On Sunday January 22, a BIG TEN INCH took place at the Hi-Fi Bar in the East Village of Manhattan. Along with host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, eight other folks showed up to spin 78s: Adam Lore, Alex DeLazslo, Tony Salvaje, Andy Upsetter, John Clemente, Michael McMahon, Juke Joint Jonny and Rich Sibello. Each came packing hot 78s that were each played at the proper speed.

Adam Lore

Alex DeLazslo

Tony Salvaje

Andy the Upsetter

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

John Clemente

Michael McMahon

Juke Joint Jonny

Rich Sibello

Highlights included a 12-inch V-Disc recording of Machito and his Orchestra and a 1968 recording by Ramito—an ode to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who had just been assassinated. The latter is proof that 78s were part of the Latin music market well into the sixties and it is probably one of the most recent 78s that will get played at the BIG TEN INCH. Both of these were played by Andy Upsetter.

Another high point of the event was when spontaneous swing dancing took place. This often happens when a hot swing or jump blues record is spinning.

A pair of Goofballs swing at Big Ten Inch!

Let’s not forget Adam Lore’s full set of nothing but John Lee Hooker records! “Too Much Boogie!” I don’t think so.

John Clemente always prints out a list of the records he brings, and often plays them in the order in which they appear.

John Clemente’s list.

In all, it was another fabulous evening of platters, pizza and pilsner at the Hi-Fi Bar. Here’s a list of all the 78s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus:

• Mario Hernandez y sus Diablos del Caribe; cantan: Ignacio y Mario–Navidad en Mi Terruño (B.M.C.)
• Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra; vocal chorus by The Hamptones–Pink Champagne (Decca)
• Richard Huey and His Sundown Singers–Blues Boogie Woogie (Decca)
• Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons–Movin’ the Boogie (RCA Victor)
• Jesse Price and His Blues Band–Baby Let’s Be Friends (Capitol)
• Bill Crosby–Come for a Ride (Columbia)
• Cozy Cole’s All Stars–Look Here (Continental)
• King Houdini and His Calypso Parliament–Brave Son of America (Apollo)
• Freddie Mitchell Orch.; featuring Rip Harrigan on piano–Aul Lang Syne Boogie (Derby)
• ‘Gatemouth’ Moore; Budd Johnson’s All Stars–Bum Dee Dah Ra Dee (National)
• Bo Diddley–Bo Diddley (Checker)
• Dave Bartholomew–An Old Cowhand From a Blues Band (Imperial)
• Wynonie Harris–Night Train (King)
• Red Prysock–Blow Your Horn (Mercury)
• Big Bill–When I Been Drinking (OKeh)
• Tiny Bradshaw–One, Two, Three Kick (King)
• Luke Jones and Orchestra–Mama Oh Mama (RPM)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten-Inch Record (King)

None of these records are for sale

In January, the weather in New York City can get pretty cold. On the evening of the first WHAM-O WATUSI for 2017 (January 7, to be exact), it was twenty-four degrees Fahrenheit. That is chilly. What the WHAM needed was a hot guest DJ, and, boy, did we get one: Matt Clarke.

Matt Clarke swings at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Mr. Clarke must be one of the busiest men on the scene today. Most folks know him because he is in two of Brooklyn’s best rock’n’roll combos: he plays guitar for The Above and bass for Quitty & the Don’ts. He also hosts a program called What’s Happening! on the WFMU Rock ‘n’ Soul Ichiban Stream that airs every Tuesday from 3pm to 4pm. The show is heavy on the Sixties Beat Scene: British Invasion, garage rock, freak beat, Euro Beat, sunshine pop—you get the picture. (The shows are archived, so feel free to listen to them any time you need an hour of boss beat power.)

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Matt Clarke say, “Dots nice!”

Mr. Clarke is also a snappy dresser. For this special occasion, host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus snapped up his attire as well.

With the temperature outside the Bootleg Bar way below freezing, inside the venue the DJs heated the place up with their super groovy sounds. Both played songs from the Sixties—fuzz-toned garage rock, yeah! Also, some wicked R&B and soul records were thrown into the mix for keen effect. Folks were jumpin’ around and ballin’ it up. It was a hot time at the Boot, that’s for sure!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus (many have links to youtubes clips so you can instantly dig them!):

• The Strangers–Mindreader (Liberty)
• Bob and the Messengers–Splash Down (Rust)
• The Bikinis–Crazy Vibrations (Top Rank)
• Jerry Cole and His Spacemen–Pokey (Capitol)
• Les Cooper & the Soulrockers–Garbage Can (Everlast)
• Mod Singers & Mod Lads–Let’s Have Some Fun Part I (Wand)
• Les Mersey’s–Je Suis Las (TéléDisc; Canada)
• The Naturals–It Was You (Liberty)
• The Exterminators–The Beetle-Bomb (Chancellor)
• The Fourmost–Just in Case (Atco)
• Los Mustang–Dandy (Le Voz De Su Amo; Spain)
• The Footprints–Never Say Die (Capitol)
• Frank Alamo–Heureux Tous Les Deux (Happy Together) (Riviera; France)
• The Five Emprees–Gone From My Mind (Smash)
• Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart–Where Angels Go (Trouble Follows) (A&M)
• The Fun and Games–The Grooviest Girl in the World (Uni)
• Baby Terry Hall–Shake-A-Fin (Philips)
• The Merseybeats–Good, Good Lovin’ (Fontana; UK)
• The Gonks–Gonk Song (London)
• Mike Adkins–The Invaders Are Here (RCA Victor)
• Lonnie Mack–Nashville (Fraternity)
• Them–One, Two Brown Eyes (Parrot)
• Bo Diddley–Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut (Checker)
• Clyde and the Blue Jays–The Big Jerk – Pt. I (Loma)
• The Bad Boys–Balliamo il Jerk (Style; Italy)
• The Supremes–The Happening (Motown)
• The Kittens–Shindig (ABC-Paramount)
• The Girls with the Harry Betts Orchestra–Way…Way Out (20th Century)
• The Carnabeats–Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um (Philips; Japan)
• The Rajahs–Kiss Me Now (Leedon; Australia)
• The Taffys–Bongo Man (Amy)
• Marvin Gaye–I’m Yours, You’re Mine (Tamla)
• The Yorkshires–Switch Time Part I (Mammoth)
• Carl Wayne and the Vikings–Shimmy Shammy Jingle (ABC-Paramount)
• Willie and the Travelaires–The Fiery Stomp (Milky Way)
• Gary Lewis and the Playboys–Little Miss Go-Go (Liberty)
• Dave Clark Five–Forget (Epic)
• Boy’s Wonder–All Tied Up (Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace) (Lowland; Netherlands)
• Johnny Hallyday–Psychedelic (Philips; France)
• The Rationals–Look What You’re Doin’ (To Me Baby) (A Squared)
• Loose Ends–Tax Man (Decca; UK)
• The Kinks–Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy (Reprise)
• The Jalopy Five–I Like It Like That (Hit)
• The Buffalo Springfield–Mr. Soul (Atco)
• The Third Rail–The Shape of Things to Come (Epic)
• Blue–Sad ‘Bout Us (Iris)
• The Who–A Legal Matter (Decca)
• Dave Clark Five–I Know You (Epic)
• Danyel Gerard avec Les Champions–Sugar Shake (Vogue; Canada)
• Los Blue Angels–Donde Esta Mendocino (Del Gordo)
• Los Yakis–Agnete Secreto (Capito; Mexico)
• Liverpool Five–The Snake (RCA Victor)
• The Peddlers–Comin’ Home Baby (CBS; UK)
• The Ones–Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream (Motown)
• Nancy Ames–I Don’t Want to Talk About It (Epic)
• The Temptashuns–Strawberry Man (Federal)
• Travis Phillips & His Wonder Boys–Do the Everything (ABC-Paramount)
• The Chants–Choo Choo (Verve)
• Angel & the Devines–The Octopus (Siana)
• The Reflections–Oowee Now Now (Golden World)
• Katy Richards–Judy’s Turn to Cry (Hit)
• The Headliners–Tonight’s the Night (V.I.P.)
• James Duncan–Too Hot to Hold (King)
• Big Bo and the Arrows featuring Fred Lowery–I Done Got Over It (Checker)
• The Sherry’s–No, No Baby (Mercury)
• The Rollicks–Things of Love (CBS; Germany)
• Harbinger Complex–I Think I’m Down (Brent)
• Dino, Desi and Billy–It’s Just the Way you Are (Reprise)

None of these records are for sale.

(Photo by Melissa Walker)

For the last several years it seems somehow, some way, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has been requested to spin records at a New Year’s Eve party. There were some great Subway Soul Club NYE events—like the two sold-out shows at the Bell House and the one at Coco 66; the several Dynagroove events at Teddy’s; and last year’s Casino Battle Royale at an undisclosed location near the Gowanus Canal. This year it was the elegantly appointed Robert Bar that swung with The Boog. Yana Li’l Jerk was the nominal hostess with Bad Penny and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus appearing as her guest DJs.

Bad Penny, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Yana Lil’ Jerk swing New Year’s Eve at the elegantly appointed Robert Bar.

Yana is a cool chick who spins regularly at the Robert Bar. On most Thursdays one can find her at the turntables spinning New Wave Brit Pop records from the Nineties at her Madchester night. Yana is also known for her love of reggae records, but she did not bring any!

Yana Lil’ Jerk swings at the Robert Bar!

That’s ok, because Bad Penny brought some. She also brought some cool soul records and all three DJs kept the joint hoppin’ and heads were a-boppin’!

Bad Penny swings at the Robert Bar.

The Robert Bar is a beautiful, intimate club and it was packed on New Year’s Eve. Its owner, Phil Morgan, stood up on the solid wooden bar with a watch and did the countdown to 2017. Everyone screamed, drank free champagne, hugged each other and wished each other a Happy New Year. One of the best things about this New Year party was that there was no TV screen, and therefore, no corporate countdown/ball drop from Times Square—square indeed! The Robert Bar is a solid scene where the kids are clean!

Mr. Morgan shouted the countdown to the New Year from atop the bar!

The Robert Bar was full of very groovy people!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the Robert Bar. (Photo by Sam Mends-Cole)

Although it was billed as a Sixties New Year’s Eve Party, it really wasn’t, what with Yana’s Brit Pop obsession and Bad Penny playing reggae records. Even Phast Phreddie veered from the map, as can be seen in the complete list of all the 45s he played that night:

• Ray Charles–One Mint Julep (Impulse)
• Pucho & Latin Soul Bros.–Freddie’s Dead (Zanzee)
• The Big Game Hunters–See the Cheetah (Uni)
• Junior Murvin–Police and Thief (Wild Flower; Jamaica)
• Meditations–Wake Up! (Double-D)
• The Temptations–Hum Along and Dance (Gordy)
• Eddie Horan–I’m Gonna Speak Out (Money)
• The Fame Gang–Grits and Gravy (Fame)
• Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings–Got a Thing on My Mind (Daptone)
• The Touch–Pick and Shovel (Lecasver)
• Paul ‘Sir Raggedy’ Flagg–Papa-Momma-Romper-Stomper (Atlantic)
• Honey and the Bees–Auld Lang Syne (Chess)
• Ricardo Ray–Mony Mony (Roulette UK)
• The Coral Reef–Cherry Cherry (Epic)
• Bruno Lomas–No Es Serio Tu Amor (Regal; Spain)
• The John Schroeder Orchestra–Agent 00-Soul (Cameo)
• Gloria Jones–Tainted Love (Champion)
• Marvin Gaye–Baby Don’t You Do It (Tamla)
• Phil Flowers & the Flower Shop–Like a Rolling Stone (A&M)
• The Hi-Fly Orch.–Crosstown Traffic (Tramp; Bavaria)
• Mongo Santamaria–Sunshine of Your Love (Atlantic)
• Coasters–Love Potion Number Nine (King)
• Orquesta Tropicana–Tequila (Soundway; UK)
• Just Brothers–Sliced Tomatoes (Music Merchant)
• La Lupe–Fever (Mercury)
• Derek Martin–Daddy Rollin’ Stone (Crackerjack)
• Norman T. Washington–Tip Toe (SLD; France)
• The Magics–Let’s Boogaloo (R.F.A.)
• James Barnett–Keep on Talking (Fame)
• Jessica James & the Outlaws–We’ll Be Makin’ Out (Bronco)
• Major Lance–Ain’t No Soul (In These Old Shoes) (OKeh)
• The Formations–At the Top of the Stairs (Bank)
• Jay & the Techniques–Help Yourself to All My Lovin’ (Smash)
• Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson–Keep on Lovin’ You (OKeh)
• Desmond Dekker & the Aces–Israelites (Uni)
• Toots & the Maytals–Pressure Drop (Beverley’s; UK)
• China Street–Rock Against Racism (EMI; UK)
• Ondatrópica–Pig Bag (Soundway; UK)
• Orquesta Joe Cain–Mambo Au Go Go (Mainstream)
• James Brown–Make It Funky (Part 1) (Polydor)
• The Relations–Funky – Monkey Part II (Community)
• The Cliffs of Rhythms Band–The Boogaloo Popeye (Dit Dot)
• Kolahyah–Leo (Part One) (Kino)
• The Temptations–Cloud Nine (Gordy)
• Marva Whitney–Things Got to Get Better (Get Together) (King)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
• Sons of Slum–Right On (Stax)
• Shark Wilson & the Basement Heaters–Make It Reggae (Dynamite!; UK)

None of these records are for sale.