All the DJs swing at Botanica: Eli “Paperboy” Reed, One Mint Julep, Miss Jenny Wasserman, Sheila B, Todd-O-Phonic Todd, Rata, Mr. Fine Wine, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. Photo curtesy of Sheila B.

What is there to say about Mr. Fine Wine that has not already been said about Mr. Fine Wine here in the Boogaloo Bag? If you have not been listening in to his radio show every Friday night on radio station WFMU then you must do so as soon as you come out of your coma! If you need to know more about Mr. Fine Wine, you can read previous remarks about him in these Boogaloo Bag posts… here, here and here, or at the precursor to the Boogaloo Bag, the Boogaloo Blog where you can read about him here.

Suffice it to say, he is a happening cat with a rope to swing on! Seems he always has something happening. On Wednesday November 18, Mr. Fine Wine was celebrating the release of R&B Hipshakers #4: Bossa Nova and Grits, a collection of R&B and soul records culled from the vaults of King and Federal Records that he compiled. These collections are released on a 20-track CD as well as a 10-disc box set of 7-inch 45 RPM records and are jam packed with some of the finest music of all time; essential listening for the Boogaloo Bag reader.

So on this evening, Mr. Fine Wine turned his weekly DJ night at Botanica into a record release party that featured some of his friends DJing—including One Mint Julep, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, DJ Rata, Jonathan Toubin and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. In attendance were many other friends including his fellow WFMU DJs Todd-O-Phonic Todd and Sheila B; J.B. Flatt of the Brooklyn Rhythm Band; and Miss Jenny Wasserman who has recently returned to New York City after a year in San Francisco.

Highlights of the evening include the playing of some fabulous gospel records by the Paperboy, a couple wild Mexican records played by DJ Rata—who also won the raffle for the box set of the celebrated new release! Also, Mr. Fine Wine played an acetate demo of a new Eli “Paperboy” Reed track that was absolutely killer—one of the best things we’ve heard all year! The Boogaloo Bag is looking forward to the Paperboy’s next album, that’s for sure.

Each guest DJ was given about 20 minutes to swing. Although Wednesdays at Botanic is regularly reserved for the playing of soul music, Mr. Fine Wine did not expect the guest DJs to adhere to that policy. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus led off with a reggae version of a song written by the recently departed Allen Toussaint. Here’s a list of all of the records the Phastman played:

• The Heptones; Impact Allstars–Soul Sister (Giant; Jamaica)
• The Crowns–Jerking the Dog (Pama; UK)
• Gregory Isaaes (sic)–Open the Door to Your Heart (Sydna)
• Charlie McCoy & the Escorts–Screamin’, Shoutin’, Beggin’, Pleadin’ (Monument)
• Beverly Ann Gibson–Do the Monkey (Jubilee)
• Johnny Laboriel–Cafe Del Rock (Orfeon)
• The Atlantics–Sloop Dance (Rampart)
• Lacy Gibson–I Am Gonna’ Unmask the Batman (Repetto)
• Amos Milburn–Christmas (Comes But Once A Year) (King)

None of these records are for sale.

DJ Rata wins the raffle for the 10-disc box set! Yayyyy!!! Photo curtesy of Javier Roa.

After taking a brief sabbatical (for the Subway Soul Club event in October), WHAM-O WATUSI returned to the Bootleg Bar in downtown Bushwick, Brooklyn with the super guest DJ action of Sir Charles Gaskins on Saturday November 7. Mr. Gaskins has been involved in all sorts of reet projects, including playing in several bands, publishing a cool fanzine (Bananas), running a a hep record label (Killer Diller), swingin’ at several DJ nights (most recently Finger Lickin’ Friday) and, correct us if we are incorrect, he is studying to be a full-time comedian! Mr. Gaskins is truly a whacked cat and he can play some pretty whacked records, as was seen at the WHAM-O WATUSI! Or should we say, WHACK-O WATUSI!!

The Bootleg Bar clientele certainly enjoyed the records played by Mr. Gaskins and WHAM host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, as several bravely approached the DJ booth and voiced their approval of the selections these two DJs were presenting that evening. Others showed solidarity by dropping their drink glasses! All night, folks held their drinks and moved their heads in rhythm with the beat, as if we all were in a store of life-sized bobble-head figures. You should have been there…

Hey, you’ll get your chance, as WHAM-O WATUSI returns to the Bootleg Bar on the first Saturday of each month—so set your calendars for December 6, and watch this space for who will be the guest DJ.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at WHAM-O WATUSI:

• Jay Bentley and the Jet Set–Watusi ’64 (G.N.P. Crescendo)
• Lonnie Mack–Wham! (Fraternity)
• The Spacewalkers–Gemini, Go Baby Go! (Moonglow)
• The Showboats–Too Much (Goldband)
• Jimmy Elledge–Pink Dally Rue (Hickory)
• Freddie Cannon–O.K. Wheeler, the Used Car Dealer (Warner Bros.)
• The Will-O-Bees–If You’re Ready (Date)
• The Peels–Scrooey Mooey (Karate)
• The Empires–(Boop-Boop-Dit-Tem-Dat-Tem-What-Tem-Chu) Three Little Fishes (Itty-Bitty-Poo) (Colpix)
• Clyde McPhatter–Happy Good Times (Mercury)
• The Kingsmen–Dig This (Jalynne)
• Mary Wells–Bye Bye Baby (Motown)
• Jimmy Tyrell and the Joy Vendors—-Popeye Line (Pawn)
• Rocky Roberts and the Airdales–Got a Thing Going (Brunswick)
• Clifford Curry–Miss Shake-A-Plenty (In the Micro-Mini) (Elf)
• James Duncan and the Duncan Trio–I’ll Be Gone (King)
• Hatti & the Heavywights–Chicken Shack (Hirl)
• Ted Cassidy as Lurch with the music of Gary Paxton–The Lurch (Capitol)
• The Nomads–I’m Popeye the Sailor Man (ABC-Paramount)
• The Hueys–You Ain’t No Hippie (Instant)
• Bo Diddley–Doin’ the Jaguar (Pye International; UK)
• The Lovers–Security (Checker)
• The Hawks–Grasshopper (ABC-Paramount)
• The Challengers–Goofus (Triodex)
• The Elite–One Potato (Charay)
• Piano Red–Rock Baby (RCA Victor)
• The Searchers–Alright (Pye; Greece)
• Fleshtones–The Girl From Baltimore (I.R.S.; UK)
• The Astronauts–Hot-Doggin’ (RCA-Victor)
• The Bluebeards–Come On-a My House (Date)
• Les Stratones–Petite Soeur (TC Loir; Canada)
• The Zombies–Road Runner (Parrot; Canada)
• Bobby Comstock–I’ll Make You Glad (Ascot)
• The Beatles–Boys (Capitol Star Line)
• Sadina–I Want That Boy (Smash)
• [unknown singer]–I’m Gonna Destroy That Boy (Munster; Spain)
• The Del Satins–The Throwaway Song (B.T. Puppy)
• Joe Tex–Looking for My Pig (Parrot)
• Jerry Palmer–Walking the Dog (Gaiety)
• The Boots–In the Midnight Hour (Telefunken; Germany)
• Jim Doval and the Gauchos–Baracuda (Dot)
• Beverly Ann Gibson–Do the Monkey (Jubilee)
• The Vice-Roys–Not Too Much Twist – Not Too Much Shout (Bethlehem)
• Big Maybelle–That’s a Pretty Good Love (Savoy)
• The Suberbs–The Fish (Heritage)
• Little Richard–Money (OKeh)
• Jamie Mahar–Slippin’ and Slidin’ (Warner Bros.)
• The Isley Brothers–Twist and Shout (Wand)
• The Fourmost–Respectable (Atco)
• Clyde McPhatter–Lover Please (Mercury)
• The Four Lovers–Honey Love (RCA Victor)
• Mary Weiss–A Certain Guy (Norton)
• Tony Harris–Chicken Baby Chicken (Ebb)
• Link Wray and the Wraymen–Slinky (Epic)
• Luke & the Apostles–Been Burnt (Elektra; Canada)
• The Guess Who?–It’s My Pride (Amy)
• The Revels–Foo Man Choo (Norgolde)
• Nolan Strong–(What Did That Genie Mean When He Said) Ali Coochie Ca La Moochie Cu Cu Monga Cha La Chunga (Fortune)
• Huey ‘ Piano’ Smith & the Clowns–Pop-Eye (Ace)
• Hasil Adkins the One Man Band–Chicken Shake (Norton)
• César et ses Romains–Splish – Splash (Choc!; Canada)
• Barbara Lynn–Oh! Baby (We Got a Good Thing Goin’) (Jamie)
• The Deejays–I Can Tell (Poydor; Sweden)
• Tommy James and the Shondells–I’ll Go Crazy (Hit; Spain)
• James Brown and the Famous Flames–This Old Heart (Federal)
• Sunny and the Sunliners–Trick Bag (Tear Drop)
• J.L. Smith–Do the Mosquito (Friendly Five)
• Chris Allen–Saxophone Pete (Hollywood)
• John Lee Hooker–Onions (Charly; UK)
• Lonnie Brooks–The Popeye (Midas)
• Henry Mancini and his Orchestra–Tooty Twist (RCA Victor)
• James Brown & the Famous Flames–(A Short Personal Message by James Brown) Don’t Be a Drop-Out (King)
• Henry Lumpkin–Mo Jo Hanna (Motown)
• Chris Kenner–Sick and Tired (Imperial)
• Jimmy Moore–Crawlin’ (Legrand)
• Nat Wright–For You My Love (ABC-Paramount)
• Eddie Bo–Now Let’s Pop-Eye (Swan)
• Otis Redding and the Shooters–She’s All Right (Finer Arts)
• The Rosaletts and the Kinfolks Orchestra–Do You Wanna Dance (Revis)
• Sally and the Roses–Chicken Back (Columbia)
• Eddy Bell & the Bel-Aires–The Masked Man (Hi Yo Silver) (Mercury)
• Danny & the Juniors–At the Hop (Singular)
• Chuck Berry–Promised Land (Chess)
• The Sherry’s–No No Baby (Mercury)
• Willy and His Giants–Huckleberry Beat (Union; Japan)

None of these records are for sale.

Sir Charles Gaskins swings at WHAM-O WATUSI!

On Sunday October 18, The BIG TEN INCH returned to action with many familiar faces and some new ones. The most prominent of the new faces was the new location, Club Hi-Fi in the East Village of Manhattan, and its affable owner Mike Stuto.

The BIG TEN INCH has been looking for a new home ever since it was given the boot from the Bell House a few years ago. As a regular reader of the BOOGALOO BAG you certainly must remember back in May that Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus DJed for The Mighty Fine show at Club Hi-Fi. While he was there, the Phast One noted that the club utilized a pair of Audio-Technica AT-LP 120 direct drive turntables that have the capability of operating at three speeds—suitable for playing records that must rotate at 78 RPM.

By the end of the summer, The Boog was able to contact Mr. Stuto and negotiate a date for The BIG TEN INCH to take place, plus the delivery of pizza! The BOOGALOO BAG is happy to report that the event was a great success, with many great records played.

If you have been following the Boogaloo Omnibus exploits since the days of the Boogaloo Blog, you will already be familiar with the way The BIG TEN INCH works. Host DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus invites his friends, friends of friends, and anyone else who may be interested, to bring a handful of 78s to play. That way no one has to bring a heavy, heavy load of fragile, brittle shellac to the club—anyone who shows up with some 78s can play them. On this particular evening, a full dozen participants were involved and all got to play at least a half-dozen records. Even better: there were no reports of broken records!

Among those who brought and played shellac discs were Alex de Laszlo, Bob Pomeroy, Jukejoint Jonny, Mr. Fine Wine, One Mint Julep, Ted Barron, Adam Lore, Andy Upsetter FC, Rich Sibello, Michael McMahon, DJ Rata and host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. The club echoed with hillbilly, jump blues, rock’n’roll, mambo, big band swing and other fine sounds, including Jamaican mento. The exceptional amount of high quality ten-inch platters sounded fantastic and Club Hi-Fi jumped with five exciting hours of surface noise hiss!!!

As this Boogaloo Bag is being filled, negotiations are in progress to make The BIG TEN INCH a regular event on the Reet Music Scene. Watch this space for further developments. Below is a gallery of some of the records played…

Here’s a list of all the 78s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the new and improved BIG TEN INCH:

• Noro Morales y su Orquesta; canta: ‘El Boy’–Dame un Cacho (Give Me a Slice) (Seeco)
• Spike Jones and his City Slickers–The Jones Laughing Record (Introducing the Flight of the Bumble Bee) (RCA Victor)
• Al Sears and His Orchestra–Huffin’ and Puffin’ (RCA Victor)
• Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra; vocal refrain by Ace Harris and Chorus–Let’s Have Fun Tonight (RCA Victor)
• Gerald Wilson Orchestra–One O’Clock Jump (Tops)
• Chinese artist–Chinese Song (Columbia; Calcutta)
• The Hearts–Oo-Wee (Baton)
• Hoosier Hot Shots–Bull Frog Serenade (OKeh)
• Al ‘Jazzbo’ Collins–Little Red Riding Hood (Brunswick)
• Jimmie Rodgers–The Brakeman’s Blues (RCA Victor)
• Jimmy Reed–Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby (Vee Jay)
• Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five–Put Some Money in the Pot Boy ‘Cause the Juice Is Running Low (Aladdin)
• Teen Tops–Popotitos (Columbia; Argentina)
• Von Streeter and His Wig Poppers–Landslide (Scoop)
• Wynonie Harris–All She Wants to Do Is Mambo (King)
• James Brown–Chonnie-On-Chon (Federal)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten-Inch Record (King)

None of these records are for sale!

New comer DJ Rata swings at the BIG TEN INCH!