Raer Ritmos Pa' Agozar!

Tempo 70 : El Galleton
taken from the album "El Primer LP" on Mericana (197?)

Ricardo Marrero & The Group : A Taste Of Latin
taken from the album "Time" on Vaya (1977)

Initially, when I moved into my new apartment about 3 months ago, I was forced to question whether or not my record collection had gone too far. The sheer weight, the exorbitant squandering of space, the endless hours of obsession. Living in New York, I pay for privacy by the square foot. Is it okay that I have an entire room dedicated basically to my records?

But then I got comfortable. I compared my predicament with that of other DJ's and decided it wasn't all that bad. After all, it is my profession. And a little bit of obsessing is humbling. So instead of digitizing everything and saying to hell with the smell of mold, I managed a compromise... fewer records, better QUALITY. So, I've been picking out lots of stuff to get rid of. Still haven't unloaded it yet, but I'm at least envisioning it. On the flipside, I've been focusing my purchasing on more upscale merch. Which is good for all of you too. Not all that long ago, I would NEVER (digger's oath) spend more than $25 on a record. Recently, things have been changing...

In comes TEMPO 70, with one of my absolute favorite latin funk jams. Explosive. A perfect segue between classic salsa and more straight ahead breaks. I first heard it on this comp back when I was in high school in the Bay Area, home of Ubiquity and Luv 'N' Haight-- who put out the collection. Well, now I got myself a copy. And actually, I barely breached my old digger's oath to get it.

This record from Ricardo Marrero on the other hand, set me back a very pretty penny. But I ain't regretting a minute of it. Crispy, smooth, soulful, and very jazzy latin goodness. The LP is an excellent listen all the way through-- it's arranged to sound continuous. Fusion synths meeting cuicas and cowbells. The track directly after this one provided sample stuffings for a producer I'm quite fond of, and the version of "Feel Like Making Love" on here is gorgeous.

Enjoy the top quality goods, and stay tuned for our MASSIVE 100th post coming up next...

The Price Of Soul

Al Williams: I Am Nothing
Taken from the 7" on La Beat (1966)

George Jackson: Aretha, Sing One For Me
Taken from the 7" on Hi (1972)

I've paid a lot of money for a record. A month's worth of groceries. A brake job. A plane ticket (on Jetblue). I would usually keep this kind of financial information to myself. For starters, I guess it ain't really anybody's business. And for seconders, well, most people just couldn't possibly fathom dropping that much cash on a flimsy piece of black wax--present company excluded, I presume.

There is a difference, however, between spending a hundred--maaaaybe two, if it's extra sick--and tapping one's bank account for, oh say, $2316. 78. Just for example.

Two days ago an Ebay auction ended. When the dust cleared, one lucky(?) bidder could claim ownership of a seven inch circle of vinyl (Condition: VG to VG+), recorded in the year 1966 by a man named Al Williams. That same lucky(?) bidder could also claim bankruptcy. $2316.78...

Here's the beauty of it: The seller had loaded a sound clip of the record onto the auction site. I'm not sure whether or not he meant to put up the whole song, but in any case, being the savvy downloader that I am, I jumped all over it. Now it's yours. So for all of us who don't have a few months' rent to throw around, I offer you this. A rich man's music, for the masses. Pure, sweet northern soul. All two thousand dollars worth.

The other track I'm putting up today probably sells for a bit less on Ebay (about 2,298 dollars less). Like the Williams tune, it was only released as a 7", though undoubtedly as part of a MUCH larger pressing. George Jackson recorded only about twenty singles over the course of his solo career ('63-'78), but DAMN if this song doesn't just remind me why I started listening to soul music in the first place. Trademark Hi Records sound with Jackson's beautiful tenor waxing nostalgic on the Queen herself, Ms. Aretha Franklin. His empassioned reverence. His sorrowful voice. Hey George, sing one for me...

As a side note, I wonder which of these two songs I'd rather be stranded with on a desert island. I certainly like the Al Williams track. But I think I'd rather have the homage to Aretha and an extra two G's in my bank account... Although, I guess if I were on a desert island, my bank accound wouldn't matter much.

Vibing With Some Latin Twelves

Sou Da Pesada (7 Samurai Afroraduno Remix) : Jorge Ben
taken from a 12" single on Dejavu (2006)

Royal Marcha (Raj Gupta Remix) : Robin Jones
taken from a 12" single on Kudos (2000)

Viva A Povo Brasileiro (Da Lata Remix)
taken from a 12" single on Mr. Bongo (2002)

Hotness. Heat. Sweaty sweat. Stinky stank. Mind melt mushcakes.

Might that perhaps pertain to your current situation? The fan can't seem to blow enough breeze my way. And the AC be burning my throat every night.

Still I dance. Checked out this super-fun garden party, of course you know I gotta swing through here, and this was dope too. Despite my willingness to get soggy, I appreciate it when the DJ puts on a few mid tempo jams, equally compelling to a moving crowd, but a little less strenuous on us dripping partygoers. At one point this past week, I actually had to take a time-out from the dancefloor 'cause there was too much salt in my eyes! ewwww, grotie.

Grab this Jorge Ben single if you see it. A total sleeper crowd pleaser. The flipside is a drum n' bass samba number that is pleasing even to those that don't normally dig that stuff too much.

Robin Jones & Raj Gupta? Now you know.

If you like Latin/Brazilian remix tracks like these, then you probably know Da Lata. Bazeado on the other hand, seem to have snuck by the radar for the most part.

Also, BIG SHOUT OUT to Paul Irish over at Aurgasm. Not only does the man continue to distribute dope music, from a wide range of influences, time and time again. But he actually put up one of my own compositions from the Gumbo Funk EP! And included it on his very first DJ mix. Wurd up.