Mixed By: Flwrpt. Title: Three.hiphop. Year: 2008 Flwrpt Rating of this Mix: 5.0/5.0
The Message
A little something different here on the blog, hip hop.
It occurred to me that as much as I love real hip hop, I never really gave it any shine here on the blog. But that’s all about to change with this new mix, Three.hiphop.
All of the selections were pulled from within my golden era archives. A lot of the tracks, many of you have not heard in a whiiiiiiiiiiiiiile, some you’ve probably never heard at all, which is good, I want to bring that feeling back. Dope samples, b-Sides, remixes, rarities…this stuff NEVER gets old.
Enjoy.
Check out the sound!
Download Here: (Right-Click + Save As…) Three.hiphop.
Artist: Gwen McCrae Title: Rockin’ Chair Year: 1975 Label: Cat Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.0/5.0
Review
This is a strong LP by Gwen McCrae. She’s one of those women that just has authority on that mic, without question. I really like her delivery, and her lyrics as well…she truly has a southern swag like no other (her being from Florida and all).
If I had to label this LP, I’d say it’s a smoker’s album, get a bottle of Jack Daniels and a pack of cigarettes…THEN….only then, can one listen to this album (for the record, I don’t smoke…I just love good music LOL!). Anyway, one of the best tracks on this LP is “90% of Me Is You”, this is a track where she is singing about her vulnerable side, her committed side, and her dedication to her man. Great lyrics, but and even greater production side to this one. A dirty track (what I mean by dirty is that the instrumentation is RAW), if you will, but with one of the best killer grooves I have ever heard in my LIFE. I think you all will agree.
Check out the sound!
90% Of Me Is You
Rockin’ Chair
Design
The photographer captured Gwen McCrae, he captured the feeling of this LP, which is why I feel like photographically it’s a very strong cover. There is a strong sense of detail in the photo, notice the detail in her hair, the mic, her clothing…it’s subtle, but it’s there. Typographically, not so much, it’s bold, no doubt, but it’s not that visually appealing or feminine, and I get the sense that Gwen is a “girly-girl”, but with a tough side. Straight-forward cover, overall.
Artist: The Stylistics Title: Self-Titled Year: 1972 Label: AVCO Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.5/5.0
Review
This is the groups first release right here. They came straight out of the gate on a mission, a mission to make HIT after HIT after HIT! And that they did. Very strong debut effort that gives a little bit of everything, nice instrumentation and production, lyrics, and last but not least…the classic falsetto vocals provided by none other than lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr!
Like most soul albums of the time, this is a LOVE album, full of LOVE ballads. If you can dig ballads, then you’ll get into this LP.
Check out the sound!
Betcha By Golly Wow
You Are Everything
Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart
Design
One of my favorite covers ALL-TIME! Check out the composition, the headline, the foreshortening of the image, the strategic placement of each individual…notice that there’s no eye contact in this photo, which creates a certain level of drama. I love the foreground, middle ground and background approach taken by the photographer. This was an intentional move to make listeners aware of the importance of each individual member, the leaders are up front, the back ups are towards the back. Plain and simple.
Artist: The Rance Allen Group Title: A Soulful Experience Year: 1975 Label: Truth (Stax) Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.5/5.0
Review
Another powerful delivery by the Rance Allen Group. There are certain tracks on this LP that I like more than others by far, but overall it’s a nice album. Kirk Franklin has absolutely NOTHING on the Rance Allen Group, these guys fused youthful, soul-inspired music with gospel back in the 70’s. They were trying to reach people by creating gospel music that sounded like typical secular music of the time…but their message was primarily spiritual-focused. A Soulful Experience is just that, it’s an experience.
The song that makes this album a winner is “Talk That Talk”, basically the message is about people who talk about what their gonna do, yap yap yap, but NEVER follow through on what they’re talking about (we all know a few people like this). Don’t talk about it, BE about it. Rance Allen, as well as the rest of us real people, can’t get with those types of folks. PERIOD! He’s just keeping it extra real on that one.
Anyway, this is a good listen, so if you catch this in the crates, pick it up.
Check out the sound!
Talk That Talk
The Painter
Design
I’m not necessarily diggin’ the threshold application to the photography. It creates a major contrast that, quite honestly, does nothing to help the cover at all. The nicest touch to the cover is the red heart over Rance Allen’s chest. Otherwise this cover is very boring.
Karriem Riggins murders his set during a Stonesthrow tour this spring. He actually spun better records than Madlib this go-round. Which is TOUGH to do.
Artist: Blackbyrds Title: Cornbread, Earl & Me (Original Soundtrack) Year: 1975 Label: Fantasy Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.25/5.0
Review
I have had this record for a while now, but didn’t get deep into it until one night while watching the DVD (courtesy of Latia), I noticed that the movie had a pretty nice score! I told her, as we watched the film, “Bay I’ve got this record…but I don’t remember it sounding this good!”, I couldn’t wait to give it a second listen.
The second time around listening to the record, after seeing the movie obviously, I fell in love with it. Honestly, it’s a different sound for the Blackbyrds, a sound that I wasn’t expecting on my initial listen. But it’s great, it’s refreshing, and the vibe definitely fit with the feeling and the plot of the movie.
There is so much great material on this LP, I decided to post tons of clips! Enjoy…
PS: Go buy this movie, it’s really good! (For what it is). Also, this is Lawrence Fishburne’s first movie, he was like 12 years old or so. But whatever you do, don’t read the back of the cover like my girlfriend did, the back cover spoils the entire film, lol! (Plain ol’ bad descriptive writing)
Design
It’s a soundtrack cover, with no concept or theme…other than being urban. Not much to say here, it’s pretty generic. However, I DO like the frilly type on the cover. The photography is pretty bad though.
One of my favorite tracks, “Who Do You Love?” by Bernard Wright.
I dug the video up on YouTube just to share with you all. Be sure to notice the effects used in this video, and keep in mind that it was released in 1985. Great conceptual work and execution of this vid, to support this amazing single.
Artist: SINE Title: Happy is the Only Way Year: 1977 Label: Prelude Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.5/5.0
Review
In an attempt to bring the energy into your Friday, I decided to review and share another classic underground boogie record, produced by the great Patrick Adams. This time he uses the alias, SINE. Anybody who knows anything about Adams, knows that he brings the energy, the tracks that make you dance, and those signature synthesized weeeeeet-weeeeeeetz throughout his tracks. This album reminds me a lot of the Atmosphere Strut LP, but this LP tends to be a little more party oriented.
One of the things that draws me to Adams-produced records is his ability to create and release tension on the track. Just when you’re itching for a change-up, or for the chords to let you fly free…BOOM!…it happens, and your soul is at ease. It’s truly “feel-good” music. The track that I have selected to post for your listening pleasure is called “Mosquito Walk”, it definitely gives an example of his (Adams) versatility.
Check out the sound!
Mosquito Walk
Design
I love the font that’s used for “SINE”. However, the lockup of the name with the title is a bit weak and could be much stronger. Again, the subject chosen is a young black woman, who looks like she wants … (whoever is looking at the cover)! I think she knows what she wants, LOL. It’s a pretty soft-core shot, but pretty intense…something sexy about it though. I tell you what, these cover concepts were definitely created to sell more records, sex sells. Period.
Artist: Loose Ends Title: Look How Long Year: 1990 Label: MCA Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.0/5.0
Review
In my opinion, this is the BESTLoose Ends LP, ever! And original member Carl McIntosh completed this album all by himself. The drama? Well the other two members of the group (Jane Eugene and Steve Nichol) couldn’t get their ISH together, and had several creative differences with McIntosh and the group split. McIntosh kept the name Loose Ends, and proceeded to release 1990’s Look How Long, single-handed, with vocals from local talent that he scouted as the ideas for songs came to his mind. He produced, arranged, wrote, and coordinated this ENTIRE album. Now do you get the meaning of GRINDING?
McIntosh fused hip-hop breaks with synthesized sounds, and electric pianos to create this LP. I must add, the sound is light years ahead of its time and could survive in the soul/neo soul/r&b game TODAY. Period.
GO BUY THIS RECORD ASAP! That’s all I have to say…
Check out the sound!
Symptoms of Love
Don’t You Ever
Don’t Be A Fool
Design
As much as I love this album, the cover art sucks! The photography is bad, the typography is bad…the graphic elements are cheesy. The only props that I can give here is that the spacing is worked out quite nice, and I kinda dig the teal and gold color scheme. Sorry, but I had to be HARSH on this one.
Dear Mr. McIntosh, next time GRIND on the cover art, too!…
Artist: The Visitors Title: Neptune Year: 1972 Label: Cobblestone Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.0/5.0
Review The Visitors, from Philadelphia…representing on the alto and tenor saxaphone(s). They definitely have their own stlye, the way that the two brothers play off of one another is quite amazing. They write their own music as well, which is not bad…not necessarily my style in jazz, but it’s worth a listen. That said, the track that I’ve chosen to feature on the blog, was actually written by John Coltrane, a famous tune, “Naima”. What’s interesting about this is that Naima Coltrane is the first cousin to Earl and Carl Grubbs (The Visitors). So they did a cover of this classic material, and it’s nothing less than AMAZING.
Check out the sound!
Naima
Design
Bold and serious. A very cold feel to the cover, overall. But I like it, from the color palette, to the varsity lettering, and simple typographic treatment. The photography seems like nothing at first glance, but really take a second to examine it, there’s a nice abstract approach here. Some of the image has been removed as well, this was most likely a post-production technique…OR…maybe when the photographer was exposing the film, he/she (not credited) could have blocked out the walkway in the image. As I stated before, a minimal move, but it adds something that makes this not just another “photo cover”. Be sure to notice the hard contrasts and the deep shadows.
YES! A very strong alternative to iTunes. I had been checking Waxpoetics daily, waiting for their digital store to open. Well today my jaw dropped and my eyes lit up when I saw that it was live…24/7 access to rare material, the stock will be growing weekly.
I can’t thank Waxpoetics enough for taking this BIG step in online music retail, offering what other retailers don’t…HARD TO FIND VINYL in digital format.
Mixed By: Flwrpt. Title: Three. Year: 2008 Flwrpt Rating of this Mix: 5.0/5.0
The Message
As the third installment to my mix series, I present you with “Three”…
Upbeat grooves, some rare, some familiar, but regardless…I hope you can all relate to the vibe of the music.
Obviously I called the mix “Three” quite simply because it’s my THIRD mix, but also because it’s going to hold you all down this summer…THREE months, and there are THREE genres of music covered here, being soul, funk, and jazz. Enjoy.
—– TO YOU ALL
Viewers, I apologize for the maaajor lack of updates on the blog. Know that I am working on updates, new features, etc. I will be back soon…STRONG.
Artist: Al Jarreau Title: Look To The Rainbow (Live in Europe) Year: 1977 Label: Warner Brothers Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 5.0/5.0
Artist: Kool & The Gang Title: Light Of Worlds Year: 1974 Label: De-Lite Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.0/5.0
Review
This is a good record. I am not a huge fan of Kool & The Gang, honestly, but lately I’ve been picking up some of their earlier work (1970 through about 1974), and I really like the sound that they had before going commercial. Earlier on, the sound was raw, it was dirty, it was like basement funk or something, block-party funk. You can’t beat that! Light of Worlds, an easy find for those that are interested, it’s definitely worth a listen and a purchase.
Check out the sound!
The Fruitman
Summer Madness
Design
Totally different than most Kool & The Gang covers that I’m used to. This one is a little less intriguing, feels a bit mystic to me actually. It doesn’t evoke the feeling that the sound evokes. I can appreciate the dotted type treatment a little, but overall this cover is kind of dull…MINUS the pop colors of blue and red overprinted color.
Artist: Fred Wesley and the JB’s Title: Damn Right I Am Somebody Year: 1973 Label: People Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.0/5.0
Review
A gem! One of the best Fred Wesley and the JB’s records of all-time! Recorded during the same session as the famous James Brown LP, The Payback…Damn Right I Am Somebody is as funky and as soulful as they come. Expect that signature JB’s sound, Fred Wesley horns, and hard hitting guitars throughout. This is definitely a versatile piece, because they break the formula a bit, which makes the album memorable, and not just “another JB’s joint”. They offer different sounds with this record as well, which makes it that much more unique.
Check out the sound!
Damn Right I’m Somebody
You Sure Love To Ball
Blow Your Head
Design
This is a great cover! From the painting, to the type, down to the composition. It’s definitely telling a story, a story of strength and power to the people! Notice the chains on the young black male on the right, hmmm…I wonder what the JB’s could be symbolizing? I have an idea, that in some cases, the black man is being held down in society, starting from a young age…I’m almost positive that the JB’s were hinting at that. There is a ton of symbolism in this cover art, but I will let you as the viewer make your own interpretations. This was released during very political times in the African-American community, so the passion behind it was very strong I’m sure. Now…INTERPRET!
Artist: The Education of Sonny Carson (Soundtrack) Title: Self-titled Year: 1974 Label: Paramount Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 5.0/5.0
Review
An amazing blaxploitation soundtrack, that not many people are aware of. I think viewing the movie will definitely help identify with the music. The Education of Sonny Carson is a classic, I’m not going to give away the story, but it’s about Brooklyn NYC gangs in the 70’s, amongst other things. BUY IT!
Leon Ware lends his talents for lead vocals here, delivering a very strong performance. The sound is very gritty overall, very heartfelt in a sense (at times), but it gets across the feeling of storytelling, through sound. Simply by listening one can imagine what would be going on in the film at that point.
A rare piece of material, and a special one! Enjoy…
Check out the sound!
The Rumble
Exercise Run
The Robbery and The Chase
Girl, Girl, Girl
Where Do I Go From Here? (Sonny’s Theme)
Check out the vid!
Design
As much as I love the record, this cover is HIDEOUS! LOL! They spent ZERO money on creating it, obvious, right?…
Artist: Patrice Rushen Title: Straight From The Heart Year: 1982 Label: Elektra Format: LP (Original) Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.0/5.0
Review
This is the 80’s at its best, a definite classic. Patrice Rushen delivers a VERY solid lp here, bringing tracks that make the listener feel good, feel bad, dance, sing, etc. She leads all vocals, and plays keyboards and synthesizers. Straight From The Hrart, it’s truly an experience.
Check out the sound!
Where There Is Love
You Remind Me
Forget Me Nots
Design
The only thing I’m really feeling about this design is the grid on the back cover. What I do think is interesting, however, are the crazy beads in her hair, that musta took hours right? lol…
