Was this how it was to be young again, circa: 1940 or 1941? Time Life Records certainly thought so back in 1970 when this 3x LP comp was released. 30, unoriginal (read: covers… or impostors) tracks span the popular swing sound during this two-year period, highlighting works from Duke Ellington, Harry James, Artie Shaw, Les Brown, Glenn Miller, and the like. If you’re in the mood (see what I did there?) for original swing era recordings, The Swing Era: The Music of 1940-1941; How It Was to be Young Then is NOT for you, but if you’re satisfied with some unobtrusive background instrumental ditties, then this box set may be your bag.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
A Fifth of Blondie
I just recently decided that I don’t listen to enough Blondie. I think I saw Blondie at a Tibetan Freedom Concert some several years back, but I could be wrong. Probably am. Anyway, AutoAmerican is Blondie’s fifth studio album and was released on Chrysalis Records in November of 1980. The #1 hit (in both the UK and the US) The Tide is High is actually a cover of a 1967 Jamaican ska track of the same name released by The Paragons. So, there you have it.
Octagon Beats
Missed the show, but not the opportunity to spin this instrumental, instrumental album by Dan the Automator and DJ Q-Bert. The original with Kool Keith, aka Dr. Octagon isn’t too shabby either, but sometimes you just need the basics, and Instrumentalyst (Octagon Beats) certainly offers that fix.
Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast
Take a trip with me, will you? Where shall we go, you ask? Well, why not Northern Ireland circa: 1983 to enjoy the rhythmic chimings of Mr. Van, the Man Morrison? You don’t have to be to work tomorrow, right?
Clearly Oldschool
It can’t be stated enough, but for me, an album reaches pinnacle status once pressed on clear vinyl. My entire collection would be clear vinyl if at all possible, so when Hellcat Records released Operation Ivy’s only full-length on clear wax, I knew it was time to retire this monumental release. Already owning it on black, red, and picture disc, clear is the perfect shade to round out not only a perfect album, but a formidable chapter in my ears’ career.
Hype it Up
Hype sticker day #3. Weezer’s Hurley from Epitaph Records back in 2010. It’s a rainy, Weezer-type day in Southern California. Enjoy.
man…………20th
Another day, another sticker. This time, Underworld’s Dubnobasswithmyheadman re-issue from 2014… 20th anni. + download, so, there you go. 30,000 ft above the Earth…
Seal the Deal
Hidden beneath a thin shield of formed plastic is Luscious Jackson’s 1994 single, Deep Shag. Released on Grand Royal Records (GR 011), this 4-track 12″ contains three remixes of the single, and the previously unreleased track, Daddy. I own not one, but two sealed copies of this record. Why? I couldn’t for the life of me tell you, especially when they fetch for only $0.98 on Discogs. May have to finally set one of these free today.
Spot On
I had no idea until today that Spot produced The Decendent’s Milo Goes to College. Makes sense, as Milo was first released on New Alliance Records, a label owned by Minutemen D. Boon and Mike Watt. The more you know, I guess.
Boogie With
It’s a boogie woogie blues rock kind of day, and who better to Boogie With than Canned Heat? 1968 was, arguably, the best year for genre-bending creative output… let’s keep that fire roaring.
Golden Hits
I’m almost certain this is how records are made, or at the very least, it’s how they should be made. In classic 1967 style, swingbeat tycoon Ace Cannon delivers a collection of ferocious hits on Hi Records’ Memphis Golden Hits. I Walk the Line, Raunchy, Wooly Bully, In the Midnight Hour, and Green Onions stand out, but overall, these 12 tracks are, most certainly, a worthy, loopy listen.
Question #24
Hypothetical question for you lovely spinners of analog entertainment. How many skips are acceptable on a $1 record? A handful? Two hands full? There is a certain, unmentioned understanding between the seller of the $1 record, and that of the potential buyer. But, what number is that unmentioned understanding? I counted three skips on this Banda del Arma de Aviacion, Madrid record. To me, that’s an acceptable amount for the price. Now, say El Toro here was listed for $5 and had the same amount of skips. Would THAT then be acceptable? I’d side with no, again going back to that “unmentioned understanding.” I have a lot of $1 records, and a lot of them skip, but to me, the blemishes are worth the ridiculously low price of discovering new entertainment.
Persuasive
Ladies and gentlemen, the complete set of Enoch Light’s Persuasive Percussion series (only on Command Records… or ABC Records after the buy out). Have a Spaced-out weekend, kids!
RIP MTM
A little late to the game here, but honestly, respect is never not on time. Rest in peace, Mary Tyler Moore.
Sutton
I haven’t found Sutton Records, or this particular release, to be “The World’s Finest Quality Record.” BUT, the unicorn logo is pretty damn-near bad ass.
Far Away Places Volume 2
I’ve taken to listening to records in the morning, now. To hell with exercising and the healthy lifestyle that comes with it, am I right?! More on that at another time. INSTEAD, let’s travel to Far Away Places Volume 2 by Mr. Enoch Light and His Orchestra. This 1963 Command Records release reinvents some distinguished classics with the sensible sophistication only this master of Space Age Pop can manage. Some cuts include, but are not limited to: Istanbul (yes, that one), Flying Down to Rio, Colonel Bogey, The White Cliffs of Dover, and The Moon of Manakoora. I (stupidly) hesitated to secure this release as I knew it would require the hunting and bagging of its sister, Volume 1. Fair enough. Challenge accepted.
3 Year Anniversary Celebration – Venice Open Mic Night
For your upcoming, insatiable, mid-week evening of debaucherous enlightenment, look no further than Larry’s in Venice, CA, tomorrow evening. Not mentioned on the enigmatic flyer to the left is 3-year veteran, and Venice Open Mic Night originator / evening entertainer / Soviet Monica philanthropist, Isaac Irvin. The living myth (and connoisseur of German motor engineering) celebrates 3 years of open mic history, and the city of Los Angeles is invited. Also slated for your skirt-grabbing, live art pleasure is famed West Los Angeles painter / entrepreneur, Al Torres. So, let’s face it. Thursday be damned, and for damned good reason. See y’all at Larry’s tomorrow night!
Simply BS
Time for the ol’ car CD swap out. This happens every three or so months and, let me tell you, going from a 160gb iPod to a single-disc stereo take a bit of getting used to. Presented here is 1997’s vinyl-only self-titled BS 2000 (custom made… only two in existence) and the follow-up, 2000’s Simply Mortified. These were the only “studio” releases by the Beastie Boys side project BS 2000, and we’re about to rediscover them for about the fifth time.
Phobos
I’ve been waiting for 8 months to showcase an amazing analysis of Monolith of Phobos, the spectacular debut release from The Claypool Lennon Delirium (Les Claypool and Sean Lennon… no joke), and this post is (clearly) not said analysis. I’ll have to circle back when 1) I have more time and 2) well, there is no 2). If you haven’t already, and I’m sure you have, CHECK. OUT. THE. CLAYPOOL. LENNON. DELIRIUM.
Unhuman
Nothing, I repeat NOTHING works better for passing the time on 6+ hour road trip than MOTOR. She’ll make you want to drive 30 miles over the legal limit, but she’ll make sure you get there on time. #drugbeat
The Prudent Groove 