Tag Archives: music

Misc , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Pink Album

by

PinkSo, I’m still trying to figure out The 45 King. Mix Dan the Automator, J-Swift, Jam Master Jay, and DJ Muggs into a violent apparatus that spins (turntable, blender, woodchipper), yet, predate all of these by at least a year, and you’ve got yourselves one heavy weighted, out-mutha-fuggin-standing collection of offhanded, subtly pleasing breakbeats. I’m dumbfounded! I honestly never know, but now, I’m on the hunt for the King’s entire Lost Breakbeat discography.

(Personal note: I’m digitizing this album as I type this. PG = fan of 45 King)

Misc , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Yellow Album

by

Tuff_CityImagine my surprise upon discovering 45 King’s The Yellow Album, at a thrift store, sealed, and for only $3 bucks! $3 for a thrift store album is asinine, but this one was well worth the 300 pennies. Bronx DJ and remix producer (among other things well produced), Mark James, aka The 45 King, released six colored albums throughout 1990 in The Lost Breakbeats series; White, Grey, Green, Red, Orange, and this, Yellow. Having not heard of Mr. 45 King’s work prior to forking over my $3, I was both excited with this album’s overall quality, and dumbfounded that I’d never heard of this guy, or this album before. If you’re into quality hip-hop beats from back in the day (circa: late 80s, early 90s), then The Yellow Album is pure listening satisfaction.

Misc , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Country Death Song

by

hallowed ground… is an amazing tale of simpleminded, cold-winter-sickness, enveloped within a nightmare of rural, solemn depression, and disguised as a folk-pop song from the great state of Wisconsin (phew… I’m getting too old for the run-on sentence). Arguably the Violent Femmes’ best, most well-rounded track, Country Death Song depicts the extravagant path, a 1000mph highway drive straight past the gnarly gates of hell, and tells the tale of a one-way ticket of blameful sorrow for a troubled father and his shameful, selfless, fatherly actions. Is it a good song? Ye-ah! Is it a happy song? Nope! Merry Christmas eve, kiddos!

Well

music , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Thrifties

by

ThriftiesAn unexpected find during an unexpected trip to the thrifty on my way home from the office, Cypress Hill’s 1991 debut and a sealed, bootleg, double LP of the Beastie Boys’ Hip Hop Sampler comp were a surprise upon these weary eyes, to say the very least. Having already owned copies of each (two-times over, in the case of Cypress Hill), I didn’t once hesitate to question the overpriced $3 Records sign above the frail shelf. Yoink, and yoink.

Gotta’ love the thrifties. Also, RIP Joe Cocker.

Colored Vinyl , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Don’t Play This Side

by

No_PlaySo reads the b-side label to this single-sided 10” from pop-punk favorites, NOFX. A compilation of obscure 80s hardcore songs, 2011’s NOFX (the album, not the band) was released on (this, single-sided) 10”, 7”, and 12” picture disc formats. If you know them, you love them. If you’re in the dark, you’ll likely remain there, as this is not music for the masses.

Misc , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fat Limited Edition Vinyl

by

Caddies“I don’t know that I’ve ever listened to this!” He said aloud to an empty, shade-drawn room. Consentual Selections, the 2010 comp, a “collection of EP tracks from 1987 to 2009,” caught my eye earlier today. Limited to only 300 on blue and yellow colored vinyl, and only 1000 overall, this comp pressing makes for one of the more rare, and obscure in the Caddies’ library.

Having absolutely nothing to do with anything, please be on the lookout for James Booker’s The Lost Paramount Tapes. Look it up…

Misc , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

“Look, Man! I’m Ain’t Fallin’ for No Banana in my Tailpipe!”

by

AxelWhere would members of the court, and high majesty be without the jester… the ushered in, and ushered out comedians to provoke wine-spilling punch lines of the grotesque nature? Likely, they’d be suffocating within a bubble of discomfort and self-loathing. Let’s take today, this 19th of December, and celebrate those who have made us laugh: Mothers, fathers, great aunts, gone, but not forgotten grandparents, and yes, Mr. Eddie Murphy. Richard Pryor he is not, but damn if this man is not a needed commodity, every groovy-once-in-a-while.

Misc , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Between Vitaphone and Video

by

Swing_EraTime Life Records kept its swingin’ stride with 1970’s The Swing Era: The Music of 1936-1936, a three LP compilation of Jazz / Swing ensembles from the mid-1930’s. The label’s second of 14+ in The Swing Era series, this gem comes complete with a 72-page, fully historical and entertaining, photo-filled booklet. The Swing Era: The Music of 1936-1937 features a bunch of Benny Goodman, some Red Norvo, a bit of Bob Crosby, a dash of Chick Webb, and a healthy dose of Tommy Dorsey.

I doubt I’ll ever read all 936 pages (72x 13 box sets… I’m missing a few), but the music is choice far beyond passable comprehension.Swing_Loot

Misc , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Direct from Canada

by

Decide_NowReleased in January of ’73, this, featured copy of Artificial Paradise, The Guess Who’s 10th studio album, is, unfortunately, missing the cool, direct-mail-mimicking paper sleeve. I only just found out about this jacket’s existence by researching the album for this very post. Apparently, this tongue-in-cheek approach didn’t help sales for the Canadian pop-rock band, and this album, complete with exterior sleeve, was a frequent find throughout brick and mortars will into the 1980s (remember, it was released in 1973).

As for the music, if you ask me, one can’t go wrong with any The Guess Who, but that’s just, like, my humble opinion, man.

Misc , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Ocean Rain

by

Ocean_RainIt’s pouring here in The City of Angeles, and this comes as both a welcoming escape from the lingering summer, and a cloud-covered agricultural blessing (we needed the rain).

I’ll admit, that my knowledge of Liverpool’s Echo & the Bunnymen is that of an infant… an infant that has yet learned the art of speech. Although I picked today’s album in an attempt to reflect the current storm, listening to it now, Ocean Rain is a collection of pretty spot-on lullabies for under-umbrella adventures and puddle-jumping lollygagging, and pretty standard pop-fare for 1984.
Uncategorized , , , , , , Leave a comment

Strange

by

JoelBill Joel has always been an elusive manifestation to my eclectic-sponge-like ears. That being said, let’s celebrate 1977 and Mr. William Martin Joel’s 5th solo effort, The Stranger.

It’s become overly apparent that Only the Good Die Young, the 2nd track on the 2nd side, garners some east coast Catholic schoolgirl sentimentality. Let’s not overlook the obvious here (the lyrics… I’ll leave that observation, and optional endeavor up to you). I leave this as elusive as I can, as to allow myself the opportunity to touch upon such a subject at yet, an undisclosed time. Do the good die young? If you ask Catholic schoolgirls, the answer is a resounded “YE-AH!”

Song Highlight , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Groovy Feelin’

by

FeelinOriginally released on 1966’s Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme by the great Paul & Art, Harpers Bizarre, Santa Cruz, CA’s own pop-rock (and Mt. Dew) favorites, staked their claim in the soil of hip-tified-radio-extravaganza with their cover of 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) from their debut album, 1967’s Feelin’ Groovy. Feelin’ Groovy? No, seriously… feelin’ pretty damn far-out? Hip your lobes to some Harp Biz, my friend.

Misc , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Moog Strikes Bach

by

TMSBBack in 1969, Hans Wurman released The Moog Strikes Bach… for RCA Red Seal Records, which is a bit of a strange title considering that ½ of the electronic interpretations derive from the master works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. What the hell… it’s Dr. Robert Moog’s toy, and it’s a gift to all ear-kind, or some type shit. IT’S CLASSICAL MUSIC REINTERPRETED IN 1960’S ELECTRO, PEOPLE! Get on board!

Sincerely,

(starting to get sick and my head is as congested as a Verizon Wireless store in Westwood, CA) Mr. PG

Misc , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

In Search of the Red Headed Stranger

by

Screen Shot 2014-12-07 at 11.06.19 PMI’m not sure why the local brick & mortars in and around the Los Angeles area haven’t stocked the 1975 Willie Nelson classic, Red Headed Stranger (you know, the one with Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain on it). There are currently 1080 owners of this album on Discogs, and there are 19 copies on sale starting at $0.99, yet I’ve still never seen one among my multiple hunts throughout the last 12 hunting months. “Just order it on Discogs, then, and stop wasting my time!” I just can’t justify paying more for shipping than the item being shipped, Mr. and / or Mrs. Mud Stick.

The search continues, for the elusive, Red Headed Stranger.