Monthly Archives: April 2009

Dancing Machine.

Wednesday: April 29, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Soul 3 Comments

I’m on my Motown kick these days (that means trouble, hint hint)…but anyway this is one of my favorite Jackson 5 tracks right here, just wanted to share this with ya’ll. I’d like to add that Michael Jackson has the hands-down BEST robot dance technique, EVER. If you don’t believe me, watch this video, and when they hit the bridge…check him out!

And just for kicks…check this track with the life flipped out of it!!! (this is the unofficial flipped 9.0, lol!)

Peace.

People…Hold On.

Tuesday: April 28, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Soul 4 Comments

Artist: Eddie Kendricks
Title: People…Hold On
Year: 1972
Label: Tamla
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.5/5.0

Front Cover

Review
A couple of the things that made me want to post this album, (1) The world is going through tough times at the moment with the economy and this album speaks to holding on and pulling through, (2) Eddie Kendricks has a TON of albums, but this is my favorite. 1972 was definitely a great year from Motown, I can think of several hot records they dropped that year. Anyway, this one is special because it’s not Eddie’s most accessible LP, and in my opinion, it’s probably his most versatile album as far as the various writing and production styles. Have a listen and enjoy…

Check out the sound!

Date With The Rain

Girl You Need A Change Of Mind

My People Hold On

Design
Very interesting cover design. Kendricks sitting in and African carved sculpture chair, holding a spear…straight face, staring directly into the camera (with a tuxedo and bow tie), it’s pretty intense. It seems as if he’s steeping up and accepting the fact that as a musician you have the power to influence lives, and he’s accepted that leadership role and embracing it. I like the solid blue backdrop, not crazy about the type or type color, but I see what the designer was going for…I have a seriously biased opinion about blue and orange working together as the main colors (on ANYTHING), lol…

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Additional info on Eddie Kendricks

Got To Be There.

Monday: April 27, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Soul 5 Comments

Artist: Michael Jackson
Title: Got To Be There
Year: 1972
Label: Motown
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.0/5.0

Front Cover

Review
Probably my favorite LP from Michael Jackson as a youngster, and this one was his first. Classic material here, the writing is amazing…most writers just aren’t putting it down like this anymore. The production is great on this album as well, and of course we all know the musicianship is top shelf, Barry Gordy only had the BEST musicians to play in the sessions of his artists. MJ was a child prodigy with this music, listen to the tracks I’ve placed below and you’ll see what I mean. Enjoy…

Check out the sound!

I Wanna Be Where You Are

Ain’t No Sunshine

Got To Be There

Maria

Design
Nothing special about this cover…it’s just visually and literally all about Michael—but the music is hot LOL! A few things that I CAN say though, the custom treatment to the lockup of “Michael Jackson” with the hearts jives well with the “J5″ lockup from the Maybe Tomorrow album, for example. It’s a thing of branding. On the fashion front, you can’t help but dig the corduroy jacket with oversize lapels! But the way his hat is smashing down that fro, I completely understand the 70′s concept of carrying around the afro-pick all day every day! HAHA!

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Additional info on Michael Jackson

An Amazing Record Collection.

Sunday: April 26, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Video 4 Comments

Rumor has it that this guy has the largest record collection in the world. Check this video out and hear his story, it’s very interesting. Enjoy…

Flipped v8.0

Friday: April 24, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Flipped 4 Comments

flipped

The Message
This is a dope flipped track, the producer chopped up a gospel choir singing “Deliver Us”. He used the vocals and piano stabs to prime his whole beat…this is just pure fire. As always with my Flipped segments, the producers names are NOT mentioned…I like to play it safe and protect the samplers, LOL!

Check it out…

Original:

Flipped:

Peace.

Two.

Friday: April 24, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Funk 1 Comment

Artist: Mandre
Title: Two
Year: 1978
Label: Motown
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 2.5/5.0

Front Cover

Review
Michael Andre Lewis aka Mandre is definitely from another planet. This guy is the poster boy for space funk in its purest form. As much as I love his creativity and innovation, as well as his musicianship…I have to admit that this album is wack in comparison to his self titled 1977 release. In Mandre’s second solo effort, Two, there are really only two songs worth listening to (both are hot)…and I have posted them below for you all to check them out.

Check out the sound!

Light Years (Opus IV)

Maxymus Lyte (Opus III)

Design
Hands down one of the best covers in my collection! A painted illustration of Mandre with his signature space suit and helmet, giving his salute. Overall, just very dynamic in appearance. I just wish the album was as good as the cover art…

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Additional info on Mandre

Two Headed Freap.

Tuesday: April 21, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Jazz 2 Comments

Artist: Ronnie Foster
Title: Two Headed Freap
Year: 1972
Label: Blue Note
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.5/5.0

Front Cover

Review
Ronnie Foster’s very first LP, and a pretty solid release. He was 22 at the time, young, zealous, energetic…and, for lack of a better word, FUNKY with his organ! Jazz lovers can appreciate this album, the instrumentation is on point, but what I love the most about the music on this album are the imperfections in some of the sessions. Upon detailed listening, one can notice the drummers timing mistakes (which end up actually sounding hot), in fact, a lot of producers today intentionally program their drums with a bit of lag on them for that live effect. Improvisation is spread throughout this record, nicely…everybody loves the surprises of improv, great musicians feeding off of the vibe of other talented musicians, it’s a beautiful thing. “Mystic Brew” and “Chunky” are the bangers on this one. Enjoy…

Check out the sound!

Mystic Brew

Chunky

Design
Granted that this is a huge close up of Ronnie Foster, I really dig this album cover. The typography running sideways down the middle of the cover is a nice touch. Having a purple border framing the photo is hot, but also a nice way to get the album to stand out considering that most jazz musicians weren’t plopping purple borders on their album covers. Anyway, a simple, but bold cover. Two thumbs up.

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Additional info on Ronnie Foster

A Friendly Reminder.

Tuesday: April 21, 2009 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Video 1 Comment

Back in the day, St.Ides (a now discontinued malt liquor beverage) produced a pretty dope campaign of commercials that included major hip-hop acts of the era. Biggie had a commercial, Snoop and Nate Dogg had a commercial, just to name a couple…but NOTHING topped the Wu-Tang bit! Check it out below, I have posted the audio (which is the full track), as well as the edited down video version. Enjoy both.

Wu-Tang Clan – St.Ides (full track)





Notice the 94/95′ness of this commercial, nowadays you would NEVER see a hip-hop artist holding malt liquor in a hood setting (for a tv advertisement)…times have CHANGED! I miss the realness of the “golden era”.

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