thehookandsling100% SOUL AND FUNK MUSIC2008-09-05T07:22:54ZCopyright 2008WordPresshttp://thehookandsling.podbean.com/wp-content/blogs/21854/uploads/2007-03-11T20_42_33-07_00.jpgthehookandsling<![CDATA[Joyce Jones - Help Me Make Up My Mind]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/09/02/joyce-jones-help-me-make-up-my-mind/2008-09-02T16:00:35Z2008-09-02T16:00:35ZarticlesHey Soul Children!
I hope all is well and good at your end? Thankfully I have some extended leave from ‘The Coal Face’ which is allowing me to catch up on some long over due time with my records. After finally ridding Hook and Sling HQ of the builders my collection is in need of some serious organization. The problem with this is that when it comes to records I’m like a hyperactive child in a sweet shop, and remaining focussed on the job in hand becomes increasingly more difficult as I get side tracked playing almost every single 45 I come across!!! The upside of this is I’ve turned out some long forgotten treats for you, which will be appearing on these very pages in various guises.
I have also been working on another ‘Soul Exchange’ with my good friend Vincent The Soul Chef over at Fufu Stew, touch wood this should be ready in the very near future so stay posted! I also have something very special in the pipeline for you, which hopefully should fall onto these pages within the next week or so.
Today’s choice is a 45 that’s been getting some serious revolutions on my turntables at the moment. This must annoy the living hell out of my neighbours, as I’m pretty sure they aren’t as enthusiastic about funk and soul 45s as I am, and hearing the same 45 over and over again can only serve to annoy!!
‘Help Me Make Up My Mind‘ by Joyce Jones was released on the New York based Atco Label in 1969. It was an answer record to ‘Can I Change My Mind’, a #5 hit by Tyrone Davis.
The track is driven along by the chugging organ, bouncing guitar lick and horn section, her powerful vocals round off the track for me, making it a fantastic soulful funk crossover. I find it difficult to understand why this version didn’t get the recognition it deserved, but as there was several different versions and covers doing the rounds at the same time, it may have just got lost amongst them.
I hope you get as many plays out of this one as I have! Enjoy and I’ll catch you back here later with another dose of the ‘Good stuff’.
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[3,046 People Danced ‘Till 4am To Bill Doggett And His Combo]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/08/26/3046-people-danced-%e2%80%98till-4am-to-bill-doggett-and-his-combo/2008-08-26T10:14:10Z2008-08-26T10:14:10ZarticlesAfter a week of demolishing and rebuilding walls, the builders have finally vacated Hook And Sling HQ. The extended weekend was spent amongst other things, reinstating my record collection and audio equipment back to its new improved home. So now, for the time being some semblance of order can return.
I have picked up a substantial bundle of new 45’s and am expecting a whole load more in the next week, so while I digitize them and put together a few new mixes for you I have decided to post something I’ve had on the back burner for a while now.
Whilst my collecting habits are almost exclusively only 45’s, every now and again I stumble across a nice album that will bring out the ‘magpie hoarder’ in me. Today’s choice is a great Bill Doggett album I scored a couple of years back and with its striking album artwork is a prime example of how these things end up in my collection!
This is certainly one for all you Organ lovers out there (cue a nod towards Larry and Vincent!!), recorded live and in one take this showcases just how tight Bill Doggett and his Combo really were.
I’ve recorded the two sides and tacked them together to make one continuous Organ feast for you.
Now we’re (hopefully) back on track there is plenty to look forward to, expect some tasty new guest mixes as well as our forthcoming nights, which will see us joined by some great guest DJ’s. Enjoy today’s post and we’ll see you back here with some more of the Good stuff!
Track List
SIDE ONE
1 - Happy
2 - (Lets Do) The Hully Gully Twist
3 - Tom Cat
4 - The Slouch
5 - Can’t Sit Down
SIDE TWO
1 - Roly-Poly
2 - Hokum
3 - Jackrabbit
4 - Ragtown
5 - The Rootie Too
6 – Track 29
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[The Hook And Sling Returns….]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/08/21/the-hook-and-sling-returns/2008-08-21T13:34:26Z2008-08-21T13:34:26ZeventsClick here for Jamie C’s (Bumpin’) Guest Mix
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[We interrupt this broadcast….]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/08/12/we-interrupt-this-broadcast/2008-08-12T15:34:34Z2008-08-12T15:34:34ZarticlesFirst up a big thanks to all who made it on Saturday, especially Risk and all the breakers who made it an extremely enjoyable night with some seriously heavy weight moves!! We look forward to seeing them return to our night in the near future.
It’s currently complete pandemonium at ‘Casa del Hook And Sling’ as I have builders moving in for the next few days to carry out some long awaited serious wall demolishing and building work. This wouldn’t be such a problem if it wasn’t taking place in the very room where my entire record collection, turntables and recording equipment is housed!!
THE BIG MOVE BEGINS
This ensured Monday evening was spent re-homeing my precious hoard into boxes and flight cases and stowing everything away to ensure it all remains dust and debris free. The other downside to this whole annoying escapade is that apart from messing up my extremely anal filing system, it also means that there may well be a (hopefully brief) interruption to my blogging output here (although due to my recent slackness this may well go undetected!!)
So to tide you over until my return, I’ve raided my emergency stash to bring you a few goodies to see you through the next week. Enjoy!
Al Trahan – Can I Feel It – Spindletop Records
This is a quality slice of Texas deep funk. Although copies aren’t too hard to acquire it still commands a three figure sum on sales lists at the moment but worth every penny as I’m sure you’ll agree!
Marvelettes – I’ll Keep On Holding On – Tamla
This Marvelettes 1965 Tamla stomper is pretty difficult to turn up in good condition at the moment. This is another 45 that’s being championed by Hoppin’ John at our night.
Richard Berry & the Pharaohs – Louis Louis – Flip
This is the original version of the track that has been covered by more bands than I’ve had hot dinners! IMHO this is the best version and is a real toughie to get hold of on Flip Records.
The New Mastersounds Featuring Sulene Fleming– Turn This Thing Around – Deep Funk Records
Where to begin with this cut? Lifted from the LP Keb Darge Presents The New Mastersounds on Deep Funk Records from 2001. This is an absolute killer with Sulene Fleming on vocals with the four piece from Leeds. Top stuff and well worth keeping an eye open for a copy.
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Isaac Hayes - R.I.P.]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/08/11/isaac-hayes-rip/2008-08-11T16:16:05Z2008-08-11T16:16:05ZarticlesIsaac Hayes (20th August 1942 to 10 August 2008) R.I.P.
Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft - Stax
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents Back To The Funk (The 88 Miles Per Hour Mix)]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/08/06/mr-double-down-presents-back-to-the-funk-the-88-miles-per-hour-mix/2008-08-06T10:29:03Z2008-08-06T10:29:03ZmixesWe scream into midweek (in true DeLorean style!!) with another helping of the “Good Stuff” and I hope it finds you all well and good. This coming Saturday sees us return to The Brown Sugar Bar in London’s West End for our regular funk and soul night. All the details can be found by clicking the tabs at the top of the page. Hopefully you’ll join our ever growing army of funk and soul recruits and help kick the un-summer like weather we’ve been having of late back into touch.
Today’s offering finds me on some what of an extended funk tip and I’ve included within, a couple of new acquisitions that I’ve recently made to the collection. I’ve also been spending the past few evenings going through my 45s and revisiting long forgotten recesses and neglected sides. Pay particular attention to The Deltas 45 (a new acquisition) as well as The Superlatives cut (a long forgotten side) both are singles I hope you approve of. With plenty of I’s to dot and T’s to cross, this will probably be the last episode here before Saturday, but we’ll be back again same time, same place as always with a fresh dose of Soul tonic for you. Enjoy today’s mix and we’ll see you Saturday night, don’t forget to bring your best dancing shoes!
Track list (Click on individual track titles for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down’s Beats And Sweet Treats Mix]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/07/31/mr-double-downs-beats-and-sweet-treats-mix/2008-07-31T20:24:28Z2008-07-31T20:24:28Zmixes
I trust you’re still grooving the Joy Lovejoy side from last week?? If not then what on earth were you thinking? Go and grab it now!!
Here we go again with some more of the ‘Good stuff’ for you, and as the response to Joy Lovejoy’s fantastic 45 ‘In Orbit’ was so positive I’ve included the flip in this mix (which I personally like as much as the A side)
We’re also nearing our monthly soiree at The Brown Sugar Bar so whip out your diaries and pen in Saturday 9th of August right now in big bold fat letters!!
Back to the task in hand and we kick things off with a tag team of James Brown productions. First up is Lyn Collin’s awesome ‘Mama Feelgood’, an absolute monster and released on my favourite label, People Records to boot! This is one of ‘The Female Preacher’s’ finest, and really proves just what James Brown saw in her and just why he invested so much of himself in her career.
James Brown’s ‘Talking Loud And Saying Nothing’ gets its inclusion here after a small prompt from The Popcorn King. He dropped the rarer alternative version which was released on King records in our last joint mix. It left me with the track swimming round my head for days after, hence the inclusion of the original here. I’m a sucker for 70’s European funk and soul picture sleeves, they always seem to be aesthetically pleasing, so this copy was snapped up quick sharpish and filed away in the collection!
B.W. Souls is probably better known for ‘Marvin’s Groove’, an awesome hammond groover that many of you will undoubtedly already know and appreciate. After a brief foray into the B-sides of my collection (this always happens around a week before payday due to financial constraints!!) I happened upon this much over looked flip. This side, although not as full on as its A-side counterpart still manages to give the horn section and hammond organ the full work out, and why it hasn’t had decent plays in the past is a complete mystery to me?
I picked up this Soul Food 45 at a boot fair awhile back. On closer inspection I realised it was arranged and produced by none other than H.B. Barnum, never a bad thing. This was confirmed once the needle found the grooves! A fantastic double sider from 1975, I included “Boogie Bump” on an earlier mix but it’s the interestingly titled “Tom The Peeper’s Brother John” that features here.
Dizzy Jones is an artist I was only too well aware of after acquiring the fantastic “Just As Sure As You Play (You Must Pay)’ on New Breed. I grabbed this 45,’Come On And Love Me’ which was released on the highly collectable Chicago record label Blue Rock from the same digging trip out in New York. This is another James Brown Production and co-penned by Henry Stone of Brownstone Records fame.
As mentioned earlier, after the large response I got from posting Joy Lovejoy’s “In Orbit’ I’ve decided to include the flipside ‘Uh Hum’ in this mix for you. Several hundred steams and downloads unfortunately saw no additional info materialize about her for you and all that is left is this, to my knowledge, the only other side she recorded. It does however see Joy Lovejoy coupled with that killer horn section again and is, as before another real grower. I guarantee after a couple of listens you’ll be humming (no pun intended) this for days!
The Liberty Belles are a group I confess to knowing very little about. “Just Try Me” was penned and arranged by Norbert “Bert” DeCoteaux, who is somewhat of a legend on the soul scene, having worked with everyone from Marlena Shaw, Joe Simon and Ace Spectrum. The A-side to this is “Shing-A-Ling Time” which I included on my guest mix “Show Time” for Tony C’s brilliant show “The Melting Pot” a while back, The whole show including the mix is in the archives here somewhere so get digging.
Next up is Chris Jones and another (yes that’s right, another) B-side “Destination Unknown”. This is a nice laid-back groover from the JB sound alike who is better known for his deep funk A-side “I’m The Man”.
We close out today’s mix with a soul/reggae cross over track by The Pioneers. The group teamed up with Jimmy Cliff and released “More Love” coupled with “Let Your Yeah Be Yeah” on Trojan Records, which reached #5 in the UK charts. The band constantly appealed towards the soulful sides of things and often included Motown staples in their live shows.
Enjoy today’s beats and sweet treats and we’ll be back here soon with some more heat for you.
Track List (Click on individual track titles for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[“Couldn’t hold back if I tried to”]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/07/23/couldnt-hold-back-if-i-tried-to/2008-07-23T17:06:24Z2008-07-23T17:06:24ZarticlesI’ve been meaning to share this 45 with you for a while now and I was trying to work out the best moment for it. Rather than drop it into a mix where it may not get the full appreciation it deserves, I’ve opted to post it on it’s own in all its full glory.
Joy Lovejoy’s ‘In Orbit’ is an absolute full on monster of a record. My fellow Hook & Slinger, Hoppin’ John has been championing this 45 at our night to huge effect of late, which prompted me to procure my own, albeit slightly damaged copy. It’s a ballsy upfront Northern stomper with a fantastic horn section to rival any other. And once Miss Lovejoys vocal’s kick in, it certainly takes no prisoners!
It was originally released in the US on Checker Records in 1967, the UK release on Chess came a little later in 1972. It has also seen a second press on Chess and a re-issue on Argo Records due to it’s increasing popularity on the Northern Soul scene (In Orbit was also included in The Northern Soul Top 500).
It appears that there is little to no information on exactly who Joy Lovejoy was, although I’ll be happily proved wrong if anyone has anything to offer on her identity! A great deal of speculation remains, with several theories surrounding her identity. The biggest being that she was someone performing under a pseudonym (possibly even Fontella Bass????) from the Chess/Checker Stable. This could even stretch to being another major artiste tied to a different label other than Chess or Checker, recording as ‘Joy Lovejoy’ to get round licensing issues. This was a trick often used, and you only have to look as far as artists such as James brown to find examples of this happening.
The other theory, and the most likely IMHO, was that Joy Lovejoy was a Chess/Checker backing or session singer, and was given her “15 minutes of fame”. And as this to my knowledge was the only release by her, the ‘powers that be’ must have deemed the take up on her efforts not worthy of any further 45s.
Regardless of who she was this is two and a half minutes of quality soul! Enjoy!
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[The Hook And Sling Presents All Good Things Come In 3’s]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/07/16/the-hook-and-sling-presents-all-good-things-come-in-3%e2%80%99s/2008-07-16T13:46:23Z2008-07-16T13:46:23ZmixesA huge thank you to all those made it down to The Brown Sugar Bar on Saturday, It was great to see some familiar faces returning for our little funk and soul shindigg, and as always a great time was had by all!
As promised we’re back with another joint collaboration from all three of us, recorded straight from our play out boxes from Saturday. They say all good thing’s come in 3’s and today’s mix is no exception as we’ve included some stone cold rarities as well as some up front breaks and beats for your listening pleasure within this one. Enjoy and we’ll be back here later in the week with more of the ‘good stuff’ for you.
Track List (Click on individual track names for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents If It’s Not Broken Then Don’t Fix It]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/07/11/mr-double-down-presents-if-it%e2%80%99s-not-broken-then-don%e2%80%99t-fix-it/2008-07-11T08:45:10Z2008-07-11T08:45:10ZmixesWe return here to our little corner of the interweb in an attempt to whet your appetites, as well as making up for the lack of output in the last month. That old adage about buses always arriving together at once rings true here at The Hook And Sling, as we deliver another new instalment for you (two in one week – chalk it up!).
We’re yet again just a couple of days away from our next outing at The Brown Sugar Bar, and after you’ve finished aurally digesting today’s mix you can catch us live and direct doing our thing this Saturday 12th July. Doors will open 8pm through to a thoroughly liver busting 3am!! We’ll be spinning our usual blend of 100% funk and soul 45’s and as always we’ll be looking forward to seeing some of those familiar faces out on the dance floor!! You can find all the fine details in the tabs at the top of the page.
Enjoy today’s selection and we’ll catch you back here after the weekend with a new joint mix.
Track list (Click on individual track names for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents If You Don’t Know By Now, You’d Better Ask Somebody]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/07/07/mr-double-down-presents-if-you-don%e2%80%99t-know-by-know-you%e2%80%99d-better-ask-somebody/2008-07-07T09:42:47Z2008-07-07T09:42:47ZeventsmixesSo I managed to steal some time away from the ‘coal face’ to hit you all up with some more of the good stuff. I know that my postings are becoming fewer and far between but hopefully things are starting to settle down to some sort of semblance of ‘normality’.
We’re back at The Brown Sugar Bar this Saturday (12th July) for our monthly night. It seems that we’ve only just managed to recover from the last one and it’s back on us once again (not that it’s such a bad thing!) We’re looking forward to seeing our regular crowd hopefully with a few new faces thrown in for good measure and judging on the responses since the last one it should be another great night worth showing up for!!
Today’s mix is made up of 45s that have seen me through the past busy weeks. A couple are new acquisitions and the rest are old favourites. Enjoy and we’ll see you back here later in the week for a brand new instalment.
Track List (Click on individual track titles for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents Live & Direct]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/06/26/mr-double-down-presents-live-direct/2008-06-26T08:35:48Z2008-06-26T08:35:48ZmixesSo I finally managed to crowbar some time in for a new mini mix for you. Things have been pretty hectic here, relocation to a brand new part of the ‘Coal Face’ has seen some hefty hours at work of late, and that coupled with sorting out the finer details for the monthly night has meant that life seems to have got slightly in the way of all things ‘Blog’ at the moment. But fear not as I try and rectify things with a new selection for you. Contained within are some 45s I’ve kept simmering on the back burner, as well as a couple of recent additions to the collection. Hopefully you’ll find something to fill that soulful gap.
On a different note, all the decent photos from June’s outing at The Brown Sugar Bar are now up on a New Gallery Page. We’re going to try and make these a regular addition to the site after each monthly night (this is in no way a means for us to remember the evening….honest!) so keep one eye on the Gallery Tab at the top of the page.
A big thanks to everyone who made it down to June’s Hook And Sling, especially Jamie C, who played a blinder! All the feedback and emails about the night are hugely appreciated and we’re already looking forward to returning to The Brown Sugar Bar on the 12th of June, so don’t sleep on it!
Enjoy today’s new mix and we’ll see you back here with some more of the good stuff on the flip side!
Track List (Click on individual track titles for scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[The Hook And Sling Presents The Big Shake Down]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/06/15/the-hook-and-sling-presents-the-big-shake-down/2008-06-15T17:00:07Z2008-06-15T17:00:07ZmixesFirst up, a big big thank you to everyone that made it down to The Brown Sugar Bar on Saturday. It was good to see our regular crowd mixed with some new faces. Jamie C joined us and played a great funk and rare breaks set. Watch this space for future collaborations.
Props to Risk and all the breakers who showed up and entertained us, and also PJ of Galactic Fractures fame, who made it all the way over from Boston in the states! Hopefully he will be gracing us with a guest mix for these pages in the near future.
Todays mix is another joint effort from all of us and comes from Saturday’s play boxes. Hopefully it will be just what’s needed to kick start the new week for you. Enjoy!
Track list (Click on individual track titles for scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents Raiders Of The Lost Funk]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/06/10/mr-double-down-presents-raiders-of-the-lost-funk/2008-06-10T16:57:17Z2008-06-10T16:57:17ZmixesSo we’re just a few short days from this Saturday when we’ll be hitting up The Brown Sugar Bar in Holborn with our next Funk and Soul night. We will also be joined by our next guest. Hailing from South London, DJ, Record dealer and collector Jamie C of Bumpin’ fame will be joining us with some of his funk and soul rarities. You can catch Jamie C’s Guest Mix HERE. It’s going to be another monster night, and with a whole host of this months new finds to be premiered, you’d be foolish to turn up without your best dancing shoes!
So back to today and not one to ride on someone else’s laurels I bring you my new mix entitled Raiders Of The Lost Funk. (The title just came to me out of nowhere…….Honestly!..…..)
We get the ball rolling with The Chubukos and their 1973 stone cold funk jam ‘House Of The Rising Funk’. The 13 members strong band also recorded as Afrique and put out several 45s under that name during the 70s. It’s hard to know where to start with this 45, all the components here are amazing individually. The drum break is a Hip hop staple, which along with the guitar, organ and horn sections form an awesome funk jam.
Charles Earland was an accomplished organist, saxophone player and Jazz composer. He hailed from Philadelphia and had a large output on Prestige Records in the 70s. This deep funk version of Sly And The Family Stones 1968 hit ‘Sing A Simple Song’ is an absolute monster and definitely worthy of its place here.
The New Mastersounds are a fantastic four piece funk band from Leeds. Released on Freestyle Records, ‘Two Note Brown’ is a re-working of their hit ‘One Note Brown’. Recorded live this is faster and grittier than the OG version. I had the pleasure of catching them at the Jazz Café in London and would highly recommend seeing them if you get a chance.
‘Brother Brown’ is a 45 that has come down in price on sales lists of late. This is a great deep funker and IMHO should feature in play boxes a little more often! Camille Bob also recorded under the name L’il Bob and also released 45s on the Master Trak and La Louisanne Labels. Check out his earlier R&B 45 ‘I Got Loaded’ which he recorded as L’il Bob & The Lollipops.
Slim And The Soulful Saints recorded ‘Fish Head’ in 1970 at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and released it on the independent CAL label. The seven piece band were led by Stanford “Slim” Barnes who borrowed money from a local banker to hire the backing band and pay for the session. The track is a nod to Tenor Sax player Lorenzo “Fish” Fendley who penned the track.
I don’t know that much about Jimbo Jackson & Violators, but this is another raw Illinois funk 45 that seems to cash in on the Popcorn craze that was huge at the time.
The next two 45 are considered ‘Holy Grail’s amongst deep funk collectors. Their respective reissues a few years ago opened up many cans of worms regarding the rights and wrongs of reissuing expensive rare records. The Herb Johnson Settlement 45 was put out by Soul Fire and has a replica Toxsan label, As far as I can see the only difference is in the dead wax markings. The pressing is fantastic and will suffice for the time being until a spare £300-£400 comes my way!!
Herman Hitson’ s ‘Ain’t No Other Way’ appears here on the Grapevine Label. This is a record that commands some serious ‘wedge’ if your lucky enough to find a copy some where. The 45 is just as popular on the northern scene for the flip ‘You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down’. Originally this was released on Hitson’s own Sweet Rose Label as he had found it difficult to get a record label to release his material after a dropped assault charge in 1968. Head HERE for Colin Dilnot’s brilliant and insightful interview with Herman Hitson.
Like Charles Earland, Don Gardner also came from Philadelphia. He is an excellent drummer and singer who is still performing today. He had notable success in the 60’s with Dee Dee Ford, but this is my clear favourite cut of his. The drums and guitar take no prisoners what so ever. Quality!
Robert Moore’s feel good cut ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ was originally released on the highly collectable Saadia label. Written by Frank Williams, this is another 45 that falls in to the reissue category. With the OG fetching a pretty penny, the Record Kicks release makes a good temporary substitute.
We round things up with The Fantastic Johnny C and ‘Look What Love Can Make You Do’ on the Phil-L.A. Of Soul label. This is the flip to ‘Boogaloo Down Broadway’, his 1968 top ten hit. Johnny Corley was originally discovered whilst singing in a Church choir. This side is a great groover and wraps things up nicely.
That’s it for today, I hope we will see some of you this Saturday at The Brown Sugar Bar, Don’t Sleep on it!!
Track List (Click on individual track titles for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents Rare Rhythms And Raw Beats]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/06/04/mr-double-down-presents-rare-rhythms-and-raw-beats/2008-06-04T08:29:06Z2008-06-04T08:29:06ZmixesI hope the mid week finds you all well and good? After a small break I’m back with an all new mini mix for you. The reason for my absence and delayed postings are down to a recent digging trip back to my old stomping ground. The weekend saw me travelling outside of Good ‘Ole London Town to meet up with my fellow Hook And Slinger, The Popcorn King. After a Saturday night playing catch up over several too many beers, we bravely fought off our hangovers to hit up a local Car Boot Fair. Previous expeditions to this particular spot have turned up a few surprising rarities, so we decided to get in on the act early and both arrived as the majority of the vendors were still setting up their stalls. Things were looking bleak until we stumbled on not one, but TWO record dealers!! The second guy had rolled up to the boot fair with a huge transit van, containing several thousand 45s (Happy Days!!!) After working our way through them, both of us walked away several hours later with a healthy clutch of new acquisitions. I’ll be beavering away to get these digimatized for your listening pleasure very soon.
We’re also fast approaching our next monthly night at The Brown Sugar Bar in London. They seem to arrive quicker and quicker these days which may not be such a bad thing depending on your out look! We’re pleased to announce the second of our guest DJ’s for our next night. This month will see us joined by Jamie C of Bumpin’ fame, His sets are always welcome around these parts and I’m certain his deep crates will kick thing’s up a gear, so don’t miss out. Your regular support both here at the site and also at our monthly nights are always hugely welcomed, and we look forward to seeing you on the 14th with your best dancing shoes in hand! All the details, as usual, can be found HERE. Back to the present and todays mix is one I’ve been meaning to put together for a while now, there’s a definate drum fuelled theme running through this one, all backed up with some nice rhythms as well. I hope it aids you through the rest of your week!
Track List (Click on individual tracks for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Dj Chak – “Sunday Lounge” Guest Mix – Part Two]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/05/30/dj-chak-%e2%80%93-sunday-lounge-guest-mix-%e2%80%93-part-two/2008-05-30T13:18:00Z2008-05-30T13:18:00ZGuest MixesI hope you enjoyed the many versions of ‘There Was A Time’, including Kenny Dope’s new remix we dropped earlier in the week. As promised Dj Chak returns to The Hook And Sling with the second instalment of his fantastic Guest Mix. For those that missed out, Part 1 can be found HERE
Dj Chak hails from Russia and you can catch him there in June doing his thing with DJ Format.
All the details are below:
Forth Coming Dates
19.06 @ SECRET LOCATION - MEMBERS ONLY | ST.PETERSBURG | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. DJ CHAK
20.06 @ BUBBLE BAR | ST.PETERSBURG, RU | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. MR.C and guests
21.06 @ KVARTIRA | EKATERINBURG, RU | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. DJ CHAK and guests
22.06 @ 106,3 FM | SPB.RADIOSHOW | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. DJ CHAK | 1:00 - 3:00
As before with Part 1, today’s selection was released in 2002 as a Limited run of 1000 CDs on Melodia Records for “Par.Spb” Club in St.Petersburg.
Track Listing For Part Two
Intro
Lalo Schifrin - “Tabu”
Cedar Walton - “Jacob’s Ladder”
Barry White - “Strange Games”
Unknown - (Vocal)
Unknown - (Instrumental)
The Charmels - “As Long As I’ve Got You”
Sly Stone - “Rock Dirge”
Patsy Gallant - “It’ll All Come Around”
Barry White - “Strange Games & Things” (long version)
Funk Factory - “Rien Ne Va Plus”
Barbara Mason - “A God Man Is Gone”
Janco Nilovic - “Supa Pop Impression”
Sammy Nestico - “Shore Line Drive”
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents First Thing’s First]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/05/23/mr-double-down-presents-first-thing%e2%80%99s-first/2008-05-23T11:04:18Z2008-05-23T11:04:18ZmixesGuest MixesHere we go with another extended Bank Holiday weekend (you have to love the month of May!) and a brand new mix to accompany it. I hope you enjoyed Part 1of Dj Chak’s ‘Sunday Lounge Guest Mix’, and as promised we’ll be dropping Part 2 next week. I also want to give a shout out to Scholar over at Souled On Music, check out the phenomenal (as always!) post that’s just recently dropped over there, featuring some great funk and soul for you. I’d also like to send a nod to Jessica over at Giant Step, look out for the forthcoming release Verve Remixed Volume 4. It’s a new album featuring some interesting looking remixes and fresh spins on several classic funk and soul 45s. With some of the remixers including the likes of Antibalas, Truth And Soul, Pilooski and Kenny Dope to name just a few. Keep an eye here for more info nearer the release date.
We start off today’s proceedings with Ron Holden and ‘I Need Ya’, this was a recent impulse bargain from E-bay and worth every penny! Released in 1973 on the excellent and collectable Now label, I felt it would be rude not to pick it up! Ron Holden was discovered, so the story goes, after being arrested on a drink and drugs charge. One of the officers at the station, Larry Nelson, heard him singing in his cell and arranged to record Holden on his release from jail. The rest as they say is history!
Jackie Wilson’s cuts in our mixes are becoming a bit of a reoccurring theme here at the Hook And Sling, but when an artist of that calibre has so many great sides it has to be done. ‘Hum De Dum De Do’ is the flip to ‘I Still Love You’, a 45 I featured as an article and also on a guest mix for the great Soul Chef over at Fufu Stew a while back. One of the problems (or good things depending on your perspective) of only collecting 45s is that you tend to pick up singles for one song, every now and again I like to revisit the B-sides of my collection as they always turn out a few overlooked great sides. This like it’s A-side counterpart is a bass guitar led monster with Jackie’s vocals rounding the cut off nicely.
Pearl Dowell’s Saadia release ‘Good Things’ is a 45 that IF you can find a copy, could see a decent $600+ sized dent in your wallet. And for good reason too, once you’ve heard this Frank Williams penned and produced monster you can see what the hype is all about. The fine folks at Jazzman Records recently put together a fantastic 45 box set of some of the Saadia 45s, including this Pearl Dowell cut. Well worth picking up until that elusive OG copy comes along!
Willie Bobo was an accomplished drummer who worked with Mongo Santamaria in New York. Interestingly his son Eric Bobo is a percussionist with Hip hop outfit Cypress Hill. This 45 has Willie Bobo putting a Latin spin on The Temptations classic ‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg’, featured here, as well as ‘Knock On Wood’ by Eddie Floyd on the flip. Sadly Willie Bobo succumbed to cancer at the age of 49.
Ernie K Doe and his Nola 45 ‘Here Comes The Girls’ has seen a bit of a resurgence of late, due to Boots the chemist using it on a successful advertising campaign here in the UK. The Soul Jazz Records Crew have reissued it on vinyl recently, which isn’t such a bad thing as the Janus OG 45 has jumped in price from around £15 right up to £100+ as people (many of whom had no previous interest in Ernie K Doe) scrabble to snap up any original copies that become available. Head over to Soul Jazz Records where ‘Here Comes The Girls’ is available to download from their website. As always we urge you to support the many artists and their families that are featured on these pages, so head right HERE to download the track in its full glory!
I have a few 45s by The Ramrods but this is one of my favourites. ‘Soultrain’ was also played (covered?) by a Canadian band called The Rinky Dinks, it seems that the version by The Ramrods featured King Curtis, not on Saxophone as he was famed for but this time playing guitar for this New York funk outfit.
Monk Higgins was another accomplished Saxophonist. Doing the rounds in the 60’s as a session player and producer for Chess, his career saw him working with many of the greats at the time. I picked up this one sided promo of ‘Different Folks’ years ago and decided it was about time to give it an airing here.
‘Gotta Get Over The Hump’ is a real anthem styled funker, and another overlooked 45 from my collection until recently. Simtec & Wylie maybe familiar to some of you for their track ‘Bootleggin’’ which was included on Dj Shadow and Cut Chemist’s Brain Freeze Album.
Wallace Brothers melodic 45 ‘Lovers Prayer’ brings things to a perfect soulful finish. Steeped in Gospel and Doo-Wop, this is a track that definitely shouldn’t be slept on. Surprisingly this only made #97 in the Hot 100 in 1964.
That concludes today’s broadcast folks! Don’t forget we’re edging ever closer to our monthly night at The Brown Sugar Bar on the 14th June, and as always all the details can be found by clicking the tabs at the top of the page. Stay safe and we’ll see you back here after the weekend.
Track List (Click on individual track names for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Dj Chak – “Sunday Lounge” Guest Mix – Part One]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/05/19/dj-chak-%e2%80%93-sunday-lounge-guest-mix/2008-05-19T09:33:28Z2008-05-19T09:33:28ZGuest MixesNew week, new guest mix. Today’s guest selector is none other than Dj Chak from Russia, he’s highly renowned for the huge funk and soul parties he throws in and around St Petersburg.
Today’s selection was releasesd in 2002 as a Limited run of 1000 CDs on Melodia Records for “Par.Spb” Club in St.Petersburg, and should be just what’s needed to ease you into the week. As I mentioned last week this is a two parter and we’ll be dropping the second installment next week.
Forth Coming Dates
19.06 @ SECRET LOCATION - MEMBERS ONLY | ST.PETERSBURG | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. DJ CHAK
20.06 @ BUBBLE BAR | ST.PETERSBURG, RU | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. MR.C and guests
21.06 @ KVARTIRA | EKATERINBURG, RU | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. DJ CHAK and guests
22.06 @ 106,3 FM | SPB.RADIOSHOW | DJ FORMAT (UK) vs. DJ CHAK | 1:00 - 3:00
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Mr Double Down Presents The Whole World’s Gone Funky]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/05/16/mr-double-down-presents-the-whole-world%e2%80%99s-gone-funky/2008-05-16T08:13:47Z2008-05-16T08:13:47ZmixesWe roll into the final stages of the working week and I hope it finds you all well and good. I’ve been busy at camp Hook & Sling putting together the final touches on a few new mini mixes which will hit the site over the next week or so, starting with today’s collection. I’ve also been in touch with our next guest Dj, and have a fantastic TWO part mix from him, which I know is going to hit the proverbial spot just nicely! His first instalment will land on these pages next week.
Today’s selection of 45s is a nice well rounded mix of funk, soul and northern, with a couple of mod tinged organ burners thrown in for good measure.
We kick off with Al Downing and ‘The Whole World’s Gone Funky’. This was released in 1975 on the Chess label and is a real grower! Slightly country sounding, I recently acquired this during a private viewing of a local dealers collection.
Ramón ‘Mongo’ Santamaria hailed from Cuba and was an established Afro-Latin percussionist. I pulled his cover of ‘Cloud Nine’ by The Temptations out by mistake whilst rooting through my collection for this mix, and having not heard it for a while decided to give it an airing here. This is a real stomper and is always a big B-boy favourite.
The next two fit into the ‘Mod’ mould. ‘Back Yard’ by Prince Valiant And The Knights is a record I first heard played several years ago by Keb Darge, it went on to be comped on his Deep Funk series and had been firmly on my wants list ever since then until I crossed it off courtesy of Jamie C and his sales list! The frenzied organ amazes me every time as does the flip ‘Front Yard’, which I’ll feature on a forthcoming mix for you.
Next up is Alan Hawkshaw’s library band The Mohawks. Formed of session musicians, you maybe aware of their highly sampled classic ’The Champ’ which shifted 12,000 copies per week in 1968. ‘Baby Hold On’ is maybe a little less known but IMHO just as good. The cut featured here is from an obscure Lebanese pressing I procured and also comes from the ‘Champ’ sessions the band recorded.
‘Tell Mama’ by Etta James follows along nicely, using the same hook on the horns as ‘Baby Hold On’. Released in 1967 on the Cadet label. This is a great feel good 45.
The Chairmen Of The Boards 1970’s release ‘Since The Days Of Pigtails (And Fairy Tales)’ is the B side to ‘Give Me Just A Little More Time’. The single made #3 in both the US and UK charts. This was one of the very first 45’s I had, having been relocated from my surprisingly soulful Mum’s collection. Very Motown infused due to the incredible talents of Holland-Dozier-Holland who left Motown and created the Invictus label in 1968.
‘So Anna Just Love Me’ is a bouncy soulful cut that shows off Roy Lee Johnson’s talents. It was leased to the Josie record label by Atlantic’s Wendell Parker, who also produced the track.
‘What Have You Done?’ by Naomi Shelton And The Gospel Queens is one of Daptone Records latest releases. These guy’s know how to produce consistent quality 45s!! Naomi Shelton nails this one with her incredibly powerful vocals, a must have that was turning heads at our latest night.
We round things up with a nice slice of blue eyed Northern soul from the legend that is Frankie Valli. ‘You’re Ready Now’ is an infectious stomper that is guaranteed to leave the chorus running round your head for hours after you’ve finished listening to it!!
Stay safe and join us back here after the weekend for more of the good stuff.
Track List (Click on individual track titles for label scans)
]]>thehookandsling<![CDATA[Frank (Voodoo Funk) – ‘Psychedelic Afro Shop’ - Guest Mix]]>http://thehookandsling.podbean.com/2008/05/14/frank-voodoo-funk-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%98psychedelic-afro-shop%e2%80%99-guest-mix/2008-05-14T07:56:17Z2008-05-14T07:56:17ZGuest MixesI’ve recently been in touch with Frank from Voodoo Funk and he’s kindly allowed me to post his latest Afro Funk mix ‘Psychedelic Afro Shop’ up here on these pages as part of our ongoing Guest Mix Series. Frank’s site offers a fantastic insight into rare African Funk 45s, his digging stories are unrivalled and if your looking to expand your musical horizons then Voodoo Funk should be your first port of call! Ladies and gentlemen…..Frank!!
“I used to run The Soul Explosion. A party in Berlin for those who enjoy raw, hard and rare Funk 45s. Before that I hosted the infamous sleazefest ‘Vampyros Lesbos’ in NYC but that would be another story… The Soul Explosion started in 2000. In the summer of 2005 I turned the night over to my friend Mark and left Europe to dig up funk records even more obscure and elusive than US Funk 45s. I moved to Guinea on the coast of West Africa where I retired as a DJ and dedicated my entire time to the pursuit of African Funk Records. My Blog Voodoo Funk is about my travels and experiences in a region that despite being plagued by civil wars, corrupt governments and other diseases has so much more to offer. Maybe this site will inspire some of you to just go and buy a plane ticket and come to see where we all came from. You might find things more valuable than the rarest records and sometimes you won’t even have to dig through dusty boxes to find them. NY based documentary film maker Leigh Iacobucci followed me around on my latest one-month digging trip through Ghana, Togo and Benin. This is a first trailer she put together after being back home for only a few days. There’ll be another, better trailer within a few days and perhaps also a live clip with Gilles Gnonnas performing his fathers’ Afrobeat bomb “okpo videa bassouo” (on the Life Is A Game Mix).
We also had interviews with El Rego (green hat), Gustave Bentho (from Poly Rythmo seen with his bass) and Danialou Sagbohan (multi-instrumentalist who played with Poly Rythmo in the 70s, spent years playing at the Afro Spot in Lagos and is still one of Benin’s most respected musicians. He broke open a bottle of Black Label at 8:00am while singing, dancing and drumming on the table… good times!).”
So we’re just a few short days from this Saturday when we’ll be hitting up The Brown Sugar Bar in Holborn with our next Funk and Soul night. We will also be joined by our next guest. Hailing from South London, DJ, Record dealer and collector Jamie C of Bumpin’ fame will be joining us with some of his funk and soul rarities. You can catch Jamie C’s Guest Mix HERE. It’s going to be another monster night, and with a whole host of this months new finds to be premiered, you’d be foolish to turn up without your best dancing shoes!
Ernie K Doe and his Nola 45 ‘Here Comes The Girls’ has seen a bit of a resurgence of late, due to Boots the chemist using it on a successful advertising campaign here in the UK. 
“I used to run 
