Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Roy Brooks – The Free Slave – Muse (1972)

Roy Brooks – The Free Slave
Roy Brooks – Understanding (Excerpt)
Roy Brooks – Five For Max

I first heard Roy Brooks’ “The Free Slave” in a relatively unlikely place to discover music, at a performance of the Alvin Ailey dance troupe in Berkeley. It’s rare to hear this kind of music in clubs these days, with the lack of true rare groove, dance floor jazz spots in the US, so while it was a treat to hear something I’d never heard before, it was a true pleasure indeed to watch some of the best dancers in the world improvise and choreograph to this kind of music.

Though released in 1972, this set was recorded in front of a very engaged crowd in 1970 at the Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore. What I’ve always found interesting about these live records is that you never really knew how big the crowd was, but their enthusiasm just made you think that hundreds of people were there digging this music. I’d argue it’s impossible not to be enthusiastic about a track like “The Free Slave.” It’s got a slyly funky rhythm from Brooks on drums, Cecil McBee on bass and Hugh Lawson on piano, excellent solos from Woody Shaw and George Coleman, and this great stuttering stop at various points which the crowd really vibes with. It’s one of my favorite “soul-jazz” tracks and something that I promise to myself I’ll spin out every time I hear it.

The rest of the record is very solid post-bop, very lyrical and quite lovely on “Understanding” and “Will Pan’s Walk.” The album closes with Brooks paying tribute to his mentor Max Roach on “Five For Max” with a variation on a couple of classic Roach solos, as the crowd implores him to “Do His Thing!” Part of his “thing,” according to the liner notes is what was called a “Breath-a-tone” which was some kind of Rahsaanian device that allowed Brooks to change the pitch of the drums through two breathing tubes used by the drummer. Would have loved to have seen video/film of that…

Incidentally, I got this copy over at Amoeba Hollywood for maybe $6 or $7, only because of the relative shape of the vinyl, which I’d probably say is “VG” from looking at it, but plays much better. Sometimes it pays to get a record that’s not in the best shape, because it’s so rare to find it in the original.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: The Black Keys – Brothers – Nonesuch

The Black Keys – Tighten Up

I hadn’t posted anything on this album, the sixth record from one of my favorite groups, The Black Keys, because I was hoping to be able to offer a couple more tracks and do a fuller review. These boys have been busy over the last couple of years since 2008’s “Attack & Release” with solo records (Auerbach’s Keep It Hid) and side projects (Drummer for Carney, BlakRoc for both with a slew of MCs) but they’ve remained remarkably consistent. In fact I’m not sure there’s a more consistently enjoyable sound than that of the Black Keys.  Their new record “Brothers” only further proves  my case. 

“Tighten Up” the single and only approved song to post, is probably the weakest song on the record, which says nothing about it’s sparkling qualities but is just to say that the rest of the album is even stronger. Auerbach even rolls out some new tools, including a falsetto on “Everlasting Light” and “The Only One” that had me fooled into thinking it was a guest vocalist. He also sings with a bit of a lighter tone on the cover of Jerry Butler’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” though elsewhere things are suitably muddy, dark and fuzzy, especially on the standouts “I’m Not The One,” “Too Afraid To Love You,” the instrumental “Black Mud,” “The Go-Getter” and “She’s Long Gone” where the boys more directly “sample” the Howling Wolf Album’s sound that they reference with their cover art. “Brothers” is guaranteed to be on my year end best of 2010 list.

Now, even though the track is above, I had to make sure to share the video for “Tighten Up” because it’s pure comic genius. Don’t believe me? Observe for yourself…

Additionally, while tracking down the link for “Tighten Up” I found that somehow I missed this video for “Next Girl,” which shows that either someone is a fan of Craig Ferguson in the BK’s universe or that the boys (or their people if the often hilarious scroll at the bottom of the video is to be believed) have realized the excellent comic potential of randy lip-synching puppets. Whoever put this together, it’s bloody brilliant…

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: June 6th on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Yesterday’s show featured a ton of new music from Stereo Total, Seu Jorge, M.I.A., Cee-Lo Green of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley fame, Saravah Soul and classics from David Bowie, Tricky aka Nearly God and Jimmy Radcliffe with the Steve Karmen Big Band. At the end, I put together a set of modern music from my picks for the semifinalists for the 2010 World Cup, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Nigeria, plus a sleeper pick for the closing instrumental in Cameroon. Have a feeling this World Cup will be even more epic that usual!

Next week KPFK’s fundraiser begins, I’m working on some nice premiums for subscribers and it will be very nice to do my part to keep KPFK strong, hope you’ll join up if you can and thank you for listening.

Playlist: 6-06-2010

{opening theme} Booker T. & the MGs – Melting Pot – Melting Pot (Stax)

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Steve Karmen Big Band feat. Jimmy Radcliffe – Breakaway pt. 1 – 7” (United artists)
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – I Learned The Hard Way – I Learned The Hard Way (Daptone)
Quadron – Slippin’ – Quadron (Plug Research)
Jamie Lidell – It’s A Kiss – Compass (Warp)
Jose James – Code – Black Magic (Brownswood)
Flying Lotus – Galaxy In Janaki – Cosmogramma (Warp)

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Quantic – Te Pico El Yaibi (Version) – Dog With A Rope (Tru Thoughts)
Cumbia Moderna De Soledad – Shacalao – Black Man’s Cry: (Now-Again)
Murs & 9th Wonder – Cigarettes & Liqour – Fornever (SMC)
David Bowie – Soul Love – The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars (Virgin)
Seu Jorge & Almaz – Cirandar – Seu Jorge & Almaz (Now-again)
Shonx – Canton – Steppa’s Delight (Soul Jazz)

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Cee-Lo Green – Georgia – Lady Killer (Elektra)
Lloyd Nolan – I Don’t Know About You – R&B Hipshakers Vol. 1 (Vampi Soul)
The Strange Boys – Be Brave – Be Brave (In The Red)
Soledad Miranda – La Verdad – Absolute Belter (Finders Keepers)
Stereo Total – Illegal – Baby Ouh! (Kill Rock Stars)

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Total Babe – (Mission Hills Country Club Wall Of) Champions – Heatwave EP (So TM)
Lois – Sunrise Semester – Infinity Plus (K)
Joyce & Nelson Angelo – Sete Cahorros – Joyce E Nelson Angelo (Odeon)
Saravah Soul – The Truth Is Hard To Come By – Cultura Impura (Tru Thoughts)

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M.I.A. – I’m A Singer (Haters) – MAYA (NEET / Interscope)
The Bug feat. Warrior Queen – Poison Dart – London Zoo (Ninja Tune)
Nearly God – Poems – Nearly God (Island)

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3 Na Massa feat. Pitty – Lagrimas Pretas – 3 Na Massa (Nublu)
El Hijo De La Cumbia – El Ghetto Va A Mover – Freestyle De Ritmos (Soot)
El Guincho – Costa Paraiso – Alegranza! (XL)
Tony Allen – Alutere – Secret Agent (World Circuit)

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{closting theme} Manu DiBango – Oboso – Soul Makossa (Atlantic)

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Roberto Carlos – Roberto Carlos – CBS (1969)

Roberto Carlos – Nao Vou Ficar
Roberto Carlos – Nada Vai Me Convencer
Roberto Carlos – As Curvas da Estrada De Santos

Had such a positive response (even my wife was asking me about it!)from playing one of the songs off this record during last week’s radio show, I thought it was a good choice for this week’s “Dig Deep.” Roberto Carlos became a major star for singing ballads in a bunch of different languages, but back around the time this record came out he was part of the “Jovem Guarda” of Brazilian musicians influenced by American and UK Rock. This record shows the influence of the Brazilian soul godfather Tim Maia and features one of my single favorite funky Brazilian tracks in “Nao Vou Ficar.”

I’d heard Tim Maia’s version of the song, but never this one. I couldn’t believe my ears when Soul Marcosa played a 45 of Roberto Carlos’ version at the dearly departed Gris-Gris last year. The phrasing was like proto-rap and the beat was so funky. And then there’s that breakdown, most definitely one of the baddest breakdowns of all time. Just knew I had to track this one down and eventually did.

I was pleasantly pleased with the other funky tracks here, showing Maia’s influence, but also the influence of Carlos’ brother Erasmo (currently looking for a 1971 record from him that’s mighty mighty dope). While many of the other tracks on the LP are slightly slick ballads, these tracks are right up my alley, real nice and gritty.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: Total Babe – Heatwave EP – So Tm

Total Babe – Bearbones

Just before leaving KCRW I asked to review a bunch of the CDs that were sent to the station but were just sitting in the music library waiting to be processed. Stations like KCRW literally get hundreds of CDs each day and the vast majority of them are mediocre at best and in some cases laughably bad. After all these years working in radio, I’m still amazed at how quickly it takes for you to recognize quality material. You can listen to literally hundreds of crappy musicians and as soon as you hear music with talent behind it, you immediately know it. Out of the 300+ CDs I listened to (roughly 90% self-released, which was very different from the mid-90s when I was a Music Director at Album 88 in Atlanta…I blame American Idol for that dynamic) there were only a handful of releases that I thought deserved to be “saved,” of that bunch by far the best music came from this band of teenagers called Total Babe.

When I first came upon this EP from this Minnesota quartet I was intrigued by the Raymond Pettibon-esque cover art. What continues to impress me about this band is their sound, with sugary sweet vocals from Clara Salyer, two guitars, a violin and a boss drummer. All the tracks have this rather lovely and very layered indie-pop style with some interesting and complex chord and rhythmic changes, vaguely reminiscent of a couple of my fave 1990s female led indie-poppers, Lois and Nerdy Girl. I got a feeling that as they continue to mature musically things will only get better. Not having this band slip through the cracks was the best parting gift I could have gotten from KCRW…

In addition to the track above, here’s also a dangerously cute video for another song on the EP, “(Mission Hills Country Club Wall Of) Champions”:

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: May 30th on KPFK…Melting Pot’s Debut!!!

{Update: Okay, I’m going to take you guys behind the curtain on this one…So, I’ve been planning this debut for this past week and thought I had everything ready to go. Since I draw my music from a bunch of sources, vinyl, CDs, mp3s, I tend to burn the music I’m going to use to a couple CDs and just take that, bringing my laptops to record the audio of the show. As I was on my way to KPFK, about 25 minutes before the show, I found out one of my CD-R’s(with ½ of my show) did not record properly!!!!!!!

After 5 minutes of some truly classic freaking out on the 134 freeway, I remembered that virtually all of the music was on my two laptops, both of which I had thankfully taken with me, with most of the tracks on one and some tracks I’d recorded over from vinyl on the other. I didn’t have time to edit the raw vinyl tracks, just burn another CD.

Mind you, this is all going on literally as the show begins…that’s the reason the “Melting Pot” theme goes on for about 3 minutes at the start and why I mention “if the technology will work for me…” at the start of the show…all that craziness is also why the audio (now added below) is a little “hot” on the Mic. Quite an auspicious beginning for Melting Pot, but the fact that everything worked out says a lot and is one of the many reasons I love radio. Enjoy the show, this one was a debut for the ages on my end…Michael}

Well here we go with the first official show for Melting Pot on KPFK. If there’s a difference between this show and ones I’ve done at other places it’s definitely the level of focus. With only two hours, the shortest amount of time I’ve ever had for a regular show in my 16+ years of radio, I really have to make sure that everything I put on is top shelf material. But I try to come up with an eclectic mix that tends towards the funky, but goes a few other places as well. I hope you enjoy the debut and all the shows to come. In today’s show we have a lot of new music, including from Seu Jorge, Chali 2na,Pains of Being Pure At Heart, the Atl’s Mass Influence, Now Again’s new California Funk collection and music from the Iranian pop underground from Take It Easy Hospital. One of the tracks I’m most excited to play comes from some high schoolers out of Minnesota called Total Babe. You’ll definitely be hearing more from them in coming weeks. Also classic material from Roberto Carlos, Les Baxter (Hell’s Belles!), Willie Hutch and some Electric Prunes in honor and tribute to Dennis Hopper who passed away just yesterday.

Also on a more serious note, a LA DJ by the name of Kutmah is fighting deportation and there’s a benefit show for his legal fund coming up on June 3rd at the Echoplex here in Los Angeles with Dam-Funk, Daedulus, Gaslamp Killer and others. You kind more info here: http://www.freekutmah.com

Melting Pot on KPFK #1: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #1: Second Hour

Playlist: 5-30-2010

{opening theme} Booker T. & the MGs – Melting Pot – Melting Pot (Stax)

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Willie Hutch – I Choose You – The Mack: Original Soundtrack (Motown)
Murs & 9th – I Used To Love H.E.R. Again – Fornever (SMC)
Twilight – Still Loving You – Still Loving You (Luv’n’Haight)
Seu Jorge – Everybody Loves the Sunshine – Single (White Label)
Kutmah – Blazt Off (excerpt) – Master Blazter: Blazt Off (HVW8)

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Shoes – Saving Mr. Billy’s Soul – Eccentric Breaks & Beats (Numero)
Mass Influence – Morning Breath Chasers – 12” (self-released)
Mr. Chop – Straighten It Out – For Pete’s Sake (Now-Again)
Roberto Carlos – Nao Vou Ficar – Roberto Carlos (CBS)
Polar Bear – Bap Bap Bap – Peepers (Leaf)

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Bastien Lallemant – La Plage – Le Pop 5 (Le Pop Musik)
The National – Sorrow – High Violet (4ad)
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Sad Waters – Your Funeral My Trial (Mute)
Petula Clark – Heart – I Know A Place (Warner Bros.)
The Electric Prunes – Kyrie Eleison (instrumental) – David Axelrod: The Warner/Reprise Sessions (Warner UK)

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L.A. Bare Faxx – Super Cool Brother – California Funk (Now-Again/Jazzman)
The Black Keys – Next Girl – Brothers (Nonesuch)
Les Baxter – Chain Fight – Hell’s Belles: Original Soundtrack (Sidewalk)
Los Roberts – El Saltamontes – Sensacional Soul, vol. 2 (Vampi Soul)
Chali 2na feat. J-Live – Across The Map – Fish Market Part 2 (Decon)
Sun Ra – Angels & Demons At Play – Angels & Demons At Play (Impulse)

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Take It Easy Hospital – Me & You – No One Knows About Persian Cats: Original Soundtrack (Milan)
Flying Lotus – Drips/Auntie’s Harp – Cosmogramma (Warp)
Broken Social Scene – Sentimental X’s – Forgiveness Rock Record (Arts & Crafts)
Neu! – Hallo Gallo – Neu! (Polygram)

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Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Lost Saint – 7” (Slumberland)
Love – And More – Love (Elektra)
Total Babe – Bearbones – Total Babe (So Tm)
Jovenes y Sexys feat. Joie Joie Joie – Gold Day – Bruno EP (Poni Republic)

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{closing theme} The Dirty Three – Ever Since – Cinder (Touch & Go)

Posted on About Melting Pot

Melting Pot on KPFK !

It’s official! My new show on KPFK debuts this Sunday. “Melting Pot” will be on the air, every Sunday from 4-6pm, left coast time on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM in Santa Barbara and worldwide at KPFK.org. I’ll be putting up the audio for shows on the blog here and keep them up for a month at a time, in case you miss a show. The music will be similar to what I did over at KCRW and KALX, diverse sounds from all over, from different eras and different genres with an emphasis on all things funky.

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Les Baxter – Hell’s Belles (Original Soundtrack) – Sidewalk (1969)

One of the Funkiest and Fuzziest soundtracks of all time!

Les Baxter – Hot Wind
Les Baxter – Dan Again
Les Baxter – Hogin’ Machine

Still not finished with grading so I thought I’d post something that I don’t really need to say anything at all about (though I will still say a little something about it), the soundtrack to Hell’s Belles. An original copy of this has been a “white whale” of mine every since I first ran into it in the KALX library back in 2000. There’s a reissue that you can cop for $10 or less, but I can tell you the sound is vastly superior on the original and it’s worth the price. I’m not sure there’s a record that has harder drums and fuzzier guitars out there, even if virtually every song is just a slightly different take on the same basic theme. If only there was a soul clap on all these tracks instead of the occasional tambourine it would be the greatest record of all time.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record – Arts & Crafts

Broken Social Scene – Sentimental X’s

I’m fairly sure this is entirely based off of the good feelings I still have after watching a truly satisfying series finale for the TV Series LOST, but I’ve had this song “Sentimental X’s” stuck in my mind and in my ears all day long, and it’s now become my theme song of the day as I continue to grade finals from the semester. I love how lyrically it’s based on fairly simple phrases, but sometimes they are reversed or changed slightly which changes the overall meaning too (for example “Off and On is what we Want,” “What We Want Is Off and On,”). Something about the way it ends with the phrase “All Of You” becoming “I Love You” at times, admist that huge wash of sound, seems to capture the big message out of the LOST finale last night. Though these feelings might wash off in a day or two, this one is still likely to be a contender for song of the year come December.

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: May 23rd on KPFK

Yesterday I returned to the KPFK airwaves for my second tryout to potentially host the shift that used to be occupied by Derek Rath’s Cosmic Barrio (Sundays from 4-6pm). Lots of brand new music, including something new from The Black Keys, Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Quantic, Grupo Fantasma, Little Brother and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble plus classic tracks from Sly & the Family Stone, Dr. John and some obscured but amazing music from the Ivory Coast and 1960s “revolutionary” France.

Speaking of amazing and obscured, I featured almost a whole side of a brilliant new mix that uses the Numero groups Eccentric Soul Series (and other releases from the Numero catalog) for samples called “Eccentric Breaks & Beats” look for post on this soon here on Melting Pot.

Audio of the show is below, split into two hours. I’m really hopeful that I’ll find out whether or not I’m going to get the show this week and I’ll definitely let you know if I do.

Playlist: KPFK 5-23-2010

{Opening Theme} Boris Gardiner – Melting Pot – Is What’s Happening  (Dynamic)

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Sly & the Family Stone – Remember Who You Are –  Back On The Right Track (Warner Bros.)

Quadron – Jeans – Quadron (Plug Research)

Ana Tijoux – Problema De 2 – 1977 (Nacional)

Quantic – Dub Y Guaguanco – Dog With A Rope (Tru Thoughts)

Irakere – Sea Mall – Cuba Libre (Far Out)

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Grupo Fantasma – La Conozco – El Existential  (National Geographic)

Polar Bear – Want To Believe Everything – Peepers  (Leaf)

Flying Lotus – Zodiac Shit – Cosmogramma  (Warp)

Murs & 9th Wonder – Fornever – Fornever   (SMC)

Orgone – The Big Escape – Time Tonight 12”  (Ubiquity)

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The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Say No To Love – 7”  (Slumberland)

Dum Dum Girls – Lines Her Eyes – I Will Be (Sub Pop)

New York Dolls – Puss’n’Boots – Too Much Too Soon  (Mercury)

Francois Lougah – Pecoussa –  Cote D’Ivoire: West African Crossroads  (Syllart)

Myron & E with the Soul Investigators – It’s A Shame – 7” (Timmion)

Deep City Band – Masterpiece – Eccentric Soul: The Outskirts of Deep City  (Numero)

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Shoes – Eccentric Breaks & Beats Side 1 – Eccentric Breaks & Beats  (Numero)

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The Black Keys – To Go Getter – Brothers (Nonesuch)

Dr. John – I Walk On Gilded Splinters – Gris Gris (Atco)

Splinters – Motorcycle – Kick (Double Negative)

Ame Son – Eclosion – The BYG Deal (Finders Keepers)

Little Brother feat. Torae – 24 – Left Back (Hall Of Justus/Traffic Ent.)

Miles Davis – Jabali – Complete On The Corner (Sony Legacy)

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Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Spottie – Heritage EP (Choice Cuts)

Fela Kuti – Colonial Mentality – Opposite Peoplee / Sorrow Tears & Blood  (MCA)

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

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Rotary Connection – Aladdin – Cadet Concept (1968)

Rotary Connection – Life Could
Rotary Connection – V.I.P.
Rotary Connection – Paper Castle

Still locked in grading mode at the end of the semester, but definitely wanted to share this one. There are so many reasons to dig on Rotary Connection. They featured some truly unique psychedelic sounds along with massive arrangements and production from the genius of Charles Stepney and finally the otherworldly vocals of Minnie Ripperton. I’d always felt like Rotary Connection put out better songs than full length records until I tracked down this concept record, their second release, from 1968. Though the album has a couple of tracks that seem to fit the title, it works better as a critique of mainstream culture in the 1960s.

Doesn't the dude on the far right sorta look like Ol' Dirty Bastard?

The best example and best song is “Life Could,” a track I could listen to on repeat all day long.  In a nutshell it represents everything that was amazing (or overblown depending on your perspective) about this group, gigantic punchy horns, hard charging drums (and a classic and clean break 3/4 through), bright fuzzy guitars and well matched duet vocals. When the song really gets started it threatens to knock you over with all the elements. Lyrically, the sentiment right now is something that fits me to a T, almost like an anthem (though I’m still not sure I’m hearing the final line of the chorus clearly).

Wake up in the morning
Work 5 days a week
Never had much money or fame
The way it’s gonna be

Just a common person
Do you know my name?
Never be important in life
Always be the same (the same 2x)

{Chorus}
But I don’t need your pity (pity)
And I don’t want your money (money)
Because I’m oh so happy (yeah)
I’ll never have much money or fame
Guess i’ll always be the same
Life’s too short to let it slip by
Never stayin’ low, always flyin’ high

That sentiment continues throughout on “V.I.P.” which considers the dreams “little” people have and on “Let Them Talk” which champions staying true to yourself regardless how others see you and closes with “Paper Castle” which is certainly a critique of 60s America, but works surprisingly well for the 21st century too. Musically what’s especially interesting to me about that last track is how the tempo appears to build and build, when it actually doesn’t, it’s because of the changes in the guitarists playing, from longer sustains to very short and increasingly manic notes as the song moves towards resolution, that produce a tension that makes it seem like the song is going faster than it actually is.

I know most feel like “Hey Love” is the best Rotary Connection record (though really that one is basically Minnie Ripperton’s second solo record) or that the debut had the most impact (especially for Hip-Hop with “Memory Band”) but to my ears this one is the best realized and most consistently original of all their records and the one I continue to enjoy the most.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: Irakere – Cuba Libre – Far Out

Irakere – Sea Mall

Far Out has just now issued this very hard to find record from Cuba’s legendary Irakere. This set was originally recorded and released in 1980 out in Japan. Featuring the original line-up including acknowledged masters Chucho Valdes and Arturo Sandoval, and a really nice sound. I don’t normally pick up on jazz/funk records from this period of time, but this is a really solid set. I especially love this track, “Sea Mall” with the real subtle and funky changes in rhythm about mid way through.

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Machito – Machito Goes Memphis – RCA (1968)

Machito – Hold On I’m Comin’
Machito – Green Onions
Machito – Soul American

Been focused on grading at the end of the semester and haven’t had much time to devote to the blog, but thought I’d knock a quick post out at the end of the week. I’ve never been big on “covers” records that focus more on renditions of “the hits” instead of original material, but when I ran into this record at Groove Merchant I couldn’t resist. Machito is one of the founding fathers of Latin jazz and mambo music. This record finds him updating his sound in mostly predictable ways, but in a few cases the results are latin soul perfection, especially the (mostly) spanish version of Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Comin’.”

Cheers,

Michael