Melting Pot - Uncovering Bright Moments Across the Musical Spectrum -

July 27, 2017July 30, 2017 Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Syrius – Az Ördög Álarcosbálja/Devil’s Masquerade – Pepita (1971)

Syrius Devil’s Masquerade
Syrius – Crooked Man
Syrius – In The Bosom Of A Shout

Whenever I run into records from Hungary out in the wild (in this case, Burbank’s Atomic Records), my curiosity is heavily piqued. I don’t know a lick of Hungarian, but I’ve been digging for records to know well enough that the late 1960s and early 1970s produced a lot of interesting interesting sounds in Eastern Europe. This album checked off a number of my “flying blind” (since Atomic doesn’t have a listening station) markers. Crazy looking cover, check. Rock band with multiple reed players, check. Picture of a drummer with a drumstick in what I call the “jazz position,” check. 1972 recording date, right in the sweet spot of psych/prog/jazz rock, check. With that checklist, the possibility of open breaks was roughly calculated at 70%, certainly high enough to take a chance on what was a moderately priced record (by Atomic standards) at $14.

Dropping the needle confirmed things in major ways. My instincts on records aren’t always dead-on (in particular, there was a stretch last year where it was particularly bad and seemingly every record I bought was less than satisfying once brought home), but when they’re dead on, they are dead on. While I might have preferred the band not singing in English, there was no way to argue with the music. As we like to say, this album has “breaks for days,” open HEAVY drums, fantastic horn lines, just breaktastic sounds all over the place. Having said that, as you’ll hear from “Devil’s Masquerade,” “Crooked Man,” and “In The Bosom Of A Shout,” Syrius don’t make it especially easy for beat diggers. Many of the songs take their time to develop, and the band meanders (I mean that in a positive way here) around a lot of different moods, tempos and style changes along the way. But when they cook, they seriously cook, and I’m very glad to taken a chance ino order to share it with you.

July 21, 2017July 30, 2017 Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Tatsuro Yamashita – Spacy – RCA (1977)

Tatsuro Yamashita – Dancer
Tatsuro Yamashita – Solid Slider
Tatsuro Yamashita – Love Space

With the past year’s (well, past several years, if we’re being honest) drop in post production here on the site, there are a gang of records that I’ve had for a while and just never shared here. This album is definitely one of those, something that I’ve had in my collection for a couple of years, with no plausible excuse for not posting it up before.

Though I can’t recall the exact circumstances I’m fairly sure this popped up on my radar because of something Drummer/DJ Andres Renteria (of Dublab’s Shining Spirit Sound) shared. I do remember losing my shit as soon as I heard that drum break at the start of “Dancer” and my hysteria deepened as the song continued and had this really lovely style and sound to it. Ordered a copy from a Japanese dealer that same day and was more than happy with the rest of the record, which also included they equally groovy “Solid Slider” and “Love Space.”

Most of my knowledge of Yamashita comes from this post from the Red Bull Music Academy (which inexplicably does NOT mention “Dancer”), he became a big name in Japan in the early 1980s, but to my ears at least, Spacy, his sophomore release after leaving the band Sugar Babe, is his best record of the several I’ve heard since discovering this one. Much of my love for the album really does come down to what an exceptional track “Dancer” is. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Japanese or read Kanji and so I don’t know exactly what the lyrics are about, but one mentioned lyric from the comments section on one of several youtube videos of the song mentions this incredible line.

“We are like dancers, who do not dance willingly, and are made to dance by society.”

I don’t trust Google translate enough to vouch for the veracity of that line, but it’s clear that “Dancer” has a certain melancholy feel to it, and so I wouldn’t be surprised if the lyrics are as heavy as those opening drums.

July 20, 2017July 30, 2017 Dig Deep, Fotos

Dig Deep: Ismael Díaz – Mi Graduación – Producciones Ismael Díaz (????)

Ismael Díaz – El Aficionado
Ismael Díaz – Come Tu Eres
Ismael Díaz – Capricornio

For the first record shared of year nine, I’ve chosen a real mystery. I ran into this record at Groove Merchant in February, about a month after Cool Chris had been in LA for a Record Pop-Up that particularly focused on private press material. For some time now, I’ve been increasingly drawn into the weird world of private press records, and whenever I come across something that seems like one of these unique records, I force myself to give it a look and a listen if possible.

Running across this, I was intrigued by the fact that there was so little information. Even from just looking at the cover, it had the look of a graduation keepsake and opening things up only confirmed that, which you can tell from the pictures below. Given that there are no messages on the signing pages inside the cover, and only the dedication to “Tina y Ben,” I suspect that this was something specifically created for a child/friend of the bandleader Ismael Díaz. That is unfortunately all of the information that can be gleaned from the record. There isn’t information on the players, nothing about where it was recorded, not even anything about when it was recorded.

Chris didn’t know anything about it either. He’d run across it while digging in his storage for oddities to bring down for the pop-up, but, clearly, everyone took a flyer on it in LA, so it ended up back in the shop. Even searching the internet for info on Ismael Díaz didn’t yield a whole lot. There are a few Ismael Díaz’s on discogs, but nothing featuring any of the music on this record. There’s a record from 1970 by the Ismael Díaz Orchestra that could be the same Ismael Díaz, but little way to tell. Aside from Díaz’s name and the song titles, the album appears to be a mystery.

What isn’t mysterious at all is that when this band cooks, they seriously cook. A lot of the music is forgettable, but the instrumentals on the second side, “Capricornio” and “El Aficionado,” (as well as the vocal “Come Tu Eres,” with it’s killer horns) are really solid Latin Soul/Jazz/Funk. The quality of those songs leads me to believe that this was definitely more than just a family/local band. I find it hard to believe that a group this good, would only record a one-off graduation gift as their album. But at least for the moment, it remains a mystery, and as ever, I’m grateful to have come in at the right time to the greatest place for records, Groove Merchant.

July 16, 2017July 18, 2017 Fotos

Always For Pleasure – Funky Sole: Saturday Nights At The Echo

One of my greatest pleasures as a DJ has been the honor of spinning as a guest at LA’s best soul/funk weekly, headed up by Music Man Miles, Clifton James Weaver III aka Soft Touch and Nancy Arteaga, Funky Sole at the Echo (and sometimes the Echoplex). Below are a collection of photos, all taken by yours truly over the last four years, except for the ones of me while spinning, which were taken by Clifton, and the last picture, which is my absolute favorite of the bunch, taken by my absolute favorite LA nightlife photographer, Farah Sosa.

FunkySole82215FarahStop — Foto © Farah Sosa

July 13, 2017July 16, 2017 Mixes

Guest DJ Set @ Funky Sole – July 15th 2017

One of the toughest things about being a Guest DJ, at least if you still spin on vinyl, is how many, and which ones, you bring. Since Clifton and Miles have such deep collections, there’s always a chance that a song you were looking forward to drop will get into one of their sets and then you have to change things up, now with fewer arrows in your quill, or the crowd, though it is very liberal, won’t vibe as much as you thought they would to a song you chose, and a quick/slow fade-out is in order. In last night’s case, I had a whole ‘nuther set in mind when I was getting ready for Funky Sole. Though I always bring crowd/b-boy favorites, I try to not to repeat myself too much and was looking forward to trying out some things that I’d never played there before. But just before my set, there was a circle in the center watching some B-boys do power moves (normally they do their thing on dance floor to the left of the stage) and with the customary pause to the music to introduce the guest, there were different dynamics on the floor than I was used to, so I tabled the more experimental parts of the set I’d planned on, and just let loose, playing many more tracks that I’ve played before than I would normally. ‘Bout 3/4’s in though, I did get back to a slew of tracks that I hadn’t played, and hadn’t heard at Funky Sole before, and I was especially happy with how the Ismael Diaz private press Latin Funk went over with the crowd…However, the highlight of the night for me was later on trading off records with Clifton, and ending up on Sylvia Tella’s “Stars In Your Eyes” Lovers Rock and the Ponderosa Twins “Bound” for the 30 or so people still there, way past closing time…always for pleasure and always a pleasure DJ-ing for the Funky Sole faithful. Eternal thanks to Miles, Clifton and Nancy each and every invitation!

Guest DJ Set At Funky Sole – 07-15-2017

Playlist: 07-15-2017
1. Coke – Na Na – Coke (Sound Triangle)
2. Harlem Underground Band – Smokin’ Cheeba Cheeba – Harlem Underground (Paul Winley)
3. Maceo and all the King’s Men – Got To Get Cha – Doing Their Own Thing (House Of The Fox)
4. The Meters – Handclapping Song – 7″ (Josie)
5. Foster Sylvers – Misdemeanor – 7″ (MGM)
6. The Trinikas – Remember Me – 7″ (Numero)
7. Sly Stone – Remember Who You Are – Back On The Right Track (WB)
8. Tarântulas – Saiba Ser Feliz (Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough) – A Música Não Pode Parar (RCA)
9. Michael Jackson – Get On The Floor – Off The Wall (Epic)
10. Orchestra Internationale – Chella ‘Lla – Disco Italiano (Fiesta)
11. Juice – Catch A Groove – 12″ (Greedy)
12. Jimmy McGriff – You’re The One – Soul Sugar (Capitol)
13. Robert Roena y Su Apollo Sound – Que Se Sepa – Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound 5 (International)
14. Ricardo Marrero – Babalonia – 7″ (Yu Vu Tu)
15. Miguel De Deus – Black Soul Brothers – Black Soul Brothers (Underground)
16. Ray Barretto – Together – Together (Fania)
17. James Brown – It’s A New Day – 7″ (Polydor)
18. Ismael Diaz – El Aficionado – Mi Graduacion (ID)
19. Brown Brothers Of Soul – Cholo – 7″ (Specialty)
20. Jean Jacques Perrey – E.V.A. – Moog Indigo (Vanguard)
21. Marcos Valle – Mentira – Trilha Sonora Original: Carinhoso (Som Livre)
22. Airto Fogo – Black Soul – Trilha Sonora Original Internacional: Cuca Lega (Som Livre)
23. Larry Young – Turn Off The Lights – Fuel (Arista)

July 11, 2017 Dig Deep, Mixes

Melting Pot’s Deepest Digs Volume #8!!!

Not nearly as many posts as I usually have in a year, but still, some heavyweight material shared over the past year. This mix brings together 20 of my favorite tracks shared here in the past 12 months…Dig On It!!!

Melting Pot’s Deepest Digs Volume 8

Playlist:
1. La Banda Colorado – South Chicago Mama (Melting Pot) – In Memory Of Jimmy Dan Song (CB Records)
2. Ozzie DaSilva – Zig Zag – Zig Zag With Love (Cocktail Productions)
3. Kijana Mahdi – Did You Really Choose Me? – The Soul Of Kijana Unfolds In Music (Mahdi)
4. Los Barba – Mi Mercy Cha – 7″ (Arieto)
5. Eduardo Conde – De Onde Vens – Minha Chegada (Philips)
6. Los Jaivas – Pregón Para Iluminarse – Los Jaivas (EMI)
7. Akagündüz Kutbay and Emin Fındıkoğlu with Nathan Davis – Çeçen Kızı
8. Marinho Castellar – Verde Clara – Marinho Castellar e Banda Disrritimia (Novo Mundo)
9. Bill Plummer and the Cosmic Brotherhood – Journey To The East – Bill Plummer and the Cosmic Brotherhood (Impulse!)
10. Ihsan Al-Munzer – Sari Aghtchik – Orientalissmo Pt. 2 (Voice Of Stars)
11. Os Incríveis – Mundo De Amor – Os Incríveis (1970) (RCA)
12. Airto Fogo – Black Soul – Trilha Internacional Da Novela: Cuca Legal (Som Livre)
13. Adam Makowisz – Sacred Song – Unit (Muza)
14. Eduardo Araujo e Silvinha – Opanige – Sou Filho Dêsse Chão (Beverly)
15. Pi-R Square – Fantasy Pt. 2 – 7″ (Wee)
16. The Savage Resurrection – Talking To You – The Savage Resurrection (Mercury)
17. Son Hak Rei – Dry Leaves – Instrumental Music Vol. 3 (Universal)
18. Chris Speeding – You Can See – Backwood Progression (Harvest)
19. Betty & Angel – Everlasting Love – 7″ (Every Day)
20. Sylvia Tella – Stars In Your Eyes – Spell (Sarge)

July 7, 2017July 7, 2023 About Melting Pot

Melting Pot: 8 Down…Movin’ On Up to Year Nine!

Year 8, the first of this newly redesigned, aesthetically and philosophically, Melting Pot was tougher than I thought it would be. After those 33 1/3 posts out the gate, burnout from work affected the pace of posts here for much of the past year. Probably no other place where this was evident than in the “Dig Deep” section, which normally has twice as many entries (something which may affect this year’s “Deepest Digs,” coming up on 7/11). While I won’t be starting this year with the same furious pace as the last, I will be spending much of the next week giving myself a head start on “Dig Deep,” especially since I have a lot of great records that I should have shared earlier that I’m excited to share now. As it’s the summer, and I have much more free time than when I’m teaching, you can also expect some new mixes in the coming months. With any luck, there will also be more shows on Dublab, but time will tell on that front…so, onwards and upwards peoples!

Cheers,

Michael

July 4, 2017 Ephemera

Trouble and Passion in Our Republic on the 4th

KJM4th — A portion of Kerry James Marshall’s “Bang” (1994), from a photo taken at the Mastry exhibit at MOCA

Songs: Ohia – Our Republic

Here on the 4th, I’m still thinking quite a lot about what I was doing on the 3rd, which was a return to see the last day of the extraordinary Kerry James Marshall retrospective at MOCA. Marshall’s work is explicitly political, often times without relying on the explicit polemics of most political art. Much of it was focused on the simple lack of representation of black bodies in the art world, so Marshall painted exclusively Black figures, and made them as Black as Black can be as a color. The subject matter also was political just in it’s choice, present Black folk in a variety of idyllic scenes, instantly recognizable to Black folk themselves, but also not so dissimilar from basic “Americana” that had been normalized throughout the years. “Bang” is a perfect example of that, a simple meeting of children on the 4th of July, a reminder that America’s history is shared by all Americans, and all Americans have had a part in the making of this most imperfect union.

That notion of America as an imperfect union seems especially apt in the given political moment, one which seems filled with more uncertainty of anytime during my life (take note, I was born in 1975, a year after Nixon resigned). And in this kind of moment, songs like “Our Republic,” often come to mind. One of Jason Molina’s greatest strengths as a songwriter (something that will always be sorely missed because of his far to early passing) was how he could turn a phrase. While many of his songs in those early days often sounded like they were from a different era, it was the way he constructed his lyrics that made them stand out the most.

Songs: Ohia – “Our Republic”

You should know,
Trouble comes from a passionate word,
And you should know,
Passion comes from a passing word,
Dark blue they,
Our banners flayed,
And burning to the base,
Submit to draw closer,
The glance you’d once given me,
An attempt of the old position,
They impose their pushing in steep heroics,
These fine others,
I owe my lifted, tho’ wounded head,
And every side of you to a man,
There have been signals,
These are now joined by a future,
And only say which decayed,
Not live opposite the failed republic,
Time will meet and pass you by,
You should know,
Trouble comes from a passionate word,
You should know,
Passion comes from a troublesome word,
You should know,
Trouble sounds like a comforting word,
You should know,
Passion comes from a passing word…

Now, I have no idea if “Our Republic,” was written about our republic, likely it was about a more personal relationship, but the words might serve as a warning to all sides in our current situation, where political wins become losses almost as quickly. At times watching our current politics you’d think that each side truly believed that they live in different worlds, and not the same exact country. But, I’m a firm believer that road to peace isn’t a peaceful one, but instead one that’s paved with trouble, and while that’s not what’s celebrated often on the 4th, the country we have is here because of it, and the world we’ll eventually create will be better for the passionate troubles we’re going through right now.

A special note on the this file, this actually comes from a digitized version of a cassette compilation of music from Songs: Ohia vinyl LPs that I made for road trips in the early 2000s. I bought a copy of the 1st album at the tribute to Jason Molina that was done after his passing here in LA, but the sound on that more recent reissue is a little too clear, and to my ears, this one still sounds warmest and true.

July 4, 2017 Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Os Incríveis – Os Incríveis – RCA (1970)

Os Incríveis – Adeus Amigo Vagabundo
Os Incríveis – Mundo De Amor
Os Incríveis – Hi-De-Ho

I’ve had this one on the shelf for a while, and after it’s inclusion in the “Deep Under Cover” show me and Oliver did on Dublab this past week, seemed like a good time to finally post it up. Os Incríveis got their start more or less as part of the Jovem Guarda, the generation of Brasilian musicians who fully embraced Rock’n’Roll. As the 1960s gave way to the 1970s, and Tropicalia became all the rage, they expanded their sound and as such, started to incorporate more psychedelic elements. Personally, I would have liked this album to include more of the tougher psychedelic sound that’s on display on their cover of Tony e Frankye’s Jimi Hendrix tribute “Adeus Amigo Vagabuno” (which they amp up the tribute factor by incorporating a bit of Jimi’s “Foxy Lady,” into the mix). “Amor De Mundo” shows that had the band been more influenced by Motown than the Beatles they might have been one of the leads in the Brazilian soul movement that was only nascent at this time. “Hi-De-Ho” is a strange one, it’s mostly a bit conventional, but with those open drums in the middle, it’s tailor-made for our post Hip-Hop ears. If only the band had realized that 45+ years later these would be the sounds we’d want most of all…if only.

June 30, 2017July 2, 2017 Fotos, Mixes

Deep/Under/Cover: Soul-Sides X Melting Pot X Dublab!!!

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of guest hosting on LA’s Dublab with my old-time homey Oliver Wang of Soul-Sides.com for a show we called Deep/Under/Cover. Two hours of deep covers, funky covers, psychedelic covers, covers that don’t say they are covers but we know they are covers aka undercover covers! We trade off on sets during each hour, with yours truly going first, and then Oliver following up. So many highlights in the show, on my end, getting to play a few things I’ve shared here, including La Banda Colorado’s undercover “Melting Pot,” Tarantula’s take on Joe Bataan’s rap classic “Rap-O, Clap-O” and some things I’m looking forward to sharing, like the wacky cover of Herb Albert’s “Rise” by Cuban teenagers Grupo Ismaelillo and The Jordans dark and psychedelic cover of Sly Stone’s “Thank You.” As expected Oliver puts most of my selections to shame, with a slew of island records, including steel drum band covers of “Down By The River” and the song that brought down the house, the Katzenjammers INSANE cover of Gary Numan’s “Cars,” (CARS?!!?!?!?!!?!!?!!) plus Thailand’s the Impossibles covering The Nite-Liters “Tanga Boo Gonk,” and many others that you just need to hear to believe (again, CARS?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!!!!). The audio runs a little “hot,” but what can I say…we were excited to be back on the air! Especially given that we had the privilege of being on the first Dublab shows to broadcast at their new local frequency, 99.1FM! The station is adding a second transmitter that should improve it’s signal in LA Central later this Summer and, with any luck, we’ll be back for more in the near future. For now…Dig on it!

Oliver Wang & Michael Barnes on Dublab – Deep Under Cover 6-30-2017

Playlist:
Hour 1:
{opening theme} Richard “Groove” Holmes – Song For My Father – Onsaya Joy (Flying Dutchman)

~~~~ Break ~~~~

{Michael Barnes}
La Banda Colorado – South Chicago Mama (Melting Pot) – In Memory Of Jimmy Dan Song (CB Records)
Armando Trovaioli – Sessomatto (Soul Makossa) – Original Soundtrack: How Funny Can Sex Be? (West End)
Los Hazos – It’s A New Day – 7”
Los Apson – Por Tu Amor (For Your Love) – Satisfaccion (Eco)
Richard Hayman – Windmills Of Our Mind – Electric Latin Love Machine (Command)
The Heads – Are You Lonely For Me Baby – Heads Up (Liberty)
Rufus Harley – Love Is Blue – King/Queens (Atlantic)
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Water No Get Enemy – Heritage EP (Choice Cuts)

~~~~ Break ~~~~

{Oliver Wang}
Dutch Rhythm Steel & Show Band – Down By The River – Soul Steel & Show (Negram)
Los Fabulosos Festivals – Can I Change My Mind – 7” (Onda Nueva)
Syd Jones and The Troubadours – Cardova – Positvely Spicy (West Indies Records)
Bits’n’Pieces – Tanga Boo Gonk – Only The Beginning (Dyna Parlophone)
Joe Cruz & the Cruzettes – Love Song – Album 2 (Villar Records)
Swinging Stars Of Dominica – Bang Bang – Higher and Higher (Stardom)
Ciel Miner – Stardust – This Is For The People (Car-Dor)
Los Exciters – Morning – 7” (Sally Ruth)

Hour 2:
{opening theme} Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Never Can Say Goodbye/Make It With You – Blacknuss (Atlantic)

~~~~ Break ~~~~

{Michael Barnes}
Os Incriveis – Adeus Amigo Vagabundo – Os Incriveis (RCA)
Johnny Frigo Sextet – Gardens On The Moon – Electric Jazz Of Gus Giordano (Orion)
I Fholks – Soldier In Your Town – SuperLongPlaying (CR)
Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation – Memory Of Pain – The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Blue Thumb)
The Jordans – Thank You ((Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Edicao Extra (Copacabana)
Tarantulas – Melo Do Aplauso (Rap—O Clap-O) – A Musica Nao Pode Parar (RCA)
Grupo Ismaelillo – Amanecer (Rise) – Galaxia (Egrem)

~~~~ Break ~~~~

{Oliver Wang}
Wim Overgauw – Footin’ It – Dedication (Basart)
The Impossibles – Give It Up – Hot Pepper (Philips)
Pedro Plascencia – Soul 70 (Soulful Strut) – Pop (Musart)
Sunny & the Sunliners – Dance To The Music – Sky High (Key-Loc)
The Funkees – Breakthrough – 7” (EMI)
Mark Martin – In The Good Old Topless Time (The Champ/Tramp) – 7” (Trans World)
The KatzenJammers – Cars – Panatics (Long View Farm)

~~~~ Break ~~~~

{closing theme} The Mac 5 – Song For My Father – The Mac 5 (Century)

CARS!?!?!?!!?!?!!!!!???!?!?!?!?!?!???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????!?????!!!!!

June 29, 2017July 4, 2017 Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Tarântulas – A Música Não Pode Parar – RCA (1981)

Tarântulas – Saiba Ser Feliz (Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough)
Tarântulas – Dê O Seu Amor Para Mim (Put A Little Love On Me)
Tarântulas – Melô Do Aplauso (Rap-o Clap-o)

As I’m prepping for a guest spot on Dublab with Oliver Wang of Soul-Sides.com, pulling records and 45s with covers on them, I was surprised to notice that I never shared this album (almost as shocked to discover how little I’ve actually shared, music-wise, over the past year…best laid plans went awry again and again, so expect much more before our 8th anniversary next Friday). I picked this us at the Mr. Bongo Record Pop-Up last November. Had never heard of Tarântulas before I saw this in the bins, and while we all know you shouldn’t judge a record by it’s cover…I mean, damn. LOOK AT THESE DUDES! There was no way I was not going to at least take a listen to what kind of music these dudes made.

As excited as I was by Tarântulas’ outrageous fashion sense, I was even more gassed when I saw the tracklistings and noticed that they did a Portuguese version of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.” The hits just kept coming as I noticed the final track of the record was a totally unexpected cover of Joe Bataan’s Hip-Hop classic, “Rap-O, Clap-O.” I’d known about Brazilian groups covering “Rapper’s Delight,” and how big the Hip-Hop scene became in Brazil, but I’d never heard this cover before. Sandwiched in-between were also versions of the Rolling Stones’ “Emotional Rescue,” the Village People’s “You Can’t Stop The Music,” as well as a surprisingly “deep” cover of “Put A Little Love On Me,” from the UK soul group Delegation. There are a few originals as well, though (in a inversion to my usual tastes) I think the covers are more interesting than the originals. Running into this (along with more Brazilian wax picked up this year) has cemented the thought in my mind that I seriously need to get down to Rio or São Paulo in 2018 and do some digging directly at the source.

June 29, 2017 Ephemera

Clap Your Hands, Snap Your Fingers for Carpet Square Funk

Harrell & Sharron Lucky – Clap Snap Stamp

As most break obsessed DJs/collectors know, instructional records are often a solid place to find a bit of quirky funk. The nature of the genre, music plus instructions, sometimes together, sometimes separate, all but guarantees clean, open breakdowns. “Clap, Snap, Stamp” gives us a nice bass & drum combination right from the start before an announcer/singer, who I’m just going to assume is Harrell Lucky, tells us how to have some fun on an inverted square of carpet. If you decide to follow along (though in all honesty, the above picture of the kids on their squares feels slightly ominous, but maybe I’ve been watching too much 1970s/1980s horror of late), make sure to remember, “shag carpet not recommended.”

June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 Ephemera

Armenian Mountain Girl Disco…By Way Of Lebanon’s Ihsan Munzer

Ihsan Munzer – Sari Aghtchik

Speaking of musical discoveries, I dug this record out of a wasteland of 1,000s of LPs at a house sale last year for $1. A record titled “Orientalissimo” by a group labeled “Ihsan Al-Munzer and his Oriental Group,” is precisely the kind of record that I never would have looked twice at way back in my 20s. But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve grown more adventurous in my selections, partially because I’ve built up some decent knowledge of a lot of things, but also because I find myself more interested in tracking down interesting things that I’ve never ever heard of. When I saw this record and flipped it over and saw Munzer chilling with his multiple keyboards and then saw the album was released in 1980, I figured there was a good chance something on this album would be either a bit funky or a bit disco. “Sari Aghtchik” was the first song I dropped the needle on and my instincts were, as you can hear above, dead on. Now, there’s a whole new world opened up, Lebanese disco based on “Armenian Keif Time Melodies”…and all it cost was a bit of time and $1.