DR. TRAVIS K. POOPINGTON'S FUNK ALBUM OF THE WEEK

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

WEEK ONE: EDDIE HAZEL - GAMES, DAMES & GUITAR THANGS

Eddie Hazel was the lead guitarist for Funkadelic best known for the ten-minute acid-fueled soul-wrenching life-changing title track from Maggot Brain, improvised on nothing but George Clinton's advice to "play the guitar like yo' momma just died." His only solo release includes contributions from several members of Parliament/Funkadelic, including back vocals from the Brides of Funkenstein. There's a nine-minute cover of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" on this record that will blow your mind straight through the back of your head.

 

[Czech]

Aw, I love the guitar solo on "Maggot Brain." Good thread, Poopington. I'll be back with some thoughts a little later!

 

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

WEEK TWO: JAMES BROWN - COLD SWEAT

You probably haven't heard most of these songs, and that's a goddamn tragedy. By most measures, "Live at the Apollo" is a better album, but this one really isn't far off. This is the James Brown record where The Famous Flames really show off their chops (note all the solos on "Cold Sweat Part 2"). The tracklist on Cold Sweat has plenty of variation, from love crooners like "Mona Lisa" to dirty swaggering funk like "Stagger Lee" to the blaring melodrama of "Nature Boy." Put this album on at your next party, I demand it.

 

[Czech]

Sorry that I neglected to get back to you on this. I was kind of busy from Wednesday night to Friday night and it totally slipped my mind. All of it was good, but I really liked the "California Dreamin'" cover a lot. The "I Want You" cover was also pretty cool. Anyway, my music collection has been improved by adding this to it. I'm eager to find out what else you have in your vault of funk.

 

[BX]

Continue this feature as if your life depended on it.

 

[Precious Roy]

He stole all this shit from me :smileygat:

 

[Precious Roy]

The Isley Brothers - 3+3

Ronald Isley is what he is, and this is Ernie and Marvin at their funkiest.

 

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

OMG I've been needing some Isleys too, all I've got is "The Heat is On."

While we're at it, my iPod died awhile ago and my library is now conspicuously lacking in Isaac Hayes. Hook a brother up?

 

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

WEEK THREE: BABY CHARLES - BABY CHARLES

The good news is, there's still someone out there who knows how to funk music right. The bad news is, they're British. Baby Charles is a collection of lame-looking white people fronted by soul singer Dionne Charles, who can belt like a motherfucker. Their 2008 debut album is full of jazz-funk groovy enough to make paraplegics get all out they wheelchairs and dance like James Brown. Keep your cranium cracked for the Arctic Monkeys cover.

 

[Precious Roy]

I've had this album for at least a year now, but I think it's just gotten released in the states because Rolling Stone just did a review of it.

It's a great fucking album, the kind of shit you throw on and people will swear it's some obscure shit from the 70's. I love the fact that they cover This Time, a DJ Shadow song off The Outsider which sounds like old time soul, and make it sound like it's the song that DJ Shadow covered.

They're often compared to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, but I like this album better than any of their stuff.

 

[Mattdotcom]

Eagerly awaiting week four

 

[Precious Roy]

I've got something to tide y'all over in a short while. Poopington is AWOL AFAIK...

 

[Precious Roy]

WEEK 3/4: WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE DOCTOR

QUINCY JONES - I HEARD THAT

I really can't say anything, just bask in the funk, back from before Quincy Jones was "QUINCY JONES"

It's a compilation album, but a good starting point for the uninitiated or uninspired

 

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

Hey, traveling at the moment, planned on posting week four early but never got the chance. Was in Ireland over the weekend, currently in Newcastle. Going out to start drinking now and I've got a soccer match tonight but I know what I want to put up for this week and I might upload it tomorrow. If I don't get it done then, I'll probably just double-stack it for week five, because after this I'm going to be in Milan, then Norway and I can't see myself getting anything posted between leaving England and coming home on May 19th. Download whatever Roy posted though, dat boy never steered me wrong before.

 

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

WEEK FOUR: OTIS REDDING - IN PERSON AT THE WHISKY A GO-GO, 1966

One of theeeee best live albums of all times. Incredible energy from start to finish, it may not be a video but you can tell he's totally getting his James Brown on just by listening to him. BADAZZ covers of "Respect," "Hard Day's Night," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," and a physically exhausting rendition of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." The version I have is kind of fucked up, it cuts off at a weird point in the "Satisfaction" cover, but still well worth your listen.

 

[THE KEELEDOVER KID]

Sorry folks, I've been slacking lately. I might put up a couple extra this week to make up for lost time.

WEEK, UH... SEVEN OR SOMETHING: BOOKER T. & THE MG'S - GREEN ONIONS

One of the most important instrumental R&B albums of all time. Every artist I've posted so far owes some level of influence to this record, and most of them will gladly admit it. Seamless production, tight, precise performances from the whole band and the funkiest damn organ you ever heard. Perfect summer day music, great to put on while you're holding something cold in a glass.

 

[Perfxion]

One album that could be added to this discussion would be "Gap Band IV" for its big singles "You Dropped the Bomb on Me", "Outstanding", and "Early in the Morning".

 

[Czech]

IN MEMORY OF POOPINGTON: COMPOST - LIFE IS ROUND

If you like clavinets, this is one of several albums for you! Mostly exuberant funk, but there's one effort at bad psychedelic lyrics about stratospheres and ionospheres that I probably could've done without. The song ("Moonsong" is the name, which should've been a red flag) is still awesome and features a ton of flute. I'm a big flute fan. I should post some Jeremy Steig later. ANYWAY, I've probably posted this before, but I can't remember, so what the hell, I'm giving you the link again. Highlight here is "The Ripper," which has nothing to do with our erstwhile board member and everything to do with wah-wah pedals. As a matter of fact, that one, "Buzzard Feathers," and "Changing Streams" form a kickass 1-2-3 punch in the middle of the album. Totally worth your time.

 

[Precious Roy]

Are you perhaps a fan of the vibraphone?

 

[Czech]

Am I ever! I voraciously consume Bobby Hutcherson and Milt Jackson albums.

 

[Precious Roy]

cn upld f wnt...

 

[Czech]

Do you still have that Mainieri?

quote]This great album by flautist Roger Glenn was produced by Larry and Fonce Mizell for Sky High Productions, the LP was released in 1976 on the Fantasy label, players are Roger Glenn on flute & vibes, Mark Soskin on piano & keyboards, Larry Mizell on rhodes & keyboards, Ray Obiedo on guitar, Paul Jackson on bass, Gaylord Birch on drums and Bill Summers on congas & percussion, plus additional percussion and Pete Escovedo on vocals.[/quote]

A lot of this stuff, especially the first track, sounds like music you'd hear on Prevue Guide or teletext or one of those other weird primitive cable channels. The first track also resembles funky Secret of Mana music. By no means essential, but worth taking a chance on if "funky Secret of Mana/teletext music" piques your interest.

 

[Precious Roy]

Do you still have that Mainieri?

no

 

[Precious Roy]

THIS ASSHOLE DOES THO

http://psychedelicobscurities.blogspot.com/2010/04/mike-mainieri-1968-journey-thru.html

 

[Czech]

Hey, thanks, Roy! You know what, if I'm not mistaken, this takes my external hard drive up to 1000 albums. Let me consult my spreadsheet.

EDIT: Nope, short. New thread coming, though.