Preston Love

Feelin' some home cookin' tonight so here's some funk straight from my home state. Preston Love's Omaha BAR-B-Q is 9 tracks of pure instrumental funk to satisfy any furl's taste buds. Love was raised in North Omaha before moving to LA and recording this rare album on Kent with Shuggie Otis in '69. He went on to be the west coast bandleader and saxophone session musician for Motown Records recording with everyone from the Temptations to the Four Tops. You can't talk about Nebraska music unless you're speaking of Mr. Love. This is by far one of my favorite album covers and tracklists of all time. Here's the tracklist, album and the groove "Cool Ade" for a feeler.

1. Chicken Gumbo
2. Chili Mac
3. Cream Dream
4. Neck Bones
5. Cool Ade
6. Omaha Bar-B-Que
7. Hoe Cakes And Sorghum
8. Shuggie's Chittlin' Blues (Shuggie's Boogie)
9. Pot Likker


Omaha B-B-Q

Ramsey Lewis

Posting an old classic since I haven't in a long time. This one never strays to far from me, a perfect sunny day listen you can let ride all the way through. For anyone who hasn't heard Ramsey, check out his vast catalog- he's a pioneer and has made a long career in stretching the possibilities within jazz piano. This record is one of my favorites along with Sun Goddess, Mother Nature's Son from '68 is an all instrumental reworking of select tracks off the Beatles' White Album. He collaborated with famous Cadet/Chess producer/composer Charles Stepney to create a truly amazing record full of both acoustic and electric piano, great funky drum beats and original arrangements. You will recognize every track whether you're a Beatles fan or not, then let these two take you on a ride that keeps steam the whole way through the album. Here's the feeler "Rocky Raccoon" below followed by the rest of the album...

Mother Nature's Son

Attila

It's been a while since I've posted some novelty tomfoolery, so prepare for the 1970 debut self-titled album by Attila- the two-piece band of Jon Small and Billy Joel. Yes, that's right, the "Piano Man" and "We Didn't Start The Fire" Billy Joel. It's hard to imagine and almost comforting to know that Billy wasn't always completely lame, that is to say if you like ridiculous Hammond B3 organ trading with heavy drums and psychedelic riffs. Billy has labeled this album "Psychedelic Bullshit" which has only intensified my love for it, apparently he has tried to stop all production of the album and deny it's existence. This upsets me considering this the best work he has ever done- by far. The story gets even better, Attila broke up because Billy ran off with Small's wife. So even if Billy wants to run from his roots of being as I like to call him the "psychedelic butcher," (what the fuck is up with the meat all over the album cover?) don't be afraid to listen to this little sordid piece of rock history. By the way, it's pretty fucking good all things considered. Highlights include "Brain Invasion" and "Wonder Woman." Enjoy...
Only The Good Die Young

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

Dorothy Ashby

While we're on the instrumental tip, here's the smooth harpist Dorothy Ashby with Afro-Harping from '68. Get some class and relax to this...
Soul Vibrations

Gil-Scott Heron

The legendary poet, jazz-funk-soul pioneer Gil-Scott Heron is in Portland tonight for a gig at the Aladdin. Gil just released his new album I'm New Here a couple months back, firm evidence that he's still tapping into the social consciousness of the streets and himself. The first time I heard this shit it blew my mind, check out the video for his new track "Me And The Devil" here. Words can't describe the passion and influence Gil has produced in his music over the years, so I'm giving a couple of albums and tracks for your ears. Here's the full album Pieces of A Man from '71 along with his classics "The Bottle" and "Winter In America" with Brian Jackson on flute. Next is his new album I'm New Here. Enjoy.
Pieces of a Man
I'm New Here

Donald Byrd

Donald Byrd started as a hard-bop trumpeter most known for his Blue Note releases in the 50s and 60s. They are all great melodic jazz albums to say the least, in the 70s he transitioned into jazz-funk fusion and released this album Places and Spaces in '75 along with Stepping Into Tommorrow the same year. His transition apparently offended jazz purists, and was heralded by everyone else. His first crossover album Black Byrd from '72 became Blue Note's top selling album of all time. Of course this is also the man behind the Blackbyrds which I posted a couple weeks back. This still remains my favorite full album by Byrd, and he has many to choose from. No fillers here, check out "(Fallin' Like)Dominoes," the best bones playin' summer track of all time. If you dig let me know, I'll post more of his albums.
http://www.mediafire.com/?xngtzdhwmgw

The Blackbyrds

"Rock Creek Park" by the Blackbyrds. The f-in' jam!

Junior Mance

Pianist Junior Mance from '66 titled "I Believe to My Soul." Smooth out to this.
http://www.mediafire.com/?uzzzonwclyt