Swedish Isht

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.

Prime Cut Pu-Pu Platter

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...