ARTIST: Phil Woods and his European Rhythm Machine
TITLE: S/T
LABEL: Inner City / 1976

I've never really heard anything about this record and am still trying to figure out why. These guys are on some seriously bugged out jazz vibe. If the piklz played jazz and put out an album in 76, this would no doubt be it.

"Chromatic Banana" starts it all off nicely by pulling you in every direction at once. One minute your cooling with your feet up nodding your head, then the next thing you know the drums get pissed and start stepping to youÉ.you start to run but when you look back they stopped. Then the horns step to you and demand your loot and those new nikes your sporting. No sooner do you give up your kicks to the horns do the keys see that and want a piece of the action. You think, "Forget that... no keys are punk in me!", but then they go get the bass to help them.

God damn jazz thug music. This whole thing is emotionally draining.

ARTIST: Eddie Harris & His Electronic Saxophone
TITLE: Plug Me In
LABEL: Atlantic / 1968

When I fist bought this, it stayed on my table for a week straight. Every time I took it off, my needle would cry for more. Gangstarr and Del have both used a few things off of here, but that's really secondary. If you let it, this album speaks to you. Especially "Lovely is Today". The sax just dances with the drums all the way through. Play this when you wash your car for that extra shine!

ARTIST: Bobbi Humphrey
TITLE: Blacks & Blues
LABEL: Blue Note / 1973

The ultimate in music for refinement. Larry Mizzel holds the production side down! When I listen to this, I am immediately reminded of when hip hop was having its biggest impact on me. This record has been freaked by everyone from KMD to Common to Jazzy Jeff. Play this on your portable turntable on a sunny, clear blue sky, bird chirping, fresh cut grass, kids playing in the park, Sunday afternoon w/ your girl for instant results.

ARTIST: Quincy Jones
TITLE: The Hot Rock Soundtrack
LABEL: Prophesy / 1972

Another Quincy Jones sure shot!

The "Hot Rock Theme" has some ill stutter step drums. The beginning of "Listen to the Melody" makes me want to rob a bank. Tons of producer get busy material.

I've never seen the movie but I think it's about these for clowns (on the cover) quest to rid the city of those herb record store owners. The 2nd guy from the left has a gun that sucks 'em all in, then he takes them to Herbertville where they're pelted with wack, razor sharp 45's, ninja star style and have m44-7's drug across their eyelids. Is that a ketchup bottle?

ARTIST: Lonnie Smith
TITLE: Drives
LABEL: Blue Note / 1970

Nothing I say can articulate how nice this is. Not just because of 'Spinning Wheel' but 'Psychedelic Pi' too. What Joe Dukes does on the drums meshes perfectly with Lonnie Smith's organ... keys that is. Word to the manilla on your paper.

ARTIST: Gwen McRae
TITLE: Rockin' Chair
LABEL: Cat / 1975

Yet another one that is in constant rotation. I think PF Cuttin' and Blahzay used to take turns sleeping with this one and rightfully so. Records like this don't come around often and it's very important to share quality music with each other... even if she already got busy with Large Pro.

When I listen to '90% Of Me Is You,' I like to pretend she's singing to me. What? I get lonely too! It took me damn near a week to listen to the new Soulman tape because he put her on there. Almost broke the rewind button in the beat mobile. Boss used to get with Gwen too... that's cool as long as she doesn't thug Gwen out.

ARTIST: Rasputins Stash
TITLE: S/T
LABEL: Cotillion Records / 1971

Super dope albumÉ.but the fact that the line, 'I can let you use my equalizer/to sow your seeds, you'll need me fertilizer' makes it that much better. L.O.N.S. fans will immediately recognize 'You Better Think'-(Pay me my money!!!) The icing on the cake though is 'Dookey Shoe.' How can you go wrong with a song with that title?

"dum dum do dang dookey shoe"... superduperdope.

ARTIST: Rasputin Stash
TITLE: S/T
LABEL: Gemigo / 1974

Don't know why they dropped the S, but a solid follow-up none the less. Not as bugged out as the first though. Don't pick this up if your looking for "Dookey Shoe Pt. II." But if your looking for milky soul that'll get you hype before that date with the girl you met at the carwash, this is your shit, no doubt. "Ooh Baby" and "Middle Man" are the jams on this one. "Who gets lickin' when its free on a stick?/The tongue in the middle gets the lickin' ". I don't see this album as much as the first... wonder why?

ARTIST: Ralph Carmichael
TITLE: The Cross and The Switchblade Soundtrack
LABEL: Light / 19??

I've never seen this movie but from the cover I can already tell you that it's about shady record dealers and a bunch of vinyl fiends out to liberate all the oppressed grooves. See the guy on the right with the blade? He's sticking Herbert Highprice, "Look you rat soup eatin' sucka. I've come to free Ms. Ramp and Dr. Skull Snaps. Ya dig?" That's a young Primo on the left. How the think he got up on all those beats? The joint on here for me is "The Addicts Psalm." Spastic drums that are high on something, that just refuse to stand still. "Switchblade Theme" is the anthem of their revolution. Brrrrrrrrrrrr... Stick 'em!

ARTIST: Brand New Heavies
TITLE: Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol 1
LABEL: Delicious Vinyl / 1992

Everybody should know this... if not, put on your fatigues and war face and go get busy. If you're tight on loot, do like my man above in the red jacket. Remember the video for this? It was one big mix of the joints on here. Unfortunately albums and videos aren't really made like this anymore. It would be dope if a vol 2 ever came... I bet ?uestlove, Lenny Kravitz, and Flea would be down. I can see it now.

I hug this record every morning... Wake Up!!!