WALTER HEATH-YOU KNOW YOU'RE WRONG DON'T YOU BROTHER 7"

WALTER HEATH- "YOU KNOW YOU'RE WRONG DON'T YOU BROTHER"- 7" SINGLE- BUDDAH RECORDS- 1975
I honestly know very little about Walter Heath as a musician, and as is the case with 45's, there's not too much you can learn about an artist without liner notes (though an internet search can yield you some very informative results). What I do know is that this is a high quality track right here with a very positive, yet critical, social message. In Obama's America (Obamerica anyone?) social/political consciousness is on the rise, which is a good thing, as is personal responsibility, which as always a good thing as well. It's interesting how Walter Heath's message to drug dealers about "dealing death for a dollar" still rings true today 30 plus years after it was recorded. But let me stop sounding like a preacher. Now check the method...

Brazilian Jazz: Manfredo Fest-Brazilian Dorian Dream

MANFREDO FEST- BRAZILIAN DORIAN DREAM- LP- T&M PRODUCTIONS- 1976
Manfredo Fest was an internationally known Brazilian piano and keyboard player who made a name for when he first came to Minneapolis in 1967. He most famously played in Sergio Mendes Bossa Rio group and his sound reflects the influence that his Brazilian upbringing and American immigration had on him. This LP was recorded at the reknown Sound 80 studio in Minneapolis and features a local and internation group of musicians/singers: St. Paul, MN native Roberta Davis on vocals, New Zealander Thomas Kini on bass, Costa Rican Alejo Poveda on drums and percussion, and of course our boy Manfredo on the keys. The musicians combine to create a very dope mix of Latin/Brazilian percussion, jazz, funk, and rock, all with a very soulful vibe. Very much recomended.

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M.anifest and O-D (me) at Fifth Element Coppin' the new K'Naan LP!

M.anifest briefly talks with K'Naan after his MPLS show, followed by our trip to Fifth Element to cop his new album.



M.anifest Chats w/ K'naan & Cops Troubadour later from M.anifest on Vimeo.

80's Fusion Jazz: JAMES DALLAS- LIFE FORMS- LP

JAMES DALLAS- LIFE FORMS- LP- PRIVATE PRESS- 1982
Admittedly, it took me a while begin checking for jazz records from the 1980s. The sound is usually very different from classic jazz of the 50's and 60's and even the jazz-funk sound of 70's Blue Note and Mizell Bros. production that is beloved in the beat digging world. Sure there's some legitimately trash 80s jazz (see G., Kenny) but there's a ton of dope jazz material, especially in the more "underground" world of private pressings.
The James Dallas LP, recorded and pressed in my hometown Milwaukee, WI, is one such very dope jazz/funk/modern soul LP. I was put onto it at Lotus Land Records in Milwaukee and was not disapointed. The record has a good combination of tracks for DJ's, such as the title reack, and producers, such as "Sidetrack" and "Stormy".
Buy an OG copy here
Get the music here
James Dallas' Myspace Page

Spiritual Jazz: Doug & Jean Carn- Higher Ground LP

DOUG & JEAN CARN- HIGHER GROUND- LP- OVATION RECORDS- 1976
High quality vocal spiritual jazz LP by the husband-wife duo of Doug and Jean Carn. The players on the album are a who's who of rare groove soul-funk-jazz of the time and the near future: Doug Carn on keys and vocals, Ronnie Laws on sax, Calvin Keys on guitar, Big Black on percussion, Harvey Mason (called Harold on the record cover) on drums. Jean Carn would go on to a successful career in more mainstream soul/funk, but this shows you where she and Doug were at with there music in the mid-70s. The cover of Coltrane's "Naima" is my personal favorite track on the LP.

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Random Rap 12" Single- Scott Lark The Sensei-Razzle Dazzle

SCOTT LARK THE SENSEI ft. JAGGID EDGE- RAZZLE DAZZLE 12"-
CONTRACT RECORDS- 1996

Very dope 12" I came across recently. Scott Lark has a super smoked out sounding voice and the smooth ass-beat for the track "Razzle Dazzle" works perfectly with his vocals. The B-Side has 3 other tracks, all quality. Classic mid-90's hip-hop. Download link below...

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