Tag Archives: soul

Keystone Number Nine takes off for the planet Soul!!

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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.

Untouchable Action!

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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.

Lee Fields kicks off the New Year!!

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New Year’s Eve is always a gas; big party night. I mean big PAR-TAY night! Right? Last year, Dj Pete Pop and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus turned it out at Bar 190 in Newburgh. Although the owners of the joint admitted to Pete Pop that it was the absolute best New Year’s Eve event that they ever witnessed, for some reason the dynamic DJ duo were not asked back!

That’s okay, though, because Pop and Phast were enlisted to DJ a gig at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock. That’s right, they were the opening act for the fantabulous Lee Fields!!!

Lee Fields has got to be one of the last great classic R&B singers still standing. He’s been around the block several times, having started his recording career in 1969 when he was only 18 or 19 with the single “Bewildered” an old swing era ballad that was made popular by Billy Eckstine and, subsequently, James Brown; (the flip “Tell Her I Love Her” is a very cool funk number). Fields has been working in and out of music ever since. Before the nineties, he had several singles but only one album to his name. Thirty years ago he hooked up with a rejuvenated Ace Records—the company from Jackson, Mississippi that issued boss records by Huey “Piano” Smith and Frankie Lee Sims in the fifties. Mr. Fields reached his full potential soon after that, when he began recording for Desco Records—the Brooklyn label that eventually splintered into Truth & Soul Records and Daptone Records. Since he began this phase of his career, he has been making great soul and funk records for Truth and Soul, Daptone as well as Big Crown Records.

On New Year’s Eve at the Bearsville Theater, Lee Fields was on fire! He is totally a classic soul singer. His ballad singing will melt you. His uptempo R&B numbers will make you jump and shout. Plus, his band was hot and included a couple of our friends, saxophonist Freddy DeBo and bass player Benny Trokan. The show was fantastic. At midnight a bunch of balloons dropped from the stage. It was a wonderful way to spend New Year’s Eve.

For their part, Pete Pop and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played a mixture of mostly soul and funk records, along with a bit a reggae and latin boogaloo things, trading mini three-song sets. Here’s a list of all the records played by The Phast One:

None of these records are for sale!

The Funky Chef & Nogood Nick!

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The November Funky Kingston affair was the most fabulous one yet! Funky Kingston is held on the fifth Saturday of the month—when there is one—at the Salt Box in downtown Kingston, NY and hosted by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. He encourages his guest DJs to play funk, soul, reggae, ska, boogaloo and assorted rhythmic beats as the Bat Signal is displayed on the ceiling. This particular Funky Kingston featured two incredible guest DJs that most definitely delivered the goods: Jeff the Chef and Nogood Nick.

Nogood Nick and Jeff the Chef swing at the Funky Kingston!

Jeff the Chef is a legend. He was one of the movers and shakers behind the Empire State Soul Club—the grandpappy of sixties soul music DJ nights in New York City during the late eighties and through the nineties and even a bit into the new millennium. The others involved with the ESSC were the late, great Warren Lee, Brother Weems (who is now the official MC of the Keystone State Soul Weekender) and Connie T Empress—who continues her fantastic DJ activities in New York City. This was a coming out party of sorts. Jeff the Chef hasn’t spun his great records for anybody in about eight years, and before that, probably five years. The Funky Kingston hosts were proud of themselves for being able to coax this fellow out of DJ retirement! What a spectacular job he did, too, playing all sorts of extremely funky tracks for the Funky Kingston faithful. Among those in attendance were his ESSC co-hostess Connie T Empress—the Empress of Soul. Glad to see her smiling face in the Box!

Although happy to be out and about and spinning his records again—Jeff the Chef succumbed to geezerdom and insisted on going home early. He was gone before midnight when the original version of our theme song is played. That’s okay, though, because warming up in the bull pen was Nogood Nick.

Nogood Nick has been one of our favorite DJs for a long, long time. He was a regular guest DJ at the Subway Soul Club (in fact, he guested at the last one a month ago) and nearly every DJ night that was hosted by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, including The Dynagroove, The Wham-O-Watusi and other assorted events. Nick hosted his own Rip! Rig! Panic! mod jazz night and recently has a show that runs occasionally on the WFMU Give the Drummer Radio web stream called Electric Lazy Susan. He knows his stuff, that’s for sure, and he played some wonderfully funky records for the crowd at the Funky Kingston.

The entire night went very well: Miss Nancy made some yummy snacks, dancing people didn’t knock over turntables, the sound system never cut out and some glasses were smashed! All-in-all, a very successful event.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Funky Kingston, including a series of ‘hot pants’ and ‘thing’ records:

None of these records are for sale.

Keystone Soul Weekender Number 8

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The Keystone Soul Weekender family

Each fall for the last several years, the Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender has been held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Fantastic DJs from around the world head there to play their very best records. The first seven events were held at the Elks Lodge but this one took place at the Moose Lodge—also in downtown Lancaster. Although slightly smaller, the Moose Lodge had an equally fabulous wooden dance floor and there was the ability to order food from the private club downstairs. The Weekender is hosted by Julio Fernandez, a Spaniard now living locally and, sometimes, David Raistrick, a British fellow whose history with Northern Soul events goes back to the seventies. He wasn’t around last year, but he made a return this year and we were all happy to see him.

Returning DJs included Chey Frazier (Easton, PA), Scott Boyko (Garden State Soul Club), David McDaniel (Nor’easter Soul Club), Debbie Benjamin-Koller (Heart of Chicago Soul Club), Eric Svirida (Long Island, NY), Mod Marty Emanuel (On Target podcast, Winnipeg, Manitoba), Eric Zimmerman (Philly Soul Club), Paula Carrillo (Minneapolis), Sean Connors (Philly Soul Club), Mr. Fine Wine (Downtown Soulville, WFMU), Mike Post (Daptone Records), Yana Lil’ Jerk (Soul, Soul, Soul, NYC), Cher Gingras (Slow Fizz, Toronto), George Rodriguez (Hipshaker, Minneapolis), Jay Boxcar (Garden State Soul Club), and Connie T Empress (Soul Finger, NYC).

Also returning after a few years away was Vincent Ebb aka The Soul Chef (Fufu Radio) who now lives somewhere in Texas. Another was our friend Greg Tormo. He was a DJ at the very first Keystone Weekender, but soon after moved to Palm Springs where he has continued his record spinning activities. His return was welcomed by the Boogaloo Bag writers as he plays some of our favorite records that we’ll never own!

One of the highlights of the event was newcomer Aret Sakal. He hosts the Windy City Soul Club in Chicago. During his Saturday night set he played some incredible records that had our heads spinning!! He was a very welcome newcomer to the Keystone family.

MC for the event—as every year—was Brother Weems, a member of the late great Empire State Soul Club. He now lives somewhere about an hour north of Lancaster and has become a fixture at the Keystone Weekender.

For this event, Miss Nancy made some double chocolate cookies and her special chex mix. Both were devoured with glee. During the Saturday break, Vincent Ebb and his wife Leslie renewed their wedding vows at a Napalese restaurant. A cake was baked that honored them, as well as Connie T Empress and Phil DePaolo who were wed earlier this year.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has been asked to appear each of the eight years it has been operating (with a year off during the pandemic). This year, host Julio Fernandez asked the Boog if he minded if his DJ time was shortened. With so many great DJs available, it seemed only fair. Heck, Julio and David Raistrick didn’t even play records until the very end, in order to give more DJs some time at the decks. Thus, the Phastman only had a chance to play twelve records all weekend. For him, being asked to play even one record is a great honor—plus, the camaraderie among the DJs gives him the warm and fuzzies!

MC Brother Weems!

On Saturday afternoon, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus split the half hour allotted by tag-teaming with Yana Lil’ Jerk. The Boog only played dance numbers; here they are:

Sunday afternoon saw the Phast Man sharing the decks with Mikey Post, who played spooky monster records due to the close proximity of the event to Halloween. The Boog played these six instrumentals:

Next year, the Keystone Northern Soul Weekender will swing again. Hopefully, some of our British and European friends will be able to return. See ya there…

Subway Soul Club back in action!!

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Although it is not as regular as it once was, Subway Soul Club is the longest running sixties soul music dance party in New York City. After several years of dormancy, it raised it’s swingin’ head again last spring and it came back to life on November 5th for an autumnal edition. If things go as planned, we’ll be jumping around at the Subway Soul Club twice a year for the near future.

The fall Subway Soul Club returned to the Francis Kite Room in the East Village of Manhattan—the scene of the spring event. The hostess with the mostest Lady Dawn was in the house, greeting people and making sure that folks on the dance floor were dancing—which wasn’t too hard, since the great records the DJs played kept the dance floor crowded all night. And what DJs!! Joining resident disk spinner Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was Julio Fernandez and Nogood Nick.

Julio Fernandez swings at Subway Soul Club!

Julio Fernandez (also known as DJ Apollo XII) is a Spaniard who now lives in the States, but he still travels the world as a sought-after song selector. We know him from the fantastic job he does hosting the Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender held every year since 2016. That event is one of the most fabulous soul music events in the country and we urge each reader to attend the next Keystone Soul Weekender—which will be happening October 25 through 27 in Lancaster, PA. Señor Fernandez has fantastic records and really knows how to make them go round; he did a most excellent job at Subway Soul Club and folks couldn’t get enough of his jams.

Nogood Nick picks another boss record to spin at Subway Soul Club!

Nogood Nick has been a guest at Subway Soul Club for many years and we were happy to have him back. He has also hosted events such as Rip! Rig! Panic! and recently had a show on WFMU’s Give the Drummer Some webstream called Electric Lazy Susan. His records are second to none and he plays them like a pro. When Nogood Nick is at the controls you just know the records are going to be bitchen!!

As noted above, the dance floor was full of folks who quite appreciated the music. As it turned out, there was another soul music event that took place the night before. Called Soul Soul Soul, it has been in operation for a couple of years. The great minds behind this operation are our friends Yana Lil’ Jerk the resident DJ and it’s host Steve Myers. There was some concern that one event may detract from the other, however, any worries that may have been generated (mostly by the Boogaloo Bag writer!!!) were all for nothing as both events were very successful. Perhaps in the spring we can actually get it together to co-host a weekender in The City! That would be something, eh?

Meanwhile, back at the Francis Kite Room, the real grief took place early in the evening when the club wasn’t able to produce the promised mixing board. Instead they had some contraption that looked like a console from a Star Trek space ship that included two CD players and all sorts of effects, switches and flashing lights. It was very complicated and it took a full hour for the club’s sound man and the Phastman to figure it out—by fooling with every switch and nob on the thing!!! Luckily, all was figured out before the doors opened, but the thing was long—the two turntables seemed to be in different zip codes!! However, once it was figured out, all went well.

The Subway Soul Club crew: Lady Dawn, Julio, Nogood Nick, Phast

For this Subway Soul Club event, Miss Nancy made some chex mix snack (she calls them doo dads) and vegan brownies for our friends that swing that way.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus in a pensive mood at Subway Soul Club!

Since the turntables were ready, and folks were starting to show up before the official start time of 8pm, the resident DJ started the evening off by playing some cool instrumentals, before he got into the hot sauce. Here’s a list of every record played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the autumn Subway Soul Club event:

None of these records are for sale.

Funky Kingston Goes Pop!

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Pete Pop & Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the Funky Kingston!

The Funky Kingston returned to The Salt Box on August 31—the fifth Saturday of the month. Who should we get to guest DJ with us? Why, Pete Pop, of course. Everybody knows he’s got fantastic Garage Rock records…and cumbia records… and Latin records of all sorts… and old R&B records. It seems he has all sorts of excellent records. The other night, also at The Salt Box at one of Pete’s new Shim Sham Shimmy gigs, he played some fantastic funk records so we thought we’d invite him to spin a few at The Funky Kingston.

Well, he sure did that! This cat has just about every recording of reet music you can think of. He expanded his territory—at least in our minds—at The Funky Kingston. He played some reggae, some Latin Boogaloos, a few cumbias; man, that cat knows how to swing.

Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played his usual trash of funk and reggae. A bunch of folks showed up to swing. Miss Nancy made some very yummy vittles—fudge and brownies. People were dancing in the upstairs Rumpus Room deep into the night. As a bonus, Our pal Sean McDJ showed up early and helped The Boog set up the turntable hustle in order to present the dog!

Sean McDJ swings under the Bat Signal!

The next fifth Saturday of the month is in November—Thanksgiving weekend. Plan a trip to Kingston and come and get funky with us!

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

None of these records are for sale.

Resurrection of Subway Soul Club!

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Subway Soul Club action!

A few months ago, Lady Dawn decided to bring back the Subway Soul Club.

There hasn’t been a Subway Soul Club event in about five years, so perhaps a little history is in order. In December of the year 2001, Lady Dawn, a colorful British music enthusiast, and two of her friends who are DJs, got the keen idea of starting a Mod-oriented Northern Soul dance party in New York City. The first few were held in locations in the Lower East Side that no longer exist. Then her buddies left town—one home to London, the other to San Francisco. Around this time, Lady Dawn lost her venue. In comes Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. He was made the resident DJ of the club and he brought it to Rififi, a bar/comedy club/theater/video rental joint with a large back room on East 11th Street in the East Village. SSC lived there for several years, until Rififi closed down in 2008. SSC events took place erratically and bounced around to different venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn for a few more years after that—sometimes going a year or so between events. The last one was held in November of 2019. It took place at a beautiful club called Venus In Furs in Brooklyn.

Then life intervened. The pandemic happened—it took down Venus In Furs. The Phast Man moved to the Hudson Valley. Lady Dawn got busy with work. Everybody got older…

Then our pal Jon Weiss contacted Lady Dawn. He is booking a new joint called The Francis Kite Club, located on Avenue C in the East Village. Would she be willing to stage a Subway Soul Club event? We’ve dealt with Jon Weiss before and we like him. He was the genius behind the legendary Cavestomp events held during the nineties and early years of the new century. The Boog was called. “Do we want to swing?” said Lady Dawn. “Why not?” said the Phast Man.

A date was set: Saturday April 27… and it happened!!

The Subway Soul Club returned to action in fine form. Guest DJs were rounded up: Lynne K and Mikey Post. Lynne K has been a favorite guest DJ since the Rififi days. She was scheduled to work the gig at Venus In Furs, but was unable to do it due to personal matters. Mikey Post is the fine drummer of The Jay Vons and works at Daptone Records. Plus, Andrew Mair came up from Florida to play a special set. He is an English cat who is quite familiar with the Northern Soul DJ wars in his home country. Also, he used to live in New York City and was a regular at Subway Soul Club when it was at Rififi.

Andrew Mair
Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus
Lynne K
Mikey Post

That wasn’t all that made this event feel like a reunion. A ton of the Subway Soul Club regulars from years passed were able to attend. It was so grand seeing so many familiar faces out on the dance floor and hanging out at the bar. It was as if time stood still and we were all back at Rififi—the golden years of the Subway Soul Club. Lady Dawn wore a sparkly dress and flitted around the dance floor most of the night. If that is not enough, the night was further enhanced by the yummy treats baked by Boogaloo Bag photographer Miss Nancy: pecan tassies and vegan brownies. She baked a LOT of them and they were gone by the end of the night.

As expected, the DJs each played some fantastic records and there was not a single second when there wasn’t somebody on the dance floor. The night started early—8:00pm—and expected to go to some time after midnight, with luck 1:00am. The club kicked everybody out at 2:00am!! During the last hour, the DJs took turns playing two records each. That was a gas.

Everyone was so pleased the way the event took place that it looks like there may be another Subway Soul Club event before the end of the year—perhaps in September. If so, do not miss out!

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

None of these records are for sale.

Astro Girl swings at Funky Kingston!

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Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Leah Beth (Astro Girl) swing at The Funky Kingston

The Funky Kingston takes place on the fifth Saturday of the month. In the year 2024 there are four. The first one fell on March 30. For a guest DJ, host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus rounded up an old friend from the DJ Wars in New York City—Leah Beth. She used to be a regular guest DJ at the Subway Soul Club, Smashed! Blocked! and other fine DJ nights. Plus she was in such cool bands as The Dancettes, The Nouvellas, PMS and the Mood Swings and Habibi. Also, she has worked as a back-up singer for various Daptone acts. She’s very hip and has been involved with some fabulous stuff so we like to call her “Astro Girl.” Not only that, but she’s got great records and she brought a box of them to the Salt Box and played them for The Funky Kingston faithful. Leah Beth has a place up in the Hudson Valley somewhere, so we hope to see more of her.

Leah Beth swings at the Funky K!

For this occasion, Miss Nancy baked some vegan brownies and pecan tassies. By the end of the night, all of them were gone. We were also happy to see many of our local Hudson Valley friends drop in to hang out for a spell—and eat Miss Nancy’s vittles!

Some Hudson Valley pals swing at The Funky Kingston!
More Hudson Valley friends!!
Miss Nancy digs the Bat Signal as her vittles await to be devoured at The Funky Kingston!

Without a doubt, The Funky Kingston is the bossest event happening in Ulster Country. Folks come from all over to dig the hot rhythms laid down by The Boog and his guest DJs. The next fifth Saturday is June 29. If you live in the area, mark it on your calendar on your iPhone, iPad, iBook or whatever iCrap you have so you don’t miss out. If you live far away, come up to Kingston and make a weekend of it. Kingston has some excellent restaurants, art galleries, antique stores and record stores. June would be a great time to do so.

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

None of these records are for sale.

Crankin’ It At Quinn’s!!

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This year, Pete Pop’s spectacular rock’n’soul dance party takes place on the second Friday of the month at Quinn’s, the rock ’n’ ramen establishment on Main Street in Beacon, NY. On March 8, his guest DJs were Peter Aaron and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

Pete Pop
Peter Aaron
Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Peter Aaron has been mentioned in the Boogaloo Bag before. Suffice it to say, after having been in a cool rock band (The Chrome Cranks) in the nineties, writing some books and hosting a radio show for several years, he’s got fantastic sense of what makes a party rock. Pete Pop asked him to bring some of his boss seventies and early eighties glam, punk and new wave records to spice up the night. Mission accomplished.

Pete Pop has incredible records and played them all night long. Folks were dancing; folks were falling down and drinks were spilled—a super successful party!

Go Go dancers Bella Bombora and Sheba Shake swing at Do The 45!

Also, this year, Do The 45 features two fabulous Go-Go dancers: Sheba Shake and Bella Bombora. Miss Sheba has been getting some dancing gigs down in The City and at local surf music concerts. Bella Bombora, when she’s not on stage, is the official photographer of the Boogaloo Bag as well as baker of treats for DJ gigs when Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus is involved.

Speaking of the Phast One, here’s a list of all the records he played at the March 8 Do The 45:

None of these records are for sale.