If It Rotates We Can Control It

This week - all 45s from my collection of funky singles, and, in an extra twist - all groovy tracks from soul sisters!  Some great tunes in here, from classic funk (Betty Harris, Jodi Gales), reggae (Marcia Griffiths), soul (Tommie Young), new (Sharon Jones), old (Shirley Ellis), and more stuff that deserves more shine (Bonnie & Sheila, Little Ann).  Funky females, doing it for themselves!

Listen to Show #69 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

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Show #68 - Boogaloo Mania!  Well, it's not all boogaloo tracks for the whole show, but I can explain myself.  You see the thing is that boogaloo is all about the party.   Party sounds for people to get down to and have a good time with.  There's no pretension, just party music.  And that sums up this show - once the first three tracks set the mood, I abandoned my playlist, and just went along with the flow - so you get hoppin' boogaloo, upbeat soul classics, Venus, and killer funk, all together - just how I like my parties!

Listen to show #68 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Joe Loco - Shing-Ah-Ling
Charlie Palmieri - Boogaloo-Mania
Ray Barretto - The Soul Drummers
Stevie Wonder - Uptight
Jackie Wilson - Higher and Higher
Freddie Terrell - Soul Know How to Make Music
Shocking Blue - Venus
Hudson County - Bim Sala Bim
Miguel de Deus - Black Soul Brothers

Posted by APanther at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's all about SOUL for this episode.  George Clinton said: "soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes" - I think of soul as music with feeling - and grooves.  I take a look at soul in a few different contexts in this show - from the "folk funk" of Barbara and Ernie to the discoteque of Lalomie Washburn, to the organic sway of Sly, it's all got that soul... some classics in here, too - Alice Clark, Eddie Drennon, and Martha and the Vandellas cover of the Jackson 5 tune!

Listen to Show #67 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Barbara and Ernie - Somebody to Love
Arnold Blair - Trying to Get Next to You
Alice Clark - Hey Girl
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - I Want You Back
Lalomie Washburn - Give Me Love With the Music
Eddie Drennon - Do It Nice and Easy
Sly and the Family Stone - Say You Will

Posted by APanther at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Got some new (to me) Brazillian tracks that I'm excited to play - check the dope Fafa de Belem track, and marvel how she never stops singing!  Orquestra e Coro give us a funky version of Helio Matheus' 'Kriola', and then we move into the Afro funk.  Er, rather African-sounding funk, made by non-Africans.  There's the Lafayette Afro Rock Band (American, recorded in France) with 'Oglenon', Nico Gomez (Belgian) with 'Ritual', and finally the 2006 sounds of Nomo (Ann Arbour) doing 'If You Want'.  It only seemed right to close the show with some music genuinely from Africa - Ethiopia's Getatchew Mekurya doing 'Yegenet Muziqa'.

Listen to show #66 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Fafa de Belem - Naturalmente
Wando - Benedito e Julieta
Orquestra e Coro - Kriola
Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Oglenon
Nico Gomez - Ritual
Nomo - If You Want
Getatchew Mekurya - Yegenet Muziqa

Posted by APanther at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After last week's delve into East German grooves, I thought we should get back to some straight up grooves - I originally intended this show to be oriented towards early 70s funk, but I was drawn to the later disco sounds - and I even slipped in some early 80s tracks.  Highlights of this show - the amazing Nina Simone which shows how to really get down, 'the vulture' by Labi Siffre, which is just about everything you could wish for in a track - huge opening break, irresistable groove.. damn!  There's a pair of tracks from 1981 - Conquest, and the Whispers (who continually impress me with their 80s material).  The show finishes with a sweet track from Linda Tillery on the lesbian-founded Olivia label out of LA/Oakland.  Dig it!

Listen to show #65 right here.  My Odeo Channel.  (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Nina Simone - Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter
Ice - Time Will Tell
Labi Siffre - The Vulture
New York Community Choir - Express Yourself
Conquest - Give it to Me (If You Don't Mind)
The Whispers - In The Raw
Linda Tillery - Freedom Time

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Sorry for no show last week - I went to Berlin!  Just got back, so I'm just going to put up a few tracks for a quick taste - all tracks that came out on the East German label Amiga (which also seemed to press up a LOT of Western music - surprised me).  You can get a hold of these tracks in the great Amiga A Go-Go compliations (buy at Amazon).  Here are 3 tracks for you:

Modern Soul Band - 5 nach halb 7

Orchester Günter Gollasch - es steht ein haus in new orleans

Posted by APanther at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There must've been something in the water in Quebec for it to have so many cool records from the 60s and 70s... I was recording some tracks, and thought that 3 of them would be perfect to share here: 

I'm a big sucker for cover versions, especially cover versions in other languages, so that's why this French-language version of 'Vehicle' is especially appealing!

L'Armistis - Ma Vie

On their own 'Revolution' record label, here is another Quebec band with a kind of garage / funk hybrid, with a mercifully short guitar solo.  I really dig this track.  The title refers to a downpour.

La Revolution Francaise - Y'Mouille a Sciaux

A surf-rock instrumental that I love to play out pitched up around +6.  Always gets a good reaction.  Funnily enough, the cover art is the same as a very rare Venezuelan record!

Les Jaguars - Jaguar Shake

Posted by APanther at 09:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For Show #63, I delve into the jazz section of my crates... 30 minutes of music in 5 songs.  The first track is by Nigerian musician Peter King, from his previously unreleased LP 'Shango' - a great mix of jazz and funk put out by the Strut record label.  After that there are two pairs of tracks.  The first pair are 80s tracks by legendary jazz artist Pharoah Sanders - the first, 'Africa', is from his 1987 dutch LP of the same name, and is a great vocal effort.  The second is the jazz dance classic 'You've Got to Have Freedom', from his 1980 LP on the Theresa label. 

For the second half we have the pleasure of two tracks from the Brazillian guitarist Baden Powell recorded for Germany's MPS label.  The first, 'Sarava', is from the 1966 LP Tristeza on Guitar, and then the show finishes with his great scat vocal number 'Blues a Volonte' from his 1973 LP Images on Guitar.  Two great tracks by this artist.

Listen to Show #63 right here! My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Peter King - Shango
Pharoah Sanders - Africa
Pharoah Sanders - You've Got to Have Freedom
Baden Powell - Sarava
Baden Powell - Blues a Volonte

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For show #62, 30 minutes of all sorts of funky music.  There's Ethiopian grooves, jazz, rare groove, Brazillian, and 4 hot latin tracks to round out the show.  Joey Pastrano may look square, but he can really get down!   Varied and funky, just the way I like it!

Listen to Show #62 right here!  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Alemayehu Eshete - Yeweb dar
Juan Carlos Caceres - Noche Negra
Dierdre Wilson Tabac - I Can't Keep from Cryin' Sometimes
Odyssey - Battened Ships
MPB4 - Agibore
Cal Tjader - Soul Sauce
Willie Bobo - Spanish Grease
Joey Pastrano - Flamenco Ole
Alfredito - Get It Right

Posted by APanther at 07:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Another shorter (30 min) show here, this week split into two sections - the first is more West Indian (with the exception of the Dramatics) and the second half is soul.  Some cool groovy reggae in the first half (as well as some songs from the era when it was called 'Reggay'), like Phyllis Dillon's ultra cool version of 'Woman of the Ghetto', Hopeton Lewis' 'Tom Drunk' and pre-ska-era Derrick Morgan and Patsy Todd with 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'.  Also in the first half are some cool Island funk tracks - the Cinnamon Suns awesome 'Party Time' from their rare 'Get It Together' LP, and Frankie Zhivago Young from his (even more) rare 'Flying High' LP on the private Alwa record label.

In the second half we have some great movin' soul tunes - of course there's Stevie, with 'Can I Get a Witness', but there's also Cliff Nobles & the vocal version of 'The Horse', and Jimmy Holliday with 'The New Breed', which is a super tune.  There's even a video of a guy dancing to it on Youtube.  So lots to get into, even in half an hour!

Listen to Show #60 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get
Phyllis Dillon - Woman of the Ghetto
Hopeton Lewis & "Hugh" Roy - Tom Drunk
Derrick & Patsy - Hey Boy Hey Girl
Cinnamon Suns - Party Time
Frankie Zhivago Young - All Around the World
Charles Brinkley - In the Pocket
Bobby Freeman - Oughta Be a Law
Stevie Wonder - Can I Get a Witness
Cliff Nobles - Love is All Right
Jimmy Holliday - The New Breed

Posted by APanther at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Back on Track!  This show marks the return of the If It Rotates show - there was too long of a pause there, but now I'm back, and I'm going to continue with the funky and groovy music, but now making more frequent shows that are a little shorter and easier for me to put together.  This will make it easier for me to do mini-themes, and other focussed shows.  However, just to mark the return of the show, this latest one is 30 minutes of groovy stuff from Nigeria to Italy to Brazil to Canada, as a showcase of the kind of music you can find here.

Listen to Show #60 right here! My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Ray Stephen Oche and His Matumbo - Odeiyolao-o
Nonato Buzar - 100 Milhas
Janko Nilovic - Soul Impressions
Toldos y su Grupo - Modulo Jazz
Remigio Ducros - Scherzi Pesanti
Electric Prunes - I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night
Francois Cousineau - Psychedelic Party
Nilton Castro - Segura Sambura
Milton Nascimento - Para Lennon e McCartney

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Last week we saw how "the groove" is found in recordings all over the world - it's only natural that you can find it in gospel recordings, too.  In fact, since so many secular soul and funk artists came from gospel backgrounds, you could argue that it just might be the source.  This week, I've got 3 groovy gospel tunes for you.

First up - Brother Samuel Cheatam, with 'Troubles of the World' from a 45 on Chicago's One Way record label (he has an album on One Way, too, called 'Stranger in the City').  This is a slow, brooding track with a deep and continuous groove.  There's another edition of this 45 on the Cora label.

Brother Samuel Cheatam - Troubles of the World

Second - on the Stax subsidiary label 'The Gospel Truth', the Rance Allen Group giving us practically the opposite - upbeat, snappy, and those great gospel vocals on top.  Some parts remind me of Sly and the Family Stone.  The Rance Allen group has several albums on Gospel Truth, and this track, 'I Got To Be Myself' is available on 45.

The Rance Allen Group - I Got To Be Myself

Lastly, also on the Gospel Truth label, Charles May and Annette May Thomas' amazing 'Keep My Baby Warm'.  You may have heard this before, because it's been comped a few times, but it's still worth hearing again... this is the most like a soul track - female vocals, a deep groove, but, at the end there's a great part where the music drops out and just the vocals let you know that it's gospel! There's an album on Gospel Truth called 'Songs Our Father Used to Sing', and this song is also available on 45.

Charles May and Annette May Thomas - Keep My Baby Warm

PS - Next week - straight up funk, I promise!

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From Italy to Poland to the USA, three examples of the groove that all funk fans are after.  The first track is by the Polish band Breakout, from their 70s album NOL on the Muza record label.  This is actually a killer LP, with several great tracks.  The one I chose, 'Sluchaj Rytmu', opens with a big open break before an opening that sounds like Beck could've sampled it.  Because they're a rock band, there's the requisite guitar solo, but still, the track's a winner:

Breakout - Sluchaj Rytmu

The second track is by a popular Italian duo Wess & Dori Ghezzi.  Actually, Wess was from the US originally, but was a big star in Italy.  He also put out some storming funk numbers as Wess and the Airedales, most notably that great cover of 'Vehicle' that was on the Kings of Digging comp.  Anyways, the track that I include here, 'Sentimento Sentimento' actually has a terrible chorus that really ruins the song, but the opening (and middle) is pretty sweet.  It would be nice to have an edit to cut out those parts... it's from a 1973 single on the Durium label.

Wess & Dori Ghezzi - Sentimento, Sentimento

Finally a dope track by the Left Rev. Eugene McDaniels, from his 1970 Outlaw LP.  He took a lot of heat for this LP, because it wasn't soul, or rock, or any kind of established genre.  This track, 'Cherrystones', like the track above, also has a chorus section that I'm not that fond of.  Unlike the Wess & Dori track, however, you can play this one out!

Eugene McDaniels - Cherrystones 

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When you think of funky music, the first name that comes to mind is definitely not this week's entry... known as the Velvet Fog, it's Mel Torme!  Yup, he was a teen idol in the 40s, on Nightcourt in the 80s (remember?) and, it also turns out that he had some damn cool records.  First - from his 60s LP 'Mel Torme - Right Now!' check 'Comin' Home Baby' (which, as a side note, appears to have been written by Bob Dorough, of Multiplication Rock fame) for some serious big band funkiness!  Also, from his 1974 LP Live at the Maisonette, dig his version of Stevie's 'Superstition'!

Mel Torme - Comin' Home Baby (from Mel Torme - Right Now!)

Mel Torme - Superstition (from Live at the Maisonette) 

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So I'll get back to playing some full shows soon, but there's a few more subjects that I've felt for a while deserved a post of their own.  This post is a couple of unexpected reggae covers that I really loved.  I say unexpected covers, because the songs covered aren't ones that you would typically expect. 

First up - Price Blackman's cover of 'Rapper's Delight', here titled 'Rocker's Delight', in which he lets us know that a good man is a rasta man, and not to trample his collie field...!  The Prince was also from Toronto, which is cool, and the record came out on 12" on the Solar Sounds label (no date, but probably early 80s).  What's funny is that this isn't the only, nor the most famous, Jamaican cover of Rapper's Delight!  That honour goes to another group by the name of Xanadu and Sweet Lady.

Price Blackman - Rocker's Delight

Next is an amazing track - Derrick Laro and Trinity and their reggae cover of Michael Jackson's 'Don't Stop Till You Get Enough'.  Now, DSTYGE is a pretty unstoppable song in it's own right, and playing this reggae version always turns heads (when they realize what it is).  It came out on a Joe Gibbs 12" (the flip is 'And Even Then Keep Going') in 1980.  Check the toasting at the end!  Genious.  I love this tune.

Derrick Laro and Trinity - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

When I get around to it, I'll also post up the Hindi (!) version of DSTYGE, by Usha Uthup...  next time.

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First of all, a big Happy New Year from me to all the good folks out there.  I hope you had a good holiday, and had a chance to rest and see the people you love.  Now we're back in the new year, and I've got lots of cool music to share with you... this week - Ethiopia!

 Ethiopia is a country rich in musical tradition.  During the 1960s and early 70s, the capital, Addis Ababa was known as 'Swinging Addis' for it's vibrant nightlife.  A military coup and the fall of the Emperor Haile Sellassie I and the subsequent curfews put an unfortunate end to this very creative time.  For this episode of the If It Rotates podcast we take a look at some seriously funky Ethiopian music.

For fans of this kind of music, the best way to listen to it is on the Ethiopiques series of CDs put out by the french label Buda Musique.  Now, for vinyl fans, the L'Arome label is picking some choice tracks for release.  They've released two LPs, 'Ethiopian Urban Modern Music' volumes 1 and 2.  The first is a compilation of tracks from artists such as Mahmoud Ahmed, Ayalew Mesfin, Hirut Beqele, and more, and the second is devoted to a great Ethiopian artist Alemayehu Eshete.

For this episode, I've got three tracks for you to sink your teeth into - the first, from Ayalew Mesfin is a real rocking number, the second is the great Alemayehu Eshete, and the third is by Asselefetch Ashine. 

Ayalew Mesfin - Hasabe (from Ethiopian Urban Modern Music vol. 1)

Alemayehu Eshete - Feqer feqer new (from Ethiopian Urban Modern Music vol. 2)

So I hope this gives you a little taste of Swinging Addis, and I highly recommend the Ethiopiques CDs as well as these new L'Arome LPs, they're great!

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"Mary Lou Williams is perpetually contemporary" - Duke Ellington 

Something different this week... a few weeks ago I opened the show with a track by American jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams.  Born in 1910, Mary Lou Williams' first recordings were when she was a teenager with Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.  She recorded all her life, and, in the 1960s her music tended to focus on sacred music, like gospels and masses.  "I am praying through my fingers when I play," she said. "I get that good 'soul sound,' and I try to touch people's spirits."  In my opinion, her greatest expression of this 'soul sound' is in a record that she did called Mary Lou's Mass, originally released in 1964, but re-released in 1974 on her own Mary record label. 

In an unusual step for the If It Rotates show, I'm going to present the album in it's entirety.  The album is broken up into two tracks, one for each side of the record, because the songs are quite short.  I think it's an amazing album, with influences from jazz to funk to gospel, and, while I'm not a religious man, the track 'Lazarus' always kills me.  I hope you like it.

Mary Lou Williams - Mary Lou's Mass - Side 1

Mary Lou Williams - Mary Lou's Mass - Side 2

  Side 1:
Praise the Lord: 2.07
Old Time Spiritual: 1:10
The Lord Says: 1:51
Act of Contrition: 1:26
Kyrie - Lord Have Mercy: 1:39
Gloria: 1:42
In His Day: 0:52
Lazarus - The Beggar Man: 4:24
Credo: 2:12
Medi: 3:58

Side 2:
Holy Holy Holy: 2:17
Our Father: 2:07
Lamb of God: 3:23
People in Trouble: 3:16
One: 1:23
Praise the Lord: 3:52

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What's up party people?  First off, thanks for all who were out at the Vogue Room on Saturday night, that was really great, and a big congratulations to SS & BB on their engagement - it was a great ceremony - thanks for inviting me.  Also respect to the DJ Dred-E Maximum, who straight killed it with an awesome electro mix.  His weekly show is definitely worth checking out, if you haven't heard it.

Anyways, this week I wanted to play a mix I made a little while back that Saturday's party reminded me of.  It's early 80s & disco & rap all mixed up nicely, and plays seamlessly for about an hour.  But some of my favorite tracks from the age are on here, so definitely check it out!

Listen to Show #59 right here. My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Funky Four +1 - That's the Joint
Spoonie Gee - Monster Jam
One Way - Cutie Pie
Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce
Vaugnn Mason - Bounce Rock Skate Roll
Universal Robot Band - Dance and Shake Your Tamborine
Donald Byrd - Love Has Come Around
Geraldine Hunt - You Can't Fake the Feeling
Frank Hooker - This Feeling
Sugardaddy - One More Time
Trussel - Love Injection
Man Parrish - Boogie Down Bronx
George Kranz - Din Daa Daa
Alexander Robotnick - Problemes D'Amour
Peech Boys - Don't Make Me Wait
Padlock - Peanut Butter

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First of all, thanks to all who got in touch with me about the Jorge Ben show, I really enjoyed making it, and I'm happy to hear that you liked it.  As always, if you like or dislike something, let me know!  This week is titled 'Songs with Feeling' - it didn't really intend to have a theme, but as the show was coming together I noticed that I was tending towards the deeper tracks in my collection - the show opens with a swinging track from Mary Lou Williams, playing here in a tight trio from 1976, and she's a really interesting figure in jazz, who, I think, didn't get the respect she deserved.  Born in 1910, and recording all her life, she really spanned an immense range of jazz.  There's also great stuff from Archie Shepp, Nina Simone, Odyssey, Larry T., the Tropicalia gang, and Alan Thicke's ex-wife, Gloria Loring making some psych moves from 1969. 

Listen to Show #58 here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Mary Lou Williams - Temptation
Archie Shepp - Blues for Brother George Jackson
Pharaohs - Freedom Road
Nina Simone - The Pusher
Curtis Mayfield - Stone Junkie
Tropicalia - Tres Caravelas
Gloria Loring - Darkness, Darkness
Odyssey - Battened Ships
Larry T and the Family - My Mother's Delight
Rance Allen Group - I Got to be Myself

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For show #57, something very special... one of my all-time favorite artists is the Brazillian guitarist and singer Jorge Ben.  There are some artists that form a special part of any record collection, and for me, along with American artists like James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and others, I would include Jorge Ben.  Not only are his own albums great, but because he is such a good song writer, the songs that he wrote were also covered extensively by other Brazillian (and international) artists with great success.  In fact, the presence of a Jorge Ben tune on an album is reason enough to pick it up - you won't be disapointed!  He has a certain warm tone that is both groovy and moving and deep, all at the same time.

So while his albums are so good I could have just picked an LP and put it on, I wanted a bit more diversity... For this show there's Jorge Ben tracks from the late 60s to the mid 70s, with songs by the man himself, and all sorts of cover versions.  If you're familiar with Jorge Ben, maybe there's some new tracks to check out, and if you're new to him, there's lots to listen to here.

Listen to the Jorge Ben Spectacular right here!   My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Jorge Ben - Ponta de Lanca Africano
Claudette Soares - Carolina Carol Bela
Jorge Ben & Toquinho - Carolina Carol Bela
Nelsinho e sua Orquestra - Chove Chuva
Jorge Ben - O Namorada da Viuva
Jorge Ben - Taj Mahal
Erlon Chaves & Banda Veneno - Eu Tambem Quero Mocoto
Jorge Ben - Quem Cochicha O Rabo Espicha
Gal Costa & Caetano Veloso - Que Pena
Zanini - A Quoi Tu Jous
Lill Lindfors - Hor Min Samba
Elza Soares - Mas Que Nada
Elis Regina - Bicho do Mato
Jorge Ben - Comanche
Jorge Ben - Rita Jeep
Jorge Ben - Cinco Minutos

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I know that it's become a bit tiresome to describe these shows as all over the map, but how else can I call a show that goes from 1963 jazz to Brazillian (new and old), straight funk to mod classics, and jazz fusion to dub?  There's all sorts of stuff in this show, and hopefully something you'll dig.  Some of my highlights - Mingus' bass opening, the synth freakouts from Shades of Joy, the moment the tamborines come in in the December's Children track, and the incredible echoes from Dr. Alimantado.  These are the moments that keep me listening to music!

Listen to Show #56 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Charles Mingus - Hora Decutibus
Shades of Joy - The Desert is a Circle
JD & the Evil's Dynamite Band - Haaa-Sheesh
The Daktaris - Super Afro-Beat
Candi Staton - I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (than a Young Man's Fool)
Elis Regina - Bala Com Bala
Tarika Blue - Truth Is the Key
Beltran Moner - Training Session
Don Beto - Nao Quero Mais
Lew Hanson and the Islanders - Soul Safari
Tomorrow's Children - War
December's Children - Backwards and Forwards
Shadows of Knight - Shake
Evie Sands - Billy Sunshine
Dr. Alimantado - Best Dressed Chicken in Town

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For the first show back since all the technical difficulties, I wanted to do a special dance party show, so there's no talk - and more funk!  It's 45 minutes of upbeat goodness, with extra-special tracks that I really dig, like Ricardo Marrero's latin funk, Yma Sumac's mambo, Lulu (!), Big Bo with the Twist, the awesome Tito Puente, and finally Quincy Jones' amazing 'They call me Mister Tibbs'.   It's good to be back - enjoy the show!

Listen to show #55 right here! My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Ricardo Marrero and the Group - Babalonia
Nico Gomez and his Afro Percussion Inc - Caballo Negro
Yma Sumac - Taki Rari
Choker Campbell - Carioca II
Sonny Johnson & The Sunglows - All Over Town
WAR - Me and Baby Brother
The Equals - Softly Softly
Lulu - Love Loves to Love Love
Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators - Keep Reachin' Up
Cold Blood - I'm A Good Woman
Big Bo and the Arrows - Big Bo's Twist
Barbara Green - Should Have Treated You Right
Tito Puente - Fancy Feet
France Gall - Zozoi
Maynard Ferguson - Chala Nata
Quincy Jones - They Call Me Mr. Tibbs

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Hey all, I have a regular-type show to put up, but I have another little mix from a while ago that I wanted to put up instead.  My friend BB runs a cool Punk Rock Yoga class which is like Yoga, but without the bullshit.  And she asked me to make up some music, which I did, which you can listen to below.  So because it's a for a class, the music goes up and down in tempo and mood, but I tried to fit in as many great songs as I could - check out the amazing Pharoah Sanders tune (from 1980!), the great Lee Moses, Eugene McDaniels being a hippy, and all sorts of other Brazillian business. The mix is 1.5 hours long - check it out! 

Listen to the Yoga mix!

Lyman Woodard Organization - Joy Road
Roy Ayres - Ain't No Sunshine
Open Sky Unit - Sunshine Star
Tania Maria - Viver Morrer
Quartette Tres Bien - Boss Tres Bien
Mario Castro Neves & Samba SA - Nana
Os Novos Bainos - Beste e Tu
Rosinha de Valenca - Down
Barbara Acklin - Am I The Same Girl
Lee Moses - Time and Place
Joe Loco - Anabacoa
Quarteto Novo - Vim de Santana
Larry T and the Family - Time Is Always Moving On
Gal Costa - Namorinho de Portao
Antonio Adolfo & A Brazuca - Juliana
Pharoah Sanders - You've Got To Have Freedom
Eugene McDaniels - Welfare City
Djavan - Fado Consumado
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Caetano Veloso - If You Hold A Stone
Rotary Connection - The Weight
Lani Hall - Love Song

Posted by APanther at 09:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Show #54!  The If It Rotates show is going for summer holidays, and to tide everyone through I've recorded a special Non-Stop show... normally I talk about the songs a little bit and such, but I was having such a good time recording this show that I just kept going... and going... and going!  All styles are represented in this show, from Latin, to Brazillian, to Bollywood, to Soul, to Afro, to Funk... and all in a non-stop package.  I was dancing away while recording it, and just kept pulling tracks that I love... think of it as a little peak into my private mind garden.

So like I said, this is the last show until the weekend of August 5, and hopefully I can put another show up then.  So take care of yourselves, and check for another show in a couple of weeks.

Listen to the NON STOP SPECIAL ALL STYLES SHOW right here!  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Posted by APanther at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

It's like 37 degrees here, hot hot hot, so it's time for a special summer madness show!  But you can't just jump in with the hot tracks - you've got to ease in, take it real slow-like.  Don't worry, I got you covered.  The first set opens with some slower tracks, and then heats up.   The amazing 'Summer Madness' by Kool and the Gang opens up the show, there's some smooth Brazillian grooves from Azimuth, and a great Minnie Ripperton track.  We start heating up with Margie Joseph's 'Sweeter Tomorrow' and hit full-on blazing with Wilson Picket - damn that song is great!   Uptempo funk by the Caprells and Bebeto round out the opening set.

The second half moves with some different rhythms - from Brazil, Tania Maria and Doris Monteiro give us some cool sounds, and Milton Banana shows that you dont need a big band for big sound.  Rounding out the second half is Jack Costanzo, Mr. Bongo, with an awesome cha-cha-cha, 'Quiere'.  Finally the show finishes with Johnny Colon's Boogaloo Blues.  Note that the band in the background is chanting 'LSD has a hold on me' (!!).  Summer Madness indeed.

Listen to the show here!  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Show #52 - a big mix of funk & soul & jazz!  Some great tunes in the mix this week - the opening set is shorter songs, with a stong influence of funk - from the Senegalese band Orchestre du Bawobab to Kool and the Gang, to Lee Dorsey, the opening set is movin'!  It concludes with a classic Fontella Bass track 'Rescue Me', which I then use to segue into the 2nd half, which opens with the Art Ensemble of Chicago's fiery 'Theme de Yoyo' with Fontella Bass on vocals in a completely different style.  "Your eyes are like two blind eagles who kill what they can't see"!  Then there's the inimitiable Leon Thomas, and a percussion heavy number by Ghanean band Hedzoleh Soundz.  Lots of different styles in this show, check it out! 

Listen to Show #52 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Orchestre du Bawobab - Kelen Ati Len
Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Azeta
George Soule - Get Involved
Sandi & Matues - The World
Kool and the Gang - Pneumonia
Lee Dorsey - Give Me You
Fontella Bass - Rescue Me
Art Ensemble of Chicago - Theme de Yoyo
Leon Thomas - Pharoah's Tune (the Journey)
Hedzoleh Soundz - Nye Tamo Ame
Isley Brothers - Work to Do

Posted by APanther at 07:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Since I haven't been playing too many jazz tunes lately, I wanted to slip a few into this episode.  Unfortunately, since they can run long, I only fit in two tracks, but don't worry, they're GRRRREAT!  The first half is all over the map, then in the second half I get to the jazz.  The first jazz tune I play is Frank Foster, which is a big flowing funky moving tune, with a sweet vocal intro by the excellent Dee Dee Bridgewater.  After that comes Pharoah Sanders with a monster of a tune - You've Got to Have Freedom, from his double LP Journey to the One.  I've been listening to my mp3 of this for a while now, but just lately got the vinyl, so I'm very pleased to play it on the show.  Great vocals, powerful saxophone blasts... just an amazing song, and it's from 1980!  So, some sweet jazz, and tonnes of other great tunes - check the Zanini!

PS - I'm playing at the BOAT in Kensington Market, Toronto, this Friday June 22nd, with pals David Ng & Young Flux - if you're in TO, come say hello!

Listen to the show!  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Zanini - A Quoi Tu Joues
Claudia - So Que Deram...
Francis Lai - Radio Music
Roberto Carlos - Nao Vou Ficar
The 8th Day - She's Not Just Another Woman
Bob and Marcia - Young, Gifted and Black
Frank Foster - The Loud Minority
Pharoah Sanders - You've Got to Have Freedom
Milton Nascimento - O Trem Azul
Al Green - I'm Glad You're Mine 

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

They said it couldn't be done... but it's been more than a year now, and this is the 50th episode of the If It Rotates podcast, and we're still going strong.  Thanks to all the loyal listeners who write in with comments and suggestions, they're all welcome, and thanks to the (now defunct) internet radio station Radio Nuclear for hosting the show in the early days.  Now as a stand-alone podcast, I'm going to keep bringing the funk for as long as people keep listening.

This 50th show is a straight up party - the opening set goes from 1966 to 1983, from classic Motown to boogie, from Dennis Coffey to Zapp, from soul to rap.  The second half has some sweet latin, some revolutionary talk, and some early Brazillian music.  All over the map, just the way we do things here.  Thanks for tuning in to the first 50 shows, now let's get ready for the next 50.

Listen to Show #50 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Show #49 - Some heavy tracks in this one, I'm telling you... the show opens off with some smoking latin music - a kickass Fruko track from the recent Soundway compilation 'Colombia!', followed by a pair of hard-hitting tracks on the Cotique label.  Other show highlights include the Melton Brothers' funky version of 'I'll Take You There' from their private 1979 LP,  Sonny Bono's take on Krautrock with 'Motel II', Funkadelic, and the great Curtis Mayfield with 'Right On For the Darkness'.  Finishing off the show is trombonist Phil Ranelin's deep spiritual jazz tune 'Vibes from the Tribe'.  Some songs are upbeat, some slower, but definitely some heavy tracks worth checking out.  

Listen to Show #49.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Fruko y Sus Tesos - Salsa Na Ma
Johnny Colon y Su Orchestra - Descarga
Charlie Palmieri - Either You Have It Or You Don't
Doris Monteiro - A Feira
El Chicles - Music for a Play Boy
Sonny Bono - Motel II
Leslie Miller - He Quit Me Man
Melton Brothers Band - I'll Take You There
Funkadelic - Can You Get to That
Curtis Mayfield - Right on for the Darkness
Phil Ranelin - Vibes from the Tribe

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sorry for the delay folks, sometimes life gets in the way... anyways, I have an interesting show this week - some jazz grooves, some Brazillian stuff, and some rock stuff.  I also have another great and random Quebec 45, this time a cover of Lee Dorsey's Ya Ya on the Dinamic label.  I think there must just be an endless supply of cool Quebec 45s... I even heard a story about people finding 45s from the great Lee Gagnon 'Jeremie' album - how cool is that!? 

Anyways, I'm a real big fan of the Rotary Connection, and Charles Stepney's lush orchestrations, which fit so well with Minnie Riperton's voice, so I had to play a track from their great LP 'Songs' on the Cadet Concept label.  There are lots of great songs on that LP, and I chose 'Tales of Brave Ulysses', which was a song originally written by Eric Clapton for Cream.  Also on this show is a pair of songs by the Brazillian percussionist Airto Moreira, who, along with Flora Purim, was a Brazillian artists who played on a lot of music in the US.  He's got a very interesting style that I like quite a lot.  All that plus Gal Costa, Earth Wind & Fire, Nostalgia 77, and a great long moving track by the Czech band Jazz Q Prague.  It's nice to be back!

Listen to the show! My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

One G Plus Three - Summertime
Jimmy McGriff - The Worm
Earth Wind and Fire - Help Somebody
Gal Costa - Deus E O Amor
Airto - Papo Furado
Airto - Andei
Rotary Connection - Tales of Brave Ulysses
Jazz Q Prague - The Wizard
Nostalgia 77 - Changes
The 5 Stairsteps - Ooh Child
Joel Denis - Ya Ya

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Unseasonably warm temperatures here in Toronto have me in a summertime frame of mind... thinking of warm evenings sitting on patios, drinking beer, and feeling that burst of energy that always comes with warm weather.  Which led me to put together a show of summertime tunes.  The show is basically two long sets, and the first is funk & soul, and goes from the block party funk of the Fatback Band to the afro sounds of Benin's Black Santiagos to straight up funk by Jay Morton.

For the second half we move south, first to Jamaica and the sweet organ groove of The Boris Gardiner Happening, to Martinique for Marius Cultier, then down to Brazil.  There we find Gilberto Gil, Tania Maria, and Djavan.  Also fitting in there somewhere is the crazed flute of Jayson Lindh, the latin styles of Joe Loco, and a great track from the Hawaii 5-0 soundtrack by Morton Stevens.  Another great soul track by Joe Bataan and finally Bobby Caldwell's awazing 'What You Won't Do For Love' close the whole show off.  Welcome summer!

PS: Last week I forgot a link to the great DJ Day (listen to Show #46 to hear a taste of his great new EP).  Buy his stuff!

Listen to Show #47 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Fatback Band - Fatbackin'
The Pharaohs - Freedom Road
Siagbo Dieudonne Eddie - Toi
Jimmy Castor - Ham Hocks Espanol
Jay Morton - Alligator Strut
The Boris Gardiner Happening - Ghetto Funk
Marius Cultier - Dachin'La
Djavan - Fado Consumado
Tania Maria - Viver Morrer
Gilberto Gil - Cerebro Eletronico
Jayson Lindh - The Booster Pump
Morton Stevens - Operation Smash
Joe Loco - Anabacoa
Joe Bataan - So Fine
Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do For Love

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Show #46 - so many styles I don't know what to call the show!  Seriously, there's lots of good stuff in this show, and it's really all over the map, but I feel that it all goes together, at least in my mind.  The show has 3 sections, and the first set is soul / mod / funk, with the very groovy Valerie Keys tune opening it all off, and the incredibly funky Phirpo closing (from the 45 that goes with the new Soundway Colombia! compilation), but don't miss the great Pet Clark tune in there.  Oh, and the Chassidic version of Lyn Christopher's 'Take Me With You'!

The second set is Latin / Brazillian, with tunes from Tito Puente & La Lupe, Fania superstars Willie Colon & Joe Bataan, another track from the Colombia compilation, and some cool Brazillian tunes to finish up.  Finally the last small set has tunes from Belgian jazz group Open Sky Unit with the soulful Ron Wilson singing, and a great instrumental from DJ Day to close the show off.  Like I said, lots of different styles, but all great tunes.

Listen to Show #46 here! My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Valerie Keys - Listen Here
Sheila Wilkerson - Baby You're A Jive Cat
Shadows of Knight - Shake
Petula Clark - Un Jeune Homme Bien
Lowell Fulsom - The Thing
Mordechai Ben David - Neshama
Phirpo Y Sus Caribes - Comencemos
Tito Puente, La Lupe - Mi Socio
Orquestra Nunez - La Samaria
Willie Colon - Che Che Cole
Joe Bataan - Ordinary Guy
Nelsinho E Sua Orquestra - Upa Negrinho
Claudia - Deixa Eu Dizer
Open Sky Unit - Open Sky
DJ Day - First Step

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Show #45: A pretty wide-open show this week - it opens up with some movin' northern soul (with that stomping Edwin Starr track!), moves to some Caribbean sounds, then a touch of Brazil and Donny Hathaway.  I've always had a soft spot for soul from the West Indies, and the track from the Mustangs (from the Bahamas) fits the bill perfectly.  After that there's some very funky Brazillian music - check out Gerson King's James Brown impressions - and the incomperable Donny Hathaway.  The second half of the show is dominated by the amazing Fela track 'Go Slow' from 1975, and the show closes on some Brazillian umbanda music.

Listen to Show #45 right here.  My Odeo Channel (odeo/b4f95457dcd9c38b)

Posted by APanther at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Show #44: Some funk, some latin, some groovy music... One of the great things in life is a double-sided 45, a single where both the A and B sides are solid pieces of music... this is celebrated in this week's show