Fuzati - Jazz mix on Gilles Peterson's "World Wide"

Fuzati - Jazz mix on Gilles Peterson's "World Wide"

Fuzati is a Hip-Hop MC from Versailles, France. He's a co-founder of Klub des Loosers and a dedicated crate digger who happens to have an insatiable taste for rare Jazz. He dropped a mix of his Jazz selections on Gilles Peterson's "World Wide" radio show.

So sit back, relax, pour yourself a drink, and enjoy.

Record Collecting: Donald Byrd - Step High

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Donald Byrd - Step High
UpFront, 1976 (?)
Producer unknown

Features Bunky Green, Winton Kelly, Johnny Coles, Duke Pearson, Waler Perkins, and Bob Cranshaw

Not a whole lot of information on this album. I was confused by the fact that most of the info I could find said the album was released in 1976 but it sounded like Hard Bop era Byrd. What gives? By '76 he had already released Black Byrd, Street Lady, Stepping Into Tomorrow, and Places and Spaces, which all had his trademarked funky fusion sound. How did this album exist during that time sounding like something he would have done from the early 60s?

Well from what I could gather when Vee-Jay records filed for bankruptcy in 1966 they began licensing the rights to some of their masters. Springboard International bought some and released this material under a subsidiary label, UpFront. Think about it. Byrd had released four hit albums with this new sound he created. Black Byrd is Blue Note's biggest selling album of all time. Springboard International had some masters that featured Donald Byrd - probably hired as a side man for the session (the last song on the album is a piano solo. Byrd doesn't even play.) - so they slap his name on it and release an album during his peak. I bet many of the people who bought this were disappointed. But I like it. I happen to like both the bop and the fusion Donald Byrd.

Record Collecting: Gil Scott-Heron - Real Eyes

Gil Scott-Heron - Real Eyes
Arista, 1980
Produced by Gil Scott-Heron and Malcom Cecil

Went crate digging recently and this was the first record I ran across. I have never seen a copy of this one before, so while I wasn't happy that the first record I wanted had a $20 price tag, I didn't let that stop me.

I have been looking for this album for years now because of two songs. "The Klan", which was sampled by Little Brother for their track, "Make Me Hot", which was given a great re-edit by Yam-Who?, and "Your Daddy Loves You (For Gia Louise)". He re-recorded "Your Daddy Loves You..." as a live track, and then that live track was re-mixed by DJ Asparagus and Wipe The Needle. I've been playing that re-edit and the remix in mixes for years, but I had never heard the originals until I got this album home.

It was so worth the wait. I am blown away by how subtle, yet beautiful, the playing is on "Your Daddy Loves You...". "The Klan" was everything I expected it to be. The rest of the album is sold Gil Scott-Heron.

Record Collecting: Elton John - Friends

Elton John - Friends (Original Soundtrack)
Paramount Records, 1971
Produced by Gus Dudgeon

Technically this could be considered Sir Elton John's 4th album though a lot of times you won't find it on a discography list because it is a soundtrack. This album was released between Tumbleweed Connection, 1970, and Madman Across the Water, 1971 (That's if you aren't counting his live album 17-11-70, which was released in 1971 and before Madman.) So, if you think about it, this project came along before Elton John and Bernie Taupin became full blown superstars. 

There is nothing super exciting about the songs here. The title track was a minor hit reaching #34 on the Pop Chart. Personally, I really like "Can I Put You On" but as Elton John songs go, there are many better songs in his discography. There is not a thing wrong with any of the tracks on this album. It's just that you are comparing little known songs written to go along with a movie - that turned out to be a flop - to the well known rest of the career of a bona-fide superstar.

However, it is an interesting look at Elton John before the fame was fully realized. Also, this one can be found for pretty cheap. As you can see I paid $5 for mine. And on top of everything else you get some great album art to display!

Record Collecting: Maria Muldaur

Maria Muldaur - Southern Winds
Warner Brothers, 1978
Produced and arranged by Christopher Bond
Features Les Dudek on slide guitar

I was first introduced to Maria Muldaur's music through my Instagram buddy @minglewoodblues. She posted a picture of Geoff and Maria Muldaur's album Sweet Potatoes. Since my favorite dessert happens to be sweet potato pie, and I was getting ready to bake my first sweet potato pie of the season, I decided to listen to it. After telling @minglewoodblues that I really enjoyed it, she suggested I take a listen to this Maria Muldaur solo album.

She mentioned a track titled "I'll Keep My Light In My Window". I recognized the song from Quantic and Alice Russell's album, Look Around The Corner.I thought that Muldaur's version might be the original version of the song, however when I got my hands on this copy of the album I noticed the song writing credits went to Leonard Caston and Terri McFadden, names I recognized from Motown.Turns out the original was done by the little known Motown duo, Caston & Majors. Now my hunt continues to find that version.

But back to Maria Muldaur. Along with the Caston & Majors song, she covers a few songs by Leon Russell, and JJ Cale's "Cajun Moon". Her singing is strong, yet sultry, and still leaves room for a touch of playfulness. Her backing band is solid. This one is a treat that you can pick up at a cheap price.

DJ Roger Riddle - Unapologetic

Unapologetic
Mixed and compiled by DJ Roger Riddle

I am not the least bit sorry about playing these songs for you. I hope you enjoy.

Unapologetic by Roger Riddle on Mixcloud

New Dorp. New York by SBTRKT (feat Ezra Koenig)
Instead (Emanative Remix) by Collocutor
Say That by Toro Y Moi
If These Are The Last Days by Electric Wire Hustle
Shades of Jae by Moodymann
Opportunity by Brasstronaught
Personal Jesus (MKTL & Polyrhythm Bootleg) by Depeche Mode
Good Ol Love (Honeycomb Vocal Mix) by Honeysweet
Drum Skat (Skat That) by Marlon D
Decisions by Taylor McFerrin
A Night Out With Therese (Original Mix) by Anno Stamm
Evertrack by Rushmore
It's Serious by Cooly G, Karizma

Atomic Number 79

Atomic Number 79
Mixed and compiled by DJ Roger Riddle

This is definitely music for nighttime listening. But hey, if you're feeling spunky, be a gangsta and play it in the daytime.

Atomic Number 79 by Roger Riddle on Mixcloud

Baby (feat Dam-Funk) by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
The Love by A Tribe Called Quest
Flowers by Andrew Ashong
The Top by Francis and the Lights
Riding High by Faze-O
Rock With You (Daniel Crawford Midnight Remix) by Michael Jackson
Soul Glow by Fatima
Take It Personal by Gang Starr
W by Karizma
One 4 Teen (J-Dilla Remix) by Bahamadia
Southern Freeez (feat Emanuelle Araujo) by Sonzeira
Herione by Wildcookie
Start of It by Collective Efforts
Dirty Love by J Davey
Love the Way by Andrew Ashong
Average Fruit by Quadron