If this Halloween weekend wasn't enough for ya, come hang out this Tuesday night at Amnesia (853 Valencia St., San Francisco) for another rendition of Grow Up. This month, residents Hotthobo, Fenstar, and Pat Les Stache will be joined by SweaterFunk's own Two Step Lou who always drops a great set of boogie and disco jams. It should be another great night. I hope to see everyone out!
Let's end the week with a selection from one of my favorite African jazz records "Soul of Africa" which was a collaborative effort between saxophonist Hal Singer and pianist Jef Gilson. The album, which was originally released back in 1974 and later re-issued by Kindred Spirits, features a number of amazing Afro-centric jazz tracks including "Mother Africa", "Liberation", "Garvey's Strut", and my personal favorite "Chant Inca". With the original almost impossible to find, this is one re-issue definitely worth picking up. For those that enjoy this album I highly recommend checking out some of Gilson's other work including Malagasy, Malagasy At Newport-Paris, Le Massacre Du Printemps, Œil Vision, as well as the recent "Best of" release Jazzman Records put out this year. Enjoy!
Daptone Records has just released an incredible retrospective release paying tribute to the Benin funk legend El Rego. Rego (full name Theophile Do "El" Rego), along with his band Ses Commandos released a number of priceless gems during the sixties and seventies that helped kick start Benin's culturally rich funk movement that produced other great artists like Gnonnas Pedro, Antoine Dougbé, T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou, and others. On this new retrospective release, Daptone Records has compiled a diverse selection of El Rego's greatest songs including "Feeling You Got", "Djobime", "Hessa", "E Nan Mian Nuku" and "Do Do Baya". The record really does a nice job of showcasing the diverse sound of El Rego's music which includes elements of funk, soul, traditional African rhythms, and Afrobeat grooves. This release is not only a tribute to El Rego, but an important look into Benin's explosive music scene during the sixties and seventies. I couldn't recommend this record enough! Daptone Records has done a great service to all by providing an accessible and affordable way for many to explore the legend that is El Rego. Enjoy!
Let's start the week off with probably my all-time favorite Hamilton Bohannon song in "South African Man". This funky cut was the title track to Bohannon's 1974 hard-to-find album release. The South African Man LP probably represents one of Bohannon's rarest releases. The album is solid from start to finish, including other standout cuts like "Keep on Dancing", "Truck Stop", "Dance With Your Parno" and a few others. The entire record has a bit of a heavy-hittin' Afro-funk groove throughout which really helps separate this release from some of Bohannon's other more "disco-fied" records. An absolute gem!
With Dizzy Gillespie being one of my all-time favorite jazz artists, and today being his birthday(Thanks to Google for the reminder), I thought I would pay tribute to the jazz legend by featuring another one of my favorite tracks by Gillespie in "N'Bani". This funky track was featured on Gillespie's 1970 album The Real Thing. As I've probably mentioned before on this site (see Funky Manteca), Gillespie was one of the first jazz artists I grew to enjoy and really appreciate. His music was the start of me opening up to jazz music in general and it has since played a major influence on me musically. With that being said, he would have been 94 years old today and even though he is not with us physically anymore, his music is still very much alive and breathing in many of us. So here is to you Dizzy, Happy Birthday!
Here's a great disco/boogie gem from Charles Veal titled "If You Ever Needed Somebody". This funky track was featured on the violinist and multi-instrumentalist's 1980 album Only the Best. Just a little something' to help you get through your Wednesday. Enjoy!
This week the French label Hot Casa Records released an official re-issue of Joni Haastrup's classic Afro-funk album Wake Up Your Mind. This was the Nigerian-born and now Oakland, Ca. based solo album, however not his only music contribution to the world. Before releasing his solo record back in 1978 off of the Afrodisia label, Haastrup was featured on many notable African-based records including Orlando Julius' 1966 album Super Afro Soul, as well as playing guitar and keys in Ginger Baker's African inspired group Ginger Baker's Air Force. During the mid seventies Haastrup led the Afro-funk/ Afrobeat band MonoMono, who released a couple of amazing records which have just been re-released by Tummy Touch and Soundway Records. Overall, the man once known as Nigeria's "Soul Brother Number One" has contributed quite a bit musically to the world, and his late seventies masterpiece Wake Up Your Mind is an absolute gem that helps capture the brilliance of this legendary artist. Please go do yourself a favor and purchase all of these recent released re-issues!!!
I'm excited to announce that my next re-edit 12" will be released by the Finland based label Kojak Giant Sounds. Over the last two years this label, which is run by DJ Ionik, has teamed up with some major heavy weight producers/deejays including Beatfanatic, Mike Burns, Leftside Wobble, Maxxi Soundsystem, Rayko, Nicholas Iammatteo and others to release some of the best disco/ boogie edits out there. My release with this label should be out sometime later this fall and will feature two edits, which you can hear by checking out Kojak Giant Sounds SoundCloud page. I'll continue to keep everyone posted as to the actual release of the new record once I have that information. Enjoy!
Here is one my favorite cuts in "Moussaka" from jazz trumpeter Eddie Henderson. This funky and yet soulful jazz gem was featured on Henderson's brilliant 1974 Inside Out album which features an incredible cast of musicians including Buster Williams (bass), Herbie Hancock (electric piano & keys), Bennie Maupin (clarinet, flute, saxophone), Billy Hart (drums) and Bill Summers (congas). If you find yourself really enjoying this track, I highly recommend checking out many of the trumpeter's other records from this era including Realization, Sunburst, and Heritage.
Here is Wess & The Airedales soulful rendition of The Beginning Of The End's early seventies disco classic "Funky Nassau". This version of the song was included on the group's 1972 album Vehicle. Even though I tend to prefer either The Beginning Of The End's and/or Ray Munnings' 1979 version of the song, I think this is a worthy rendition that brings a bit of a more soulful feel to the overall classic. Enjoy!
Let's end the week with a new re-edit I recently did of tropical disco gem from 1977. As the title suggests, I went for a funky Caribbean groove on this edit. I'm sure if you listen closely, you'll be able to identify the original track. As always, I would love to hear feedback regarding this track from everyone. Enjoy your weekend!
Here is a funky Latin gem by Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers titled "Caravan". This heavy-hitting Latin instrumental cut was featured on the group's very hard-to-find 1967 album Saffron & Soul, which was released off the known jazz label Presitge. Sweater Funk's DJ Jacob Pena first introduced me to this specific record by Pucho when he dropped a track off this record when he was guest deejaying last month's SFJAZZ Hotplate night. His original version was actually signed by Henry "Pucho" Brown himself! After getting a hold a digital version of the album, the vinyl version has easily climbed to the top of my wishlist. After one listen, I wouldn't be surprised if many of you are feeling the same way. Enjoy!
Here is one of my favorite cuts from Juju (aka Oneness of Juju) in "Black Experience". This funky soulful African-flavored jazz gem wa featured on the group's 1974 album Chapter Two: Nia which was originally released off of the Strata East label. This is just one of the many great tracks off this record which also includes notable cuts like "Nia", "The End of the Butterfly King", as well as a solid rendition of Pharaoh Sanders' "Black Unity". This LP was re-issued a few years back, which should only be used as a "place-holder" until you can hunt down an original copy. Highly recommended!
Let's start the week off with a classic funky gem titled "Do What You Want To Do" by Willie Bobo & The Bo Gents. This Latin-flavored funk gem was the title track of the group's only album, which was released back in 1971. On this album, the Latin jazz percussionist Willie Bobo surrounds himself with a solid cast of musicians to release one his most funky releases. Overall, if your a fan of Bobo's incredible fusion of Latin grooves and deep 70's funk, this one album that you must own. Enjoy!
