Shivering at the Shim Sham Shimmy!

The first Shim Sham Shimmy of the year was held on January 3, as always, at the great, stoned building called The Salt Box in Kingston, NY. It was cold outside—REALLY cold! However, DJs Pete Pop and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus brought the heat in the form of some wild and rockin’ 45 RPM records. Pete Pop was so excited about the Shimmy that he made two posters for it (see below.)

Since the event was so close to New Year’s Eve not much was expected, but folks came out—lots of folks came out—to dig the boss sounds that the DJs were puttin’ down. Miss Nancy baked some Spanish cinnamon cookies, pumpkin bread and chex mix. Needing something a little more substantive, Phast Phreddie ordered some French fries from the adjacent food truck. That was good.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the January Shim Sham Shimmy:

None of these records are for sale!

Smash! Crash! Bash! Goes Cold Turkey!

On the day after Thanksgiving, our friends Peter Aaron and Sean McDJ were scheduled to work the dog at the Salt Box for their fabulous Smash! Crash! Bash! DJ night—it was the last Friday of the month. However, both of them have parents who are aged and ailing with whom they wanted to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with, so they bowed out of the gig. The Smash! Crash! Bash! needed to go on, so subbing for them was Pete Pop and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

Since the Smash! Crash! Bash! regulars are accustomed to digging punk and new wave records —and generally rockin’ records from the seventies and eighties and even newer—at these events, that’s what Mr. Pop and El Rapido brought to the show. In fact, Pete Pop went so far as to play LP tracks from actual 12” long-playing albums—something he never does!!! There are photos to prove it!

Because the Funky Kingston (fifth Saturday of the month, when there is one) was scheduled for the next night, Phast Phreddie brought his DJ gear; thus the presence of the Bat Signal! Once again, Miss Nancy supplied some yummy treats. A whole bunch of our friends showed up and the entire night was a swingin’ success. It was so successful that Mr. Pop and the Phast One were asked to return for the next Smash! Crash! Bash! on the day after Christmas for the same reason! Make that scene, won’t you?

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the November Smash! Crash! Bash!:

None of these records are for sale!

Smash! Crash! Bash! Boogaloo!

[WARNING: this post is way out of order—the Boogaloo Blog writers apologize profusely for any confusion that it may incur]

Peter Aaron and Phast Phreddie swing with cool records at Smash! Crash! Bash!

Our friends Peter Aaron and Sean McDJ have a swingin’ DJ night they call Smash! Crash! Bash! that takes place on the last Friday of the month at the all mighty Salt Box in Kingston, NY. On these nights they tend to play a lot of punk, glam and new wave records, as well as old garage, soul, latin, funk—whatever they feel like playing. Both DJs are very eclectic, however, most of the night one will hear a lot of records from the seventies and early eighties. Miss Nancy likes to attend these affairs because they will play Devo, Bowie and T-Rex records, which she likes to dance to. The Boogaloo Bag writers like to attend these affairs because the DJs always play cool stuff they’ve never heard before—and that makes it interesting.

DJ Peter Aaron

Peter Aaron is a musician (most famously a member of The Chrome Cranks), a radio personality (Go-Go Kitty on Radio Kingston), and an arts editor for the Hudson Valley culture magazine (Chronogram), and the author of books (most recently a biography of Ric Ocasek). He’s a busy guy who still finds time to collect groovy records and spin them at the Salt Box.

Sean McDJ

Sean McDJ is equally busy as a photographer, a computer specialist, a professional DJ (weddings, parties, anything) and, we think, several other employments that he doesn’t talk about. He’s also a neat guy who is happy to talk about any record you can think of.

This particular Smash! Crash! Bash! was held on July 25. Originally, Sean McDJ was planning on being absent due to other arrangements. Because of this, Peter Aaron asked Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus to step into his shoes for the night. However, as it turned out, Mr. Sean was able to make the scene after all. Instead of kicking the Phast One off the bill, they decided to add him into the mix. Usually Peter and Sean take turns playing one record at a time. This time, the three of them traded three-song sets. Our pal Pete Pop showed up to dig the scene.

This was a gas for Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, who had a chance to break out many songs he hadn’t played in a long time, including some new-ish ones and several by his friends from the olden days. He’ll be back on Halloween, as Sean has another gig that night!

Here’s a list of all the songs played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Smash! Crash! Bash!

None of these records are for sale

Keystone Number Nine takes off for the planet Soul!!

The Ninth Annual Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender took place on the 24th, 25th and 26th of October. As has been reported in previous Boogaloo Bags, this is one of the most fantastic weekends imaginable! A bunch of great DJs—friends, all (or soon to be!)—playing great records almost non-stop for three days in a row. Plus, folks selling records. Plus, folks dancing to records. Plus, the new location is right next door to a really good Mexican restaurant. You couldn’t get closer to heaven if you said the Hail Mary a hundred times a day for the rest of your life!! It is held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the Moose Lodge, which has a fabulous wooden dance floor.

Julio Fernandez is the most gracious host imaginable. There were several first-time DJs at this year’s event—so many that Julio cut his own DJ time in order to make room for them.

Please note that the new DJs are not new to DJing—just new to DJing at the Keystone event. Each of them have had plenty of DJ experience in their respective home towns, as well as nationally and internationally. Among those who worked the Keystone for the first time were Gabe Besaw (Nor’easter Soul Club, Albany, NY), Jon Friesen (Santa Ana, CA), Kenneth MacDonald (Scotland), Michael Chriestzberg (Wig Out, Seattle), Marc Muller (Emerald City Soul Club, Seattle), Gordy Greenawalt (Title Town Soul Party, Pittsburgh) and Kevin Higham (Rare Music Direct, UK).

Returning DJs included Scott Boyko (Garden State Soul Club, NJ), Debbie Benjamin-Koller (Heart of Chicago Soul Club), Sean Connors (Philly Soul Club, Philadelphia), Aret Sakal (Windy City Soul Club, Chicago), DJ Bywell (Soul Buzz, San Diego), Mr. Fine Wine (Downtown Soulville, WFMU), Eric Svirida (Long Island), Yana Lil’ Jerk (Strong G+, Brooklyn), Connie T. Empress (Empire State Soul Club, NYC) Mikey Post (Daptone Records), Jay Boxcar (Garden State Soul Club, NJ), Chey Frazier (Easton Vinyl Assassins, Easton, PA) and, of course, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus (he and Mr. Fernandez are the only DJs who have appeared in all nine events).

Another fellow who has become a regular at the Keystone Weekender was Brother Weems, who has been the MC for at least 7 or 8 years. He’s a friendly chap who, when not announcing the DJs, is on the floor dancing.

This year’s event was very well attended and folks were on the dance floor nearly the entire time—especially during the two evening periods. All of the DJs did such a swell job that, if one were to put a gun to the Boogaloo Bag writers’ heads and ask who was best, they’d end up shot!!!

Although she was unable to make the scene, Miss Nancy baked some very delicious cookies that were properly devoured: Double chocolate cookies and pumpkin flavored cookies.

The Keystone Soul Weekender family!

[try clicking on the photos and they may big-o-fi magically!]

FRIDAY NIGHT

Although he was a late add to the Friday night roster, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was able to round up a few good records to play:

The Four Larks–Groovin’ at the Go-Go (Tower)
Roy Handy–Baby That’s a Groove (Stephannye)
Cliff Nobles–Your Love Is All I Need (Atlantic)
Maurice McCallister (formerly of The Radiants)–Baby Hang On (Chess)
The Cavaliers–Hold To My Baby (RCA Victor)
Carl Carlton–I Can Feel It (Back Beat)
Shirley J. Scott–Goose Pimples (Stephanye)
Sidney Barnes–You’ll Always Be in Style (Red Bird)
The Jay Walkers featuring Mickey Holiday–Can’t Live Without You (Swan)
Don Covay–Fat Man (Atlantic; France)
Claudine Clark–Buttered Popcorn (Jamie)
The Wailers–The Jerk (Island; UK)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

During the daytime events, DJs double up on their 30 minute sets. The Phast Man was paired with Gordy Greenawalt from Pittsburgh. This was a reunion of sorts, as Mister Greenawalt was enlisted to be a special guest DJ at a New Year’s Eve Subway Soul Club event many years ago. They hadn’t seen each other since. They traded off playing records and it was a gas. Dig Phreddie’s selections here:

The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
Kenny Gamble–The Jokes on You (Arctic)
Junior Wells–(I Got A) Stomach Ache (Vanguard)
Ellie Greenwich–Niki Hoeky (United Artists; Philippines)
Herb Fame–You’re Messin’ Up My Mind (Date)


SATURDAY NIGHT

This is the big night. Folks were arriving at the venue early, so Phast Phreddie, who was the first DJ of the night, started a little early and was able to sneak in a few extra spins:

Rex Garvin and the Mighty Cravers–Queen of the Go-Go (Tower)
Lydia Marcelle–Everybody Dance (Atco)
Joe Medwick–Whatever It Takes (Westpark)
The Soul Twins–It’s Not What You Do It’s the Way That You Do It (Karen)
The Charmaines–Eternally (Date)
The Willows–Hurtin’ All Over (M-G-M)
Amanda Humphrey–Power of Love (U.S.A.)
Jewel Akens–A Slice of the Pie (Era)
Isley Brothers–Got to Have You Back (Tamla)
The Happy Cats–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Omack)
Millie Small–Carry Go Bring Come (Fontana; UK)
Jun Mayuzumi–Black Room (Capitol; Japan)
Pal Rakes and the Prophets–Can’t Deny the Hurt (Verve)
Theresa Lindsey–I’ll Bet You (Golden World)

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Once again, Phreddie was teamed with Mister Greenawalt for this brunch-time event. This is a time when the DJs get a little crazed with their selections. Also once again, folks were arriving early so they started spinning early and thus had some extra time on the air. Hence these jams:

Lyn Taitt–Out on a Funky Trip (Randys)
Timmy Thomas–Have Some Boogaloo (Goldwax)
Nino Ferrer–Les Cornichons (Monkey) (Riviera; Canada)
Little Bob–I Got Loaded (La Louisianne)
J.J. Jackson and the Jackaels–Oo-Ma-Liddi (Prelude)
Dave Bartholomew–Shrimp & Gumbo (Imperial)
La Tribu–Para Que (El Eclypse)
The Tammys–Egyptian Shumba (United Artists)

None of these records are for sale!

The Boogaloo Bag writers urge all of its readers to join the Keystone Northern Soul Weekender group on Facebook in order to become aware of the next event—and make sure you be there. You won’t regret it.

Kingston Goes Big and Funky!!

Big Ed swings under the Bat Signal at the Funky Kingston!!

The Funky Kingston rolled into the mighty, mighty Salt Box on August 30—the fifth Saturday of the month. Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was very pleased to invite Big Ed Martuscello as guest DJ. Big Ed is a resident DJ at the Nor’easter Soul Club—a swingin’ thing that takes place up in Saratoga Springs. He also runs a record store in Glens Falls called Sweet Side. We’ve seen him DJ in Troy and at the Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender. We call him Big Ed because, not only is he big in stature, but he has a big heart and when he is workin’ the turntables he brings a big sound!

Did he ever bring the big sound to the Salt Box for the Funky Kingston!! He lives up north of Albany somewhere, but was planning to work a record show in Woodstock on the day of our gig, then work another one a little further north and west the next day, so he was going to spend the night nearby anyway; thus joining us at the Funky Kingston worked out for everybody involved. The Funky Kingston regulars were all gassed by the cool trash he laid down. Man, it was great to have him.

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

None of these records are for sale. Please note that the next Funky Kingston will take place on November 29—Thanksgiving weekend. Make your plans now to join us!!

Time Surfers + Funky Kingston = time for FUN!

On May 31, The Funky Kingston returned to the Salt Box as scheduled–on the fifth Saturday of the month, when there is one. But first, there was an earlier, must-attend event: one of our favorite local surf music combos happened to appear at a private barbecue party in New Windsor (a town south of Newburgh, NY). Also, it just so happens that our favorite Go-Go dancer, Bella Bombora, is the official Go-Go dancer for the band: The Time Surfers. So we had to check that out.

Bella Bombora swings with The Time Surfers!!

The event was fun enough—however a bit of rain put a somewhat of a damper on it. It was held at someone’s pad that had a basement full of pinball machines (indeed, a pinball contest was going on) and there was a ton of excellent food. Yay. Of course, The Time Surfers once again played an excellent set of their fabulous instrumental music and Bella Bombora danced away as a light rain came down.

From there, we traveled up the New York State Throughway to Kingston where we were able to set up the turntables at the Salt Box around 8:30 or so. Guest DJ was…wait for it… DJ Pete Pop!!!

Pete Pop is known nationally and internationally for his excellent collection of garage rock records; so much so that he was a consultant on Moptop Mike Markesich’s fantastic garage rock bible Teenbeat Mayhem! However, Mr. Pop is no one-trick pony. His vast record collection contains all sorts of reet jams, including some fantastic funk records, and he brought plenty of them to the Funky Kingston. Plus, he mixed it up with a few reggae jams and some hot Latin boogaloo riffs.

Local personality Peter Aaron visits with the Funky Kingston DJs: Pete Pop and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus!

We are also happy to report that the Bat Signal was in full effect, many of our friends came to hang out and swing with us, and the Salt Box had a very big night. The Funky Kingston is getting to be quite the scene. Make sure you can make it out to the next one—due to take place on August 30.

Here’s a list of all the funky tracks played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the May Funky Kingston:

  • Tribe–Funky Kingston (Grenade)
  • The Fabulous Counts–Dirty Red (Moira)
  • Conjunto Jae’s Soul–Sintonia en Soul (Deep Dark)
  • Keno-1 & the Hermit–Heavy Heavy (Breakin’ Bread; UK)
  • Barbara Acklin–I Can’t Do My Thing (Brunswick)
  • War–Get Down (United Artists)
  • Hopeton Lewis with the S.P.M.s–Grooving Out on Life (Merritone)
  • Tito Puente y su Orquesta–Work Song (Tico)
  • Flash and the Dynamics–Chango (Roulette; France)
  • Max Romeo & the Upsetters–One Step Forward (Island)
  • Danny Freeman and the Soul Superiors–Jungle Walk (Do That Jungle Talk Too) (W.S.J. Sound)
  • The Jackson 5–Get It Together (Motown)
  • Homer Chambers–Do the Fire Bird (Golden)
  • Sonny Okosuns–Papa’s Land – Part 1 (Cinterdisc; France)
  • The Wild Magnolias–They Call Us Wild (Barcaly; France)
  • The Rudees–Give Peace a Chance (Pama; UK)
  • Richard Ace and His Band–Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely (Harry J; Jamaica)
  • Mary Jane Hooper–I’ve Got Reasons (Power)
  • Clarence Reid–Funky Party (Alston)
  • Mind Readers–Bitter Tears (Village Sounds)
  • Pazant Brothers & Beaufort Express–Dragon Fly (Vigor)
  • Harmonics–Scum-A-Doom Doom (Gold Plate)
  • Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band–Life and Death in G&A (Roulette)
  • James & the Incredible Showmen–James Brown’s Boo-Ga-Loo (Disco)
  • Rabbits and Carrots–Maquina de Amor (Vampi Soul; Spain)
  • Joe Bataan–Latin Strut (Super Strut) (RCA Victor; Canada)
  • Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band–Scorpio (Sussex)
  • The Temptations–Cloud Nine (Gordy)
  • Untouchable Machine Shop–Machine Shop – Part 2 (Wavelength)
  • The Vibrettes–Humpty Dump pt. 1 (Lujon)
  • Curtis Mayfield–(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (Curtom)
  • Sons of Slum–Right On (Stax)
  • Maytals–Funky Kingston (Shelter)
  • Honey & the Bees–Baby Do That Thing (Arctic)
  • Sly & the Family Stone–Bad Risk (Epic)
  • The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
  • The Chi-Lites–I Like Your Lovin’ (Do You Like Mine) (Brunswick)
  • Abelardo Carbono con Meridian Brothers–Cumbia Sampuesana (Okra; Japan)
  • Los Destellos–La Cumbia del Sol (Odeon; Peru)
  • O.S.K.I. Jazz–Murie Abebuli (Omwanmi Nabongo; Kenya)
  • Shark Wilson & the Basement Heaters–Make It Reggae (Soul Jazz; UK)
  • Bob Marley & the Wailers–Trench Town Rock (Trojan; UK)
  • Dillinger–Cokane in My Brain (Black Swan; UK)
  • The 20th Century–Hot Pants (Part I) (Sky Disc)
  • Artus Satterfield–Hot Pants (Axis)
  • Norma and the Heartaches–Hot Pants (Gonna Get You in Trouble) (Marmaduke)
  • Marvin & the Uptights–Oomph (Spotlight)
  • The Landslides–We Don’t Need No Music (Huff Puff)
  • Albert Jones–Wisdom Song (Tri-City)
  • Crawdad Farmers–Jesse’s Party (Lucky Brown’s Lake-Side Series)
  • James Brown–Talkin’ Loud and Saying Nothin’ Pt. I (King)
  • The Moon People–Hippy Skippy Moon Strut (Opus #1) (Roulette)
  • S.O.U. L.–The Jones (Part I) (Musicor)
  • Gil Scott-Heron with Pretty Purdie & the Playboys–The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Flying Dutchman)
  • Tony Fox–I Dream One Day (Tri-Spin)
  • Jimmy Jones–Time and Changes (Conchillo)
  • Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds–The Funky Yolk (Chess)
  • The Rising Sun–Funky Yolk (Kingston)
  • David “Baby” Cortez–Inflation (T-Neck)
  • Johnny Tolbert–Check Your Battery Part I (Jasman)
  • Oliver Sain–London Express (Abet)
  • The Dancers–Born on the Bayou (Pacific Arts)
  • Johnny Pate–Shaft in Africa (Addis) (Geffen/ABC; Japan)
  • Bobby Hutcherson–Ummh – Part 1 (Blue Note)

None of these records are for sale.

Jumpin’ at Do The 45!

Mikey Post, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Pete Pop swing at Do The 45!

Another fabulous Do The 45 took place on March 14. For this event, host Pete Pop roped in our pal Mikey Post to be the special guest DJ. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was also in the house, and Go-Go dancer Bella Bombora did her thing. As usual, Miss Nancy brought some yummy vittles and the whole thing went off with a bang-o-roonie!!

Regular Boogaloo Bag readers know that Mikey Post is a key player at our favorite record company, Daptone Records. He is also a fine drummer and we dug him behind the tubs with The Jay Vons, Reigning Sound and Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens. Mr. Post has some fantastic records and he brought a bunch of them to play at Do The 45.

Pete Pop opened the night playing some tuff stuff. Then Phast played a set. Mikey was brought in to do about 45 minutes. Then Pete, Mikey and Phast traded three-song sets for the rest of the night (or something like that!). It was a total gas.

Here’s a list of records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Do The 45:

None of these records are for sale.

Subway Soul Club with Fine Wine and Peanut Butter!

On March 15, Subway Soul Club returned to action at the Francis Kite Room in the East Village of Manhattan. Hostess with the mostest Lady Dawn was in the house, greeting folks and flitting around on the dance floor. Resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus rounded up two suburb DJs to help him swing the event: Mr. Fine Wine and Peanut Butter Brown.

Mr. Fine Wine digs for another boss jam as Peanut Butter Brown goofs!

Mr. Fine Wine is a popular veteran of the soul music DJ wars. He’s been around since the waning days of the Empire State Soul Club (currently being resurrected by The Empress) and during Subway Soul Club’s golden years (the many fine events at Rififi, the loft above Assembly, etc.) he was a guest DJ at least once a year. Plus, his fabulous radio show on WFMU is a must to listen to. In fact, he is known nationally and internationally as one of the world’s finest soul music DJs. So having him play his records definitely enhanced the groovy content of the evening.

Peanut Butter Brown, on the other hand, got his start on the Subway Soul Club dance floor. He was so inspired by the boss music heard at these events, that he went out and bought the records, then taught himself how to work the turntables. He has since hosted events in Harlem and San Francisco, where he lived for a while. Now back in New York City, he’s got several regular DJ nights and keeps the crowds moving. For her part, Miss Nancy supplied pecan tassies, vegan brownies and a chex mix for snacking purposes—all of it gone by the end of the night.

Meanwhile, back at Subway Soul Club, an unfortunate thing happened. Lady Dawn, while spinning around on the dance floor early in the evening, fell and sprained her wrist! She spent most of the night holding a towel of ice on her arm. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was completely wowed by the tunes played by DJs Wine and Peanut. It turned out to be another fantastic event. With any luck we’ll be able to sneak in one or two more SSC events before the end of the year.

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

  • The Holidays–Makin’ Up Time (Golden World)
  • Roy Ward–Horse With a Freeze Part 1 (Seven B)
  • Brother Jack McDuff–Can’t Get Satisfied – Part I (Atlantic)
  • The Blues Groove–Makin’ It (Verve)
  • The Hustlers–That’s What Makes Her Boss (Fascination)
  • The Vontastics–I Will Always Love You (Chess)
  • Marvin Gaye–Little Darling I Need You (Tamla)
  • Jerry Butler–Just for You (Vee Jay)
  • Jackie Ross–Dynamite Lovin’ (Chess)
  • The Tymes–What Would I Do (M-G-M)
  • The Vibrations–Gonna Get Along Without You Now (OKeh)
  • Carla Thomas–A Dime a Dozen (Stax)
  • Major Lance–Investigate (OKeh)
  • Sound Dimension–Time Is Tight (Studio One/Soul Jazz; UK)
  • Otis Redding–I Can’t Turn You Loose (Volt)
  • The Impressions–Can’t Satisfy (ABC)
  • Claudine Clark–Buttered Popcorn (Jamie)
  • The Four Larks–Groovin’ at the Go-Go (Tower)
  • Tommy Neal–Going to a Happening (Vault)
  • Sidney Barnes–You’ll Always Be in Style (Red Bird)
  • Maurice McCallister (formerly of The Radiants)–Baby Hang On (Chess)
  • Jimmy Mack–My World Is on Fire (Soul Galore)
  • The Wailers–Simmer Down (CoxSone; Jamaica)
  • Dave and Ansil Collins–Double Barrel (Big Tree)
  • The Aces–Reggae Motion (The Loco-Motion) (Sire)
  • Symarip–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Harlem Shuffle; UK)
  • Pete Rodriguez–I Like It Like That (Alegre)
  • Harvey (formerly of The Moonglows)–Any Way You Wanta (Tri-Phi)
  • The Satelites–We Like Birdland (Palace)
  • The Valentinos–Sweeter Than the Day Before (Chess)
  • The Mighty Marvelows–Talkin’ Bout Ya Baby (ABC)
  • Bobby Hebb–Love Love Love (Philips)
  • The Commands–Around the Go-Go (Dynamic)
  • The Otis and Carla Band–Tramp (BGP; UK)
  • Count Basie and Orchestra–Green Onions (Brunswick)
  • Jimmy Hanna with the Dynamics–Leavin’ Here (Bolo)
  • The Vibrations–‘Cause You’re Mine (Epic)
  • The Apollas–Sorry Mama (Loma)
  • Brenda Holloway–Just Look What You’ve Done (Tamla)
  • Ellie Greenwich–Niki Hoeky (United Artists; Philippines)
  • The Ikettes–What’cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You) (Phi-Dan)
  • Lovemasters–Pushin’ and Pullin’ (Jacklyn)
  • The Intertains–Need Your Love (Right Now) (Uptown)
  • Ike & Tina Turner–Tina’s Dilemma (Sue)
  • Candace Love–Wonderful Night (Aquarius)

None of these records are for sale.

Untouchable Action!

Pete Pop and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the Untouchable Bar

Untouchable Bar is the latest and greatest new watering hole in Newburgh, NY. The owners have asked our pal Pete Pop to bring his record playing show to the club. He did so on December 27, and asked Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus to join him. It went so well, that now Pete and the Phast One will be swingin’ there on the fourth Friday of the month. Thus, they swung again on January 24.

The two DJs had the place jammin’—taking turns playing twenty minute (or so) sets. Their record arsenal included soul, funk, mambo, cumbia, latin, reggae and all sorts of greasy and rhythmic sounds. Miss Nancy made her chex mix and brownies for the event and man, that was good.

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

Lectric Woods–A.L.L. (Apollo Lunar Landing) (APT)
Boots Brown and the Pflucelpipers–The Reptilian Mindblower (Dot)
The Pac-Keys–Dig In (Hollywood)
Mario Pagaro–Le Rock Du Roc (Atlas Copco; France)
Norman Maine & His Orch.–BAbylon 3-9970 (Columbia)
The Roper Dance Orchestra featuring Antibal’s Latin All-Stars–Bossa Nova Stomp (Roper)
Ralph Marterie and His Orchestra–Jamaican Rhumba (Mercury)
The Dappers and Orchestra–Mambo Oongh (Peacock)
Aki Izumi + The Rangers–Koi Wa Heart De (Crown; Japan)
Pat Lewis–Can’t Shake It Loose (Golden World)
Cliff Nobles–Judge Baby I’m Back (Phil-L.A.)
Gene Taylor–The Hunch (Kent)
Al Gardner–Watch Yourself (Sir-Rah)
Theresa Lindsey–I’ll Bet You (Golden World)
Jr. Walker & the All Stars–Hip City – Pt. 2 (Soul)
The Radors–Finger Licking Chicken (Leoso)
Laurel Aitken–Pachanga (Part I) (New Beat; UK)
The Slickers–Johnny Too Bad (Dynamic; UK)
Abelardo Carbono con Meridian Brothers–Cumbia Sampuesana (Okra; Japan)
Gurpo Miramar–El Camaron (Accion; Mexico)
Bantous de la Capitale–Watchiwara (Soul Jazz; UK)
Tito Puente and His Orchestra–A La Salud (God Bless You) (RCA Victor)
Stan Kenton and His Orchestra–Tequila (Capitol)
Chris Powell and His Five Blue Flames–I Come From Jamaica (Spanish Town; UK)
Mosquitoes–The “Fly” (Spear)
Grupo Santa Cecilia–Africa Bump (Orfeon)
Preston Epps–Rockin’ in the Congo (Flodavieur)
Ohio Players–Skin Tight (Mercury)
Etta James–Tighten Up Your Own Thing (Cadet)
Tommy Dark–Wobble Legs (Sugar)
Lee Fields & the Explorers–Ain’t It Funky (Soul Fire)
The Da-Kars–(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay (Josie)
Shelly Manne & His Men–Peter Gunn (Contemporary)
Bob Kames–Miserlou (King)
Charles Wright and the Malibus–Latinia (Titanic)
Xavier Cugat–Watermelon Man (Mercury)
The Romeos–Are You Ready for That (Loma)
Freddie McCoy–Spider Man (Prestige)
Boris Gardner–Melting Pot (Jaguar; Jamaica)
Eli Paperboy Reed–Do It Again (instrumental) (Fine Wine)
Richie Allen–Goochy Bamba (Era)
Bob Thiele and the New Happy Times Orchestra featuring Gabor Szabo–Light My Fire (Impulse)
Count Basie and Orchestra–Hang on Sloopy (Brunswick)
Ray Marco–Sunny (Thunderbird)
Al Brown’s Tunetoppers–The Madison (Amy)
Billy Dawn and the Madison Mashers–The Madison’s Back in Town (Columbia)
The Phonetics–It’s Jerkin’ and Twinin’ Time (Trudel)
Charlie and the Jives vocal by Denny Easley–The Coffee Grind Part 1 (Hour)
Mighty Sparrow–Saturday Night (RA; West Indies)
Aillacara 2743–Cumbia Yerba Buena (Names You Can Trust)
Carlos Roman y su Sonora Vallenata–Very Very Well (Discos Fuentes; Colombia)
Barel Coppet et ses Antillais–Edith Souffle [from EP Chants des Antilles] (Philips; France)
Cupit–Trainman (Akiwawa) (Neptune)
Beverly’s All-Stars–The Monster (Pyramid; UK)
Johnny Clarke–Rock With Me Baby (Prophecy; Jamaica)
Meditations–Woman Is Like a Shadow (United Artists; UK)
The Wailers–Slave Driver (Island)
West Kensingtons–Ecstasy of Gold (El Paso; Spain)
Marcia Griffiths–Truly (Coxsone; Jamaica)
Leslie Butler & Count Ossie–Soul Drums (Gay Feet/Dub Store; Japan)

None of these records are for sale.

GO Mechanism Number Twenty Six

This is is the program notes for the corresponding GO Mechanism Number Twenty Six as it premiers on the Luxuria Music web-O-net as a Saturday Night Special on January 18 (or, as a podcast the next day). The GO Mechanism is an audio Odyssey that is hosted by Phast Phreddie. It is scientifically engineered and programed in the secret laboratory of Boogaloo Omnibus Productions incorporating ultra-phonic techniques not available to other broadcast entities. The G stands for GROOVE, and there will be plenty of GROOVE in each GO Mechanism. The O stands for O’ROONY, an intricate and complex attitude that is incomprehensible to those who possess standard-issue precepts. Listen and you will hear.

Half way through the program, there is a segment called The Science Corner in which a musical subject is explored and illustrated with three songs. For this Science Corner we have featured three songs written or co-written by George Clinton but performed by other artists.

The Parliaments

George Clinton is known internationally as a pioneering funkateer. His acts, Parliament, Funkadelic, solo recordings, and other assorted side projects, have all been devised to move funk music forward. In the late fifties, George Clinton formed a doo wop group in Plainfield, New Jersey and called it The Parliaments. They cut a few records that went largely unnoticed. At some point, in the mid sixties, Clinton was hired to write songs for Motown. The arrangement didn’t work out, but while in Detroit, he connected with other fledgling Motor City record companies, such as Golden World (who issued a Parliaments single), Ric Tic and Solid Hit. Some of these seemed to share ownerships. Revilot Records signed The Parliaments and were rewarded with a hit called “(I Wanna) Testify.” Clinton wrote and/or produced several records by other artists on these labels and we have a few of them here in The Science Corner.

The first song is “Hey Mama, What’cha Got Good for Daddy” by The Flaming Embers, a local Detroit rock group that first recorded for the legendary Fortune Records Company. This was the first of six singles they issued on Ric-Tic Records in 1967 and 1968. The following year the group signed to Hot Wax Records, a company owned by songwriters Brian Holland, Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier after they left the Motown fold. In 1970, the group would score a Top Thirty pop hit with “Westbound #9.”

Pat Lewis started her career as a member of Detroit girl group The Adorables that recorded for Golden World. When she went solo, her first five singles featured a song written or co-written by George Clinton. We picked “Look At What I Almost Missed” from 1966. By 1967, she was a back-up session singer at Motown, then worked on the road with Aretha Franklin before becoming a member of Hot, Buttered & Soul, a vocal group that worked with Isaac Hayes. In the eighties, George Clinton enlisted her for several projects that he worked on, including his solo records and an album by The Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 1968, The Parliaments released their own version of “Look What I Almost Missed.”

The last song we have is highly significant in the George Clinton sphere of influence. It’s called “Whatever Makes My Baby Feel Good” by Rose Williams and it marks Clinton’s first use of the word Funkadelic—the record was issued on Funkedelic Records (it’s only release) and shows the backing band as George Clinton and the Funkedelics (note the spelling!). This was released in 1968, when Clinton was in a legal battle over the Parliaments name and the Funkadelic concept was just forming. During the seventies, Rose Williams would join Pat Lewis in Isaac Hayes’ backing band.

During this period, Clinton was also recording his own group—still called The Parliaments—and those records are really good examples of non-Motown Detroit soul music. In 1969, Clinton formed Funkadelic, a sort of separate entity whose music was different from Parliament. Both groups would tour together and become very popular during the seventies.

Liquid Liquid was a product of the art/punk scene of lower Manhattan during the early eighties. Here at The GO Mechanism we enjoy presenting works of folks banging on shit and screaming. The screaming part on this is a bit subtle, but the banging-on-shit is perfect!

Hank Jacobs was a Los Angeles keyboard player who cut some cool records for Sue Records and the Call Me label. He also did some arrangements for artists for Money Records (“Doin’ the Thing” by The Question Marks is a fave.). He cut an album for Sue called So Far Away and that’s where we found his fantastic rendition of “Summertime.” Obviously a talented individual, it’s a shame that he didn’t record more.

Los Sirex was a rock band from Spain, based in Barcelona. Here we have the band’s take on “Train Kept A’Rollin’,” a song first recorded by the R&B bandleader Tiny Bradshaw. In 1956, the song was reworked as a rockabilly raver by the Johnny Burnette Trio. That version became the template for the rendition by The Yardbirds in 1965. Los Sirex version, called “El Tren de la Costa,” also comes to us from 1965, and it is possible that they never heard the one by The Yardbirds or they surely would have copped the boss riff that Jeff Beck came up with—just as every garage rock band has done ever since. Still, Los Sirex delivers an exciting and unique rendition of Tiny Bradshaw’s fabulous tune.

Jon Hendricks came to prominence in the late fifties with his jazz vocal group, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. He would write lyrics to famous jazz compositions, including the solos, and the group would sing them. In GO Mechanism Number Twenty Two, he was heard singing the Thelonious Monk composition “In Walked Bud.” “No More,” his song selected for our program today, was only released as a single on Verve in England in 1968. Hendricks must have had a fond attachment to the song, because he re-recorded it for albums in 1975 and 1982.

Freek’s Garage

Freek’s Garage is a band made up of musical mechanics who perform mostly organ-driven instrumental music: a sort of cross between Booker T & the M.G.’s and The Meters. They hail from the Kingston/Woodstock area in the Hudson Valley of New York State and they’ll play at any setting they’re allowed to set up at. We’ve seen them at a beer garden in Kingston, a restaurant up in the Catskills and a tavern in Bearsville. The group has also performed at concert venues in Woodstock and at car shows. Recently, Freek’s Garage recorded a few tracks and “Meter Made” is a fair representation of what this band can do.

If you only know about Andy Griffith from watching The Andy Griffith Show, then his appearance as Lonesome Rhodes in the movie A Face in the Crowd will be a revelation. On the TV show he is a warm, good-hearted country sheriff who is kind and thoughtful. In the movie, Griffith plays a clever country bumpkin who becomes mean-spirited and obsessed with power once his schtick becomes popular. “Mama Guitar” is a song from the film—probably re-recorded for single release.

The Street Cleaners were a one-off project by songwriters/producers P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. Around the same time (1964) they were enjoying a little success as The Fantastic Baggies with a song called “Tell ‘Em I’m Surfin.” The GO Mechanism presents “Garbage City” by The Street Cleaners, the flip-side and remixed instrumental version of “That’s Cool, That’s Trash.” The latter is used as the opening theme song for one of our favorite Luxuria Music programs, No Condition Is Permanent. Hosted by Count Reeshard and his dog Le-Roy, the show is an eclectic mix of rock and rhythm and is produced in an original manner. The show first airs weekly immediately after the Saturday Night Special (which presents The GO Mechanism, when there is one) and it is highly recommended by The GO Mechanism producers.

The GO Mechanism closing theme has always been “Freddie’s Dead” by Curtis Mayfield—a hit song from the movie Super Fly. The GO Mechanism producers recently uncovered an answer song called “Freddie’s Alive and Well” by an obscure funk group called Spirit of Atlanta. So, because The GO Mechanism producers are wisecrackers, they put it in the show preceding the closing theme.

The Dave Clark Five often get lumped in with the so-called British Invasion rock groups of the mid-sixties. Indeed, they are British and their popularity peeked during that period, but to think of them as just another band would be doing a disservice to yourself for not paying attention. The DC5 made a lot of fantastic, exciting records and we close this GO Mechanism with one of them, “I Need Love.” This song was issued as a flip-side to “Nineteen Days” in European and Asian territories, but never in the U.S., where it only appeared on the I Like It Like That album. The song has the same amazing, pounding rhythm that the best DC5 records are known for, thus The GO Mechanism producers consider it one of the Greatest Records Of All Time and it closes the show. (For extra credit, check out this fantastic video of the song!!)

The artist who provided the graphic for our poster is Sunshine Dunham. The GO Mechanism producers first met her in the late eighties when she was employed at the Rhino Records Store in Westwood, CA. They have stayed in touch ever since. During the nineties she ran Fiasco Records that issued records by Congo Norvell, Kendra Smith, The Karl Hendricks Trio and several others. Since then, she’s gotten into other businesses, but she’s always had a toe in the art scene. Her work is unique and exquisite. This particular painting is titled Oil and Cold Wax #8. Dig her website for more information and to view—and perhaps purchase—her work.

The GO Mechanism is produced whenever we feel like it and it incorporates exclusive, copyrighted Vitaphonic, Ultra-sonic and Quasi-Tonal methods in order to provide a higher standard of standardness. Legacy GO Mechanisms may be found on the Mixclouds as well as here in the Boogaloo Bag.

The GO Mechanism originates on the Luxuria Music interweb streaming hustle as a Saturday Night Special. We thank the Luxuria Music powers-that-be for giving us the opportunity to present this program over their deluxe electronic audio delivery system for your edification. Please support Luxuria Music any way you can. We suggest you get as much money as you can—preferably unmarked tens and twenties—load it all into a shoe box and send it to Luxuria Music. Or just go to the Luxuria Music web site and buy something from the store.

Here is a complete list of all the songs played on GO Mechanism Number Twenty Six:

  • Earl Bostic—Lester Leaps In (King)
  • Charles Mingus—Gunslinging Bird (from LP Mingus Dynasty; Columbia)
  • Gentleman June Gardner—Mustard Greens (from LP Bustin’ Out; EmArCy)
  • Chuck Berry—Butterscotch (from LP Chuck Berry In London; Chess)
  • Junior Byles—Fade Away (from soundtrack to Rockers; Island)
  • Liquid Liquid—Bellhead (99)
  • Riccardo Chailly: Asko Ensemble—Déserts – 1st Interpolation Of Organized Sound (from album Varèse: Complete Works; London)
  • Patti Smith—Oath (February 10, 1971)
  • Hank Jacobs—Summertime (from EP So Far Away; Sue; UK)
  • Lee Fields—Steam Train (from album Let’s Get a Groove On; Desco)
  • Tito Puente—Take the “A” Train (from album The Complete RCA Recordings Volume 1; RCA)
  • Lord Buckley—The Train (edit) (from LP A Most Immaculately Hip Aristocrat; Straight)
  • Los Sirex—El Tren de la Costa (Vergara; Spain)
  • Jimmy Nicol and the Subdubs—Night Train (Mar-Mar)
  • Manfred Mann—Last Train to Clarksville (from album The Ascent of Mann; Fontana; UK)
  • Bo Diddley—Down Home Special (Checker)
  • Big Jay McNeely—Ice Water (from LP Big J in 3-D; King)
  • The Lollipops—Busy Signal (RCA Victor)
  • The Bar-Kays—A Hard Day’s Night (Volt)
  • Climaco Sarmiento y su Orquesta—La Cigarra (from album Cumbias y Gaitas Famosas; Discos Fuentes; Colombia)
  • Ernie K-Doe—A Certain Girl (Minit)
  • Sam & Dave—I Thank You (Stax)
  • Pee Wee Crayton—Do Onto Others (Imperial)
  • The Stoned Soul Picnic—Crosstown Traffic (Stoned Soul Picnic; UK)
  • The Zodiacs—Caravan (from EP The Primitive Instrumental Sounds of The Zodiacs; Norton)
  • Pierre Boulez: Ensemble InterContemporain—Varèse: Intégrales (from album Varèse: Arcana, Amériques, Ionisation, Etc.; Columbia Masterworks)
  • Jon Hendricks—No More (Verve; UK)
  • The Flaming Embers—Hey Mama (What You Got Good for Daddy) (Ric Tic)
  • Funkadelic—Maggot Brain (excerpt) (from LP Maggot Brain; Westbound)
  • Pat Lewis–Look at What I Almost Missed (Solid Hit)
  • Rose Williams, George Clinton and the Funkedelics–Whatever Makes My Baby Feel Good (Funkedelic)
  • Freek’s Garage—Meter Maid (unreleased)
  • Freedom Sounds featuring Wayne Henderson—Respect (from LP People Get Ready; Atlantic)
  • Wes Dakus—Hobo (Capitol; Canada)
  • Lawrence Beauregard—Density: 21.5 (from album Varèse: Arcana, Amériques, Ionisation, Etc.; Columbia Masterworks)
  • Nancy Wickwire—I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed (from LP The Poems of Emily Dickinson; Spoken Arts)
  • Iron Butterfly—In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (edit) (from LP In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida; Atco)
  • The Drifters—If You Don’t Come Back (Atlantic)
  • Bobby Land with Ralph Sayho & His Calypso Singers—Knock the Bongos (Tico)
  • The Destroyers—Compass (Cotillion)
  • Andy Grifith—Mama Guitar (Capitol)
  • Ozz & His Sperlings—Somebody to Love (M.I.O.B.)
  • The Street Cleaners—Garbage City (Amy)
  • Marlowe Morris—Tropical Madness (Epic)
  • Lalo Schifrin—End Game (Paramount)
  • Les DeMerle—I Am the Walrus (United Artists)
  • Spirit of Atlanta—Freddie’s Alive and Well (Buddah)
  • Curtis Mayfield—Freddie’s Dead (Boogaloo edit, closing theme) (Curtom)
  • Dave Clark Five—I Need Love (Odeon; Japan)

This edition of The Go Mechanism will be available as a podcast on the Luxuria Music website after its initial air-date of January 18, 2025 as a Saturday Night Special. After a few weeks it will be posted on the Mixclouds and then it will magically appear below…

Direct link to the Luxuria Music podcast is here!!! GO 26

Now also on the Mixclouds: