1987 called… they want their insert back. So, I haven’t spun a record in like, four days, and for some reason, out jumps Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven on Earth. Baby, I was afraid before, but I’m not afraid anymore… This was the best I could do to erase the awful Bagel Bites jingle out from beneath my skull… like Belinda Carlisle, something I’d not heard in several years.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
Ion Makes Nice
Happy to report that Ion Audio’s customer service received 5 out of 5 stars with their handling of my recent hinge issue. I emailed them about purchasing a dust cover hinge replacement and they responded, the next day, saying that a new hinge was already on its way. I received it three days later. Thanks for making nice, Ion! #dustitoff
Don’t Forget
Next week Sunday… don’t forget!
Rather
Previously only released on compact disc in Sweden (back in 1996), Refused’s Rather Be Dead E.P. received its first US release via Epitaph Records on nifty crystal clear vinyl (photo featured here… obviously). As a companion to the band’s sophomore offering, Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent, this E.P. (or is it EP?) offers a wider range of hardcore not featured on the studio LP (save for the title track), and is a must for any Refused junkie (like myself).
7 Years in the Taking
It’s a bit terrifying to comprehend that the Beastie Boys album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two dropped 7 years ago. It would prove to be their last, as little over a year later, founding member Adam Yauch would be dead from cancer. This ghostly drawing of Mr. Yauch would be one of the last fans would see (top row, third from the left). This insert is from record one of HSCP2. RIP MCA.
Emitex 101
From what I could (quickly) gather, Emitex was a British-based cleaning material used by Parlophone in the 60’s, then by EMI Records throughout the 70’s. It was also a prominent badge on all British-released Beatles albums, such as this reissue of PMC 1202, Please Please Me. Several variations of this classic stamp are found around the web, but little has been preserved about the Emitex material itself. With more time, I’ll dig a bit deeper.
McCartney
Much has been written about Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, 1970’s McCartney. Most notably, Paul’s refusal to delay the Apple Records release in order to follow previously planned titles… like The Beatles’ Let it Be. I’ve given this record two spins from two different turntables within the last 12 hours, and though I’ll admit my experience with solo Beatles projects are gravely “less than,” I quite enjoy the playful, often unfinished rawness of McCartney. Certainly not an album that will receive heavy spinning, but a fun journey, if even for its historical significance.
Inflammable Material
Happy to finally welcome into the fold this amazing and essential punk album, Inflammable Material from Ireland’s Stiff Little Fingers. Originally released in 1979, this 1980 US pressing was offered by Rough Trade Inc., 1412 Grant Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133… for those wondering. I’d been on the hunt for this album since my Milwaukee days back in the early 2000’s, and only just found out that the opening track, Suspect Device (which is arguably among the top three on the album) is a slightly different recording from the bootleg CD version I’ve known and have grown to love in the 18-some-odd years since I knew of this album’s existence… so that’s bitter sweet. Anyway, if you’re into seminal punk from across the pond with a timestamp of nearly 40 years, get into Inflammable Material. Simply put, it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.
Equipment Failure 2018
We had our first equipment malfunction of the new year when the hinge that holds the dust cover snapped. Though I’ll admit that the turntable looks much better without a dust prevention device, I’m not going to enjoy cleaning the intricate nooks and crannies beneath the tonearm in a few short weeks. Currently on the hunt for a replacement hinge.
Happy Groundhog Day!
I’ve yet to track down the Spain-only release of the legendary Groundhog Day soundtrack, so we’ll have to do with these other two Bill Murray essentials, 1981’s Stripes and 1998’s Rushmore. Happy Groundhog Day, kids!
Discs-O-Plenty
From Lure of Tahiti by Terorotua and His Tahitians, to Drinking Songs Sung Under the Table by The Blazers, ABC-Paramount has, at your disposal, a very wide range of monophonic and stereophonic records to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for Latin Fire (Candido), or maybe a little Polka-Go-Round (Lou Prohut and his Polka-Go-Rounders), it’s all here, in brilliant printed color, courtesy of ABC-Paramount Records.
That’s Pretty Potent, Pal
Another percussion piece to ponder… Don Catelli and the All Stars’ sophomore effort, Potent Percussion received the same dynamic stereo treatment as Monday’s Passionate Percussion, complete with badass minimalist cover art. You should check on this Directional Sound series, but don’t take my word for it. Have a brief read from the inner gatefold. Circa: 1961-ish.
The strikingly colored program of durable standards has been inventively arranged to provide new perspectives on these songs with particularly brisk and yet supple use of the full resources of a modern percussion section. As in all of DIRECTIONAL SOUND’s full-ranged high fidelity series, all the intersecting lines and cross-rhythms are recorded to perfect balance with thrilling clarity and depth.
The Sad Post
This is, sadly, what is left of a once 1000+ compact disc collection. What’s worse, it now sits deep within the frigid bowels of our guest room closet. (Sigh.) Adequate space for LPs is not the only format issue to overcome it appears.
Passionate Percussion
Passionate Percussion was Directional Sound’s answer to the largely popular Command Records series Persuasive Percussion and Provocative Percussion. Don Catelli and the All Stars belt out easy listening Bossanova-style jazz with a Latin twist and a bombastic, almost passionate backing percussion. The covers from Directional Sound rival those from Command Records and feature minimalist, mid-century designs on high quality gatefold sleeves. There appears to only be 22 released from Directional Sound between 1960 – 1963, so start your checklist today with Passionate Percussion. You won’t be disappointed.
The Singles Collection
The 2012 7″ compilation box set, Bizarre Ride II: The Pharcyde (The Singles Collection) is convenient way to quickly obtain (nearly) all of the singles, and their subsequent remixes, from the monumental debut album, Bizarre Ride II: The Pharcyde by, well, The Pharcyde. This box set features the album version, acappella and instrumental versions, and various remixes for (nearly) every single from the album (save for Otha Fish and 4 Better or 4 Worse where only the album and acapella versions are present). There is another, busier box set of this 7″ collection that contains CDs, a poster, and a 120-piece jigsaw puzzle. This version however, does not.
Free Records are the Best Records
So, here is another perfect example of the growing benefits that acquiring albums online can yield. I pulled the trigger on purchasing Candido’s 1957 Afro-Cuban Jazz number, Candido the Volcanic, and when it arrived, it was sandwiched, not on poppy seed buns, though, my surprise would have been about the same, but instead, between The Blues A La Dixie (Pee Wee Hunt, 1959), and Giant Steps (Woody Herman, 1973). Ladies and gentlemen, this are free records! Free! While I sip my Kona coffee and delight in my crackling dixieland blues, that I paid nothing for, and hurriedly scrape together a post that I should have submitted yesterday (note the date), I crack a smile and think of ways I can pay it forward. If anyone wants a digital copy of these or any other album you see here, email me. How’s that?
Bob
Bob Newhart released his 2nd comedy album, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! just six months after his debut recording, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (both in 1960). This award-winning sophomore effort (winner of 1961’s Grammy for Best Comedy Performance for Spoken Word aka Best Comedy Album) granted this decades-long dry-humor mogul two Grammys for two albums, all within one year’s time. A clear indication that Bob Newhart would become and continue to be a household name, even some 58 years later. Prepare yourself for some straight man comedy brilliance.
Farewell, Sweet Caroline
We here at The Groove were devastated to hear of Mr. Neil Diamond’s recent Parkinson’s diagnosis and subsequent retirement from the stage. In true Neil Diamond fashion, it is reported that he will continue to write and record, but his legendary live performance days are now an historic thing of the past. He turned 77 yesterday. Farewell, sweet Caroline.Happy 5th Birthday, Groove!
Five years ago today I started an asinine, little daily tradition focusing, let’s say, “inwardly” on my ever-growing collection, and 1828 posts later, I’m no smarter than when I began. I mean, let’s be honest here. I’m not saving lives (nor do I really want to), but that certainly is not to say that these past 1828 days 1) haven’t been worth it, 2) haven’t allowed me the opportunity to discover a plethora of adventurous new records to spin, and 3) the ability to rethink all the minute elements that make a “record collection.” Thank you for taking the time to assist me in rediscovering my collection, be it through 8-Tracks, Inserts, the short-lived Audio Odyssey (man, was THAT a mistake), and of course, the always-growing Colored Vinyl category. Cheers to you and your subtle enjoyment of analog entertainment. Happy 5th birthday, Prudent Groove!
Event 2 x2
Though not as prolific or, let’s say, monumental as their debut album, Deltron 3030’s 2nd offering, 2013’s Event 2 carries with it substantial clout and unparalleled brilliance, both in original and instrumental form. As a pair, this 4x LP set provides stellar DTA (Dan the Automator) production, and a with or without “optional” Del the Funky Homosapien vocals (read: vagrant poems). Event 2 is essential, for even the laziest hip hop connoisseur.
The Prudent Groove 