Gang of Four - Entertainment
A classic post punk album that still sounds relevant. I only ever had CDs and finally splurged on a vinyl copy. Gosh this is so good. Those bass lines. The lyrics. Chefs kiss. I felt like Gang of Four were so underrated. I sense they might be having a revival now.
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #gangoffour #postpunk
like this
like this
Soul Jazz - Disco Reggae Rockers
We were woken at 3am ish by a giant hailstorm so it's slow Sunday morning vibes here today. If you'd met me 10 years ago and said "hey listen to this reggae disco covers album it's really good" I would have passed. This album reminds me of being on holidays. Maybe to some this is a cheesy covers album but to me it's wicked and now one of my favourite go to records to pop on. The first disc is stronger imho.
#souljazz #disco #reggae #discoreggae #nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records
John Spithead likes this.
Jalen Ngonda - Come Around and Love Me
I sit here and type this with my new specs on and oof everything is so sharp.
I've been on a Daptone tip of late. I passed on this release when it came out and the Aust tour. I think I was looking for something faster and funkier then although I really enjoyed the 2024 single Anyone in Love. There was a period (it's still happening) where every coffee shop and store was saturated with smooth neo soul and new chill jazz sounds. It was all getting a bit nauseating. Anyway, it's bloody cold and raining outside and this is a beautiful Saturday morning album filling the house with the warm Daptone sounds. On initial listen I hadn't appreciated how diverse and rich his voice is. The album has a very Marvin Gaye / Motown sound - as demonstrated by the cover! It also put my cats to sleep.
#JalenNgonda #nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #daptone #soul
John Spithead likes this.
Joe Bataan - Mr. New York and the East Side Kids
How is the first of June already!?!
Recently I've been making my way through the Fania Records back catalogue. A gap in my music knowledge. I remembered this repress I bought years ago. What a great cover. I love the type face. I don't know why I haven't given this the attention it deserves over the years. Possibly because the opening track "My Opera" is a bold brilliant but soul crushing song about a brother taking the wrap for his sister's death over his parents for neglect and spending time in a mental health facility. How they thought that was a good album opener I do not know. My partner after hearing that track thought I'd picked a wild Sunday morning choice initially.
I'm glad I revisited it again. I would have played a second time if I wasn't going out.
John Spithead likes this.
John Spithead likes this.
John Spithead likes this.
Kneecap - Fine Art
When I had major surgery in 2021 I was on bed rest for several months. I went on a deep dive into Irish history whilst ploughed on pain meds. I had a basic understanding prior. I read Say Nothing (fantastic book) and watched a lot of YouTube documentaries. I fucked up my partners algorithm and they would yell down the hallway "I don't want to hear Thatcher's voice anymore". Good times.
So when I heard this last year I was keen and spent a lot of time listening to it in the car when our train line was out of order. I wasn't sure if it'd work on vinyl but it does. I don't need to say much more cos there's a lot about the band and this album already at the moment. But go watch the movie cos it was way better then I anticipated.
John Spithead likes this.
John Spithead likes this.
John Spithead likes this.
Swamp Dogg - Rat On
Continuing the rat theme unintentionally.
I only know two people who like Swamp Dogg and they both have impeccable music taste. After a night out my friend was spinning records in their dining area and showed me this - "you haven't heard of Swamp Dogg" they exclaimed. They chucked this on. Loved it. I Kissed Your Face still gets me. And the clarinet in that is next level. I thought this album cover was hilarious. I still do. This album is still politically on point.
A good Sunday evening record. It ought to be listened to whilst chilling on the couch but it also made a good folding laundry soundtrack
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records
#SwampDogg #RatOn #soul #funk
like this
like this
The Mighty Imperials - Thunder Chicken
This is actually my partners record. This was on the Soundtrack to one of the video games they'd play when we lived in our tiny 60s flat. This cover is both amazing and terrifying cos I don't like chickens. Another great daptone record. More like the metres on this one.
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #daptone #soul #RnB #funk
John Spithead likes this.
Ike & Tina Turner River Deep-Mountain High
Every Saturday night my family would do a roast dinner. Without fail between 4-6pm Fleetwood Mac, Kate Bush or Billy Joel would be pumping on the giant 70s speakers my dad had. These were the sounds when mum was cooking. Sometimes Dad would be off from work and he'd get the roast ready and have the run of the stereo. He would usually play Ike and Tina. I'd slide around in my socks dancing.
It's now getting cool and I think I'm getting a cold so my partner is making Congee for tea. It seemed fitting to pop this one on this evening.
Picked this up from Clarity's secondhand section cheep when they first opened.
Ironically, we watched the 1981 film Possession last night. Gosh that was hard work but perhaps still lingering noting this Phil Spector / Ike and Tina a choice.
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #Ike&TinaTurner
#soul #R'n'B #60s
John Spithead likes this.
Thee Sacred Souls - Self Titled
Tiktok ruined this band for me initially. I couldn't hear the track Can I Call You Rose without thinking of Tiktok aesthetic apartments and that whole vibe. Some time and space helped me reappreciate how stunning this album is. I mean they are on Daptone so it's gotta be good right? I unfortunately wasn't able to see them during their recent tour in 2024.
I've been watching a tone of Amoeba What's In My Bag and I really enjoyed their segment youtu.be/EcIOQ_PGMds?si=MMAJM8…
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #TheeSacredSouls #daptone
#soul #neosoul #daptoneRecords
John Spithead likes this.
Whodamanny - Volveràn
Another purchase from my Italio disco grab on Periodica Records. I've played the radio edit almost daily in my car. Starts with a rhythmic saxophone melody and morphs into layered Italian vocals by Sandy Nuni. My partner thought it sounded like the beginning of an 80s Italian detective show lol. The other remixes make this 12" a good little ep.
*Spun it again Saturday nice and loud. So good.
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #Whodamanny #Volveràn
#italiodisco #boogie #nuitaliodisco #PeriodicaRecords
John Spithead likes this.
Mystic Jungle - Deviant Disco
Since around 2018 (?) there's been a huge resurgence of new Italio disco/boogie and I'm here for it! The Nu Genea releases were some of my favourites and I finally picked up this 2022 gem. Dario di Pace aka Mystic Jungle started up the independent label Periodica Records in Naples and has been pumping out killer stuff. This is probably the best Mystic Jungle release (imho). The first two tracks Don't stop your love and Get down on it give me sun-soaked cocktail vibes or late-night pizza and a dance. I mean just look at that stunning cover!
I had a rotten end to my work day and this was waiting for me when I got home. I was too excited to wait and I played it whilst doing chores. It was an instant mood lifter.
*Spun it again Saturday with coffee to motivate me to deal with the dull Saturday supermarket run.
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #Mysticjungle #DeviantDisco
#italiodisco #boogie #nuitaliodisco #PeriodicaRecords
John Spithead likes this.
47Soul - Semitics
I saw Palestinian / Jordanian group 47 Soul at Womad. They were fantastic. I don't think this album quite captures the energy and sound live and overall is a bit hit and miss. But there are some standout tracks on this. Mixes hip hop, electronic music, dabbles in some reggae with traditional middle eastern sounds.
They do an slightly stripped down Tiny Desk which is great.
youtu.be/5SVP6oxjWZk?si=i0Hx1H…
Today in Australia is mothers day. The cognitive dissonance of my social media with mothers and their children both here and in Gaza was too much. I don't understand this shit is still continuing.
Free Palestine. 🇵🇸
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #47soul #hiphop #electronic #palestine
John Spithead likes this.
Sister Nancy - One Two
It was a difficult week and I was feeling pretty shabby. But this morning my partner brought me a parcel back from the post office and this arrived. Yay! That gave me a little boost.
With a mechanic degree when this was recorded and then later an accountancy degree Sister Nancy was a powerhouse. Only woman DJ with a degree is the track I use to listen to on my playlist that made me go explore some other reggae and dancehall. Shocked to read it wasn't until 2014 she discovered she hadn't been credited for her work and took legal action.
Surprised this was a record store day release. I don't really buy record store day releases these days. But this one is tops! Well overdue for a repress and this pressing is stunning! 😍
#nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records #dancehall #reggae #sisternancy
John Spithead likes this.
Teena Marie - Wild and Peaceful
Picked this up yesterday at the paradise loft sale. The hour I was there, I was only one of two women browsing and the other appeared to be looking to kill time whilst their partner looked. It's not an uncommon experience. But yesterday was a weird bro vibe. I hate that about record culture sometimes. Possibly the eve of the election put me in a mood.
I've noticed many DJ copies seem to still have the plastic on them. Normally I take it off. But I love the stickers on this. Google tells me this might have come from Strawberries Records in New England.
A well known album by two power houses. I don't need to say much more. Side two is a debbie downer like me yesterday. Thankfully the first half is killer and so was the election result.
#soul #funk #disco #TeenaMarie #rickjames #nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records
John Spithead likes this.
Joanna Newsom - Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band
Polarising artist. Milk Eyed Mender and this are my preferred Joanna releases. Colleen is a stand out track on this EP. So beautiful. TIL the album cover is a William Eggleston photograph. Huh! I use to enjoy playing Joanna Newsom before radio change over if there were new people covering the regular hosts. It always freaked them out.
Picked this up at Clarity Records 2020 record store day second-hand sale.
John Spithead likes this.
The Ronettes - Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
Last night we watched the cult film Phantom of the Paradise written and directed by Brian De Palma. There was a music producer in the film loosely inspired by Phil Spector. The character was a megalomaniac in the film. The film was a flop at the time and on first watch I was left unsure if I enjoyed it. It's now got a huge following and was way ahead of its time trying to show audiences in 1974 the exploitation of musicians (and how awful Spector was) in this queer coded comic book horror musical. It's the film that also inspired Daft Punk.
It made me think I haven't listened to my Ronettes album in ages. Gosh Spector was scum but this album is just magic.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #theronettes #60sgirlgroups #PhantomoftheParadise
John Spithead likes this.
Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
Today was a real early 2000s listening experience.
Despite kicking around since 1995 it wasn't until almost a decade later that I first heard Deerhoof. Fortunate to have seen them live three times. Greg is an incredible drummer. Such a down to earth band. They were shocked my friend and I travelled from Adelaide to Melbourne to see them. The distance was nothing to us but it blew their minds.
I get excited when I pop them on a playlist and someone loves them.
#vinyl #nowplaying #nowspinning #2000sindie #indierock #deerhoof
John Spithead likes this.
Although it came out in 2021 this album has that very now sound. Sometimes you need some mellow vibes on your public holiday morning. Huge stack of guest collaborators on this. I got this from the the sale bin on record store day.
John Spithead likes this.
Pax Nicholas And The Nettey Family - Na Teef Know De Road Of Teef
For ages I would go to record fairs and leave empty handed and say to my partner "I think my record fair days are done". But then I'd get the itch and go to the next one. Rinse and repeat. However, over the last few weeks I've had more success at fairs then I have had in months/years...
Picked this one up in my little haul. TIL Daptone did rereleases as well as their own bands on their label. Huh! Good story behind this one - go have a little read.
Surprised it's only been repressed once in 2009.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning
#afrobeat #highlife #daptone #NicholasAddoNettey
John Spithead likes this.
Sylvia Robinson - Lay it on Me
Somehow, I missed the fact that Sylvia Robinson had her own music career in addition to running Sugar Hill records. I was reading an interview with a female DJ (can't remember who now and that's going to bother me) and they talked about loving Sylvia and always picking up a Sylvia record when they see them. After a bit of a listen online I decided I'd keep my eyes out.
Picked this up for 15 at the local Easter record fair. It's great! Mix of disco /soul / bit of a dabble in some reggae.
Google tells me it wasn't until 2022 she was inducted into the hall for fame. Nuts.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #soul #disco #SylviaRobinson
John Spithead likes this.
Patrice Rushen - Straight from the Heart.
My friend who normally plays folk and electronics sounds /noise made an R&B playlist few years back. It was so unexpected I still remember it. On it was Forgot Me Nots which despite being Rushen's most popular commercial hit, I had kinda forgotten about it. The film Men in Black ruined this track for me.
Forget Me Nots has that 90s R&B sound a decade earlier. Apparently when she delivered this album to the record label, they didn't like it. With a uni degree and 7 albums behind her, she was only 28 when she made this in 1982 and nominated for a grammy. Incredible really when you think about it.
The ballads on this are hard work but the rest is solid.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #jazzfunk #soulfunk #R&B #PatriceRushen
John Spithead likes this.
Bernard Wright - Nard
I bought this on impulse for $20 from the second-hand hip hop bin at Clarity Records in the early days when they started. I was listening to lots of early 80s hip hop at the time and remembered seeing this record on a soul jazz newsletter some time before. I remember when I got home, I thought it was ok but wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't a huge jazz funk girlie then. So ashamed to say it but it sat on my shelf. Then a few years ago when I was sorting my records I rediscovered it and kicked myself for how good this album is!
Apparently my copy is a shit sounding repress. But it's hard to come across so looks like I'm sticking with this copy for the time being.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #jazzfunk #soulfunk #funk #BernardWright
John Spithead likes this.
Kongas - Anikana-O
70s French group playing percussion heavy groves. The band features French disco drummer Marc Cerrone hence why it has so many good drum breaks.
Found this in the $10 bargin bin at Woolfies.
#Kongas #Anikana-o #vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #Cerrone #soulfunk #funk
John Spithead likes this.
Madonna - Self Titled
I remember I had friends in early primary school who either loved Madonna or were curious cos she was "naughty". I was too busy listening to Kylie. Strangely my first Madonna cd single I bought was Rain from the erotica album. I was 8! I thought that video clip was so cool. I just rewatched it and I still agree.
I listened to lots of Madonna during early covid times and have found myself going back again recently. I bought this from Porthole Records when Rick reopened after being closed for 2 years during the early covid period. He had lots of early Madonna cheap. I ought to have bought more. This album sounds fab on my new turntable. Whilst I always think of Madonna as a singles artist this album is solid from start to finish.
John Spithead likes this.
The Pop Group - For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder?
This album still sounds as relevant now as it did then. I don't remember the last time I spun this. It's not one I can spin often possibly to the relief of my neighbour. It's pretty intense. We saw the reformed Pop Group in 2015 at the Freemasons Hall of all places for Unsound.
The pricetag reminded me this was another purchase from the old Licorice Pie ($30 which then I would have thought was a lot but looking at discogs now for this...yikes). There is a stamp inside the record that says The Fung Tak Wing but google didn't really help.
The bass line on Justice is killer. Forgotten how much I love that track.
#thepopgroup #vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #punk #postpunk #roughtrade
John Spithead likes this.
Rita and Sakura - Hitmakers
After meeting in a club in the late 60s in Malaysia, Rita and Sukura became much-loved Singapore A-Go-Go queens.
I first discovered them when I picked up a couple of records from the old Licorice Pie shop. I'd spin them often on our radio show. Their album covers always look cool as fuck.
This is my second purchase from the smokelovers fair. I bought it from the same guy who sold me the Lijadu Sisters few years ago. He remembered selling me that apparently. He was stoked I was buying this and I knew them. We talked about how he'd bought the local Australian Broadcasting Corporation's vinyl Asian music collection (oof) and there were two copies of this. Was a great record buying chat.
This album is their first record and appears to be a collection of singles. The first song made me question the album title and my purchase but thankfully it picks up on the second track.
#Ritaandsakura #vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #soul #beat #60s #60sgirlgroup #Singapore
John Spithead likes this.
Patrice Rushen - Pizzazz
I've been trying to find a second-hand copy of her soul disco album in the wild for a few years with no luck. I didn't think it would be a particularly hard record to track down. I was thrilled to find a copy at the smokelovers record fair last weekend.
It's now left me with a dilemma where to put this. She's known as a jazz pianist and R&B. My records are sorted by genre and I have her early jazz works in jazz. My partner tells me this is why genre sorting fails. This is why our records are not combined.
I've written about Patrice Rushen before - powerhouse and way underappreciated etc. Just go read the wiki about this album and what some men thought at the time. Ugh. This copy is a first pressing and has a cut out in the corner. Makes me sad it wasn't a hit or dead stock in it's day.
#patricerushen #vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #soul #funk
John Spithead likes this.
Gene Clark - No Other
Oof. This one still hits.
I had a Gene Clark and the Byrds CD that I use to thrash in my car, particularly on long drives to uni and back when we had moved to the country in the hills. Sounds idyllic but it was a truly miserable time. I found comfort in singing along with Gene.
Skip forward to the years of internet streaming and I went to see what happened after his short stint with the Byrds. When I heard this album I was absolutely floored. It's hard to believe it tanked at the time leading to Clark spiralling. Think Neil Young but opulence with a gospel choir, if one can imagine.
Strength of Strings and Some Misunderstanding still completely overwhelm me. I need a second coffee after that.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #geneclark #Noother
John Spithead likes this.
John Spithead likes this.
Patrice Rushen - Prelusion
I'm not a huge jazz piano fan. But I like Patrice, I like when she plays, and I like this. Repressed for the first time in 51 years this was recorded when she was 20yrs old. Incredible she went from high school talent show at 17, preformed at Monterey Jazz Festival in 1972, to then composing and recording her own album shortly after. The album features Joe Henderson on Tenor Saxophone and ends with a surprise synth jazz funk track Puttered Bopcorn. I never thought I'd find a copy of this on vinyl and thank goodness the repress sounds good.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #PatriceRushen #jazz #Prelusion #jazzfunk
like this
Imarhan - Self Titled
2010 onwards saw the riffs of Tuareg music being played at music festivals, colabs with bands and cafes. Imarhan (meaning the ones I care about), from Aljeria was introduced to me by my friend who was djing in Germany and putting on shows including supporting Imarhan to come over. This album is slower, builds up, and has a mix of sounds than perhaps some of the more well known Tuareg releases. It put my cats to sleep. The self titled track is a banger.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #Tuareg #Imarhan #Aljeria
John Spithead likes this.
The Undertones - Hypnotised
I haven't spun this in years. I loved The Undertones when I was younger and I still have a big soft spot for them. I bought this from the Magil Big star for $8. I don't know why I left the price tag on then. I have the first self-titled album on CD. I loved all the tongue in cheek and awkward songs about unrequited love. On listen now, some lyrics have aged better than others.
Maybe there was something about the kids from Derry that resonated with me being awkward in my shitty suburban town. I remember I was gifted my grandfather's record player and I'd always turn the volume up on this record.
Thoroughly enjoyed playing this and now I want to watch the doco as I realised I've not seen it.
#vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning #theundertones #punk #NorthernIreland
John Spithead likes this.
John Spithead likes this.
Ruud
in reply to Tinselwig • •Tinselwig likes this.
Tinselwig
in reply to Ruud • •Ahaha. Thank you. That's very kind. Admittedly I only had two today spaced out lol.
It's a public holiday and long weekend here in Australia so a bit of extra time to spin records.
Ruud
in reply to Tinselwig • •Tinselwig likes this.