Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Michael McMahon discuss the significance of a Piano Red record.

On a hot night in late September, the BIG TEN INCH took place in the cool and friendly confines of the Hi-Fi Bar in the East Village. Although there were plenty of friends and folks on hand to dig the wack shellac, only a few brought actual 78s to play. This gave those who brought ’em plenty of time to play ’em. Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus got to play just about everything in his box, including the Mr. Goon-Bones record.

Andy the Upsetter swings with Mambo 78s at the BIG TEN INCH!

Andy the Upsetter usually brings mix of genres: mento, jazz, R&B and calypso. This time he brought a ton of mambo records and played nearly every one of them–it was cha-cha city at the Hi-Fi most of the night. We think he may have even turned a couple over when he was starting to run out of records to play.

Becky G displays her Jimmy Lunceford 78 at the BIG TEN INCH!

New comer DJ Becky G brought one 78–but it was a good one! A Jimmy Lunceford on Bluebird with “Jazznocracy” on one side and the legendary “White Heat” on the other. It swung like crazy.  The Upsetter was selling some mambo 78s and Becky G bought a few of them, so we expect her to spin more Cuban rhythms at the next BIG TEN INCH.

Michael McMahon selects another hillbilly bopper at the BIG TEN INCH!

Toward the end of the evening, as both The Upsetter and The Boog were running out of records, Michael McMahon showed up with his box of hillbilly records and saved the day. That was perfect timing on his part. The club turned immediately from claves and bongos to red-neck yodeling!!! There may have been several at the Hi-Fi that were not prepared for such a sharp turn of audio ambience; but all had a great time.

Our pals Ted Barron and Juke Joint Jonny were on hand, but alas, they brought no records and were only present to dig the scene–and partake in pizza and the delicious cinnamon-infused brownies baked by Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. She even made some glucose-free brownies for Mr. McMahon, who must eat such things to stay healthy. Thank you Miss Nancy.

Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the BIG TEN INCH!

Here’s a list of all the 78s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the September BIG TEN INCH 78 RPM Listening Party:

• Hal “Cornbread” Singer–Buttermilk and Beans (Coral)
• Cal Tjader Modern Mambo Orchestra–Mambo Macumba (Fantasy)
• The Pig Footers–Neck Bones (Mercury)
• Charles Brown Trio–Ooh! Ooh! Sugar! (Aladdin)
• Pepito Torres and his Siboney Orchestra; vocal by Louis Stuckman–Calypso Man (Seeco Serie Hispana)
• Tito Puente & Orchestra; vocal by Vicentico Valdes–Mambo Macoco (Tico)
• Dinah Washington–Big Long Slidin’ Thing (Mercury)
• Earl Bostic and His Orchestra–The Major and the Minor (Majestic)
• Arnett Cobb and His Orchestra–Running With “Ray” (Apollo)
• Tex Williams and His Western Caravan–Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) (Capitol Americana)
• Mr. Ford & Mr. Goon-Bones–Ain’t She Sweet (Crystalette)
• Jack Pleis–Caravan (London)
• Babs Gonzales–Hair Dressen Women (Put Your Business in the Street) (Crazy)
• Eddie Davis and His Be Boppers–Red Pepper (Savoy)
• Ramon Marquez and His Orchestra–Sabroso Pebil (Fiesta)
• Al Sears and His Orchestra–Mag’s Alley (RCA Victor)
• Bill Moore and His Band–Swingin for Pappy (Savoy)
• Wilmoth Houdini and His Royal Calypso Orchestra–The Calypso Way (Decca)
• Rusty Bryant and Carolyn Club Band–All Nite Long (Dot)
• Bill Haley and His Comets–Rock Around the Clock (Decca)
• Curtis Gordon and His Western Band–Don’t Trade (Mercury)
• The Treniers–Go! Go! Go! (Epic)
• Slim Gaillard Quartette–Yep-Roc-Heresay (Atomic Inc.)
• Joe Loco His Piano & His Orchestra–Begin the Beguine (Columbia)
• Mary Lou Williams and Her Modern Music–Caravan (Circle)
• Chris Powell and the Blue Flames–Uh Uh Baby (Grand)
• Noro Morales and His Orchestra–El Sopon (Cuban Stew) (M-G-M)
• Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra–Mambo Mania (Mercury)
• Johnny Otis Orchestra featuring Goucho and His Jungle Drums–Mambo Boogie (Savoy)
• Julian Dash and his Orchestra–Deacon Dash (Mercury)
• Roy Brown–Woman’s a Wonderful Thing (DeLuxe)
• Piano Red–Red’s Boogie (Groove)
• The “5” Royales–How I Wonder (King)
• Joe Houston–Come Back Baby (Modern)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten-Inch Record (King)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to youtubes clips. Dig it!