 24-Carat Black fame. I lean towards Warren.

If the album had been released as a standard LP, without the serio-drama elements, I think it could have been a winner for Porter, especially if they’d released “Masquerade” as a two-part single. Posting this record, I find it funny how things seem to make more sense changing up the order here with Pretty Inside then to Storm to Masquerade…If the album had just been these three songs it would be one of my favorites of all time, or at least one of my favorite Soul album sides of all-time.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: October 23rd on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Holy Cow! It’s been a week since my last post and a week since our fundraising special. All apologies but I’ve been massively busy, with all my classes at CSU-Long Beach and this semester teaching a new class at UCLA Extension. I’ll get on track this week with posts, and next week we’ll be back on the air on KPFK raising funds on the final day of this fall Pledge Drive!

Melting Pot on KPFK #61: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #61: Second Hour

Playlist: 10-16-2011
{opening theme} Booker T & the MGs – Melting Pot – Melting Pot (Stax)

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Ocote Soul Sounds – Speak Truth To Power – Taurus (ESL)
Quantic Soul Orcehstra feat. Spanky Wilson – I’m Thankful – Best of Quantic (Tru Thoughts)
Charles “Packy” Axton – Out of Control – Late Late Party 1965-1967 (Light In The Attic)
DJ Shadow – Run For Your Life – The Less You Know, The Better (Verve)

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Phonte feat. Evidence and Big K.R.I.T. – The Life Of Kings – Charity Starts At Home (Foreign Exchange Music)
Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg – Le Chanson De Slogan – Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg (1969) (Light In The Attic)
Tinariwen – Aden Osamnat – Tassili (Anti)
Boogaloo Assassins – No No No – Recorded Live At KPFK (KPFK Archives)

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Jimi Hendrix Experience – Fire/Lover Man/Sunshine Of Your Love – Winterland Box Set (Sony Legacy)

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Mike & the Censations – Victim of Circumstance – Don’t Sell Your Soul (Ubiquity/Luv‘N’Haight)
Mike & the Censations – Don’t Sell Your Soul – Don’t Sell Your Soul (Ubiquity/Luv‘N’Haight)
Mike James Kirkland – You’re Gonna Share Your Love – Don’t Sell Your Soul (Ubiquity/Luv‘N’Haight)
Mike James Kirkland – Hang On In There – Don’t Sell Your Soul (Ubiquity/Luv‘N’Haight)

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Wanda Jackson – Like A Baby – The Party Ain’t Over (Third Man)
Best Coast – Summer Mood – Crazy For You (Mexican Summer)
The Neville Bros. feat. Aaron Neville – Tell It Like It Is – The Big Easy: Original Soundtrack (Island)

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Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced? – Winterland Box Set (Sony Legacy)

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{closing theme} Dungen – C. Visar Vagen – Tio Batar (Kemado)

Posted on Radio

Help Support Melting Pot During KPFK’s October Fundraiser!!!

It’s fundraiser time once again at KPFK and Melting Pot is going to be doing it’s part this weekend, Sunday October 23rd!!! It’s likely we’ll only be on for one week this fundraiser, so if you’re a fan of the show and can support the station that puts us on the air please support independent community radio!!!

This is probably the most excited I’ve been ahead of a fundraiser because the music I have for you guys is so spectacular. First off, we have an amazing 4 pack (really 5 pack) of CDs available at $125 to new KPFK subscribers, including the following:

Phonte – Charity Starts At Home
Ocote Soul Sounds – Taurus
Charles “Packy” Axton – Late Late Party 1965-1967
Michael James Kirkland – Don’t Sell Your Soul (2CD)

During my two hours only, I’ll also have a special limited (only 10 available) bonus 4 pack of CDs that you’ll be able to get as an add-on if you pledge $100 or more. You could transform the 4 pack into an 8 pack for the exact same price (and getting these 8 CDs for $125 is LESS than it would cost to buy them!) Included in the bonus pack are the following CDs:

DJ Shadow – The Less You Know, The Better
Dum Dum Girls – Only In Dreams
AM & Shawn Lee – Celestial Electric
Quantic – The Best Of Quantic (2CD)

We’ll have some amazing tickets to incredible shows as well, as add-on’s for pledges of $100 or more:

Tinariwen @ the Luckman Fine Arts Complex October 29th
Jane Birkin @ the Luckman Fine Arts Complex December 3rd
Aaron Neville @ the Luckman Fine Arts Complex December 17th
Wanda Jackson + Best Coast @ Club Nokia December 31st/New Year’s Eve

Finally, every person who donates on my show will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a copy of the recently released Jimi Hendrix Experience – Winterland 4 CD Boxset!!!

This is the Experience at the height of their powers, in 1968, recorded live in san Francisco and the set is amazing. Back in the 1980s they issued just a one-disc version of these concerts, but this includes almost 5 hours of material + a rare interview with Jimi Hendrix and a beautiful 36 page booklet. If you give $1 or $1,000 you’ll have a chance at winning this amazing box set, but you’ll have to donate during Melting Pot this Sunday from 4-6pm West Coast Time…tune in, tell a friend, spread the word and help support Melting Pot and radio powered by the people, KPFK Los Angeles!!!