BOOGIE BANGER

boogiebanger.tumblr.com

2010-10-21T13:08:00.008+03:00

Since Google thinks it's ok to delete blog posts arbitrarily, I decided to change the blog platform so please update your bookmarks.

boogiebanger.tumblr.com

All new content will be posted only at Tumblr. The new site still needs some tweaking but it's up and running. See you on the other side.

Big Bang Big Boom

2010-10-19T13:53:00.005+03:00

I bought an apartment recently and I've been renovating it like crazy so I haven't had any time for blogging but don't worry, I'll be back soon. In the meantime you can entertain yourselves by watching Blu's amazing video Big Bang Big Boom and listen to a massive Tom Moulton banger.

Idris Muhammad - Hard To Face Music

2010-10-08T09:13:00.000+03:00

I found an ancient jazz-funk mixtape I had recorded years ago while I was going through a stack of old CD-Rs that had been lying in the shelves for ages. The tape kicks off with Idris Muhammad's massive Hard To Face Music. I remember going crazy for this back in the day and it still does the trick for me.

To me Idris Muhammad is one of the greatest drummers ever. Always executing with his own unique style and top notch quality. I don't know why haven't I listened to classic jazz-funk albums for ages but it's definitely time for a proper CTI marathon this weekend.

Idris Muhammad - Hard To Face Music [320 kbps, DivShare]

Francis Lai - Number One

2010-10-03T08:48:00.001+03:00

Francis Lai is a French composer behind many great film scores such classics as A Man And A Woman and Emmanuelle 2 to name a few. Le Corps De Mon Ennemi is a killer soundtrack to a great movie. The soundtrack is packed with great funk with some nice prog rock flavors in the mix. It also has a deep and soulful masterpiece hidden between the heavy jazz funk cuts. Number One has such an inevitable groove and somehow the tune manages to create a nasty but classy mood at the same time. This would make a perfect intro for a Sunday soul mixtape. Enjoy!

Francis Lai - Number One [320 kbps, DivShare]

Madleen Kane - Cherchez Pas

2010-09-30T14:40:00.001+03:00

I've had Cherchez Pas on heavy rotation lately. It's a superb foot stomper by a Swedish model, disco diva and an all around cool girl Madleen Kane.

Kane might be best known for her hit You Can b/w Fire In My Heart, produced by the one and only Giorgio Moroder but Cherchez Pas easily tops both of these. There are at least three 12" versions of Cherchez Pas and it also appears on her 1980 album, Sounds Of Love.

Cherchez Pas can be also found on Horse Meat Disco's excellent second mix packed with underground disco and italo heatness.

Horse Meat Disco - Volume 2 - Mini Promo Mix by warmhq

Madleen Kane - Cherchez Pas [320 kbps, DivShare]

Benny Golson - I'm Always Dancin' To The Music

2010-09-22T10:31:00.002+03:00

I got myself a new soundsystem at home and I've been testing it with Benny Golson's I'm Always Dancin' To The Music. I just love everything about this tune, well the intro isn't right up my alley but everything else sure is. Let's hope my neighbours also enjoy this 90 bpm jam with amazing energy, great saxophone action by mr. Golson, beautiful vocals by Maxine Willard Waters and especially those horn stabs. Though the intro doesn't do justice to the tune and some of the bridges might be hard for the dancefloor, this is THE JAM. Too bad the rest of the album is nowhere near as good as the title track. Of course you can always go for the 12" but it's rare and trades as high as $500.

Benny Golson - I'm Always Dancin' To The Music [320 kbps, DivShare]

Kellee Patterson - I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby

2010-09-17T09:35:00.007+03:00

I'm visiting my hometown for a couple of days and of course I had to go through my old digging spots. So there I was going through the crates of a flea market expecting to find nothing special, just the usual worn out schlager albums and K-Tel disco compilations and then suddenly boom, a near mint conditioned Turn On The Lights by Kellee Patterson and right next to it a near mint conditioned Kellee by Kellee Patterson. Priced at 2 euros each I couldn't believe my luck. Well, this is the reason one should keep digging though the results usually are pretty thin.

Both albums have a bunch of strong cuts but the standout joint is the brilliant Barry White cover of I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby. It's the opening track of Kellee and can be also found as a shorter version 7" single and a 7" Jazzman re-issue with a full album version. Enjoy and keep digging.

Kellee Patterson - I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Controllers - Stay

2010-09-10T15:03:00.005+03:00

Stay by The Controllers is a smooth and nasty groove with an epic intro and a mind blowing bass line from 1986. You can't go wrong when you play this and Intimate Connection back to back and then drop in Dance (Don't Geek).

The Controllers - Stay (Extended Club Version) [320 kbso, DivShare]

Old School Party Flyers

2010-09-05T11:16:00.002+03:00

I came across to Toledo Hip Hop, a site that has conserved and scanned a huge pile of early 1980's party flyers. Great looking stuff that must have taken shitloads of skills and passion from the artists to put together since it's mostly handicraft. Put the needle on your Enjoy Records classics and start browsing. Here's a rock solid classic from 1980 to get things started.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - Super Rappin' No. 2 [320 kbps, DivShare]

Ron Preyer - If You Don't Want My Love

2010-09-03T09:21:00.003+03:00

I guess it's the fact that autumn is just around the corner but I have been really feeling deep and mellow soul cuts lately after a great summer filled with uptempo boogie and house. If You Don't Want My Love by Ron Preyer has been one of the tunes that has been in heavy rotation this week. It's an obscure, heartbreakingly beautiful two stepper from 1978 released by Shock Records.

Ron Preyer was part of The Younghearts, a truly underrated early seventies vocal harmony soul group from Los Angeles. I'm not familiar with his career besides this 7". According to Discogs he didn't record anything else as a solo artist. He definitely should have. If You Don't Want My Love is such a strong cut and so is the flipside of the 7". If there's something else worth checking out, please let me know.

Ron Preyer - If You Don't Want My Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

John Morales acetates

2010-08-28T00:40:00.005+03:00

If you are even remotely interested in the roots of disco music you don't want to miss this. One of the most legendary disco DJs/remixers, John Morales, is offering some of his early Sunshine Sound era acetate medleys and re-edits for free at his site. Go and get them. If this is old news that I've simply (once again) slept on, please forgive me.

Rhyze - Just How Sweet Is Your Love

2010-08-22T17:08:00.005+03:00

Just How Sweet Is Your Love is a superb soulful bouncing boogie jam with a killer bass line. Some might argue that classic Motown-ish soul vocals don't go together with early 80's boogie sound and usually I might agree but not in this case. The track is just wonderful as it is and definitely needs the vocals.

The single version originally released by SAM Records should be cheap and easy to find and the album is not a bad buy either. Lots on nice smoother cuts and some good dancefloor heaters (e.g. Do Your Dance with Jim Burgess on the mix).

Rhyze - Just How Sweet Is Your Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Citation - Inspiration Of My Life

2010-08-17T20:10:00.002+03:00

I was looking at my previous blog posts and it seems that I have been neglecting sweet 70's soul for far too long. A great way to end this grievance is to share a beautiful piece of mellow Detroit soul from 1976 with a superb intro and great vocal harmonies. Inspiration Of My Life is a rare 45 only cut by Citation, an obscure five men group.

Citation - Inspiration Of My Life [320 kbps, DivShare]

Splendor - Special Lady

2010-08-14T16:25:00.002+03:00

I've always liked the a-side of this 12" single by Splendor but it's the b-side that made me buy the record. I noticed the comment quoted below while browsing through YouTube and I had to drop by and share this smooth gem with you. I'm convinced that this tune works great also in a less vulgar but equally sensual situations.

"Back in the 80s, I used to work at the "San Tropicana Resort" in Mexico. It was a really sleazy place. Lots of fugitives, prostitutes and swinging couples. One night by the poolside there was a massive party. About 200 people were in the pool having sex while this song was playing in the background. Some fat sleazy guy was getting a blow job at the hotel pool bar while some hooker was fucking another bloke on the side. An Amazing scene of lust and smooth jazz sleaze.This song brings it all back."

-Anonymous commentator on YouTube

Splendor - Special Lady [320 kbps, DivShare]

Musique - Keep On Jumpin'

2010-08-09T18:36:00.004+03:00

Produced and arranged by Patrick Adams

Mixed by Francois Kevorkian

Vocals by Jocelyn Brown, Angela Howell, Gina Tharps and Christine Wiltshire

Just looking at the credits of this Prelude 12" guarantees that things will be off the hook when you drop the needle on this classic. Seven minutes of pure disco goodness and another killer on the flipside.

Musique - Keep On Jumpin' [320 kbps, DivShare]

Karen Silver - Nobody Else

2010-08-04T18:42:00.005+03:00

I've been gone for a while but now the holidays are over and I'm back in action with the blog. During my summer vacation I took a nice and long trip to Barcelona. Such a beautiful city with tons of cool things to see and to do. Of course I had to find time to check out some record stores of the city. I only went through five stores all located near MACBA. All the stores had something for me and these are quite close to each other so they can be checked out conveniently also during a shorter visit.

Here's couple of random treats I bought from Barcelona. One of the best finds of the trip was Karen Silver's classy boogie joint Nobody Else. I was looking for this for a long time but for some weird reason I never came across to cheap copy until now.

Karen Silver - Nobody Else [320 kbps, DivShare]

Another huge favorite of mine that was missing from my collection for far too long is Space Bass by Slick. I'm more then delighted to have this deep disco monster from 1979 in my record shelves.

Slick - Space Bass [320 kbps, DivShare]

Roger Troutman appreciation

2010-07-09T09:03:00.005+03:00

I came across to a couple of good Roger Troutman clips on YouTube with great freestyle talkbox action by the master himself. Damn, he was such a genius with that thing plus an all-around cool cat.

Here's a 12" version of a classic Zapp joint to accompany the videos.

Zapp - Computer Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Milton Van Houten - Love Attack Vol. 2

2010-07-08T13:51:00.005+03:00

I recorded a sequel for my early 2010 mix, Love Attack. Volume 2 takes of a bit smoother with deep 80's soul cuts before getting into foot stomping boogie. Things go as usual, lots of familiar cuts from the blog with other quality joints to go with them. All mixed with love, not skills, so bear with me.

Love Attack Vol. 2 - Milton Van Houten by Boogie Banger

The first Love Attack mix is now also available for download at SoundCloud so grab it if you haven't already.

Love Attack - Milton Van Houten by Boogie Banger

Eastside Connection - You're So Right For Me

2010-07-04T20:38:00.008+03:00

You're So Right For Me (1977) is disco at its finest. The sound of the golden era of disco with a foot stomping finger snapping beat, solid instrumentation and great vocals which make those cheesy lyrics sound just so right.

Eastside Connection with some great singles (e.g. You're So Right For Me and Frisco Disco) is an incisive example of the rise and fall of (mainstream) disco. The group released massive disco bombs and got some commercial success as well but as soon as disco was out of mainstream, Eastside Connection disappeared like so many contemporaries without leaving a mark. Well, we have their hits on rainbow colored vinyl so why complain.

Eastside Connection - You're So Right For Me [320 kbps, DivShare]

Private Joy - Coolin Out

2010-07-02T18:29:00.009+03:00

The weekend is here and it's one of the hottest day of the summer so far and I feel like cooling out. I think I'll put Private Joy's smooth synth boogie banger Coolin Out on repeat and sip some GTs on the balcony while waiting for the kick off of the second 1/4 final. Life is good, isn't?

My copy of this gem is from 1987. It's the UK release out on Champion Records. The tune is produced by Leon Haywood and it was originally released a year earlier on Haywood's own little label Evejim Records.

Private Joy - Coolin Out [320 kbps, DivShare]

Prime Time - I Owe It To Myself

2010-06-24T09:30:00.010+03:00

This one right is THE JAM. Such a perfect tune for Fridays. I know it's Thursday but it's Midsummer's Eve tomorrow here in Finland. This means that I'm heading to the countryside today in order to relax, eat well and eventually get wasted and this gem by Prime Time will definitely be the theme song of the weekend.

I owe it to myself,
I gotta get on up,
And have myself a real good time

Prime Time - I Owe It To Myself [320 kbps, DivShare]

Roberta Gilliam - All I Want Is My Baby

2010-06-19T23:28:00.003+03:00

Roberta Gilliam's All I Want Is My Baby is a massive slow burner from 1985. A deep, classy joint written and produced by the one and only Keith Sweat. For a while the 12" used to be a bit pricey but I guess it isn't as rare as people thought since I've seen clean copies trade regularly under ten bucks.

I was looking for some info on Roberta Gilliam but just as before I wasn't able to find anything beyond tracklists featuring All I Want Is My Baby so I guess she was a one hit wonder. What I found though was Proto One, a solid mix of 80's soul and boogie cuts mixed by Niles & Baggy. Definitely worth a listen.

Roberta Gilliam - All I Want Is My Baby [320 kbps, DivShare]

Sugarhill Gang - Hot Hot Summer Day

2010-06-11T12:30:00.009+03:00

This is such a feel good classic and it goes great with the weather. I included Theo Parrish's version from 2003 as well. Though the re-edit goes quite far from the original it keeps the Roy Ayers-ish summer groove to it and it the edit goes heavy on one of my all time favorite Sugarhill lines: Freak Freak Da Funk Funk Funk Da Freak Da The Funk Funk Fuuunk.

Sugarhill Gang - Hot Hot Summer Day [320 kbps, DivShare]

Sugarhill Gang - Hot Hot Summer Day (Theo Parrish Re-Edit) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Googie & Tom Coppola - Missing Love

2010-06-08T08:22:00.003+03:00

I was watching this video clip of Kon and Amir picking up records at a store and chatting about their selections. It's a nice clip, nothing special but I always enjoy watching these and the choices Kon and Amir made were brilliant. I could have bought all the records except for Missing Love by Googie & Tom Coppola since I already have that one. It's a lovely, mellow soul joint with a great groove.

Just like Kon says on the video, the promo 12" of Missing Love and especially Shine The Light Of Love are rare and tend to be a bit pricey but I've seen this Columbia 12" quite often with a reasonable price tag so keep your eyes open for that one if you're into quality early 80's soul.

Googie & Tom Coppoloa - Missing Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Glenn Jones appreciation

2010-05-26T18:23:00.004+03:00

Today has been a Glenn Jones Appreciation Day. I've been listening to this smooth cat for hours so I just dropped in to share two of my favorite cuts from the guy.

The first track is the instrumental version of his best known cut I Am Somebody. Not much of Glenn Jones' vocals here but it's a super tight boogie joint produced by Robert Wright. I'm sure the vocal version is all over the place so no need for me to post it.

The second joint, Everlasting Love, is the strongest track of Glenn Jones' excellent 1984 album Finesse. Great, smooth soulful midtempo burner that really brings his excellent voice to the spotlight.

Glenn Jones - I Am Somebody (Instrumental) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Glenn Jones - Everlasting Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Pockets - Come Go With Me

2010-05-23T14:31:00.005+03:00

Come Go With Me by The Pockets is one of the greatest feel good songs I can think of and once again it has been the theme song of my weekend. It's the opening track of The Pockets' underrated debut album Come Go Wit Us. Enjoy the tune and buy the record if you see a copy somewhere. It should be inexpensive but full of versatile rhythm music produced by Verdine White (of Earth Wind & Fire).

The Pockets - Come Go With Me [320 kbps, DivShare ]

EDIT: Eli Escobar is one my favorite DJs and Come Go With Me a huge favorite of mine and still I had slept on Eli's great re-edit which has been recently released on a 12" with a couple of other solid edits. Thanks to Ace Of Clubs' comment my copy is now on its way to my record collection.

Melba Moore - Take My Love

2010-05-17T01:06:00.003+03:00

Damn, this jam has been long forgotten but since re-discovering it today, I've been playing it on repeat. Such a strong boogie banger but what else can you expect when you combine a track written and arranged by Kashif, one of the greatest producers/pioneers of boogie, with really strong and soulful vocals by Melba Moore. Take My Love can be found on Moore's album What A Woman Needs (1981) and as a maxi single. Both should be inexpensive and easy to find.

If you're feeling Take My Love, make sure to check out DJ B.Cause's excellent edit of Love's Comin' At Ya, another Melba Moore boogie gem produced by Kashif. Get it from Diamonds In The Dust.

Melba Moore - Take My Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Tom Brock - I Love You More And More

2010-05-16T06:58:00.004+03:00

This week's edition of Sunday Soul features Tom Brock's underrated gem I Love You More And More. It's a classy smooth soul cut with an intro that gives me the chills every time I hear it. The track (and the album) is produced by Barry White and Gene Page and you can clearly hear it in the production. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. The Love Unlimited Orchestra drums, strings etc. are top notch as usual but it's Brock's unique style and his soulful voice that make this track really stand out.

Tom Brock is a great soul singer and a talented song writer as well. Too bad his musical legacy is rather concise. He recorded just one album and wrote some songs (for example (A Case Of) Too Much Love Makin') for Gloria Scott's superb What Am I Gonna Do but that's pretty much it as far as I know. If there's something else worth checking out, please point me in the right direction.

Tom Brock - I Love You More And More [320 kbps, DivShare]

Silk - I Can't Stop (Turning You On)

2010-05-09T13:21:00.001+03:00

I Can't Stop (Turning You On) is a deep 2-step Philly soul masterpiece with amazingly beautiful vocals by Debra Henry. Pretty close to a perfect tune for lazy Sundays in the bedroom. The track appears on Silk's rare-ish album Midnight Dancer. It's their only album released by Philadelphia International in 1979. Well actually there's another album if you count Songs For Evolution recorded as Anglo Saxon Brown which was basically the same group that formed Silk two years later. Check out Call On Me from Songs For Evolution, another sweet 2-step groover.

If you're in the mood for more classic Philly tunes check out one of my all time favorite mixtapes Disco To Get Drunk To #3 - The Sound Of Philadelphia by DJ Anonymous. It kicks off with I Can't Stop (Turning You On).

Silk - I Can't Stop (Turning You On) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Lenny Williams - Choosing You

2010-05-05T10:20:00.001+03:00

The title track of Lenny Williams' third solo album Choosing You is a huge favorite of mine. A great soulful uptempo disco joint that has an excellent breakdown and a superb bassline. The same version of Choosing You can be found as a 12" single but I would go for the album. It's inexpensive but packed with quality tunes produced by a Motown legend Frank Wilson. A nice set of smooth soul (for example Problem Solver) and a bit funkier uptempo tunes all bringing the attention to the excellent and versatile voice of the ex-Tower Of Power lead singer.

Lenny Williams - Choosing You [320 kbps, DivShare]

James Bradley - I Can't Get Enough Of Your Love

2010-05-02T18:28:00.006+03:00

DJ iTunes Shuffle started rocking James Bradley's late 70's banger I Can't Get Enough Of Your Love and the long ass intro swept me away once again. The timing was perfect beacuse at the moment this track is the definition of a Sunday Soul Anthem. It has just the right amount of Michael McDonald-ish smooth yacht rock mixed with real soul music with amazing vocals. This massive but sadly understated midtempo r'n'b/disco groover can be found from the b-side of I'm In Too Deep 12" and from James Bradley's self titled album. This tune should be huge and the record isn't expensive but for some reason it doesn't seem to get the love it deserves. I guess it's due to the fact that the a-side (I'm In Too Deep) of the single is an unimaginative below par disco act so people don't find the monster on the flipside so easily.

James Bradley - I Can't Get Enough Your Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Clarence & Leon - The Message

2010-04-29T10:37:00.001+03:00

I've have played The Message by Clarence & Leon on repeat for quite a while so I had to come by and share this fantastic soulful, inevitably grooving joint from Disco Demands Volume Four. Too bad I don't know anything about the act except that their instrumentation is top notch and the groove is there and it takes you for a good ride. I'm assuming the tune has been edited/extended by Al Kent but it's just a wild guess. If you know better, please educate me.

Clarence & Leon - The Message [320 kbps, DivShare]

Linda Clifford - Never Gonna Stop

2010-04-18T14:21:00.003+03:00

Never Gonna Stop is such a sweet and deep groove with great vocals by always so beautiful Linda Clifford. Plus it's a classic sample (2Pac, Nas, ...) and the album is packed with quality Curtom soul and disco joints so I can't understand how have I survived so long without the album. Well, today morning I found a decent quality copy at a local fleamarket for 1 €. Though the record isn't rare or expensive, I was smiling the whole way back home so I would say it's the best buy of the year so far.

Linda Clifford - Never Gonna Stop [320 kbps, DivShare]

Bill Withers - You Got The Stuff

2010-04-17T17:23:00.005+03:00

Hopefully you are aware that at the moment there's a re-issue of Bill Withers incredibly funky disco version of You Got The Stuff available at certain quality record stores. The original is way too expensive (at least for me) so go and find a copy of the limited repress because You Got The Stuff has one the deepest and funkiest breakdowns ever recorded.

Bill Withers - You Got The Stuff [320 kbps, DivShare]

I'm sure you know that DJ Harvey & Gerry Rooney did a great edit of You Got The Stuff back in early 90's. It's the opening track of their massive Free Range EP. I'm also sure that some of you don't think it's nothing special, just a break looping over and over but I've always had a weak spot for everything related to Black Cock Records so bear with me.

Lisa Richards - Hooked On Your Love

2010-04-16T22:20:00.005+03:00

Patrick Adams has written and produced tons of amazing music over the years but for some reason the rare and underrated Hooked On Your Love by Lisa Richards has always had special place in my heart. Seven minutes of boogie goodness with extremely strong vocals. The original 12" maxi released by Special K Records is rather hard to find but if you don't mind re-presses this might be a good buy since it comes with another great boogie joint on the flipside.

Lisa Richards - Hooked On Your Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Soul Village - Everybody Loves The Sunshine

2010-04-10T14:50:00.006+03:00

It's the first warm and sunny spring day over here after a long and snowy winter and damn it feels good. I have opened my road cycling season, done some spring cleaning and enjoyed a bottle of good white wine. It doesn't get any better than this.

This calls for a laid back song that sounds perfect during a sunny afternoon That would be for example Soul Village's great cover version of Roy Ayers classic summer anthem Everybody Loves The Sunshine. It's taken from their first release put out by Melting Pot Music's sublabel Jazz Makossa back in 2004. It's perfect for the occasion, a lazy jazzy sound that blends with the spring breeze coming from the balcony.

Soul Village - Everybody Loves The Sunshine [320 kbps, DivShare]

Bliss - Groovin' (On A Love Song)

2010-04-08T10:24:00.001+03:00

I'm back from a well deserved, long holiday with a great rare disco cut Groovin' On A Love Song by Bliss. It's a sweet uptempo groover released only as a single by City View Records in 1982 without an album release.

The band is not to be confused with Bliss from the same era responsible for such great rare bangers as Stomp and Fun nor with a southern soul act also titled Bliss behind an awesome uptempo soul cut Move It (To Another Side).

Bliss - Groovin' (On A Love Song) Pt. 1 [320 kbps, DivShare]

J.P.'s Force - Time To Throw Down

2010-03-28T20:02:00.002+03:00

I'm sure you all know the Amen Break by The Winstons but what I didn't know is that that Joe Phillips, one of the founding members of The Winstons, put together a boogie band called J.P.'s Force in the 1980's, rocked dancefloors around Maryland and cut a killer album with the band.

Sensational Records released the album as a very limited local (Washington D.C.) print in 1986. These days the original LP trades for as high as USD 200 but thanks to Peoples Potential Unlimited I'm aware of this obscurity and able to buy the title track Time To Throw Down b/w another boogie banger Shake What You Got as an affordable but good quality 7".

J.P.'s Force - Time To Throw Down [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Dells - Adventure (No Way Back Pt. 2)

2010-03-25T10:12:00.001+02:00

Two massive disco edits from the masters themselves. Ron Hardy and DJ Harvey have done quite similar edits of The Dell's amazing tune Adventure (No Way Back Pt. 2). The original cut and a couple of other tunes by The Dells were used as a soundtrack for Fred Williamson's great blaxploitation movie No Way Back and released in 1976 on The Dell's hard to find album No Way Back.

Ron Hardy edited and played his version before Harvey did his version though I don't think that's the point here or with other disco edits. Of course Ron Hardy deserves credit for his innovative edit but in the end most of the credit from great edits should go to the original artists, in this case The Dells.

I don't know for sure if Ron Hardy's edit has been officially released before his nephew put out the Muzic Box Classics in 2007. The version I'm sharing is taken from an unofficial German release a few years back (2004). Harvey's edit is taken from the first release of Black Cock Records (1993).

Oh, almost forgot to mention that Ugly Edits Vol. 5 features Theo Parrish's edit of No Way Back. It's not on the same level with these two but still good.

The Dells - Adventure (No Way Back Pt. 2) [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Dells - No Way Back (Ron Hardy Re-edit) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Mytic Slot - No Way Back [320 kbps, DivShare]

Flora Wilson - Extended Daydream

2010-03-19T12:17:00.004+02:00

I came across to a file entitled "Extended Daydream" while I was organizing unsorted/untitled mp3s. It took me a while to ID the tune but halfway through the track I realized that it's an edit of Flora Wilson's Dancing On A Daydream.

I couldn't find the original release on Discogs let alone info of an edit and I can't remember where have I gotten this so the origins of the edit are unclear to me. I listened carefully to my copy of the original and came to a conclusion that it's a blend of the original vocal and instrumental versions that extends the tune from both ends. I'm pretty sure Dancing On A Daydream was only released as a 7" so there shouldn't be a longer album version etc. If you have info on this, please educate me.

Anyways, this is a sweet groover that kicks off the weekend nicely. Too bad the sound source used for the edit seems to have been worn out and therefore the sound quality is a bit shabby.

Flora Wilson - Extended Daydream [320 kbps, DivShare]

Marvin Gaye - I've Got My Music

2010-03-17T16:36:00.003+02:00

It's been a while since the last time I watched Marvin Gaye: Transit Ostend but today I was pleased to notice that its' available through Google Video. Transit Ostend a.k.a. Remember Marvin (by Richard Oliver) is a film about the 18 months Gaye lived in Ostend, Belgium trying to get his body and mind clear and writing his comeback album Midnight Love.

It's not the greatest documentary when it comes to portraying the delicate and difficult time Gaye was going through. Regardless of some shortcomings the documentary is unique and contains priceless footage of Marvin jamming/rehearsing and a painfully emotional scene of him singing the Lord's Prayer (just after the 35 minute mark).

I've Got My Music (original vocal version of Turn On Some Music) from the Midnight Love sessions seems like a perfect song to describe his situation at the time and his battle between good faith and bad habits. At the same time it shows why Marvin is the G.O.A.T.

Marvin Gaye - I've Got My Music [320 kbps, DivShare]

St. Tropez - I Want To Do Something Freaky To You

2010-03-10T08:12:00.001+02:00

There are some decent cover versions of Leon Haywood's classic cut but the re-make by St. Tropez is hands down the best I've come across. Deep female vocals, great nasty vocoder chorus, intense strings and THE bass line take this track right there next to the original. Too bad the track ends too early just before the four minute mark. I would really love to hear them go all the way freakish with this one.

St. Tropez - I Want To Do Something Freaky To You [320 kbps, DivShare]

Michael Wycoff - Looking Up To You

2010-03-04T08:58:00.004+02:00

The Revenge's massive slow-mo house rework of Michael Wycoff's rare groove classic Looking Up To You was in heavy rotation in 2009 and now it's finally on vinyl thanks to MCDE, the finest label of the scene. The flipside of the release features a remix of the rework by Grooveman Spot but I have to say that this version isn't exactly my cup of tea but thanks to the nicely teasing, looped out killer a-side, this 12" is a must have. Go get your copy from a quality record store.

The original cut might be on many rare groove compilation rips circulating the web but just in case it isn't, here's a good quality rip for you to get your swing on.

Michael Wycoff - Looking Up To You [320 kbps, DivShare]

Otis Gayle - I'll Be Around

2010-02-27T07:57:00.001+02:00

I'm in the need of some quality lovers rock/soulful reggae this weekend. I can't say that I'm a connoisseur of the genre in any way but I know some of the classics and from time to time I love to start my saturday/sunday mornings with them. So if you're following interesting blogs concentrated on lovers rock, please point me in the right direction.

Otis Gayle's beautiful cover of the massive Spinners cut I'll Be Around has been a long time favorite of mine and it surely hit the spot again when I listened to it in the morning. Since Johnny Osbourne's We Need Love is equally lovely and uses the same riddim, I put it up there for grabs as well. Both cuts have outstanding, beautiful vocals but the organ solo by Jackie Mittoo towards the end is also fantastic. Hopefully these set the mood for a good, relaxing weekend. Have a good one.

Otis Gayle - I'll Be Around [320 kbps, DivShare]

Johnny Osbourne - We Need Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Main Ingredient - Party People

2010-02-24T11:59:00.002+02:00

I was desperately asked via email to re-up this classic so I took the time. While I was at it, I also uploaded Party People. It's another killer from the same fantastic album produced and arranged by the one and only Patrick Adams.

Speaking of The Main Ingredient, you might want to also check out these Beatconductor cuts I wrote about some time ago. The fans of I Only Have Eyes For You might find something familiar from Make No Mistake.

The Main Ingredient - Party People [320 kbps, DivShare]

Ace Spectrum - Don't Send Nobody Else

2010-02-21T17:18:00.001+02:00

I've had Ace Spectrum's classic cut Don't Send Nobody Else on my wantlist for a long time but all the copies I've seen around have been inevitably too expensive for me. Just recently I came across to a cheap copy of Inner Spectrum, the debut album of Ace Spectrum. The album was in beautiful condition and it has Don't Send Nobody Else as the first track so of course I bought it immediately. What a great way to "save money" plus I got an album full of beautiful harmony quartet soul instead of just a single.

Ace Spectrum - Don't Send Nobody Else [320 kbps, DivShare]

Milton Van Houten - Love Attack

2010-02-18T15:25:00.008+02:00

I started using Mixcloud a couple of days ago but my news feed still looks empty. So I recorded a mixtape and uploaded it to Mixcloud hoping I would get more out of the service. In a way the mix is "The Best of Boogie Banger". Lots of killers featured on the blog in one way or the other plus some obvious classics I never get tired of playing.

EDIT: The mix is now on SoundCloud as well. If you're feeling this one, check out the sequel.

Love Attack - Milton Van Houten by Boogie Banger

Al Green - Simply Beautiful

2010-02-14T09:00:00.002+02:00

I'm aware of the dangers of overpopulation and I'm also aware of the strong positive correlation between increasing birth rates and Al Green's voice but I'm willing to take the risk and share one the most beautiful Al Green cuts on Valentine's Day because the tune is simply beautiful.

Al Green - Simply Beautiful [320 kbps, DivShare]

By the way, if you're looking for something special to listen to on Valentine's Day with your special someone, look no further since Cosmo Baker re-upped his excellent Valentines Roll mix recently. A two hour love package of the finest slow jams selected and mixed just for the purpose.

Tiger & Woods - Gin Nation

2010-02-12T10:26:00.001+02:00

The ethics and the usefulness of disco edits has been a trending topic on a couple of forums for a while. This is probably due to the fact that there are tons of edits around and the ones pressed on vinyl are selling pretty well and the producers/DJs behind these edits are able to make some name for themselves.

I've been following these conversations for quite a while and I have to say that I find the question of usefulness or originality of disco edits somewhat redundant. If it's a good piece of music that sounds great and makes people dance, it doesn't matter whether it's the original or a re-edit. Certainly there's lots of weak, quickly done Ableton edits that should have never been released on wax but on the other hand I have found so much great, obscure music thanks to solid edits.

All in all a duel between the original and a re-edit is quite useless. Original disco era and modern disco edits are two different genres from two different eras and both have their pearls but it's also good to remember that the bulk of releases in both genres sucks so it's all about finding the good cuts and enjoying them to the max.

Enough with my chitchat. Let the music speak for itself. Gin Nation is a big disco/house edit found from Tiger & Woods' second release Caddy Shag EP (2009).

Tiger & Woods - Gin Nation [320 kbps, DivShare]

And here's the original masterpiece in case you weren't sure of the original and/or would like to do a comparison. Too bad the quality of all YouTube clips of Music And Lights is so low.

The Joneses - Summer Groove

2010-02-01T11:14:00.004+02:00

I have a vicious and a persistent flu and I'm on bed rest for the fifth day now. I have already watched all five seasons of The Wire and at the moment I'm sitting at home watching snow fall. The amount of snow over here is so overwhelming that it makes the upcoming summer feel as a vague, distant dream.

To make things worse, I've been watching Helsinki 78-82's newish music video. It captures all the best features of summer in Helsinki: long sunny days, bikes, beer and good music. Such a feel good video (produced by Flatlight Films) and a killer tune (released by Top Billin).

To make things even worse, I started to compile a playlist of all the best summer tunes. Summer Groove by The Joneses is most definetly on the list.

Enjoy the winter and keep yourselves warm.

The Joneses - Summer Groove (Moving On) [320 kbps, DivShare]

O.V. Wright - Let's Straighten It Out

2010-01-29T15:00:00.004+02:00

For me Let's Straighten It Out is THE song when it comes to bluesy southern soul. It's one of the many great cuts on O.V. Wright's album The Bottom Line (1978). Some would say that the sound of Hi Records was losing a bit of it's tightness during the late 70's but this album is solid gold from start to finish. I find it to be the strongest release of the label in late 70's. O.V. Wright's collaboration with the late great Willie Mitchell works perfectly on the album. The result is not as sexy and slick as with Al Green/Willie Mitchell collaborations but it's equally soulful and somehow a lot more intense and powerful.

O.V. Wright - Let's Straighten It Out [320 kbps, DivShare]

On top of this one being a favorite southern soul tune, it's been sampled by RZA on one of my all time favorite Wu Tang beats.

Party Lights

2010-01-28T15:05:00.001+02:00

Party Lights x 2. The first track is one of the latest tunes Kim Tolliver cut before she gave up the music business for good. It's a solid boogie joint, nothing above par but she's got a great, strong voice. One of those voices that should have brought her appreciation and success besides soul music collectors but for some reason that never happened. The other track is a great edit of First Love's killer boogie cut Party Lights. I love the original but Liquid Pegasus does a good job with the edit.

Kim Tolliver - Party Lights [320 kbps, DivShare]

First Love - Party Lights (Liquid Pegasus Cement Shoes Remix) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Tata Vega - Get It Up For Love

2010-01-22T20:54:00.002+02:00

Get It Up For Love is a classy disco cut from 1979 that has been on heavy rotation this week. There's a longer mix as well but unfortunately I only have the 7" version. I noticed that there's two quite decent edits available for download via Soundcloud so go get 'em if you're feeling this one.

Tata Vega - Get It Up For Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Four Tops - Feel Free

2010-01-17T14:32:00.003+02:00

I copped Four Tops' Catfish recently from a fleamarket for 1 EUR. A great discovery considering I wasn't expecting anything above average but I'm happy to say I was wrong and poorly educated when it comes to finding sweet soul music.

Catfish is a solid album with a smooth and positive late 70's groove and beautiful vocals. Feel Free, Strung Out For Your Love and Look At My Baby are all great cuts for Sunday afternoons. Make sure to cop the album if you see a copy getting dusty in a dollar bin.

Four Tops - Feel Free [320 kbps, DivShare]

R.I.P. Teddy Pendergrass

2010-01-14T13:31:00.005+02:00

We have lost another legend. R.I.P. Teddy. You will be missed.

Teddy Pendergrass - The More I Get The More I Want [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl (1979 Tom Moulton Remix)

2010-01-13T20:14:00.002+02:00

I was browsing through my HD looking for some northern soul and I came across to a wonderful alternative Tom Moulton mix of the all-time northern soul groover, It Really Hurts Me Girl. This file isn't my own rip and I wasn't able to identify the original audio source for sure.

Discogs has one entry for the remix and it's on a rather new CD compilation but there's no entries on vinyl. The file name says 1979 remix. My friend Google who's deep in the northern soul game said that there is a UK 12" maxi single with two Tom Moulton remixes so I guess this one is either one of those. The ones who know the history of these alternative mixes, please educate me. Anyways, it's a solid version of a classic northern soul dancer.

The Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl (1979 Tom Moulton Remix) [320 kbps, DivShare]

5 O'clock Minimix for Merirosmoradio

2010-01-08T17:50:00.007+02:00

Here's a quick 30-minute mix I played @ Merirosmoradio today. Five disco classics at 5 PM. That was the name of the game and tomorrow it will be six bangers at 6 PM.

The tracklist isn't that unique but who cares when all the tracks are pure gold.

Indeep - Last Night A D.J. Saved My Life

Jocelyn Brown - I Wish You Would

Inner Life - I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair)

Inner Life - Moment Of My Life

Atlantic Starr - Circles

5 O'clock Minimix for Merirosmoradio (2009-01-08) [192 kbps, DivShare]

Leroy Hutson - Classy Lady

2009-12-28T16:11:00.003+02:00

Leroy Hutson always comes correct whether he makes soul ballads or uptempo boogie. He's known for classic sweet soul tunes cut for Curtom in the 70's but he sure made good music in the 80's as well.

Classy Lady is a smooth modern soul/boogie tune from his 1982 masterpiece Paradise. The whole album is really solid but thanks to poor marketing and distribution by Elektra the record never got hardly any commercial success.

Leroy Hutson - Classy Lady [320 kbps, DivShare]

Donny Hathaway - This Christmas

2009-12-25T11:49:00.006+02:00

Hopefully all of you will have a relaxing holiday season and a prosperous new year. See you in 2010!

Donny Hathaway - This Christmas [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Dynamic Superiors - Leave It Alone

2009-12-18T09:48:00.004+02:00

I have watched High Fidelity for at least ten times but there I was again in front of the TV when it aired recently. Every time I see the movie I end up making all sorts of music lists and it happened again. Top 5 blaxploitation soundtracks, top 10 disco rap 12"s ...

All time top 10 soul ballads. That's a list I could never make since there's at least 100 songs that would deserve their place on the list. One thing's for sure. Leave It Alone by The Dynamic Superiors would definitely be on the list. Such a deep song that gives me the chills every time I hear it.

The Dynamic Superiors - Leave It Alone [320 kbps, DivShare]

L.A.X. - All My Love

2009-12-17T08:29:00.008+02:00

I've been banging All My Love by L.A.X. on repeat for a good time now. It's such a great, feel good tune. The album is one of those records one would never buy based on the art work but it's a good buy. How can it not be if it's released by Prelude in 1980 and it's mixed by Francois Kevorkian. The title song is clearly the strongest of the bunch but the album has other good cuts as well, e.g. Possessed.

L.A.X. - All My Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Etymology of Merimonsteriboogie

2009-12-15T18:50:00.011+02:00

A friend of mine is keeping up a small pirate radio and I took a shot at being a radio dj. Here's an hour long set I played about a week ago. Don't worry, no awkward hosting nor introductions from me, just uptempo boogie and some house-ish bangers. I don't have an all inclusive tracklist at hand but here's some of the tracks that appear on the mix:

I Must Be Dreamin' - Wanda

I Wanna Be With You (Part 1) - Armenta

Feel Alright - Komiko

Kinky Girl - The Creations

It's Just Begun (Larry Levan Mix) - The Jimmy Castor Bunch

Crisis - Rhetta Hughes

Milton Van Houten live at Merirosmoradio [192 kbps, DivShare]

Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts

2009-12-03T11:26:00.004+02:00

I was listening to Motor City Drum Ensemble's excellent mix for Resident Advisor today and decided to share two of my favorites tunes from the excellent Raw Cuts series by Motor City Drum Ensemble a.k.a. Danilo Plessow a.k.a. Aphro Pzyko.

During the past couple of years the guy has released a bunch of amazing, sample-heavy discoish house tunes in the spirit of Ugly Edits. I'm sure all Detroit house connoisseurs could prove me that this has been done before but I just love the way these tracks are built. Authenticity questions aside, this is dance music at its best.

Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts # 2 [320 kbps, DivShare]

Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts #3 [320 kbps, DivShare]

Eddie Drennon & The B.B.S. Unlimited - Do It Nice And Easy

2009-11-20T17:09:00.005+02:00

Do It Nice And Easy has to be one of the coolest cuts in the history of latin hustle music. Disco Deviance released just recently Greg Wilson's awesome disco edit of this classic and I'm loving it. The edit works like magic with hot vocals from Donna Summer's Love To Love You Baby. The flipside of the 10th Disco Deviance 12" features Unwind Your Mind i.e. a fresh Greg Wilson edit of Touchdown's Ease Your Mind.

By the way Disco Deviance's excellent mix over at Cosmic Boogie is definitely worth a listen.

Eddie Drennon & The B.B.S. Unlimited - Do It Nice & Easy (With Love) (Greg Wilson Edit) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Eddie Drennon & The B.B.S. Unlimited - Do It Nice And Easy [320 kbps, DivShare]

The Notations - Take It Slow

2009-11-18T22:43:00.003+02:00

I was selecting songs for a slow soul jam mix I'm working on and came across to Take It Slow by The Notations, a great Chicago based vocal group.

It's been a while since the last time I played the tune but now it really hit the spot so I had to stop by and share it with you. It's such a lovely slow jam and the whole album is really solid. I just wish they had gotten more love back in the day and a chance to record more for Curtis Mayfield's Gemigo label.

The Notations - Take It Slow [320 kbps, DivShare]

Deniece Williams - Cause You Love Me Baby

2009-11-15T20:34:00.006+02:00

Lately I've been posting quite a lot of uptempo boogie/disco bangers so it's definitely time for some sweet sunday soul.

Cause You Love Me Baby is a lovely two-stepper from 1976 by Stevie Wonder's ex-backup singer Deniece Williams. The tune was originally released on the b-side of Williams' best selling single Free. Both tracks are produced by Maurice White and therefore feature Earth, Wind & Fire as a studio band.

Deniece Williams - Cause You Love Me [320 kbps, DivShare]

Dâm-Funk - Beautiful Music 4 Beautiful People

2009-11-06T13:51:00.010+02:00

Dam-Funk's new mix for Clae has been out for days but I haven't found the time to listen to it. Thank god I gave it a listen today. Over 60 minutes of sweet boogie and electrofunk gems mixed live via all original vinyl releases. No MP3s, no bullshit. You have to respect that.

In case you slept on this like I did, wake up and download Dam-Funk - Beautiful Music 4 Beautiful People [via Clae].

Ben E. King - Street Tough

2009-11-04T22:53:00.008+02:00

Street Tough is a sleek little jam by Ben E. King. The tune was released in 1981 and you can hear this but at the same time it has a great classy and soulful blaxploitation feel to it. No wonder since the track is written by the late great Willie Hutch.

The tune is taken from a Warner reissue 12". The original release has an instrumental of Street Tough on the flipside that isn't included in the reissue. Sharing a good quality file of this would be greatly appreciated.

Ben E. King - Street Tough [320 kbps, DivShare]

Muscle Shoals Horns - Dance To The Music

2009-11-02T20:21:00.005+02:00

Dance To The Music by The Muscle Shoals Horns is an amazing horn driven midtempo party starter. Of course a tune such as this is more suitable for Saturday nights but I've had it on repeat today and I can assure you that it moves you on cold and dark Mondays as well.

Muscle Shoals Horns - Dance To The Music [320 kbps, DivShare]

Ritchie Family - I'll Do My Best (For You Baby)

2009-10-30T13:27:00.003+02:00

I rediscovered this boogie gem today and decided that it certainly deserves a spin on a Friday so here you go. The track dates back to 1982 and it can be found from Ritchie Family's S/T album or from the 12" single release.

I'm under the impression that Ritchie Family's earlier disco work under various producers is pretty commercial but this one is a banger. The sound is clean and classy but not too cheesy. The man behind the sound is producer Jaques Fred Petrus affiliated with such greats as BB&Q Band and Change.

Ritchie Family - I'll Do My Best (For You Baby) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Todd Terje edits

2009-10-27T18:43:00.008+02:00

Norway's crown prince of disco edits, Todd Terje, will throw a dj set in Helsinki next weekend. In anticipation of this, I decided to share a couple of his edits from the endless vault of sizzling hot Todd Terje edits. There's no need for introductions. Such QUALITY edits of classic tunes will speak for themselves.

Claudja Barry - I Wanna Dance (Todd Terje Edit) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Dee Dee Sharp Gamble - Easy Money (Todd Terje Rekutt) [320 kbps, DivShare]

P.S. Follow the link to check my earlier blog entries concerning Todd Terje.

Francois Kevorkian in the house

2009-10-25T12:15:00.005+02:00

Helsinki music lovers were privileged yesterday since one of the greats of disco and house, Francois Kevorkian, was in town. In order to honour his gig I decided to choose a couple of my favorites from him though it's a tricky task since he has given his golden touch to so many amazing tunes over the years. Well, I chose two of my favorites; one old and one new.

Sharon Redd's classic Beat The Street mixed by Francois Kevorkian has exactly the early eighties proto house sound that I love. Here Comes The Sun is a more recent remix work by Kevorkian. In my opinion it's one of the most beautiful deep house tunes there is and hands down the best remix of Here Comes The Sun.

Sharon Redd - Beat The Street (Vocal) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Nina Simone - Here Comes The Sun (Francois K Remix) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Woods Empire - Universal Love

2009-10-23T12:20:00.008+03:00

Earlier this summer I posted a couple of Beatconductor joints and someone asked about the samples used in The Freshest Jam. Well, it took me a good five months to let you know that you might want to check the title track of Woods Empire's 1981 album Universal Love. It's a fresh jam with a nice laid back beat and just the right amount of cheesiness in the lyrics.

Woods Empire - Universal Love [320 kbps, DivShare]

Advance - Take Me To The Top

2009-10-22T14:57:00.007+03:00

Yes, I'm trying to revive this blog after a long break. I hate blogs that aren't updated regularly so when I realized I was mad busy with other projects I decided to call it quits without excuses or without wasting people's time with old Youtube clips.

But now I'm back with less bullshit and more banging tunes. I got lots of thrift store heat unripped but soon as they are on my HD, I'll start posting.

I thought I should start with a megapost of some sort but I'll get things rolling with a classique italo monster. For me Take Me To The Top is one of the greatest italo tunes though if I was forced to categorize it I would say it's more boogie than italo. Genres aside, it's a piece of art with sweet vocals and great synth action.

Advance - Take Me To The Top [320 kbps, DivShare]

Flowers - For Real

2009-05-21T17:37:00.003+03:00

This has to be one of the most beautiful soul songs around, for real. Such a sweet, sweet song that hits the spot every time I hear it. Too bad the original 7" is pretty much impossible to get...at least for under $ 500.

The version I'm sharing is taken from a bootleg EP Darker Than Blue Vol. 1. There's not much I know about the 12" release besides that there was never an original 12" version so this is a solid long mix/edit of the original vocal and instrumental versions.

Flowers - For Real (Bootleg 12") [320 kbps, DivShare]

Beatconductor appreciation

2009-05-17T12:20:00.004+03:00

Southside Break Crew, Beatconductor, Beatfanatic, Jazzconductor, Discoconductor, Southside Connection... Ture Sjöberg has aliases for every occasion but the common denominator of his multifaceted work is fresh, high quality tunes. Here's a couple of my favorite joints from a few years back that I've been feeling lately.

~~Southside Connection - Make No Mistake (...To The Disco) [320 kbps, direct link]~~

~~Southside Break Crew - Freshest Jam [320 kbps, direct link]~~

EDIT: Download links removed upon request

Wu-Tang Design Remix Project

2009-05-07T21:35:00.002+03:00

I came across to Logan Walter's Wu-Tang Design Remix Project and had to drop by to let you know about it. I really love the idea of redesigning some classic album covers but for sure it will piss off some purist who prefer the originals.

Basically Walters wasn't that impressed by the original cover art of the Wu-Tang related art work so he's redoing all the covers in the spirit of Blue Note. And he's doing it really well. Check out the first seven from his blog.

Inspired by the cover art I was thinking of sharing something of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx but I don't have the record at hand but what I have is an amazing remix of Rainy Dayz. Raekwon and Ghostface spitting over a smooth Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes classic You Know How To Make Me Feel Good.

Chef Raekwon - Rainy Dayz (Remix Long Dirty Mix) feat. Ghostface Killah [320 kbps, direct link]

Harold Melvin & Blue Notes - You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good [320 kbps, direct link]

Family Tree - Family Tree (Norman Cook Disco Edit)

2009-05-06T20:48:00.002+03:00

It's been over two weeks since my last post and I'm honestly sorry about that. I really hate blogs that don't get updated often enough but I've been mad busy with all sorts of new things in my real life. Yes, I actually do have a real life outside the interwebs.

I'm back but only to give you a little treat before I head out but I'll promise to come by more often. What we have here is a great edit of Family Tree, a rare classic that's big in the northern soul scene. The edit is done by Norman Cook (a.k.a. Fatboy Slim) and it came out in 2001 with the original cut on the flipside of the 12".

Family Tree - Family Tree (Norman Cook Disco Edit) [320 kbps, direct link]

Sweet Thunder - Everybody's Singin' Love Songs

2009-04-19T11:22:00.000+03:00

The spring is here and Sweet Thunder's 1978 classic Everybody's Singin' Love Songs is a perfect soundtrack for a day like this. A great soulful disco tune from Philly produced by Larry James. It's a lovely foot stomping track and what's even better is that the 12" is fairly cheap and easy to obtain.

Sweet Thunder - Everybody's Singin' Love Songs

Sweet Thunder - Sweet Thunder

Little Beaver - Party Down

2009-04-16T09:28:00.002+03:00

Little Beaver is best known as a guitarist on many great releases by TK Records but his solo material deserves some attention as well. I've always digged When Was The Last Time but lately I've been listening to Party Down a lot. It's an album full of great jazzy soulful tunes. Little Beaver's guitar creates an amazing groove that takes you through the whole album. The back up artists on the album are really strong as well, the best of the Miami soul scene.

Little Beaver - Party Down [320 kbps, direct link]

Little Beaver - Get Into The Party Life [320 kbps, direct link]

Little Beaver - I Can Dig It Baby [320 kbps, direct link]

Mr. Magic - Potential 1980 (Curtis Vodka's White Light Orchestra Edit)

2009-04-01T01:00:00.002+03:00

I'm in the process of moving to another city. It's great to have a chance to move to a bigger city but the packing processs is a really schitty task. Anyways, while I was going through my stuff without getting anything done I found an unfamiliar looking USB memory stick. To my surprise it contained quite a few decent edits and some old blog house. The most positive surprise was Curtis Vodka's edit of Mr. Magic's Potential 1980, the holy grail of early disco rap. The ultra rare early Tony Pearson tune is a killer and so is the edit with 11 minutes of non-stop disco heat. It might be that this one's all over the blogosphere but at least I had slept on it so here you go.

Mr. Magic - Potential 1980 (Curtis Vodka's White Light Orchestra Edit) [320 kbps, direct link]

I'm Back For More x 3

2009-03-28T10:17:00.010+02:00

I've been meaning to post these three great versions of I'm Back For More for a while but for some reason I haven't. All of them are beautiful songs but I'll always have a soft spot for the original by Leo's Sunshipp. The sound of it is really warm and mellow but inevitably grooving.

Al Johnson's version that opens up his album Back For More is probably the best known out of these three. It's a great duet with smooth vocals by Jean Carn and Al Johnson. Last but not least is a solid cut from Marlena Shaw's album Acting Up. When you have Marlena Shaw on the vocals it's pretty hard to go wrong.

If you're interested in learning more about Kenny Stover, the underrated writer of this masterpiece, peep this article on Groove Collector. BTW, I fixed the dead link of an earlier post featuring Leo's Sunshipp's classic cut Give Me The Sunshine. Check it out if you're not familiar with that masterpiece.

Leo's Sunshipp - I'm Back For More [320 kbps, direct link]

Al Johson - I'm Back For More [320 kbps, direct link]

Marlena Shaw - I'm Back For More [320 kbps, direct link]

Patti Jo - Ain't No Love Lost

2009-03-27T19:57:00.002+02:00

I don't know much about Patti Jo but what I do know is that she's done great versions of Curtis Mayfield's classics Ain't No Love Lost and Make Me Believe In You. The first one was released by Scepter in 1972 and the latter by Scepter's subsidiary Wand a year later. Both were originally released only as a 7" but Tom Moulton made a great extended version of Make Me Believe In You for Scepter's compilation Disco Gold. The same edit appears on this essential Tom Moulton compilation.

Patti Jo - Ain't No Love Lost [320 kbps, direct link]

Patti Jo - Make Me Believe In You (A Tom Moulton Mix) [320 kbps, direct link]

Boogiehumppahommia Vol. 1

2009-03-25T18:53:00.005+02:00

I should've been working my ass off but instead I did a really quick mix of boogie/disco tunes that I've been feeling lately. I'm not much of a dj so the beatmatching might be a bit sloppy at times but all the tracks are killers, no fillers. Enjoy and let me know what you think. I guess a complete tracklist would nice. Maybe I'll add it later. At least these ones appear on the mix.

Boogie Baby - Dee One

I Wish You Would [Edit] - Jocelyn Brown

Blame It On The Boogie [Re-Booged] - The Jacksons

Love Is What You Need [Pure P Edit] - LTD

I Want Your Lovin' - Curtis Hairston

I'm Your Superman [Disco Mix] - Jan Leslie Holmes

Under The Influence Of Love [Tee Scott Remix] - Karin Jones

Boogiehumppahommia Vol. 1 [192 kbps, DivShare]

Sandi & Matues - The World Pt. 1

2009-03-23T16:44:00.002+02:00

There are records with only a few known copies. The World by Sandi & Matues is one of them and it was on sale at this ebay auction that ended just a few moments ago. For some reason I was browsing that one though there's no way I would be willing to pay $ 3,383 for two and a half minutes of funky soul music.

I try to buy the original whenever the price is reasonable but cases like this, one has to go with the reissue. In this case the reissue comes with another great tune on the flipside. The Jazzman reissue of The World features Remember Me by The Trinikas on the b-side It'a beatiful piece of soul music with a great backbeat and amazing vocals.

Sandi & Matues - The World Pt. 1 [320 kbps, DivShare]

Earth Wind & Fire - Runnin' (Danny Krivit Re-Edit)

2009-03-22T09:30:00.003+02:00

Here's a great EW&F edit by Danny Krivit that I've been playing a lot lately. This originally deleted edit was released in Japan by Sony in 2004 and as a white label 12" in the UK a year later. I like the way Mr. K. has taken down the tempo just a bit and how he lets the beat ride. I love the original but the more laid back way of things here brings out the bass line nicely. Sweet!

Earth Wind & Fire - Runnin' (Danny Krivit Re-Edit) [320 kbps, DivShare]

Sons Of The Kingdom - Modernization

2009-03-14T18:32:00.003+02:00

Modernization is a beautiful, organic, uptempo soul tune from Israel. Well, the sound is created by Detroit and Chicago natives that moved to Dimona, Israel in the 70's. These U.S. expatriates made some excellent soul combining the sound of Chicago and Detroit soul with the message of Israeli Black Hebrew culture. If you're interested, you can learn more from the in-depth article by the good folks of Numero Group.

The original 7" release on K.O.G. is hard to find but Modernization appears on Keb Darge's Deep Funk Volume 2 and on Numero Group's excellent compilation Soul Messages From Dimona. There's also a great edit of Modernization by 7 Samurai. This was released in 2007 by one of my favorite labels of the 21st century, G.A.M.M.

Sons Of The Kingdom - Modernization [320 kbps, direct link]

7 Samurai - Modernization [320 kbps, direct link]

Dalindeo - Open Scenes

2009-03-13T19:11:00.002+02:00

Dalindeo released their debut album Open Scenes a couple of years ago. When the album came out I went crazy for it and today I rediscovered the album after I heard that their second album is on it's way. Open Scenes is a wonderful album full of brazil/latin flavoured dancefloor jazz. Don't be fooled here. It might appear like this is your average lounge jazz / chill out bull schitt but Dalindeo's sound is fresh and unique and the instrumentation is always top-notch.

Dalindeo - Poseidon [320 kbps, direct link]

Dalindeo - Voodoo [320 kbps, direct link]

Karin Jones - Here I Go Again

2009-03-11T20:41:00.002+02:00

This has been my jam today. A sweet boogie joint from an underrated and hard to find album Under The Influence Of Love. The album was released by Handshake Records in 1982. The title track is amazing and the whole album is full of classy modern soul tunes. Be prepared to pay three figures for the original. If you're cool with reissues, you'll find a copy cheap and easy. Btw, if some of you happen to have a good quality rip of Under The Influence Of Love (Tee Scott mix) hit me up, please.

Karin Jones - Here I Go Again [320 kbps, DivShare]

Satisfy My Soul Vol. 2 via Outside Broadcast

2009-03-09T13:42:00.000+02:00

I'm sure many of you follow Outside Broadcast so you're already on to DJ mOma's excellent mix Satisfy My Soul Vol. 2. For the ones who haven't downloaded this one yet, go get it. Really strong mixing and a solid selection of classic boogie, soul and disco.

The Fatback Band - Street Dance

2009-03-08T14:50:00.004+02:00

Street Dance is an excellent piece of funk from the early days (1972) of The Fatback Band. This opening track of Let's Do It Again has all those great elements that make up the funky sound of The Fatback Band. A unique drum sound by Bill Curtis, great guitar hooks and horns and a nice bouncing bass that makes the groove go on and on. Todd Terje has done a great edit that stays loyal to the original but beefs up the beat and extends the tune just the right way. Great work from him as usual.

The Fatback Band - Street Dance [320 kbps, direct link]

The Fatback Band - Street Dance (Todd Terje Rekutt) [320 kbps, direct link]

Montana Sextet - Heavy Vibes (Club Mix)

2009-03-04T10:20:00.004+02:00

Vincent Montana Jr. has contributed to the Philly soul/disco sound as a composer, arranger, bandleader, percussionist and producer. He's associated with tons of great music by MFSB, Salsoul Orchestra, Goody Goody and many others but if I would have to choose one track by Vincent Montana Jr, I would probably pick Heavy Vibes. To be more precise I would take Paul Simpson's club mix. If you're interested in Vince Montana's work in the late 70's / early 80's, I highly recommend this 3LP.

Montana Sextet - Heavy Vibes (Club Mix) [320 kbps, direct link]

Ethel Beatty - It's Your Love

2009-03-02T19:26:00.003+02:00

When it comes to Roy Ayer's label Uno Melodic Records, usually you think of the classic Sylvia Striplin cuts. I figured those are all over the interwebs so I posted a couple of my favorites from the Uno Melodic catalogue that you don't get to hear so often. They both have that amazing jazzy sound of Roy Ayers and excellent soulful and sexy vocals. Enjoy!

Ethel Beatty - It's Your Love [320 kbps, direct link]

Eighties Ladies - Turned On To You [320kbps, DivShare]

The Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama

2009-02-26T15:37:00.004+02:00

The Intruders are a cornerstone of the Philly soul scene. They shaped the sound of Philly soul by starting as a doo-wop act and adding elements from gospel and later from the sound of Gamble & Huff. I'll Always Love My Mama is a classic soul/disco tune penned by Gamble, Huff, McFadden and Whitehead. When you have such an all-star team as writers and The Intruders performing, there's no way you could go wrong. This masterpiece was originally released in 1973 but I've the 1977 reissue that features couple of classic Billy Paul tunes on the flipside. The 1977 version is an extended mix by Tom Moulton. It was released to promote a compilation titled Philadelphia Classics.

The Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama [320 kbps, direct link]

Natural Four - Baby Come On

2009-02-22T16:57:00.002+02:00

I've been thinking that there should be a music genre called sunday soul. Well, maybe there is. I just don't know it. Anyways, if you looked up sunday soul from a dictionary, there should be an image of the front cover of Heaven Right Here On Earth. It's probably my all time favorite sunday soul album. Heavenly sweet soul in the spirit of Curtom Records from start to finish. Beautiful vocal harmonies and solid prodution by Leroy Hutson and Rich Tufo.

Natural Four - Baby Come On [320 kbps, direct link]

Frontline Orchestra - Don't Turn Your Back On Me

2009-02-20T16:48:00.003+02:00

Here's a certified boogie banger for you the dance the night away. Excellent vocals and a really solid bass line. This one came out originally on Eddy Grant's ICE Records in 1981. Larry Levan made a massive remix of this which was put out by Quality Records a year later.

Frontline Orchestra - Don't Turn Your Back On Me [320 kbps, direct link]

Kings Go Forth - One Day / You're The One

2009-02-17T18:38:00.002+02:00

Milwaukee based 10-member band Kings Go Forth released the best 7" release of the scene last year. This limited edition 45 (500 copies, all pre-sold) features two raw funky soul monsters that will cause serious dancefloor mayhem whenever played out. Just amazing stuff. Too bad the pressing was so small and now the record already trades as high as $ 200 on ebay.

We've seen a lot of retroish soul/funk combos come and go during the last couple of years but what sets Kings Go Forth apart from all the others is their amazing vocal harmonies. Sure they have an amazing analogue sound with an excellent rhythm section and great horns but their soulful harmonies by three male vocalist are unbeatable.

Don't sleep on their upcoming 45 release featuring massive tunes Now We're Gone and High On Your Love. The single will be out in late February/early March but luckily it won't be limited like One Day b/w You're The One. Their debut LP is also on its way. Really looking forward to that one.

Kings Go Forth - One Day [320 kbps, direct link]

Kings Go Forth - You're The One [320 kbps, direct link]

Fusion Beats Vol. 2 - Bozo Meko

2009-02-16T12:12:00.003+02:00

Fusion Beats Vol. 2 is a classic Bronx cut and paste battle track/megamix supposedly recorded by Afrika Bambaataa, Afrika Islam and Jazzy Jay. Originally this came out in 1981 but I think it's taken from a cassette recording put together earlier. The rip that I'm sharing is taken from this unofficial reissue that came out a few years back. A-side features an unlicensed live cut of Flash It To The Beat. Like I said, it's a bootleg from a cassette tape so that tells you something about the sound quality.

If Fusion Beats 2 was your cup of tea, make sure to check out Afrika Bambaataa's classic Death Mix. It's available for download here thanks to the Top Billin crew. An excellent blog by the way. Lots of cool new stuff and gems from their crates.

Bozo Meko - Fusion Beats Vol. 2 [320 kbps, direct link]

Al Hudson & The Soul Partners - Spread Love

2009-02-14T15:25:00.002+02:00

Here's something for the Valentine's day. I guess a classic slow jam would have been more on point but instead, I picked a sweet classic uptempo feel-good tune. Have a great weekend!

Al Hudson & The Soul Partners - Spread Love [320 kbps, direct link]

Chase & Status feat. Kano - Against All Odds

2009-02-11T19:49:00.002+02:00

Great video and great usage of the Apache break.

myspace.com/chaseandstatus

myspace.com/ramrecords