Chas Chas for Dancing… as opposed to Cha Chas for Spelunking. From the series that brought you After Hours Middle East by Sonny Lester & His Orchestra, Murder, Inc. by Irving Joseph, and Bossa Nova + Soul by Marian McPartland comes Cha Chas for Dancing by Hugo Montenegro. Series 2000 is an eclectic set, but one worth the hunt and spin. Keep an eye or two out when thrift store digging.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
Not Your Mother’s Hardcore
Digital Hardcore * Acid * D-Jungle * Industrial
Insert from the 1995 double LP comp, Harder Than the Rest released by Digital Hardcore Recordings (DHR). I’d forgotten all about this comp until today. Here’s hoping the neighbors don’t call the authorities.
Excerpt
Insert post here. (See what I did there?)
Dawn
Ladies and gentlemen, put the kids to bed, ’cause it’s From Dusk Till Dawn time. Might want to pour yourself a hefty cocktail for this one. Cheers.
ATDI Returns
There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since the last At the Drive-In release. 17 years of water to be exact. So needless to say, I’m a little curious to hear what 2017 ATDI brings. I was living in Milwaukee at the time Relationship of Command dropped (their last), and I’m in Los Angeles now, so I can only imagine the mountain of change that this mammoth band endured over the past 17 years. Fingers crossed.
Knuckles
Ladies and gentlemen, Knuckles O’Toole is a pseudonym used by Dick Hyman. Didn’t know that until today. Apparently several artists used this pseudonym to release ragtime records from the 50s through the 70s. Mr. Hyman recording only two albums under this alias, and I’m trying to figure out specifically which two O’Toole albums they are. I’m about 60% this is one of them, but what the hell do I know? Ragtime piano isn’t (necessarily) my go-to, but it is a pleasant vacation from time to time.
Going Mad
I know what I’ll be doing Thursday, June 22! How the hell is it that I know what I’m doing a month and a half from now, but have no idea what I’m doing this Saturday? Priorities, that’s how! See you there!
The Clash Circa: 1985
It’s hard to believe that such a monumental and historic band like The Clash could end with such a violent thud. Well, we’ll always have the rest of their catalogue.
At the Greek
Why not some Harry Belafonte, live At the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in August of ’63? WHY NOT, I ASK YOU! I mean, after all, it IS a double LP, and though it may not surpass 1959’s Belafonte at Carnegie Hall, Belafonte at the Greek is certainly a worthwhile spin on this, or any evening. Cheers and enjoy.
Frozen Metal Head
This EP has eluded me for long enough. A UK only release, 1992’s Frozen Metal Head features two versions of Jimmy James (the Single Version and the Original Original Version), a remix of the single So What’ Chat Want, and the instrumental, Drinkin’ Wine. Though the pressing info isn’t known, she’s housed within a solid white vinyl casing, and sounds perfect to virgin ears. This EP comes highly recommended.
The Personality SOUND of the SIXTIES!
The Personality SOUND of the SIXTIES! Let me know if you agree with Liberty Records, here. The Fleetwoods, The Ventures, Bud and Travis, Martin Denny, and David Seville and the Chipmunks. Now, doesn’t that sound EXACTLY like the Personality SOUND of the SIXTIES?! Of course it does. Carry on.
S, M, and A
Up today is a newly acquired masterwork, a bootleg and unofficial rerelease of the Beastie Boys’ 1989 single, An Exciting Evening at Home with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This UK reissue was released 13 years after her official, and much older brother, and houses a sleeker, more modern cover. All the lovable classics are present in this newly packaged version, which include, but are not limited to Your Sister’s Def, Caught in the Middle of a 3-Way Mix, and the sleeper, Some Dumb Cop Gave Me Two Tickets Already, in addition to the title track, Shadrach. The last one, of course, from the album Paul’s Boutique, the sophomore effort from the Beastie Boys. I was going to delve into a difficult-to-abandon-or-ignore story starring me, this bootleg album, and a know-it-all-wanna-be record-store-clerk from Madison, WI… but I’ll save that for a time when I feel like throwing fuel onto the anger fire. Today, let’s enjoy this 6-track gem, and wonder aloud, “what the hell happened to the last 28 years?”
Have I the Right?
I know I’ve asked this before, but is a multi-skip record worth $1? I’m of the party that wholeheartedly screams “yes” to this question, especially when said $1 record is The Honeycombs’ debut album, Here are The Honeycombs from 1964. Like many things of the time, this US version houses a different cover and different title (UK / original version simply titled, The Honeycombs), though maintains the same track order as the UK original, which is interesting. Moving on, Have I the Right? was the first and highest charting single by the band, a group that would only release two studio albums throughout their lightning career. Although the popular British songwriting duo Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley are credited as having written Have I the Right? (and they did), it was this riveting pop group led by their talented female drummer that forced the selling of over a million copies. If you’ve forgotten the track, have a listen.
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond
Alcoa (which is short for Aluminum Company of America), backed the ABC show One Step Beyond from 1959 – 1961. These are facts. This, is the soundtrack to that show. Another fact. Acquired simply for the “far-out” cover, (and although she skips like a rock), she’s a great example of “zither music” (the genre, not the actual instrument) for this place and time. Remember, kids, The Twilight Zone was popular during these years, so the idea of supernatural and impossibly imaginative adventures were all the prime time craze. Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Lubin… So, there you have it.4 Altos
Let’s jazz it up with a bit of Zoot Sims and his 1957 record, Zoot Sims Plays 4 Altos. A little jazz now and then never (really) hurt anyone, so don’t be afraid. Embrace the smooth, vibrant, horny, saxy sounds of jazz. Your children will thank you.
Gimme Rest
If a Greatest Hits album means the beginning of the end for an audio entertainment troupe, then RIP Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.
RSD 2017
Record Store Days are always good days. Spend quality time with friends in line, arm wrestle other local collectors, and (usually) emerge with a good quantity of selects from that year’s list. All but one 7″ was obtained this year, The Zombie’s Rose for Emily. Following the circus, we spent the day spinning everything from The Hustle to pre-Kinks – The Ravens, to The Music Machine, to Young M.C., to Esquivel, to The Claypool Lennon Delirium. Like I said, Record Store Days are always good days.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHECK YOUR HEAD!
Check Your Head was released 25 years ago today. Crazy. Below is a copy and paste from the newsletter email from earlier today. Had to order the Brooklyn Dust Music hoodie. Had to.
Today is the 25th anniversary of the release of “Check Your Head”! To celebrate the iconic release we’ve got some classic apparel from that era. Check out the new tees and hoodie available and order yours in bundles with the Remastered Double-LP version of Check Your Head. We also also have a few copies of the Limited Collectors Edition Hardcover 4xLP but once those are gone, they’re gone! You don’t want to miss out on this 8-panel gatefold package with foil cover inlay, packaged in a fabric-wrapped, black foil-stamped hardcover “coffee table book” case. Both the Double-LP and 4xLP are pressed on 180-gram vinyl.
As an added bonus, the first 500 orders will get a free Beastie Boys Classic Logo Enamel Pin (US addresses only).
Check it all out at the Official Beastie Boys Online Store today!
Please contact support@kingsroadmerch.com with any questions you may have.
Cheers,
Beastie Boys
Kings Road Merch
support@kingsroadmerch.com
Platter Matter
Got a lovely letter from my Mom the other day. Thanks, Mom! Don’t forget, kids. 10th annual Record Store Day is on Saturday. Set your alarms! Also, if you’re so inclined, have a read at the article about Michael Kurtz and how he started Record Store Day. The photo should be heavy enough quality to zoom in. Good reading!
Dance it Out
Tucked inside The True Blues Traveling Dance Band’s album, With Outstanding Vocals lies this jaunty little couple dancing up a fever storm and reminding us that we should all take the time to smile and dance it out… with some prudent grooves, of course. Dance it out, fools!
The Prudent Groove 