New single from Benjamin “Those Memories/This Time”

June 8, 2015 at 10:07 am

benjamin

Big up to Cherries records for always putting out quality funk.  Check out the new 7-inch from Benjamin.

From Cherries Records:

BENJAMIN comes back full force with two back-to-back modern soul burners.  Side A, ‘Those Memories (Sneak Up On Me)’ is a mid-tempo live funk track, originally created for the infamous Toulouse Soul Club party in southern France. With a driving guitar/bassline combo, slinking funky drums and swelling synth lines, BENJAMIN encourages you to leave the past behind, never looking into the “rear view” mirror of love. On the B side, Cherries’ co-founder, DJ Shred One, serves up a stripped down extended edit version of ‘This Time’. Deeply influenced by the Chicago “steppers” sound, ‘This Time’ is a smooth and sultry quiet stormer, custom made for those who like their dance music sexy, sophisticated, cold and grown. It is the perfect 45 for the cool out hour, when it’s the lovers’ turn to take over the dancefloor.

Interview w/ Roger Bong of Aloha Got Soul

May 26, 2015 at 1:00 pm

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Last week, we aired a conversation I had with Roger Bong, a DJ who took his passion for Hawaiian records and turned it into a great blog, Aloha Got Soul, which lead to him starting his own re-issue label under the same name. Gearing up for their second release on June 22nd, Roger talked about his blog, establishing relationships with local musicians, and why he felt a re-press of his first release was good for everyone.

Full tracklist available at Soundwavesradio.com

my review of Jungle Fire’s debut 7-inch on Beatswapmeet.com

August 7, 2012 at 10:34 am

I had the honor of reviewing the debut 7-inch release of LA based afro-latin funk band, Jungle Fire, on the Beat Swap Meet blog.  Check it out here.

Sonic Boom Records

June 2, 2012 at 5:33 pm

Sonic Boom records, also located in the Ballard area of Seattle, is pretty much the equivalent of Amoeba records, just smaller.  New releases all over the place, great selections, a cool used section with decently priced quality records, and a large dollar bin section.  They even had a cool 45's section, which was well organized (alphabetically) in wood boxes, and even had a "Sale 45's" bin, in which I surprisingly found some quality joints.  I spent most of my time shuffling through some $2.99 records.  Ended up scooping up a Willie Hutch "The Mack" soundtrack, Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" Instrumental LP, Butterfield Blues Band "Keep on Moving" LP, Budos Band "Up From The South" 45, John Holt "For The Love of You" 45, Santana's S/T LP, Rasco "The Unassisted" 12", and Souls of Mischief "Rock It Like That" 12".  Even found some cool, locally made, buttons that were called "Music Dictionary buttons."  Each button had what looked like a page torn out of a dictonary, with terms like "phonograph" or "record" on them.  Had to support the local artist, whose name is Dawn Tyler.  You can find her on Facebook, but if anyone knows Dawn, please send her a BIG UP for me.

Bop Street Records

June 1, 2012 at 5:32 pm

20120528-173141.jpgThe first stop on my digging adventure in Seattle was Bop Street Records: a spot, which the owner Dave had no problem telling me almost as soon as I walked in, that Wall Street Journal had named them one of the five best music stores in America.  Not the biggest space, but very well used, with records along the walls reaching up to the ceiling.  The center of the store had numerous shelves with very well organized records.  Jazz, blues, rock, etc.  This is one of those places that will have exactly what you're looking for, without even having to really hunt for it.  It's all there, and you'll be happy to pay for the convenience.  Not me, though.  While I may have a mental list of records to look for, I'm happy to spend an hour or two simply going through everything, and letting the discovery happen on its own.  Dave probably approached me three, maybe four, times asking "so what exactly are you looking for?"  I was as polite as I could be, being asked that question so much.  Sometimes you just want to dig, with no goal in sight.  I ended up in the upstairs loft, where they had something like 100,000 45's to go through.  There was a gentleman there who was a regular, and was trying to complete some crazy list of 22,000 records, and he had about six hundred left to find.  Bugged out.  I found a James Brown box of 45's, dug through them, knowing that I couldn't afford them on this trip.  It was nice to see them, though, and make a mental note of the labels and what not for future ventures.  Ended up leaving with a Marvin Gaye "Funky Space Re-incarnation" 45, a Ruby & The Romantics "Our Day Will Come" 45, and Syl Johnson's "Different Strokes" on 45.

The Apostles 45 re-issue

May 21, 2012 at 8:06 am

Speaking of Frank Gossner of Voodoo Funk, one of his most recent blog posts are about this super rare Apostles 45 re-issue.  Here's what he said:

The heaviest Deep Funk 45 ever to come out of West Africa. Only two original copies are known to exist. Now everybody can buy one. (before they're sold out…)

I IMMEDIATELY grabbed two copies from Academy Annex.  So heavy!

Cherries Records debut release today!

May 15, 2012 at 7:26 am

The homies Shred One and Meaty Ogre debuted the first release on their new 7-inch label, Cherries Records, last night at midnight, Chicago time.  Two tracks from Cermakk & Doug Shorts, both well produced 2012 r&b joints for the early/closing set.  Spaced out beats with solid vocals.  I'm so proud of them! Support independent vinyl and get your copy at http://cherriesrecords.bigcartel.com/

Electric Cowbell Records

April 12, 2012 at 9:00 am

It’s as simple as searching for someone’s record online, that I stumble on a label that’s pushing some amazing vinyl.  Case in point: Electric Cowbell Records out of New York.  I went on their site looking for this Superhuman Happiness 7″, and came out with a handful of other 45’s.  Can’t complain.  I damn near fell out of my chair when I heard this Sway Machinery track.  Had to get it.

Jack White’s Third Man 45 iPhone Case

March 16, 2012 at 8:00 am

I was searching for some Alabama Shakes vinyl, and it looks like Third Man, Jack White’s own record label, released a live 7″ of a couple of tracks from this southern soul-rock band.

Then I happened upon this really cool iPhone case, made out of die-cut 45’s from Third Man Records!  Just when you thought people ran out of creative ideas for records (besides actually playing them, of course).

Now, if you haven’t had a chance to witness the Alabama Shakes, check out their live session on KCRW back in January.  Big up to my man, Nate Martel, for putting me on to this fresh group.

Sunlightsquare Latin Combo “I Believe In Miracles”

January 18, 2012 at 8:00 am

My man Endo came through The Straight Ahead last week and mentioned that he had some 45’s in the car for sale, so I politely exited the spot and proceeded to follow the man to a parking structure down the street.  After sifting through some goodness, he handed me this 7-inch.  A fine cover of The Jackson Sisters rare groove classic.  UK soul & latin bands always come with the heat.  Hearing this record reminded me how excited I was when I heard about Grupo X quite a few years back.

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