quick audio picks: 12
Philip's on permanent vacation in the Dominican Republic, but it looks like his young gun proteges are doing just fine on their own. Maybe even better, without the producer known for shittyispretty having them record into a tin can and a mic...
expand review he found in the trash. No diss to Philip, but these guys are talented enough to stomp a fully realized sound. This is another quality release on the afro-beat subsidiary Lenar. A-side "Feelin Good(1)" is a mid tempo piece that features the full band with a vocal lead that adds some hype-man style beef to the track. B-side "Drums Of Asiko(2)" sticks to the title with nothing but percussion. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1
Vampi Soul has now picked up the Banda Uniao Black album for distribution in Europe, with the upside for us being cool ass 45s like this one popping up via hand delivery from D. Collas. "Yeah Yeah Yeah(1)" was easily one of...
expand review the best tracks off the album, a slow knocker that opens up with an absolutely addictive little break before the singers come on in Portuguese (which I definitely prefer to english). B-side features the instrumental, which has been recut with the addition of clavichord, flute & some other stuff. High quality pressing, die-cut sleeve. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
You gotta blaze a yule log to this one! "World of Love(1)" is the debut solo release from Mr. Griptite, lead guitarist and sometimes vocalist for Daptone in-house beat-pounders the Dap-Kings. Sounds strange to say, but Binky might have a new holiday...
expand review classic on his hands with this one. I can't remember the last time I heard an original Christmas tune this sick! "World of Love" is a lovely, hazy slow-burner, perfect for a snowy evening by the fire with your significant other. On the flipside, a cover of Laura Nyro's "Stone Soul Christmas(2)" picks up the tempo a little (but just a little) with jingle bells and beautiful background melodies from The Dansettes accenting Binky's voice, which sounds tailor-made for this type of joint. Daptone always comes with quality, but they're on fire lately. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Binky Griptite's Christmas single from last year is still one of the coolest things Daptone has released, so what's the Dap-King got up his sleeve this time? How about a new backing band (The Mellomatics) and a blazing two-part single? "Mellomatic Mood(1)(2)"...
expand review is anything but mellow, and the band somehow manages to stay insanely tight while playing a lightning fast funk shuffle. Part 1 features vocals from Binky throughout, while Part 2 is almost an instrumental. More great stuff from the Daptone gang. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 12
Previously reissued on 12" by Truth & Soul's Black Top imprint, New Jersey teenage female vocal trio Black Velvet's "Is It Me You Really Love(1)" now gets the 45 treatment (the way it was meant to be heard). "Is It Me" comes...
expand review with the sweltering horns and slow-burner feel of some classic Southern soul shit, the girls' vocals just wrapping around you and putting the suicide squeeze on yer heart. On the flip, a newly remixed and remastered version of "An Earthquake Coming(2)" is some real upbeat hot time summer in the city type shit. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Daptone put it best when it comes to this "new" Bob & Gene single: - This record is Deep. It's not for everybody. It's not for DJs looking for the fastest, loudest drum breaks. It's not for collectors who want to impress...
expand review their friends. It's not for kicking off dance parties or cutting into samples for your friends to make beats with. This is a record for lovers. If that seems to be overstating the case a bit, maybe you haven't heard Bob & Gene, 'cause everyone I know who listened to their album on Daptone fell in love and now swears by it - it's powerful stuff. "I Can Be Cool(1)" comes from the album, the bittersweet tale of young man without the "cool" resources to hook the girl of his dreams. Flipside is the previously unreleased, "Jackson 5-esque" number, "You Don't Need Me(2)." Nice replica 45 label artwork, too. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Holy chit! I been waiting for this sound for a long time man. Daptone and Truth & Soul have been flirting with ballad-type El Michaels and Lee Fields releases, but this is that real deal low rider anthem shit needing gun shot...
expand review salutes and dedications to Smokey, Little Sad Eyes, and Joker from around the block. "You Gave Me Love(1)" is fucking awesome. Don't test. Don't even flip it over (although "Your Name(2)" is kinda tough too). Just be a man and run that ballad son. According to Daptone, this was originally released on the Buffalo-based label Mo Do, with Bob & Gene being label owner William Nun's 15 year old son & best friend. Hot shit that belongs on mix tapes, oldies radio, and my sunday afternoons. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
The mysterious Stoned Circus imprint returns with their third 45, and they've got another pair of 70s psych nugs under the tent. "Tame Me Tiger(1)" is a nifty little piece of psychedelic mod-funk anchored by crispy drums and elevated by Bonnie St....
expand review Claire's entrancing Euro-chic vocals. The B-side gets even funkier (and decidedly weirder) with Chico Magnetic Band's "Pop Orbite(2)," a totally Moog'ed-up and fuzzed-out affair that I'd expect to hear in one of Gaslamp's mixes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
A pair of essential breaks from the Bozo Meko catalog, available for the first time ever on 45. "Spread Love(1)" is a simple, straightforward and totally useful edit of the Take 6 classic - what more could you need than those sweet...
expand review harmonies and staunch drums keepin time? On the flip, it's Earth Wind & Fire's summer feel-good anthem getting the chop for "Gazillian Rhyme(2)." Both cuts supposedly remixed by Mark the 45 King. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Can't ever hate on these 45's from Truth & Soul, man. You can tell their obsession for keeping it classic from the very first spin. Sounds to me like some classic old latin funk, but it's not. Instead it's from...
expand review BRP's trip to Puerto Rico in 2006, where they collaborated with musicians that graced the stage with legends like the Fania All-Stars and Paul Rodriguez. As you would expect from mixing the pros with the legends, the results are nothing but purely soulful. You got Zoe Velez laying down the dimly lit vocals(in Spanish) on "Me Toca(1)" and the killer conga and Timbale solos on the "Agua Con Sal(2)" all for less than what I paid for lunch. Plus, a little bit of soul is good for ya'. Even I can't listen to hype shit all the time. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
The first Bronx River Parkway 7" has always been one of my favorite aberrations in the deep Truth & Soul catalogue, three tracks of latin soul funk boogie that helped break the mold of all the cookie cutter gutbucket stuff that was...
expand review being produced at that time. So it's great to see them resurrect the outfit and give us another couple tracks of sticky rhythm for summer. A-side "La Valla(1)" is the one with the party vibe, opening drum break, and chatter from the band, but I always find myself more drawn to the T&S b-sides. "Nora Se Va(2)" is the kind of shit that gets me where I want to go (a scorching hot screened-in porch on the beach with all the accoutrements). Outstanding vocal harmonies and somebody playing the hell out of that cheese grater thing. -the mgmnt
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