Mm Hmmm...

Gladys Knight & The Pips - ALL I NEED IS TIME, 1973: So I usually don't stray too far from what's on my list when i'm diggging. I've been fortunate enough in the past weeks to make it up to Village Music (who, sadly, will close its doors this September) and dug through their "WE SUGGEST" endcap. I picked up this GK&P album that I wasn't familiar with and homina flipping homina. This is some super dust-funk soul. The A-side is incredible. Seriously nuts. I didn't recognize anything that'd been lifted in any obvious way. But I will find out if anybody has used "I'll Be Here When You Get Home" which is amazing. There are some other gems as well (see: "All I Need Is Time", The Only Time You Love Me...", and "The Singer" for starters). A gem. Seriously.

The Exciters - CAVIAR & CHITLINS, 1969: You don't really have to get past the artwork or album title, but should you choose to, you'll be surprised (or not) to find a dope 60s soul record that you probably haven't (or have) heard of. This is another gem from the OLDIES section. Don't Sleep. Lyrics like "dynomite and nitroglycerin are like a firecracker compared to you"? Chicken grease? Dope-ass drum fills? Extra points for this record right here.

Love Unlimited Orchestra - Music Maestro Please, 1975. "Vivrant Thing". That is all. Okay. Not "all", really. Years ago, when I hated Prince and disco, I actually had this record but never listened to it. Traded it for a DJ Rectangle breaks record. Now i've sold the breaks record back to a used LP store and have restored the better piece in my collection. A lot of thick string and brass arrangements from the man, Barry White. Half corn, half funk, all fun.

Atlantic Rythm & Blues: 1947-1974: I know, I know... It's a compilation record. No points for that. But I bought it out of desperation and will make right by it when I find the piece I need to replace it. The reason I just HAD to have this record? "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere". Man, oh, man. I heard it in a record store one day and it floored me. I went into Village recently and heard it again and had to inquire. It's by Joe Morris and was a pretty solid hit in October of 1950 (you gotta love those liner notes!). He died at 36 of a cerebral hemmorage. Oh, He's not the vocalist on the recording. Her name was Little Laurie Tate who was Morris' answer to Otis Show's female vocalist, Little Esther.

Raymond Scott - Manhattan Research, Inc, 1950s-1970s: The creme de la creme. "Lightworks". So yeah, this record never came out as an original release. It was released on vinyl as a 3-disc set in 2001. And I found it. Holler. In addition to the will-be classic, "Lightworks", you HAVE to check out "Don't Beat Your Wife Every Night" and "Portofino" which is crazy beautiful. The man had a way with tech toys and the like. This is a compilation of different versions of ads and songs that he'd composed over the course of his career as musician / inventor. Grab it if you find it.