The Masters Apprentices

Australia's The Masters Apprentices self-titled debut from '67. These Aussies made some great tunes early in their career, becoming one of Australia's most popular bands of the 60's. Songwriter Mick Bower coupled with singer Jim Keays flourished with their blend of gritty British influenced R&B and melodic rhythms before Bower left the band in late '67 following an apparent nervous breakdown. The band made a couple more decent albums and then traveled to England channeling a more progressive sound before disbanding in '72. This album is a mix of good covers and originals all produced by Bower such as "Undecided," "War Or Hands Of Time," and "But One Day." Enjoy...
Buried And Dead

Crunk Junk Vol. 2

Finally fixed the Crunk Junk Vol.2 Upload for all you fiends, so it should now work. It's re-posted in its original place. Let me know if it doesn't work... Get Hyphy.

Ike & Tina Turner

Y'all ain't ready for this... "Contact High"

Hipbone Slim & The Knee Tremblers

It's comforting to know that good R'n'R is still being produced somewhere considering the current state of affairs here in the States. These British cats headed by Hipbone Slim a.k.a Sir Bald Diddley are the answer to all of your lack of good garage, trash, surf, and pure vintage R'n'R that you've been missing in your life lately. Members of The Knee Tremblers have been in or are still recording with bands such as the Masonics, Headcoats, Holly Golightly, and the Milkshakes- pretty much all my favorite shit coming out of Britain right now. Here's their third album The Sheik Said Shake from '08, a killer party album chalked full of primitive rock. "Bury The Hatchet" sounds like it came from Link Wray himself, enjoy...
Brand New Head

Arthur Verocai

Finally getting around to posting this gem, I picked it up a couple years back and didn't give it much of a listen until recently. Now I can't stop listening to this unique Brazilian masterpiece. Composer, producer, and guitar player Arthur Verocai's one and only self-titled album from '72 plays like a 70's film soundtrack capturing funk, jazz, psychedelic, and organic electronic styling within its ten tracks. As I began researching more about Verocai, I came to realize he arranged one of my favorite Brazilian bands O Terco's first album and played a major part in the development of Brazilian music. Then, to no suprise, super crate digger Egon of Stones Throw wrote a piece about Verocai on NPR Music which can be read here. The tracks "Presente Grego" and "Na Boca do Sol" are definite standouts, but the track "Caboclo" is my personal favorite- the smooth organic psychedelic synths capture me every time I hear it. This album comes to you in perfect time for summer, play this while your outside on the porch lampin', a definite must have. Enjoy...
Brazil

Crunk Junk Vol. 3

Vol. 3 is finally here, "What They Goin' Do?" Shit. Thanks to Teddy for contributing, pop some bottles...
The Weedman

J Dilla

J Dilla's timeless classic Donuts from '06- I remember when I first picked this up and it didn't leave my stereo for about 6 months- seriously. Arguably the best hip-hop producer ever, Dilla made this album while basically on his death bed between dialysis treatments. He passed away 3 days after this release at the age of 32. R.I.P. Jay Dee...
Donuts

Madlib's "Meltdown"

Now that I've had time to decompress and articulate probably the worst DJ performance I've ever seen, I've got one question: Who fed Madlib mushrooms before his set? The enigmatic producer, MC, audiophile and supposed DJ who has given us an endless collection of dope beats probably as deep as his heralded record collection lost it on stage in Portland the other night. He had to have been high as a Georgia Pine, considering his set went completely silent for at least 5 minutes half-way through as he turned his back on the sold out crowd when he was fumbling through his records. It was awkward to say the least, it was so quiet in the Someday Lounge you could hear a rat pissing on cotton. As he attempted to come back to reality he did play a couple new tracks from his new Madvillian project that sounded dope, but then he would denounce the shit to the crowd stating: "I hate this shit, I'm never, ever, ever, putting this shit out." Witnessing someone this high on stage was well worth the price of admission, and trust me I've seen people really fucked up on stage- but nothing like this. By the time Clark and I were leaving we were laughing so hard I almost shit, this was when we labeled it the "Madlib Meltdown." This meltdown only heightened my love for Madlib, I caught a glimpse of his eccentric style that produces some of the best shit in hip-hop and beyond. We're going to take it back with one of his finest works Shades of Blue:Madlib Invades Blue Note that is essential listening if you've never heard it. He was given the key to the best jazz label's master tracks to make beats, and does he ever. His latest project to release 12 albums in 12 months started in January, his third installment Medicine Show No. 3: The Beat Konducta In Africa which dropped in March is an instant classic. I'll be posting it soon. Enjoy...
Steeping Into Tomorrow

Psych Funk 101

Stones Throw does it again with this compilation of funky fuzzy psychedelic tracks from '68 to '75 hailing from Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, Russia and South Korea. This one is essential...
Respect

Ferlin Husky

Just discovered this old country legend Ferlin Husky and his hit "Wings Of A Dove," was so excited I just had to post it for the wifey who turned 30 today. It's not a bad track to say the least, but with a name like Ferlin you just can't go wrong...
Happy Birthday Furl!

Bobby Franklin's Insanity

Recently found this soul burner "Bring It On Down To Me" by Bobby Franklin's Insanity, adding to a couple other tracks I have by these mysterious furls. Apparently they only released a string of 45's back in the day. Nonetheless, they bring the ice cold heat with this track and another track "Don't lose What You Got(Tryin To Get Back What You Had)" which I'm posting also. Check out the fuzzy guitar with that nasty beat, hot shit!

Silky

Finally found this album in the archives, knew I had it somewhere. This album brought Andre back to life- It's a blues-punk album with a few touches of R&B and even country. Have fun with this one...
Only Black Man in South Dakota

Andre Williams

Here's an early obscure track by "Mr. Rhythm" Andre Williams from the 60's titled "You Got It And I Want It." His opening line "Mother nature was good to you baby" and the driving dance beat makes this track timeless. For those who haven't heard of Dre, get some info here. He's still doin' it after all these years putting out a couple albums on In The Red Records including Silky, and recently released the album That's All I Need on Bloodshot Records. Very few slick nasty mutha fuckas like Dre still around, so if you get a chance to see him- I suggest you do.

Dancehall Mix Vol. 1

Here's a mix of mostly Dancehall classics and underground cuts. Everything from old toasting to new Dancehall joints, this mix is a listen into some of the best sounds and riddims to come out of Jamaica. Here's the playlist:

Loch Ness Monster- King Horror
Brimstone and Fire- Niney the Observer
Stopper- Cutty Ranks
I'll Make Ya- Major Lazer
The Right Man- Frisco Kid
Slew Dem- Capleton
Sweet To The Belly- Vybz Kartel
Here I Come- Barrington Levy
Jumping Master/ Master Mind- Mikey Dread
Champion- Buju Banton
When I'm down- Alton Ellis
Test The High Power- Ninjaman
Skylarking- Horace Andy
Cool Operator- Pat Kelly
Chase Vampire- Sancho
Park Up The Hearse- Merciless
Sucky Ducky- Mr Vegas
M-16- Lone Ranger
Bam Bam- Sister Nancy
Golden Hen- Tenor Saw
Now Or Never- Daddy Freddy
Gun In A Baggy- Little Lenny
Bone Connection- Nicodemus
Diseases- Papa Michigan & General Smiley
Under Me Sleng Teng- Wayne Smith
Morning Ride- Yellowman

Bam Bam

Big Boi/Eddy Grant

If you've been following this blog since it's inception, it is probably hard to believe I listen to much music made after '90. The truth is I do listen to a bunch of newer shit, but probably not as much as I do older cuts. To prove this, here's the latest single "Shutterbug" that leaked off Big Boi of Outkast's new solo album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty which is supposed to drop in July. The track has an original futuristic beat fused with a 80's synth sound that caters to both conscious hip-hop and crunk fans alike. The track is firm evidence Big Boi is still all gas and no brakes with his production and rhyming skills. I'm also throwing in an underground disco joint Dick Clark just sent me by Eddy Grant titled "Time Warp," the B-side to "Electric Avenue" from '82. Thanks Clark, now where my mix at? Shake to these and enjoy...

Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II developed out of a political artist commune in Germany during the 60's becoming one of the founding creators of the experimental Krautrock sound. This band was in the same radical commune as the founders of the Baader-Meinhof Group, but the members of the band did not agree with their violent political agenda. There's an interesting film made about the group titled The Baader-Meinhof Complex, get more info here. Here's in my opinion their best album, Yeti from '70. The crazy improvisations and progressive sounds within this album put them with Can as the two most important Krautrock bands. "Archangels Thunderbird" is my favorite track off the album- check out these primal, visceral psychedelic sounds and let me know what you think.
Yeti

The Barbarians/Nashville Teens

Here's a couple garage tracks that I've been listening to repeatedly recently, one from the Barbarians titled "Hey Little Bird" and "Last Minute" by the Nashville Teens. The Barbarians hail from Cape Cod and are unfortunately best known for their novelty track "Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl" from '65. "Hey Little Bird" was released on 45 in '64, it has a nasty opening guitar sound that rips. Next is a infectious tune by London's the Nashville Teens. I'm not a huge fan of the Teens, most of their music is on the softer garage pop side- but this track is really addictive. They are mostly known for their hit "Tobacco Road" from '64 that you would probably recognize, it got to #14 on the Billboard charts. Hope you dig, got another mix dropping soon...