Market Zero

What a loverly day in the neighbourhood. Markets were vibe’n the other day, everyone seemed to be in a good mood. There were more records than I could afford to buy.

First stop: Soundtracks galore.

The Big Chill.

Soo many good songs on this one. Have not seen the movie, but have heard and read good quotes taken from it. Such as this one.

Good Morning Vietnam.

Doesn’t hurt to have two copies of this.

Breakdance 2 Electric Boogaloo.

I image this is the equivalent to recent movies like ‘Step It Up’. I haven’t seen it, but just judging from the stills on the back, and the lyrical content, it’s about a girl from Beverly Hills who falls in love with a guy from the rough side of town. Then there's sexy dancin'. Side one is a bit scratchy but side two all good.

Second stop: ‘80s ‘80s ‘80s.

I’m sure the guy running this stall was Taika Waititi incognito. Like just grown a beard and mustache, wearing a beany and ruggedy cloths, But I was too focused on the records he had to take much notice. I know Taika is big on his 80s music. Hmm...

I did a lousy job deciding what to get. And one I really wanted, the guy felt he needed to take it home for another listen before parting with it, I can understand that. He said he might bring it back next week. Got these 12s:

General Public – Faults and All.

Yeah nahh. Sounds a little like Talking Heads, but only Talking Heads should sound like Talking Heads. Taken from the motion picture ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’. Crispy, you could’ve prevented me buying this garbage, surely! And same with the next…

M.C. Miker “G” & Deejay Sven – Celebration Rap

(I knew this was going to be bad, still I got it.) It’s tolerable, and their flow on the B-side track is actually kinda cool. This Dutch duo’s corny song made its way into this youtube sensation.

Suzy Q – Shake It Up Shake Your Body b/w Come Let’s Have A Party.

This one wasn’t disappointing. Released in 1982, this is probably at the tail end of the disco era. Again, the B-side is the better side, this one is super funky, but at 7’08 minutes, I gotta learn to beat mix.

This LP:

The Tremeloes – Even The Bad times Are Good, Silence Is Golden.

These guys rip it up. But all I really need from them is their song ‘Instant Whip’, which I still continue to hunt for a copy that is not scratched to bits. Some good numbers on here though, such as Cool Jerk, “give the drummer some!”

Annd these 7s:

Phyllis Nelson – I Like You.

This one has sentimental value. It’s pretty techno for 1985.

Millie Scott – Prisoner of Love b/w Prisoner of The Groove.

‘Prisoner of The Groove’ is a groovier instrumental of the A side, with added bongos and handclaps.

Full Force – Alice I Want You Just For Me.

I don’t know why I keep buying Full Force. Not only are they corny, but they know they are corny. So the jokes on me. This could make its way into a set or the sales bin. Will see.

Princes – I’ll keep On Loving You.

Interesting story behind this one and its New Zealand connection. I like the instrumental. I wonder what the story is behind the 1980s and its love of geometrics.

Klymaxx – I Miss You b/w Video Kid

I do have already this, but this copy isn’t as scratched up. Again the B-side kills it! I sing it all day long. And again, Solar magic.

Third stop: Haggle styles.

Buzzcocks – A Different Kind of Tension

Its a bit of alright. Thought someone else might appreciate it more, but apparently this one doesn’t have the good songs on it.

There you go. If i didn't buy this crappy lot, and food, i would've had enough to buy a bad ass looking ghetto blaster i saw there. maybe next time.

Top 20: 5 - 1

At RG the other day they had records for $1 each or 20 recs for $10. Seven I listened to before buying, the other 13 I picked at random to get the deal. I now have a whole stinking heap of 80s garbage. And the top 20 countdown concludes...

5. Sheena Easton – A Private Heaven.

“nations go to war over women like you”(from ‘Strut’) – Sometimes I do wonder how many wars are started just so some guy can get a nut. You might think its about oil, but oil = money and money = poosey. Some folks sign up for service to get them military base gate groupies, others to bed a bunch of virgins in heaven. Her song ‘Sugar Walls’ could easily be used to recruit new ‘members’ with lines like “lemme take you somewhere you’ve never been/ I could show you things you’ve never seen”. She’s gonna take em to A ‘Private’ Heaven (get it?). The rest of the lyrics are too porno to post here. Yvan eht nioj.

4. Steve Miller Band – The Joker.

(yes, it is the odd one out in this 20) Was surprised to see this for $1. I do already have it, and I’m now happy to have two copies. ‘Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma’ is soo killer! Been sampled a bunch by people and it’s not hard to see why. ‘Beat Rock’ was the term I coined for tracks just like that (or was it ‘Break Rock’? either ways it’s in my dictionary along with yonkafication and yonkafied). (tradable).

3. Shakatak – Night Birds.

“Here comes the Shaq-attack!” Inside the cover there is an order form for T-shirts and badges. One t-shirt just says “British Jazz Funk”. I’d say this album sits nicely with Dave Valentin (#6). What gives this one the edge to be at #3 though is its’ world of potential to make some of the smoothest cheesiest laid back brit jazz funk infused hip hop tracks ever! For the moment it’ll be used in the same way as Valentin in the set. In this group is Bill Sharpe, an 80s guy, who in every photo looks like a sweaty coke addict in a Hawaiian shirt. He Does some solo stuff too. I can imagine this is sitting in op-shops and bargain bins all across the UK. Here’s a taste: MMM YUM.

2. The Deele – Meterial Thangz.

I’ve mentioned Solar (Sound of Los Angeles Records) before on this blog. Well these guys are on that label. Reason enough to get it. Would love their first album, but this one, the second, less successful album is still great. Babyface really shines on this one, haha, I can’t believe I just wrote that. (Though Babyface is better than most these r’n’b dudes now days. Instead of singing about being sorry for cheating but will you still stay with me anyway, I’ll buy you shit. He sung about being faithful and doing the dishes after cooking a meal that was delicious). This album switches between smooth grooves and high tempo 80s funk. A proud addition to my Solar collection.

1. The Cool Notes – In Your Car (London mix).

I’d pay $10 just for this, maybe even more. The B-sides are just as good. 1985 gold right here.

So there you go. 19 shitty records and one good one haha. That’s the gamble though.
Got some OK stuff from the Market today, will post that up soon.

Top 20: 10 - 6

At RG the other day they had records for $1 each or 20 recs for $10. Seven I listened to before buying, the other 13 I picked at random to get the deal. I now have a whole stinking heap of 80s garbage. And the top 20 countdown continues…

10. Rick James – Cold Blooded.

Number 10 doesn't seem right, though it could potentially move with more listens. I’ll give it the house cleaning test. The song 'P.I.M.P the S.I.M.P' is a stand out. It turns Mary had a little lamb into Mary had a pimp. It features Grandmaster Flash, and by the looks of the sleeve notes it is based on the true story of Maryanne Fletcher who the song is dedicated to, 1960-1980 R.I.P. Also on the sleeve is an image of a triangle (as seen on the cover) within a circle which according to Rick James symbolises unity, love joy religion and planet earth among many other things. Dude was on a funky mission. MindHead

9. Stacy Q – Two of Hearts.

This song sold a whole bunch in 1985 and made it to #3 on the pop charts. It’s lucky to have made it to #9 on this chart. The sexy a capella on this is great, definitely ideal for DJ Sexy Dancin’ to get creative with (yes dj sexy dancin’ is me, and yeah it’s a 3rd person type thing).

8. The Jets – You Got It All.

Look at these youthful faces all smiling on the cover. Who even smiles on a cover now days? This is a family band of 8! (8 siblings of 17! Why would you not start a band). They are also part Tongan and full Mormons. This is a slow number with a weird pitch change half way through. The B-side has a medley of some of their other songs which is good times.

7. The Jets – Curiosity

The A side is real dirty, gonna need to wash this one. However the lyrical content relatively clean. Musically great, love the LL Cool J toms, and the B-side ‘Crush on You’ has such a great driving synth bass line. So upbeat and cheerful. The music matches the faces for sure.

6. Dave Valentin – Light Struck

From 1986, this goofy soft funk/jazz crossover flute album is perfect for my cheesy instrumental warm up to the more harder 80s stuff in my set. Lots of great moments in this album, and if I was looking to sample there’s magic to be found. Magic like a hovering flute.

The final 5 still to come! Ready to Roll!

Top 20: 15 - 11

At RG the other day they had records for $1 each or 20 recs for $10. Seven I listened to before buying, the other 13 I picked at random to get the deal. I now have a whole stinking heap of 80s garbage. And the top 20 countdown continues…

15. Atlantic Starr – Always.

Atlantic Starr are dope (always confused with Midnight Star, they dope to). I got this without listening to it. But, I should’ve checked the date. Usually 1987 is the cut-off date for what I’m after. All the grit and funk of their late 1970s beginnings and early 80s technological exploration has clearly worn off by the time of this release. The Line-up change and the ‘cross over’ attempt make this one record not so great. Still though, it’s Atlantic Starr!

14. Five Star – System Addict.

Meh. I like some 5 Star stuff. This one gets a generous 2 stars. Has some interesting musical moments on the B-side that remind me why I like this era of music. Head nodding enough to be a keeper.

13. Jesse Johnson – Crazay ft. Sly Stone

I have a Jesse Johnson 7” which I really like, so I thought this would also be good. Should’ve picked up the 12” of the song I already do have which I saw. Instead I got this one, which is, ok. Jesse Johnson is from the same Minneapolis camp as Morris Day and Prince, which explains the Look.

12. Total Contrast – Total Contrast.

Cheesy as. Their song ‘Takes A Little Time’ is on Chromeo’s mixtape ‘Un Joli Mix Pour Toi’. Both Duos are very similar in sound. This album has some good moments, but would rather a Chromeo LP than this anyday.

11. Eddie Floyd – Flashback.

Yeah you know him. But do you know him like this? I like this Eddie Floyd, a man with plenty of experience. Instead of writing songs about new love, he’s now writing songs about his partner who is addicted to watching television Soaps, and young girls he can only now stare at as they walk on by. This shit is as real as it gets.

Tune in next time as we move closer number 1!

Top 20: 20 - 16

At RG the other day they had records for $1 each or 20 recs for $10! Seven I listened to before buying, the other 13 I picked at random to get the deal. I now have a whole stinking heap of 80s garbage. And the top 20 countdown begins…

20. Slade – 7 Year Bitch.

I thought this was something else (Sade). I didn’t even turn it over to read the back. Funny though, a sticker was over the ‘7’, and it was then Yeeahh Bitch! Terrible terrible song. The B-side ‘We’ll Bring the House Down’ uses a similar chant to Usher’s ‘OMG’. How bout that. I like Usher’s better though. In the bin this one goes.

19. Loverboy – Hot girls in love.

With no picture cover on this one, I only had the info on the rec to go by (got this image from the net). “Loverboy” I thought it could be an r’n’b artist name. But “hot girls in love” I should’ve known it was hair metal. This only beats Slade because the mistake was honest not stupid. In the bin.

18. Glen White – TV Lover.

Someone put a rec with a letter (as appose to a ‘sale’ sticker) in the sales bin. Only discovered this at the counter, and the guy looked at me like I was trying to get one past him. I went back and got this one to replace it. Should’ve just paid the $6 for the non sale rec. Still, this one has some good messages like, don’t watch TV fatty, go out dancing and lose some weight, you might even get laid. True that! Apparently this was his “most popular song”, meaning, his only song.

17. Mai Tai – Body and Soul b/w The Rules of Love.

These three not very attractive ladies are from the Netherlands. However, what they lack in appearance is made up for in... No wait, this record is pretty garbage. The B-side is much better than the A, and is soo ripe for sampling. So will keep this for my man AYESHAYE (pronounced: aye shay)

16. Jaki Graham – Round and Around.

Would be great if this one had an instrumental. Some great synth work. Jaki was formally a singer in some bands with cool names like ‘Ferrari’ and ‘Medium Wave’. She was also a backup singer for UB40 and Jimmy Cliff. That is according to wiki. She has an active website, facebook and twitter account. Her latest tweet was:

my old boss bought a little black dog & said "guess what...we've called it Jaki after you"...he meant it as a compliment! Lol

(It’s funny because Jaki is little).

Next 5 tomorrow.

80s Garbage!

I have been hooked into the sound of the 80s.

A couple of months ago I found a gold vain of records running through a mountain of Richard Clayderman, James Last, Nina Scacooshki and Kamahl. It was 80s gold! Jheri curl funk, 80s hip hop etc..
I’ve often sneezed on the 80s steez, writing the whole decade off as a jo

ke. But when brining these records home and playing them, my eyes were opened and I saw the light. The instrumentation is insanely cool. So many well placed subtleties, slappin bass lines, riffin synths and electric drums. Why could I not hear this before! I’ve liked Prince since I was a kid. But I had little idea there were so many other artists out there doing a similar thing. The energy of the 80s is infectious!

Now I am working on a very special 80s set to DJ. Not to be like “hey look it’s an ironic 80s party, laugh it up!” oh no (well a few chuckles, because the 80s was about having fun), but more for the value of the music.

I have DJ’d other genres, namely soul and rippin’ rock’n’roll. I still love these genres and will continue to DJ them, but man, you don’t find soul in the record bins no more, unlike that 80s garbage.

This was one of the five 45s I picked up at the D.O.C fair. The seller sung a part of it for me and laughed as I walked away. This group apparently was put together by Prince. Great song and a cool ass B side.

Bonnerrific!

Check out a video here

Also, I’ve been thinking of a suitable DJ name for when I bust out this set. So far I’m thinking Sexy Dancin’ or DJ Ayeshay (it’s also my 80s singing alias, made a name logo and everything). I'm open to suggestions or votes.

-Sexy Dancin’

-M