Elvin Jones – Live at The Lighthouse (1972)
Elvin Jones cut a ton of records. I’ve picked a lot up but even if I wasn’t trying to catch ’em all I’d have bought this one. Look at the cover! It’s a rough matte sleeve. Very unusual for Blue Note. Flying fish and Elvin emerging from the sea within the gatefold. The record is high quality non-fusion 70s Jazz but not overly exciting. It’s his later Blue Note band with Gene Perla on bass and duelling saxes David Liebman (pre-Miles) and Steve Grossman (post-Miles).
The Isley Brothers – Who’s That Lady (1964)
The Isley Brothers had a huge international hit with “That Lady” in 1973 but they had tried and failed almost a decade earlier. The original version is a bossa rhythm and blues number that only hints at the bigger composition to come but I love this record. Comparing the two versions is as good a way of charting the musical impact of the 60s as you’re likely to hear, with the 64 version being a bit staid for it’s time but very sweet and the 73 version being an opulent funk epic with a rock guitar solo. The flip side is good too.
Swing & Sway the Bernard Brooks Way (1990s)
I’ve uh got a few of these. Mine go up to volume 19 which was released in 1994. Unbelievable. It’s sequenced organ music for old people dances. The music is terrible but the cutting and sticking to make the cover art is great. On volume 4 he’s missing some chunks out of his head and on 19 only some of his hair has made it to Brighton. Credit for the scissor work to Wyke Studios, Normandy, Guildford, Surrey, England. I should really take these back to a charity shop but I don’t have the heart. Do you think he was very tall or had a very short van?
I’ve just looked at his Discogs page and he was putting out records until at least 1997. Mindblowing. Defying time.
E.S.P. – It’s You (1986)
This is one of those classic mid 80s House records like “Your Love” that carries a strange sexual menace. The singing is almost creepy, it’s barely sung at all and the production is so so spare it sounds unfinished. I also love the Underground label’s very literal logo. It looks like the banner at the top of an 80s arcade cabinet. Can’t beat it. Thanks Chicago.
Tribesman – Finsbury Park (1979)
This is the only record I know of about my area. If you know of more FPK records please drop a comment. Will also accept Manor House and Stroud Green record recommendations. This is a late 70s Reggae 12″, it has a dub. It’s not my bag. The chorus is “Finsbury Park… don’t liven up until after dark” which is putting it nicely.
Teddy Vann – Adventures of Coloredman (1966)
This record sleeve is probably funnier than the actual record and “America’s Newest Super Hero!” was not a title Coloredman could have held for long in the Silver Age Of Comics but it’s still a keeper. It’s James Earl Jones narrating and the theme tune is pretty great. Someone has done an edit of it on youtube.
François Rabbath – Multi-Basse (1973)
Thought I’d start back up with one that’s just sublime music. Third way music? That kind of thing. I think old François thought he made classic bass violin music but I think everyone else would call it Jazz or thereabouts. All the records of his that I’ve heard are dynamite. A virtuoso bass player and composer, this record is percussion and Rabbath but he plays up to five bass parts per track. Another of those records that would make a great soundtrack to a film no one has made yet. Love this man.