Return of the Tropical Gangster

Over the last year, the record label Strut has teamed up with a number of music legends like Dennis Coffey, Ebo Taylor, and Orchestre Poly-Rythmo to release fresh batch of new studio material. The latest notable artist to team up with the London based label to release a new record is legendary disco producer August Darnell, better known as Kid Creole. Darnell made a name for himself during the seventies and eighties producing classic disco releases by group's like Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Cory Daye, Gichy Dan's Beachwood # 9, Aural Exciters, Machine, as well as his own Kid Creole & The Coconuts' releases. Much like Coffey and Taylor, this new studio album, titled I Wake Up Screaming, represents the first new studio album in over a decade. This record was recorded at Darnell's own studio in Sweden and mixed by Brennan Green and Lars Nissen. The new album also features co-compositions and co-productions with Andy Butler of Hercules & Love Affair. I Wake Up Screaming has all the elements of a classic Kid Creole album with it's funky swagger on tropical groove-oriented music. Fans of Kid Creole will definitely not be disappointed. I highly recommend checking out this release!

Kid Creole & The Coconuts - We're Rockin' Out Tonight



You can purchase Kid Creole & The Coconuts' I Wake Up Screaming by clicking here.

Caribbean Conga Dance

Let's start the week off with a funky Caribbean gem from King Errisson titled "Conga Man". This rare song was included on the 1976 album The Magic Man which was produced by disco/ funk legends Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey. The funky track includes some subtle, yet impressive steel drum work that reminds me a bit of an Exuma song gone tropical. One of my favorites from the Nassau based percussionist. Enjoy!

King Errisson - Conga Man

Viva Panama!

Over the last 6 years, the London based label Soundway has continued to release an impressive collection of compilations and reissues focused on rare Afro, Latin, and funky international grooves. Their label has turned into a stamp of quality when it comes to these hard-to-find sounds. Looking back now at their extensive collection of releases, the Latin and Cumbia focused compilation series Panama! is definitely one of the labels crowned achievements. This three part series highlighted extremely rare sixties and seventies Latin, Calypso, and Cumbia selections out of North and South America. I've highlighted some of the newer additions in this series on this site (see Panama! 3), however today I thought I would pay tribute to the entire series by sharing one of my favorite tracks off the first Panama! release in the very fitting selection "Viva Panama" by Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos. A superb funky tropical gem that really gives good insight into the overall sound of the entire compilation series. As more years continue to go by, I think record collectors and music critics will come to the agreement that Panama! was one of the best crafted Latin focused compilation series ever crafted.

Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos - Viva Panama

Better Days TONIGHT!

Just a friendly reminder that I'll be guest deejaying TONIGHT at the monthly Better Days Disco Party located inside Underground SF (424 Haight Street, SF). I'll be dropping disco, boogie, and funky Afro gems all night. The party starts at 9PM, hope to see you there!

Any Requests? Please leave in the comment section!

Nickolas Ashford, 1942 - 2011

I was very sad to hear that legendary musician, songwriter, and producer Nick Ashford passed away yesterday at the age of 69 due to throat cancer. Ashford, along with his wife Valerie Simpson, better known as the duo Ashford & Simpson wrote and released a number of soul and disco classics throughout the seventies and eighties including "Don't Cost You Nothing", "It Seems to Hang On", "One More Try", "Found a Cure", "Solid", and "Stay Free", to just name a few. On top of writing and producing numerous gems for him and his wife, Ashford also wrote a number of hits for many other artists including Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Sylvester's "Over And Over", Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman", and Diana Ross's "The Boss" among many others. Looking back at Ashford's vast career which spans five decades, their might not be a greater and/or more accomplished soul, R&B, and disco song writer. Yesterday this world unfortunately lost one of it's great artists. With that being said, we will forever now remember him through the music he wrote and the joy his songs brought to the world (especially the dancefloor). In honor of this legend, I thought I would share one of my favorite songs by Ashford & Simpson in their 1976 loft-classic "One More Try".

RIP Nickolas Ashford
May 4, 1942 — August 22, 2011

Ashford & Simpson - One More Try

Funky AECO

Here is a funky jazz gem from Art Ensemble Of Chicago titled "Funky AECO". This track represents one of the more funkier songs written by the group, who is usually more know for their avant-garde free jazz compositions. The funky groove oriented track was included on the group's 1985 album The Third Decade , which was released by ECM Records. The album features founding members Lester Bowie, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman, Famoudou Don Moye, and Malachi Favors who is responsible for the tracks heavy bass groove. Overall, the track represents a different side to one of jazz music's most notable and accomplished avant-garde ensembles. Enjoy!

Art Ensemble of Chicago - Funky AECO

Gather Up All Your Friends

I can't say that I'm a big Hubert Laws fan (at least as a band leader), however many of his CTI releases included some solid breaks. With that being said, here is probably my favorite track by the jazz flutist in "Family". This funky track, which has more of a boogie vide than anything even closely related to jazz, was the title track to his 1980 album Family, which came out on Columbia Records. Laws keeps it simple here, blending together some feel-good female vocals with a solid funk groove. and there's nothing wrong with that. Enjoy!

Hubert Laws - Family

Can't You See Me

Let's keep it short and sweet today with a funky feel-good gem by Roy Ayers titled "Can't You See Me". This track was included on Ayer's 1978 album You Send Me, which could be considered one of the legendary vibraphonist's more funkier releases. Enjoy!

Roy Ayers - Can't You See Me

Ghetto Jungle

Let's start the week off with another funky cosmic jazz gem titled "Ghetto Jungle" from Carlos Garnett. This track was featured on the Panamanian-American jazz saxophonist's rare 1975 album Let This Melody Ring On, which I have already featured once before on this blog a few month's back (See Let This Melody Ring On). Like much of Garnett's recordings, this composition nicely blends together elements of funky soul jazz and spiritual jazz. Just one of the many solid tracks from this superb record. Enjoy!

Carlos Garnett - Ghetto Jungle

Music is My Sanctuary

Staying with today's jazz theme, here is the soul jazz classic "Music is My Sanctuary" by Gary Bartz. This funky gem was the title track to Bartz 1977 album, which was producer by soul-funk masterminds Larry Mizell and Fonce Mizell (better known as The Mizell Brothers). Even though I tend to enjoy Bartz's earlier, more spiritual, recordings like Libra, Harlem Bush Music - Taifa, and Another Earth, this track highlight's one of the more standout moments during Bartz's later jazz funk years. Enjoy!

Gary Bartz - Music is My Sanctuary

SFJAZZ Hotplate Tonight!

For those in that reside in the bay area, tonight is the monthly event SFJAZZ Hotplate at the Amnesia bar (853 Valencia Street). SFJAZZ Hotplate is a monthly series that features local artists re-imagining the music of jazz legends. This month will feature Mike Olmos along with a cast of other great local jazz musicians in a full-blown tribute to legendary jazz trumpet player Freddie Hubbard. The show starts at 9pm and DJ Vinnie Esparza will be opening up the show by spinning some tasting "Hub-Tone" gems. For those that are seeking a great place to witness some of the best local jazz music in the bay, SFJAZZ Hotplate is definitely one monthly event not to be missed!

Learn more about tonight's SFJAZZ Hotplate show by visiting the Facebook event page.

Super Bar Konon Mousso

Here is a superb Afro Funk gem titled "Super Bar Konon Mousso" by Amadou Balake. This funky cut was originally featured on Balake's hard-to-find 1978 album Bar Konon Mousso Bar, which is one of the three records that he released with the African label Sacodis and the second that was actually recorded in Lagos. A classic Afro Funk jam that is primed perfectly for those tropical disco parties. Enjoy!

Amadou Balake - Super Bar Konon Mousso

Go Bang! DJ Set

As promised, here is my recorded deejay set from last month's Go Bang! party. It was a really fun night, hopefully you enjoy the mix!

Pat Les Stache Go Bang! Setlist



Go Bang!
July 23, 2011
Pat Les Stache setlist
--------------------------------
1. The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes (Jazzy Jens re-edit)
2. The Nick Straker Band - A Little Bit of Jazz
3. Chaz Jankel - Get Myself Together
4. Teddy Pendergrass - You Can't Hide From Yourself (Dimitri From Paris Re-edit)
5. Brenda Harris - Making Love
6. Sparkle - Handsome Man
7. Gayle Adams - Your Love is a Life Saver
8. Harold Melvins & The Blue Notes - Bad Luck (Dimitri From Paris Re-edit)

It's Your World

I know I recently just posted a track from Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson (See The Message, however I haven't been able to get their 1976 live version of "It's Your World" out of my head ever since I picked up their live LP when I was visiting New Orleans. The funky gem is the title track to their live It's Your World album which also includes live renditions of Gil Scott-Heron classic cuts like "Home is Where the Hatred Is", "Possum Slim", as well as a twelve-minute version of "The Bottle". The live and at times, improvised instrumentation, brings some nice energy to what was already great studio tracks. It's hard to top The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and Winter in America, however It's Your World might just be my favorite Gil Scott-Heron release. Highly recommended!!!

Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - It's Your World

Funky Highlife

I'm pretty tired from last night's Grow Up party. Thanks to everyone who made it out…Definitely good times as always!

Here is an excerpt taken from C.K. Mann & Carousel 7's classic Afrobeat medley that was included on the group's 1975 Funky Highlife LP. This portion of the medley appears at the beginning of the record's A-side and is titled "Asafo Beesuon / Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone". The track has appeared on a few notable compilations including BBE's fifth volume of their Strange Games & Funky Things series and the Ocho Records issue of The Shrine Presents Afrobeat. Overall a classic excerpt from one of the most sought after Afrobeat records. Enjoy!

C.K. Mann & Carousel 7 - Asafo Beesuon/ Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone

Enjoy the Boogie

A while ago I featured a track off the amazing, yet less known, compilation Rare Afro & Caribbean Funk Volume 2 (See Afro-Caribbean Funk. Today I thought I would post one of the many gems from the compilation series' first volume in Oby Onyioha's Afro boogie cut "Enjoy Your Life". This funky gem was originally featured on Onyioha's 1981 album I Want To Feel Your Love and features a solid disco groove throughout the track. Overall, just another superb cut from what I find is one of the most slept-on and well-crafted compilation series. Enjoy! (No pun intended)

Oby Onyioha - Enjoy Your Life

GROW UP Celebrates 2-Year Anniversay

I'm excited to announce that TOMORROW NIGHT Grow Up will be celebrating it's 2-Year Anniversary!!! To help us celebrate, the night will include a special guest deejay set from the prolific DJ/Producer The Beat Broker. And as always, the party will include deejay sets from residents Hotthobo , Fenstar (both of Voltaire Records), and myself (Pat Les Stache). Last month's party (at our new location of Amnesia) went off, so tomorrow night should be a fun night.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

To learn more about tomorrow night's party, visit the Facebook Event Page.