Artist: Eugene McDaniels
Title: Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse
Label: Atlantic
Year: 1971
Format: Vinyl LP (Original White Label Promo)
Review
A moment of silence (hush the keyboards please)…
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Okay, here I present you with one of the greatest funk/soul/blues albums of all-time, that’s right…ALL-TIME. Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse, by Eugene McDaniels, is one of the most sought-after records by record enthusiasts worldwide. Why? Only because the tracks contain some of the sickest drum breaks, bass lines that traveled the underground railroad, and arguably the most controversial subject matter of its time (1971)…there is some DEEP lyricism going on in this LP.
Before I had my own, I hadn’t heard this record completely…only the myths of its greatness (from storytellers such as ?uestlove of the Roots, and Waajeed of the Bling 47Group). I must say, there is no myth, this is one of my favorite albums, and I continue to enjoy it more and more w/ each listen.
Check out the sample audio…
Supermarket Blues
Lovin’ Man
Notable
Album features a young Alphonse Mouzon on the drums
Album has been a major target for samples from classic hip-hop artists and groups
Design
The album art looks like it could be for a folk album or something. But once you really take a look at it, it’s pretty damn cool. Two opium-addicted chinamen (just kidding)…two Samurai swordsmen engaging each other in battle, while the head of Eugene McDaniels is placed in the center of the two men, as if to say they’re going for his head.
I am loving the fact that designer Thomas Nittner decided to treat the artists name as a jewel, so-to-speak, while the title of the LP wins the battle of hierarchy. But notice that beneath McDaniels name, it reads “the left rev. mc d.”. It’s not clear what that means, other than Reverend McDaniels, but I like it…it’s kinda open for interpretation I guess.
On the back cover there is a very intense oil painting on canvas of a samurai with a red eye, again, I’m not quite clear on it’s full meaning. To the left of the images is a quote from McDaniels that reads, “we have killed the very earth beneath our feet…yet we still kill each other and speak of the future”. I think that’s a very powerful statement that still can be something to think about…even today. To the far right, is a nice simple left aligned column w/ bold and regular fonts (Helvetica)…just clean.
posted by: Darien of flwrpt
Eureka!
Artist: RAMP (Roy Ayers Music Productions)
Title: Come Into Knowledge
Label: ABC Blue Thumb
Year: 1977
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Review
A moment of silence (hush the keyboards please)…
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I’m at a lost for words…
This is another one of the GREATEST albums EVER made. PERIOD. Anybody who know…KNOWS. Melodic, dreamy, ahead of it’s time, this music is single-handedly kicking 1977 in the @ss…with steel-toe Colorado boots on. I also feel that this LP is the originator, the great grandaddy, the grand puba of what we now call, Neo Soul. Everybody knows that 1977 was one of the years where everybody in soul and r&b was switching to disco music. NOT RAMP, Roy Ayers and Edwin Birdsong wrote and produced this album into an unsuspecting cult classic. This album didn’t do well back when it was released, but now has become one of the holy grail records for collectors…very sought-after. If you all come across this LP, buy it, no matter the cost, you won’t regret it.
Anyhow, RAMP hails from Cincinnati, Ohio…and interestingly enough, they’ve formed back together and are touring, bringing these ultra rare killer grooves to today’s generation, and putting smiles on the faces of old fans. Check them out here.
Check out the sample audio for these timeless tracks…PLEASE, enjoy.
Everybody Loves the Sunshine (RAMP mix)
Daylight
Come Into Knowledge
I Just Love You
Notable
Album is written and produced by Roy Ayers and Edwin Birdsong
Album has been a major target for samples from classic artists and groups
Design
Niiiiiiiiice logo! I like the fact that the letters connect at the base. Nothing breathtaking, but it’s a solid mark. The 3-d illustration on the cover is cool, a brain made of little tunnels, representing the title, which is Come Into Knowledge…artwork by Masaki Sato.
The back is pretty straight-forward. Three column grid, left column aligned right, right column aligned left, with photos of the group running down the center column. Less is more, it gets the point across.
posted by: Darien of flwrpt