Deep Tracks 81

1. California Blues – Merle Haggard
2. Uncle Funky – Harold Ousley
3. You Can Feel It in Your Soul-Earl Scruggs
4. It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing – Ernestine Anderson
5. Step One – Jimmy McGriff
6. That's Live-Peter Herbolzheimer
7. Chegou da Bahia-Arnaud Rodrigues
8. Mis-Using My Love-Little Milton
9. Ain't That Nothin'-Billy Preston
10. Satisfied – Lonnie Mack
11. Take Me (I'll Take You There)-Mike Farris
12. Go call police-Oliver de Coque
13. Juke Joint Jump-Elvin Bishop
14. Down Yonder – Snooks Eaglin
15. In The Middle – Grant Green
16. Funk#48 – James Gang
17. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – Willie Bobo
18. 219 Train – El Dorados

http://rapidshare.com/files/243899952/Deep_Tracks_81.zip

Harold Ousley was a fantastic tenor player you kicked out a few indie jazz funk releases in the 70's. Oozing nasty Fender Rhodes and a tough groove, Ousley proves that if he isn't Uncle Funky, he certainly knows him. Oh. And how about the cover? Tight.

Arnaud Rodriques is a brilliant Brazilian madman who was both comedian, musician, and freak. I found a couple of his albums in the ozone and they have that musky, good smell - like the beach after the rain. I wish I spoke Portuguese...

Snooks Eaglin is another NOLA treasure perhaps best known for his guitar work with idiosyncratic piano legend Professor Longhair. This doozy from his Sonnet solo catalog finds the blind guitarist in fine form serving a gumbo of licks and some fine vocals as well.

Deep Tracks 80

1. A Smile Can't Hide A Broken Heart-William Bell
2. Memphis Underground-Herbie Mann
3. There Is A Green Hill-Charlie Chaplin
4. Listen To The Music-The Isley Brothers
5. Mama Ndiyalila - Miriam Makeba
6. Guide And Protect-Albert Griffiths & The Gladiatiors
7. I'll Be Going to Heaven Sometimes-Earl Scruggs
8. Got To Keep Moving-Boby King & Terry Evans
9. Fool’s Paradise-Willie Nelson & Dr John
10. Sad and Lonesome Feeling-Jimmy Ruffin
11. Always There-Willie Bobo
12. Check It Out-Bobby Womack
13. Brown's Ferry Blues-Kenny Baker & Josh Graves
14. Yako Aba-Dr. K Gyasi & The Noble Kings Dance Band
15. Encouraging Words-Billy Preston
16. Reggae Machine-Willie Lindo
17. Aloko Party-Manu Dibango
18. I've Got A Feeling-Junior Byles
19. Made To Love-Walter Heath
20. Steppin' Out-Steel Pulse
21. I Saw The Light-The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys

http://rapidshare.com/files/308142702/Deep_Tracks_80.zip

Herbie Mann is without a doubt one of the most important jazz flutists of the 20th century. I know of him because Duane Allman added some guitar solos to one of his Atlantic albums. Mann was adept at just about all genres: blues, bossa nova, bop, funk, avante garde, even reggae and disco. Memphis Underground is one of his best known pieces and features a blistering guitar solo from Sonny Sharrock.

Willie Lindo played rhythm and lead guitar for just about everyone that entered a studio in Jamaica for 25 years. He only recorded a couple of solo albums that often played off of his success playing with Bob Marley. Reggae Machine is from the mid-70's. It demonstrates that even though guitar is almost always a rhythm instrument in reggae it can be a lead instrument in the right hands.

Deep Tracks 79

1. That’s Life – James Brown
2. Nadia Soleil-Théo Blaise Kounkou
3. The Fuzz-Roy Ayers
4. Roll Your Own-Larry Rice
5. Country Living-The Stylistics
6. Hey Now-Ray Charles
7. I'm a Hi-Ballin' Daddy-Tiny Bradshaw
8. Got To Lose Your Way-The Haggis Horns
9. Raindrops-The Pioneers
10. New Day, New World Comin'-Billy Paul
11. Monkey Man-The Specials
12. Aprieta-Joe Cuba
13. Junkshop-The New Apocalypse
14. Time to Get Down-The O'Jays
15. Down Here On The Ground-Grant Green
16. The Hen-Louis Chachere
17. Step It Up & Go-Kenny Baker & Josh Graves
18. I Found Out-THE ELECTRIC FLAG
19. Let The Four Winds Blow-Snooks Eaglin
20. The Move-Lonnie Mack
21. Dee abe beto biara-Eric Agyeman

http://rapidshare.com/files/308136178/Deep_Tracks_79.zip

What can be said about one of the baddest hominids to ever go bipedal? James Brown was many things to many people. Interestingly I think he considered himself a much more adept singer than conventional wisdom suggests. This cover of a tune owned by Sinatra, That's Life, reveals a more ambitious Brown trying to reflect back on his jazz roots.

Billy Paul was at the center of the Philly sound and he was a soulful son of a gun. Talented and under recorded, Paul seems all but forgotten now. But in the seventies he was right there with Harold Melvin and Gamble and Huff defining a new urban soul sound.

Two legends of bluegrass, Josh Graves and Kenny Baker, come together for this great dobro tour de force. Graves would made his name with Flatt and Scruggs and Baker who played fiddle with Bill Monroe are two of the most important sidemen in bluegrass. Step it up and go shows they could make mighty music on their own.

Deep Tracks 78

1. The Main Attraction – Grant Green
2. Reuben’s Train – Bill Keith
3. Was It Good To You? – The Isley Brothers
4. Baby Boogaloo – Nilo Espinosa
5. Le Pere de Notre Pays-Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz
6. Sittin' Drinkin' And Thinkin'-Little Junior Parker
7. Mulher De Malandro-Geraldo Filme
8. I Do-Marvelows
9. Save Me-James Knight & The Butlers
10. Poly – Emiliano Salvador
11. From the Days of Pigtails-The Chairmen of the Board
12. El Soul Condor-Certain Lions & Tigers
13. I Don't Need No Help-Frank Owens
14. Hi De Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)-Dorothy Morrison
15. God Loves His Children-Earl Scruggs

http://rapidshare.com/files/299767595/Deep_Tracks_78.zip


At 19-minutes long, The Main Attraction, which occupied the entire Side A of the original soundtrack LP, is not exactly a composition, more of an improvisational structure. Noted arranger David Matthews came in with two main riffs, played by Don Grolnick on the electric piano, and later doubled by the horn section. Don started to play those riffs, and then the other musicians joined him. The groove is solid like a rock, but the guest soloists seem to fly like seagulls over the cliffs. Hubert Laws, the supreme jazz flutist, plays with his usual facility and sublime tone. Too bad no one remembers the movie.

Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997) was a highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria.Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies and multiple guitars of his band, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Naza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.

The Chairmen of the Board were one of the smoothest and most popular soul acts to emerge from Detroit in the early '70s. Although their time at the top of the R&B charts was brief -- their first Top Ten arrived in 1970, their last in 1973 -- they recorded a handful of '70s soul classics, all distinguished by the high, trembling vocals of General Norman Johnson, who also wrote the bulk of the group's material.

Deep Tracks 77

1. Give It Up-The Eliminators
2. Cocoa-Assagai
3. Give More Power To The People-The Chi-lites
4. Boo On You-Chuck Jones & Company
5. Black Strap Molasses-Johnny Hammond Smith
6. No One Knows -Jimmy McGriff & Junior Parker
7. Take Us Down To The River-Michael Naura
8. Midnight Hour-Phil & Friends
9. Hey Western Union Man-William Bell
10. La Cosa de Ritchie-Bobby Matos
11. Welcome-Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil
12. Mystery Tour-Peter King
13. Think People-Vernon Garrett
14. L.A. Sunshine-WAR
15. Dirty Roosta Booga-Jimmy Smith
16. Molly and Tenbrooks (take 2) --Bill Monroe
17. Better Days-Joe Pass

http://rapidshare.com/files/299767593/Deep_Tracks_77.zip


This one tracks from disco to afro-prog to deep soul and then off to some early bluegrass. Assagai is name of a slender spear carried by the Bantu tribesmen in Africa. Here it is an Afro-rock band from South Africa, active in the early 1970s in London. It consisted of five members: Louis Moholo, Mongezi Feza, Bizo Muggikana, Fred Coker, and Dudu Pukwana. They recorded for the British label Vertigo Records. Cocoa is a wicked groove on any continent.

In my less than humble opinion, Jimmy McGriff is as deep a B-3 player as has ever kicked the bass. Always bluesy he found a perfect match in legendary blues singer Jr. Parker. By the late sixties Parker was far removed from his fifties hits like Mystery Train but he still knew how to break it down and he had a distinctive voice that meshed well with McGriff's front of the church sensibilities.

William Bell might be less well known than his contemporaries like Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, or for that matter Jerry Butler, the author, but jesus he had some pipes. The recording feels like he didn't need a mic to be heard over a big band.

Deep Tracks 76

1. Shakin' In My Boots- Herb Day
2. One Monkey Don't Stop The Show (Part 1) - Honey Cone
3. Black Coffee - Willie Bobo
4. Your Lies - The Falling Martins
5. Hot Sauce- George Braith
6. Mama Told Me Not To Come – Odetta
7. Skate Now - Lou Courtney
8. Dujii - Kool & the Gang
9. I Saw The Light - The Easter Brothers
10. Till I See You Again - The Dells
11. Feelin' Alright - Wade Marcus
12. Nadia Soleil - Théo Blaise Kounkou
13. Jive American Jive No 1 - Bra Sello
14. Kansas City - Flatt & Scruggs
15. Jivin' – Deodato
16. Washita Love Child - Jesse Ed Davis
17. At The Club - Ray Charles
18. You're Coming Home - Esther Phillips
19. The Semi Colon - Nekwaha Semi Colon
20. Cheatin' Girl - Stu Gardner
21. Coming Home - Chuck Armstrong

http://rapidshare.com/files/297001612/Deep_Tracks_76.zip

Willie Bobo, like Mongo Santamaria, was able to capture a significant following by blending R&B with latin jazz and boogaloo. Black Coffee is a classic dark brew posing as a pop instrumental. The kind of stuff he made a living at.

George Braith began playing pretty straight ahead stuff on Blue Note notwithstanding this little latin groover. Times have changed and Mr. Braith's music with it. In the intervening years he has invented the undoubtedly popular and easy to play "Braithophone."

Théo Blaise Kounkou is a Congolese singer with an unbelievably sweet voice and somehow his french works perfectly with the lighter than air music. Obviously I have no idea what the lyrics are about but the song is arranged beautifully and the band jumps off the record. I've only seen a few albums by this guy and they are all filled with this kind of music.

Deep Tracks 75

1. I’m Gonna Make It Alright – Paul Pena
2. Teeth and Tongue Will Get You Hurt – The Five Keys
3. Do Me Right – The Detroit Emeralds
4. Thief in the Night – The Gladiators
5. Walkin’ the Chalk Line – Tiny Bradshaw
6. Sweet Inspiration – The Derek Trucks Band
7. Walking In Sunshine – Clyde Bowling
8. Capoeira – Deodato
9. New Day Comin’ – Billy Paul
10. Hang Em High – The Funky Strings
11. You’re Welcome to the Club – Little Milton
12. I Need You – The Blackbyrds
13. Ramblin’ – The Marshall Tucker Band
14. Bus Dem Shut – Bob Marley
15. I’m Traveling On and On – Bill Monroe
16. Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto – The Philadelphia International Allstars
17. Pow! – Willis Jackson
18. It’s In You – Raw Soul Express
19. Sleep On Dream On – The Beginning of the End
20. I’m A Fool For You – The Undisputed Truth

http://rapidshare.com/files/297001615/Deep_Tracks_75.zip

Paul Pena (died October 1, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist of Cape Verdean descent. His music from the first half of his career touched on Delta blues, jazz, morna, flamenco, folk and rock and roll. Pena is probably best known for writing the song "Jet Airliner," a major 1977 hit for the Steve Miller Band and a staple of classic rock radio; and for appearing in the 1999 documentary film Genghis Blues, wherein he displayed his abilities in the field of Tuvan throat singing. The little bit of his recorded output that is available is a revelation. This if from his ultraobscure first album Paul Pena which has never been released on cd.

The "Detroit Emeralds" formed as a vocal harmony group in Little Rock, Arkansas, and originally composed of four brothers. In 1970, they joined the Westbound record label. While touring in Memphis, Tennessee, they recorded some demo tracks at the Hi recording studios, run by producer Willie Mitchell, to which they then added vocals and strings back in Detroit. This approach worked and brought them another hit, "If I Lose Your Love", which was followed by a run of successes, including this track which made the R&B Top 10.

Willis "Gator" Jackson (25 April 1932 - 25 October 1987) was a great American soul jazz tenor saxophonist. Active from the late fifties into the seventies, Jackson had a rich, lush sound and loved to work in organ trios. He always seemed to be the archetype of the b-3 trio smoking in the back of the bar.

Deep Tracks 74

1. Windy City Soul – The Dells
2. Rock My Soul – Elvin Bishop
3. Blue Yodel #6 – Merle Haggard
4. Iyole – Kanda Bongo Man
5. Take The Highway – Marshall Tucker Band
6. Love and Happiness – Monty Alexander
7. One More Shot – Carl Perkins
8. Pickin’ for the Lord – Larry Richardson
9. Workin’ My Way Back – The Unifics
10. Delta Lady – Joe Cocker
11. Memphis – Don Covay
12. Over in the Glory Land – The Stanley Brothers
13. I’m Blue – The Sweet Inspirations
14. Let Me Build – Jackie Wilson
15. Ramblin’ Man – Clinton Kings and the Virginia Mountain Boys
16. Moon River – Pony Poindexter
17. Back When Mafia – The Mighty Diamonds
18. It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – Billy Preston
19. Caste Your Fate to the Wind – Grant Green
20. Cleo’s Mood – Sugar Loaf
21. Let It Roll – Eddie Bo (R.I.P.)

http://rapidshare.com/files/293922726/Deep_Tracks_74.zip

I guess a blog is all about patting one's back and this is another chance for me to congratulate myself on a fine mix of cross genre fun.

We start with a rip of Chicago soul courtesy of the Dells. Not some slo jam ballad, this banger lifts unbelievable harmonies and a fantastic lead. A brilliant tune. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues. Unlike many of their contemporaries, the group's lineup did not change much from 1960 and consisted, until 2009, of falsetto leader Johnny Carter (died August 21, 2009), baritone lead singer Marvin Junior and background singers Mickey McGill, Verne Allison and Chuck Barksdale.

Kanda Bongo Man, born 1955 in Inongo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a prominent soukous musician. As the singer for Orchestra Belle Mambo in 1973, he developed a unique new sound influenced by Tabu Ley. His solo career only started to take off after moving to Paris in 1979 where his music started to incorporate elements of then-vibrant zouk music (originating in the French West Indies). He his first solo albums, "Iyole" in 1981 and "Djessy" in 1982 were hits.

Monty Alexander's loping riff on Al Green's classic Love and Happiness might be the finest use of the Fender Rhodes piano ever. An incredible head bobbing groove that is just too tight.

Ahh Hillbilly Gospel - my guilty pleasure. This nuggest courtesy of Larry Richardson who just passed away a couple of years ago. Born August 9, 1927, in the Galax area of Virginia, Richardson was a highly-rated old style mountain banjo player, someone who epitomised the early days of bluegrass music. He was from the old school of lead/tenor singers, crystal clear and high and real lonesome.

Deep Tracks 73

1. Go Cat Go – Carl Perkins
2. Kirikisi – Sir Victor Uwaifo
3. The Son’s Gonna Shine – Earl Taylor
4. Bump Miss Suzie – Big Joe Turner
5. She Came In Through the Bathroom Window – Joe Cocker
6. Lonely, Lonely Man Am I – Chuck Jackson
7. Sexy – Gino Dentie
8. The Sweet Life – Rueben Wilson
9. Man’s Worst Enemy – Shades of Brown
10. Psychedelic Afro-Shack – Orlando Julius
11. Woodstock – Barry Miles
12. I’m A High Ballin’ Daddy – Tiny Bradshaw
13. Como Baila Murieta – El Guayabero
14. Back in Town – Boyoyo Boys
15. Barefoot Boy – Cousin Joe
16. Gwam Okwu-Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
17. I Just Want to Celebrate – David Ruffin
18. 007 – Desmond Dekker
19. Mama of My Song – Jackie Wilson
20. Travelin’ Man – Albert King
21. The Unsilent Majority – Ramsey Lewis

http://rapidshare.com/files/289615888/Deep_Tracks_73.zip

This is a smoker. Sometime in the late 90's Carl Perkins did a "comeback album" of duets with some interesting people. It shows what a phenomenal talent Perkins is. On this little ditty he shares time with Tom Petty.

Kirikisi from the "Guitar Boy" Sir Victor Uwaifo is an infectious groove from a truly talented African guitarist. Sir Victor Uwaifo (the 'Sir' is apocryphal) is a Nigerian musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria in 1941. He is famous for his joromi music. Now you know why.

I was really struck by how much Chuck Jackson's "Lonely Man Am I" provides a bass line that would reappear many times later in reggae. Tremendously soulful tune.

Deep Tracks 72

1. Take Me To The Pilot – Odetta
2. No More Doubt – Oteil & The Peacemakers
3. Wait on What You Want – Paul Pena
4. The Bus – Billy Preston
5. You Ain’t Going Nowhere – Cliff Waldron
6. Makambo Biale – Bantous De La Capitale
7. Roll On – JJ Cale
8. Traveling Shoes – Elvin Bishop
9. Anti Love Song – Betty Davis
10. I Want A Chance For Romance – Hector Rivera
11. Hitchcock Railway – Jose Feliciano
12. A Knife And Fork – Kip Anderson
13. Sabotage – Hank Marr
14. A Mile Out Of Memphis – Carl Perkins
15. California Dreamin’ – Bobby Womack
16. Riding That Midnight Train – Earl Scruggs, Ricky Scaggs
17. Function at the Junction – Ramsey Lewis
18. Moanin’ and Groanin’ – Bill Withers
19. It’s Your Thing – Booker T. & The MG’s
20. Deep Elum Blues – Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band

http://rapidshare.com/files/283754633/Deep_Tracks_72.zip

Odetta was one of the most important folk musicians of the 20th century who passed in 2008. I can't say that folk music is the top of my list but this isn't a folk tune at least not in terms of the performance - because Take Me to the Pilot is a classic traditional tune. The arrangement here is unique and taken from the 1970 album Odetta Sings.

Oteil Burbridge is the bass player for the Allman Brothers Band and for his own band featuring his brother Kofi. A cool piece of modern funk.

Les Bantous de la Capitale is one of the longest-lasting and most influential groups in the musical history of the Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). Formed in 1959, the band played a major role in the introduction and growing popularity of boucher, which vitalized the Cuban-influenced rumba, and soukous. This rollicking bit of rhumba flys out of the speakers.

Deep Tracks 71 - Rasta Revolution

1. I Want Justice – Delroy Wilson & the Wailers
2. A Lonely Walk – Albert Malawi
3. Make A Joyful Noise – Singers & Players
4. Don’t Go – Gregory Isaacs
5. A So – The Willows
6. So Long Rastafari Calling – Count Ossie
7. Hey Mama – Justin Hinds
8. Dreadlocks Time – Natural Vibes
9. Freedom Fighters – Half Pint
10. Every Man Ought to Know – Max Romeo
11. Fight Too Much-Justin Hinds
12. Fear Not-Winston Jarrett
13. That Ain't Right-Rita Marley and the Wailers
14. Rude Boy-Bob Marley
15. My Country-Cornell Cambell
16. If You Don't Love Jah-Al Campbell
17. Fire Fire-Lloyd Robinson
18. Learn To Read-Charlie Chaplin
19. African Thing-Jah Thomas
20. Questions Of Life-Monyaka
21. Reggae Docious-Barrington Spence
22. I'm Not Afraid-Donovan Francis
23. Crab Race-The Morwells
24. Owe Me No Pay Me-The Ethiopians

http://rapidshare.com/files/283760616/Deep_Tracks_71_Pt._1.zip
http://rapidshare.com/files/283760615/Deep_Tracks_71_Pt._2.zip

I definitely get a sense of accomplishment from putting together these largely roots mixes. Reggae can be so uneven in terms of quality, production, musicianship, mastering etc. One is never sure whether so much herb contributes to the positive vibes or bland redux of the same riddim. Hopefully, this mix which again focuses on material pre-1985 generally sticks to the right side of the equation.

Some special treats: I Want Justice is a tuff Rock Steady number featuring Delroy Wilson's immaculate voice. He was probably a teenager when this was recorded.

Singers and Players was one of Adrian Sherwood's vehicles on the U-Sound label. Considered vanguard to say the least Sherwood's production ranged from roots to dubbed out industrial madness. This Bim Sherman vocal rides high over an incredible rhythm track - a truly joyful noise.

Justin Hinds appears twice on this mix and deservedly so. He was one of the most under-recorded and beautiful singers. I only wish there was a bit more of him around.

Reggaedocious is one of those absurd tracks that only the Jamaicans could pull off. I wonder if Disney authorized this blazing ripoff. Regardless of the tip of the hat to Mary Poppins it made the cut. Charlie Chaplin was another early 80's dancehall phenomenon and one of the rare toasters I really like, mainly because the riddims were so good.

Deep Tracks 70

1. She Breaks – Booker T. & the MG’s
2. Lonesome Road Blues – Earl Taylor & The Stoney Mtn Boys
3. Maze – Tabuley Rochereau
4. Trouble, You Can’t Fool Me – Ry Cooder
5. Will I Ever Learn? – Eddie Bo
6. Tighten Up – The Bamboos
7. Hambone Boogie – Al Perkins
8. Whitehouse Blues – The Stanley Brothers
9. Northbound – Time Easton
10. Everybody Loves the Sunshine – Roy Ayers & The Soul Society
11. Listen Here – Ben Sidran
12. What Kind of World – King James Version
13. The Bear – John Mayall
14. Momma Jive – Charles Kynard
15. Funk Shack East – Dave ‘Baby’ Cortez
16. You Got It – Etta James
17. Wouri – Manu Dibango
18. The Demon Pt. 2 – Catalyst
19. Blues in the Night – Little Milton
20. My Lord Keeps A Record – Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mtn. Boys

http://rapidshare.com/files/277877939/Deep_Tracks_70.zip

She Breaks is from Booker T. Jones's most recent album. Shows the man can still compose a tune after more than a decade away from the the recording studio.

The Whitehouse Blues is just a killer traditional tune here played at almost light speed by the Stanley Brothers in a display of jaw dropping virtuosity. This was recorded live at the New River Ranch in 1955.

Charles Kynard was another jazz funk hero, at least for a few records during the late sixties and early seventies. You could always count on there being at least a couple of great grooves on these albums.

Deep Tracks 69

1. Orange Blossoms – MOFRO
2. Whatever It Takes – Ruby Andrews
3. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink – Merle Haggard
4. Cream Puff – Reuben Wilson
5. Conjunction Mars – Melvin Sparks
6. Descarga Caliente – Ruben Blades
7. We’re Gonna Make It – Little Milton
8. You’re A Sweet, Sweet Man – Aretha Franklin
9. Restless – Carl Perkins
10. Ihe Oma Adighi Onye Oso- The Oriental Brothers
11. Rock Steady – Frank Owens
12. Head Start – Joe Pass
13. Stone Love – Ruthie Foster
14. I’m Your Pimp – The Skullsnaps
15. Gentlemen – Fela Kuti

http://rapidshare.com/files/277873833/Deep_Tracks_69.zip

JJ Grey, the soulful lead singer of MOFRO, has created a new southern sound that is rooted in the traditions and vibe of his North Florida youth. Great imagery and poetry in this music and one of the very few contemporary artists I really respect.

Not sure what I was thinking with the back to back soul jazz bombs Cream Puff and Conjunction Mars. Rueben Wilson and Melvin Sparks were both key figures as jazz integrated funk and soul into the palette when the 60's ended and the 70's began. Groove masters at their peak who continue to perform today more than 30 years later.

Little Milton is one of the great vocalists in blues and soul. His sixties and seventies recordings are vastly under appreciated and he makes a number of appearances on my comps. Rough and yet smooth, he voice and guitar playing were perfectly matched and he always had solid arrangements.

A couple of African gems on this one. First from the Oriental Brothers, a dynamic head bobbing highlife group and then a blistering hunk of afro-funk from the master Fela Kuti. Gentlemen might be one of his best tracks with its haunting rhodes piano work and gigantic orchestral jam down. And as usual his disdain for the politics of Nigeria and colonial Africa comes through strong.

The Skullsnaps were a one off funk band releasing one album that has become something of a holy grail in funk geekdom. Copies of this record sell for ridiculous sums of money. I'm your pimp is a blaxploitation opus that cuts very heavy.

Deep Tracks 68

1. Why Don’t You Do Your Thing – Jackie Wilson
2. Mo’Do – Mongo Santamaria
3. Rocky Top – The Osborne Brothers
4. Groove Drops – Jimmy Smith
5. Fe Cega – Milton Nascimento
6. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window – Joe Cocker
7. Aunt Lovey – Calvin Keys
8. You Done Got Older – Billy Preston
9. Mississippi – Mofro
10. If You’re Ready Come Go With Me – Jimmy McGriff
11. Give Me Some Courage – Howard Tate
12. Hnic – Blue Mitchell
13. Life is Like That – Little Milton
14. Getting’ Down - Brand New Rhythm
15. I’m Just A Prisoner – Candi Staton
16. There Ain’t No Man Can’t Be Caught – Jimmy Lewis
17. Somebody Touched Me – Carl Story
18. Who’s Gonna Help A Brother – Lee Dorsey
19. Tobacco Road – Lou Rawls
20. Ain’t Gonna Tell No More – Stoned Soul Pinic
21. Can’t You See – The Marshall Tucker Band

http://rapidshare.com/files/277877937/Deep_Tracks_68_Pt.1.zip

This is a really solid comp in my humble and uninformed opinion. A lot of interesting tracks and artists on this one. Jackie Wilson had one of the great voices of all time and like Sam Cooke he operated perhaps less than comfortably at the intersection between white pop and black R&B. He had too much appeal for the young white women to have total credibility as a pop star but he was also way too black for mainstream acceptance.

Rocky Top is a great American bluegrass classic, drinkin', lovin', and dying. The Osborne Brothers are singers and players of the first tier and had many country hits over the years.

Jimmy Smith was working hard as the 70's dawned to stay relevant in the post-James Brown world of Black Music. Groove Drops was one of his 70's albums in this mode. More complex arrangements and instrumentation combined with a his dazzling b-3 skills made for some interesting output. Not for the classicists that's for sure.

Calvin Key's Aunt Lovey is another funky jazz number from the great lost Black Jazz label out of Oakland. Founded by pianist Gene Russell this label took West Coast artists and sensibilities and created a distinct and very funky sound.

I think that a lot like Jackie Wilson, Howard Tate had one of the great voices of all time. Unrecorded for sure but still great as this track evidences.

Deep Tracks 67

1. Precious Lord – Mike Farris

2. Trouble In Mind – Merle Haggard

3. Stocking Cap – Sir Edward

4. A Lonely Walk – Albert Malawi

5. Justin Townes Earle – Halfway to Jackson

6. Function at the Junction – Shorty Long

7. Frequency Response – Messengers Incorporated

8. Feelin’ Alright - Junior Walker

9. The Captain and Me – The Doobie Brothers

10. One Night Affair – Seldon Powell

11. Song For Everyman – The Rotary Connection

12. The Golden Road – Phil Lesh & Friends

13. Holding On – The Isley Brothers

14. Honky Tonk Nighttime Man – Merle Haggard

15. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones

16. I’ve Been Lonely For So Long – Fredrick Knight

17. Old Time Religion – Golden

18. Lying on the Truth - Rance Allen Group

http://rapidshare.com/files/269945718/Deep_Tracks_67.zip

Merle Haggard is so good he actually appears twice on this one. I think these tracks are taken from his outstanding tribute to Jimmie Rogers. Both men were great American songwriters and characters. Rogers was close to a number of blues men near his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi including Muddy Waters who grew up in a small house about a mile from Rogers. The influence of the blues on country is evident and it is apparent that there were many commonalities in the lives of poor rural blacks and whites. As these tracks makes manifest, Haggard had embraced these blues too and I suspect that growing up in Bakersfield in the 40's and 50's poor was much like living in the South at that time.

Sir Edward was a one off band on Bernard Purdie's Encounter Records led by tenor player Harold Vick. I thought this was an interesting jam and while Vick is clearly not comfortable with all of the dynamics offered by the electric sax, it still sounds cool.

Jr. Walker and the Allstars were a great band that thrived at the edges of pop, soul, and Motown. This is a great version of the oft covered Traffic classic Feelin' Alright.

I don't think the Isley Brothers have ever released a shitty record. Even doing over produced disco they sounded good. Of course, I prefer the harder stuff and they offer it in spades.

Fredrick Knight was a stax producer and A&R man who could also bang out an insanely good falsetto. This track is from the legendary Wattstax concert in South Central LA celebrating Soul Power. Ten of thousands of people packed the LA Coliseum to see among others WAR, Albert King, The Staple Singers, Willie Bobo, Richard Pryor, Issac Hayes, and others. Wow.

Deep Tracks 20

1. Jah Jah Way - Jackie Bernard
2. Babylon Street - The Gladiators
3. Pressure and Slide - The Tennors
4. Chinatown - Don Drummond
5. Right Time - Mighty Diamonds
6. International Herb - Culture
7. To the Fields - Herman
8. Mother and Child Reunion - The Pioneers
9. Louie, Louie - Toots & the Maytals
10. Kung Fu Fighting- The Cimarons
11. Tears of a Clown - The Chosen Few
12. Can't Get Next to You - The Jay Boys
13. Message From A Black Man - Derrick Harriot
14. Liberation - Bunny Wailer
15. No Need To Wonder - African Brothers
16. Put it On - Bob Marley & the Wailers
17. Feel the Spirit - The Ethiopians
18. Sounds and Pressure - Hopeton Lewis
19. Don't Look Back - Keith and Tex
20. Oh What A Feeling - Justin Hinds
21 . The Maddening Crowd - ?
22. Man In the Hills - Burning Spear

http://rapidshare.com/files/269945715/Deep_Tracks_20.zip

Today we venture backwards to Deep Tracks 20 - Reggae Uprising. In many ways roots reggae was a first love. With the paucity of decent tunes in the 80's I gravitated toward reggae. Sunsplash was touring Jamaican acts and I had the chance to see the Mighty Diamonds, Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru, U-Roy, Pablo Moses, Brigadier Jerry, Freddie Macgregor, Burning Spear, and many others. My first record purchases were from Rough Trade's Jamaican import bin south of Market in SF.

It's difficult to say what exactly fueled this mix. What distinguishes these tunes from all of the schwag reggae I had to sift through to pull these? I think you'll agree they are all tight and representative of some of the most important artists. Also it appears that I believe reggae died in 1980. Check it!

Deep Tracks 66

1. I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky (take 2)-Bill Monroe
2. Long Journey Home-Lilly Brothers
3. Rocky Top-Lookout Mountain Boys
4. Singing All Day and Dinner On The Ground-Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys
5. Whitehouse Blues-Merle Travis & Joe Maphis
6. Weary Lonesome Blues-Roy Cobb and the Coachmen
7. Little Maggie – Josh Graves
8. I'll Be Going To Heaven Sometimes-Flatt & Scruggs
9. Prisoner's Song-Vern & Ray
10. Midnight Special-Bill Emerson And Cliff Waldron
11. It's Mighty Dark To Travel-Walter Hensley
12. On And On-Ted Lundy & the Southern Mountain Boys
13. Sally Goodin-Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys
14. Sitting On Top Of The World-Jim & Jesse & The Virginia Boys
15. My Cabin In Caroline-Osborne Brothers
16. Bending The Strings-Allen Shelton
17. Are You Lost In Sin-Cliff Waldron
18. I'm Just Here To Get My Baby Out of Jail-Red Allen Frank Wakefield and Good Ol Boys
19. Tenbrooks And Mollie-Joe Maphis & Rose Lee Maphis
20. Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord-Red White
21. Nine Pound Hammer-Doc Watson
22. Ridin' That Midnight Train-Earl Scruggs
23. Look For Me-J. D. Crowe & the Kentucky Mountain Boys
24. Old Time Religion-Larry Richardson
25. Just A Little Talk With Jesus-Stanley Brothers
26. Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms-Lester Flatt
27. Mule Skinner Blues-Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys
28. Will The Circle Be Unbroken-Curly Ray Cline
29. Swing Low Sweet Chariot-Curly Seckler
30. Big River-Dan Crary
31. Pretty Polly-Earl Taylor & Jim McCall

http://rapidshare.com/files/267092251/Deep_Tracks_66.zip

I always considered bluegrass, hillbilly, and traditional country music guilty pleasures. My wife mocked me endlessly about being a Jew that listens to hillbilly gospel. If listen closely you can hear what I hear and that is the blues and I like the blues. Cracker blues but blues nonetheless.

Life was certainly challenging for poor rural whites in the antebellum south. The country and sacred songs heard are mostly rooted in the balladry of the late 19th century and the dance culture that abounded in the South. Shit. It's not like they had cable. But what they did have were stringed instruments and they also understood that if you put enough strings and voices together you could play a dance and make money.

What resonates is the realness of these artists. Most lived and died in honky tonks and bars. These were men and women that loved, fought, and drank too much. They got strung out on dope and stabbed each other in the back. It was a culture of honor and subterfuge; of subterranean provincialism and otherworldly spirituality. They fucked and killed one another. They sanctified nature and God's beauty and they were doomed to abject poverty. This compilation reflects these people. And I like 'em. They represent something unique to America that we can claim as our own.

Most of this music came through some other great blogs including Friends of Old Time Music: http://fobgm.blogspot.com. Check it out.

Deep Tracks 65

1. Spark Plug – Melvin Sparks

2. Midnight Train – Jim & Jessie and the Virginia Boys

3. It’s Your World – Gil Scott Heron

4. Can’t Get Enough – Jimmy Smith

5. Africadelic – Manu Dibango

6. Hold On I’m Coming – Fred Ramirez

7. Just A Little Talk With Jesus – The Bluegrass Cardinals

8. Yield Not > Turn On Your Lovelight – Derek Trucks Band

9. Poppin’ – Boogaloo Joe Jones

10. She Thinks I Still Care – Lou Johnson

11. Kiss and Run – Buddy Miles

12. Mamblues – Cal Tjader

13. Sideway Shuffle – Unda Lewis

14. What You Can Bring – Watts 103^rd Street Rhythm Section

15. Be Bop Wine – The Lamplighters

16. Love Me Baby – Little Junior and the Blue Flames

17. I Got You Babe – The Majestics

18. Changes – Buddy Fite

19. Beware – Lou Courtney

20. Many Rivers To Cross – Little Milton

21. Walk That Walk – Eddie Bo

22. Sugar Hill – The Three Sounds

http://rapidshare.com/files/267092248/Deep_Tracks_65.zip

I am not sure what connects me to Hillbilly music but I love stuff like the Virginia Boys "Midnight Train". Something about the accents, the speed and dexterity of the playing, and the great imagery. Don't know much about this band but they rip up this standard and check out the lids on these dudes.

What a great singer and songwriter Gil Scott Heron was. He embodies so much of the struggle that surrounded African American music: racism, drugs, corruption. His poetry remains powerful today and his best stuff from the 70's is classic.

Fred Ramirez boogaloos through the classic Stax hit Hold on I'm Coming. A terrific rearrangement of this song with a propulsive latin percussion and a timeless quality. Blistering.

Buddy Miles enjoyed brief fame in the late 60's drumming with Jimi Hendrix in Band of Gypsys and later with Carlos Santana in a freakin' volcano. Probably made this comp because of the dazzling fro.