Curtis Mayfield - Superfly OST (1972)

This soundtrack to the blaxploitation film by the same name could may well be the soundtrack to a whole decade - the 70s. And who could capture this distinct sound better than Curtis Mayfield? A legend, a pioneer, a ghetto poet - a genius!

Superfly, the film, (directed by Gordon Parks Jr. - the man who brought us Shaft) tells the story of a black drug dealer from Harlem, New York, who goes by the name of 'Youngblood Priest'. Said pusher, tired with the life he lives, decides to quit his successful career and so convinces his partner - Eddie - to organise one last score, earn a lot of dollah and get out of the business. Priest's story serves as a base for depicting, as it usually is with the blaxploitation genre, the gang-ridden streets of the ghetto with its corrupt cops, dodgy pimps, dirty hookers and desperate junkies.

Curtis' soundtrack does pretty much the same thing. He has already been known for his well crafted music with forcible and expressive lyrics from the time he performed with The Impressions quartet during the 60s. The Superfly OST was his third solo release, however, and it didn't show any signs of him losing it!

The album is a soul & funk masterpiece! A mixture of the trademark wah-wah guitar, deep, funky basslines, groovy keys, vivid percussions and a stinging horn section - all topped up with Mayfield's laid-back falsetto. Hell, you even get the odd strings every now and then giving it a disco-ish feeling. The music, however, only serves as a background to Curtis' incisive social commentary of black urban life in the 70s.

Besides the overall damning attitude, the lyrics just sound great and fantastically complement the music:

I'm your mamma, i'm your daddy

I'm that nigga in the alley

I'm your doctor, when in need

Want some coke, have some weed

You know me, i'm your friend

Your main boy, thick and thin

I'm your pusherman

I'm your pusherman

Ain't i clean, bad machine

Super cool, super mean

Feelin' good, for the man

Superfly, here i stand

Secret stash, heavy bread

Baddest bitches, in the bed

I think you can clearly see that Curtis Mayfield inspired and anticipated the whole rap/hip-hop vibe (with it's 'thug life' stories). Well it's no surprise then, that his tracks have been sampled by such great hip-hop artists as:
Pete Rock, Gang Starr, Biggie Smalls, Beastie Boys, Master P, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T etc. etc.


I strongly recommend watching the film to get the feeling of the music and the times. But for now, just check this out (definitely watch the first vid - it's an actual excerpt from the film):

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Muddy Waters - The Anthology (1947 - 1972) (2001)

I'm not a big fan of compilation albums, I'd usually rather go for the 'real deal'. But here, I'm very pleased to make an exception. This double disc set is a definite guide to one of the most iconic blues musicians of all time - Muddy Waters. If this name does not ring a bell, then this album is definitely for you.

Released in 2001 by Chess, it contains fifty essential songs Muddy recorded for this premier Chicago blues label. It showcases his biggest releases from 1947 till 1972. So, you pretty much get a cross-section view of Waters' recordings - from the raw, naked, Robert Johnson-influenced solo country-blues style of the 40s to the heavily amplified, energetic, urban Chicago blues that later defined Muddys sound and got him the recognition he deserved.

Anyways, the man's a freakin' legend! He was an inspiration for generations of musicians and I'm sure that if it wasn't for him, bands like The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds or Led Zeppelin would not be what we know them today. Actually, Mick Jagger's group took their name from Waters' 1950 hit song: 'Rollin' Stone' - how's that for tribute?

If you were to list other Muddys songs that were as inspirational as 'Rollin' Stone', the list would be longer than the notorious Maxwell Street in Chicago. Nevertheless, let me name quite a few:  'I Feel Like Going Home', 'Train Fare Home Blues', 'Rollin and Tumblin', 'Got My Mojo Working', 'Long Distance Call', 'I Just Want To Make Love To You', 'Mannish  Boy', etc., etc. If you never heard of Muddy Waters, the two last songs are probably the ones you'd recognize nevertheless. The latter being used in many soundtracks, including Pulp Fiction.

By giving us an overview of Muddys works throughout the years, the compilation also exposes us to the various people Waters was working with. The album showcases such great musicians as: Jimmy Rogers (guitar), Little Walter (harmonica), Sam Lay (drums, who was also the drummer for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Willie Dixon (bass, but also a very prolific song writer - he once famously stated that it's no wonder that it's the bassists, who write the most songs  - they just have a lot of time on their hands to think while they're playing), Otis Spann & Sunnyland Slim (both pianists).

Anyways, if you feel like finding out more about Muddy and Chess Records, I'd recommend the 2008 'Cadillac Records' film, starring Adrien Brody (as the Polish immigrant, Leonard Chess, who started the iconic label), Mos Def (as Chuck Berry) and Beyonce Knowles (as Etta James [yep, that's right]).



So, pour yourself a nice glass of bourbon, sit back, relax and enjoy the fantastic sounds of Muddy Waters, the hoochie coochie man!

(love the moment when halfway through the track, Little Walter, after hearing Muddy constantly hollering that he's 'goin' down to New Orleans', shouts out: 'Awww, take me wit'ya man, when you go!', not sure if that was rehearsed or not. Awesome, nonetheless!)

and the unmistakable Family Guy:

 


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B.B. King - Sings Spirituals (1959)

B.B. King....the first thing that pops into your head when you hear this name is: great blues guitarist. That's true - the man can play! I had the pleasure of listening to him live many moons ago and I must agree. The 15 Grammy awards King keeps on his mantelpiece seem to prove he ain't no rookie!

However, the Spirituals album is something completely different. This time B.B. leaves his beloved Lucille (as he calls his Gibson ES-355 electric guitar) in the box and focuses on singing. And boy, he's actually quite good at it!

The album, released on Crown records in 1959, features 10 fantastic gospel songs - among them classics, like 'Precious Lord' and 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' but also no less than 6 tunes from the repertoire of the 5 Blind Boys of Mississippi group. And, as with gospel, the arrangements are the 'industry standard', so to speak. Electric organs, piano, bass, drums, tons of joyful hand clapping, a fantastic backing choir and B.B.'s powerful, full-bodied voice.

Many blues musicians have flirted with gospel from time to time. However, for King it was not just a passing fling. He grew up singing in a gospel choir at Elkhorn Baptist Church in Kilmichael, USA - so for him, it was back to the roots!

The lyrics, as you might have guessed, are pretty predictable. With songs like 'Jesus Gave Me Water',  'Ole Time Religion', 'Servant's Prayer', 'Army of The Lord'....well, you get the picture. Don't be scared though. Even if, like me, you don't give a rat's ass about the Baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary, I'm sure you'll still be touched - everybody needs some spirituality every now and then. Besides, the lyrics and the general theme of the album give it a sense of authenticity - so yeah, it definitely is the real deal. Praise the Lord! ;)

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tony tiptrip - s'il vous PLAY (2011)

Been kind of busy lately so couldn't really find the time to post new stuff on the blog...but after a long hiatus I'm back with a bang!

This time I've prepared a very special treat - my own mix of some pretty banging soulful house tunes! Inspired by the past half a year I got to spend in Paris, it tries to capture the spirit of these joyful times.

I won't dwell on it too much cause, quite naturally, I'm biased. I'll just give you the tracklist so that you know what you're in for. S'il vous PLAY!




download the mix @ http://www.tonytiptrip.eu




1. Kings of Tomorrow – Make Believe [Defected UK, 2005]

2. DJ Hal – Don’t Give It Up (Lawnchair Generals Mix) [Blockhead Recordings US, 2004]

3. Rithma – Funk Is Still Alive (Joey Youngman Mix) [Om Records US, 2005]

4. Jay-J & Chris Lum - Without Love [Moulton Studios Recordings US, 2003]

5. White Lotus Society – Got It (Live Vocal) [Large Records US, 2007]

6. Tom Gianelli & Martin Ikin - All That I Need (Full Vocal) [Soul Purpose UK, 2004]

7. Kathy Brown – Give It Up [White Label, 2001]

8. Bongoloverz – Spirit Of House (Piano Mix) [Soulfuric Trax US, 2006]

9. Lenny Fontana pres. The Exclusive Club – Thinkin’ About Your Love (Classic Club Mix) [Distance FR, 1999]

10. Soulmagic – Come On Come On (Main Mix) [Soulfuric Deep US, 2005]

11. DJ Circle – Call It A Day (Shik Stylkø Remix) [Realbasic Recordings DE, 2006]

12. JT Donaldson – Trust Me (Broadway & Wilson Remix) [OM Records US, 2004]

13. Julien Jabre – Swimming Places (Original Mix) [Defected UK, 2005]



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