Posted on Radio

Be Our Guest: The Boogaloo Assassins on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Can’t express how thankful I am that the Boogaloo Assassins came into our studios here at KPFK. The band performed 6 songs, at the start, “Para Mi,” “Do You Wanna Dance,” and their blistering cover of Dawn Penn’s “No No No” and then after the interview you hear their version of Eddie Palmieri’s “Ay Que Rico” (one of my all-time favorite Boogaloo tracks), “Mi Heva” and the finale is a soul-clap-tastic cover of Joe Bataan’s “Magic Rose”. During the interview I talk with the band about how they found their way to this sound, the benefits and pitfalls of playing a retro style without a scene and their plans for the future, which thankfully and finally include some recordings (on vinyl no less!!!). Only unfortunate thing was that I didn’t have my camera to take some pictures, but perhaps next time. What we do have is an amazing performance from a dynamite band with the best yet to come. Big thanks to the group for coming in and to Stan Misraje for all his production wizardry…Enjoy it to the fullest!!!

The Boogaloo Assassins on KPFK’s Melting Pot: Recorded 10-12-2011

…If you’re in LA, the Boogaloo Assassins are performing quite a few shows in the next month. As you can tell from the interview/performance this a band that is built to be heard live, so take advantage of these opportunities to see this amazing band.

The Boogaloo Assassins upcoming performances in the LA area:

November 30th @ La Cita
December 10th @ The Mint
December 18th @ The Copper Door (Santa Ana)

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: November 20th on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Sunday was a rough day in terms of weather out here in LA, but we had a great show, solid new tunes from The Strange Boys, Real Estate, M.E.D. and classic reissues from Mike James Kirkland, Joni Haastrup, Creations Unlimited and more. Hour #2 starts off with a fantastic interview and performance from the OC’s Boogaloo Assassins (separate post coming!). After hearing the 6 (!!!) songs they performed for us, I simply can’t wait for their actual recordings!!! Enjoy the show, next week we have a tribute to Jimi Hendrix!

Melting Pot on KPFK #64: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #64: Second Hour

Playlist: 11-20-2011
{opening theme} Booker T & the MGs – Melting Pot – Melting Pot (Stax)

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Creation Unlimited – Corruption Is The Thing – Boddie Recording Co., Cleveland, Ohio (Numero)
Sohail Rana – Cobra Sway – Life Is Dance (Finders Keepers)
Real Estate – All The Same – Days (Domino)
Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg – 69 Annee Erotique – Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin (Light In The Attic)
Jake Wade & the Soul Searchers – Searching For Soul – These Are The Breaks (Ubiquity)

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M.E.D. – Blaxican – Classic (Stones Throw)
Joni Haastrup – Wake Up Your Mind – Wake Up Your Mind (Soundway/Tummy Touch)
Mulatu Astatke – Yekermo Sew (T’amir Remix) – Timeless Remixed EP (Mochilla)
People Under The Stairs – Talkin’ Back To The Streets – Highlighter (Piecelock 70)

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Mike James Kirkland – Where’s The Soul Of Man – Don’t Sell Your Soul (Ubiquity/Luv’n’Haight)
The Strange Boys – Over The River and Through the Woulds – Live Music (Rough Trade)
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – Let Them Knock – 100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone)
Joe Bataan – It’s A Good Feeling (Riot) – Riot! (Fania)

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The Boogaloo Assassins – Performance and Interview – Recorded Live At KPFK (KPFK Archive)

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The Sandwitches – My Heart Does Swell – Recorded Live At KPFK (KPFK Archives)
The Do – Was It A Dream? – Both Ways Open Jaws (Six Degrees)
Pedro Infante – Amor De Los Dos – Siempre En El Corazon De Mexico (Peerless)

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{closing theme} Dungen – C. Visar Vagen – Tio Batar (Kemado)

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: V/A – Sweet Home Chicago – Delmark (1969)

Magic Sam – That’s Why I’m Crying
Louis Myers – Top Of The Harp
Leo Evans and the Jazz Prophets – Coming Down With The Blues

I’m not sure where I picked up this collection, I’m thinking it was during my time in the Midwest, maybe in Rockford, IL at Toad Hall Records. Toad Hall was truly an experience, records everywhere, more or less organized, mostly less, with an upstairs, a downstairs and a bulding across the street just filled with records. When I went there (around 1998 and 1999) there was an older guy in a wheelchair in the center room who I always assumed was the owner. He’d always chat with me about the records I was looking for, generally jazz at that time, and about artists who he had seen and that he loved. I figure I got the record there just because of the condition of the LP, with a bit of mildew at the top, there were always a few water damaged LPs at that store, which is to be expected when you just have mountains upon mountains of records.

Regardless of the condition, I absolutely had to get this one, cause I’m a major fan of Magic Sam. Sam Maghett is perhaps my single favorite blues artist, certainly my favorite blues singer with a fantastic soaring tenor. His career was cut tragically short,just as it was taking off, from a heart attack at 32. Needless to say, there aren’t a lot of Magic Sam recordings out there, so seeing his name on the front intrigued me enough to pick up this record and I was overjoyed to find that 6 of the 11 songs featured Magic Sam’s distinctive vocals (especially “That’s Why I’m Crying”) or guitar stylings (“Top of the Harp” with harmonica player Louis Myers, I’ve included here, but the Eddie Shaw led instrumentals “Ridin’ High” and “Blues for the Westside” are also stellar and only found here).

The rest of this collection is really top-notch, including some fine early work from Luther Allison that is especially notable for the use of Hawaiian Steel Guitar. There’s also a mystery with this album in the form of Leo Evans and the Jazz Prophets. I’m not sure if this group ever recorded again, I haven’t been able to find any other credits though the notes mention “performances” the group recorded. The Jazz Prophets are described as an avant-garde group that played in Hyde Park, but none of the names seem familiar to me based on the Chicago Avant-Garde scene at that time. To top it all off, for some reason “Leo Evans” is listed as “Lefty Lopez” on the front of the LP, which adds a different mystery in who the hell is “Lefty Lopez”? Did someone mis-hear “Leo Evans” as “Lefty Lopez” or was this actually a person? Even the sound of “Coming Down With The Blues” is a little mysterious. The track was apparently recorded in 1968, but sounds like it could have come earlier. As much as I love Magic Sam, this is the track that I’ve come back to more often over the years. There’s just something about the sound, everything seems distant and pushed back a bit in the mix, giving it this different sonority than the other songs on the collection. Just a stunning piece of music that everytime I play it I wish there was more. I suppose I should just be thankful that this collection exists and that it made it’s way to my hands and my turntable.

Cheers,

Michael

…while looking up info on Toad Hall, I came across this nicely done promo video for them. The old guy in the wheelchair doesn’t seem to be the owner any more, but clearly the place is still a digger’s delight.

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: The Strange Boys – Live Music – Rough Trade

The Srange Boys – Me And You

On their third LP in exactly three years, Austin, Texas’ The Strange Boys seem to have really hit their stride. That’s not to say that their prior two albums weren’t fantastic. I’ve already declared my love for 2010’s Be Brave and included my favorite track from that album,”Between Us,” on my round-up of the best music of 2010. The band has also gotten a bit of much deserved attention after having “Be Brave” featured in an episode of the UK series Skins. “Live Music” (not “Live” as in Live & Direct, but “Live” as in you live for music) is the bands most assured recording yet. I’m not sure if it’s because of the work of producers Jim Eno of Spoon or Costa Mesa’s Mike McHugh, but the band’s sound is bigger and fuller for this album. Additionally, there seems to be a subtle change with Ryan Sambol. He still sounds like the love child of Wanda Jackson & Bob Dylan, but his vocals here seem a bit smoother. It seems he’s learned that he’s got a powerful instrument in that distinctive voice and is finally getting comfortable at employing it in a much more varied way, as evidenced here on “Me & You” and other standout tracks like the rockin’ stompers “Punk’s Pajamas” and “Omnia Boa,” the downright tender “You and Me” or my favorite track and one that will definitely be in my year end show on Melting Pot, “Doueh.”

Posted on Radio

Be Our Guest: The Sandwitches on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Grace (L) and Hiedi of the Sandwitches Perform At KPFK

It was our great pleasure to welcome the Sandwitches into the KPFK studios a little while ago for a performance and interview. Because of the ongoing fundraiser we weren’t able to broadcast this session until this past Sunday, but it was well worth the wait. As I’ve mentioned here before, there aren’t a lot of bands around that sound quite like the Sandwitches. Grace, Hiedi and Roxy take a little bit of country, some indie-rock, add it to some bluesy soulful sounds and mix it all together in their music.

Roxy of the Sandwitches at KPFK

In the interview we discuss that sound, how they came up with the name the Sandwitches and a little bit on what I find to be the most distinctive quality of the band, the sound of their two vocalists. While a lot of groups harmonize their vocals, it’s rare to have two vocalists, who aren’t twins, play off of each other’s vocals like this, to the point where sometimes it’s hard to tell if there are two different vocalists. In this session, they play four songs, with Grace & Hiedi alternating lead vocals on each track. The first two songs, “The Pearl” and “Benny’s Memory Palace” are featured on their new 7″ on Hardly Art. The third song, “My Heart Does Swell,” is featured on their latest release Mrs. Jones’ Cookies on Empty Cellar records. The final song, “You Only Get What You Want” is a brand new song, previously unreleased and a special treat just for us.

The Sandwitches on KPFK’s Melting Pot: Recorded 11-02-2011

…as an added treat, here’s the performance that Roxie mentions in the interview, an acoustic version of “Summer of Love” recorded in the bathroom of Berkeley’s The Shattuck Down Low, that really shows that distinctive singing style of the group.

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: November 13th on KPFK’s Melting Pot

Back to business as usual this Sunday, after a successful fundraiser. Many thanks to everyone who supported Melting Pot and KPFK, and keep safe from corporate meddling. Yesterday’s show features the mad mix of styles you’d expect from Melting Pot. We got a bevy of new tunes from the likes of the Strange Boys, Terror Danjah, Phonte, Real Estate, Jose James and Atlas Sound, as well as some recently reissued gems from the Lijadu Sisters, El Rego, the Southland Singers, Hemany Bhole and The Matta Baby. The belle of the ball is the interview and performance from San Francisco’s The Sandwitches that starts off the second hour (separate post coming up). We pre-recorded this one a little over a week ago, but it’s well worth the wait to hear their special and haunting (especially on the last couple of tracks) blend of styles. A band definitely to watch in the next couple of years. Next week we have another recorded session (a preview of which you get in this show, their smashing version of “No No No”) that I’ve been dying to bring to you from the Boogaloo Assassins! Until then enjoy this week’s show.

Melting Pot on KPFK #63: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #63: Second Hour

Playlist: 11-13-11
{opening theme} Booker T & the MGs – Melting Pot – Melting Pot (Stax)

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Heavy D & the Boyz feat. Kool G. Rap, Grand Puba, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Q-Tip and Big Daddy Kane – Don’t Curse – Peaceful Journey (Uptown/MCA)
El Rego – Hessa – El Rego (Daptone)
Southland Singers – Save Me Jesus – This May Be My Last Time Singing (Tompkins Square)
The Flamin’ Groovies – Headin For The Texas Border – Flamingo (Kama Sutra)
The Strange Boys – Omnia Boa – Live Music (Rough Trade)
Roy Ayers – Red, Black and Green – Red, Black and Green (Polydor)

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Roy Ayers – People and The World – Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Polydor)
Terror Danjah feat. Meleka – You Make Me Feel – 12” (Hyperdub)
Hemany Bhole – Sansani Khez Koi Baat – Bollywood Bloodbath (Finders Keepers)
Atlas Sound – Parallax – Parallax (4ad)
Eugene Blacknell – Getting’ Down – These Are The Breaks (Ubiquity)

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Jose James – Trouble – 12” (Brownswood)
Horace Silver feat. Bill Henderson – Senor Blues – Senor Blues (Blue Note)
Boogaloo Assassins – No No No – Recorded Live at KPFK (KPFK Archives)
People Under The Stairs – Too Much Birthday – Highlighter (Piecelock 70)
The Matta Baby – Do the Pearl, Girl Part 2 – Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels (Numero)

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The Sandwitches – Interview and Performance – Recorded Live At KPFK (KPFK Archives)

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The Sandwitches – Joe Says – Mrs. Jones’ Cookies (Empty Cellar)
Real Estate – Younger Than Yesterday – Days (Domino)
Hunx & his Punx – Too Young To Be In Love – Too Young To Be In Love (Hardly Art)

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Phonte feat. eLZhi – Not Here Anymore – Charity Starts At Home (Foreign Exchange)
The Lijadu Sisters – Amebo – Danger (Knitting Factory)
The Rock*A*Teens – Losers Weepers – Cry (Daemon)

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{closing theme} Dungen – C. Visar Vagen – Tio Batar (Kemado)

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Mose Allison – Wild Man On The Loose – Atlantic (1966)

Mose Allison – Wild Man On The Loose
Mose Allison – No Trouble Livin’
Mose Allison – War Horse

There are few artists I can think of who can match the quiet coolness of Mose Allison. A major part of his coolness is in his voice. Born in Mississippi, Allison’s voice has a lot of the South in it. The words roll out with this smoothness that never sounds forced, never sounds like any thing other than just the man himself. It’s easy to see why this unaffected style has been such a big influence (though much more in the UK with Georgie Fame, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello), and it also fits the personality of his songwriting perfectly. Allison writes a lot of observational songs, often with wry witticisms that you just don’t find in a lot of “jazz” singers. His classic “Your Mind Is On Vacation” is probably his best example, but on this album “No Trouble Livin'” has always been a personal fave, with that chorus, “I Don’t Have No Trouble Livin, It’s Just the Dyin’ that bothers me”.

Another representative of that trademark sly style of Mose Allison is the title track of this record. “Wild Man On The Loose” remains my single favorite track from Mose, with it’s portrait of a man out for nothing but trouble. Even though all told the story is done in just a shade over 2 minutes, the “Wild Man” is so finely characterized that I could see him easily serving as the basis of a fantastically violent and debauched film.

Look out! Stand Back!
Wild man on the loose,
Been in the country for 30 days,
Saved up his money, got some hell to raise,
Soaking up that juice,
Wild man on the loose,

Look out! Stand back!
Panther on the prowl,
Get yourself some coffee and a glass of water,
Lock up your wife and hide your daughter,
There’s one man tonight to howl,
Panther on the prowl,

Look out! stand back!
Tiger in the street,
Gonna find a woman, beg, steal and borrow,
gonna wake up feelin’ bad tomorrow,
a fight will make the night complete,
Wild man in the street,

Look out! Stand back!

What kept this album in my mind over the years (I must have owned every Mose Allison album up to 1970 back when I had a load of records, even did a two-hour tribute to him back in the day on WRAS) was not just his singing and great style, but his playing as a piano player. This album has some of his best piano work on instrumental tracks like “Night Watch,” “Power House” and “War Horse.” As well known for being a King of Cool with his vocals, Mose was and is a highly under-rated piano player and someone who should truly take his place with all the greats in the post-bop era.

Interestingly enough (and a fact I was only aware of after I’d chosen to post this record), Mose just celebrated his 84th Birthday on 11-11-11. Even into his 80s, the man still performs, even recorded a new album last year and sounds just as cool as did when he stepped fully on the scene in 1957.

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: V/A – This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel on 45 RPM 1957-1982 – Tompkins Square

The Southland Singers – Save Me Jesus

After thoroughly enjoying Tompkins Square’s collection Fire In My Bones, I was very excited to receive this companion volume. I was surprised at how little Gospel Funk ended up on this collection, especially given the fact that all the music was culled from 45s. But what the compilation lacks in funk it more than makes up in body moving, shoulder shaking, finger popping, soul clappin’, foot stomping and rockin’ gospel music (though still nothing nearly as rocking as the indefatigable classic “Rock’n’Roll Sermon” from Fire In My Bones, but then again NOTHING else rocks like this either!). My chosen track by the Southland Singers, “Save Me Jesus” gives you a good example of the more upbeat offerings from this collection. As with the prior volume, I personally wish things had been condensed into a single CD/LP, but with 72 total tracks there are certainly plenty of gems. Other personal faves include Sound of Soul’s “Perfect Like The Angels” with it’s synthesized drum beat sounds feeling strangely like a devotional version of Alan Vega’s music with Suicide. Another highlight is “Jesus on The Mainline” where the lead singer of the Whirlwinds extols the listener to call up Jesus on the “111” line and tell him what you want. I’m gonna call him and hope that he answers my prayers for even more collections in this fine series.

Posted on Ephemera

Giveaway: Real Estate @ the Echoplex November 12th!!!

Real Estate for me, at this particular moment, is the best band in all of indie-rockdom. Every single release has gotten better and better with each listen, and the release of their 2nd LP, Days, in the last month has reinforced everything I thought about the band over the last couple of years. They blend 60s surf guitar with 90s indie into a suburban inspired hazy mix that I find completely engrossing. Days (expect a review later this week) is one of the few records from this year that I could (and have) literally listen to again and again and again. This Saturday Real Estate are in Los Angeles playing at the Echoplex and you could have a chance to win tickets if you send an e-mail to michael[at]meltingpotblog.com by Friday at 12noon!!!

Posted on Radio

Breakdown: November 6th on KPFK’s Melting Pot…End of the Fundraiser!!!

For the first time in my 18 year radio career, I had the privilege of closing out a fundraiser on this Sunday’s Melting Pot. I was a pretty incredible experience, the chaos, the drama, and ultimately the truly rewarding experience of raising over $3000 for KPFK! Thanks to everyone who listens and especially to those of you who pledged during this, past or future fundraisers. I’m only able to have this kind of show because of the freedom you give us as programmers. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be broadcasting a couple of amazing performances recorded at KPFK while the fundraiser was going on and at the end of the month we’ll have an all Hendrix Birthday special. Onwards and upwards!

Melting Pot on KPFK #62: First Hour
Melting Pot on KPFK #62: Second Hour

Posted on Dig Deep

Dig Deep: Pete Rodriguez – Ay, Que Bueno!/Oh, That’s Nice! – Alegre (1967)

Pete Rodriguez – Oh That’s Nice
Pete Rodriguez – Fango
Pete Rodriguez – Asi Asi

Still mired in grading with my academic work, but here’s a brilliant no brainer of a latin LP. Joe Cuba’s “Bang Bang” might have been the first big Boogaloo song, but in my opinion, Pete Rodriguez’s “I Like It Like That” is one of the biggest latin crossover tracks of all time. Rodriguez and his band followed up that success with this LP, released later in 1967, and featuring one of my favorite all-time dance floor numbers, the title track “Oh That’s Nice.”

I’m a well known sucker for a soul clap, and I don’t think there’s another song that is soul clapperific as “Oh That’s Nice.” Right from the start the rhythm hits hard, those hand claps hit even harder and all together it makes it impossible to sit still. It’s a can’t miss and can’t fail track for just about any soul party. For me there’s nothing cooler than seeing a dance floor packed with people lift there hands up to sky during the breakdown in the middle and start clap along Pete Rodriguez and his band…pure magic.

Though “Nice” has been comped several times, this is definitely an LP worth tracking down, for a couple other nice Boogaloo tracks, including a rare all in spanish boogaloo “Asi, Asi” which breaks down just what the Boogaloo is all about (I’m pretty sure they say it’s like a crazy Guajira, no?), and the upbeat proto-Salsa tracks, “Que Mania” and “Fango.”

Quite nice indeed…

Cheers,

Michael

Posted on Ephemera

In Heavy Rotation: El Rego – El Rego – Daptone

El Rego – Dis-Moi Oui

Based on the recent reissues over the last couple of years from the Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo De Cotonou, it’s clear that Benin had some serious funk going on in the 1960s and 1970s. The godfather of all things funky in that country was Theophile Do Rego, better known as El Rego. Along with his group “The Commandos,” El Rego released some heavy heavy 45s that are now finally getting their proper due thanks to this fantastic collection from Daptone records. Upbeat burners like “Djobime,” “Cholera,” “Feeling You Got” and “Dis-Moi Oui,” the track I’ve selected here, show just how funky the man could get. Slower tracks like “Kpon Fi La” and “Ke Amon-Gbetchea” show the deep and soulful range of an artist everybody needs to get a little more familiar with.

Posted on Ephemera

Giveaway: Wild Flag @ the Troubadour November 2nd and November 3rd!!!

Even without a show today, I still get a chance to give some treats just ahead of Halloween. This is the second of two giveaways for this week, this time I have a pair of tickets available for All female Indie-Rock Supergroup Wild Flag, featuring Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney and Mary Timony of Helium. These women love to jump around, have fun and rock the house and you could be there if you win tickets! All you have to do is e-mail by 12noon on Tuesday November 1st to michael[at]meltingpotblog.com to get a chance to win for either show!