Category Archives: Vinyl

Just when you thought that the Easy Star All-Stars couldn't come up with a better idea for a cover album, boom, they hit you with "Easy Star's Thrillah."  This is an amazing reggae version of the Michael Jackson classic, released just a day before MJ would have turned 53 (Rest in Peace, Michael).

One thing about Easy Star cover albums is that they really do their research.  From front to back, they make sure the original album is intact, with respectful renditions that are just too good to be true.  My first experience with the Easy Star All Stars was back in 2006.  I was in Maui, and a friend of mine put on their debut, "Dub Side of The Moon," while we were driving around Kihei.  One of her friends had mentioned it to me at a party the night before, that there was a reggae version of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon," and I was completely oblivious.  She put this on and from the intro I was hooked.

Definitely was stood out to me was their version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," which brings an afrobeat vibe to the party.  Lovin it!

Cop the vinyl at a decent price on Easy Star's website.  Go for the Vinyl and T-shirt bundle!

I had the honor of reviewing the debut 7-inch release of LA based afro-latin funk band, Jungle Fire, on the Beat Swap Meet blog.  Check it out here.

You can now find me contributing to the Beat Swap Meet blog.  I recently reviewed the Sonix "Vintage Vinyl" iPhone case.  Check it out here.

Sonic Boom records, also located in the Ballard area of Seattle, is pretty much the equivalent of Amoeba records, just smaller.  New releases all over the place, great selections, a cool used section with decently priced quality records, and a large dollar bin section.  They even had a cool 45's section, which was well organized (alphabetically) in wood boxes, and even had a "Sale 45's" bin, in which I surprisingly found some quality joints.  I spent most of my time shuffling through some $2.99 records.  Ended up scooping up a Willie Hutch "The Mack" soundtrack, Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" Instrumental LP, Butterfield Blues Band "Keep on Moving" LP, Budos Band "Up From The South" 45, John Holt "For The Love of You" 45, Santana's S/T LP, Rasco "The Unassisted" 12", and Souls of Mischief "Rock It Like That" 12".  Even found some cool, locally made, buttons that were called "Music Dictionary buttons."  Each button had what looked like a page torn out of a dictonary, with terms like "phonograph" or "record" on them.  Had to support the local artist, whose name is Dawn Tyler.  You can find her on Facebook, but if anyone knows Dawn, please send her a BIG UP for me.

The first stop on my digging adventure in Seattle was Bop Street Records: a spot, which the owner Dave had no problem telling me almost as soon as I walked in, that Wall Street Journal had named them one of the five best music stores in America.  Not the biggest space, but very well used, with records along the walls reaching up to the ceiling.  The center of the store had numerous shelves with very well organized records.  Jazz, blues, rock, etc.  This is one of those places that will have exactly what you're looking for, without even having to really hunt for it.  It's all there, and you'll be happy to pay for the convenience.  Not me, though.  While I may have a mental list of records to look for, I'm happy to spend an hour or two simply going through everything, and letting the discovery happen on its own.  Dave probably approached me three, maybe four, times asking "so what exactly are you looking for?"  I was as polite as I could be, being asked that question so much.  Sometimes you just want to dig, with no goal in sight.  I ended up in the upstairs loft, where they had something like 100,000 45's to go through.  There was a gentleman there who was a regular, and was trying to complete some crazy list of 22,000 records, and he had about six hundred left to find.  Bugged out.  I found a James Brown box of 45's, dug through them, knowing that I couldn't afford them on this trip.  It was nice to see them, though, and make a mental note of the labels and what not for future ventures.  Ended up leaving with a Marvin Gaye "Funky Space Re-incarnation" 45, a Ruby & The Romantics "Our Day Will Come" 45, and Syl Johnson's "Different Strokes" on 45.

Man, I miss these days…This video sums up a lot about our passion, and obsession, for vinyl.  I Love ViNYl is a new york based party and, damn, I wish we did this in LA!

Speaking of Frank Gossner of Voodoo Funk, one of his most recent blog posts are about this super rare Apostles 45 re-issue.  Here's what he said:

The heaviest Deep Funk 45 ever to come out of West Africa. Only two original copies are known to exist. Now everybody can buy one. (before they're sold out…)

I IMMEDIATELY grabbed two copies from Academy Annex.  So heavy!

Thursday nights are for Afro Funke!  For over 8 years, the team of Cary Sullivan, Rocky Dawuni, Jeremy Sole, and Glenn Red have provided Los Angeles with a quality event, dedicated to african rhythms, from reggae to afrobeat.  Definitely one of LA's shining stars in the music scene, this is a place to come hear music you've never heard before, and to dance to music you've never heard before.  And EVERYONE is dancing.  That's what makes this so special to me.  There's a lot of wallflowers in LA, but not at Afro Funke.  Everyone is vibing out.  Even if someone is not on the dancefloor, they are moving their feet. When I got the email about Frank Gossner guest DJ'ing at Afro Funke this week, all my other plans got cancelled.  This cat spent quite a bit of time travelling through Africa, sometimes not in the safest of places, in search of the rarest and funkiest of African records.  He documented this journey on his blog, Voodoo Funk.  Lots of photos and music for you to check out.  Frank played some SERIOUS heat, from afro-disco cuts to slow funk burners.   And if you're wondering what kind of records he was playing, they were all original pressings.  No compilations.  I couldn't help but remember what Jeremy Sole said when introducing Frank: "Think of it like this, one of these records can pay for your rent this month!"

I cannot get enough of this track, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for this UK singer.  The UK’s making the states look bad on the music end, y’all!  Always quality material coming from across the pond, and I can’t hate.  You can find Lianne La Havas music anywhere.  Go check it out on Spotify, or do what I did and buy her vinyl direct from London.  My receipt said “expected delivery date: June 23.” WHAT?!

Her “Lost & Found EP” is available now, and be on the lookout for the Forget EP.

The homies Shred One and Meaty Ogre debuted the first release on their new 7-inch label, Cherries Records, last night at midnight, Chicago time.  Two tracks from Cermakk & Doug Shorts, both well produced 2012 r&b joints for the early/closing set.  Spaced out beats with solid vocals.  I'm so proud of them! Support independent vinyl and get your copy at http://cherriesrecords.bigcartel.com/