Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, Ty Jesso, Yana Lil-Jerk and Lady Dawn swing at Subway Soul Club. Photo by Lauren Krohn.

Subway Soul Club came to order on Saturday, May 12, at a new venue under the able-bodied hostesship of Lady Dawn and with resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. The event was held at Ceremony, a fairly new club in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is beautifully appointed, has a wonderful wooden floor, the management and the employees were easy to work with, and it is conveniently located near the crossroads of the G and L trains. Our pal Steve Myers hipped us to the joint about a year ago, but more recently, our friend Claudia Lily from The Baby Shakes went the extra mile to make introductions. Once Lady Dawn and Phast Phreddie saw the joint, they fell in love with it. It’s got a great DJ booth and it is often utilized by our friends Josh Styles, Avi Spivak and William Martin when they hold their Rebel Rouser Club House parties. Ceremony has plenty of room for dancing and it was all taken up by dancers on this night.

This evening’s guest DJs: Ty Jesso and Yana Lil-Jerk

For this Subway Soul Club event, guest DJs were Ty Jesso and Yana Lil-Jerk.

Ty Jesso is one of the East Coast’s best DJs of reet music. He hails from Providence, Rhode Island and his Soul Power that takes place there is often voted the best dance party in town by the local newspapers. He also helms Soulelujah in Cambridge, Massachusetts that is also very popular in the Boston area. Ty was one of the original guest DJs for Subway Soul Club dating back to its days at Rififi in the East Village. The cat has great records and he sure knows how to play them–and he played plenty.

Ty Jesso cues up another hot number at Subway Soul Club.

Yana Lil-Jerk has DJed all over town. Currently, she hosts the Bangarang (reggae, rocksteady, ska) and the Living for Kicks (garage rock, soul, R&B and other stuff) parties, usually at the Robert Bar. These gigs are always a gas. She has great soul records and she brought a box of them to Ceremony on May 12 where she kept the dance floor hopping all night. This was her first time working Subway Soul Club and she did a great job. You know she’ll get asked back.

Yana Lil-Jerk wants you to dance to the boss record she is playing at Subway Soul Club.

Ceremony was pretty full; not too full that folks couldn’t dance, though. The place was jumping with excitement, with folks showing up right at the nine o’clock opening and staying until nearly the three AM closing. We were happy to see a lot of long-time Subway Soul Club attendees as well as many new faces. Also on hand were several of the DJs who regularly guest at Subway Soul Club. There were plenty of English people, including a British fellow, now living in Toronto, who drove down with his wife.

Jumpy at the door!!!

As mentioned, Lady Dawn was in the house, flitting around in her groovy Mod threads, meeting and greeting folks. Special guest door-person was DJ Jumpy, who was occasionally given time off to dance. Miss Nancy Gardner made spicy cinnamon brownies for the event, but alas, could not make the scene.

Dancers swing at Subway Soul Club! Photo by Lauren Krohn.

At the end of the night, as folks were leaving, it was pretty unanimous that Ceremony may be the best place for Subway Soul Club since the Rififi days. Future dates are being negotiated, so the possibility of another Subway Soul Club event taking place before the end of the year is very strong.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus displays his Lou Courtney record at Subway Soul Club. Photo by Lauren Krohn.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Subway Soul Club:

• The Dogs–Soul Step (Treasure)
• Warren Covington and His Orchestra–Watusi Jo (Decca)
• Allyn Ferguson and His Orch.–Your Red Watermelon (Äva)
• Dick Jacobs and His Orchestra–Barefootin’ (Brunswick)
• Billy Martin and the Soul Jets–The Strut (London; Canada)
• Carmen Taylor–You’re Puttin’ Me On (Kama Sutra)
• The Drifters–We Gotta Sing (Atlantic)
• Roland Kirk–Walk on By (Limelight)
• The Sweethearts–This Couldn’t Be Me (Kent)
• The Artistics–Price of Love (Brunswick)
• Ronnie Taylor–I Can’t Take It (Revilot)
• Bobby Bland–Lover With a Reputation (Duke)
• The Chosen Few–Footsee (Instrumental) (Roulette)
• Mr. Pitiful–Girl Can’t Help It (Josie)
• Maurice McCallister (formerly of The Radiants)–Baby Hang On (Chess)
• Charlie Russo & His Orchestra–Goofin (Port)
• Jay and the Techniques–Baby How Easy Your Heart Forgets (Smash)
• The Happy Cats–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Omack)
• The Nick Venet Orchestra–Main Theme From Out of Sight (Decca)
• Dobie Gray–Out on the Floor (Charger)
• Willie Mitchell–That Driving Beat (Hi)
• Nino Ferrer–Mirza (Monkey) (Riviera; Canada)
• The Charmaines–Keep on Searchin’ (Minit)
• Witches and the Warlock; music by The Camaros–No Where to Run No Where to Hide (Sew City)
• Kenny Bernard–Ain’t No Soul (Left in These Ole Shoes) (Compass)
• Prini–Boogaloo (Beverly; Brazil)
• Pete Rodriguez–I Like It Like That (Alegre)
• The Mohawks–Baby Hold On Part II (Cotillion)
• The Golden Pot–Motive (Disc AZ; France)
• Alder Ray–My Heart Is In Danger (Minit)
• The Vontastics–Never Let Your Love Grow Cold (St. Lawrence)
• Jimmy & Vella Cameron–Lovin’ You Is Such a Groove (Reprise)
• Earl Grant–Hide Nor Hair (Decca)
• The Apollas–Sorry Mama (Loma)
• King Coleman–Do the Booga Lou (Part 1) (Port)
• Lou Courtney–Hey Joyce (Pop-Side)
• The Mohawks–Ride Your Pony (Pama; UK)
• Desmond Dekker & the Aces–Israelites (Uni)
• Billy Butler–Right Track (OKeh)
• Baby Jean–If You Wanna (Stacy)
• George E. Lee–Dance What You Wanna (Kapp)
• The Blackburds–Get Out of My Life Woman [from EP The Blackburds Play the Bugaloo] (Philips; France)
• Johnny Bartel and the Soul Masters–If This Isn’t Love (Solid State)
• Susan Barrett–What’s It Gonna Be (RCA Victor)
• Bobby Bland–Shoes (Duke)
• Marsha Brody–Right Combination (Hot Shot)
• Candy and the Kisses–Someone Out There (Decca)
• The Flirtations–Nothing But A Heartache (Deram)
• Johnny Nash–I’m Movin’ On (Warner Bros.)
• Owen Gray–Help Me (Island; UK)
• Franky Coe–Game of Love (Part 2) (OKeh)
• The Majestics–(I Love Her So Much) It Hurts Me (Linda/Vampi Soul; Spain)
• Contours–Baby Hit and Run (Tamla Motown; UK)

None of these records are for sale. Click on them for hot, youtubes action!

Poster designed by Lady Dawn Carrington.

On May 5, The WHAM-O WATUSI blew into the Bootleg Bar in picturesque downtown Bushwick, Brooklyn with a very special guest DJ: Lenny Kaye.

WHAM-O host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has known Mr. Kaye for more years than anyone cares to count. Mr. Kaye has been a hero, an inspiration and, most importantly, a friend. As guitarist in the Patti Smith Group, an author of books, a producer of records, and a singer of his own songs, he is often very busy. He enjoys DJing, and has recently started to take it a little more seriously than usual, but he rarely has the chance to do so. Mr. Kaye has a standing offer to DJ with the Phast Man whenever he wants, but the last time he was able to do so was December 2016–almost a year and a half ago.

Often, when these two DJ together they follow a theme. At first it was the Doo Wop Hop, which usually took place on or around Valentine’s Day. Then they did a night or two of all instrumentals. Once there was a reggae night and there may have been a girl group night–if not, there should have been. This time, at the WHAM-O, there were no restrictions. Boy, did Mr. Kaye take to that!

Mr. Kaye’s sets were heavy on the garage rock, with some sixties pop, rockabilly and doo wop sprinkled in. After a few beers and perhaps a couple of margaritas (well, it was Cinco de Mayo), he played a Madonna record and followed it up with “Mona” by The Iguanas!!! That was wild, to say the least.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus had his own little salute to Cinco de Mayo: He played three records in a row by East Los Angeles Chicano artists. These three rare recordings have been recently re-released in the form of a 10-disc set of seven-inch singles in a box by our friends at Vampi Soul in Spain (for which The Boog wrote the liner notes). Only 500 of these collections were manufactured, so if one is interested in obtaining this fabulous collection (entitled Takin’ Care of Business: Soul R&B and garage from the Rampart, Faro, Gordo and Linda labels 1963 – 1971) one should act soon. Locally, the good people at Earwax Records in Williamsburg may still have it available. Tell them you heard about it in the Boogaloo Bag.

It was great to see so many of our friends come out and hang with us, too. Ace DJs Drew Redmond and Josh Styles, as well as Bootleg Bar owner Bobby Rich all came by to get their photo snapped with Mr. Kaye.

Bootleg owner Bobby Rich, birthday girl Lauren Krohn and Mr. Lenny Kaye swing at the Wham-O Watusi.

Lenny Kaye and Drew Redmond point out another great record at the Wham-O Watusi.

Lenny Kaye and Josh Styles goof at the Wham-O Watusi.

Another thing made this WHAM-O WATUSI more special than usual: our friend and ace photographer Lauren Krohn celebrated her birthday. All night her friends dropped by to wish her well. Boogaloo Bag photographer and baker Miss Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner baked some very delicious vegan cupcakes with creamy chocolate frosting for the occasion, along with her signature cinnamon-infused brownies. It was a chocolate overload kind of night.

Miss Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner and Lauren Krohn pose with yummy treats at the Wham-O Watusi.

Toward the end of the night, Mr. Kaye ran out of records and sat to chat with the birthday girl for a spell. Luckily, our friend DJ Rata showed up with the Wig Doctor. They had come from some other party where they were DJing mambo records. As the Wig Doctor sat in the corner and made out with a lovely young lady, DJ Rata joined the Phast Man in the DJ booth to add a Latin tinge that spiced up this most perfect evening.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus gets a little help from DJ Rata at the Wham-O Watusi.

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

• The Crystals–Brother Julius (Philles)
• Sounds, Incorporated–In the Hall of the Mountain King (Liberty)
• The Rondels–Back Beat No. 1 (Amy)
• The Ho-Dads–Honky (Imperial)
• The Carnations–Scorpion (Tilt)
• The Secrets–Twin Exhaust (Swan)
• Jan Tanzy–That New Boy in Town (Columbia)
• The Midnight Rebels–Groovin’ Is Easy (Mr. Records)
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe–Walking Up the King’s Highway (Savoy)
• Vikki Carr–Big Hurt (Columbia)
• Little Caesar and the Romans–Fever (Del-Fi)
• Winston Groovy–What You Gonna Do (Pama Supreme; UK)
• Jessie Hill–Chip Chop (My Fair Lady) (Downy)
• Dion–The Majestic (Laurie)
• Tennessee Guitars–Trophy Run (Sun)
• The Shaprels–Rock-A-Boo (Chess)
• The Upsetters–Draggin’ the Main (Autumn)
• Fleetwood Mac–Stop Messin’ Around (Blue Horizon; UK)
• The Others–Oh Yeah! (Fontana)
• The Upsetters–Jaywalking (Fire)
• The Third Bardo–I’m Five Years Ahead of My Time (Roulette)
• Harbinger Complex–I Think I’m Down (Brent)
• Q ’65–The Life I Live (Decca; Netherlands)
• The Zombies–Don’t Cry for Me (Date)
• Lesley Gore–Run Bobby Run (Mercury)
• The Remo Four–Peter Gun (Star-Club; Germany)
• The Jaguars–The Gorilla (Dot)
• The Ideals–Go Get a Wig (St. Lawrence)
• The Dukays–Please Help (Vee Jay)
• Goerge Kirby–(I Want Some) Meat on My Tomatoes (Cameo)
• The Dukays–The Girl’s a Devil (NAT)
• The Tyrones–(She Wants) Candy and Flowers (Wing)
• Bobby Charles–No More (I Ain’t Gonna Love You No More) (Chess)
• Don & Dewey–Heartattack (Highland)
• Meep Meep and the Roadrunner–Justine (Boomerang)
• Carl and the Commanders–Farmer John (Cameo)
• Paul Revere & the Raiders–Louie – Go Home (Columbia)
• Enchantments–I’m in Love With Your Daughter (Part 1) (Faro/Vampi Soul; Spain)
• The Premiers–Get on This Plane (Faro/Vampi Soul; Spain)
• Sunday Funnies–Watcha Gonna Do (When the Dance Is Over) (Valhalla/Vampi Soul; Spain)
• The Librettos–She’s a Go Go (Sunshine; Australia)
• The Rebels–Mother Little Helper (Top 4; Iran)
• The Rolling Stones–Surprise, Surprise (Decca; UK)
• Laruis–Frere Jacques (Carrousel; Canada)
• Los Locos Del Ritmo–Avientense Todos (Dimsa; Mexico)
• Los Rockin Devil’s–Gloria (Orfeon; Mexico)
• The Surfaris–Hey Joe Where Are You Going (Decca)
• Traffic Sound–Fire (Mag; Peru)
• Wilson Pickett–Let Me Be Your Boy (Correc-Tone)
• Preston Epps–Rockin’ in the Congo (Embassy)
• King Coleman–Do the Hully Gully (Part I) (Atlantic)
• Christine Kittrell–Call His Name (Federal)
• Kitty Lanier–(Come on Home) Everything’s Alright (King)
• Daddy ‘G’ and the Church Street Five–Sing a Song Children (Legrand)
• The Corvells–He’s So Fine (Lu Pine)
• Charles & Walter–Kissin and Huggin (Chene)
• Camille Bob–2 Weeks 2 Days Too Long (Soul Unlimited)
• Bobby Byrd–I’m Lonely (Smash)
• The Rattles–Souki-Souki (Philips/Star-Club; Japan)
• David Clayton Thomas–Boom Boom (Atca; Canada)
• The Hound Dogs–Gloria (Ariola; Germany)
• The Feelies–Louie Louie (Jerden)
• The Surfaris–Tequila (Dot; Japan)
• Tapper Zukie–Viego (Mer; UK)
• Prini–Boogaloo (Beverly; Brazil)
• Rocky Roberts e Os Airedales–The Bird is the Word (Barclay; Portugal)
• Carl Malcolm–No Jestering (Leo)
• Ronny Kae–Caravan (Band Box)
• Mikis Theodorakis–The Jet (20th Century Fox)
• Rhet Stoller–Ricochet (Windsor; UK)

None of these records are for sale. Many of them have links to the Youtubes for your home listening pleasure.

On April 21, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked to swing the Happy Hour session (6 to 10 PM) at the Jupiter Disco. The Boog did so by playing an eclectic selection of funk, soul, reggae, Mod jazz, Latin soul and groovy pop records–but mostly funk–for the four hours allotted to him. He kept a solid groove happening and several folks in attendance approached the DJ booth in order to announce their pleasure with the selected tunes. The evening went very well, especially when our pal Nogood Nick showed up with some of this friends.

Nogood Nick swings with Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Jupiter Disco.

The evening was made ever so tasty with the addition of the caramel thumb-print cookies baked by Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner.

Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner’s famous caramel thumb print cookies!

At exactly 10PM, The Boog turned the controls of the Jupiter Disco’s audio system over to DJ Mikey Perez, who followed The Boog’s program with a hot zouk number, then proceeded to spin platters deep into the night.

The Boog and Miss Nancy gathered their things–records, uneaten cookies–and obtained some quick nourishment in the form of tacos at nearby Los Hermanos Tortilleria, then headed into Manhattan, where our friend DJ Rata was holding forth with his Mambo Jambo night at Otto’s Shrunken Head. Guest DJ with him was DJ Alr!ght, who was visiting from Cleveland.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus checks out one of DJ Alr!ght’s hot platters.

The Boogaloo Bag writers first met DJ Alr!ght at the Keystone State Soul Weekender a couple of years ago. He’s a cool guy with hot records and he played some boss sounds that night, as did Rata. Miss Nancy made sure to distribute cookies to the folks at Otto’s before heading home. DJ Alr!ght was due later that night to spin records at Ceremony with Drew Redmond and cookies were sent with him in order for Mr. Redmond to get his share.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Happy Hour at the Jupe:

• Dave Davani Four–The Jupe (Parlophone; UK)
• The Soul Investigators–Vulture’s Prayer (Timmion; Finland)
• Robin Kenyatta–Last Tango in Paris (Atlantic)
• Etta James–Out on the Street Again (Chess)
• Herbie Mann–Do It Again (Atlantic)
• Harold Alexander–Mama Soul (Flying Dutchman)
• Marvin Holmes & the Uptights–Sweet Talk (Uni)
• Ramsey Lewis–Bear Mash (Cadet)
• [no artist listed]–Superstition (Hoctor)
• The Stylistics–Heavy Fallin’ Out (Avco)
• Joe Cruz–Black Widow (Ximeno)
• Nina Simone–Sea Lion Woman (Philips)
• Mongo Santamaria–Walk on By (Columbia)
• The Como Mamas–Well Don’t Worry ’Bout Me (Daptone)
• Tommy McCook–Moon Invader (Doctor Bird; UK)
• Les Mersey’s–Comment Peux-Tu Me Quitter? (Télédisc; Canada)
• The Chakachas–Jungle Fever (Polydor)
• Isaac ’Redd’ Holt Unlimited–I Shot the Sheriff (Paula)
• The Latin All Stars–Oye Como Va (Roper)
• Bobby Bland–Twistin’ Up the Road (Duke)
• Henry Wright e il suo Complesso–Fever Twist (Galleria Del Corso; Italy)
• Leroy Smart–Balistic Affair (Mango)
• Bill Withers–Kissing My Love (Sussex)
• The Chi-Lites–Stoned Out of My Mind (Brunswick)
• Oliver Sain–London Express (Abet)
• Ray & His Court–Soul Freedom (Jazzman; UK)
• The Electric Concept Orchestra–Grazing in the Grass (Limelight)
• Grant Green–Windjammer (Blue Note)
• Lou Rawls–Breaking My Back – Instead of Using My Mind (Capitol Creative Products)
• Georgie Fame–Beware of the Dog (Epic)
• Betty Barney–Momma, Momma (GWP)
• Alex Williams and the Mustangs–The Thrill Ain’t Gone (Jewel)
• Bob & Gene featuring The Inversions–I Can’t Stand These Lonely Nights (Daptone)
• George Benson–Shape of Things to Come (A&M/CTI)
• The Ohio Players–Food Stamps Y’all (Westbound)
• Byard Lancaster–Just-Test (Kindred Spirits/Palm; France)
• The Three Suns–Volcano (RCA Victor)
• Lee Dorsey–Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On) (Amy)
• Gary Bartz Nu Troop–Standin’ on the Corner (Prestige)
• Tommie Young–Everybody’s Got a Little Devil in Their Soul (Soul Power)
• Clark Terry & Chico O’Farrill–Spanish Rice (Impulse)
• Clarence Carter–Slip Away (Atlantic)
• Justin Hines & the Dominoes–Fire (Island; UK)
• Delroy Wilson–You Must Believe Me (Flames)
• The Delfonics–Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love) (Philly Groove)
• Joe Quijano and his Orchestra–Fun City Shingaling (Cesta)
• Marsha Hunt–Walk on Gilded Splinters (Track; UK)
• The Daktaris–In the Middle (Desco)
• Groundhog–Take It Off (Jad)
• Chris Farlowe–Everyone Makes a Mistake (Immediate)
• Mongo Santamaria Orch.–Yeh-Yeh! (Battle)
• The Da-Kars–(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay (Josie)
• Tyrone Davis–Turn Back the Hands of Time (Dakar)
• Quincy Jones & His Orchestra–Call Me Mister Tibbs (United Artists)
• Gil Scott-Heron–The Bottle (Strata-East; France)
• Curtis Mayfield–Superfly (Curtom)
• Lee Dorsey–Yes We Can – Part I (Polydor)
• The Village Callers–Hector Part 2 (Rampart)
• Willie Bobo–Sunshine Superman (Verve)
• Orquesta Akokán–Mambo Rapidito (Daptone)
• Isley Brothers–Summer Breeze (Part II) (Epic; UK)
• Gwen McCrae–Move Me Baby (President; UK)
• The Coasters–The World Is Changing (Turntable)
• Solicitors–Acid (Excello)
• Detroit Jr.–Young Blood (Tip-Top)
• Lonnie Smith–Afrodesia (Groove Merchant)
• Titanic–Sultana (Epic)
• Lalo Schifrin–Ape Shuffle (theme from ’Planet of the Apes’) (20th Century)
• Nairobi Afro Band–Soul Makossa (No. 1) (Town Hall One Stop)
• Lee Arab–Now (Studio One/Soul Jazz; UK)
• Junior Murvin–Police and Thieves (Mango)
• Prime Mates–Hot Tamales – Part 2 (Sansu)
• The Mighty Imperials–Kick the Blanket (Desco)
• Lenis Guess–Super Woman (Polydor)
• Barbara Acklin–I Can’t Do My Thing (Brunswick)
• Sly & the Family Stone–If You Want Me to Stay (Epic)
• Betty Wright–Shoorah! Shoorah! (Alston)
• Mel and Tim–We’ve Got the Groove to Make You Move (Bamboo)
• The Drifters–Be My Lady (Atlantic)
• Earl King–Tic Tac Toe (Wand)
• James Brown–Let a Man Come in and Do the Popcorn Part One (King)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to youtubes clips so you can dig them in the privacy of your own head!

DJ Rata gave this groovy Batman 45 adapter to Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus!! Thank you Señor Rata!