Rip! Rig! Panic! Rain!

The elegantly appointed Robert Bar features a trio of lava lamps next to the turntables in order to remind the DJs to play groovy music.

The elegantly appointed Robert Bar features a trio of lava lamps next to the turntables in order to remind the DJs to play groovy music.

A few months ago, when Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus received a call from Nogood Nick asking him to DJ at the Robert Bar on April 29—another Rip Rig PanicThe Boog jumped at the opportunity. After all, The Boog had nothing going on DJ-wise that weekend; The Boog digs swingin’ with Nogood Nick at the Rip Rig Panic; and The Boog digs the elegant Robert Bar (where the DJ booth has a rubber mat to keep the DJ’s feet from getting sore!); plus, with spring having been sprung, the chances are good that the weather will be nice enough for The Boog to ride his bicycle to the club—it’s that close to Boogaloo Omnibus Productions Worldwide Headquarters.

Ah! But if only life were that easy and uncomplicated! As it turned out, that Friday April 29 was the first day of the three-day WFMU Record Fair. That in itself wouldn’t be a big enough reason to upset plans, however, The Boog had bought a table to sell records on the Saturday and must be at the site around the ungodly hour of 7:00 AM in order to set up. Once Mr. Nick was informed, he suggested The Boog play an early set, and he’ll get another DJ to work late.

That day, The Boog spent a good portion of the afternoon and early evening at the Record Fair, buying a few records. When it was time to go to the Robert Bar, it was raining. No way does The Boog bike in the rain—the brakes won’t work, and the water on his glasses will prevent him from seeing very well. So it was the F Train that took The Boog and his box of records to the gig. Unfortunately, once out on the street, The Boog walked four blocks before he realized he was heading in the wrong direction. In the rain.

When a wet and irritated Boog finally arrived at the Robert Bar, Nogood Nick had the place swingin’ with his groovy sounds. The club was full of people. Our pal Lady Dawn was in attendance and holding court in the corner with about a half-dozen of her friends. What could have been a disaster ended up being a fun night. Mr. Nick played a few more jams, as The Boog prepared his records and ordered a drink. Robert Bar has a selection of fine, artisanal beverages, one of which is called The Fez. This sweet yet sour concoction, which The Boog imbibes in its non-alcoholic configuration, is most excellent and highly recommended. The Robert Bar is the perfect place for Rip Rig Panic. It’s retro-modernist atmosphere blends perfectly with the equally tasteful records that Nogood Nick tends to play.

The Boog provided an audio aura for about an hour and a half featuring recordings that may be described as jazzoid, funkified and/or soulish. Roped in to assist with DJ operations once The Boog had left the building was a British fellow named Patrick Syms. Unfortunately, the Boogaloo Bag writers were unable to stick around for his set(s), but Nogood Nick assures us that he played some excellent rare groove jams and that the evening continued in a most pleasing manner.

Hopefully, the next time time Noogood Nick invites The Boog to swing at a Rip Rig Panic that things will go much smoother for him. Meanwhile, here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus:

 

None of these records are for sale.

P.S.: The next day, The Boog woke up at 0-dark-hundred in order to sell his records. He also bought a few. Many of his finds will be played at future Wang Dang Doodle events; of this, you can be assured.

Hot Rebel Night Action

Rebel_Night

On Friday April 15, A.B.C. Rebel Night took place at the Grand Victory bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus received the call to perform guest DJ duties. Rebel Night got off to a late start, due to the fact that the big punk show that was held earlier went late into Rebel Night time. The headlining veteran punk rock group M.D.C. played a good 20 minutes after its cut-off time of 11 PM. As soon as the last of M.D.C.’s feedback noise disappeared, Rebel Night host Hiromu was at the turntable booth setting up. He got the rockin’ sounds going as soon as he could.

Usually it is our pal Seiji who runs the Rebel Night show. However, that weekend was the big rockabilly weekender in Las Vegas and Seiji, along with Rebel Night den mother Katie Bickert–and apparently a LOT of the Rebel Night regulars–were at the event, known as Viva Las Vegas. However, there were plenty of folks who hung out after the M.D.C. show to make the Rebel Night a success. A few of the punks even danced, but most of the them remained in the bar area where they drank their beer and bopped their heads to the beat. One would hope they were thinking that this Rebel Night music is where the whole punk rock thing started–because it would be true! Also, there were plenty of folks who didn’t make the scene in Las Vegas but were happy to do the stroll in Williamsburg.

DJ Hiromu cues a hot bopper at Rebel Night!

DJ Hiromu cues a hot bopper at Rebel Night!

Our pal DJ Jumpy was another guest that night. He surprised folks by playing some fine records we never heard him play  before. It was a gas listening to his set. From time to time, he would play a particularly rockin’ record, and he would come out from behind the DJ booth and bop along to it. That’s our Jumpy!

DJ Jumpy selects a rockin' record from his box of discs at Rebel Night!

DJ Jumpy selects a rockin’ record from his box of discs at Rebel Night!

For the Boogaloo Bag writers, the treat of the evening was when DJ Junichi took to the turntables. He is one of our favorite people on the planet. Although he was one of the founders of Rebel Night, lately he has not been DJing much at events held at the Grand Victory, since his day job often finds him working nights. But somehow he was able to make the scene and selected a set of wild rock’n’roll and rockabilly records for the Rebel Night faithful.

DJ Junichi swings at Rebel Night!

DJ Junichi used a magic touch at Rebel Night!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus presented two sets of rock’n’roll 45s: a couple old favorites, a couple R&B things, a couple of crazy things–most of them over 200 BPM–and an awesome Link Wray record.

A.B.C. Always Be Cool! Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Rebel Night:

None of these records are for sale

WHAM-O WATUSI swings on!

DJ Rata and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at WHAM-O WATUSI!

DJ Rata and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at WHAM-O WATUSI!

April started out with a bang for Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. It all began with a trip to Allentown, Pennsylvania for the Original World Famous Semi-Annual 45/78 Only Record Expo, hosted by Surround Sound Productions at the Merchants Square Mall. This event actually took place on Saturday April 2, but The Boog, along with Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner, Yana Lil’ Jerk and Miss Melissa went up a day early to work the hotel room scene: Dozens of dealers in a nearby hotel set up little record stores in their respective rooms, buying and selling from each other, and any record collector who drops in. Man, did they buy records!

The Boog was able to pick up a few garage rock records (“Psycho” by The Swamp Rats, “Fight Fire” by The Fantastic Dee Jays), boss R&B (Bo Diddley’s very rare EP on Chess with the cardboard cover, all in most excellent shape!), some European pressings of Motown singles that feature tracks not available in the US, a few soul records, and some twist records, among other things. The Boog continuously purchases 45s in order to ensure that each DJ night is a unique experience and attendees are not subjected to the same dozen or so records at every event.

On the day of the Record Expo, more records were obtained; in all, a stack of 45s measuring about 6 and a half inches. Also, five 78s were picked up and they will be in the box for the next BIG TEN INCH.

On the night of April 2, The Boog was due to DJ at the Bootleg Bar: WHAM-O WATUSI, after driving all the way from Allentown back to Brooklyn. There was a little time to eat and unlax before driving out to Downtown Bushwick for the DJ gig. Guest was DJ Rata, a heavy, heavy cat with heavy, heavy records. In accordance with the recent international nature of the WHAM, Rata was born in Venezuela. Adding to that, he was accompanied by a young lass from Ireland!

DJ Rata in action at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

DJ Rata in action at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Rata has his own night, Mambo Jambo, held at Otto’s Shrunken Head on the third Saturday of the month. Acording to the Otto’s web-o-site, “Resident DJ Ratta bring you a Night dedicated to Blues, R&B, Mambo, Cha Cha’s, Rock & Roll, Mento , Ska, Rocksteady, Surf, Rock & Roll, Exotica, Boogaloo, Doo Wop, Soul and more…” Huh? “And more?” What else is there!!! He’s named just about every reet sound you can think of! This is what makes the Mambo Jambo so groovy: it has it all! Also, this is what makes DJ Rata such a fine selector: he plays it all! He sure did so at the WHAM-O WATUSI, and we’d like to thank him for it.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus selects a record to play at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus selects a record to play at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Below is a list of the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, including 17 that he picked up in Allentown. Expect to hear further new acquisitions at upcoming Boogaloo Omnibus events.

 

None of these records are for sale.

Easter Eggs made of shellac!

Bunny

DJ Andy Upsetter FC played this cool Laurel Aitken 78!

DJ Andy Upsetter FC played this cool Laurel Aitken 78!

The BIG TEN INCH has settled into its regular time-slot: the fourth Sunday of every other month. March’s BIG TEN INCH fell on Easter, so it should be no surprise that some of the folks who came to dig the shellac were dressed up like bunnies! Hi-Fi Bar looked like a rabbit farm!

Easter Bunnies swing at BIG TEN INCH!

Easter Bunnies swing at BIG TEN INCH!

78s were played by those who brought them: Jukebox Jonny (Grade A Fancy), Alex De Lazslo, Tony Salvaje, Malcolm Tent (Trash American Style), Michael McMahon (Susquehanna Industrial Tool and Die), Adam Lore (50 Miles of Elbow Room), Ted Barron, Andy Upsetter FC and newcomers Heather McCabe and Red Wing Mark.

Wonderful records were played. (See the gallery below for a sampling. Click on the image and it will scientifically Big-O-Fi.) Occasional swing dancing broke out. Pizza was devoured, as were the most excellent chocolate chip cookies that were baked by BOOGALOO BAG photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. Our friend and frequent BIG TEN INCH attendee Karen McBurnie brought pretzels and robins eggs, which likewise disappeared quickly.  Here’s hoping that snacks such as these are at all future BIG TEN INCH events!

Adam

Adam Lore

Alex

Alex De Laszlo

AndyUpsetter

Andy Upsetter FC

Boog

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Heather

Heather McCabe

JukeJointJonnie

Juke Joint Jonny

Malcolm

Malcolm Tent

MichaelM

Michael McMahon

RedWingMark

Red Wing Mark

Ted

Ted Barron

TonyS

Tony Salvaje

 

Here’s a list of all the 78s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the BIG TEN INCH held on Easter Sunday:

 

None of these records are for sale.

78_Bird 78_Chano 78_EMiller 78_FerlinH 78_FrankieLee 78_LIghtnin 78_Marlene 78_Me-ow 78_RoyBrown 78_SonnyBoy 78_Teichiku

¡First Fantastica Flies Fabulously!

 

The Fantastica crew: One Mint Julep, Nogood Nick and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

The Fantastica crew: One Mint Julep, Nogood Nick and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

¡FANTASTICA! is the latest creation from the genius laboratories of WANG DANG DOODLE Productions. It incorporates the juxtaposition of three distinct DJs, each with his or her own style, attitude and approach to selecting recordings for an evening’s dining, dancing and drinking pleasure. On Friday March 25, the first ever ¡FANTASTICA! took place when One Mint Julep, Nogood Nick and host Phast Phreddie the Boogloo Omnibus brought their respective collections of 45 RPM records to the Commodore and played them at an appropriate volume and in an appropriate order.

One Mint Julep!

One Mint Julep!

One Mint Julep first came to the attention of the BOOGALOO BAG writers back around 2012, when she made an appearance at a BIG TEN INCH party, back when it was still being held at the Bell House. She played some incredible hillbilly records that completely wowed the place. Since then, she has been one busy gal: She now has her own radio show on WFMU (Honky Tonk Radio Girl, Wednesday nights at 8pm); a DJ night with Mr. Fine Wine at the Robert Bar where they play popcorn records; and another night, also with Mr. Fine Wine, where they play great soul records at a joint called Friends and Lovers. PLUS! She is now married to Mr. Fine Wine and that must make her Mrs. Fine Wine! So you know she’s got great records and she knows how to play them. At ¡FANTASTICA! she played rockabilly, hillbilly, popcorn, soul, funk and, if memory serves, perhaps a doo wop record or two.

Nogood Nick

Nogood Nick

Nogood Nick is often found in the BOOGALOO BAG for the simple reasons that he is one of the most amiable DJs, has great records and he knows how to get the place swingin’ with said great records. What else is left to say about him, except his Rip! Rig! Panic! night at Otto’s Shrunken Head is the best happy hour event in town. The BOOGALOO BAG writers try to make that scene each month.

Everybody swings at ¡Fantastica!

Everybody swings at ¡Fantastica!

After only two excellent sets, Mr. Fine Wine had to drag One Mint Julep out of the club—they had a plane to Detroit to catch at 0-dark-hundred the next morning. This was a bummer, but Nogood Nick brought extra records and he and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus continued the ¡FANTASTICA! through the night and into the wee hours of the morning. Nogood Nick played saucy soul music and tough organ grooves. The Phast Man swung with rock’n’roll, R&B, blues and the usual trash. Around 4:02 AM the great big bouncer came over and pulled the plug. But what a night! Folks were dancing and romancing the entire time. Man, if this ¡FANTASTICA! gig happens again, you really want to make that scene.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

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

None of these records are for sale.

Fine Wine, aged twenty years!

Mr. Fine Wine and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Botanica!

Mr. Fine Wine and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Botanica!

As this is being typed, the Boogaloo Bag writers are listening to a fabulous radio show: Downtown Soulville on radio station WFMU, hosted by our pal Mr. Fine Wine. For one hour (from 8 to 9pm NYC Time) every Friday Mr. Fine Wine plays some super fantabulous soul, funk and R&B records. Listeners wish the show was longer—maybe five hours longer!

Well, if you want to hear that many of Mr. Fine Wine’s soul, funk and R&B records, we suggest you make it to Club Botanica every Wednesday night from about 9:30 or 10:00 to who knows when. It’s a groovy little joint on Houston Street in New York City that is managed by folks smart enough to ask the best soul music DJ in the world to lay down some funky mid-week sonic atmosphere. So there he is: Mr. Fine Wine, playing his great records—and he has been doing it for 20 years! The Boogaloo Bag writers try to make the scene when they can, but alas, it is on a school night, so sometimes they just sit at home and listen to their own soul records. Somehow, it is just not the same; Mr. Fine Wine has way better records!

Anyway, 20 years is a LONG time for a DJ night to take place—especially a weekly one. Much congratulations are in order for Mr. Fine Wine for keeping the place jumpin’ with such fine records over all these years. This is truly a tuff task to ask of anyone, but if anyone is up to it, it is Mr. Fine Wine. On Wednesday, March 23, he celebrated this feat and quite a few of our friends were on hand to celebrate with him.

Botanica was full of beautiful people when Mr. Fine Wine celebrated 20 years at the club!

Botanica was full of beautiful people when Mr. Fine Wine celebrated 20 years at the club!

Several of Mr. Fine Wine’s DJ friends were asked to participate (each swingin’ with a 15-or-so-minute set) including Warren Lee (of the late, lamented Empire State Soul Club), Jonathan Toubin (New York Night Train) and Chairman Mao (Bumpshop), all of whom the Boogaloo Bag writers missed because they left early. However, they were able to witness the most excellent DJ skills of Drew Redmond (Finger Lickin’ Fridays), Greg Tormo (Solid Hit Soul Club), Sean Connors (Friends and Lovers Soul Night) and the lovely Connie T Empress (Empire State Soul Club). Also in the house, and they may have participated, was Mikey Post (Daptone) and Young Chris (Thee Knights of the Turntables); probably others as well, but in the dark confines of Botanica, the Boogaloo Bag writers couldn’t recognize them! As the Boogaloo Bag writers were leaving, One Mint Julep (aka Honky Tonk Radio Girl, aka Mrs. Fine Wine) was preparing her set. It was a shame to miss it, but, as mentioned, it was a school night.

One Mint Julep and Connie T Empress discuss the finer points of Popcorn records at Botanica!

One Mint Julep and Connie T Empress discuss the finer points of Popcorn records at Botanica!

Drew Redmond, Connie T Empress and Greg Tormo swing at Botanica!

Drew Redmond, Connie T Empress and Greg Tormo swing at Botanica!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the DJs asked to participate was Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, who started the guest DJ action with a set of these instrumentals:

 

None of these records are for sale.

 

Once again: Hearty congratulations to Mr. Fine Wine for 20 years of playing soul records at Botanica!!!

Connie T Empress congratulates Mr. Fine Wine for 20 years of service to the cause!

Connie T Empress congratulates Mr. Fine Wine for 20 years of service to the cause!

 

Wham-O Watusi Goes Salvaje!

Tony Salvaje and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Tony Salvaje and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at WHAM-O WATUSI!

The international aspect of The WHAM-O WATUSI nights at the Bootleg Bar continued on Saturday March 19 when the guest DJ was Tony Salvaje, an expecially adept DJ who was born in El Salvador.

Tony Salvaje played some great records at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Tony Salvaje played some great records at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Tony Salvaje shows off one of the fine records he played at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Tony Salvaje shows off one of the fine records he played at WHAM-O WATUSI!

 

Mr. Salvaje came to this country as a teenager and has since lived and DJed in Los Angeles and Seattle. His playing of fantastic rock’n’roll records is quite notable, and since moving to Brooklyn, he has often worked turntables at the fabulous ABC Rebel Nights and Shake It Up Sundays—two of the City’s best dance parties.

 

 

On this particular night, Mr. Salvaje rocked the house with his tremendous records, including those by acts from Peru and Mexico. He had the place jumpin’ all night. We hope to see him back at the WHAM soon.

This month’s WHAM-O WATUSI took place on the third Saturday of the month, trading with our pal Drew Redmond who usually holds forth at the Bootleg with his Sleaze to Please night, in order for host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus to take part in the Subway Soul Club festivities on the first Saturday of March. The WHAM will return to it’s regular night in April (the 2nd) and, in keeping with the international jet-set theme of this year’s WHAM-O WATUSI scene, the special guest will be DJ Rata, a superb DJ from Venezuela who now lives in Brooklyn. He digs the rock, the bop and the mambo; and so will you. Be there!

Between his DJ sets, Tony Salvaje scored a replay on Bootleg Bar's groovy pinball machine at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Between his DJ sets, Tony Salvaje scored a replay on Bootleg Bar’s groovy pinball machine at WHAM-O WATUSI!

Meanwhile, on March 19, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played a few records, too. All of them listed here:

King Coney and the Hot Dogs–Ten Two and Four (Legrand)

None of these records are for sale.

972209_10207522139584450_5925773024334571058_n

Subway Soul Club Springs Into Action!!!

SSC_dancers_action

Subway Soul Club is the most fabulous sixties soul music dance club in New York City. Others have come and gone, but the Subway Soul Club, although not nearly as active as it was when it was held monthly, can still deliver the goods whenever hostess Lady Dawn decides it’s time to swing.

SSC_BirdsEye

On Saturday March 5, Subway Soul Club, with the aid of our friends at Cavestomp, held an event at Lucille’s, the comfortable room adjacent to BB King’s Blues Club on the edge of Times Square. This is what a night out is all about: going to Midtown to dine and dance and have a good time with good friends. This is why we live in New York City: because sitting at home on and watching TV on a Saturday night is for squares! This is heaven for all the hip cats and kittens who attend. The elegantly appointed Lucille’s, with its large dance floor, excellent food (yes, Lucille’s has a complete menu on which to dine!) and professional staff, is the perfect place for it to happen.

SSC_dancers1

The scene on this particular Saturday night was made ever more marvelous by the expert DJ efforts of the guest DJs: Gene Merideth and Sheila B.

Gene Merideth swings at Subway Soul Club!

Gene Merideth swings at Subway Soul Club!

Gene Merideth has been one of the Subway Soul Club’s favorite guest DJs since its early days back at the late, lamented Club Rififi. Nowadays, Mr. Merideth keeps himself busy on the vintage scooter scene (his company Scooters Originali repairs and restores vintage Vespas and Lambrettas) where he is often seen DJing at rallies. A few years ago he moved to the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania and DJs monthly at Porters Pub in Easton. He tells us that he finds good records in the area. Judging by the sound of the sets he played at the Subway Soul Club, he is finding GREAT records!

Sheila B swings at Subway Soul Club!

Sheila B swings at Subway Soul Club!

Sheila B is one of the most busy and popular DJs around. Last year she started her highly entertaining, educational and eclectic Sophisticated Boom Boom radio show on WFMU (heard every Friday from 3 to 6 PM). On the third Friday of the month she plays hostess at Our Wicked Lady in Bushwick with her Sh-Boom DJ night. She is the curator for a girl-pop-centric web-o magazine called Ch Cha Charming (every Boogaloo Bag reader should check it out). Also she is the producer of finely crafted re-issue compilations of girl group wonderment, most recently Love Hit Me! Decca Beat Girls 1962 – 1970. She knows her stuff, that’s for sure, and she proved it live and in person when she played records for Subway Soul Club!

SSC_Lady_Dawn

Lady Dawn swings at Subway Soul Club!

 

 

The event itself was a blast. The dance floor had activity going the entire night. The DJs all played fabulous records. A lot of our favorite familiar faces showed up to watusi, including filmmaker Rachael Guma who was celebrating a birthday. Also, there were plenty of new faces that we hope to see next time.

 

Next time, indeed! When will the next Subway Soul Club take place? Only hostess Lady Dawn knows for sure. She has been very busy with her own design business that we will be lucky to see another one this year. However, resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus is going to push to have one in June or July and perhaps one in November. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed on that!

 

Speaking of the Phast One, he celebrated the amazing music being played that night by drinking one of Lucille’s fine root beer floats! He also played a couple of records, including salutes to the recently passed Clarence Reid and Maurice White (The Salty Peppers).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Subway Soul Club Crew: Sheila B, Gene Merideth, Lady Dawn & Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

The Subway Soul Club Crew: Sheila B, Gene Merideth, Lady Dawn & Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

Guest DJs Gene Merideth and Sheila B have graciously listed some of the records that they played:

 

Gene Merideth (partial list, in no order)

  • Etta James — Mellow Fellow (Argo)
  • Shirley & Jesse — You Can’t Fight Love (Wand)
  • Marlena Shaw — Let’s Wade In The Water (Cadet)
  • Bobby Wells — Bes That Way Sometimes (Romur)
  • Tommy Neal — Goin To A Happening (Pameline)
  • Greg Perry — Love Control (Chess)
  • Lee Rogers — Go Go Girl (D Town)
  • Dynells — Call On Me (Atco)
  • Melba Moore — Magic Touch (Kent; UK)
  • Jimmy Ruffin — He Who Picks A Rose (unissued)
  • Bobby Garrett — I Can’t Get Away (Mirwood)
  • Julian Covey — A Little Bit Hurt (Philips)
  • World Column — So Is The Sun (Tower)
  • Stemmons Express — Love Power (Wand)
  • Linda Jones — I Just Can’t Live My Life (WB)
  • Edwin Starr — Way Over There (Gordy)
  • Jimmy Breedlove — I Can’t Help Lovin You (Roulette)
  • Carl Hall — My Babys So Good (Mercury)
  • Adventurers — Easy Baby (Compass)
  • Cooperettes — Shing A Ling (Brunswick)
  • Moses Smith — Girl Across The Street (Dionn)
  • John Wesley — Love Is A Funny Thing (Melic)
  • Larry Williams & Johnny Watson — Quitter Never Wins (Okeh)
  • High Keys — Livin A Lie (Verve)
  • Frank Wilson — Do I Love You (Tamla/Motown; UK)

 

Sheila B (partial, in no order)

  • Pointer Sisters—Send Him Back (Atlantic)
  • The LaSalles—La La La La (V.I.P.)
  • Eddie Holman—I Surrender (ABC Records)
  • Billie Davis—Whatcha Gonna Do (Columbia)
  • The Capri Sisters—I Want You To Be My Boy (Newtown)
  • The Crystals (Featuring La La Brooks)—I Got A Man (United Artists)
  • Gia Mateo—If You Can’t Say Anything Nice (RCA Victor)
  • Carl Carlton—I Can Feel It (Back Beat)
  • Pearl Woods—Don’t Tell It All (Crackerjack)
  • Ann Cole—Each Day (Baton)
  • Nancy Adams—I Wanna Hear It From You (RCA Victor)
  • Cold Blood—I’m A Good Woman (San Francisco)
  • Mary Love—Lay This Burden Down (Modern)
  • Stella Starr—Bring Him Back (Piccadilly)
  • Big Maybelle—Quittin’ Time (Rojac)
  • Gloria Brown—Looking For My Baby (Checker)

 

Every record, in order, played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaoo Omnibus:

  • B.B. King–Poontwangie (Kent)
  • Booker T. & the MG’s–Tic-Tac-Toe (Stax)
  • J. Gardner–Mustard Greens (Blue Rock)
  • Teacho and the Students–Chills and Fever (OKeh)
  • The New Clarence Reid–Cadillac Annie (Phil-L.A. of Soul)
  • Tammi Terrell–This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) (Motown)
  • James Brown & the Famous Flames–Choo-Choo (King)
  • The Salty Peppers–Uh Huh Yeah (Captiol)
  • The Four Tops–I’ll Turn to Stone (Tamla/Motown; UK)
  • Les Cooper and the Soul Rockers featuring Guy Turner–Gonna Have a Lot of Fun (Atco)
  • Betty Wright–Sweet Lovin’ Daddy (Alston)
  • Lowell Fulsom–Tramp (Kent)
  • Roddie Joy–I Want You Back (Parkway)
  • The Marvelettes–Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead (Tamla)
  • Smokey Robinson & the Miracles–Crazy About the La La La (Tamla)
  • Lonnie Youngblood–Soul Food (That’s What I Like) (Fairmount)
  • Ruby Andrews–Let’s Get a Groove Going On Part 1 (Zodiac)
  • Eddie Holland–Baby Shake (Motown)
  • Z.Z. Hill–Ain’t Too Proud to Beg (Audrey)
  • Four Tops–I Got a Feeling (Motown)
  • Major Lance–Forever (OKeh)
  • Roosevelt Grier–Since You’ve Been Gone (Recording Industries Corp)
  • Jr. Walker & the All Stars–Anyway You Wannta (Soul)
  • Beverly Ann Gibson–Do the Monkey (Jubilee)
  • Patti Austin–Got to Check You Out (Coral)
  • Cliff Nobles & Co.–The Horse (Phil-L.A. of Soul)
  • Nick Ashford–I Don’t Need No Doctor (Verve)
  • The Ikettes–What’cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You) (Phi-Dan)
  • Robb Fortune–Crazy Feelin (Paramount)
  • Trade Martin–Moanin’ (RCA Victor)
  • Bill Withers–Three Nights and a Morning (Lotus)
  • Dee Dee Sharp–Comin’ Home Baby (Cameo/Outta Sight; UK)
  • The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band–Brown Sugar (Warner Bros.)
  • Calif. Soul Explosion–Chain of Fools (Pashlo)
  • Eddie Floyd–Big Bird (Stax)
  • Shirley Ellis–Sugar Let’s Shing-A-Ling (Columbia)
  • Lee Moses–Reach Out, I’ll Be There (Musicor)
  • Dave Cortez & the Moon People–Happy Soul (w/a Hook) (Speed)
  • Curtis Mayfield–Move On Up Part 2 (Buddah; France)
  • Curtis Mayfield–Move On Up Part 1 (Curtom)
  • Jun Mayuzumi–Black Room (Captol; Japan)
  • Ramona King–Hey Everybody (Warner Bros.)
  • Edwin Starr–Agent Double-O-Soul (Ric-Tic)
  • The Webs–Give In (Popside)
  • The Precisions–If This Is Love (I’d Rather Be Lonely) (Drew)
  • Charlie McCoy & the Escorts–Screamin’, Shoutin’, Beggin’, Pleadin’ (Monument)
  • Cannibal and the Headhunters–Out of Sight (Rampart)
  • Les Beethovens–Pour Moi Ça Va (Miracle; Canada)
  • The Wailers–Simmer Down (CoxSone; Jamaica)
  • Prince Buster and the All Stars–Madness (Prince Buster; Jamaica)
  • Ela Laboriel–El Gato Negro (Musar; Mexico)
  • [no artist listed]–Mirza (Mlliat Freres; France)
  • The Lollipops–Busy Signal (RCA Victor)
  • Quincy Jones and His Orchestra–Soul Bossa Nova (Mercury)

None of these records are for sale.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus toasts Subway Soul Club with a root beer float!!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus toasts Subway Soul Club with a root beer float!!

Subwaysoul BB KIngs 3.5.16-01

Rip! Rig! Robert!

Nogood Nick and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Rip! Rig! Panic!

Nogood Nick and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Rip! Rig! Panic!

Nogood Nick cues another Mod Jazz groove at Rip! Rig! Panic!

Nogood Nick cues another Mod Jazz groove at Rip! Rig! Panic!

Rip! Rig! Panic! is one of the Boogaloo Bag’s favorite events. Hosted by our friend Nogood Nick, it presents moderniste jazz along with sweet soul music in a manner that is very pleasing to the ear. It was for that express reason that Nogood Nick was often asked to guest DJ at the late, lamented DYNAGROOVE. Usually the Rip! Rig! is held on the second Friday of the month during the happy hour at Otto’s Shrunken Head. However, On Saturday February 27, a very special Rip! Rig! was held at a new joint in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn called the Robert Bar. Guest DJ was Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

 

The Robert Bar is groovy. It is outfitted with a marvelous décor, including three working lava lamps next to the DJ booth, and the walls consist of decades old tiles from around the world. The ceiling is made up of thousands of dominos. The swingin’ sounds, funky rhythms and organ grooves of the Rip! Rig! Panic! fit the Robert Bar perfectly. Our pal Yana Lil’ Jerk, who appears often in the Boogaloo Bag, dropped by to hang out and she became noticeably animated whenever a rocksteady beat emanated from the speakers.

Yana Lil' Jerk and Nogood Nick discuss the proper method of selecting 45 RPM records at Rip! Rig! Panic!

Yana Lil’ Jerk and Nogood Nick discuss the proper method of selecting 45 RPM records at Rip! Rig! Panic!

The owners of the Robert Bar seemed to be very pleased with the audio atmosphere developed by Mr. Nick and Mr. Boogaloo, so we expect them to be asked back soon—together or separately either way, it will be a gas and a half and all Boogaloo Bag readers should make the scene.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Rip! Rig! Panic! on February 27, 2016:

None of these records are for sale.