The Sweet Inspirations: Crying In The Rain
Taken from the album Sweets For My Sweet on Atlantic (1969)

Gwen McCrae: It Keeps On Raining
Taken from the 7″ on Cat (1975)

Truth be told, this post was supposed to go up days ago, when it might have still been apropos of the dismal weather. As it is, the information vanished from my computer not once but twice (damn this tricknology!) and the weather cleared up. So here I am, fresh back from the fireworks spectacle over the Brooklyn Bridge and ready to make a third attempt at delivering these tunes to the people.

The Sweet Inspirations were fronted by a certain Cissy Houston, mother of a certain Whitney. They cut several LP’s in the late sixties and early seventies, though none of them fared very well commercially. Ultimately they would become much more successful–monetarily at least–singing backup vocals for none other than… Elvis.

Gwen McCrae is a stranger to no one. The above track originally appeared as the B-side to the monster tune “Rocking Chair”, which would later appear on an album of the same name.

Because I drank to much good ol’ American Budweiser today; and because I’ve written these very words several times already, I’m going to quit while I’m ahead. Enjoy the music.

(P.S.–The photo up there of The Inspirations album doesn’t depict the actual cover of the album on which the “Rain” song appears. I just couldn’t get my hands on a digital camera. Sorry.)

Bjorn Jayson Lindh : Daphnia
taken from the album Ramadan on Metronome/CTI (1971)

Bjorn Jayson Lindh : Bull Dog
taken from the album Sissel on Metronome/CTI (1973)

Summer stoop sales are back in full effect here in Brook-nam. I felt like a thief last weekend, or a pirate perhaps, just looting record bin after record bin and piling up my bounty. It’s always an education.

A fan of funky flautists like Jeremy Steig and Herbie Mann, it’s surprising that I never managed to find out about Swedish flute fanatic Bjorn Jayson Lindh. Mixing jazz-funk fusion with arabic and medieval sounding melodies was Lindh’s highly unique niche. Ramadan opens with an absolute bomb of a groove called “Loading Ramp”, but Daphnia definitely highlights more of his mixed up uniqueness. Plus, fans of a certain Chemist will surely recognize the ill shuffling flute loop that makes up the hook. I might have cut out the guitar solo towards the end, but hey, that’s just me.

Bull Dog is a laid back slinky groove that maintains it’s listenability well on hot humid days like today. Among other elements I love about this tune, the use of cuica (which enters about 5 1/2 minutes in) ranks high. I didn’t even know what that sound was at first. There’s also a phaaat open drum break that opens side 2. I know I recognize it, but can’t quite place it. Here’s to the never ending quest for booty! and of course, to all those unknown treasures still lurking in the darks and danks of forgotten basements.

Johnny Osbourne: We Need Love
Taken from the album Truth And Rights on Studio One (1980)

Rose Banks: You’re Much Too Beautiful For Words
Taken from the 7″ on Motown (1977)

Ralph Robles : Banana Juana
Taken from the album Ralph Robles Was Here on Fania (1969)

Copa 7 : O Circo
Taken from the album O Som Do Copa 7 on Top Tape (1980)

Frisbees are flying in Prospect Park. Somewhere down the block a BBQ is underway. The ice cream truck makes its rounds. It’s summer in the city.

Additionally, Murphy is back from his travels abroad, renewed, refreshed and reunited with the good Captain in Brooklyn. To herald the occasion, we two brothers are offering up a happy little grab-bag of musical treats. Some soulful reggae, a bouncy R&B groove, pocos ritmos sabrosos, and a taste of samba-funk Brazil. Apologies for the extended hiatus; we’re trying to make it up to you…

First off, the Johnny Obsbourne track taken from what is, in my opinion, one of the classic albums of that era. Truth and Rights is soulful reggae at its best. The opening bar of this track was recently sampled in a very tasty reworking of Gangstarr’s “D.W.Y.C.K.” (which can be found the Crate exclusive mix, Stone Cold Soul). Another amazing track using the same tune is Otis Gayle’s version of The Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around”. Don’t sleep!

Rose Banks (a.k.a. Rose Stone–yeah, as in Sly and the…) dropped one album and a handful of singles after the Family Stone disbanded in the mid-seventies. This track, chief among them, a truly unique stepper cut with an IIIILLLLLLL saloon-style piano breakdown part way through. Hold your baby close, and relish those warm summer nights.

Ralph Robles never made it as big a many other heroes of the Fania family, but this boogaloo jammer surely warrants more than a nod of recognition. Undulating vocal technique is used to devastating effect here by another lesser known Nuyorican: Jose Elisier. I love how the song really takes off after minute number 4, vocals switch up into Spanish, and the whole groove picks up another notch in the direction of downright mania. The album is a scorcher.

Finally, a super catchy party-samba joint from the sophisticated Brasileiros known to the world as Copa 7. Vibraslap, punchy horns, watery wah-wah, and a catchy bouncing scat-style hook all contribute in making this a sure-fire summer house party hit.

Again, sorry for the extended absence. Now we should be getting right back on schedule…

Desmond Dekker
1941 – 2006

Mother’s Young Gal
Beautiful & Dangerous
Pretty Africa
Bongo Gal

most these songs can be found on the Trojan Rocksteady Box Set

I got my hands on these recordings during my first trip to Jamaica. It was a bootleg cassette tape that I still have and have nearly worn out. Some of us have melodies that we hum whenever we’re alone or walking late at night or just feeling proper, little licks that we return to again and again because somehow the notes got inscribed in our cerebrum; “Mother’s Young Gal” has been my perennial humming tune from the time I was 17 and first heard it, until, hmmm, now. “Ewwww-ew-ewwwww -eeee”, that part of the hook still keeps me company when I’m in the shower or biking through the park in the shade under a hot sky. Sometimes I hear Charlie Parker, but more often than not it’s that one song. So simple and so right.

Much of the world owes a great debt to pioneers like Desmond for breaking open the international market for Jamaican pop music, and it’s easy to hear how he did it too. With vocal creativity and liveliness like his, the lyrics to the songs are put into performance. I’m always able to feel the sunshine and picture the scenery.

He’s most well known for his classic tune “Israelites” which became a crossover hit even in the US. And of course, there’s rude bwoy anthem “007 (Shanty Town)” which made an appearance on the soundtrack to the monumental The Harder They Come. If you don’t have those in your collection, then you should correct that mistake immediately. Much respect to the Dekker legacy, and condolences to family and friends.

Fat Freddy’s Drop : Ray Ray
taken from the album “Based On A True Story” on The Drop (2005)

Nino Moschella : No One
taken from the album “The Fix” on Ubiquity (2006)

Sorry for the extended absence, I’ve been doing that thing that all record junkies (and other people who have more worldly possessions than they ought to) dread most: moving. Finding the apartment was an ordeal by it’s own right, but little compares to the extremely intense physical gauntlet presented by hauling crate after crate after crate after crate….. Turns out I have 5,000 records. It’s not merely physical either; the quest creates a mental torment in which the agonizing mover actually momentarily despises the very objects which, on any normal day, provide him or her with much needed solace and inspiration. So, it’s been a tough week, and now I’m neck deep in boxes trying to make sense of the madness.

Much thanks go out to my die hard crew of friends-for-life who actually did just as much lifting and carrying as I did for nothing more than a bit of curry and naan. I see you Shipley, Ix, DZ, Ant, and K-Money! I’mma make it up to y’all one day…

Another thing that this whole transition has reminded me, is that CDs are really not that bad a medium at all. I’ve thankfully not been having to flip from side A to side B with these bad boys in my stereo, it saves me that extra minute for breaking down cardbord and picking dust boogers. And this new music the kids are making nowadays, it’s darn good. Reminds me of the old wax cylinder days. These albums are good all the way through, to the last drop. They don’t get boring. Not once. Nope. Get them on CD so you won’t have to flip sides.

Fat Freddy you should know by now. They won the highly reputable Worldwide “Best Album Of 2005”. No flashy album art, just genius genre blending and and more soul than an Alabama church. If ya don’t know, now ya know…

And this album from Nino just came into my consciousness from outta nowhere. Won’t try to make any comparisons, cause it’s really quite unique. He does all vocals and instrumentation himself. RESPECT.

The Dells : I Want My Momma
taken from the album “Musical Menu” on Cadet (1969)

Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz : Sweet Mother
taken from the album “Aki Special” on Rounder (1987)
originally released on Rogers All Stars (1976)

Sizzla : Thank You Mama
taken from the album “Da Real Thing” on VP (2002)

What can you say to your moms? Her biggest problem is that she cares too much about you. Is that a crime? Big love to all moms everywhere. Earth moms to Martian moms, elephant moms to insect moms, ancient moms to future moms, I (along with these fine musicians featured above) am truly in awe of your endless efforts of generosity and compassion. Sorry for all the sufferation.

Also, I have a new mix!!!! Go peep it at a brand new British digi-hub for all things funky. The website is called Cherry-Funk, and the mix is called “Upbeat On Bongo Street”. Many tunes you haven’t heard before. It’s a groovy dance party type thang.