GPA 80's NY NY minimix

Here is a little mix i put together for a friends website a while ago that gained some great feedback. It's only 17 mins long (shortest mix ever perhaps) but it's fun and still really enjoyable.

KenLou - Hillbilly Song

Masters At Work 0001 (on their own infamous boundary breakin' label) is the last of today's heat fest as my studio is hitting 45C and i gotta go cool down.

Kenny "Dope" Gonzales & "Little" Louie Vega cook up a barnyard dance spectacular on their very first release on MAW records. The flip is also fun using a Gil Scott-Heron sample to great effect for a deep n jazzual house romp.

Marcos Valle - Estrelar

As the heat continues we travel to South America to listen to Mr Valle's slice of boogie/pop braziliance. Estrelar is the song in question and was penned in 1983 off his self-titled LP. Cheers mate!

Reggie Stepper - Co-oonuh

Dancehall 12" on Tech-niques that has a much sampled intro most recently swiped by Madlib. It features the same rhythm as Sister Nancy's classic - "Bam Bam" and is a little tougher but equally as good. Recorded 1993

Black Science Orchestra

Ashley Beedle aka Daddy Ash has been a favourite of mine since he started producing in the early nineties. He has been a part of many groups, most famously X-Press 2 but it's his Black Science Orchestra guise that flicks my switch. As the temperatures soar today (35C) i thought id drop these little hottie's on you.

James Mason - I Want Your Love

James Mason is well known for his rare groove (or is that jazz-funk?) classic "Sweet Power Your Embrace". On this cut however, the pace is down to a slo-mo disco vibe that just oozes class throughout its 11+ minutes. It's so beautifully deep and hypnotic that it urges you to listen to it in it's entirety. Here is a taste. Recorded 1996

Foster Grant Presents Funky Dance

Time to change the vibes again by throwing some ska into the melting pot. I have searched and searched to find info on this record for many years and I still have nothing. What i do know is that there is a version of Prince Buster's Al Capone on this 4 track ep that blows away the original (in my humble opinion) and that foster grant was (and might still be) a sunglasses designer. There is another great ska track on this called Pheonix City by Rockers Express and 2 dodgy rock tracks. The strangest part though is that there are 6 interludes in-between the grooves, all identical and quite frankly the worst thing I have ever heard on wax. Recorded 1980

weird interludes

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers

Pretty rare Go Go funk 12" from Chuck Brown who is said to be one of the innovators of that sound. Hailing from Washington DC, he also cut the well loved and played "Bustin Loose" sampled by Nelly for Hot In Here. The Soul Searchers are also known for some great funk LP's on Sussex in the 70's with "Ashley's Roachclip" being sampled by everybody and "Think" by the likes of The Herbalizer and DJ Day.

Bobby Nunn - Private Party

He got the moves fo sho! Cracking boogie track from Bobby Nunn if you look beyond the soul-glo sleeve and bite into the wax. The electronic bassline bounces the track along nicely with some slick synth action and lap dance vocals that makes this an 80's boogie favourite of mine on the Motown label. Recorded 1983

One Way - Mr Groove

This is really well known in 80's boogie funk circles and has a great groove that has been sampled in house music. Really works as a warm up track and head nodder. Plus the cover cracks me up. So here it is... Recorded 1984

Princess Flash & Fierce - U Got To Have The Money

Ok enough of the 45's for a while. Here is an 80's boogie track that I know nothing about, apart from it's on Hot Shot Records and it's in my collection. Enjoy the clip. Recorded 1984

G Keith Alexander - Sneakers

This 45 is produced by Roy Ayres who is totally responsible for getting me hooked on rare groove. I saw him play live a couple of years back and the energy he put into the performance blew me away. A real legend and vibes master. Recorded 1973

Vernon Garrett - You Blew My Mind

Another one of my favourite play out funk tracks that has gained some serious cue burn along the way. I really love the gruffness of Vernon's vocals and the heavy drums that are really up in the mix. Recorded 1970

Taj Mahal - Chevrolet

Classic Taj Mahal! Recorded 1971

Zell Black - Fly Me

Once again it's the combination of all instruments that makes this track superb from start to finish. Heavy spacey beats n effects, cool vocals, fuzzed guitars and lovely bass. Check it out...... Recorded 1975

Slim Smith - My Conversation

Lovers rock classic by Slim Smith here. Hypnotic piano and summer vibes make this a winner.

True Ohio Playas - Can You See The Playas

Interesting label that puts out all manner of good deep music from disco to hip hop. This one however is a mix of both. Extremely lo-fi sounding but that is the appeal on this killer groove. Hard to track this one down now, but if you see one, grab it quick. Recorded 2008

1619 B.A.B - For Your Love

1619 Bad Ass Band says it all really. This 7" is a favourite of mine to play out. It's uplifting, powerful and has a serious pulsing bass section in the middle to boot. It is b/w a track called World which is also great and both tracks were later released on Chess.

Recorded 1973

Glen Adams & The Professors - Tanya

Reggae instrumental on Brad's records that I purchased on ebay. I had no idea if the record was any good but I bought it anyway as the title is my wife's name, and just like her it's beautiful. Awwww!

Koko Taylor - Instant Everything

This is the only Koko Taylor record in my collection and so I know nothing about her, except that it's a great little track with exceptional lyrics.

Gwen McCrae - Your Love Is Worse Than A Cold Love

I have been a huge fan of Clarence Reid for some time now and he always seems to amaze me with his skills as a writer, producer or his smutty alias Blowfly. This time he has teamed up with Gwen McCrae to produce a stunning string laden soul masterpiece that has a similar feel to Across 110th St. Recorded 1974

Bee Bee Butler - Sweet Sweet Life

Uptempo sister funk here which has a bit of everything. Dancing drums, shake n bake tambo, blaring horns and really cool keys. Oh and of course the vocal with lyrics like "Since I met you, i'm not the same, your sweet lovin, puts sugar to shame."

Fontella Bass - Now That I've Found A Good Thing

Another dancefloor soul winner from Fontella Bass. Not much to say about this apart from the overall feeling is like a warm hug from a loved one. Recorded 1972

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Tell Me

My favourite Sharon Jones record thus far. This was a free 7" that I picked up in NYC on world record day 09 as they were giving it away as part of the celebration. The song oozes class with a northern feel and really sounds like it was made back in day.

Go Shazza! Recorded 2008

Danny Hunt - What's Happening To Our Love Affair

Wow! Danny Hunt busting out a very similar style to Stevie Wonder only with a much rawer feel to it, and slightly rougher vocals & production. That said, I absolutely love this track and more dancefloors should hear it.

Recorded 1974

Myron & E With The Soul Investigators - Cold Game

I don't know what it is about this track that i love but i think it's the overall feeling. I picked it up while diggin in NYC last year which might be another reason i like it so much. It's northern soul that has a playful side reminiscent of The Monkeys - kinda. Have a listen and decide for yourselves. Recorded 2008

Moorish Vanguard - Sitting In The Sunshine Of Your Love

James Brown Produced Funk 45 of the highest order. This was Moorish Vanguard's only record and was recorded in 1977. Right from the first bar this record explodes with a high energy uptempo groove that doesn't let up through it's entire 3.10 secs. I wonder how many copies were made as it is extremely difficult to find these days. I've only seen 1 copy on ebay in the last 3 years. Recorded 1977

Sargent Kelly - I Like It

FUNK 45 with great drums, slick bass and party vocals in the form of “never gonna get it right”, “I LIKE IT” There is an overall looseness to the track which i absolutely love. Recorded 1975

Tina Britt - Sookie Sookie

Fantastic version of Sookie Sookie by Tina Britt, which features great vocals, chugging rhythm and heavy drums throughout. Recorded 1969