Mugglestone Hi-Fi ALL PURPOSE FILLER

You guessed it! Filler songs are generally my favorite because they are dependable, make everyone happy, and take the pressure off. Too much killer can kill. Cuz as we all know, there is such a too much of a good thing. And yes, often hits make perfect filler.

Track Listing::>

01. Al Green- Tired of Bering Alone
02. Art & Dotty Todd- Chanson D'Amour
03. Dusty Springfield- Son of a Preacher Man
04. Charles Brown- Butterfly
05. Paul Anka- Crazy Love
06. John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band- Woman is the Nigger of the World
07. Clarence Henry- Ain't Got No Home
08. Larry Williams- Short Fat Fanny
09. Memphis Slim- Hey Lonely Girl
10. El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico- Mundy Baja
11. Johnny Cash & June Carter- Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man
12. Al Jolson- Carolina in the Morning
13. Dinosaur- Kiss Me Again
14. Flor Silvestre- Una Limosina
15. Billy Paul- Me & Mrs. Jones
16. Lyn Collins- Mr. Big Stuff
17. The Ink Spots- We Three
18. Perry Como- Keep It Gay
19. Etta James- All I Could Do Was Cry
20. The Flamingos- I Only Have Eyes for You

Here is the .zip

DIE TEILNAHMSLOSIGKEIT BEI MUGGLESTONE HI-FI

What can I say without sounding too weird. I started out wanting to make a kind of NDW mix with a smattering of 60's/70's classic rock/disco jams and some tasteful ballads, but then I kept adding these world music tracks that I love and can never DJ or fit into some of the more straight ahead mixes (esp these amazing Burmese and Bengali songs) and then of course some other little muffins. The track listing looks like another one of these "who the fuck is this guy, maybe he's trying a little bit too hard," but after listening to it yull find the songs create the perfect background for you to discuss politicized photography movements of the mid-70's or some article you read in the most recent issue of Cabinet.

Track Listing:::>

01. Mills Bros.- Sweet Adeline
02. DÖF- CODO
03. Ike and Tina Turner- Come Together
04. Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers- Egyptian Reggae
05. Trio Los Panchos- Cancion Del Alma
06. Deep Purple- Space Truckin'
07. Hamilton Bohannon- Disco Stomp
08. Burmese Song and Dance Ensemble- Introduction
09. The Ramblers- Devil Train
10. Donovan- Hurdy Gurdy Man
11. Gilbert Becaud- Nathalie
12. Leonard Cohen- It Seems So Long Ago, Nancy
13. Tiriki Musicians- Unknown
14. Lecuona Cuban Boys- Tabou
15. The Monkees- Last Train to Clarksville
16. Wall of Voodoo- Mexican Radio
17. Bengali Folk Song- Unknown
18. Trevor Baby/ G James- Cooki Monster
19. De La Soul (feat. Jungle Bros., Q-Tip, Queen Latifah)- Buddy
20. Trio- Sabine Sabine Sabine

Here is the .zip

MUGGLESTONE HI-FI KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY MIX

This mix came about as a desire to hear a few songs that didn't make it on the Family Vacation Mix and then needing to fill them in with other pieces of gold both that I listen to all the time and/or things I just bought into. Wheel let you decide which is which. After looking at the track listing I can honestly say there is something incestuous about this mix, it keeps harkening back to the bad old isolated teenage days mixed with some syrupy nostalgia and then just plain creepiness. But it plays nicely on a rainy it would be a picnic but instead its mid-afternoon brunch.

Track Listing::>

01. Ronnie Hawkins- Mary Lou
02. The Bell Jubillee Singers- Shadrach Meshach & Abednego
03. The Moonrakers- Love Train
04. Bob Dylan- Subterranean Home Sick Blues
05. James Brown- Every Piece of My Heart
06. The League of Gentlemen- Dislocated
07. Dick Hyman- Topless Dancers of Corfu
08. Lee Dorsey- Mexico
09. The Hombres- Let it Out
10. Caterina Caselli- Nessuno Mi Puo Giudicare
11. Siouxie and the Banshees- Supernatural Thing
12. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee- Walk On
13. Eugene Chadbourne- Jesus Protects Mexico
14. The Murmaids- Popsicles Icicles
15. The Birthday Party- Mr. Clarinet
16. Otis Redding- Fat Gal
17. The Coasters- Charlie Brown
18. Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant- West of Samoa
19. Josh White- Careless Love
20. Syd Barrett- Terrapin

Here is the .zip

MUGGLESTONE HI-FI Mx17

Are you ever on the road with yr band and things are getting a little bitchy and you need some good tunes that will make the miles go by, not anything to heavy or too sing-songy or taste-specific? Well let's hope this does the trick. A non-Cormac McCarthy road trip mix.

Track Listing::>

01. Tex Ritter- High Noon
02. Tom and Jerry's Rockets- On the Road Again
03. The Kinks- Lola
04. Tony Joe White- Polk Salad Annie
05. The Banjo Maniacs- Pick It You Peasant
06. Slim Willet and the Brush Cutters- Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
07. The Cure- Close to Me
08. The Church Street 5- A Night with Daddy G Part 1
09. Sidney Bechet- St. Louis Blues
10. Augustus Pablo- Edi Amin
11. Bull and the Matadors- Funky Judge (Instrumental)
12. Tom Waits- Frank's Wild Years
13. Clyde McCoy- Sugar Blues
14. Kenny Everett/Mike Vickers- Captain Kremmen
15. The Traveling Wilburys- Margarita
16. Caetano Veloso- Alegria Alegria
17. Bessie Smith- Black Mountain Blues
18. Perez Prado- My Roberta
19. Porter Wagoner- Heartbreak Affair
20. Pete Moesser's Music- Hawaiian Affair

Here is the .zip

MUGGLESTONE HI-FI FAMILY VACATION MIX

The idea here is quite simple: something for everyone. And while that most likely is not the case, who can resist some good disco, big band, cumbia, hank williams, david bowie, post punk, reggae, calypso, kitsch, italian pop, etc.? I'll admit it: I was in a good mood...oh, and this vik venus intro is such a classic, download it just for this proto mash-up masterpiece.

Track Listing::>

01. Vik Venus- Moonflight
02. Anita Ward- Ring My Bell
03. Enoch Light and the Light Brigade- Carribe
04. David Bowie- Andy Warhol
05. Cabaret Voltaire- Silent Command
06. Hank Williams Sr.- Kawliga
07. Fantasy- Stoned Cowboy
08. Les Paul and Mary Ford- I'm a Fool to Care
09. Cy Coleman- Sweet Pussycat
10. Frank Zander- Da Da Da
11. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico- Mundy Baja
12. The Jordanaires- Each Day
13. Culture- Two Sevens Clash
14. Eddy Grant- Time Warp
15. Patty Pravo- La Bambola
16. Mighty Sparrow- Norman
17. Tommy Dorsey with Louis Bellson- Drumology
18. Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn- Who's Gonna Take the Garbage Out
19. Cecil Bee and the Buzzy Bunch- Superman
20. Coleman Hawkins- Body and Soul

Here is the .zip

WANKERS STONERS AND FREAKS MIX

This one's not really a stretch for me as I prolly fit into all 3 categories. People have been buggin me to do an all garage/psych comp for the blog, but when I sat down to do it, I kept thinking how male and wankery these songs sound stacked up against each other so I spliced it up a bit. I tried to add some of my fav wanker/stoner/freak tracks from at least 3 generations: yr parents, yr older drop-out cousins, and you of course, but don't get too picky about the what and the why here, cuz I just wanted to have some fun. So let's get stoned and put on some vintage porn::>

01. Bubble Puppy- Hot Smoke and Sassafras
02. Thee Midnighters- Whittier Blvd.
03. The Pleasure Seekers- What a Way to Die
04. Hot Jam- Tobacco Road
05. The Marshmallow Overcoat- Groovy Little Trip
06. The Electric Prunes- I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night
07. Eric Burdon and War- Home Cookin'
08. Frijid Pink- House of the Rising Sun
09. Link Wray and the Wraymen- Rumble
10. Dead Moon- Don't Burn the Fires
11. The Seeds- Pushin Too Hard
12. The Amboy Dukes- Journey to the Center of the Mind
13. Vanilla Fudge- Shotgun
14. Rhinoceros- Apricot Brandy
15. Brownsville Station- Martian Boogie
16. Thin Lizzy- The Rocker
17. Man or Astroman?- King of the Monsters
18. Bobby Vidone and the Rhythm Rockers- Weird
19. The Swan Silvertones- Singin' in My Soul
20. Jimi Hendrix- Little Wing

Here is the .zip

Mugglestone Hi-Fi Fuck It Mix

I think this mix is pretty self-explanatory. A lot of oldies but goodies: you got country, instrumentals, "ethnic" classix, soulful ballads, etc. Let's call it a "late-afternoon" mix.

Track Listing::>
01. Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant- Sandy Canyon Swing
02. Roger Miller- Chug A-Lug
03. Rockin' Sydney- My Toot Toot
04. John Prine- There She Goes
05. Aaron Neville- Tell it Like it Is
06. Unknown- 60's Japanese Pop Duet
07. Caterina Valente- Precipite Volissime Volmente
08. Calypso Carnival- Zombie Jamboree
09. Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band- Skokiaan
10. Dick Cureless- Snap Your Fingers
11. King Oliver- St. James Infirmary
12. Elmore James- It Hurts Me Too
13. Vicente Fernàndez- Volver Volver
14. Jennell Hawkins- Moments
15. Kenny Ball- Midnight in Moscow
16. Ernest Tubb- Saturday Satan Sunday Saint
17. Fats Domino- Walkin' to New Orleans
18. Clifton Chenier- Frog Legs
19. Jorgen Ingman- Milord
20. Willie Nelson- She's Still Gone

Here is the .zip

Mugglestone Hi-Fi Pande-Mix

Sorry, I tried to make this cover as ugly as possible. It somehow fits into the trashy DJ mix aesthetic. This mix is for a more arty crowd, maybe they want to dance or maybe they want to stand there and be cool. It stretches out a bit more and even dabbles into sub-genres of krautrock and 90's indie while keeping the ever-chic psych/garage and 70's country nouveau in the fore. I imagine it playing in a kitschy bar or a retro modern cafe, but that doesn't mean you can't dance around yr dorm room or clean the dishes will listening to it as well.

Track Listing::>

01. The Balloon Farm- A Question of Temperature
02. Dallas Frazier- Just a Little Bit of You
03. Faust- Extract 4
04. P-Model- Kameari Pop
05. Stereolab- Iron Man
06. Hasil Adkins- Sally Waddy Wally Woody
07. Esquivel- Whachamacallit
08. Madame X- Just That Type of Girl
09. The Turtles- Buzz Saw
10. Leon Redbone- Te Na Na
11. Peggy Lee- Me and My Shadow
12. Plastic Bertrand- Ça Plane Pour Moi
13. Blonde Redhead- Symphony of Treble
14. Sleepy LaBeef- Asphalt Cowboy
15. Palace Bros.- Ohio River Boat Song
16. Can- Spoon
17. Broadcast- Phantom
18. The Kingsmen- The Jolly Green Giant
19. Red Crayola- Hurricane Fighter Plane
20. Joao Gilberto- Samba de Una Nota

Here is the .zip

Mugglestone Hi-Fi MEGA MIX

I have been busy for a while so I figured to make up for lost time I would put up some mp3 mixes.

This one was first called the "Super Berlin Mega-Mix" cause its totally heiß. There are a lot of hits on this one, not so many raritease, cause not everyone has a taste for the obscure. I give these mixes to prospective "clients" that somehow might not think the blog gives an accurate representation of my taste level and mixing skills (which it really doesn't). Some of these tracks are featured on the blog, the rest will be up here in the original (non-blended) format when I get a chance.

Track Listing::>

01. David Bowie- Sound and Vision
02. The Chiefs- Apache
03. Sweeney Todd- Roxy Roller
04. Althea and Donna- Uptown Top Ranking
05. Professor Morrison's Lollipop- You Got the Love
06. Shirley Ellis- The Clapping Song
07. Sparks- Wonder Girl
08. Ko Ko Taylor- Wang Dang Doodle
09. The Clash- London Calling
10. The Flying Lizards- TV
11. Love- Time is a River
12. Mandrill- Warning Blues
13. Dave and Ansil Collins- Double Barrel
14. The Honeymoon Killers- Histoire a Suivre
15. Gap- Sheriff
16. Nillson- Jump into the Fire
17. Soul Survivors- Hey Gyp
18. The Champs- Midnighter
19. Bow Wow Wow- Louis Quatorze
20. Laid Back- White Horse

Here is the .zip

Nina Hagen- SMACK JACK

I am gonna just give you this picture, it was too hard to choose from all of the amazing photos and styles this diva has donned over the years. People either love or hate Nina Hagen, but she has had an amazing career and is still at it. This single off of "nunsexmonkrock" is quintessential of her early 80's crossover sound: weirdo goth synths and guitars, jagged beats that are still poppy but almost cheap, and of course her amazing range of growls, screeches and operatic scary German woman voices. She is always controversial, of course she plays into it, but damn she looks the part and would have scared the piss out of me as a kid (even though now she just released a children's audio book). Oh, wiki also told me that she dated Anthony Kiedis for a year, that must have been fun. Here is the vid.

Nina Hagen and "Smack Jack"

Betty Harris- CRY TO ME

Lets just say that the mood of this picture is the exact opposite of that in the song, but Betty looks good, so I figured it would add a little spice to the page. "Cry To Me" from 1962, on Jubilee Records, to me is one of those at home with the bottle type of songs. I don't get to DJ this one too much cause its just too painful, but if its just right (say Valentine's Day at 3 AM, when there is just the heavy drinkers left at the bar and the lonely women sitting in the corner with the glow of their cigarette the only evidence of their existence) then I will let it loose. Woman's got soul, there is no doubt. And while she is more know for her catchy Toussaint productions on Sansu records, this one always hits the spot for me. She builds into it the right way, its like Charlie Parker said about soloing (and I paraphrase): you don't just go into a room and start shouting, you smile and shake hands first. You can check out the B-side "I'll Be A Liar" on So Many Records So Little Time as well, to get an idea of just what kinda voice we are dealin with here.

Betty Harris with "Cry To Me"

Jennell Hawkins- MOMENTS

When I first put this song on here I couldn't find any info on the lady herself outside that she recorded with Richard Berry (yes, the "louie louie" guy) but now there is a whole bio page and even some mp3 links. This Titanic label photo is courtesy of Brian's Music Musings a great resource for oldies but goodies like this one. I got this as a Collectables reissue B-side to Ike and Tina's "Poor Fool", but this song immediately captivated me. Her sweet vocal line is longing and slightly shattered, but never wavering in devotion or bitter. The track has a great sax intro and solo and such a smooth feel that it almost breezes past you. Most people who know me know that I only play this song when I am either really happy or really sad.

Jennell Hawkins- "Moments"

Peggy Lee- ME AND MY SHADOW

This is the B-Side to the 1969 classic "Is That All There Is?", and even more nasty and depressing, but in that super cool Sunset Boulevard (by Billy Wilder) kind of way. Peggy Lee slings and slurs her way through the text, making it seem almost cute that she's so desperate and alone. This gal could do it all and did. She even wrote the lyrics to the Disney classic "We are Siamese" cat song from "Lady and the Tramp". The arrangement of this Jolson-written cabaret number (originally made famous by the Rat Pack) is by Randy Newman. The piano and bass reel this song along while her breathy vocals make you wanna give her a big bugs bunny kiss or slit yr own throat. Sounds melodramatic I know, but goddamn I love this song.

Peggy Lee "Me and My Shadow"

Flor Silvestre- UNA LIMOSINA

Flor Silvestre, stage name of Guillermina Jiménez, has been in dozens of mexi-famous movies and sang many a celebrated song, yet will always live in the shadow of her husband, Antonio Aguilar, heartthrob actor who sold over 150 million albums over his 40 year career (not to mention son, pepe). This song develops the story of being tortured by someone so great you have to let them go, but with style (una limosina), so they know how special but evil they are. Her voice and the accordion are hauntingly desperate and sincere, something singers above the border often forget. Go to her myspace page to see what a showstopper she was, lots of videos and tracks.

Flor Silvestre- "Una Limosina"

Althea and Donna- UPTOWN TOP RANKING

I have noticed that many of my post involving ladies, esp ladies of color, have been deleted. I am not sure if the flagging gods have started to inflict their exacting (yet frivolous without explanation) censorship on my blog because I am offering up free mp3 downloads (of singles I purchased used and digitized that can no how supplant the original source tapes or official reissues) or because of some kind of musical misogyny. I almost hope for the latter as it could be some how mediated, but in attempt to add some balance back to the blog, I will put up some of the tracks again.

Like this cool cool classic from '77, of Althea and Donna singing over the Alton Ellis riddim "I'm Still in Love". John Peel originally brought this into chic-dom, gotta love him for that. This song is one of my clutch singles, I use it either to shift into the dance vibe or to apologize for something that didn't hit the floor running. This is the scene::> At least 1/3 of the girls will immediately hand their boyfriend their drink and then either attempt to pull him to the dance floor or make their way solo, knowing its a ladies number anyway. Its not really a booty track so there is more head swaying with arms up in the air than ass smackin. Here is a youtube of them gettin down on TV (love the glasses on Donna, or is that Althea?).

Althea and Donna- "Uptown Top Ranking"

Ko Ko Taylor- WANG DANG DOODLE

This may be the hottest song ever recorded. Pure juke joint flava, nasty and feisty, putting everyone in the mood for drinkin dancin and fuckin. This one will play well at weddings, hipster bashes, mexi dive bars, road trip mix CDs or even Curves workout playlists because it brings that from the bottom of the belly to the top of the head explosion from the needle drop. Ko Ko Taylor's voice on this is one of the most precious moments ever recorded, not to mention the rhythm section or the rippin sax solo. Taylor passed on this year in June, age 80, but not without gaining the title time and time again of "Queen of the Blues". You will be missed.

Ko Ko Taylor- "Wang Dang Doodle"

Lee Hazlewood- NANCY AND ME

Barton Lee died a couple years back of kidney cancer but not before leaving us a legacy of darkly charming and shruggingly unabashed music that spans his production of Duane Eddy's twangy guitar and saxtrumentals to many solo masterpieces, including his final work, Cake or Death. This song is a single from 1973's "Poet, Fool, or Bum", and of course is about his time with the Pope's Daughter, Nancy Sinatra, who he wrote and produced "These Boots are Made for Walking" and "Some Velvet Morning" for and with. Like everything with Lee, this song is not as sweet as it seems, and he offers no answers.

Lee Hazlewood "Nancy and Me"

Tony Terry- SHE'S FLY (DUB MIX)

There are a lot of these mid-80's Epic Records R&B dub mixes that accompany a pretty bland A-side radio mix, and I collect everyone I see because this was the first one I ever found, and of course the best. Its lucky I did not win big at scratch games when I was young or it would have been over for me. Unfortunately, I have never found anything else on Epic, Solar, Zomba, or Def Jam that even come close to the intricate latin breaks that Charlie "Dee" Diaz and Omar Santana put together for Tony Terry's first single (someone had something to prove, and it wasn't Mr. Terry--I mean look at the guy). This song will make any b-boy or girl dizzy, it's fast and off-kilter, but still has all of the mixing tricks and pre-digi sounds (think reverse-echo vox) that most dub mixes from this era play people off the dance floor with due to the cheese factor (sorry T'Pau). This song will either cause people to lose it on the dance floor or stand still in awe at how fucking deep it gets. File under sweat!

Tony Terry with "She's Fly (Dub Mix)"

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels- SOCK IT TO ME BABY

The picture sleeve here really is not overselling the hype that this song whizzes together. Pretty much from the shout/slap intro of the song, this song is a whirlwind of party screams, searing guitar breaks, momentous builds, grunting and punchy sax lines. Mitch Ryder, a Bob Crewe protegè had a few other bigger hits: "Little Latin Lupe Lu", "Devil With a Blue Dress On", etc. But this one, from 1967, takes his sound a step further and really feeds into the hysteria of the time. It's really hard to say what market he was trying to fit into, as this song is freak-out enough to be psychedelic garage, mob shouting and stir crazy enough to be protest, sexy enough to be black, but somehow with this overdriven mod british beat and guitar line. And Mitch is still kickin, goddamnit! Here is a link to his home page where you can find out what casino to catch him crooning Prince and Springsteen covers in. Ever-enlightening wiki also wrote that Winona took her surname from Mitch after seeing his record in her dad's collection. Thanks wiki!

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels- "Sock It to Me Baby!"

Clifton Chenier- FROG LEGS

Clifton Chenier is really the grandfather of Zydeco music (accordion and rub-board=all night dancing). He is a direct descendant of old New Orleans and the "Deep South". This track is the B-side of his soul crossover "Black Gal" on Bayou Records from the mid-50's. My copy is severly scratched but I think it lends to the sunset sittin on a porch eatin greasy frog legs atmosphere. With a rolling Creole shuck and Chenier's rip n' jive accordion solo, this song is perfect for throwing on between live acts or more appropriately to barbecue alligator meat on Sunday afternoon. Not much there, just a feel good track to start out the day.

Clifton Chenier "Frog Legs"

Mutabaruka- SIDDUNG PON DI WALL (ROLAND Z MIX)

Samuel L. called, he wants his glare back. This Roland Z. remix kills mainly for the rise n fall sax slices and the minimal drum/tamborine feel that makes this feel like a Digable Planets track. "I siddung pon di wall, an watch him watch me": the war cry of the captured and plotting! Mutabaruka is a Jamaican dub poet that has been writing for 30+ years about Jamaican culture and its role in the Worldsphere. Here is a link to his website that has a lot more info, audio, and even a section called Muta Seh, where he gives his "reasoning on a variety of subjects affecting black people and society today". This song proves that not everything out of Jamaica is about feelin irie, sometimes its more about being irate.

Mutabaruka "Siddung Pon Di Wall (Roland Z Mix)"

King Sunny Ade and His African Beats- ASE

"The Minister of Enjoyment", as he is known in Nigeria, King Sunny Adè is no doubt the international king of Jùjú. This song (from 1984's Aura on Island Records) has it all: 80's synths, buoyant electronic and talking drumline, relentless vocal refrains, pedal steel and tenor guitar, electric harmonica; what more could you want? Okay, I can imagine a crazy break in the middle and a janky video where dudes in nylon ball caps with the bill flipped up are gettin down on the streets of Lagos, but that's not the way this one roles out (it is Island Records in the 80's after all). But all lovers of electro and breakdance music can get into this one. Warning though: this will not hit on the dance floor, it is too intimidatingly chill. Obviously I learned the hard way, but it probably won't stop me from trying again. The equation involves more hippies with children or drunk 30-somethings NOT trying to hook up. This guy has more records out than Bob Dylan, and tours pretty regularly. Please do yourself a favor and see him live!

King Sunny Adè and His African Beats- "Ase"

Taj Mahal- AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS

Taj Mahal, world music blues guy, sounds like it could not get any worse, but this guy is for real. His shows now may be catered to more of a botanical garden or sit down university theater crowd, but this single from 1976 shows where he's at. A re-write of the 1920's rollicking "I'm so honest, I'm drunk" 8-bar blues called "Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do" made famous by Billie via Bessie, this song seems to really speak to the spirit of '76: cocaine and champagne. It's just fun in a fuck it why not way, and not so many songs, esp 70's blues songs, can pull that off. Go see him some time, he's always touring.

Taj Mahal- "Ain't Nobody's Business"

Santo & Johny- SLEEP WALK

This could possibly be the best song (read slow instrumental ballad most commonly associated with the sad funeral sequence of "la bamba") of all time. My friend told me that the mother of Santo & Johnny used to sing it to them at night and so they recorded it and went all the way to #1 in 1959 (which makes for a great American story), but all knowing wiki says "this is apparently false". Anyone who hates this song is a hater. That being said, here is a video. Enjoy.


Santo & Johnny with "Sleep Walk"

Stan Kenton- 23N 82W

"23N 82W", the longitude and latitude coordinates for Havana, Cuba, (thanks Google) only give a glimpse into the inspiration for this romping trombone-a-thon, arranged by Bill Russo. Stan Kenton was always on the cutting edge of big band arrangements, but this song shreds away the cliche and moves into something Mingus would probably dig. It even delves into 7/4 after the Lee Konitz solo. I wouldn't have quit my high school jazz band if I knew big band tracks like this existed (sorry Mr. Brice). Originally cut in 1952, this sounds more like the soundtrack to the bay of pigs than the watered down tribute to Cuban rhythms that most big band leaders were doing at the time.

Stan Kenton with "23N 83W"

Grady Martin- THE FUZZ

Grady Martin, as a member of the Nashville A-Team, played guitar on some of the most classic country hits of the 50's and 60's, but it's his "fuzz effect" (discovered accidentally during the recording of Marty Robbins' "Don't Worry" in 1961) that changed the sound of Rock to come. Originally caused by a faulty pre-amp in the studio, this sound has been used by everyone from the Ventures to Radiohead, and of course has been made into many different pedals like the "Fuzz Tone" or the "Big Muff" that probably many of you shoe-gazing guitarists own some version of. "The Fuzz" (on Decca) is kind of a tribute to that sound, and with a different production would sound straight gangsta and fit into any miami bass or dubstep party. I love the fading effect of the strings, and how the guitar sound reminds me of an old Lee Hazelwood walking down an Arizona highway.

Grady Martin- "The Fuzz"

Broadcast- PHANTOM

This is the B-side to a rare 7" on Duophonic from 1997 that sounds like Jean-Jacques Perrey on Nyquil. Broadcast has continued to put out great albums on Warp Records, but the early stuff (as compiled on Warp's "Work and Non Work") is still my favorite. The wurlizer-filtered melodies drip in and out of the over-saturated vamps and ghostly rhythm box bossa sounds, making this a great song for either a down-tempo/chill out night or in the long pause between indie-electro bands in a smoky bar.

Broadcast- "Phantom"

Ian Dury and the Blockheads- HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK

This song has been in my head for the past couple weeks and has caused me to unexpectedly hit people and inanimate objects in both the public and private spheres a few too many times. Ian Dury and the Blockheads made a pretty big splash in the post-punk/new wave scene in '79 with this hit that to me sounds like Dr. Buzzard and Bryan Ferry doing bumps at the bar. A spastic galloping groove, an evocative catch-line, and the use of ironic phases in French and German make this song an instant dance floor success. Esp if yr audience is wearing a gang of 4 shirt but secretly rediscovering later kinks and yes records. Here is a live video.

Ian Dury and the Bockheads- "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"

Dinosaur- KISS ME AGAIN

Arthur Russell on 45 would make any serious collector laugh (if they knew how), but when you are crack-addicted to these little records you find yourself shelling out money for things you didn't even know existed. This song was a legend in the downtown disco genre as was the mid-western buddhist cello-groove master behind it. Though relatively unknown or under-appreciated in his lifetime, more and more compilations and tribute articles about Arthur have come out in the last years and even a new documentary. When researching photos etc. for this post I came across a truly amazing description/background for this song on the Mr. Disco blog. Unfortunately, his link to the 12" mix has expired, but you can feel his enthusiasm and listen to this 45 mix; then go on ebay and pay waaaay too much for the original.

Dinosaur- "Kiss Me Again"

Bill Withers- LOVELY DAY

I have been looking for this feel good track forever, and just after lamenting to a friend that it was one of those (the "so common yet classic that no one sells them or throws them away unless they melted in the attic") I found it on my first day back at Wax Trax in Denver. Bill Withers has written some of the most classic American soul/funk anthems ("Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", and even "Just the Two of Us"), yet few people know his name--and those who do drop it every chance they can. His beautiful arrangements and honest lyrics created a legacy that has been sampled/bit countless times (blackstreet, arrested development, etc.) and even spawned some secular spirituals that everyone can wave their lighter to. The intro to this song really brings a smile to my face as does the sustained "lovely day" in the chorus. You have heard it before, hopefully many times, but listen again to the way this song unfolds, or check out this really bad "sunshine mix" from '88 that was a pretty big Euro hit (even bigger than the original). Still waiting for the documentary which should be out soon!

Bill Withers' "Lovely Day"

Fad Gadget- RICKY'S HAND

This is the second Fad Gadget single, and was never released on an LP. What I would give to have seen this guy live back in the day. I love the synth intro, it hits so hard, and seems like the song will be relentless, which it is. This is considered and industrial song (cause of the drill?), but to me its more like a pushier new wave track that misses the mark cause its just too annoying. I love the 808 timbale sounds in the break. This is a song to play people out of the bar, but sometimes it actually hits, then there is some guy who comes up and begs to hear PIL after or something. I can also imagine the theme used in a flight simulating video game, something like during the refueling inbetween levels. More info cause I don't have a lot of links to offer:::> Mute Records 006 and co-written, produced, and recorded with Daniel Miller (founder of Mute). Also, Fad Gadget was the first act signed to Mute, before Depeche Mode or even Throbbing Gristle.

Fad Gadget "Ricky's Hand"

Nervous Norvus- APE CALL

I always wished this guy was my grandpa. Another novelty hit, this song was actually a pretty big hit in 1956, the follow up to the ground-breaking "Transfusion". The lyrics to this one are pretty amazingly goofy, but his phrenetic voice and the extremely gratuitous use of the Tarzan sample is what makes this one so memorable. Nervous Norvus, or Jimmy Drake, invented a whole lingo with which he described his world. There is now a compilation out on Norton Records, Stone Age Woo: the Zorch Sounds of Nervous Norvus, which I recommend highly, because its not just the few novelty or Dr. Demento songs that we know, but really a whole body of work that somehow creates and encompasses his wildly fucked up cosmology. This is another song that ain't for everybody, but its worth a listen if not a download.

Nervous Norvus "Ape Call"

The Church Street 5- A NIGHT WITH DADDY "G" PT1

I can't find any pics of this band or the original record (my camera doesn't take the glossy Legrand in gold label too well, sorry) so here is a pic of the reissue. This is another saxtrumental from the house band at Legrand Records that later became the Gary "U.S." Bonds hit, "Quarter to Three." Produced by Frank Guida, this track is a rollicking southern soul hit from Norfolk, VA, that kicks hard from the lead in. I love the cymbal heavy drums (anyone who's played with me knows why) and the varied dynamics of the song lead by the amazing tenor work of Gene Barge (Daddy "G"). If you know the U.S. Bonds version, this seems a bit empty without his vocals, but it kills on the dance floor anyway, as it has the hand clapping thing goin on and the right amount of wholesome juke joint raunchiness.

The Church Street Five- "A Night with Daddy G"

Vicente Fernàndez- VOLVER VOLVER

El Idolo de Mexico with his 1976 cross the border hit on CBS records, "Volver Volver." This guy IS the undisputed king of Ranchera and is still kickin it hard, playing arenas across the US (check his myspace, pretty amazing). Here is a video link where he starts the song on a juke box (I have always wanted to do that) and sits down to drink. This guy just has it, the strength and gentle grace of his voice is undeniable. The arrangement of the organ, the strings, and the horns into swooping punches with the "ay! ay!" whelping interludes make this song a drink in the air salute to "the struggle." Here are the lyrics both in spanish and english.

Vicente Fernàndez- "Volver Volver"

The Soul Survivors- HEY GYP

This is the lesser known B-side to the huge 1967 Gamble & Huff crossover hit "Expressway to Your Heart," and is a cover of a Donovan song "Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)" (that while is as cute as one would expect, does not even get close to this version). These guys are still around, here is a link to their webpage. "Hey Gyp" is one of my favorite rollicking psych classics, amazing that its the b-side to the soulful and Phillie-fied "Expressway", though usually this side wins out in the DJ booth because its more fun. I love the guitar scronking, and the singing is just perfectly desperate and cool. If this song is not on a Nuggets boxset then someone is sleeping on the job. It has several freakout sections that sound like the zombies and marc bolan humping in the closet. Also the drum solo "heartbeat" section is just perfect, such soul for some whities from New York. I remember reading somewhere that they always wore sharksin suits on stage, I don't know what sharkskin feels like, but that's some big pimpin if you ask me, they sure don't dress like they usta.

The Soul Survivors "Hey Gyp"

Cannonball Adderley Quintet- DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM

I figured this was a good time to insert one of my favorite beginners (songs that I start a set with). This track from 1970's "The Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free" features Cannonball's brother Nat Adderley on guitar and vocals. It starts with his slow deep funky guitar and backbeat, talkin about how a one way ticket is the best thing you can get in Black Bottom. Then it dissolves into a back woods Wednesday night prayer meetin (not in the mingus way) where he hands it over to god and the live (studio) audience, sayin "that's why every sunday I pray that the lord will find some way to help some folks less fortunate than me." That shit is so right I want to cry every time I hear it. The production by David Axelrod is (as always) impeccable and so fucking rich you feel right at home.

Cannonball Adderley Quintet featuring Nat Adderley Jr- "Down in Black Bottom"

Spike Jones- BLACK BOTTOM

What could Spike Jones not do? Check out this video and others to get a idea of the virtuosic genius at work and play. His depth of cultural/musical knowledge and showmanship allowed him great satirical liberty in a generally conservative late 40's/early 50's America. This track, named after a 1920's dance "the Black Bottom," has the feel of a Woody Allen slapstick scene, featuring Spike on a wide array of instruments, from bike horns, bells, to the bones. At one point during the piano solo, the "record" starts to skip and he has to slam a door to get the pianist to keep going. This song is just too much fun!! Enjoy it, and please check out his breadth of work with deconstructionism (sorry to get all nerdy and pedantic, but I love this guy), as I think he couldn't help but de- and re-contextualize everything, even as it was happening.

Spike Jones and his City Slickers play "Black Bottom"

Sparks- WONDER GIRL

This record, produced by Todd Rundgren for Bearsville Records in 1971, shows really how far this legendary glam pop group has come (Rundgren to Moroder to obscurity in the late 80's to a 21 night stint in London in 2008, playing one full album a night and debuting the newest). The Sparks brothers' (Ron and Russel Mael as seen above) goofy album titles (puns anyone?) and covers always caught my eye but it wasn't until I heard this track that I really fell in love with all of the ridiculous tongue-in-cheek pomposity that they espoused. "Wonder Girl" has this bowie-esque disco cowboy guitar line and what I like to call the "bleacher beat" (or what sounds like a reverby gymnasium full of high school basketball fans). But the piano line is what seals it, it sounds like something Rza would sample. That and the goofy lyrics make this a gem that I play almost every chance I can get.

Sparks- "Wonder Girl"

C.O.D.- IN A BOTTLE (SPECIAL MEGA-MIX)

I found this diggin through crates in a small store in Kreuzberg (Heisse Schieben) with my boy Shimmy from Awesome Tapes from Africa. It looks like this track has made it on many electro break comps due to its crazy breaks and kickin synths courtesy of Raul A. Rodriguez. Amazingly, Gil Scott Heron penned this track, but this mega-mix by James "the Mighty Chopper" Hamilton and featuring "The Smurf" hisself, Tyrone Brunson, gives us a taste of everything that was hot in '83:::> all the 808 sounds, the phased out drums and lazer sounds, the synth stabs and hand claps, etc. I know most people think its pretty lame to rock this on 45, but for a fetishist this is a fucking dream come true as many disco-electro hits never made it onto the little discs.

C.O.D. "In the Bottle (Special Mega-mix Incorporating The Smurf Tyrone Brunson)"

Tomita- ARABESQUE NO. 1

Isao Tomita's combination of experimental electronics performing classical (as in old white dudes) masterworks may not strike everyone as new (he's not as flashy as the gender-bending W. Williams), but the artistry and complexity by which he develops these melodies is staggering. The tonal qualities and the effervescence might make you giggle a bit, but this shit sounds futuristic even now (though its an RCA promo from 1974). Arabesque No. 1 is one of Debussy's most memorable pieces, but you have never heard it like this before. I think the picture above gives you an idea of what's at play here. I never am able to do this, so here is a link to the sheet music, and also a solo piano version for all you theory heads out there.

Tomita "Arabesque No. 1"

The Hello People- (AS, I WENT DOWN TO) JERUSALEM

I did not know anything about this single or band, but its one of my staple garage/psych groove tracks. Little did I know that the band dressed as mimes and mimed in between songs, which probably killed any chance of success (but makes them that much more venerable now, right?). This track comes from their 1968 s/t release, and is a rollicking blues lead by distorted e-bass and bongos. The original line-up was::>
The original Hello People were:
W. S. "Sonny" Tongue - vocal, guitar (stage name "Country")
Greg Geddes - bass, vocal (stage name "Smoothie")
Bobby Sedita - guitar, vocal (stage name "Goodfellow")
Larry Tassi - keyboards, vocal (stage name "Much More")
Michael Sagarese - flute (stage name "Wry One")
Ronnie Blake - drums (stage name "Thump Thump")

Here is a great bio/discog link to learn more about this anomaly that gets collectors' (far more involved than me) panties in an uproar. Also the video for "Teen Time" hosted by Del Curtis is more than amazing as is this blog entry about making fun of mime rock as a youth (from floweringtoilet.blogspot.com). I have not heard their albums and don't know the extent of their exploration, but this is a rockin track that gets everyone (dressed in denim) up and dancing.

The Hello People "(As, I Went Down to) Jerusalem"