MOODYMANN :: I GOT WERK

Scion A/V Presents: Moodymann Interview from Scion A/V on Vimeo.

I LOVE IT... FUCKING RAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOODY - I Got Werk from Black Mahogani on Vimeo.

THE SELECTER DJ KIRK

Soul and funk guru The Selecter DJ Kirk has been dubbed the unofficial mayor of San Francisco by friends and peers. Born and raised in S.F., he is recognized for his all-embracing knowledge of soul music through the decades, his extensive record collection, and for producing events like Soul It's the Real Thing. He is also part of the Sweater Funk crew, whose all-vinyl parties are known throughout the nation. Taking place every Sunday in the basement of a Chinatown's Li Po Lounge, the party showcases a spectrum of old soul, R&B, and funk music. All Shook Down spoke with Kirk about the secrets of Sweater Funk and his favorite vinyl records. He plays New Year's Eve at Som Bar with the Sweater Funk members and headliners Opolopo & Amalia.

When did you start producing events and DJing? Which came first?

In the early '80s. Both came about hand-in-hand, since the 'mod' music that inspired us (The Jam, 2-Tone, and '60s soul and R&B), were not being played in clubs. It forced us at a young age to book bands, DJ ourselves, and produce events at the Kabuki, Mabuhay Gardens, Ruthie's Inn, and The Chi Chi Club.

How did you connect with the Sweater Funk crew?

In 2008, my old friend and SF member Sean Sullivan told me about a new party happening at Li Po Lounge that was focusing on medium-rare boogie and modern soul records from the late '70s and early '80s. I was stoked that folks were playing all-original vinyl from a soul genre that I loved, collected, and could only hear when I went to the U.K. Jon Blunck invited me to spin a few records, and I've been a member ever since. As soul music fan, Sweater Funk was the missing link and my motivator to get excited about DJing again.

Why do you think this event has still managed to stay somewhat underground?

In a nutshell, it happens on a Sunday in Chinatown and it is a destination spot rather than the usual hipster highway or downtown spots. There is no money involved, so there are no ads, no handbills, no VIP style, which is neither VIP or stylish. You've heard of the "slow food" movement; we are the "slow club" movement with organic growth, great records. Everyone's invited, no bullshit.



What's one thing about the quite exclusive Sweater Funk crew we might not know?

We love R. Kelly and are big fans of closets... comin' out or going in!

Who have been some of your favorite guests?

Too many to name, but a few include Daz-I-Kue, Spinna, Dâm-Funk, and our homies B-Cause and E da Boss.

Speaking of which, tell us a bit about your New Year's Eve guests, Opolopo & Amalia.

In 2008, we got turned onto Opolopo's mix of Karl Frierson's "Tall Green Grass," and it has become a Sweater Funk anthem. Since then we've been following the future funk sounds of the Swedish duo and are excited to present their U.S. debut. If you dig ONRA, Dâm-Funk, K-Maxx, The Pendletons, B. Bravo, Chico Mann... you're going dig them. They're like the Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn of modern funk and boogie-making, while singing beautiful music.

What made you guys want to book these two for the NYE party?

We love their sound, we want to share our love with as many folks as possible, and they have become our friends. Sometimes stuff just works out perfectly.

Sweater Funk mostly pulls from older jams. What's an element you think is missing in current R&B music?


There's a lack of music that inspires rather than tears down and is not afraid to show vulnerable emotions. In addition, soul music is all about the beautiful black voices. Leave the Auto-Tune for mofos who can't sing. Let's get more complete melodies and songs, not simply the "break" of the day. Like Leroy Burgess says, "create tension, take us up, take us down... music is life." Music should take us on journey -- more Mayfield, more Bacharach. With that being said, there is tremendous new soul coming out worldwide, like groups the Sunburst Band, Cool Million, Kloud 9, and Tortured Soul; you just got to seek it out. When in doubt talk to a progressive mod, they know the deal. Luxury soul forever!




What's one of your favorite vinyl records and why?

That's tough, how 'bout three beautiful songs for the luxury soul diaspora? For the stepper, "Human" by Brief Encounter, which is modern soul perfection with horns, harmony, and production. For the Northern soul smoothies, "You Can Win" by Bileo with up-tempo burner for the disco. If you got any kind of soul, you can't sit down. For the boogie heads, "Never Lookin' Back"


If you could tell the current generation to listen to one record that would teach them about soul, what would it be?

"We're a Winner" by The Impressions. Modern soul begins with black folks getting on the front of the bus, taking control of production, and incorporating new recording techniques. This song has a message, it is from my favorite artist of all time, and it's from my capital of soul -- Chicago. It's like Nadia Comaneci: 10-10-10!

You say your favorite music of all time is '70s modern soul. Why is that?

It's a perfect recipe... the coming together of the great voices from early soul, The Temptations, The O'Jays, Curtis, Ann Sexton, Aretha, Ronald Isley coupled with modern production -- think Gamble & Huff, Barry White, Rod Temperton, and Lamont Dozier. Add in self-determination, aspirational values, a whole lot of cool, and and you get masterpieces. Just listen to any TSOP record.




So you have been dubbed by some as the "unofficial mayor" of SF. What's your favorite thing about this city?

I don't know about all that. Maybe it's because I know the spots that natives dig and the stories that come with them, or maybe I'm just getting old and know a lot of folks. I guess my crazy background is pure San Francisco. My mom is Macanese, a Portuguese/Asian mix from Macau, and my dad is Cherokee from Oklahoma, a true S.F. city boy. My favorite thing about S.F. is that our culture is always seeking ways to improve and make the world a better place. We are not afraid of change or the future. The "we can do better attitude" is fantastic and inspiring. As someone who is a native, I love the transplants who just bring something to the table. Lastly, the coffee ain't too bad either!

SWEATER FUNK NEW YEARS EVE MIX

SWEATER FUNK has been fortunate enough to share the stage with the vanguard of musicians and producers in the future funk music movement. From our first event presenting French beatmaker ONRA to opening up for R&B legend STEVE ARRINGTON (formerly of the group SLAVE), we've been honored to get down with the very best in modern soul, boogie and funk


SWEATER FUNK NYE 2012 MIX by SWEATER FUNK


This mix is merely a highlight and sneak peek of our upcoming NYE with OPOLOPO + AMALIA @ SOM. in SF...some of the artists we've worked with most recently and a taste of the music we're digging from DAM-FUNK, KUTKORNER, B. BRAVO, K-MAXX and THE PENDLETONS. Most of these tunes are available if you do a simple Google search, so we recommend you go out and track'em down (and PAY for them) in their full glory. In the spirit of obscure goodies you can only hear coming out of the Sweater Funk basement, we've included an exclusive tune from SF's THE PENDLETONS which features our very own SABRINA on vocals.

Enjoy, share with a friend, and we hope to toast you and yours on New Years Eve!

Happy Holidays,
The S-F Crew

SWEATER FUNK NYE 2012 MIX
Selection and Mix by DJ GUILLERMO

Opolopo + Amalia wishes you a happy new year.
Opolopo "Take It Slow (feat. Sascha Williamson)"
Opolopo "Bonafide (feat. Amalia)"
K-Maxx "Supadrunk"
Opolopo "Singularity"
Dam-Funk "Forever"
The Pendletons "Be Mine (feat. Sabrina Zee)"
Opolopo "Reversed (feat. Blacktop & Amalia)"
Kutkorner "Diamond"
B. Bravo "Right On Time (Synth Dub)"
Opolopo "Voltage Controlled Feelings"
Opolopo + Amalia "Sweater Funk NYE 2012 Jam"

TIX HERE
http://opoloponye.eventbrite.com

NEW OPOLOPO & AMALIA TRACK :: SWEATER FUNK PROPS

The crew is very fortunate to have friends who make custom songs for our events. Opolopo and Amalia created this FUNKY tune to give you a taste of what's to come.


OPOLOPO & AMALIA - Sweater Funk 2012 NYE Jam (Free Download) by opolopo MUTANTS OUT NOW!





Description

Saturday December 31, 2011

NEW YEARS EVE WITH SWEATER FUNK

& LIVE performance from
...
OPOLOPO & AMALIA [Sweden]
keys. vocoder. efx. apc. vox.

@ SOM
2925 16th St.
www.som-bar.com

$20 Presale / $30 Door
9 PM til 3 AM
21+

Buy tickets here! http://opoloponye.eventbrite.com/

~~~

Sweater Funk is incredibly honored to host one of our favorite artists representing some of the the best sounds of boogie and modern funk, OPOLOPO & AMALIA. This duo has been supplying heavy duty dancefloor filling modern funk to the underground dance community for a few years now. Sweater Funk has been rocking and supporting them at all of our events, to the point that almost all of our fans know the words to Opolopo's KILLER remix of Karl Frierson's "Tall Green Grass". We're excited to share them with the San Francisco funk scene at what will be their stateside debut this New Years Eve with the Sweater Funk crew at Som Bar!

OPOLOPO & AMALIA were put here to unite continents and connect the musical dots! Welcome to their universe where synthesizers and vocoders coexist with a voice that transcends time. Their music lifts you up on to a futurist realm where interplanetary FUNK & BOOGIE collide!

OPOLOPO is Yoruban for "plenty", a word that best exemplifies the diversity of this production wizard’s musical voyage! Whether it's funk, soul, disco, broken beat, or jazz, his compositions and productions are always uncompromising! Starting out with overdubbing on cassette decks with a Casio VL Tone toy keyboard in his early teens, to constructing soundscapes on synths, beat boxes and computers, OPOLOPO is one of Scandinavia’s most extraordinary producers. His dedication and commitment to music is ridiculous!!! Everyday, on the hour, you will find him tweaking a nob, laying down a bass line, EQing a snare, or simply studying more nerdy production techniques. Born in Zirc, Hungary he spent the early part of his creative development touring with a keyboardist father and obsessing over fusion and electronic records. Artists like Herbie Hancock, Roger Troutman, Chuckii Booker, Earth Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones, Isao Tomita, and Kraftwerk helped feed his ingenuity.

Equipped with keyboards, vocoder, and modern technology OPOLOPO tours as a 1 man band/dj, and with primary collaborator AMALIA. Amalia has a massive appetite for all things that make people dance and fly! Her versatile voice varying from a lamb to a lion ignited her spark for music as she sang up against windows, in garbage cans, down stair wells, and on the loo! Bouncing with it, playing with the reverberation in a room, AMALIA began creating her own melodies and interpretive dance moves as a child. Her source of inspiration being strong "Women of Soul"and a multitude of books filled with activism and art! Many moons and bands later, her deep desire to explore the planet forced her to move to Europe. Her musical connection with OPOLOPO was far too great to be ignored. The pair had been doing the internet shuffle for 2 years and developing a devoted underground following with their collaborations. Leaving Vancouver equipped with a mic, a Canadian Juno nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Artist, and a Best Electronic Artist Award for her involvement in nujazz band Sekoya, she was soon touring Tokyo, Berlin, London, Warsaw and formulating with other music visionaries Atjazz, Domu, AD Bourke, Son Of Kick, Grems, Probe Dms, Altered Natives, & Afronaut of Bugz in the Attic.

With the release of AMALIA's highly anticipated debut album, "Art Slave" entirely produced by OPOLOPO and his very own "Voltage Controlled Feelings" out this year on Tokyo Dawn Records, 2011 has only strengthened OPOLOPO & AMALIA's cosmic union!

~~~

San Francisco's Sweater Funk DJ crew have been the city's most dedicated purveyors of the funky subgenre known as BOOGIE for over 3 years. Their vision to bring boogie, strictly on vinyl originals, to the masses has earned them a diehard following who pack the basement of China Town's Li Po Lounge every Sunday. They've won SF Weekly's Best new club 2009, hosted Djs such as Dam-Funk, Steve Arrington (Slave), Daz-I-Kue, Peanut Butter Wolf, Kon & Amir, Onra, Monk One, Cool Chris, E Da Boss, Mayer Hawthorne, and have become a sister club to Dam-Funk's own Funkmosphere night in Los Angeles.

~~~

OPOLOPO's *VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FEELINGS*
http://www.tokyodawn.net/opolopo-voltage_controlled_feelings/

AMALIA DEBUT LP *ART SLAVE*
http://www.tokyodawn.net/amalia-art_slave/

~~~

"Opolopo and Amalia together is like FIRE!!!!! I have to wear my oven mits to play their tunes!" - Daz-I-Kue

"Somewhere between Dam-Funk, Tangerine Dream and french monster Jean Michel Jarre. A killer in its genre!" - DJ Lefto

"One word---DAMN!" - King Britt

"Always challenging, constantly surprising and definitely one of the leaders of the euro new school. louder!!! “ - Mark de Clive-Lowe

“First Lady Of Modern Funk. Badass!” - Kristi Lomax (KPFK LA)

"Every time I hear music from Opolopo, my spirit lifts a little more. Technically and musically gifted, his risk taking grows with his confidence on every release. An undoubtedly necessary warrior in the new underground resistance to the norm." - Domu

J-1 (FLY ON) :: DaM FUNK PRODUCTION

The family & friends of J-1 would sincerely appreciate your monetary contribution for 'this track' to aid 'solely' in the proper & respectful ascension home for J-1.

~ R.I.P. to Jovan Coleman aka THE DEER bka J-1 ~





For more info on J-1:

mugpush.com/fr_j1thedeer.cfm

j1thedeer.wordpress.com

released 17 December 2011
All music & vocals: produced, written, recorded & played by: DāM-FunK in Ladera Heights (Westside L.A.) on 12/17/11.

THE DJ GOSPEL :: YES IM TALKING TO YOU :: AMEN

100 Reasons the DJ hates you.....

Follow this guy on Twitter, and lets make fun of the douche bags!


1. The song you are requesting is being played.
2. You ask for a song that nobody will dance to.
3. You tell the DJ he sucks just because he won't play your song.
4. The only songs you know are line dances.
5. You want to hear every song by Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.
6. You complain that no one likes the song when the dance floor is full.
7. You think reserving a table turns the DJ into your own jukebox.
8. You ask to sing on the microphone like it's karaoke night.
9. You want to hear your song next or your leaving.
10. You declare that you just got to the club so the DJ should play all the hits just for you.
11. Your sad face does not move the DJ into feeling sorry for you and playing your request.
12. You have no concept that the DJ accepts tips.
13. You come to the booth and ask the DJ if he is the DJ.
14. You ask the DJ if he plays any good music.
15. Your requests aren't any where near the format the DJ plays.
16. You demand to hear your song because you are about to leave.
17. When we say we dont play a genre, you ask for more of that genre.
18. You keep asking what song is next.
19. You want to look at every song we have.
20. You don't dance to your request, then ask for more.
21. You think the dance floor is a portrait studio.
22. You make silly poses at the DJ like you are DJing.
23. You are part of a bachelorette party.
24. You grab or touch equipment while the DJ is playing.
25. You are so drunk you think the DJ booth is the bar.
26. You stay buy the DJ booth hoping to pick up women.
27. You keep trying to tell the DJ your life story while we are mixing.
28. You think you know what everyone wants to hear.
29. You ask for a song to be played again 5 minutes after hearing it.
30. You say you know the owner/manager in an attempt to get a song played.
31. You ask for the same song everytime you are there.
32. You take pictures of the DJ without warning him of the flash.
33. Your so drunk you keep falling into the DJ booth.
34. You spill a drink on the DJ equipment.
35. You ask that the volume be turned down.
36. You keep trying to get the DJ to dance with you.
37. You tell the DJ what songs go together that don't go together.
38. You stand by the DJ and stare awkwardly.
39. You think it's cool to just stand on the dancefloor and text.
40. You have to talk louder than the music by the DJ booth.
41. You think the DJ booth is a coat check.
42. You offer to tip but never do.
43. You run ladies off the dance floor.
44. You wear so much cologne/perfume the DJ's eyes water.
45. You ask us to play songs off your phone or download them.
46. You keep asking for a shout out all night long.
47. You want us to play a song you made.
48. You act like the DJ is your boyfriend when he is not.
49. You try to sing or hum the song you want to hear.
50. Instead of asking for a song you stick a phone in our face to show us.
51. You don't know the song just the number on the CD.
52. You get all of your friends to ask for the same song that we won't play.
53. You interrupt the DJ to get him to take your picture.
54. Your idea of good music isn't.
55. You think old school means 5 year ago.
56. You ask when do we start to playing something crunk.
57. When you hear a slow jam you think it's a signal to hump women like a dog.
58. If it isn't hip hop you just call it techno.
59. You keep asking for requests after the club closes.
60. You know the DJ and text him requests to get you in the door.
61. You know the DJ is working and you call over and over expecting an answer.
62. You ask for a song and stay at the booth until the DJ plays it.
63. You fart by the DJ booth.
64. You want something faster but are requesting something slower.
65. You keep trying to fist bump and high five the DJ.
66. You say the other DJ always plays your song when there is no other DJ.
67. You act worse than a 5 year old in the club.
68. You say you are spending a ton of money and we should play your songs regardless.
69. You want an in-depth explanation on how the equipment works.
70. Your requests are more like demands.
71. You vomit in or around the DJ booth.
72. You tell the DJ how bad the song playing is , then request an even worse one.
73. You ask the DJ to play something with a beat.
74. You threaten to get the manager to make you play a song.
75. Your song was played but you want it again because you were in the bathroom.
76. You think booty shaking music is just any hip hop song.
77. You make up a birthday so you can hear you or your friends name on the mic.
78. You give the DJ a napkin filled with requests and no tip.
79. You complain that the DJ DID play your song.
80. You hug and kiss the DJ and leave with some other guy.
81. You think after a DJ plays your song that he will play every song you want.
82. You ask for a song all night then you leave in the middle of it.
83. You want people to move off the floor so you can dance like a jackass.
84. You ask the DJ to hand out flyers to another club.
85. You tell the DJ his job is becoming obsolete because of ipods.
86. You tell the DJ that they quit making vinyl and his job will vanish.
87. You say you have a huge group there wanting a song when you only have 3 people.
88. You tell the DJ that you DJ too, when we ask where, you say your bedroom.
89. When you ask the DJ if he takes requests, then you have no clue what you want.
90. You run around the club telling people you are the DJ.
91. You think knowing the DJ is sure to get songs played for people you know.
92. You think dry humping the DJ is sexy.
93. You keep asking if you can try and spin.
94. You keep stomping on the floor just to get attention.
95. You still think it's cool to use your phone on the dance floor.
96. You spend more time updating your status online than dancing.
97. You ask the DJ to play something dirty.
98. You ask the DJ to play something you can dance to.
99. You throw up gang signs having no idea what they mean.
100. You are way too drunk.

NIGHTWIND 7" ARRIVES :: SWEATER FUNK APPROVED

Finally here! Our debut release for Sound Boutique Records. We couldn't have picked a nicer group to work with for a first release. Luke from Nightwind has been out in the clubs and on local radio helping us stir up excitement for this release and now it's finally out. 2 sides of excellent material here. Both an uptempo funk dancer a mellow head nodding ballad featuring the lovely vocal talents of Janet Savage. And, Now you can hear the funk for yourself. This is only the first offering from Nightwind, there's more to come!! More unreleased stuff coming SOON!!



Pictures from Nightwind release at Sweater Funk

FOURTH COMING ALBUM FROM LEE FIELDS :: TRUTH AND SOUL

Lee Fields "Faithful Man" available on Truth & Soul Records March 13th, 2012

A press release explains that the album, his second for Truth & Soul Records, "pushes the formulas of good soul." Tracked with producers Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels (Aloe Blacc) the album allegedly pair the R&B veteran of 43 years with a seasoned cast of session musicians. You can catch a stream of sweet and soulful first single "You're That Kind of Girl" down below.

The label touts their signee's old-school soul flavour, while describing that A Faithful Man's ten tracks "tell tales of love, heartbreak and blues in the time-honoured way."


You're The Kind Of Girl by truthandsoulrecords


Fields has been on the scene since the late '60s; he sprinkled the '70s with some singles, and experienced a comeback that started in the '90s, linking him up with Dap-Tone before settling in with Truth & Soul.

GET YOUR 2012 CALENDAR :: LOWRIDER MAGAZINE

Did you get your 2012 Lowrider Girls Calendar yet? If not click the link to order yours today!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

DJ SPINNA LIVE SET :: PICTURES :: SWEATER FUNK SUNDAYS

We are very luck and honored that DJ Spinna took time out of his busy schedule to play our Funky party on Sunday, Sweater Funk!

It was a special treat to hear Spinna throw down the Funk music we all love. Below is a link to his Mix, recorded live. Did I mention this was a strictly 45 set

More PICTURES..






DJ SPINNA (Live at SWEATER FUNK 12/12/11) by SWEATER FUNK

ICE CUBE CELEBRATES THE EAMES

Ice Cube Celebrates The Eames for Pacific Standard Time the birth of the LA art scene. For more info on Ice Cube & The Eames visit http://pacificstandardtime.org.


Ice Cube drives Inglewood blvd. describing the Los Angeles that he knows. He talks of landmarks like The Forum, Five Torches, Cockatoo Inn, Brolly Hut, and Watts Towers. He refers to the 110 as "Gangsta Highway". Cube says coming from South Central LA teaches you how to be resourceful.

The video cuts to Cube walking the Eames House perimeter, through the Eames living room, and sitting in the Eames lounge chair. He brings us back to his NWA years when he studied architectural drafting before launching his rap career. One thing he learned that translates is to always have a plan. Cube describes the modern, green and resourceful building design of Charles and Ray Eames. Visionaries of connecting nature and structure. Cube ends by saying "Who are these people who got a problem with LA? Maybe they mad cuz they don't live here." Song during intro is "A Bird in the Hand" off of Death Certificate.

NEW BANKSY IN LONDON

THE FRENCH LOVE LOWRIDING

My Homey Pauly over Street Low Magazine sent this over to me. Last Summer a TV crew from France can down to SF & SJ to shoot a segment for a mini documentary on the California Lowriding Scene.


Check it out

NEWLIFE CAR CLUB :: EAST LOS

NEWLIFE CAR CLUB ELA:

NEWLIFE CAR CLUB was formed in East Los Angeles in 1972. The club's President Ray "BUTCH" Martinez unfortunatly passed away in 1975 as membership grew to over a hundred members and was one of the top car club's in Los Angeles. The membership decided to bury the club's name along with their beloved President. Recently the original members of NEWLIFE have been reunited and share together their brotherhood. Since 1975 many brothers of NEWLIFE have passed on but will never be forgotten.

Check out this great article from LowRider Magazine on NEWLIFE Car Club.

HURRY UP AND BUY!!!

DJ SPINNA DEBUTS AT SWEATER FUNK TONIGHT :: FREEE

Because we care! and we can...

MONGO SANTAMARIA

Mongo Santamaria, an internationally renown percussionist, died on February 1st 2003 at a hospital in Miami. The Cuban-born bandleader was eighty-five.

Santamaria's propulsive skill as a conguero was a trademark of more than four decades of recording and performing, and punctuates his classic 1963 cover of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man," an unlikely, pre-Beatles hit in 1963 that hit Number Ten on the pop charts. Santamaria may be better known in improvisational circles as the writer of "Afro Blue," a beautiful, melodic composition that worked its way into the repertoire of jazz mainstays from Dizzy Gillespie to John Coltrane. The latter took a particular shine to the song, using it as a touchstone for his developing sound: From early, faithful and pretty interpretations circa 1963 to a 1966 free jazz deconstruction in Japan.

Ramon Santamaria was born in Havana on April 7, 1922. His professional start came in the city's legendary Tropicana Club in his twenties, before moving to New York in 1950. There Santamaria learned to swim in the deep end of the pool, first performing with legendary Cuban bandleader and King of the Mambo Perez Prado, followed by stints with fellow percussionist Tito Puente and vibraphonist Cal Tjader. Fusing the Latin rhythms that were practically his birthright with Americanized styles like R&B and jazz, Santamaria made his first recordings as a bandleader in the late Fifties with Yambu and Mongo.



With the cover of "Watermelon Man," Santamaria found himself garnering the acclaim of his former mentors. He would even visit the pop charts once again - a feat that, among his mentors, only Prado ever accomplished - in 1969 with "Cloud Nine." And he recorded prolifically through the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, before slowing things down last decade. But with the success of 1996's Buena Vista Social Club album, more eyes turned to the music of Cuba. Santamaria's music drew attention four decades after its start, with the release of several compilations, including Rhino's career-spanning, two-CD Skin on Skin: The Mongo Santamaria Anthology and Legacy's The Best of Mongo Santamaria, which put a light on his late-Sixties output.

"I have two sons, one's named Mongo and the other is Tito," Grammy-winning Latin percussionist Pancho Sanchez told Rolling Stone in 2001. "You know how much you respect a man if you name your son after him. Everything I do and have done can be traced back to those two men. They're my heroes."

MONGO SANTAMARIA - QUE LINDAS SON

WILLIE BOBO

Because it's Sunday, and Sunday's sound like this around my house!


WILLIE BOBO - SUNNY

THE VALENTINE BROTHERS

From Columbus, Ohio, brothers John and William 'Billy' Valentine first recorded together as The Valentine Brothers in the late 70's, their debut album being the Richard Evans produced 'The Valentine Brothers' for the Source label in 1979.

Billy Valentine had a jazz background with the Young-Holt Unlimited trio and the pair appeared in the touring company of 'The Wiz'.

In 1982 they worked with producer Bobby Lyle on 'First Take', including 'Money's Too Tight To Mention' (later covered by Simply Red, however, I cannot tell you in what!), 'Just Let Me Be Close To You' and 'This Kind Of Love', a release on the Bridge label and somewhat of a cult album on the UK soul scene.



The release of Simply Red's version of 'Money's Too Tight', scuppered the Valentine's chances of success with the track, however, real soul punters are aware of this unfair occurrence.



Their later albums have been 'Have A Good Time' for A & M Records (1984) featuring 'Lonely Nights' and 'Picture This' (1987), featuring 'No Better Love', 'Cutbacks' and 'Starship', for EMI America.


THE VALENTINE BROTHERS - JUST LET ME BE CLOSE TO YOU

CA$HFLOW

When Cameo's Larry Blackmon relocated to Atlanta in the '80s, one of the groups he signed to his Atlanta Artists label was Ca$hflow. They blended funk, rap, and urban contemporary stylings, and featured lead vocalist Kary Hubbert, backed by drummer Gaylord Parson, keyboardist James Duffie, and keyboardist Regis Ferguson. Their debut LP, Ca$hflow, yielded one moderate hit, "Mine All Mine," in 1986, which did respectably well internationally and in clubs, but didn't excite R&B fans. They issued a follow-up LP, Big Money, in 1988.

Below are my favorite tracks from LP.

Enjoy





CA$HFLOW - I NEED YOUR LOVE
CAN'T LET LOVE PASS US BY

THANK YOU GILLES PETERSON FOR 13 YEARS OF RADIO 1

via Gilles Peterson

What a year it’s been!

Yes, as you may have heard I’ll be leaving Radio 1 in the next few months – probably April. It’s been around 13 years that I’ve had the honor of presenting on the world’s most famous radio station, and I still remember my first show like it was yesterday – I’ll never forget the feeling of dread when John Peel muttered the words: “Gilles Peterson is next with Worldwide!!”

It’s been an amazing ride – and I’ve been blessed with a huge amount of great music to shout about. From the broken beats of IG Culture and Bugz in the Attic to the grandeur of groups like the Cinematic Orchestra and Zero 7… the memories of playing new artists for the first time on the radio – Amy Winehouse, Jill Scott… even Lily Allen! And not forgetting my constant pleasure in throwing down some Yusef Lateef or Sun Ra…

I’ve been amazed by the response that I’ve received since it was announced yesterday – Twitter is something else…

I look forward to telling you all about my future radio plans very soon.

Gilles P

DICK OF ROOKY RICARDO'S RECORD SHOP

via: The Bold Italic

It was 1987 and my mom was throwing an oldies-themed party for him. I was 12, and because I’d developed a sense of which of my parents’ 300 or so records were good, I was tasked with being the DJ. I selected mainly 45s emboldened with the words “Motown,” “Volt,” or “King,” and my mom’s or aunt’s name scrawled in perfect teenage script along the sleeve. A few of my parents’ friends brought their old 45s to the party and added them to the mix. By the end of the night, records by The Shangri-Las, Booker T. and The MG’s, Ike and Tina, The Drifters, Marvin Gaye, and Tammi Terrell were all left behind. They remain a coveted part of my stash to this day.

When I moved to San Francisco in 1998, I lived near the Lower Haight. Following one hungover breakfast at Kate’s Kitchen, I found myself at the door of Rooky Ricardo's record shop. Bleary-eyed, I took stock of my surroundings: vintage posters, brightly colored candy dishes filled with bubble gum, and a speaker nailed to a shelf above the front door. The speaker pumped the sound of some forgotten female voices out onto the sidewalk. The beat, bass line, and passionate soulful singing infected me once again.



Over the past 25 years, Dick Vivian, owner of Rooky Ricardo's, has become San Francisco’s ’60s soul medicine man. I love walking into his shop with a song in my head, telling Dick the title, and watching him do his best to lead me to another tune he’d think I’d like. He’s yet to steer me wrong. Visit Rooky Ricardo's on any given afternoon and you can expect to find a smattering of local soul DJs, collectors, and casual shoppers among the hundred thousand or so little 45 rpm records, LPs, and Atomic Age doodads. The thing that sets this slice of record-geek heaven apart is that it isn’t just a place for record hoarders, it’s a place for music lovers of all kinds.

Dick has customers who come all the way from England looking for rare 45 singles, people who can't believe that he doesn’t keep a secret stash behind the counter. In fact, he’s heard people ask about his “hidden” vinyl so many times that he actually keeps a box of “special records” aside just for those collector nerds who need to feel the exclusivity of an ultimate rarity.



But I think the real treasure lies in something seemingly banal: an old plywood dime store display he’s filled with 60 or so homemade CDs. It’s there in plain view, right in the center of the shop. For the past six years, Dick has been pouring hours of hard work into creating a selection of what he thinks are the best overlooked girl group, pop, and soul singles, and painstakingly bundling them into sets of CDs. Dick, who was once a local television dance star, tells me he started making these mixes in an attempt to preserve a sound that was very alive when it first popped out. “I’m an old guy now and I can’t dance as long as I used to,” he says, “but some of these songs still get me. They still make me feel alive."

Last summer, some pals and I hosted a soul dance party at the Verdi Club. We had a dress code, a big dance floor, and an 11-piece band, complete with a horn section and shoo-wop girls. One of the singers, my friend Heidi Alexander from the band The Sandwitches, picked an exciting and somewhat obscure set of girl group numbers for the night. Most of the tunes came straight from Dick’s mixes.



This December we decided to throw a “Winter Formal” and needed a DJ. I asked Dick, who doesn’t really DJ anymore, but he took one look at the band’s set list and said he’d do it. Not only that, but Dick is also trying to get his dance partner from his television days to come down and show us how to move to the music the right way. When he tells me, “Nobody can Mash Potato like I can,” I believe him.

Dick told me that all he really cares to do with his shop and his mixes is pass on his knowledge and passion for the music. I feel proud to have our city’s soul shaman behind the turntables at my oldies party. I think it’s safe to say that the partygoers can leave their old 45s at home.