The Funkiest Song I Heard Today, Vol. 2!

SoulSitas And SoulBruthas! I was checking out this new series on HBO in the USA called, "Hung." It's a kooky little show about a guy who becomes a gigolo because he, well he's hung. Anyway, the music connection came in during the closing credits when this song was played. "Am I A Good Man" by Them Two comes off an amazing compilation from a supremely cool record label called the Numero Group. I missed Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label when it first came out so as this tune was blasted from the TV at the end of the show I was floored. It's FANTASTIC!!! Nuff said!!! The bass is crazy! The whole comp is FAB! I immediately hit up the Numero store and grabbed it up. You should too!!

Am I A Good Man - Them Two

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

A+B=45(Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists)

SoulSistas And SoulBruthas! Good to see you once again. It's 45 time! The one I have for you today is from a batch that I like to call 'The Ten.' These are ten 45's I got from Deep Groove Records, the new local shop I've been raving about for about a month now. This is the second, Rhythm Heritage being the first, of these cool $1 45's! That's right, all these were only a buck! Now, they're not mint by any means, but the music is what matters. I'll be posting them all for you to check out.

This one is off of Lizard Records and comes from drummer Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists. I first heard the A side, Cool Aid on this ace box set that Rhino put out on 70's SOUL called, "Can You Dig It?" So, luckily I was familiar with the name and the 45 hit me right off. I'm assuming the tune was fairly big if it was included on the Rhino comp. It's a funky gem for sure. Now, for me it's the B-Side that really kills. "Detroit" is just plain smokin' and really shows what a great drummer Paul Humphrey is. It's got some really groovy guitar as well. A two minute FUNK BLAST! LOVE IT! Hope you dig it!!!

Cool Aid - Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists
(Lizard Records X21006A)

Detroit - Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists
(Lizard Records X21006B)

I wanted to hip you a new spot as well. My brother, Mike has started his own blog called, Eclectic Ears. And the title couldn't be more appropriate. Mike's influenced me with some amazing music and is always on the look out for all types of cool stuff. You'll no doubt find it a boss place to check in and see what Mike's been wrapping his ears around. It's in the early stages, but pop over and give it a look.

Mike's Eclectic Ears

Stay GROOVY and I'll catch you on the flip!
Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

A+B=45(Rhythm Heritage)

SoulSistas And SoulBruthas! How you feelin'? I had a bit of a crazy moment at the new record shop today. There have been loads of folks asking me about the little snippet of music I use as the intro for my mixes. I got it from a break beat compilation CD a few years back and this comp has very little info and simply labeled the break as "SWAT Break." The new shop got a sweet batch of 45's in recently and as I was flipping through I saw this 45 and instantly said to myself, that's GOT to be my intro break! No doubt all you DJ's out there know this one as the research that I did said it was one of the most loved breaks in the world. But, I had no idea that this indeed was the record that I've been using the sample from, until today. And it's just mad cause I was gonna try and find a bit more info on the break just to help out those that have been asking about it and BLAMMO, the record shows up in the bin. MAGIC! So, here it is for your listening pleasure, the S.W.A.T. theme from a very cool cop show that aired in the US in the 70's. For those that have been asking, now you know, and so do I. As always, I've included both sides. The flip is a little beat up. It's a tune that I've only known from a superb Bobby Bland LP called, "Dreamer." Very cool version with a little cheesy synth that really works.

Of course, I can't tell you how feckin' cool it was for me to find this one and I do hope you dig it. Have a great weekend and I'll catch you on the FLIP!!

Theme From S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage (ABC Records ABC-12135 45-16845-S)

I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me) (ABC Records ABC-12135 45-16846-S)

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

A+B=45(Harvey Scales)

SoulSistas and SoulBruthas! Happy Tuesday! Huh, bet you don't get wished a happy Tuesday too often? I hope all is get-down-sound groovy in your world! Up today is a 45 I've had for a while. I've featured both sides in a few mixes, deservedly so, and I thought I'd bust it out and share it in sort of a celebration of a new release from Harvey. I'll get to that in a bit.

Out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harvey Scales has been around and collaborated or wrote tunes for some giants including Johnnie Taylor and The O'Jays. He had a run of really cool "do the" dance tunes. One of my favs is called The Broadway Freeze. This 45 came out in 1972 and features two completely different feeling jams. The A side has got a classic SOUL feel with great horns. Love the 'hey na na na's.' The flip is dirty and funky. Dig the wah-wah guitar at the beginning. This is definitely one of those 45's where both sides are equally as good. Check it!

What's Good For You (Don't Have To Be Good To You) - Harvey Scales
(Stax STA-0126 SM-00927)

I Wanna Do It - Harvey Scales
(Stax STA-0126 SM-00928)

Read DJ Prestige's ace Flea Market Funk post about this record & Harvey!

Now here's something really nice. Our good friends over at Electraphonic have got a brand spanking new recording of Harvey doin' his thing with the great Memphis, Tennessee outfit, The Bo-Keys! Work That Skirt has been released on a limited edition 45 and they only did 500 pressings. It's a HUGE SOUL workout for sure. I really dig it! Here's a taste!

1 min snippet: Work That Skirt - The Bo-Keys featuring Harvey Scales
(Electraphonic ER-104)

Head over to the Electraphonic store and grab one up if you dig it! We gotta support the Independent Soul Movement people. Big thanks to Scott Bomar for the preview. Nice one Brutha!!

Also, you can get the digital version as well at these fine outlets.

Wax Poetics Digital
iTunes

Hope you have a great week and I'll catch you on the flip!

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

Bonus Harvey Vids:

I GOTTA FIND THIS 45! WOW!!!!

The Funkiest Song I Heard Today!

SoulSistas And SoulBruthas! Been catching up on some Downtown Soulville w/Mr. Fine Wine podcasts today and this track just kicked my ass! It's called Church Street Sally from Jimmy Moore. It's lifted from the May 22, 2009 episode. I can't really find too much about it. An email to Mr. Fine Wine was answered saying it's a Virginia record. I'm assuming Jimmy is from Norfolk, VA as he name drops it at the beginning of the record and Church Street is a main drag in town. It's supremely FUNKY!! I can't tell you how bad I will be searching for this one!! Dig IT!!

Church Street Sally - Jimmy Moore
(Lifted from Downtown Soulville w/Mr. Fine Wine)

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

The Funkiest Sticker I Saw Today!
One of a ltd. edition set coming soon at Flea Market Funk dot com!!!

A+B=45(Jackie Wilson)

SoulSistas and SoulBruthas! First off, let me thank all of you that checked out the Deep Groove Mix. Got a boatload of positive comments and getting responses like that is the thing that keeps us bloggers spreading the love that we have for this great, sometimes forgotten, music! The Mighty DJ Prestige featured the mix at his spectacular Flea Market Funk spot and I'm truly grateful for the exposure that he brought to Put The Needle On The Record. Thank you kind sir!

Next up, today is the birthday of one of the greatest singers of the 50's and 60's, Mr. Excitement, Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. Jackie is another in a long line of singers that my pops turned me on to as a youngster. He especially loved Jackie's versions of Open The Door To Your Heart and I Get The Sweetest Feeling. There are so many classic sweet soul tunes, way too many to list, by Mr. Wilson that I really suggest searching out a greatest hits CD or go diggin' in the used record bin the next chance you get. I wanted to highlight a 45 that you may have not heard. I recently ran across it and not really knowing too much of Jackie's history other than the big swingin' hits, I was really surprised at the beauty of his voice in these superb ballads originally released in 1960. Both tracks have lovely orchestrations and that unmistakably huge voice. For some reason these tunes remind me of, and would fit rather perfectly in that great Martin Scorsese film, Goodfellas. Please have a listen and I hope you ENJOY!

The Tear Of The Year - Jackie Wilson (Brunswick 9-55201 109,578)

My Empty Arms - Jackie Wilson (Brunswick 9-55201 109,579)

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

Pops used to wear this one out!

HeavySoulBrutha's Deep Groove Mix!

SoulSistas and SoulBruthas! It makes me so happy to report the opening of a record store, that's right a record store opened in my city. Deep Groove Records actually opened the doors for business a few months ago. A quaint little shop located in one of the coolest and most historic neighborhoods in Richmond, VA. On just two visits I've been able to score some really choice records. Not anything crazy obscure, but stuff I certainly needed to add to the crates. I put together a quick mix of some cuts from the LP's. It's quite an eclectic mix of Soul, Jazz, and a bit of Funky stuff. I've been so immersed in 45's lately I seemed to have forgot how great it is to play and enjoy a full LP. Needless to say, I can't wait to get back down to the shop and there's no doubt I'll be sharing anything that I find with you. I hope you enjoy and get down to the Deep Groove Mix!!!

HeavySoulBrutha's Deep Groove Mix!

01. Intro
02. Twenty Five Miles - Mongo Santamaria (Columbia)
03. Funky - The Chambers Brothers (Columbia)
04. Hikki Burr - Quincy Jones w/Bill Cosby (A&M)
05. Bad Walking Woman - Leon Spencer (Prestige)
06. Slippin' Into Darkness - War (United Artists)
07. Billy Jack - Curtis Mayfield (Curtom)
08. Cleo's Mood - Willie Mitchell (Hi)
09. The Vinyl Experience
10. If You Really Love Me - Stevie Wonder (Tamla)
11. Let It Be Me - Gloria Lynne (Fontana)
12. Keep On Pushing - The Impressions (ABC-Paramount)
13. Clean Up Woman - Betty Wright (Alston)
14. California Soul - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (Tamla)
15. Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You - Wilson Pickett (Atlantic)

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

Spinnin' Non-Stop Today! (Inell Young & Lee Dorsey)

SoulSistas & SoulBruthas! Ever had one of those days when you can't stop listening to ONE song? Well, today I've got TWO. Unfortunately, I don't own these 45's, but perhaps one of these days I'll get lucky on a dig...fingers crossed!

The drums on this one are funky sick!!

The Next Ball Game - Inell Young

With a little help from The Meters!

Give It Up - Lee Dorsey

And....June 1, 1967...The Beatles release the monumental Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Big thanks to my musical Brutha, Todd Herrington, for hipping me to the true greatness of those four lads from Liverpool. If you have this LP, have a listen today and you'll understand why serious music lovers, and especially musicians, then and now usually say, "It really all goes back to Sgt. Peppers, doesn't it?"

And...Don't forget the new Lee Fields LP hits the streets tomorrow!! SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOUL MUSIC and GET ONE!!

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

Lee Fields' "My World" Drops Next Week On Truth & Soul Records!!!

SoulSistas and SoulBruthas! Our good friends over at Truth & Soul sent over a preview of Lee Fields BRAND NEW LP dropping next week. This is definitely a release that I'm mad excited about. Here's two cuts for you to check out courtesy of one of the absolute coolest record labels around!! I dig them both, but Ladies is the BIZZ!!

Money I$ King - Lee Fields

Ladies - Lee Fields

PRESS RELEASE: Lee Fields is a bona-fide, 100%, unadulterated, pure, gut-bucket soul singer. While the crate-digging funk and soul community bestowed "legendary" status upon him due to his undeniably solid series of rare 7" singles (and one LP) recorded and released on his own independent labels in the 70s, he's never been one to sit in a dusty corner. New York label/production team Truth & Soul, are ready to bring him to light with a brand new album of beat-heavy, deep soul ballads that will show soul-revivalists the world over what real soul is.

After his rediscovery in the mid 90s, his faithful have featured him on a slew on singles, a full-length on Desco Records entitled "Let's Get It On', a full-length on Soul Fire entitled "Problems", and on Sharon Jones's critically acclaimed album, "Naturally". Most recently, he has featured on a number of tracks by French house producer, Martin Solveig. Suprisingly, many of of those songs have become top ten hits for Solveig and have turned Lee Fields into a bonafide celebrity in France and other parts of Europe. Yet, outside of a rabid cult following, his story remained untold in America.

When Truth & Soul rose from Soul Fire's ashes in 2004, the first mission of label owners/producers Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels, was to record a sweet soul record that would be modeled after the near perfect formula that bands like The Moments, The Delfonics, and The Stylistics had created. But with a decidedly modern bent. The two producer/songwriters were perfect for the job, having dedicated their talents to the likes of Adele, Iggy Pop, Amy Winehouse alongside Just Blaze, Ghostface Killah and Jay Z.

Turning their attention to Lee Fields, the duo wanted an album full of music that was both tough as nails and sweet as honey. They wanted ballads laced with lush strings and smooth vocal harmonies layered over a hard-hitting rhythm section. Michels and Silverman enlisted the service of a the group of New York studio musicians that have provided the back drop for records by The Dap Kings, Amy Winehouse, Bronx River Parkway, El Michels Affair and TV on The Radio. Those musicians include Leon Michels, Homer Steinweiss, Quincy Bright, Nick Movshon, Thomas Brenneck, Toby Pazner, Aaron Johnson, Dave Guy, Michael Leonhart, and members of legendary doo-wop group, The Del-Larks.

Four years later and Lee Fields & The Expressions have successfully created a unique and personal sound that can hold court with the bands they set out to emulate. However, what they’ve created in the process goes beyond just a carbon copy of a sweet soul music from the 60's and early 70's. The formula has remained the same but the style has been adapted for the ears of youngsters whose experiences with soul began with Amy, not Al, Otis and Marvin. Thirty years of retrospection has colored this cross-generational melding of the minds. It sounds odd on paper, but the results are classic: hip hop-reared record collectors come full circle to produce an album of beautiful soul music with one of the progenitors who made it all possible.

Pre Order the CD or LP @ Truth & Soul!
The LP comes with a free digital download as well!

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOUL MUSIC!!!

A+B=45(Mr. Jamo)

SoulSistas and SoulBruthas! Got a little slice of FUNK for you today from a cat originally out of the Bahamas! Jamo Thomas only put out a few records, and only two on SSS International Records, this being the final one in 1970. I can't really find too much info on him other than he was a singer and conga player, and a badass one at that. The tune has got a a nasty bass line, some crazy psych guitars, a nice splash of hammond organ, very cool congas, and sweet horn blasts that tie it all together. This was my last purchase out of the 25 cent bin at the local shop. That bin has now become the $5 bin as all the trendy kids are now listening to records. Who'd have thunk? Oh well, my little secret spot has blown up. Hopefully I'll still be able to score good records, but I won't be getting them cheap any more. On the other hand, it's great to see folks enjoying the vinyl loveliness. So, give this one a listen and let me know if you dig it.

I haven't done a mix in quite a while so I'm gonna try and get one together soon. I'm kinda feelin' a nice summer jazz one. We'll see...

Oh yeah, HUGE thanks to my man Chris Bopst for giving the blog a mention and endorsement in one of our local weekly papers here in Richmond, VA. Chris does a very cool show as well that's super eclectic. Have a look and listen to the Bopst Show.

As always, I hope you enjoy and thanks so very much for continuing to make this a spot in your travels.

You Just Ain't Ready Pt. 1 - Mr. Jamo (SSS International Records SSS-808 711-1212)

You Just Ain't Ready Pt. 2 - Mr. Jamo (SSS International Records SSS-808 711-1213)

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

Bonus Vids: Looks like Jamo had a couple of Northern Soul tunes in the 60's that were ACE!