Pat Kelly - If It Don't Work Out

There are two genres of forty-fives in which there are an abundance in NYC: Latin (Tico, Fania, Uptite, etc..) and Jamaican (ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and so forth). Although North American Soul and Funk are what I primarily search out I'd be a fool not to take advantage of the massive wealth of Jamaican records that made their way to New York. I found this one today in Bed Stuy for three dollars. I bought it because I was familiar with a reggae version of "The Dark End of the Street" that Pat Kelly recorded. Luckily I wasn't disappointed. Kelly's voice is so seductive, especially on the track I'm posting. Like a Jamaican Sam Cooke or something, so smooth and controlled.

Hope this helps you all mellow out before another work-week.

B(o)-Sides: Marilyn Barbarin - "Believe Me"

A consequence of life are constant distractions and disruptions. I've been experiencing a substantial amount of both as of recently, mostly do to work but also some heavier issues. So once again I apologize and to make it up to you I'm going to share a song with y'all that's a constant source of comfort for me.

Everyone knows Eddie Bo for penning and recording some of the finest funk tunes ever and some are privy to the fact that the flip sides of those records contain some very very sweet and deep ballads. The record I bring you today is one of his most sought after and for the good reason, the track "Reborn" is the most off-the-wall slightly gospel-tinged funk tracks you'll ever hear. It's the reason why the record is worth a good deal of money. The flip though, the side I'm posting, is a strangely melancholic sounding ballad with Marilyn Barbarin delivering a tremendous vocal performance on top of it all. If there was ever a song to fall in love with this is in. Perfect soundtrack for cool spring evenings. Hope you enjoy. I'll try and be a little more attentive to the blog.

Jimmy & Eddie - Stop Think It Over

Sorry for the delay again, the proverbial pipeline of life has sent a substantial amount of bullshit my way. I'm not going to share my burdens with all of you for the sake of privacy and because that's not why you come here. You come here for good tunes.

I found this slab of Chicago funk at a record fair this past weekend along with a VERY nice stack of some heavy hitters i've been after for a while, all for an excellent price. I'm posting this up as a request I received via Facebook and also because I really like the tune. I'm not really sure about the details regarding who Jimmy and Eddie are, I only know that the record is a Chicago record. That soulful scream at the beginning of the song is a heavy one.

I'm also going to use today's post to speak about the dog my girlfriend and I are currently fostering. There's a little website up for her to tell her story and collect donations here. She's an extremely sweet dog and if you can help out at all it would definitely help her cause.

Thanks again for reading y'all. See you soon.

Emanuel Lasky - "I Need Somebody"

My girl and I went out to dinner last night for a postponed Valentines Day date. She also took me to my favorite local record spot and bought me some records. This is one of them. She's been working on her out food-centric blog called Hammy On Rye.

Emanuel Lasky - "I Need Somebody"

Lowell Fulsom - "Funky Broadway"

Seems like I've been digging up quite a bit of covers lately. Today is no exception. I present you with an absolutely bombastic cover of the Dyke & The Blazers funk classic "Funky Broadway." The original is noted as being the first song to include "Funky" in the title. It's also one of the original funk tunes, on the same page as "Cold Sweat," that paved the way for things funk that succeeded it.

The original, however classic and wonderful in its own right, can't hold a candle to Lowell's version. The original sentiment is kept but Lowell adds just enough to put it over the top. Some noticeable differences include: more prominent roll of the organ, dirtier and more raw production qualities specifically the tremendous amount of reverb on the drums and guitar tone, Lowell's blues-inflected voice that has a more grizzled quality compared to Christian's, and finally a CLASS horn arrangement that is slightly more sophisticated than the original. Info I've turned out indicates a 1970 release date on Lowell's version, which allowed a three year period for funk to develop and room for improvement on proto-funk songs for whomever should take on the task. I think you get that I really really like this version. Hope y'all dig, I'll see you soon!

The Staple Singers - "Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)

This one's for Black History Month. It's also for Mavis Staples who won a Grammy tonight. Congrats Mavis!

One of my all time favorites.

Gary and The Top Ten - "Think Nothing About It" b/w "Bootleg"

Here's what I know about this record: the A-side is a cover of a Curtis Mayfield penned tune originally performed by Gene Chandler, the b-side is a cover of a Booker T & The M.G.s tune. The label was based in Alabama and apparently produced by someone named Rick Moman. That's about it. I can't find much else about the group or the label. I do suspect that Rick Moman is either Chips Moman, Rick Hall, or the two of them had something to do with this record. What for sure I can't really say. Oh the other thing I know is, "Bootleg" is comprable to the original and slowly winning a spot as my favorite and "Think Nothing About It" absolutely destroys the original. Sorry Gene but those female vocal harmonies, the gentle organ, and the tremolo laden lead guitar push this version into the number one slot. An absolute low-rider anthem. If anyone has some info on the record please let me know.

*Also, something fishy is going on with my receiver which is why the recording of "Think Nothing..." gets a little wonky. I'm going to attempt to re-do it tomorrow. Hope you can deal. See y'all soon.

Gary Griffin & The Top Ten - "Think Nothing About It"



Gary Griffin & The Top Ten - "Bootleg"



*FIXED!