I Can't Get No Higher [1972]

Grabbed this UK compilation back when it dropped in 2000 and, well, as a whole it's a well-rounded listen, but nothing that'll blow your mind. Still, good on Sanctuary Records to compile some choice soul, funk and jazz classics from groups like Black Ivory, Fatback Band, Dizzy Gillespie, Shirley Horn -- including THIS absolute massive gem "I Can't Get No Higher" by The Eight Minutes.

The Eight Minutes released their 1972 album 'An American Family' [Perception Records] with this track on it but never released another album after that. If you can find the album, it's worth paying $50 - $100+ just for this track alone.

The Eight Minutes - "I Can't Get No Higher"

Jammin Big Guitar [1981]

What? It's Friday already?! Man, this week's gone by too quick but hopefully this monster track comes at a good time to take you into the weekend just fine.

Without hesitation, you should pick up any Vaughan Mason jams if possible like the classic "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" (both parts), "Party On the Corner" and his gems with the classic house ensemble Raze.


Vaughan Mason - "Jammin Big Guitar"

Toh-Sui [1999]

Back in the day, in my early 20s, I worked at a well-known large-chain-of-a-music-shop in Toronto where I spent most of my paychecks ordering in rare releases, and whatever was clever, from all kinds of genres.

That was 1999, the time DJ Krush dropped this superb collab' album with Japanese jazz horn player Toshinori Kondo [Instinct Records] (check out 'Artless Sky' if you can find it - I may post soon). (See also the work with jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan from 1994.)

Krush's formula was pretty well established by this time - ambient beats, trip-hop gems, abstract hip hop - but "Toh-Sui" kicks off the album with a nice 4/4 beat while Kondo showcases his ability to improvise all over the track. Very, very nice. Then, the album steps into a dark, downtempo, ambient and very compelling vibe with Krush's mastery on the decks as Kondo's takes you through a gamut of possibilities with his attack and style.

Another album for your lists.

*For those of you in Toronto - DJ Krush is playing tonight at Wrongbar.*


DJ Krush & Toshinori Kondo - "Toh-Sui"

Instrumental Thursday: Back Like That [2006]

Smooth Willie Hutch sample all over this track from Ghostdini's '06 Def Jam release 'Fishscale'.

This is off the "Back Like That" 12" that was released that same year.


Ghostface Killah - "Back Like That"

Social Media Week @ WVRST [February 16, 2012]

Tomorrow night at WVRST (609 King St. W.) -- I'll be manning the decks for Social Media Week making sure that them guests get down on it while they blog and tweet over suds and sausages.

Right on with the right on.


Ray Barreto - "Right On (Whiskey Barons Edit)"

Evil Vibrations [1978]

Here's a record that's stood the test of time and, lucky for us, it's been reissued on Luv N' Haight Recordings, a rare-groove and reissue label. ['Help Us Spread The Message' was originally released on Sun Glo Records Inc. in '78.]

Cut 4 on the A side is probably the most well-known track from the eight member Mighty Ryeders bunch, posted here, plus I've added a special cover from L.A. band The Rebirth that you might recognize at the 2:41 mark.

Here's portion taken from the liner notes of this album: "...tunes add superb spices to make you want to boogie down, dance in the streets, sing out aloud, or just lend an (listen) ear to their creative sound."

Get down. It's Saturday nite.


Mighty Ryeders - "Evil Vibrations"




The Rebirth - "Evil Vibrations (Saturday Mix)"

Stand Up (DJ Will-Rock Edit) [2011]

Another GAMM gem that dropped late last fall. Ludacris' vox over Idris Muhammad's drums definitely turns this mutha out.

Luda vs. Idris - "Stand Up (DJ Will-Rock edit)

Instrumental Thursday: Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park) [1994]

It's like that, y'all!


Nas - "Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park)"

Sweet Stuff [1976]

Super chill funk groove found on Sylvia's 1976 self-titled release on the Vibration label. Recently found out that Sylvia Robinson was the 'Sylvia' in the 50s RnB duo 'Mickey and Sylvia' famous for "I'm Going Home", "No Good Lover", and the ever-popular "Love Is Strange". (Oh, and she's the founder of the legendary early rap/hip hop label Sugar Hill Records -- Sadly, Sylvia passed away in September, 2011 from heart failure.)

Other highlights on this album is the sexy "You Sure Love To Ball" (penned by Marvin Gaye), "The Next Time I See You" and "Mr. Bartender".

I know it's not yet Valentine's Day, but you have a few days to grab this LP just in time for the 14th.


Sylvia - "Sweet Stuff"

R.I.P.

J Dilla [February 7, 1974 - February 10, 2006]

A Tribe Called Quest - "That Shit"




J Dilla - "The Last Donut of the Night"




And, Big Pun, rest in peace [November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000]

Big Pun - "You Came Up"

Barry Horowitz [2011]

Queens emcee Action Bronson telling it like it is with "Barry Horowitz" -- the legendary (?) WWF/E wrestler. This, from his second album 'Dr. Lecter', dropped back in summer 2011 via self-release (not on label) that features Action's fresh sense of humour and energy (and ramblings about food -- he's a Chef, too) to his rhymes.

And, yes, he does sound a lot like Ghostface Killah -- at first listen I thought it was Ghost. But it's not.

It's a Barry Horowitz rap, so pat yourselves on the back.


Action Bronson - "Barry Horowitz"

Give Me Love [1977]

One of Cerrone's real standouts from the early days of the space disco era. This tune has legs! Drop this in your set and watch the floor burn.

From his third album 'Cerrone 3 - Supernature' [Cotillion]. You could probably find this record at your local thrift shop for about a dollar, like I did.

1977 French/Euro disco at its best.


Cerrone - "Give Me Love"