Lalo Schifrin - OST The Liquidator (1966)

Dusty Grooves said:

An obscure 60s spy soundtrack from Lalo Schifrin -- done with a style that's a bit different than some of his other work at the time! There's still a fair bit of the trademark Schifrin elements -- bits of jazz, bossa, and Latin touches on the tunes -- but there's also a style here that's sometimes a bit more direct and dramatic, almost with a dark undercurrent that we're not use to hearing in Lalo's music. The film itself was something of a comedy, but a black one -- and the music really fits that unsettling spirit. Shirley Bassey sings the main "Liquidator" theme -- and other titles include "Boysies Bossa", "The Bird", "Riviera Chase", "Tilt", and "Bikini Waltz".

Even check out Moviegrooves.com for more info.


Dig this, Shirley kills it ...

The Meters - New Directions (1977)

Review (Rolling Stone Magazine):

The Meters define the steamy, hard-edged New Orleans funk sound much as the Section is synonymous with the soft-focus, blue-eyed soul of Los Angeles studios. Both work from clearly defined traditions: the rhythmically intricate ensemble philosophy of Dixieland survives in the Meters, while the Section is a group of virtuoso improvisation-alists who epitomize the "cool" (now "laid-back") Latin-jazz ambiance perfected by Wes Montgomery. In other words, the Meters play dance music, and the Section programs music for penthouse seductions.

New Directions and Fork It Over are both attempts to consolidate group styles into a commercial formula. Neither really succeeds, but a lot of fiery playing goes down before the verdict can be reached. The Meters tapped the Tower of Power horn section and pop/soul producer David Rubinson for New Directions, and the resultant sound is predictably commercial and facelessly funky R&B. This strategy doesn't utilize the Meters' collaborative ensemble instinct; instead, it breaks down the sound into individual parts held together by the arrangement. There are musical rewards—a bass line here, a sweating drum pattern there—but none of the looseness that lets this band fly.

The Section, meanwhile, tries its hand at fusion music, and there are moments—particularly guitarist Danny Kortchmar's "Suckers on Parade" and "L.A. Changes"—where the band pumps out a supple wash of tastetempting soul food. Leland Sklar's bass line on the opening track combines elements of "Car Wash" and Weather Report, a handy little move. But in the end, the album succumbs to a gloss of musical appetizers with no bulk to satisfy the desires they raise.

Check check this out ... and hey, talk to me people!!!

cheerz, SF

The Tymes - Turning Point (1976)

A sweet set of tracks from The Tymes -- certainly no "turning point" in their career, but a really strong record nonetheless! By the time of the set, the group was really rolling along strongly -- fitted here with 2 new female members, but coming together with a harmonic strength that shows their many years in recording -- and which is carried off here by some nice Philly mainstream touches, courtesy of arranger Richie Rome. George Williams' lead vocals are only slightly out front in the set, making it mostly a real group effort -- and titles include "The Reader", "Traces Of You", "It's So Good To Be Waking Up With You", "Love's Illusion", "All You Ever Wanted To Know About", and "That's The Breaks Of Love". (Dusty Grooves)

Get on the good foot & enjoy!

Allen Toussaint - Southern Nights (1975)

Allen Toussaint produced a kind of masterpiece with his first Reprise album, Life, Love and Faith, finding previously unimagined variations on his signature New Orleans R&B sound. For its 1975 sequel, Southern Nights, he went even further out, working with producer Marshall Sehorn to create a hazy vague concept album that flirted with neo-psychedelia while dishing out his deepest funk and sweetest soul. It's a bit of an unfocused album, but that's largely due to the repeated instrumental "filler," usually based on the theme of the title song, that pops up between every two or so songs, undercutting whatever momentum the album is building. That, along with a song or two that are merely average Toussaint , prevents Southern Nights from being a full-fledged masterpiece, but it comes close enough to that level of distinction anyway due to the brilliance of its best songs. There is, of course, "Southern Nights," which Glen Campbell later took to the top of the charts, but it's nearly unrecognizable here, given a swirling, trippy arrangement that plays like a heat mirage. Then, there are the songs that weren't covered, but should have been, like the nearly anthemic "Back in Baby's Arm," the rolling, catchy "Basic Lady," the stately "You Will Not Lose," or the steady-grooving end-of-the-night "When the Party's Over." Then, there are the songs that perhaps only Toussaint could sing, given their complex yet nimble grooves: witness how "Country John" seems like a simple, straight-ahead New Orleans raver but really switches tempo and rhythm over the course of the song, or how the monumental "Last Train" builds from its spare, funky opening to a multi-layered conclusion boasting one of Toussaint's best horn arrangements and vocal hooks. These disparate sounds may not be tied together by the interludes, as they were intended, but they nevertheless hold together because they're strong songs all bearing Toussaint's unmistakable imprint. They're so good that they nearly knock the "near" of off the near-masterpiece status for Southern Nights, and they're the reason why the album should be a part of any serious soul collection. (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide)

listen here or buy it if you find it!

If you listen to the song "Southern Nights", that will be the hymn for the day, word!


cheerz 2U guys & girls!

Gene Harris - Tone Tantrum (1977)

KazaaaAAAaam!

Back again with a Blue Note - Beauty. Found this album some years ago and didn´t know much about it. But after all these years of digging, this setup made the bells ringin. You know the names like Dorothy Ashby, Jerry Peters, Harvey Mason, Donald Byrd, D.J. Rogers?!?! No, then go and search for these magnificent artists ... and if you don´t know about this album, go get it for yourselves!

Dusty Groove said:

Sweet sweet keyboards from the amazing Gene Harris -- one of his seminal electric sides for Blue Note in the 70s -- recorded between his earliest fame in the Three Sounds, and his later return to acoustic styles in the 80s! The sound here is equal parts jazz and soul -- as Gene's working with vocalist/arranger Jerry Peters, who brings in a good deal of his own groove to the tracks -- giving them a strong focus that's sometimes missing from other solo Harris sets. Both Peters and Harris play Fender Rhodes and other keyboards on the album -- alongside a variety of players that include Donald Byrd on trumpet, Harvey Mason on drums, and Chuck Rainey on bass. Tracks include the Peters tunes "If You Can't Find Love" and "A Minor", a two-part remake of Duke Pearson's "Christo Redentor", the sweet stepper "Peace Of Mind", and a strong vocal take on Stevie Wonder's "As".

Enjoy that folks!

cheerz

Walter Rizzati - OST Das Krokodil und sein Nilpferd / Io sto con gli ippopotami (1979)

Grau - Grau - Grau!

Now for something completely different (like the Pythons would say).
I was always searching for music from the Bud & Terence movies, ´cause they made and still make me feel happy when no sun is shining! And I believe that there is no one out there who don´t like them both guys. So, enjoy this (not so funky) but relaxing album by Walter Rizzati for this great movie.

I´m outtie!

Southern Exposure - Headin´ South (1979)

Yeah, let´s go headin´ south! If you take a closer look at the cover you will maybe recognize what the band could mean by entitling their album "headin´ south"! haha, good idea ... this chick is superb (and she looks like a Kylie Minogue clone, didn´t she???)

Credits:

This is a superb example for RCA disco sound ... just 4 tracks, but none is shorter than 6 minutes, like all the goodies from the disco era.
I bet my pants, when you play this in clubs these days, a lot of people will move their buts to this music pieces, so do I!
Nice keyboards and synths by Carl Marsh, funky guitar riffs Brian Russell & Michael Toles and some vocals by Debbie Cathey and Jimmie Jamison.


Video: "Love Is"



Enjoy it and take a ride, you won´t be disappointed if you´re down with RCA!

cheerz

Celi Bee & the Buzzy Bunch (1978)

A sweet campy disco classic -- and a record that's been close to my heart for years! Celi Bee may have had white hair and a hokey kind of look, but she won me forever with her incredible "Superman" -- a five minute homage to the man in red and blue, and the leadoff track on this debut set! "Superman" is a sweet disco number with lots of strings, heavy rhythms at the bottom, and an erotic vocal that seems to offer the big guy more action than Lois Lane ever did. The rest of the tracks follow in a similar sleaze disco mode, and titles include "Smile", "It's Sad", "Hurt Me Hurt Me", "One Love", and "Closer Closer".
If you find it, grab it if you can, it´s worth it!

Video: "Superman"



It´s disco time fellas!

peace

The Friends of Distinction - Friends & People (1973)

Back with another Friends of Distinction post!
Couldn´t find any review about it and i be honest, i´m very lazy today to write a short introduction to this album. But i like the Friends and if you do, you´ll like that album anyway.

cheerz

Gerald Lee - OST Black Shampoo (1976)

A wicked little soundtrack that's about as badass as you can get for the 70s -- the obscure score for the black answer to Warren Beatty's famous Shampoo! The music on the set is really great -- sparer than usual for a blacksploitation soundtrack, with lots of nice instrumental tracks that riff on guitars and keys -- and a few totally excellent laidback cuts that are a perfect example of slow funk at its best! The album also features some slight snippets of dialogue from the film, interspersed with the musical tracks, in a mode that really recalls the feel of the film. Lots of killer tracks on the set, and titles include "Mr Jonathan", "The Chase", "Can You Feel The Love", "Soft", "I'll Get You", "Main Theme", "The Flight", "Love Theme", "Black Brief Case", and "The BBQ". (Dusty Groove)

KPM 1126 - Summer Songbirds

Lively Bossa.Leisurely. Bright & colourful. Up tempo bossa.Warm & lazy. FRESH!

(Tony Kinsey & Pete Winslow)

Lift Off! With Apollo Sound (1998)

This album is great, perfect for a break from the repetitious sounds of the usual albums. Some may describe it as boppy elevator music album, even so, it is definately an easy listening record, but with a difference. I wonder why the guys from the DUSTY FINGERS Compilation series did not recognized just one track from these groups featured on that LP ... when i should describe it with one word i would say: DOPE!

Enjoy that rare stuff!

NEW SHIT!!!

Ka-bOoooooM!

Soulfinga´s back ... and here´s a list what´s coming up next on this blog (of course 100% Vinyl rips) !
So prepare ya ear to hear some funk, soul and even library classics and compilations, ya dig?!?


Celi Bee & the Buzzy Bunch
Gene Harris - Tone Tantrum
The Main Ingredient - Black Seeds
The Friends of Distinction - Friends & People
Southern Exposure - Headin´ South
Isaac Hayes - This is ...
Charles Bernstein - OST Gator
Allen Toussaint - Southern Nights
The Four Tops - Main Street People
Rhythm Heritage - Last Night on Earth

... just to name a few!

So here we go

cheerz ta everybody on the blogosphere

Soulfinga

NEW SONGS UPLOADED!!!

Hey Everybody! Had a lot to do these days, but don´t worry, new posts are coming soon. Meanwhile you can listen to a couple of new songs that i uploaded to my MYSPACE account ... hope you like ´em. So if you do (or even don´t) just write me a comment, would be appreciated!
Stay blessed guys & girls ... cheerz!!! (click on the logo to hear some dope beats)

The Bob Crewe Generation - OST Barbarella

THIS IS IT, Ladies & Gentlemen!!! I love this soundtrack to the fullest, some crazy piece of music and great for sampling. I saw this movie only once, but i must say, this trash flic is soooo good. If you have seen the "sex scene" between Barbarella & Dildano you know what i mean,haha!
Anyway, this is a shureshot, go on and dig for this, it´s not that rare ... so buy it dudes.

The Young Lovers - Barbarella: Hit Songs of the Wild Movie

Yeah, it´s Barbarella time peeps!!! First i´ll come up with the interpretation of some tunes from the movie by The Young Lovers, which is actually not the original soundtrack to the film(!!!). But you can find some real strong tunes on this one, so ... i like that! And you?!? This one is available on th enet, so go on, find it & buy it!!!

KPM 1308 - Andy Clark - A Higher State

Oh, i forgot about that KPM press ... found that in Paris for 5 Euros, but it´s worth it´s money. For you who like 80´s synths and stuff will love that,word! Track 1 is missing due to some light scratches on the surface,sorry.

Johnnie Dankworth - THE SOPHISTICATED ...

BOOOOOYAAA!!! So much for today and i´ll finish it off with a very nice album by Mr.Sophisticated himself. The tunes on that album are damn nice and the hip hop heads out there may find a lot sample stuff on that LP, check out the "Bernie´s Tune" if you don´t trust me for some Gangstarr shit,haha!If you find that album, buy it buy it buy it!!!!!!

good fight, good night,pace!

Paul Bonneau & his Orchestra - Chappell Rainbow Series Vol.1

Some cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeese for all the softies out there,hahahahaha!
Not that typical strong library album like the KPMs or DeWolfes etc., but maybe you´ll like this french producer. So long, enjoy it!

2 KPM´s - KPM 1127 Happy Rainbows / KPM 1036 Gentle Sounds

Here are two KPM releases i uploaded some time ago. These are the only ones i have, so if you want more of them, check out the Library Hunter on the blogosphere, he´s the man for that kind of music!!! Chilled out music for a lazy sunday, so grab them as long as they are available.

V.A. - Dimensions In Sound Vol.1

Some of you might know the featured tunes, but i think it´s a really nice compilation of library sounds! If you´re interested, check it out and talk to me if you like it!

cheeeers!

V.A. - Funky Soundtracks Vol.3

Back with some funky cinetracks for your ear to hear ... found this in munich on my last digging trip and decided to share it with you music nerds out there. Some great tunes from well-knwon producers like Quincy Jones, Roy Budd or Lalo Schifrin made this compilation afantastic piece of an album. It also features the cult-monologue from Robert DeNiro as the"Taxi Driver"(!!!) ... so gooood!

cheers


... and leave some comments peeps!

The Friends of Distinction - Love can make it easier (1973)

Yeah! Just came back from a digging trip in Munich and will start again with some new posts. So let me begin with the 4th album "Love can make it easier" from one of my favourite soul-groups the Friends of Distinction. I found it over here for 7 Euros (!!!) and i think i would have spent more for it. Very soulful and, at some times, very funky album for a sun shining day like today!
Hip Hop heads will recognize the sample at the beginning from "Thumbtripping" which was used from Pacewon for a song, which title i forgot right now, sorry ... but just listen and you´ll see!

Here´s a review about the Friends and here you can see the tracklist:

1. Love can make it easier
2. No one´s gonna be a fool forever
3. Now is the time
4. Believe in me
5. You´re gonna make it
6. The Chittlin Song
7. Ain´t no woman (like the one i´ve got)
8. The way we planned it
9. Thumbtripping
10. Easy Evil
11. Only give love

PS: Sorry for the quality of song number 7, the beginning is kind of bad quality, but it will be better after a few seconds!

So go and get it, it´s worth a listen anyway!

Enjoy the special vinyl rip!


Ain´t no woman: (funkay!)

Soulfingas Music

If you can see, im not only making my fingers dusty with digging in record stores i also make music for a few years. First of all i make beats for myself, so if i find a loop, a small piece of trumpet, harps, bassline etc. i´m going to use that, cause i wanna hear that dope loop again and again and again, underlined with a fat break, so that´s it. if you want, check out my page and tell me what you think ... i´m here!!!

www.myspace.com/soulfingabeats


Peace

Janko Nilovic - Sweet Colours (197?)

Hi everybody! I´m back on the bloggosphere after a long pause due to the "sickness" of my pc.
And how could i start better than posting a real gem from the man himself, Mr. Janko Nilovic aka Andy Loore. A few of you hip-hop heads out there should know him for his samples, dugged by nonetheless than the World Famous Beatnuts and myself,haha!!!

... enjoy listening to some real soft and chilled-out melodies and to a really superb album with lots of "la-la-la-la" by some female singers!

Tracklist:

1. Le Vent Dans Les Algues
2. Adagio Sur La Plage
3. Le Soleil Sur La Neige
4. Bossa Beach
5. Verseau
6. Ballade Pour Une Voix
7. Trumpet On The Beach
8. Ciel Des Vacances
9. Snow And Tears
10. Du Sable Et Du Vent
11. Deliria
12. Soleil De Minuit
13. Concerto Pour Une Etoile

Here´s a small taste of his genius:

The Four King Cousins - Introducing the ... (1969)

Here´s the review from the magnificent DUSTY GROOVES team:

Very groovy work from the Four King Cousins - a sweet quartet of lovely voices peeled off of the larger King family ensemble, singing here in a spare and syncopated groove with lots of late 60´s Capitol touches! Maestro Lex de Azevedo produced, arranged and conducted - and the album´s got a really unified sound that links together harmonies from sunshine pop and a bit of the loping styles that were showing up in a mainstream easy at the time - a sublime blend of vocals and lightly snapping rhythms that´s totally outta sit! All tracks are covers, but done in really wonderful versions!

Tracklisting:

1. This Girl´s in love with you
2. It´s all in the game
3. Walk on by
4. California Nights
5. Let´s get away from it all
6. I wanna be free
7. Good Day Susnhine
8. God only knows
9. Love so fine
10. Here, there and everywhere
11. I fell

Who-Haaa ... enjoy yourselves with this ladies!!!

Jerry Goldsmith - A Patch of Blue (1965)

One of the prolific composer´s earlier soundtracks remains of his best 40 years later. Although the music for A PATCH OF BLUE occasionly sounds dated, it´s still very strong and a pleasure to listen to. The main tilte theme finds the prefect balance between creepy and tender, a balance that Goldsmith is a master at achieving. This is, overall, one of Goldsmith´s subtler works, well worth hearing whether you´ve seen the movie or not!

Tracklisting:

1. Main Title - A Patch of Blue
2. The Park
3. Stringin´Beads
4. Pineapple Juice & Discovery
5. Ol`Pa, Help Me!
6. Just the Radio
7. Waiting
8. Friends
9. Grandmom´s Music Box
10. I walked myself
11. Finale - Love, The Equalizer

(Original Vinyl Rip)

Enjoy it!!!

The Silhouettes - Conversations with ... (1969)

Damn nice ... read what DUSTY GROOVES has to say about that fine piece of music:

A fantastic LP! The record was produced by funky sax genius Nathan Davis, and released on the same label as his first two U.S. albums after his return from Europe -- and it's a mad mad mix of breezy jazz and breakbeats! Break fans will looooove the cuts "Lunar Invasion" and "Fonky First", which both have a tight break sound, and combine fuzzy distorted vibes with guitar, for a very unique sound. Other tracks have a cool jazzy swingin' vibes sound, with female vocals, and kind of an LA Now Sound feel that's a bit like the Dave MacKay/Vicki Hamilton LPs from the late 60s, but with more of a jazz basis. Very very groovy stuff, and one of the freshest albums we've heard in a long time. With versions of "Norwegian Wood" and "Sally's Tomato", plus more good originals.

yeah, that´s right! enjoy that folks!

(original vinyl rip)

cheerz, Soulfinga

Harry Betts - The Fantastic Plastic Machine (1969)

Here it is folks ... fresh out of the fantastic plastic machine comes Harry Betts!

enjoy this funky ride ... cheerz!

Tracklisting:

1. "Theme from 'The Fantastic Plastic Machine'"
2. "Night Flight"
3. "Green-O"
4. "Day Groovin'"
5. "Straight Ahead"
6. "Rock Slide"
7. "McTavish"
8. "Nat's Theme"
9. "Outta Sight"
10. "Green Grotto"
11. "Long Reef"

Friends of Distinction - Grazin´ (1969)

Oh yes, this album is really a classic and a jewel amongst all good soul albums!

The Hiphop heads should recognize the samples f.e. in the beautiful and outstanding track "Going in circles" (used by the Soul Assassins for their Psycho Realm Album) and "And I Love Him", which is used by DJ Day for his fantastic song "Four Hills"!!!

For those who don´t know the band, check out the biography:

One of the most likeable and vocally cohesive singing groups of the late 60s and early 70s, the Friends of Distinction are too often forgotten in retrospectives of that era, but their music has continued to live on. Formed by Harry Elston, Floyd Butler, Jessica Cleaves and Barbara Love in 1968, the group had a relatively short life in its original incarnation, but made some of the most memorable pop/soul music of all time.

Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi's in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension -- both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s "hip" clothing -- though the Friends' music was generally more soulful.

The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.

Their first single, "Grazin' In the Grass," was a Elston-sung vocal remake of a Hugh Masekela instrumental cut, and hit the top 5 on both Pop and Soul charts in 1969. The group's follow-up, "Going In Circles," was a brilliant ballad that also charted high. Love took some time off to have a baby, and Charlene Gibson stepped in and sang lead on the group's third big hit, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely." She also sang on the wonderful album cut, "Crazy Mary."

The Friends were quite prolific from 1969-71, releasing 5 albums (a sixth appeared in 1973). They also released a number of great singles, including "Check It Out" (later remade by Tavares) and a terrific cover of Neil Sedaka's "Time Waits for No One." Their best cuts are excellently compiled in The Best of the Friends of Distinction, which was released in 1996.

As popular music changed in the mid-70s, the Friends' fortunes declined. A grueling touring schedule and the lack of a hit for several years led the group to call it quits in 1975. Elston and Butler continued to write and perform for a few years, then ultimately went their separate ways, taking jobs outside of music.

Over the next two decades, there was a rediscovery of the great music that the Friends had made together, and their biggest hits were remade by several artists, with "Going In Circles" charting for the Gap Band and Luther Vandross and "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" for pop artist Paul Davis. Most recently, "Grazin In the Grass" was released by Disney star Raven.

In 1990, Elston and Butler decided to bring the Friends back together. Tragically, Butler died (at Elston's side) before the group reunion could be realized. After Butler's death, Elston spent several years forming a new Friends group, ultimately bringing together Geno Henderson, Wendy Bruné and Berlando Drake to sing with Elston. That lineup currently tours and continues to entertain audiences nearly 40 years after the world first heard the Friends of Distinction.

Enjoy it!

Welcome, Ladies & Gentlemen!!!

For my first post i had to dug deep in my crates to offer you the great soundtrack to the Fred Williamson movie "Mean Johnny Barrows", composed and conducted by Gordon Staples & his String Thing! Fantastic album with some nice tracks for your ears, such as "Strung Out" (which appears 3x), "Get Down" and "I´m Back"!!! Blaxploitation music at it´s nearly best, so enjoy it folks!

cheerz, Soulfinga