Booker T. & the M.G.'s - Green Onions (1962)

Recent weeks have been pretty hectic for me work-wise and it looks like it ain't gonna stop in the near future, so I'm really struggling to find the time to write stuff on my blog. Nevertheless, I'm just gonna try to keep it short and simple and let the music do the talking. And if there's any type of music that can tell a good story, it's gotta be blues!

'Green Onions' was the debut album of Booker T. & the M.G.'s. It was released in 1962 on Atlantic's memphis-based Stax division, which had in its roster such renowned artists as Otis Redding, Albert King, Sam & Dave and Isaac Hayes.

The group started off as a session band, providing the backbone for many Stax artists at the time. One day, in a break between recordings, they started jamming around with a couple of riffs and fiddled with a little song Booker T. Jones has written way back in high-school - 'Green Onions'. Jim Stewart, the then president of Stax liked their sound and decided to release their debut record with 'Green Onions' as the a-side and 'Behave Yourself' on the flip-side. The single enjoyed great success, selling over a million copies, and this prompted the band to release a whole album.

At the time of the recording of their first full-length release, the band consisted of 4 people: Booker T. Jones (organs, bass guitar, guitar, keyboards), Steve 'The Colonel' Cropper (guitar), Lewie Steinberg (upright bass) and Al Jackson Jr. (drums). Later on, the band replaced Steinberg with Donald 'Duck' Dunn, who has played with them ever since. You might remember both Dunn and Cropper from the legendary 1980 film 'Blues Brothers' - they were both featured in the film and were also members of the original 'Blues Brothers' band.

Booker T & the M.G.'s is kind of a peculiar band. All of the guys in it are really session musicians first and foremost. They have backed a plethora of famous singers on thousands of records, playing on and producing many hits. Booker T. wrote such great tunes as: 'I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)', 'I Love You More Than Words Can Say' and Albert King's 'Born Under A Bad Sign', which was covered by such powerful bands as 'Cream', with Clapton on board, and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (by far my favourite rendition). Suffice it to say, Sam & Dave's fantastic 'Hold On! I'm a Comin'' features Booker T. (playing the tuba!!!) and the rest of the M.G.'s with Donald 'Duck' Dunn's killer bassline.

Nevertheless, the group managed to record a great album, that has defined southern soul music for a whole decade. Bands on both sides of the Atlantic were trying to imitate that unforgettable sound of Booker's Hammond organs and Steve Cropper's Fender Telecaster guitar and the groove both of them created.

The 'Green Onions' album is a 35 minute instrumental voyage, filled with blues-infused soul goodies. The album features 12 songs, ranging from slower, kinda mellow tunes like: 'Stranger On The Shore' or 'Lonely Avenue', to faster, rock'n'roll-ish songs like: 'You Can't Sit Down' or 'Twist And Shout', and to the groovy bits like: 'Comin' Home Baby'. There's a bit of everything really. What they all have in common is the fantastic guitar work of Cropper, where hes able to subtly accompany Booker with delicate choruses but also jump into finger-twisting solos, and the great sound of Booker's organs which serve as a trademark sound for the whole album. Prime time soul music with a dash of an R'n'B feeling, a hazy blues aura and jazz sophistication. You might think to yourself - how the hell could they play Ray Charles' 'I Got A Woman' without a singer?! Well, the truth is, their music is so good you don't even realise that this song ever needed any lyrics.

You could have heard some of their songs before - a lot of the tunes were used as a soundtrack to 'Get Shorty' (starring Travolta, De Vito, Hackman and a few others), and 'Behave Yourself' was featured in the Coen brothers' awesome picture: 'Big Lebowski'. Rings a bell?

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Bob Sinclar - I Feel For You (2000)

I recently found an old, long-forgotten CD that was lying around my room, shoved in a corner years ago, covered in tons of dust, and.....it turned out to be a compilation of some old-school Bob Sinclar tracks. Quite naturally then, I felt a strong urge to browse through my record collection and dig out all the fine tracks Bob has graced us with in the late 90s / early 00s and reminisce on these happy vibes.

I also figured I should share a piece of Sinclar's beats with the rest of the world. And trust me, it was a mission and a half to actually pick an album/song for my blog - simply because Bob has made so many fantastic tunes! Nevertheless, in the end, I went for the 'I feel for you' LP...follow me and you'll figure out why!

...Bob Sinclar...the name has become nearly synonymous with house music. Christophe Le Friant, cuz that's his real name, is a true character - trying to grasp who he actually is and getting the gist of his persona would take some considerable research. In the meantime, let's just see what the man himself has to say:

"Who is Bob Sinclar? An international man of mystery, since he first emerged in 1976 his career path has taken in spy, jewel thief. Riviera playboy, mercenary, arms smuggler, Monte Carlo card shark, Studio 54 bellboy, high-class gigolo, sunglasses model and hardcore porn star. It's also rumoured he was roped in to teach John Travolta to dance for Saturday Night Fever, but we don't want to play with the rumours - the mere facts themselves are incredible enough. Now, since his autobiography was banned worldwide in order to protect NATO security, Bob has decided to tell his story via the medium of House music."

This is an extract from the liner notes of his first album - 'Paradise'. I don't think I could put it any better myself. If it still ain't enough, just know that he's responsible for over 80 releases, nearly 300 remixes (for such notable artists as: Ian Pooley, Jamiroquai, Dimitri from Paris, Moby and Madonna) and has made over 1,100 appearances on compilations, albums, mixes and videos. All this under various monikers: Bob Sinclar, Chris the French Kiss and Bob from Paris. Sinclar lives in Le Marais, the gay district of Paris and is currently involved in making shit music...what?!...yep, that's not a typo. A living legend, a leader of the french touch house scene, a visionary artist whose tracks have introduced me to house music, has now become a sell out, making plastic, commercial 'music' that ain't worth the vinyl it's pressed on. Sad but true...

Nevertheless, you gotta give credit where credit is due - his early stuff was mindblowing. The 'I feel for you' LP, which is the first single from his second album - 'Champs Elysées' (released in 2000 on his own Yellow Productions label), is simply French house at its best. The release features two tracks: 'I Feel For You' (with two r&b remixes) and 'Save Our Soul', plus two DJ tools - an accapella and a 'beatapella'.

The title track is a great disco-infused piece and has everything you'd expect from an early Bob tune - fantastic soulful vocals, a slamming beat and a funky rolling bass that keeps on driving the track. Where Sinclar really delivers is his sampling. He can take two records - Cerrone's 'Look for Love' and Weeks & Co.'s 'Knock Knock' - x-ray the tracks, scanning for the tastiest, sweetest bits and end up having a short sample, which after applying his filter magic, turns into an unforgettable hook that sends crowds of people crazy...that's pure musical instinct!

As for the B-side, 'Save Our Soul' is a lot more darker and deeper, but it still is a hell of a tune! Here Sinclar sampled the live version of Earth, Wind & Fire's 'Devotion' to create an awesome floorfiller that despite the heavier beat still has that 'feel-good' factor you'd expect from Bob. Personally, I really like the intro to the song, but I can't figure out where's the sample from. And also, is it just me or does the guy really say: 'Save us all' instead of 'Save our soul'? Do you think Bob knew about it? Did he do it on purpose?...It reminds me of 'Ride On Time' by Black Box, who only after several years after releasing their song admitted that the sample they used really said: 'Right on time' but they just misheard it :)

Adding up, the LP enjoyed massive success, being released in over 9 countries on labels such as: Defected (UK), Subliminal (US), Universal (Italy), Legato (Belgium), Vendetta (Spain) etc.etc. Credit must go to Julien Jabre who was the projects engineer and is responsible for that sweet sound. There are also many remixes worth checking out: 'Save Our Soul' was nicely edited by Brian Tappert of Defected and Kidstuff's 'Tear Our Soul Apart' mix is also a banger of a tune!

So the next time you hear 'Love Generation' on the radio, just remember that deep inside, hidden beneath that ton of plastic is Bobs true, vivid, colourful, funky soul - unfortunately it decided to hide for the time being. Let's just hope we will see it make an appearance once again!

French touch, baby!

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Hott 22 - Before I Let You In / 8th Wonder LP (2005)

Hott 22 is a New York based production duo of Chris Malinchak and Greg Bahary, which is responsible for delivering some of the finest house music of the last decade. With over 100 remixes and 20 LPs, their tunes have been showcased on compilation albums of such iconic labels as: Hed Kandi, Stero Sushi, Azuli and Defected. Their songs have that classic house touch that we don't get much of these days - feels good to reminisce on that sound from time to time.

The Before I Let You In / 8th Wonder LP, released in 2005 on the New Jersey based Gossip Records label, is a real banger! The duo delivers two fantastic tracks, both with a very positive, uplifting touch and a funky feel.

Before I Let You In features a great, driving beat with a thumping bass kick and some sweet congas in the background. Besides that, there's a funky 1-bar guitar loop and some soothing keys on top. But what really makes the difference in this track are the sweet vocals of Jocelyn Brown, sampled from Inner Lifes 'I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)', which, slightly sped up and pitched, are combined with the short string sample to make a great, melodic vibe that will get you hooked in no time!

On the b-side, we find another great song - 8th Wonder - which is a bit more hazy and dreamy but equally delivers. The recipe is pretty similar to the tune on the other side of the vinyl - a nice beat with distinct shakers and congas, a rather simple, yet very catchy, funky bassline, a 1-bar synth loop, a 2-chord guitar lick, a single-note string in the background and some spoken word and heavily filtered vocals to top it of. Simple ingredients - great result! A true floor-filler that builds up really nicely and is guaranteed to send a smile to your face.

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Super Duo - Gitarolo (2011)

Today I'd like to share with you an album that's very special to me - it's my dad's bands new album, which came out only a couple of weeks ago.

Super Duo, as the band is called, was started by my dad and Cezary Krajewski in 1984. The group played music that oscillated around the flamenco/jazz areas - sort of like the famous Al di Meola/Paco de Lucia/John McLaughlin trio. The group has enjoyed quite a fair amount of success (bearing in mind their music ain't as catchy as Rihanna and the lot) and has been heralded by many as the best polish guitar duo. As a result, they had the great opportunity to tour many countries: Germany, France, Finland, Denmark, Russia, North Korea (!!!), Holland, England, etc. That was pretty neat for two guys stuck behind the Iron Curtain during a time when getting a passport was just as difficult as finding a decent piece of meat in a shop.

Besides that, they have frequented many festivals: Fama (1985), Jazz Jamboree (1985), Roskilde Festival Denmark (1986), Jazz Praha (1987), De-Bron Dalfsen Holland (1990), Muse Berlin (1990). They have also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such great acts as Al di Meola and Take 6 in concert halls like the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican Centre in London. Unfortunately, due to Krajewski's tragic death in 1997, the group ceased to exist.

But now, after 17 years of absence, Super Duo, together with one of the best polish flamenco/latino guitarists Przemyslaw Haluszczak, is back with a new album - 'Gitarolo'. This time, the raw sound of a guitar duo has been backed by grooves crafted by Grzegorz Kopala. As a result, Super Duo became....yep, you guessed it - a trio.

The 'Gitarolo' album features 8 tracks, 4 of which are new renditions of the band's old songs, while the other half constitute new compositions. The addition of Kopala's background vibes gave the band a bit more modern touch that should render the music more appealing to wider audiences. I must admit that I was initially quite scared of these experiments but hearing the older songs in their new versions was quite refreshing (maybe with 1 exception ;) ) and I'm glad that the tunes still have a similar feel and aesthetic as the 'originals'.

My personal favourite from the album must be 'Tarantos Ali-Baby' which is a slight twist on 'Fis-dur Ali-Baby' (a song from their 1994 'Super Duo 3' album). However, due to Haluszczak's 'break-down' solo in the middle of the song (btw, it really is a mutherfucker of a solo - i was truly impressed) the tune ended up having a slightly different form - hence the name change. Besides that, I really enjoyed 'Farruca' - a sweet, chilled out flamenco-ish track with fantastic vocals by Kopala - a perfect song for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I also believe the bands music benefited from getting Przemyslaw Haluszczak on board. My dad has always been more jazz-oriented (which is reflected in his solos) and jazz-influenced (which I think is reflected in his compositions) and with Przemyslaw's spanish/flamenco approach they tend to complement each other quite neatly - with great benefit for the resulting sound.

Anyways, the album is a double-disc release with a bonus DVD on which you can find: a few video clips to the songs from the album, an interview with a world-famous luthier who is responsible for making the guitars used by my dad and Przemyslaw, interviews with notable polish artists (the conductors: Krzesimir Debski and Zbigniew Gorny; and actors: Katarzyna Skrzynecka and Witold Debicki) who explain the influence Super Duo's music had on them, some trivia and a video of a great flamenco dancer - Malgorzata Moskalewicz.

They used to call themselves: 'The fastest guitars in Poland'. Did they manage to keep up the tempo? Well, just see for yourself...

I've also managed to upload a few tracks from their first album - Gluche Krokodyle (1986). Check 'em out!

And last but not least - some oldschool footage from a lil' TV performance they did in Czechoslovakia (!) in 1986:

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Nate Dogg - Music and Me (2001)

Last Tuesday, March the 15th, the world has lost a very colourful figure. A person who managed to introduce a new quality to the hip-hop culture by leading a completely new path. His unique approach to music, his great voice and great songs helped forge a whole new identity for the west-coast scene. Along other artists, he was responsible for crafting a unique sound - the G-Funk sound.

Nate was always involved in the west-coast scene. He made guest appearances on dozens of songs, working with artists such as: Xzibit, Ludacris, Dr.Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Tupac, Tha Dogg Pound, etc. Adding Nate's voice singing that little hook always sweetened up a tune and gave it that one-of-a-kind feeling. These collaborations gave us such great songs as: Ludacris' 'Area Codes', Warren G's 'Regulate' and Dre's 'Deeez Nuuuts', among others.

Apart from that, Nate, with his cousin Snoop Dogg, and Warren G, formed in 2004 the famous trio: 213. The group released only one full album: 'The Hard Way', but it was a hell of a release. It featured such great tracks as: 'Groupie Luv', 'Gotta Find a Way' or 'Mary Jane'. Again, it proved that Nate, with the reinforcement of a couple of friends, can make great music.

As for the 'Music and Me' album...Here, Nate has a leading role, being the main actor for most of the songs and occasionally asking his friends to return the favour and make a guest appearance on his album. Therefore, apart from Nate Dizzle the release showcases a bunch of fantastic artists: Dr.Dre, Kurupt, Xzibit, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg.

'Music and Me', Nate's second solo production, is everything you would expect from a top-notch G-Funk album - 'low-rider' beats with a prominent bassline and rather sparse percussion arrangements, heavily-synthesized melodies, the odd pizzicato string here and there and of course Nate's soulful vocals (occasionally reinforced by female backing vocals). The lyrics are the industry standards, really. However, in my opinion, the album benefited from the guest appearances - guys like Kurupt or Xz drop some seriously sick lines. All in all I believe it's a fantastic album.

If you listen to the songs below, you'll know straight away why it was such a huge blow for black music to lose a quality artist like Nate Dogg. Anyways, I'm sure he's Keeping it G.A.N.G.S.T.A. in a better place now...RIP

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Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life (1976)

I have been introduced to Metheny's music many, many years ago, by my dad, who has been a big fan of Pat since the 70s. I have these distant memories of lying in the back of the car, during what I then considered very long journeys, staring at the passing landscape outside of the windows and listening to Metheny and the crew. So in a way, his music is a soundtrack to my early childhood...and my days, it is some decent music!

Pat Metheny, born in 1954 in Lee's Summit (Missouri) is one of the most prolific jazz guitarists of our time. He's been active since 1974, has released over 40 albums (solo, as 'Pat Metheny'; in various duets, trios, quartets; but also with his 'Pat Metheny Group'), he has received 17 Grammy Awards and has worked with such great artists as: Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Joni Mitchell, Chick Corea and Jaco Pastorius...and it was the collaboration with talented bassist Pastorius that rendered his debut album - 'Bright Size Life'.

Pat and Jaco met each other at the University of Miami and connected with each other immediately. As Pat puts it in the liner notes for Pastorius' 1976 debut album:

"As a young musician who met Jaco in his prime when we were both just starting out, I can only say that my reaction on hearing him for the first time …. was simply one of shock – I had literally not heard anything remotely like it, nor had anyone else at that time…..Our musical relationship was immediate….. We also became really good friends. During the short time that I lived in Miami (near Jaco's home town of Ft. Lauderdale), we played show gigs together and occasionally played at his house…. and spent a lot of time talking about music…"

The two were clearly like-minded individuals, and I think the best proof of that is the fantastic connection and understanding they portray in 'Bright Size Life'. The album is a product of great cooperation between two unique, incredibly talented musicians.

Metheny has managed to develop a style and sound that is impossible to copy. His extensive use of various delay, chorus and reverb effects has helped him forge a sound that is unmistakable - you can smell a Metheny track from miles away. Pat also likes to experiment a lot and push the boundaries of the instrument further and further. He is known to incorporate a 12-string guitar with alternate tunings (you can hear it on 'Bright Size Life's' 'Sirabhorn') and also makes use of a custom-made 42-string Pikasso guitar - check this monster out:

Pastorius, on the other hand, is considered to be a pioneer of the jazz bass guitar. He took it to a new level with his extensive harmonisation and elaborate solos in the higher register. Jaco used a fret-less bass guitar, which opened up plenty of room for innovation and experimentation.

Both musicians are considered to have shaped the way their instruments would since then be used in jazz.

'Bright Size Life' then, is a fantastic collaboration between two great musicians, supported by Bob Moses on drums, who fits in perfectly - not too overwhelming, so as not to dim the main stars of the album, but also adding great value with his cymbal-driven, free-spirited, imaginative solos. Pat and Jaco, on the other hand, work together perfectly - with Jaco at times effortlessly and creatively rounding off Metheny's phrases, and at times seeming to be trailing one step behind Pat and acting as counterpart to weigh out the balance. Both guy's solos are just out of this world - with Metheny giving the tunes a smooth, jazzy edge and Pastorius venturing into incredible figures, which leave me wondering if that guy really plays the bass.

The album features 8 tracks, 7 of which are Metheny's own compositions, and the finale - a Coleman tune brilliantly interpreted by the group. There are fast-paced, post-bop influenced, hard-hitting songs, like: 'Missouri Uncompromised', 'Round Trip/Broadway Blues' and the title track: 'Bright Size Life'. But there are also some deeper and more atmospheric songs like: 'Unity Village' or 'Sirabhorn'. There's a bit of everything really so I'm sure the album will appeal to many people.

Anyways, have a look for yourself. And keep an eye on any new posts on the blog because Pat, with his rich discography, is bound to make an appearance sooner or later!

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Tadeusz Nalepa - Bluesbreakout 1971-1972 (1991)

Somebody once famously stated that: 'If it ain't Mississippi, if it ain't raining and if you ain't sitting on the corner of the street soaking wet, hoping you weren't hungry - it ain't the blues'.
Well I always thought that was true... Until last week, when my good friend proved me wrong by showing me a fantastic album - 'Bluesbreakout' by Tadeusz Nalepa's 'Breakout' band.

Believed it or not, but Tadeusz Nalepa is white, he doesn't come from Mississippi (but from Rzeszów, Poland) and he sure can play the blues! I was really surprised that such fantastic blues music can come from behind the iron curtain.

The album was released in 1991 as a compilation of two of the groups' previous titles - 'Blues' and 'Karate' (1971 and 1972 respectively). The music therefore was recorded in times of deep communism in Poland - when artists where banned from public performances if their hair was too long and when the state treated the Beatles as a symbol of western, imperialistic society's moral decay.

Bearing that in mind, I think the authentic feeling of the music and its uncanny resemblance to American blues is mind-boggling - Western records were really hard to come by at that time. Still, you can hear many influences in Breakout's playing - there's a bit of Clapton, a bit of Robert Johnson a bit of John Mayall etc.etc.

You ask: how come? Well, Nalepa recalls touring Western Europe with his previous band - Blackout - and meeting Eric Burdon, who gave him his guitar and a bunch of tapes with 'black blues music' - Nalepa immediately fell in love with it. Actually, the couple of months of concerts they performed in Holland at that time allowed them to buy some proper equipment - before, they used to manually convert acoustic guitars into electric ones, simply because the latter weren't readily available in the *ekhm* People's Republic of Poland. The Western equipment is the reason why the album sounds a lot better than most other Polish music at that time.

The lyrics sung by Nalepa are in no way worse than the music of Breakout. The person responsible for these great texts is the poet Bogdan Loebl who also used to live in Rzeszów at that time. While the music is clearly inspired by American standards, the lyrics have a unique quality - deep, moving, yet very simple.

So, it turns out you don't have to be a black farmer working in the cotton fields of deep Mississippi to feel the blues. As Howlin' Wolf once said: "When you ain't got no money and can't pay your house rent and can't buy you no food, you damn sure got the blues".

This quote frightingly accurately describes communist Poland... 

...Nalepa just found his Mississipi in Rzeszów.

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