Venus Gang – “Love to Fly”
Tight, groovy, and funky as the day is long, this 1978 number by Venus Gang is pure fun. No politics or controversy here, just a phat, raw beat, and sexy female vocals about stars making love and loving to fly. Imagination takes care of the rest. Disco keyboard and rhythm section work a’la Quincy Jones, meets a dubby clubby vibe that anticipates more contemporary nightclub music, and gives some of today’s producers a bit of schooling, I’d have to say. Delicious track.
Venus Gang
“Love to Fly” (mp3)
from “Galactic Soul”
(Mucho Gusto Records)
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Lee “Scratch” Perry – “Santa Claus”
It seems Lee “Scratch” Perry’s musical evolution will never stop. Jamaican music innovator number one, Perry has from the early 60’s to the present been a core author of the operating systems for ska, reggae, and dub, spawning myriad sub-genres and altering the perceptions and priorities of generations of fans and musicians world wide. Quite a resume. Now on, like, his ten thousandth LP or something, “madman scratchy” has a new release on the lovely Narnack Records label. This track, a wild riff on Perry’s already wild “Having A Party” which I posted earlier, is closer to a dubby downtempo or house vibe than the Reggae based work he’s most famous for. But the unique voice and mind bending take on life are instantly recognizable as no one else’s. Here’s holiday music of a kind I promise you, you have never heard before. Santa Claus is coming, so catch Scratchy on his short US tour they just announced, and be good!
Lee “Scratch” Perry
“Repentance”
Narnack Records
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Forrrce – “Keep on Dancin”
Oooooold skooooool! How funkay do ya wannit? This classic slice of early 80’s club disco is a joyous celebration of life, dancin’ and partying. Luscious ear candy from electric guitar, bass, clavinet, bells and the kitchen sink back party chants and vintage rap vocals, in this under-discovered link in the evolution from disco and funk to hip-hop and modern deejay dance music. From Mel Cheren’s West End Records, ladies and gents, a timeless, absolutely guaranteed dance floor filler. Feel the Forrrce!
Forrrce
“Keep on Dancin’” (mp3)
from “Keep on Dancin’”
(West End Records)
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Rae & Christian – “Play On feat The Jungle Brothers”
Rae & Christian bringin’ tha DJ pfunkt like mad hatters. This floor-filler is x-rated if you’re paying attention, but either way, it pops. Like the album title says, they’re “Raiding The Vaults” – with the Jungle Brother’s help on this track – pulling up whatever they need to construct a massive party mix. Fun stuff.
Rae & Christian
“Play On (feat. The Jungle Brothers)” (mp3)
from “Raiding The Vaults”
(RAC)
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