Puttin' the brakes on......

Ok, so I've had the blog running a few months now....I don't say much, just post tunes I think are great in their own way and worthy of sharing. I've been throwing them up at a pretty fast rate recently and I have other shit going on in my life that needs taking care of, so you'll probably start to notice a slower rate of new posts coming in as I take a semi-break.

Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to comment so far and apologies for not always coming back with a reply.

Keep The Faith!

Che - Sexy 70 - Music Inspired By The Brazilian Sacanagem Movies of 1970s

This CD is the latest on Vampi Soul and the first in a set of three releases giving us a closer look at some great Brazilian music.

This one is however comes from a somewhat unlikely source. Sub-titled, “Music inspired by the Brazilian sacanagem movies of the 1970s,” it would appear that going to a specialist X-Rated Cinemas in Brazil in pre-video porn times was very much the same experience as it was in Europe. Low budget, poor scripts (if any) and off-comedy were trademarks. Whilst I can’t imagine there was anything like ‘No Sex Please, We’re Brazilian’, if there is such a thing, the person that would know is our man Alexandre Caparroz (aka Che).

Che has done all the hard work for us and is an expert on what was called locally pornochanchada. In addition to the film, what he also loved was the soundtracks and aspired to put together a compilation CD of all the best bits. You can image his frustration when it proved impossible to get licences to put together the original recordings for this CD. There’s no equivalent to the Performing Rights Society in Brazil for 30 year-old porn soundtracks but that’s not going to stop our modern day musical David Cardoso. Che has re-recorded all the tracks himself and even some of the original dialogue is included (just how deep is that guys voice on ‘Tá Tudo Errado Porra!’?). Think of this as a ‘small’ world Glideascope in its cinematic adventure.

Inevitably, some of the tracks are quite cheesy like the Bontempi organ beats of ‘Suite Para Pereio’, the disco instrumental ‘Sala Especial’ or others that would have graced any 70s Latin Hospital soap opera. Actually they grow on you but the obvious ones that work best for me are the jazz funk vibes based tracks like ‘Helena X Aldine’, ‘Pixoxó Em Lua De Mel’ and ‘O Eterno Pecado Horizontal’; I wonder what that last one is all about?

‘A Babilônia De David’ is a bit of an opus as we get the big sweeping strings with the vibes at a Nicola Conte pace whilst ‘Simplesmente Glória’ get us in the laid back seductive mood.

Current favourite is the Dub Version of ‘Babilônia’ which is a bit of a cheat as this and the other remix and bonus track are, if you like, ‘less authentic’ and more of today.

But the thing here is that this is a celebration of a part of 1970s Brazilian sub-culture. Our man Che certainly looks the part astride a 4-cylinder CB750 black Honda, demin shirt, Magnum ‘tash golfing trousers and the obligatory shades.

1. Intro / A Jeitosa Do Morro (3:27)
2. Helena X Aldine (3:36)
3. A Babilônia De David (2:10)
4. Desejos Ardentes (2:43)
5. Vinheta (0:35)
6. Pixoxó Em Lua De Mel (2:21)
7. Vera, A Diaba Loira (3:03)
8. Simplesmente Glória (3:06)
9. Mlher Objeto (1:55)
10. Um Grapete ANtes, Um Cigarro Depois (0:38)
11. O Eterno Pecado Horizontal (3:58)
12. Suite Para Peréio (4:29)
13. Sala Especial (3:00)
14. Tá Tudo Errado Porra! (1:48)
15. Pixoxó Remix (3:17)
16. Babilônia Dub Version (4:49)
17. Ainda Te Pego (Bônus Track) (2:55)
http://rapidshare.com/files/93763354/Che_-_Sexy_70_-_Music_Inspired_By_The_Brazilian_Sacanagem_Movies_of_1970s.rar

Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviors - 2lbs Of Funk In A 1 lb Bag (2007)

This Reverend is no slack-jawed yokel -- and instead, his Soul Saviours combo is one of the cookingest new groups we've heard in a long, long time! The album's got a super-tight approach to deep funk -- wah wah guitar, screaming Hammond, tight drums, and bumping bass all wrapped together beautifully in classic funk instrumental splendor -- occasionally touched with bits of sax, flute, or congas -- but staying in their own core groove most of the time!

Sam Cooke - Night Beat

Sam Cooke is best known as the man who integrated R&B, gospel, and pop, amid expansive arrangements typified by big string sections and a maximalist production approach. It may be a surprise for casual Cooke listeners, then, to encounter the Sam Cooke of NIGHT BEAT. There's nary an orchestra to be found here; Cooke is backed by a small combo in a spare, tasteful manner. The overall musical feeling is also far removed from Cooke's poppier efforts, leaning strongly toward the jazzy blues end of the spectrum (as brilliantly accentuated by, among others, a very young Billy Preston on organ). Hearing the despair in Cooke's voice on "Lost and Lookin'" and the downhearted "Mean Old World," one is instantly made aware that the man who sang "Wonderful World" and "Cupid" was capable of far more than mere ditties (however striking and memorable said ditties may have been). NIGHT BEAT finds Cooke reaching deeper into himself than he did on any other album, expanding our notion of his depth and capabilities.

1. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
2. Lost And Lookin'
3. Mean Old World
4. Please Don't Drive Me Away
5. I Lost Everything
6. Get Yourself Another Fool
7. Little Red Rooster
8. Laughin' And Clownin'
9. Trouble Blues
10. You Gotta Move
11. Fool's Paradise
12. Shake, Rattle And Roll
http://rapidshare.com/files/93687824/Sam_Cooke_-_Night_Beat.rar

Alice Clark - Alice Clark (1972)

There weren't many vocal albums on the Mainstream label during the early 70s, and this rare soul side is a real overlooked gem! Alice Clark has a rich soulful voice, with a style that sounds a bit like Esther Marrow, mixed with some of the lead vocalists in Voices Of East Harlem -- a really right-on sort of sound that's totally great, and way hipper than most 70s chart soul! Arrangements are by Ernie Wilkins, who brings in a touch of jazz -- but again, with a much hipper feel than most of his other backings -- and most of the tracks are quite obscure, well-written tunes -- of the sort of material you might expect to hear sung by Gil Scott-Heron or Donny Hathaway.

1 I Keep It Hid (3:27)
2 Looking At Life (3:10)
3 Don't Worry Why (3:22)
4 Maybe This Time (3:18)
5 Never Did I Stop Loving You (2:34)
6 Charms Of The Arms Of Love (2:38)
7 Don't You Care (2:49)
8 It Takes Too Long To Learn To Live Alone (3:34)
9 Hard Hard Promises (3:05)
10 Hey Girl (3:16)
http://rapidshare.com/files/93679749/Alice_Clark_-_Alice_Clark__1972_.rar

The Stance Brothers - Kind Soul (2007)

The Stance Brothers represent raw garage jazz in its purest form. The band was formed by the Stance brothers Isiah and Dwayne. After enlisting their friend, a virtuoso drummer by the name of Byron Breaks, the line up was complete. The core of The Stance Brothers' sound stems from countless of hours spent jamming at their dusty garage. The trio's unfaultering will to excel in playing funk-influenced garage jazz comes second only to their passion for shooting hoops at the nearby basketball court.

01. Steve McQueen
02. Prayer
03. Roll Call
04. Dynamite
05. Bright Moments
06. Capricorn
07. Garage Days
08. Jay's Lament
09. Upside the Head
10. Cool Hand/Turmoil
11. Mean Spirit
12. Blow Back
13. She May Be Moody
http://rapidshare.com/files/93663550/The_Stance_Brothers_-_Kind_Soul__2007_.rar

Howard Tate - Get It While You Can

The greatest soul singer ever to fall below '60s pop radar, Howard Tate remains a tantalizing cipher remembered only through explosive cover versions of his late '60s singles by a blue-chip array of fans including Janis Joplin, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Ry Cooder. Tate's original versions were even better: his ecstatic falsetto, sinuous tenor releases, and gruff asides placed him in a category of R&B vocal stylists as lofty as his stratospheric pompadour. But the Macon-born, Philadelphia-raised former doo-wopper eluded broader acclaim despite a string of powerful performances that just dented the charts. As produced by R&B stalwart Jerry Ragovoy, Tate's sessions mixed emotive standouts, including "Ain't Nobody Home," "Stop," "Get It While You Can," and "Look at Granny Run Run," with shrewd soul updates of electric blues classics like "How Blue Can You Get" and King's signature tune, "Everyday I Have the Blues." The singer's vein-popping performances are matched by rock-solid arrangements and production, well served in this overdue anthology. As for Tate, he disappeared into legend in the early '70s, making this mother lode of deathless soul all the more valuable.

1. Ain't Nobody Home
2. Part-Time Love
3. Glad I Knew Better
4. How Blue Can You Get
5. Stop
6. Get It While You Can
7. Baby, I Love You
8. I Learned It All The Hard Way
9. Sweet Love Child
10. Everyday I Have The Blues
11. How Come My Bulldog Don't Bark
12. Look At Granny Run Run
13. Half A Man
14. Shoot 'Em All Down
15. Give Me Some Courage
16. Night Owl
17. I'm Your Servant
http://rapidshare.com/files/93642121/Howard_Tate_-_Get_It_While_You_Can_-_CD1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/93649936/Howard_Tate_-_Get_It_While_You_Can_-_CD2.rar

Reel People - Seven Ways to Wonder

With everyone from Amy Winehouse to Candi Payne pursuing an ethos of studied rawness, it's almost novel to hear a British soul album so polished that you can see Luther Vandross's face in it. Reel People have turned their noses away from the dancefloor since their 2003 debut Second Guess, and their sophomore LP features vocalists, including Omar and Incognito's Tony Momrelle, holding court over squelchy synths, breezy percussion and fluttering falsetto harmonies. The production is gloriously indulgent, with the modulated Ordinary Man owing as much to ELO as it does to Shalamar. At times you yearn for some jagged edges, but this Cheshire cat of a record is hard to turn off on a crisp spring morning.

1. Alibi 04:39
02. Outta Love 05:07
03. Amazing 05:19
04. Rise And Fly 05:40
05. It Will Be 05:59
06. Perfect Sky 06:59
07. Ordinary 04:51
08. High 03:47
09. Anything You Want 05:56
10. Upside 03:38
11. Love Is Where You Are 05:45
12. Outta Love (Reprise) 02:03
http://rapidshare.com/files/93471125/Reel_People_-_Seven_Ways_to_Wonder.rar

VA - Chess Club Rhythm & Soul

1. Mellow Fellow - Etta James
2. Messin' With the Man - Muddy Waters
3. Get Out - Mitty Collier
4. Summertime - Billy Stewart
5. Ooh Baby - Bo Diddley
6. You Left the Water Running - Maurice & Mac
7. Hey Mr. O.J. - Bobby Moore & the Rhythm Aces
8. Can't Make It Without You - Fred Hughes
9. Ain't It? - Jack McDuff
10. Let's Wade in the Water - Marlena Shaw
11. Fire - Koko Taylor
12. Do I Make Myself Clear? - Sugar Pie DeSanto, Etta James
13. Knife and a Fork - Kip Anderson
14. My Babe - Little Walter
15. Help Me - Sonny Boy Williamson [II]
16. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - Don & Bob
17. Who's That Guy? - The Kolettes
18. Here Comes the Judge - Pigmeat Markham
19. Function at the Junction - Ramsey Lewis
20. Grits Ain't Groceries - Little Milton
21. Must I Holler - Jamo Thomas
22. Every Day I Have to Cry - Steve Alaimo
23. Musty Rusty - Lou Donaldson
24. I Don't Wanna Fuss - Sugar Pie DeSanto
25. Hi-Heel Sneakers - Tommy Tucker
http://rapidshare.com/files/93615505/VA_-_Chess_Club_Rhythm___Soul_pt1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/93629901/VA_-_Chess_Club_Rhythm___Soul_pt2.rar

Gilles Peterson - Broken Folk Funk Latin Soul - Compiled and mixed by Gilles Peterson

1 Kuusumun Profeetta Kovin Lentaen Kotiin Kaipaan (7:05)
2 Cinematic Orchestra, The All Things To All Men (10:42)
3 Dani Siciliano Come As You Are (5:13)
4 Mr. Scruff Come Alive (5:13)
5 Harmonic 33 Where Have They Gone? (3:36)
6 Asheru Mood Swing (4:47)
7 Lone Catalysts Destiny (4:05)
8 Two Banks Of Four Unclaimed (4:41)
9 Micatone Sweet Child (4:29)
10 Underworld Twist (5:27)
11 Infekto Left Hand Jazz (5:46)
12 Osunlade Touched My Soul (4:51)
http://rapidshare.com/files/93413561/Gilles_Peterson_-_Broken_Folk_Funk_Latin_Soul_-_Pt1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/93429871/Gilles_Peterson_-_Broken_Folk_Funk_Latin_Soul_-_Pt2.rar

VA - Old School Funk Celebration (Boxset)-2CD

CD1
01.Rick James - You and I (03:07)
02.Eddie Kendricks - Keep on Truckin (03:28)
03.Ohio Players - Fire (04:25)
04.Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23 (04:55)
05.Rufus - You've Got the Love (04:39)
06.Bar Kays - Hit and Run (03:47)
07.Jesse Johnson - Can You Help Me (05:19)
08.Con Funk Shun - Got to Be Enough (05:41)
09.Cameo - Flirt (04:04)
10.One Way - Can I (03:36)
11.Cameo - Single Life (06:31)
12.Yarbrough & Peoples - I Wouldn't Lie (04:59)
13.Rene & Angela - I'll Be Good (04:06)
14.James Brown - I Got the Feeling (02:37)

CD2
01.Keith Sweat - I Want Her (03:42)
02.Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love (05:34)
03.Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce (04:00)
04.Michelle - No More Lies (03:41)
05.Betty Wright - Tonight is the Night (08:20)
06.Color Me Badd - I Wanna Sex You Up (04:06)
07.Roger - I Want to Be Your Man (04:13)
08.En Vogue - Hold on (05:02)
09.Slave - Just A Touch of Love (06:26)
10.Curtis Mayfield - Superfly (03:51)
11.Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady (03:10)
12.Danny Hathaway - The Ghetto (06:51)
13.The Average White Band - Cut Tha Cake (04:05)
14.Booker T and the Mg's - Hip Hug Her (02:23)
15.Chic - Good Times (03:42)
http://rapidshare.com/files/93366882/VA_-_Old_School_Funk_Celebration__Boxset_Pt1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/93383071/VA_-_Old_School_Funk_Celebration__Boxset_Pt2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/93399291/VA_-_Old_School_Funk_Celebration__Boxset_Pt3.rar