Ghetto Brothers - Power Fuerza 1972 (Salsa Records)

Label : Salsa Records

Value :

A legendary record from one of the most unique Latin groups of their time! In an early 70s world where many Latin combos were going for class and poise, the Ghetto Brothers moved in another direction entirely – working here with a fair bit of electric guitar alongside more familiar Latin rhythms – all to push along some wonderfully soulful vocals! The record's got a very different feel than most east coast Latin work of the time – one that's a bit like some of the Chicano soul of the west coast, but not nearly as smooth, and with a definite nod towards both funk and singer/songwriter work of the mainstream! The guitar's really upfront in the mix – riffing off at the start of most tracks – and the vocals have a slightly sweet quality, supported by harmonies from the rest of the group at times – making for a wicked blend of modes that's extremely compelling.

Taste :

Ghetto Brothers - Girl From The Mountain

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By Electric Looser

Reuben Wilson - Love Bug 1969 (Blue Note)

Label : Blue Note

Value :

Heavy funk from Reuben Wilson – one of the last great organ players to emerge from the 60s Hammond scene, and one of the hardest hitting cats at Blue Note during the funk years of the label! The album's a tight one all the way through – performed with a combo that has Idris Muhammad playing some nice snapping drums, plus Grant Green on guitar, Lee Morgan on trumpet, and George Coleman on bass. Includes the funky cuts "Hot Rod" and "Love Bug", plus other groovers like "Back Out" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me".

Taste :

Reuben Wilson - Hot Rod

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By Electric Looser

Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros - Rito Esclavo 1961 (Discos Fuentes)

Label : Discos Fuentes

Value :

If a cover was enough, we'd already love this record – but fortunately the music's even better than the image on the front – which makes the whole thing a stone cold winner! The album's a great early example of the fresh, raw sound that was coming out of Colombia at the start of the 60s – a new take on the Latin styles of Havana, served up with maybe a bit stronger emphasis on rhythm, and an instrumental approach that was almost always more concerned with sounding raw than sweet! The percussion is great, the horns are nice and sharp, and the instrumental set is bursting with energy – on upbeat tracks that include "El Chupaflor", "La Mafafa", "Roberto Ruiz", "Rito Esclavo", "La Varita De Cana", "La Mano Descompuesta", and "Lamento Guajiro".By Dusty

Taste :

Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros - Carinoso

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By Electric Looser

Pride (David Axelrod) - Pride 1970 (Warner)

Label : Warner

Value :

A lost treasure from David Axelrod – an obscure 1970 rock project, and one that's almost even hipper than his work with the Electric Prunes! The style here is rock, but the sound is very much in an Axelrod mode – quite spacious, and with this wonderful undercurrent of funk – bubbling up beautifully from the drums, and given plenty of room between the guitars in the mix, which appear to be both electric and acoustic. There's some slight Latinesque tinges in the guitar – very much in keeping with the barrio image on the cover, yet different than other Chicano rock of the time – and the whole album's got a really poetic feel, with lightly flowing lines that almost remind us a bit of Tim Buckley at points, but with a definite Axlerod twist. Titles include "A Hope", "The Truth", "In The Wilderness", "Proud Sorrow", and "Song Of The Pirate".By Dusty Groove

Taste :

Pride (David Axelrod) - Pride (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Alice Clark ‎- Alice Clark 1972 (Mainstream Records)

Label : Mainstream Records

Value :

There weren't many vocal albums on the Mainstream label during the early 70s, and this rare soul side is a real overlooked gem! Alice Clark has a rich soulful voice, with a style that sounds a bit like Esther Marrow, mixed with some of the lead vocalists in Voices Of East Harlem – a really right-on sort of sound that's totally great, and way hipper than most 70s chart soul! Arrangements are by Ernie Wilkins, who brings in a touch of jazz – but again, with a much hipper feel than most of his other backings – and most of the tracks are quite obscure, well-written tunes – of the sort of material you might expect to hear sung by Gil Scott-Heron or Donny Hathaway.By Dusty

Taste :

Alice Clark ‎- Charms Of The Arms Of Love

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By Electric Looser

Paul Kuhn - Gateway To Crime 2002 (Crippled Dick Hot Wax!)

Label : Crippled Dick Hot Wax! ‎

Value : 

A living legend, the German crooner, entertainer and jazz piano player Paul Kuhn has become well known for commercial pop hits in the German hit parade and for some TV shows, but his first and biggest love was jazz music. With all his film and TV industry contacts, it seems natural that he finally even worked out some library titles, which have been slumbering in the archives for decades. Here we have discovered one of them: "Gateway To Crime," from 1974. This title is definitely exceptional and might irritate some of his fans, since it does not sound at all like the typical German radio station big band stuff, but rather evokes New York's Harlem street atmosphere. By forcedexposure

Taste :

Paul Kuhn - Gateway To Crime 

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By Electric Looser

Alberto Baldan Bembo ‎- The Soul Of "Ali" Ben Djamballa 1974 (Joker)

Label : Joker

Value :

Here is a rare funky gem titled "Blue Jeans" by Alberto Baldan. This track was featured on Balden's 1974 album The Soul Of Ali 'Ben' Djamballa, which is a much sought after LP by record collectors worldwide. The good grooves from this record don't just start and stop with "Blue Jeans", as the album features a number of other great tracks including "Black Coffee", "Take Six", and "Niger", which all tend to blend euro "library music" grooves together with a touch Afro-flavored funk. As you might imagine, the record features a number of solid breaks and worthy sampling material. Overall, the hard-to-find album represents a fine dose of funky rare grooves. Enjoy!By americanathlete

Taste :

Alberto Baldan Bembo ‎- Blue Jeans

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By Electric Looser