I know we have copies of your other cd, but yeah we could take another one for CFBG’s. 

Today is a big day for me.  It’s the first time I’ve truly been published!  Check out iCrates Magazine to see my piece on Hugh Masekela’s 1968 S/T album.  iCrates is an amazing international (based out of Berlin) on-line magazine dedicated to all things great about vinyl.  This is the first of what will hopefully be monthly pieces I’ll be writing.  Each month the magazine focuses on a particular topic that has directly been addressed in the history of records.  This month it was Resistance Music and next month it’s the Vocal Issue.  Thanks iCrates for the opportunity and putting me on the front page today!

Artist: The Jimmy Castor Bunch

Album: “It’s Just Begun”

Year of Release: 1972

Label: RCA

I Bought This Record From: Jerome @ North Plaza Flea Market

Come Hear this Record Live @ CFBG’s Record/Art Co-Op on Saturday, February 11^th @ 8 pm in preparation for the J Dilla Lounge Show

- This review is way overdue.  Funk Legend Jimmy Castor died on Monday, January 16^th at the age of 71.  If Jimmy never did anything else in his entire career he would’ve become an undeniable funk essential with this album alone.  The album was organized as a concept album about the pre-creation of the human race.  The opening prologue leads into the soaring aggressive horn line and bass that leads into one of the greatest b-boy anthems of all time.  One only need to watch the most influential moment in hip hop history.  When this song was used as the diegetic background for the famed Flashdance breakdance scene it skyrocketed hip hop into the mainstream, especially b boy culture.  I could listen to this song over and over again, but it would do injustice to the rest of the albums progression; which includes the always ridiculously fun “Troglodyte Cave Man,” and a spaced out psych guitar instrumental, “Psyche.”  And oh yeah this is just the first side.  Side B keeps the masterpiece vibe going with “Life, Truth, Death,” and then the funk to the bone, “Bad.”  You can hear “Bad” in the post I did below.  Hear the shout out he gives to the Jackson 5.  There are few things that can be called Funk Masterpieces.  This is one of them.  

R.I.P Jimmy Castor, Etta James, Don Cornelius

Jimmy Castor Bunch “Bad”

Artist: Gong

Album: You

Year of Release: 1974

Label: Virgin

I Bought This Record From: Pawn Shop, Randleman 

Come Hear this Record live at CFBG’s Record/Art Co-Op on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 beginning @ 6pm. 

- At first listen to Gong I sort of lost interest as I thought it was random prog noodling and aimless 70’s new age art rock, and apparently I’m not the only one.  When I popped it on the second side and truly listened to the closing track “You Never Blow YR Trip Forever,” I soon changed my opinion about Gong.  One of the main reasons being that one of my favorite producers of all time, Madlib, sampled a really spaced out part of the song as you can hear from who sampled who.  I’ve always loved that sample in the Quasimoto song so I spun my head around when I heard the original source.  I also gained some more interest in this group when I discovered that Gong was a project started by ex Soft Machine guitarist, Daevid Allen, and his wife in Australia.  Madlib also samples them in other songs, so I’m officially a Gong fan. 

Artist: Chico Hamilton 

Album: “The Dealer” 

Year of Release: 1966

Label: Impulse

I Bought This Record From: Fall 2011 Carrboro Record Fair

Come Hear This Record Live at CFBG’s Record Co-Op (930 S. Chapman Street) on Wednesday, February 1st @ 6 pm

- I first came across this record about five years ago when I was in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The guy wanted $12 for it and I just couldn’t talk myself into it, but I regretted not picking it up. So when I saw it at the Carrboro Record fair I knew it was fate.  The album is very important for a number of reasons.  A lot of folks praise it because it was the introduction of jazz guitar virtuoso Larry Coryell.  It also features Archie Shepp playing piano on the second track, “For Mods Only.”  In my opinion side one just sort of acts as lounge jazz, nothing special.  Side two however delivers with Coryell showcasing his guitar skills on “Larry of Arabia,” bass player Richard Davis’ smooth bass solo on “Thoughts” (Richard shines throughout the album), and finally there is the snappy free for all “Jim Jeannie.”  You can read more and hear some of this from this Icrates review.  I will actually be posting an article I did for Icrates in the next couple of days.  Great on-line magazine based out of Berlin. 

This Saturday, January 28th

CFBG’s Record/Art Co-Op Grand Opening 

@ CFBG’s (930 S. Chapman Street)

11 am - 9 pm 

- This is it!  The Official Grand Opening Event for CFBG’s Records.  We’ll have hundreds of new records from labels like Dischord Records, Stones Throw Records, Numero Group, Fat Beats, Drag City Records, Matador Records, Merge Records, Secretly Canadian, K Records, Kill Rock Stars, BBE, Strut Records, and more.  

There will be live DJ’s spinning records all day long.  We’ll have record specials and other surprises throughout the day.  

Also there is a Record Show down the road in Burlington, NC from 10 am until 4pm at the Ramada Inn Convention Center (2703 Ramada Road).  So it will be an amazing day for records in the area.  

- Sorry for the lack of recent blog posts.  I’ve been busy preparing for the grand opening.  Plenty of good posts to come after Saturday.  

Artist: Gotham 

Album: “Pass the Butter” 

Year of Release: 1972

Label: Natural Resources

I Bought This Record From: Dynasty Furniture & Antiques, Winston

Come Hear This Record Live at CFBG’s Record/Art Co-Op (930 S. Chapman St) on Wednesday, January 11th @ 5pm  

- I would really like for someone to tell me what is going on with this cover.  As far as I can tell it is two things of pancakes getting it on with him on top?  The cover did get my attention, but when I flipped it and saw the diverse group I thought it might be decent.  Then when taking the record out I discovered that the label, Natural Resources was a subsidiary of Motown Records I got really excited.  I then thought that this would be some funk rock a la Rare Earth, and I was right.  Gotham is full of hard horns, funky guitar lines, and power rock singing.  The other bands that the members in the group have been in is also impressive with groups like James Brown, Bo Diddley, Blues Magoos, Ten Wheel Drive, and Edwin Birdsong.  The album is full of breaks as heard on tracks, “Use it or Lose It,” and “Gettin’ High.”  Another highlight comes from “They Made Me an Outlaw” which is a slow acoustic number in where the singer almost sounds like Robert Plant.  You can hear the first few tracks on the link above.  ”Pass the Butter” and get ready for things to taste better.  

Game Night @ The Blind Tiger

Starting, Monday January 9th

w/ DJ Bonzani & Fun Games Galore!

- Yes starting this Monday the Blind Tiger (1819 Spring Garden Street) will be hosting a weekly game night!  There will be ping pong, Cornhole, and board games from the 1960’s through the 1990’s.  Admission is free, $1 off all drinks, and yours truly on the wheels.  I’ll be spinning background music while you get the game of your choice on!  This is taking place every Monday night from now until. 

Artist: Ernest Tubb 

Album: Blue Christmas

Year of Release: 1964

Label: Decca Records

I Bought This Record From: A guy I met in Buchanan, VA 

Not Actually Playing This Record at CFBG’s, due to its sadness 

- Actually just going to do a quick review of this rather common country christmas album.  I won’t be playing this record live at CFBG’s because it’s more for putting tears in your personal beers than sharing it with others.  Don’t worry I’ll have some stuff for next week to listen to at the store.  Check out the store website though to see all the new things coming in on a daily basis.  I am reviewing this record as a wrap up to the Christmas season.  I had a conversation with my 10 & 12 year old nephews in where I revealed to them that many people actually have a miserable christmas season.  They thought it was all about celebrating and sharing yule tide.  Instead I informed them that it’s a period of deep depression for some and an album like this sums that up.  Again the titles alone decipher this sadness such as; “Lonely Christmas,” “I’m Trimming my Christmas Tree with Teardrops,” and of course, “Blue Christmas.”  I’m happy to say that Christmas 2011 was a rather pleasant one for me, but I know if can be a rough time for many and this record is for you.