Tag Archives: R&B

Sunday Soul Screeeeeeeeeem!!!!

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OurWickedLady

Our pal Jonathan Toubin, truly a premier DJ of reet music if ever there was one, hosts the groovy Sunday Soul Scream on the rooftop of Our Wicked Lady through the summer months. He is a very busy man. On Sunday July 1, he was scheduled to be in Los Angeles for a series of events and could not make the Scream. To host the night, he roped in Haley Griffin and Bailey Leiter to make sure the evening ran smoothly. One of Brooklyn’s bossest bands The Othermen agreed to appear. Our new  friend The Wig Doctor was signed on to spin records before the band played. Post band DJs picked for this occasion were Avi Spivak of Rebel Rouser and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. The night was warm and humid–indeed, everyone was sweatying–and Our Wicked Lady responded with an assortment of frozen cocktails. The moon was out and a lot of our friends showed up to swing with us.

The secret of the evening is the room on the ground floor which is air conditioned. The music from the rooftop is piped in, so no one missed a single needle-drop. Phast Phreddie‘s favorite thing: they have an excellent ginger beer on tap!

On the Googles, Our Wicked Lady is noted as a “hip music venue, arts complex & roof bar.” And so it is. Although the bar itself is of average size, the rooftop area is fairly sizable, allowing for a stage on one end and a bar, with DJ setup, on the other. It is situated in a very industrial area of East Williamsburg where few people live. Thus it can have loud music playing well into the night with nobody complaining. At about five minutes from the Morgan Avenue L Train stop, it is in a very convenient location.

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Bailey & Haley swing at the Sunday Soul Scream

As Mr. Toubin so aptly put it, Haley and Bailey are “two snazzy babes.” After being on the scene and witnessing things going down for several years, they started their own event Je T’Aime Oh No, which takes place every Monday at Berlin. These gals know how to party, that’s for sure.

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Bailey & Haley introduce The Othermen at the Sunday Soul Scream.

The Othermen is a grunge rock band in the pure sense of the word (having absolutely nothing to do with the so-called grunge rock movement of the early Nineties). At dictionary.com, “grunge” is defined as “dirt, filth, rubbish.” That’s exactly what this group sounds like, in the most fabulous way imaginable. With every instrument played at levels that achieve stunning audio distortion, this group makes a righteous, rockin’ noise unlike any other–with the optimal word being “noise” and the noise is boss! Highly recommended.

Othermen

The Othermen in action!

The Boogaloo Bag writers first met The Wig Doctor when they DJed together at one of DJ Rata’s Shake It Up Sundays last summer. He played some heavy, heavy mambos and cumbia records that we all dug. He is often seen working on Thursdays at Friends and Lovers in Prospect Heights and spins at Our Wicked Lady fairly regularly. He also pals around with Drew Redmond and they often DJ together, such as their Gettin’ Ugly night at the Beauty Bar. On this night, The Wig Doctor mixed it up with an eclectic set of rock, soul, funk, mambo and several other exotic styles. It was a gas.

WigDoctor

The Wig Doctor swings at the Sunday Soul Scream.

Besides being an incredible artist, Avi Spivak is a cat with a bunch of boss trash. He swings at the Rebel Rouser, a cool record and groovy stuff store. LPs, 45s, books, horror magazines, underground comix, and weird cult movies are all there for the buying. Located on Broadway, near the edge of Bushwick, it may seem small, but everything the place sells is gear. Rebel Rouser has hosted Rebel Rouser Club House nights at Ceremony with Josh Styles, William Martin, usually a rockin’ band and always Avi Spivak. A solid good time.

Avi

Avi Spivak swings at the Sunday Soul Scream.

The rooftop space was place was full of folks to dig The Othermen, and most of them stayed to dance to the solid sounds laid down by the two late-night DJs. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus did not fool around by playing any lukewarm jive. Every record he played had super Go-Go Beat excitation. He must have gotten hungry around three quarters through the night as he played five food records in a row. Six if you count the Phil Flowers record (“…having to scrounge your next meal”)!

Boog

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the Sunday Soul Scream.

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

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes for you to dig.

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Out of Sight V!

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Moses Funk swings at Out of Sight!

Moses Funk swings at Out of Sight!

On September 17, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus returned to the Beauty Bar in Manhattan to swing at Out of Sight—the goovy soul dance party hosted by our pal DJ Xerox every Thursday night. This time his co-guest DJ was Moses Funk.

Mr. Funk is from Boston, where he hosted two fabulous dance nights: Cheap Thrills a’ Go-Go—a montly sex-a-dellic Go-Go party that the Boog once guest DJed at—and the Mambo Beat Club—a bi-weekly soul music event. He now lives in Brooklyn where a few years ago he started the Brooklyn Soul Club, which is currently on hiatus while Moses Funk develops some sort of scientific turntablist project. For Out of Sight, Moses Funk came armed with a box of old soul 45s and he played the hell out of them, too!!

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

  • Pieces of Eight–Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (A&M)
  • Hank Jacobs–Monkey Hips & Rice (Sue)
  • The Cooperettes–Don’t Trust Him (Brunswick)
  • Naomi Davis Shelton & the Knights of Forty First Street–Forty First Street Breakdowne (Desco/Daptone)
  • Martha Reeves & the Vandellas–I Gotta Let You Go (Gordy)
  • Joe and George–You’re Gonna Miss Me (Now)
  • The Passions–Hi Jacked Part I (Tower)
  • The Sweethearts–This Couldn’t Be Me (Kent)
  • Bobby Wilson–Feels Good (Volt)
  • Gene Chandler–I Can’t Save It (Constellation)
  • Rose Batiste–That’s What He Told Me (Golden World)
  • The Glories–No News (Date)
  • Herbie Mann (vocals by Little Milton, Swee-Tea and Percy)–It’s a Funky Thing – Right On (Part 2) (Memphis Underground) (Atlantic)
  • John Roberts–Sockin’ 1-2-3-4 (Duke)
  • Johnny Tolbert–Check Your Battery Part I (Jasman)
  • Jerry Washington–Set Your Soul on Fire (Excello)
  • The Exception–You Don’t Know Like I Know (Capitol)
  • Buddy Miles Express–Memphis Train (Mercury)
  • Lorraine Ellison–Call Me Anytime You Need Some Lovin’ (Mercury)
  • Smokey Robinson & I Miracles–Non Sono Quello Che Tu Vuoi (Tamla/Motown; Italy)
  • Pat Lewis–Can’t Shake It Loose (Golden World)
  • Roy Head–I Want Some Action (Mercury)
  • Charles Bradley & Larose Jackson–Luv Jones (Dunham)
  • Aretha Franklin–Pullin’ (Atlantic)
  • Judy White–Somebody Been Messin’ (T-Neck)
  • Frankie Newsome–My Lucky Day – Part I (GWP)
  • James Brown–I Love You (King)
  • The Hot Tamales–Out of Sight (Diamond)
  • Gary (U.S.) Bonds–Copy Cat (Legrand)
  • George Jackson–Tossin’ and Turnin’ (Mercury)
  • Paul Peek–Rockin’ Pnewumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu (Columbia)
  • Maurice Simon and the Pie Men–The Git-Go (Carnival)
  • Jimmy McQuade and the Unique Echos–Bongo Talk (Swan)
  • Gladys Knight & the Pips–Cloud Nine (Soul)
  • The Delights Orchestra–Do Your Thing (Atco)
  • King Solomon–The Moon Walk (Highland)
  • Tommy Strand & the Upper Hand–The Trik (R)
  • J. Hines and the Boys–Funky Funk (Part 1) (Nation-Wide)
  • ‘Wee’ Willie Walker–Ticket to Ride (Goldwax)
  • Cresa Watson–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Charay)
  • The 5th Dimension–Sunshine of Your Love (Liberty; Germany)
  • The Magnificent Men–Almost Persuaded (Capitol)
  • Wilson Pickett–Funk Factory (Atlantic)
  • H.B. Barnum–Blessed Mother (Cozy)
  • Otis Redding–Look at the Girl (Atco)
  • Lester Young–Barefootin Time in Chinatown (Barry)
  • Wallace Brothers–Airborne Shuffle (Jewel)
  • Andre Franklin with the Preston Epps Trio, Jim Ashford – drums–Say Yeah!! (Polo)
  • The Counts–Chitlins, Etc. (Panorama)
  • Howard Peters–Tighten Up the Slack (Coral)
  • Mason & Dixon–Soul Power (Buttercup)
  • Vigon–Baby Your Time Is My Time (Egg; France)
  • Jerry-O–Scratch My Back (Boo-Ga-Loo)
  • Chuck Jackson–Good Things Come to Those Who Wait (Wand)
  • Toussaint McCall–I’m Gonna Make Me a Woman (Ronn)

None of these records are for sale.

Ursa Major swings at Boogaloo Movement!

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Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Ursa Major swing at Boogaloo Movement!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Ursa Major swing at Boogaloo Movement!

As all regular readers of the Boogaloo Bag know, the fourth Friday of every other month is the time when Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus brings a fantabulous DJ night to The Commodore in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Over the last few years, there has been some really boss nights. This most recent event, held on July 24, was certainly one of them. Called Boogaloo Movement, it featured the most excellent 45 rpm record-spinning of Ursa Major—a swingin’ hepcat with an amazing record collection.

When it comes to DJing, Mister Major has been around the block a few times. He used to guest DJ at the Subway Soul Club, plus he often hosts a night of his own, at the Banter Bar, the Grand Victory and other swell joints around town. Ursa Major is part of a DJ collective known as Legio SPQR, and as such, has traveled internationally playing his records. Also, Ursa Major is the drummer for a hot Oi! punk band called The Templars, a group that has made records and toured Europe.

Ursa Major and some of his pals enjoy a night of wompin' good music at Boogaloo Movement!

Ursa Major and some of his mates enjoy a night of wompin’ good music at Boogaloo Movement!

Mostly, when Mister Major swings it is with his ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul records—of which he has thousands. He also has some of the finest freakbeat records you’ll ever hear—plus some cool French stuff. At Boogaloo Movement, he delighted the crowd with all that and more. Place was jumpin’ all night long. In fact, before the end of the night, drinks were spilled and glass was broken: another exciting Wang Dang Doodle event took place!!!

For his part, host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus also went with an international flavor, playing records from such countries as Japan and Jamaica, Canada and Germany, Spain and France, England, Holland and Italy! It was a groovy night, to say the least. Make sure you, dear Boogaloo Bag reader, are able to make it to the next Commodore night—September 25—because it, too, will be boss. Make your plans now.

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

None of these records are for sale.

The Commodore has a new tropical fish tank!!

The Commodore has a groovy new tropical fish tank!!

Twist All Night!

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Nogood Nick, Sheila B and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Nogood Nick, Sheila B and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

TWIST ALL NIGHT! is a new Boogaloo Night concept, developed in the WANG DANG DOODLE laboratories, especially for the nights at the Commodore. These nights, held every other fourth Friday of the month, often play host to some of the most fabulous music in existence. TWIST ALL NIGHT!, which made its debut on May 22, was no exception. With guest DJs Sheila B and Nogood Nick, you KNOW some great records were played.

TWIST ALL NIGHT! will feature some of the finest DJs who play boss 45s. They will be allowed complete freedom to play anything they want—as long as it is REET! Sheila B and Nogood Nick are two DJs who excel at this sort of program.

 

Sheila B works her thing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Sheila B works her thing at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Sheila B, who is internationally known as the Queen of the Girl Group 45, spun plenty of those, sure, but also some keen freakbeat, French ye-ye, hot R&B and some other tuff stuff. She just kept it coming, until she had to leave a bit early, since she wasn’t feeling well.

 

Nogood Nick works with a clean needle at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Nogood Nick works with a clean needle at TWIST ALL NIGHT!

Luckily, Nogood Nick was in the house. He’s one of those DJs who, for some reason, rarely seems to be on anybody’s list of Top DJs. However, he’s got great records and knows how to play them, and therefore, should be on the top of everybody’s list! It is quite possible that he is the most underrated DJ on the scene. Before TWIST ALL NIGHT!, he and Miss Sheila barely knew each other. In fact, Mr. Nick succeeded in grabbing Miss Sheila’s attention by playing a whole set of nothing but fantastic girl group records. She dug Nogood Nick’s work so much that she invited him to be guest DJ at the next Sh-Boom, the groovy new dance night she hosts at Baby’s All Right (dig it on June 26).

 

For his part, TWIST ALL NIGHT! host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played a lot of records he has never played out before—some of them because they were newly acquired, others because they awaited the perfect moment for them to be played, and still others because they have been buried inside the Boogaloo Vault so deep that they were unreachable! Also, note, two B.B. King records were played to further honor the passing of the great bluesman.

 

The following is a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, some with links to clips on the youtubes. Below that is a gallery of records that were played – click on the image and it will Big-O-Fi right on your computer screen!

None of these records are for sale.

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Next Boogaloo Night at the Commodore will be July 24. Don’t you dare miss it!!

Non-Stop Doo Wop Hop!

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Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Lenny Kaye goof at the Doo Wop Hop! Photo by Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner.

The DOO WOP HOP was held on Friday December 12 at Teddy’s Bar & Grill, during a DYNAGROOVE event, and it was most likely the best one yet. It featured the fabulous record playing of our pal Lenny Kaye. He and DOO WOP HOP host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus have known each other now for exactly 40 years, having met when Lenny was guitarist with the great Patti Smith and her (at that time) trio playing at the Whisky A’ Go-Go in Hollywood in November of 1974. They have kept in touch ever since and last week they had a few laughs spinning their best Doo Wop records for some very close friends and fans and the groovy Teddy’s clientele. Lenny still plays guitar for Patti Smith, and he and The Patti Smith Group are gearing up for some holiday shows, but Mr. Kaye found time to gather a box of old 45s and make the scene at Teddy’s.

Lenny Kaye and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the Doo Wop Hop. Photo by Nancy "Jeannie" Garnder.

Lenny Kaye and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the Doo Wop Hop. Photo by Nancy “Jeannie” Garnder.

One of Lenny’s all time favorite songs is “I’ll Be Forever Loving You” by Jordan and the Fascinations. He played it, and also played a version of the song by a girl group, The Juliettes. The Boog played the original version by The El Dorados. Who can say which was the best, when the song is so good you couldn’t hurt it if you beat it with a stick (as our pal Doc Savage used to say all the time)! It is obvious that we will have to track down the versions by Lola Dee, The Marcels and The Bel-Aires. Are there other versions out there?

Oh, yes, it is December, so a few seasonal tunes were mixed into the fun. Santa done got hip, indeed!

All night long, fabulous group vocal after fabulous group vocal was played—then another! Is there any other music better than Doo Wop? The writers of the Boogaloo Bag think not. With any luck, the next DOO WOP HOP will take place sooner rather than later—the last one was more than two years ago.

In order to honor the great Doo Wop performers, Ruben Guevara’s wonderful Doo Wop-styled patriotic anthems were played at the beginning and at the end of the night. Here’s a list of all the songs played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, who even snuck in a couple vocal groups from Jamaica:

 

None of these records are for sale. Roll your curser over the song titles to dig some hot links to cool jams!