More Mighty Mellow Moods, Mates!!

Well, it seems that yesterday's post is well favored so today is the other two chapters from The Mighty Mellow series. Chapter 1 is full of songs which are quite popular and around in other compilations. Then, chapter 2 is just like 3 delving into more rare grooves. With that said, I am partial to the latter two, however, the whole lot is dope-ish so don't leave 1 out. As youz guyz already get the gist from yesterday's post of what these albums are all about, I need not further explain. And now, 1 and 2...

Chapter 1

 Chapter 2

  

The Mighty Mellow 3!!

So, I want to start with the last chapter of The Mighty Mellow series because it is what first came to me. My company recently bought quite a bit of releases over seas. This Italian double LP being one of them, I purchased it for a measly $5 based upon the cover alone. Well, once I had a chance to hear it....Damn!  And that's how it came to be. Anyhow, Partners In Crime is apparently who gathered up this super dope collection of funk, library, down-tempo, hipness, but it's out on Future Records as well as chapter 2. Installment number one is out on Discomagic Records. The entire album is just so happenin', with songs such as 'Rain Rain Go Away' by Bob Azzam (the one with an infamous drum break), and 'Latin Lips' by The Invaders, which I recently posted. Believe me, you are gonna love this series for all that it offers. And you samplers will wanna chop, chop!

Drum break, please....

 A looksie...

The Doctor Will See You Now!!

One of the cool lesser known aspects of Eddie Henderson is that he is a medical doctor. From '75 to '85 he practiced in San Francisco 4 hours a day and the rest was left to music. In fact he took that job on a stipulation that whenever touring came up, he must be free to come and go as the music demanded. How badass would it be to have had Dr. Henderson treat your flu? Eddie is synonymous with fusion funk jazz and basically all of his albums are solid examples of that sub-genre. He has played with many big boys, and certainly earned such validity. 'Inside Out' is from 1974 on Capricorn Records. It has a 'Bitches Brew' kinda feel to it while still having a sound of it's own, sporting musicians who aren't very well known but had unique styles to offer. And, here is the result...

'Dreams' off of the album...

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A CHERRY ON TOP!!

L.A. Carnival 45:

a) Pose A Question

b) Can You Hum A Tune

You like?...

Lonely Avenue!!

Short on time, again. David "Fathead" Newman's 1972 funky soul jazz release. You will dig this. 

Oh, my...

Larry's Inner Crisis!!

Larry (pianist) was scooped up by Jackie McLean when he was barely twenty, and also had two of his compositions on 'Right Now!'. On that alone, he gets a pass. He's also known for Blood, Sweat & Tears, and teaming up with his best contemporaries. 1973 release of deep rooted soul jazz in it's most saturated form; In entirety, 'Inner Crisis' delivers that moldy well aged soul. Like a good Bleu d'Auvergne cheese, we crave it's funk. A must have for any lover of the stank. 

Cheese and crackers, anyone?....

Let's Get Invaded!!

Gathered from Wikipedia.org: 

'The Invaders was started by Ralph Richardson in Bermuda in 1968. In 1969, the band produced its first hit 45, "Spacing Out", written by Richardson, which made it to the top of the Bermuda charts and remained there for several weeks. Within a few months, the band produced its first album with the same title. Both 45 and album were underwritten by Eddie De Mello.

By late 1969, Phillips Recording Studios in the UK offered the band a six-month tour of Europe and a recording contract. By 1970, the band, whose members where then part time musicians, decided to call it quits.

Several years later, De Mello digitized the original sound tracks and produced a CD of the album which is still available.'

Like the group Brute Force, this is another musical tragedy in the sense that such a super bad sound was put to death too young via a premature breakup. Damn! Well, at least we have this and it's one of the best funk instrumentals out there. Just so fuh-fuh-funky! 

Go on and get yourself some...

Here ya go, Jack....

Plenty Good Eaton!!

More Black Jazz Records! Cleveland Eaton is a double bassist who played with Rotary Connection, John Klemmer, George Benson, Sarah Vaughn, Henry Mancini, Lou Rawls, and on and on.... So many superb musicians right under our noses who failed to obtain significant notice. Maybe to do with the giants they stood next to? Anyhow, 'Plenty Good Eaton' was released in 1975, and not only is it a great jazz album, it's full of samples as well. 

Buffet preview....

Expressing Your Artistic Truth!!

alto sax, flute-Sonny Fortune

bari sax, clarinet-Harriet Bluiett

bass-Reggie Workman

drums, percussion-The Man Himself

electric piano-Hilton Ruiz

percussion-Lawrence Williams, Richard Landrum

piano-Joseph Bonner

tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet-John Stubberfield

trumpet, flugelhorn-Cecil Bridgewater

trumpet, horn-Olu Dara

vocals-Eddie Jefferson

.....(Sigh)....Quite a bit of personnel, but it's worth it. Although there are crowded moments within most of the songs, it still is a smashing live performance by a very intense group of jazz musicians named The Artistic Truth. Certainly another garage recorded show, so there is that divine grungy smudgy sound . The record is yet another dirty gem by Jazzman. I'm keeping an eye out on it's releases because they are on a roll, man. Well, I believe this to be very nourishing soul, so give it a go, eh?

Don't ya wanna listen?...

Crusaders Of The Jazz!!

Remember me mentioning The Jazz Crusaders in the recent Wayne Henderson post? Here is a live performance at The Lighthouse '62. I love The JC's. As a musical unit, they were unstoppable. Just listen to the video clip! They were another act out of Houston, TX (named The Swingsters) but soon relocated to L.A. with a new name, and shortly a contract with Pacific Jazz. The Jazz Crusaders were: Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Nesbert "Stix" Hooper, and Wilton Felder. Now, since it is '62 the style is appropriate for that era. I usually post drops from the late '60's to mid 70's. Though, good jazz is good jazz is good jazz, right?

S-s-s-sample!...

Yesterday's Universe!!

Madlib, aka Otis Jackson Jr., aka Quasimoto, aka a million other pseudonyms, is a well documented jazz lover and digger. He proudly boasts in his rhymes how his record collection contains "the good shit". As with 'The Funky Side Of Life', this is another of his side projects. Yesterday's New Quintet is mainly his child, where he both composes as well as plays multiple instruments. Quite impressive. There is a full on attempt to replicate that indefinable late 60's early 70's sound jazz-funk-soul had. In this release there are several fictitious bands listed as the performers, but it's really just him and a few musicians doing covers and original compositions. I normally do not take a liking to anything new in jazz. There are exceptions and YNQ is one. 

See what I mean?...

Spiritual Jazz One Is #1!!

The Fountain Of Soul!!

Having this man's name on a record is like a stamp of '100% Pure Soul Jazz'. He has been on many underground classics (if you liked Richard Davis' Now's The Time that I posted, that's one) as well as led them. This is one: Soul Fountain by Clifford Jordan. Originally recorded in 1966, released in '68, then reissued in '70. The cover art, artist and title tell all you need to know of the sounds and style. Enjoy!

South Dallas Funk!!

While I'm on this 45 kick, might as well drop this. A Now-Again reissue of the 1970 South Dallas Pop Festival. The first presented is a 7" from the live recording. The second is the entire album that was reissued. I must admit that the full album is a bootleg rip of the real reissue. I bought it at a recent Dallas music festival for a buck. Worth it, but as a result, the track names are untitled, but who plays them is referenced. Listening to this makes me curious all over again to discover from the vast abyss of unknown great music that is out there. 

7"

Album

Preview...

Cold Grits...Cold Bear!!

A 2004 reissue of these two songs by Cold Grits and The Gaturs. Stone funk classic!

a) It's Your Thing-Cold Grits

b) Cold Bear-The Gaturs

The Bagpipes Of Rufus!!

Enjoy

The Dopeness!!

James Spaulding

a) Uhuru Sasa/ b) Give It Up

Sample the sickness.....

People Get Ready!!

By Wayne Henderson who was part of
The Jazz Crusaders/ The Crusaders.

Liberating The Sounds Of Jazz!!

Remaining on the subject of Byard Lancaster, here is a group he was in named Sounds Of Liberation. This is quite the bipolar album being that half of the tracks are free jazz and the others are hip-soul jazz. Also, the song lengths are either a few minutes or 10 to 20 minutes. But, that just means there is something for us all. Here is a synopsis of them found on Amazon:

'Formed in the early 70s, the Sounds of Liberation was a group of Philadelphia musicians made up of Byard Lancaster, Khan Jamal, Monnette Sudler, Omar Hill, Dwight James, Rashid Salim and Billy Mills. The Sounds of Liberation mixed jazz, funk, free jazz and spiritual jazz into a harmonious celebration of sound. With their infectious music they even found themselves playing along side Kool and the Gang at the 6th Annual Miss Black America pageant.'

As that review notes, this group is liberating (pardon that word) in it's lack of any definitive sub-genre. I thought to choose yet another that although contains free jazz, it's in bite sizes, and mixed with a soulful style, making it more palatable. So, if you enjoyed yesterday's post, then I know you're gonna dig this!

A sample.....

Funny Funky Rib Crib!!

You know with a title like that, it has to be good!

Amazon editorial review:

'Byard Lancaster is one of the leading figures in the Free Jazz movement surprising many of his fans with more funky orientated grooves on the Funny Funky Rib Crib LP which was originally released on the obscure French Jazz imprint Palm recordings by Jef Gilson.'

Love free spiritual jazz? Byard is your man. Looking further in to his career, he has worked with Sun Ra, McCoy Tyner, and Memphis Slim, among others. Playing the flute and the sax, he also studied piano, singing, composing, arranging and conducting....sigh....Yeesh! Talk about thoroughly trained. Louis Armstrong use to mock the new kind of jazz as being disorganized and incomprehensible. To me, it's like the great modern painters of the 20th century who, unknown to the public, where extraordinarily well studied and able in the traditional fine arts, yet chose to make something innovative and strange. Same with the new jazz of that time. What I mean to say is that these musicians were creating exactly what they envisioned. These seemingly 'free disorgainzed' sounds were absolutely intended. But, I digress. As stated in the review, this is a funkier album. His others are surely on the free jazz front, and that's cool if you dig it. But even the most ardent jazz lover can waiver in the face of this sub genre, so I have chosen this one for youz guyz, not knowing your tolerance level. Well, without further adieu, here is 'Funny Funky Rib Crib'.

The Free Slave!!

"Straight ahead jazz with a funky trip", is how one review describes it. Another beautiful early 70's release from Muse. Roy Brooks is obviously noted as a superior drummer and leader, though all of the present musicians are deserving here. Listed on the cover, here is what they play: 

Cecil McBee-bass

Woody Shaw-trumpet (b4 he was well known)

Hugh Lawson-piano

George Coleman-sax

This is considered Roy's top release, and it just might be. Considering that it's a recorded live show, this quintet has impressive timing and musical banter. It is a lot more organized than his 'Ethnic Expression' with the Artistic Truth (and I promise to post that one soon for yuz guyz). 'Ethnic Expression' is really solid, just not as well performed as well as garage-made in recording quality. Any spiritual soul jazz lover will want anything by Roy. If he is new to you, start with this magical gem. Do yourself a favor and drop this in your crate!

Listen.....

Your Long Lost Funky Uncle!!

Well, so far the poll that I posted has an overwhelming lean toward jazz, so here is a little treat for ya. Self-written, self-produced, self-recorded, self-pressed, and self-distributed. Wow! Another one where cheap cover art equals killer material. This was an obscure grail for a long time, until Jazzman reissued it in 2008. It has some hard funky cuts on it. Explosive jam jazz, I'd say. Take a listen to determine if it's worth your time. I think so.

Listen.....

The Goodness Of Person!!

You've already listened to Houston's 'Blue Odyssey'...or maybe you didn't. In any case, 'Goodness!' was dropped a year after in 1969, still on Prestige. The recorder carries the lofty name of Rudy Van Gelder, and includes Sonny Phillips on organ. Doesn't seem like a terrible start, eh? Prestige usually kept the cover art more monochromatic and minimalist than other jazz labels, and yet some still pull off the cool. To me, below is an example. This album certainly gets the soul jazz stamp of approval. Oh goodness, you gotta taste this!

Wanna listen?...

Malo Means Bad!!

...In Spanish, that is. First of all, this Baroque style cover by Jesus Helguera seals the deal as something of interest. It also strongly suggests this to be of Latin style. And that, it is. It was the first from a 12 piece San Fran clan. A funky punch in the gut, with Roy Murray's screaming trumpet, righteous percussions, Pablo's nasty bass, and a host of other instruments involved. Malo hits it out of the park with a self titled album that you can dance to or just sit and chill to the many rhythms. Now let us thank Daz again for bringing this delight to life for you and I. Daz, you are too cool for school, Jack! So, if you aren't bad like Malo, then give a listen and take a lesson. 

Grachan's Free Africa!!

Son of jazz bassist G. Moncur II, and nephew to sax man Al Cooper, G.M. III had a head start in the music world. After high school he toured with Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, etc...Then he headed left into the free sounds of Archie Shepp's ensemble (Archie appears on this drop). I suppose he pulls it together in every musical situation, and confidently. He has composed an impressive amount as well. This 1969 album best illustrates his diverse talent and direction. 

 Does this convince you?

Sharing Roots!!

Joe Tex (1935-1982) was one hell of a soul man. In fact, good enough that James Brown reportedly challenged him to a "battle" shortly after both were signed to King Records. This sparked a more than 15 year feud between the two that is worth reading about..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Tex#Rivalry_with_James_Brown 

Joe, like James, is also credited with being one of the original rappers, with his style of speaking over the music in rhythmic rants. Put these facts all together and you have the first MC vs. MC beef. Today's album choice displays JT's rappin' skills, as the title indicates. With a little help from Daz, we can share these roots! 

Jean Michel Salutes Jazz!!

Basquiat (1960-1988) had become well known among artists ever since the early 80's, and he has since grown infamous. The man lived fast, intense, and brief. What he left behind is incredible art. 

Now, it only takes a little reading into Jean for some mentioning of his incessant playing of music while producing. The majority of it? Jazz. Some 3,000 lp's were found in his NYC loft following his untimely death. It included many of the classics from Blue Note, and others who played before his hay day in neighboring Harlem. Here is a compilation of songs drawn from that collection, with the help of Gerard Basquiat, his father. All in all, 12 main staples in early jazz from the likes of Dizzy, Bird, Miles, and Coltrane. Salute Jean's jazz!

Album with JMB painting cover art:

A couple of his pieces:

This particular one ^ is a collaboration with Andy Warhol. 

The Price For Keepin' It Authentic!!

Now to add a cherry on top with this 45 by Connie Price and the Keystones. A current band branded as 'modern deep funk', one would never guess it to be any younger than 35 years. It sounds so gritty in production. Grainy and musky, just like scoring some old beat up funk 45 at Goodwill. It even has those welcomed occasional off-timings of the band that 70's indie funk possessed. In short, they keep it authentic, and for that, you will enjoy it.

Side A: The Badger/ Side B: Sweet Soul Music (part 2)

Pieces Of Peace!!

Yet another gained through a friend. This time, from someone who always keeps an eye on Chicago music. A little info found on them:

'One of Chicago's premier soul and funk bands of the late 1960s and early 70s, they scored the enviable gig of backing up Syl Johnson during a number of his shows and, later, on his incendiary 1970 LP Is It Because I'm Black.' 

I don't know about you, but I love Syl's work. It is another garage funk album which was ment to be released around '72, but never was until 2007 as DJ Shadow dug up the session tapes. With assistance from Sarab Records, he compiled the songs into this self titled solitary full album. Lots of rotten funk and heavy on the horns? Yes, please! Since this is a CD rip, the sound quality is as crisp as the originals allowed

Horns From The African Continent!!

What a killer compilation of African jazz. It is volume 3, so two others to go. I bought this a few years ago on a particular music mp3 site when it was one of the cheapest in price and dopest in content. Sadly, it has since gone parallel to iWhore. Oh well. If you enjoyed the 'Ethio Jazz' post then 'Next Stop' outta do it for ya, Jack! 

Where's My Money?!!

Literally speaking, because that is this 45 single's precise title. By Willie Jones and I think fronting the Royal Jokers, circa 1961, it carries rather expensive listings on eBay :( I suppose digital form earns it keep in such a case, eh? On the flip side is 'Don't Leave Me'. Well, enjoy!

Give a listen....

The Dragon & Monsters, Ooh My!!

Another one gifted to me by a friend who always kicks over good music. Madlib sampled it, and covered 'The Horse' on his 'Funky Side of Life'. And you know M has reeeeally great taste in sound, whether library rock or what have you.  Definitely a home run of a soul album. With-out-a-doubtness jam master funk! I know I tend to dote over the covers, but album art has a major influence in my own art. So forgive me for mentioning again how fantastic this cover is. Anyhow, I recommend you get uptight with the Uptights!

Soul Maaaaan!!

Not all of Bobby Timmons' albums are funky. His early work leans on the traditional side. Still solid, just not funk-soul-jazzy. Time perhaps played a part in this as his preceding records were of the early to mid 60's. Funk soul jazz was just learning to walk and talk, per se. But here, 'The Soulman' delivers. He keeps it 100 with the flavors on this Prestige release. The cover speaks for itself, right? Who's your Soulman? Bobby T is!

Web Diggin' Blog Referral!!

This is a blog which posted last in 2009, but still has live ones. I stumbled upon it while researching 'Hot House' by Walter Bishop Jr. If you are fond of Muse Records (which you should), then go here. Click on each song of an album, then right click in the black screen ;)

http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/kathleen/

The Apple Of My Eye!!

Let's continue the Black Jazz theme. Doug Carn was their most successful artist. In fact, in 1974 he supposedly sold more than Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis. This is the only album of the BJ catalog which doesn't have that simple black cover art synonymous of the label. It's a definite goodie, and I'm sure you'll be seeing more of Doug. Enjoy!

The 2nd Wave!!

Roland Haynes

My Dad Was Drafted!!

This is soul born from very confusing and turbulent times. Vietnam was the Boogieman who could snatch you away to a living nightmare. My Dad served during Vietnam. He was drafted not long after graduating from college in Chicago where he also marched in the streets opposing the war. Ain't that a bitch! Long story short, there is a lot of pain, hope and soul in this compilation of songs centered around the topic. A Vietnam OST, of sorts. Including the likes of The Mighty Hannibal, The Impressions and Joe Tex, it can't be anything but dope. 

Marvin's Trouble!!

When I first saw Trouble Man, I was so interested with it's music that I lost my attention for the movie itself. To find out that the MV had made it only fascinated me more. I went digging for a week until I came across a record of it. It was worth every minute of that search. This has got to be Marvin Gaye's best work...And I know that's quite a statement, but if you haven't heard this blaxploitation OST that he composed, brother, you better get to it! Both funk and dark 'Library-esque' suspense, symphonic, as well as Marvin's unequivocal singing land this one as a top list OST. Trouble Man is here to solve yo' s**t!

Bob James:

A choice groove while taking in the 'relaxing scent'.

(blog referral in comments)

Welcome Mr. Wallace!!

Wallace Roney is somewhat overlooked. Perhaps it's that his hard bop style came along a little too late in the game. However, the man has creds. Here is a snip from Wiki:

'Roney took lessons from Clark Terry and Dizzy G. and studied with Miles Davis from 1985 until the latter's death in 1991. Wallace credits Davis as having helped to challenge and shape his creative approach to life as well as being his music instructor, mentor and friend; indeed he holds the distinction of being the only trumpet player Davis ever personally mentored.'

I know Miles kind of dropped the ball in those later years...but he was still Miles Davis, so you gotta give Wallace what's due. This is a compilation of his work put out by Savoy, which is a cheap import label. It is still worth your time, though. Not anything ground breaking or strange about the sound. Just good jazz from a lesser-known.

Bad Bad Bobby Jackson!!

Damn, this album is so nasty raw, I almost didn't want to share. Here, Bobby is a bassist running a Minneapolis club where famous and fellow Minneapolis' soul jazz musicians could perform 'straight ahead' jazz. From a free and brotherhooded environment came a gritty dirty soul-smudged sound. This late 60's limited to 1000 private press has been reissued, thank God! And here we are. How did I ever survive before, without this in my collection? I know you love soul jazz.....What are you waiting for?

Naming Evan Evans!!

Ah, Bill Evans! The man was a genius, easily. He played on and led some of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Every note he played seemed as well calculated as mathematician would numbers, and yet he expressed such beautiful unrest with the same trained hands . A true artist. Now, I find it humorous that this brilliant man named his son Evan......Evan Evans..... Well, to each, their own. I have read that early in Bill's career he was given a hard time by other musicians for being white, and that Miles Davis told everyone that Evans was cool, and to let him be. Don't we all wish to have Miles backing our reputation as being cool? This album was recorded in 1974 and is backed with an orchestra conducted by Claus Ogerman. How it sounds: Spiraling moods; haunting and introverted; painfully beautiful at times; an intensity only an orchestra can provide. Quite unlike Bill's others, if you ask me. Symbiosis!

Cosby, Jones and Jazz!!

I've read on several occasions that Bill Cosby loves jazz. Like, obsessively so, which I more than sympathize with. He is also friends with many prominent musicians of jazz's 'Golden' age. This brings us to Qunicy, who got an early start to jazz at 18 when he was scooped up by L. Hampton to play trumpet in 1951, just when jazz was starting to warmed up. QJ has since made history. These two greatly focused friends with a bag for jazz came together and dropped this...

A quick glimpse at the guest musicians  ^ seals this deal.

Hikky burrrrrrrrrrr!

My Buddy And Me!!

When I was 20 yrs old I would pop a cassette of this album into my car, and drive over to my girl's house while blazing one. I'd turn up my beaten Ford Tempo's substandard speakers as loud as it'd go and take the long route there. A sweet memory for me. Anyhow, what a great live performance Buddy gives here. The cover says it all; funk rock with multi-minute jams. I suggest playing this at a BBQ, block party, or beers and smoke with the ladies and lads. Enjoy!