UNIVERSE CITY - "Universe City" (Midland International 1976)

 

While I'm at it - here's another gem from the mid 70's for you. In the new millennium I was fortunate to see D'angelos premier "Voodoo" show at the Radio City Music Hall in N.Y. City. The Twin Towers were still reaching through the mist (when I was at ground zero) of the Manhattan skyline, and the hustle and the bustle of the Big Apple was just like it always had been prior the shock of 9/11. Record hunting in the Village one day lead me to Bleeker Bob's 118 W 3rd Street to find a minty fresh copy of this Jazzy Disco monster. "Can You Get Down With Me" is one of those tracks that will never stay out of any serious DJ bag for long - it's simply that strong a track. The 12" is super expensive these days, but I'll recommend tracking down the whole album at a more reasonable price as there are some more tunes for the serious collector. All basic tracks were recorded in N.Y. while strings, horns and mixing was done at Sigma Sound, Philadelphia. This is emerging as one of my all time favourite Disco records.

EDDIE RUSS - "See The Light" (Monument 1976)

 

I have to confess I've been in the Fusion/Jazz mood quite often lately which brings me into posting this classic. Again an album that's great throughout. Just take your pick! "Zaius" being the obvious choice here, my recommendation goes to the title track which is a combination of the intense and mellow. Starting out with an infectious groove that turns into a mellow delightful floater, a perfect example of what more to expect if you allow this jewel of a record to work it's way through your turntable at one point - an absolute classic! A perfect original copy shouldn't set you back more than about £20 - £30. Enjoy!

ALLSPICE - "Allspice" (At-Home 1977)

  

Ace Wayne Henderson production on a group put together on his own label At-Home, a subsidiary of Fantasy Records. Just can't believe they only managed to record one album. With high quality support from members of Pleasure, Side Effect and class studio musicians like Bobby Lyle it just couldn't go wrong. Superb blend of jazzy arrangements over some ultra soulful melodies delivered by the groups different members. A must have record that's going up in price as copies seem to dry up these days. I could have picked any of the 4 tracks on side A depending on the mood of the day. Just as a taste for you I'll go with the opener "Love Fire" since most people tend to mention the equally great " Destiny", "Slipped Away" or the gorgeous ballad "She's a Lady".

APERITIVOSOUL@BOLIVAR - New Sound System 9th March 2012

The Aperitivo Crew is in seventh heaven due to the new Martin Audio speakers and general improvement of sound with power amps and Allen&Heath mixer thanks to the expertise and guidance from Paal@Ljudia. Come and celebrate with us Friday March 9th and every Friday from 4PM 'till way past Midnight! In case you didn't know - we're @  Bolivar, Vibes gate 11B, Majorstua, Oslo, Norway.
New website coming soon : bolivar.no 

..... Musically, simply connecting the dots like Gilles Peterson would say .....

Make sure to catch one of the best atmospheres in Oslo!

Before any late night destination - Bolivar is were YOU should start! Aperitivo, Dinner, Coctails or just hangin' out - book your table @ +47 22467100

LOVE, PEACE & HAPPINESS - "Here 'Tis" (RCA 1972)

 

Just one out of several groups that are related to New Birth and producer Harvey Fuqua, formerly of The Moonglows. Ann Bogan, the female lead, and the Wilson brothers Melvin and Leslie released two albums under the name Love, Peace & Happiness in '71 & '72. Ann's vocals are wonderfully soulful in the tradition of Betty Wright and Patti Labelle. Her delivery on "Lonesome, Lonely & Alone", my choice track off their sophomore set, is from the Ultra Soul division. Ann Bogan, an amazing singer and once a Marvelette deserves far more recognition in my book. Enjoy!

STARPOINT - "It's So Delicious" (Elektra 1983)

Here's another trip down memory lane and a track that feels even better today - almost 30 years later! Yet another reason to reflect on how lucky you were if you - like me - were fortunate enough to discover this back in the day it was released. Unfortunately neither Renee Diggs nor Ernesto Phillips are with us anymore as they both passed away far to early around 2004/2005. But what we can appreciate at this very moment is the wonderful recordings they made under the guidance of producer Lionel Job. Their mid-paced ballads are something else and I've chosen "I Got The Love", which is 100 % goose bumps from first to last note. I had to play this twice at Bolivar last Friday - just couldn't get enough!

BOBBY GLOVER - "Bad Bobby Glover" (Columbia 1984)

Great memories as I've just dug this out of storage with a bunch of other fab records that seem to have matures like fine wine. I've always been a fan of the Zapp productions. Most people tend to think of them mainly for the funky floor fillers, but the soulful vibes that came out of the Troutman Sound Labs in Dayton, Ohio are unique in sound and production. "Happy" taken from Bobby Glover's only solo record is a classic in my book. In fact - the whole album is great - just grab it if you don't have it! If you thought the 80's lacked in quality, this will prove you're wrong. A timeless slab of soulful groove, and they just don't make 'em like this anymore. I played this in a bar on Friday and it felt just right.

APERITIVO SOUL@BOLIVAR - OSLO - NORWAY

When ever in Oslo, Norway, make sure to catch us @ Bolivar, the perfect place to wine & dine. Get the Aperitivo between 5pm - 7pm, hang out in the Bar area or enjoy a full dinner in the Restaurant - whatever your choice - we'll satisfy your Soul 'till way past Midnight every Friday.

Map to Bolivar: please click here
Situated just off Oslo's most famous shopping street, Bogstadveien, for a picture of the outside: go here

HARD COVER - "Do You Care (Like You Say You Do)" Shanty Town 7" Mid 80's

Late H-D-H production and a 2-step groove to die for with ultra soulful male/female duo lead.  What more can you ask for! Though not stated on the label, some say this came out in '87, my tip is '85 due to the number on the record. The production also seems to have kept the warmth of the early 80's rather than the prototype '87 sound. Never the less - this is pure quality from the former masters of Motown and Invictus productions - Holland-Dozier-Holland.

THE HARDEN BROTHERS - "Deep Inside Of You" (H.B. Productions 7" 1981)

Another one of those singles that will take you by storm from the very first time you here it. Infectious mellow groove , the bass line, the acoustic guitar - the whole lot! An essential purchase for us both last year and a real treat for years to come. The information on this brother combo is scarce, but I believe they hail from Dayton, Ohio and were connected to the group Dayton in the early years. The 7" runs at 331/3 and not the standard 45.

THE BRIEF ENCOUNTER - "Just A Little Notion" (Twenty-Seven 7" 1974)

We just can't live without The Brief Encounter, a stunning group out of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Not a poor recording in sight - just pure class from start to finish. The group could have received a lot more attention if Capitol records had decided there would be space for another super group in addition to Maze, unfortunately it didn't happen so. With their quality recordings no wonder the singles that only got limited pressing on the Capitol label are going up in price these days. Their first and lone album on Seventy Seven is virtually impossible to track down. Welcome reissues in Japan and the UK in 2011 finally made it available to a wider audience. One out of several other gems that only saw a 7" release is the outstanding ballad "Just A Little Notion" with the heavy drums and the soaring lead vocals - unbelievable class! If music were to be valued as an  art form equal to the greatest painters this single should be valued  like "Guernica" - if you get what I mean!

THE LOST GENERATION - "Your Mission (If You Decide To Accept It)" (i2 - Innovation II 7" 1974)

In the next couple of weeks posts will be based on records that we've both discovered through each other and mutual fascination for digging the crates. We've both made several compilations over the years, though never commercially released. Micke's first "Favorite Records" hit me right in the face with some of those odd singles that never made it on any albums. The Lost Generation is one of those super fine Chicago groups out there. They first came to recognition with the title track off the debut album "The Sly, Slick and the Wicked" in '1970 - a top 20 R & B hit at the time. Their sophomore set for the same label Brunswick was released in '72 called "Young, Tough and Terrible". Essential stuff for every collector. Lowrell Simon hit the sweet spot under his own name Lowrell with the perfect jam and club classic "Mellow, Mellow Right On" for the AVI label in '79. Apart from that he's been a co writer and producer with Eugene Record of the Chi-Lites. "Your Mission" is a deep, funky, mellow groove and totally unpolished slice of Chicago soul at it's peak - enjoy!