Rata & Boog swing at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

On September 3, The WHAM-O WATUSI returned to its regularly scheduled slot on the calendar: the first Saturday of the month. It also marked the return of DJ Rata—who has now been the guest at The WHAM three times. “Why is that?” you may ask. Because he plays boss records. The Boogaloo Bag writers, who have a voice in selecting guest DJs, like the way he mixes tough R&B and rocksteady records with mambo records. What can be better? Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus spent the whole night diggin’ the tracks he laid down.

DJ Rata’s own event, known as Mambo Jambo and usually held at Otto’s Shrunken Head, is an excellent mish-mash of records that contain bongo bashin’, guitar thrashin’ and mind trashin’! He brought plenty of that to The WHAM, that’s for sure. The Bootleg Bar’s clientele was very enthusiastic and appreciative as they spent much of the night on the dance floor. Man, ya shoulda been there.

Our pal Roger and his wife Maria from Barcelona dropped in and did the hully gully, before they moved on to another scene. It was great to see Señor Roger, who played host to The Boogaloo Omnibus when he was in Spain about twelve years ago.

Roger y Maria bop at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at The WHAM-O WATUSI held on Saturday September 3 at the Bootleg Bar—including four Rufus Thomas covers in a row and a cool one by Memphis Slim, who was born on that date 101 years ago. Plus, because DJ Rata is a fan of Batman records, The Boog started each of four sets with one. Dig it all here:

• Chuck Anderson y su Orquesta–Batman (CBS; Mexico)
• The Hollywood Vines–When Johnny Comes Slidin’ Home (Capitol)
• The Champs–Sombrero (Challenge)
• The Cobras–Restless (Stax)
• The Red Ryders–Soul Food (Mercury)
• The El Torros–Dance With Me (Duke)
• Nolan Strong and the Diablos–The Mambo of Love (Fortune)
• The Cee Jays–Tequila and Lemon (Mosaic)
• Jimmy Durante–I Came Here to Swim (Warner Bros.)
• Katy Richards–Judy’s Turn to Cry (Hit)
• Trini Lopez–A-Me-Ri-Ca (Reprise)
• Lacy Gibson–I Am Gonna’ Unmask the Batman (Repetto)
• George Jackson–Love Highjacker (Verve)
• Kenny Smith–Go For Yourself (RCA Victor)
• Michael & Raymond–Walking the Dog (RCA Victor)
• Los Dinamicos–Wilbur (El Perro) (Musar; Mexico)
• Los Matematicos–Adivinen El Lugar (Can Your Monkey Do the Dog) (RCA Victor; Mexico)
• Los Socios Del Ritmo–La Gallina (Capitol; Mexico)
• Los Mustang–Conocerte Mejor (I Should Have Known Better) (Regal; Spain)
• Los Salvajes–La Neurastenia (19th Nervous Breakdown) (Regal; Spain)
• The Moving Sidewalks–99th Floor (Wand)
• Los Johnny Jets–Es Lupe (Hang on Sloopy) [from EP Los Johnny Jets A Go-Go] (CBS; Mexico)
• Los Johnny Jets–Dracula A Go Go (Discos Columbia)
• Dick Moorehead & the Paramounts–Spanish Batman (Cloud)
• Link Wray and the Wraymen–Rumble Mambo (OKeh)
• Memphis Slim and His House Rockers–Guitar Cha Cha Cha (Vee-Jay)
• Roseland Dance City Orchestra; Ramon Argueso conducting; vocal by Paul Azpiazu The Velvet Voice–My Chocolate Cha Cha (Royal Velvet)
• The Heptones–Party Time (Island; UK)
• Mighty Diamonds–Long Time (Mighty Diamonds; Jamaica)
• D.D. Dennis–Painfull Situation (Pama Supreme; UK)
• King Errison–Zola (Canyon)
• Lord Thunder–Thunder (DeLuxe)
• The Batmen–Batman (CBS; Germany)
• The Pretty Things–House in the Country (Fontana; UK)
• The Ventures–Kickstand (Dolton)
• The Wild Ones–Aozora No Arukagiri (Capitol; Japan)
• The Mops–Asamade Matenai (Can’t Wait) (Victor; Japan)
• Tages–Leaving Here (Platina; Sweden)
• The Ill Winds–I Idolize You (Reprise)
• The Cords–Ain’t That Love (Atco)
• The Atlantics–Fine, Fine, Fine (Rampart)
• Joe Liggins and His Orchestra–They Were Doin’ the Mambo (Mercury)
• Sam Samson and the Shufflers–Crazy Rancho Rock (Verve)
• The Four Jokers–Uggaboo (Amy)
• Julito y the Latin Lads–Nunca (Rico-Vox)
• Roscoe & His Little Green Men (the Green Haired Cyclones)–Money (RGM)
• Los Johnny Jets–Un Poquito de Alma (Little Bit O’ Soul) (CBS; Costa Rica)
• The Who–Batman (international Polydor Production; France)
• Las Moskas–Mony Mony (CBS; Mexico)
• Los Freddy’s–Me Siento Bien (Anahuac; Mexico)
• Los Brillos–Sookie Sookie (Falcon)
• Los Hitters–El Flaco (Shotgun) (Orfeon; Mexico)
• Marthe Fleurant–Pense A Notre Amour (Choc! Canada)
• Guy Ferrel–Dansez (Come On Let’s Go) (Apex; Canada)
• Tommy Sands–Hawaiian Rock (Capitol)
• Bobby Darin–What’d I Say (Part 1) (Atco)
• James Brown and the Famous Flames–Good Good Lovin’ (Federal)
• Billy Farrell–Slippin’ and Slidin’ (Imperial)
• Jimmie Heap & His Orchestra–Gismo (Dart)
• Cozy Cole–Cozy and Bossa (Bethlehem)
• The Killer Joe Orchestra–My Girl Sloopy (Cha-Cha–Watusi) (Atlantic)
• The Joe Cuba Sextet–La Tortilla (Tico)
• Bobby Robinson–Deeno Dantay (ABC-Paramount)
• Roy Bald Head Byrd–Rockin’ With Fes (Federal)
• Mari Jones–Riba Daba Doo (Jet)
• Red Rodney Sextet; Bobby Savitt on tenor sax–Red’s Mambo (OKeh)
• Shelton Dunaway with the Cup Cakes–Franko-Chinsese Cha Cha Cha (Khoury’s)
• Bobby Lee Trammell–Shimmy Loo (Atlantic)
• J.C. Davis–Shake With Me (Chess)
• Johnny El Bravo; canta: Toñito Lopez–No Hay Dinero (Proyect)
• Maximillian at the Piano–Blowing My Brains Out (Over You) (Cub)

None of these records are for sale.

As this blog post is being written, the Boogaloo Bag writers are listening to Downtown Soulville, the wonderful soul music radio show presented by Mr. Fine Wine each Friday night on WFMU. Although it started as a straight soul music show, it has, in recent years, opened the floor to doo wop, R&B and blues. Indeed, he just played a cool Guitar Slim track. At the moment he is playing an ultra hip song by The Miracles called “Save Me.” On his show he plays a LOT of ultra hip tracks, many of which are barely known outside the realm of hard-core soul music enthusiasts. Mr. Fine Wine’s show has been aired for over twenty years. Luckily for the world, many of his shows are archived and nearly all of them have their set lists noted at the WFMU website.

Lately, Mr. Fine Wine and his lovely wife One Mint Julep have been spinning soul records together at a Brooklyn club called Friends and Lovers. It’s a good soul night, with folks dancing until dawn to the great music that these two put down. They also have a popcorn oldies night at the Robert Bar.

Mr. Fine Wine swings at Botanica every Wednesday night!

It has been noted several times in the Boogaloo Bag that Mr. Fine Wine also spins records at a cozy Manhattan club called Botanica. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has DJ’d there with him on several nights, but always special event nights—ie, record release parties, anniversaries, etc. However, on the last night of August, he was asked to be Mr. Fine Wine’s sole special guest at Botanica.

So, what does one play when one is in the company of such a significant presence? Any attempt to out Fine Wine Mr. Fine Wine would be embarrassing and futile. So instead, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played a few records that Mr. Fine Wine may not have heard (mostly because they are of foreign origin), records that he may dig (ie., he’s a big fan of versions of “Green Onions,” thus the opener), a few weird things, and some recent acquisitions. The Boogaloo Bag writers were very happy to see several of our buddies in attendance, including Jenny Wasserman (Sweet Divines) and DJ Rata (Mambo Jambo). With Mr. Fine Wine presiding, it was a splendid night of splendid soul music, as every Wednesday night at Botanica is.

Mr. Fine Wine can be seen selecting his fine 45s from Houston Street!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus the night he was guest DJ for Mr. Fine Wine at Botanica:

• The Ventures–Green Onions (Liberty; France)
• Chapala Beach Boys (The Unknowns)–Twine Time (Falcon)
• B.G. Ramblers–Hey Mr. Popeye (Sparkel)
• Honest John–Shake A Plenty (Wreal Wrap)
• Charlie Earland–The Pump (Terry)
• Rosko–I Just Wanna Make Love to You (Chess)
• Carmen McRae with the Dixie Flyers–I Love the Life I Live (Atlantic)
• Jack Gale & the Medicine Men–The Medicine (Columbia)
• The Clovers–The Honeydripper (United Artists)
• Jessie Hill–T.V. Guide (Downey)
• Little Teddy–Need Money Part 1 (Lantig Gold)
• The Fans–Roly Poly Mickey Lolich (Marquee)
• Winfield Parker–I Love You Just the Same (Arctic)
• The Flamingos–Come on to My Party (End)
• The Holidays–Deacon Brown vs. the Devil (Galaxy)
• Wynona Carr–I’m Mad at You (Specialty)
• The Capitols–The Kick (Karen)
• Mighty Sparrow–Calypso Boogaloo (RA; West Indies)
• The Poor Boys–(I’m Gonna) Spend My Money (Apollo)
• Comparsa Universitaria de La Laguna–Boogaloo en Tijuana (RCA Victor)
• Dave Bartholomew–Shrimp & Gumbo (Imperial)
• Charly and the Bourbon Family–Boogachi (Poplandia; Spain)
• Zorro Five–Reggae Shhh! (Decca; Italy)
• Arthur Jackson–The Philosophy of Chopp Funk (Part 1) (A.J.’s)
• The Chosen Few; music by The Now Generation–Shaft (Crystal)
• Terry Montana–Why Can’t We Live Together (Vogue; France)
• The Jazz Tribe–Wa-Pa-Cha (Little Star)
• Betty Mabry–It’s My Life (Columbia)
• Los Ros–¡Yeah! (Belter; Spain)
• Jimmy James & the Vagabonds–Help Yourself (Trojan Disco Pick; UK)
• Leon Peterson–Baby, Baby, Baby (Modern)
• The Glories–No News (Date)
• Flaming Embers–Hey Mama (What’cha Got Good for Daddy) (Ric Tic)
• Pat Hunt–Why Do You Do Me Like That (Grand)
• Gary & Gary–Bustin’ Loose (Vee Jay)
• Young Jesse–That’s Enough for Me (Atlantic)
• Nat “King” Cole with Dave Cavanaugh’s Music–Do I Like It (Capitol)
• Johnny Desmond–Hawk (Columbia)
• Chris Connor–Hallelujah I Love Him So (Atlantic)
• Jewel Akens–Wee Bit More of Your Lovin’ (Minasa)
• The Checkmates Ltd.–A & I (Capitol)
• The Lollipops–Busy Signal (RCA Victor)
• Ozz & His Sperlings–Somebody to Love (M.I.O.B.)
• Ted Taylor–You Give Me Nothing to Go On (OKeh)

None of these records are for sale.