Forgotten Treasure: Brother Resistance “Rapso Take Over” (1986)
I will never cease to be amazed at how many musical treasures elude us, despite our best (and near obsessive) efforts. I guess that’s what keep record diggers, DJ’s and labels going: the fact that there are still so many gems out there. Case in point, the good folks at Australia’s …
Forgotten Treasure: Joe Bataan “Singing Some Soul” (1972)
Joe Bataan, the Afro-filipino vocalist and self-proclaimed King of Latin Soul has released many classic records during an illustrious career that includes 15 albums covering a variety of musical stylings from Boogaloo (Subway Joe) to Disco-Rap (Rap-O-Clapo). However even if Bataan is famous for uptempo dancefloor hits (Latin Strut), I …
Forgotten Treasure: Five Stairsteps “Danger She’s a Stranger” (1967)
The Five Stairsteps were the original ‘First Family of Soul’ (before the J5) and literally grew up through the Chicago Soul tradition. Danger! She’s a Stranger features mature harmonies from a group of tweens and the song itself is a risky attempt at hovering between melancholic and joyful tones. The …
Forgotten Treasure: The Ahmad Jamal Trio “The Awakening” (1970) + Samples
Ahmad Jamal is without a doubt one of the last true jazz giants who is still active. Armed with his piano, the Pittsburg native delivered a legendary trio session at the beginning of the 70’s. After having produced close to 20 albums for Chess Records and sub-labels Argo and Cadet, …
Forgotten Treasure: Hudson People “Trip To Your Mind” (1979)
When I travel by myself for some DJ gigs, a quality playlist on the ipod is absolutely crucial. It seems that when you are absorbing a completely new landscape it gives songs you’ve heard a new meaning. So this one is dedicated to the beautiful car ride from Croatia to …
Forgotten Treasure: Lula Côrtes E Zé Ramalho “Paêbirú” (1975)
Paêbirú is an album by Brazilian artists Lula Côrtes and Zé Ramalho. The album was originally released in 1975 on Solar Records then reissued a few years ago on Mr. Bongo Records. It is one of the most sought after by collectors but also one of the most interesting records …
Forgotten Treasure: Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam & Full Force “I Wonder If I Take You Home” (1985)
I’ve been telling anyone who will listen that Latin Freestyle is due for a re-evaluation. With the sci-fi electro of Cybotron, Hashim and Man Parrish explicitly informing a lot of today’s most interesting dance music production—its wiggly synths and mechanized funk percussion creeping into the Night Slugs camp’s output, among …
Forgotten Treasure: Lizzy Mercier Descloux “Press Colour”
via Light in the Attic: “Lizzy Mercier Descloux brought an other worldly intrigue to NYC when she first came in 1975. With her European take on minimalism and funky grooves she helped make the no wave scene that much more fabulous, first with the Rosa Yemen 12” on ZE in …
Forgotten Treasure: Tony Brutus – Water Pistol (1982)
Here is a track meant to be enjoyed under the scorching sun of any big city in July or August. The kind of heat that makes short tempered, desperate people do bad things. But instead of putting Public Enemy in the tape deck and raising the tension, why not calm …