(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.