Frankie Beverly - Color Blind

I rarely play out much these days, but I did last night. And, maybe I'm getting old, but getting outta the car last night I realized my ears were ringing like a motherfucker. But, it was well worth it. I played alongside two fantastic bands last night and the soul and funk was alive and well in Oakland.
It was incredible really. Gene Washington and The Ironsides were incredible. Both slow soul and dance floor funk done to perfection without a blemish. The singer Gene Washington, could still really belt out his notes and did so with an amazing authenticity and true sincerity, he brought a humble realness to his performance.


Then, the Grease Traps hit the stage. Looked to be an instrumental band, and I hear that's how they started..but, then the man known only as Gata hit the stage and literally set the club on it's ass end. They tore it up. Gata was the man!
Gene and the Ironsides covered Dyke and The Blazers, and did some excellent originals. The good homie Oliver Patches, of Lower Bottoms, told me March was official Dyke and The Blazers month. I like the sound of that! When Gene got into 'Let A Man Be A Man' we all realized how amazingly similar he sounded to Dyke. Grease Traps covered everything from 'I Believe In Miracles' (Jackson Sisters version of course), another Dyke song, 'The Funky Bull', and all the way to this song, 'Color Blind' by Frankie Beverly. Which, by the way sounded EXACTLY like the original. Im' sure this is not an easy feat to accomplish. Those harmonies, that break, those horn riffs. Wow, let's just say I was blown away.

Gene Washington And The Ironsides

It was an incredible night all around. 'Lower Bottoms' and 'Where It's At' DJ's playing in the first level, these two incredible bands playing upstairs. With Fernando and his 45's and yours truly playing all 45's in between the bands. It was also the 'Where It's At' 1 year anniversary and the 1 year anniversary of the Legionnaire, which by the way is turning out to be a fantastic spot. Last night was proof. And, that's coming from me, and I don't get out much these days.

The Grease Traps

The Traps playing 'Color Blind' had special meaning to me. Aside from it still being incredibly relevant of a message, it's one of my all time favorite Bay Area funk 45's. The two early Frankie 45's that I have speak volumes for what they were like as a band, and what it was like with them in the Bay Area. Of course I can't find it now, but I recently snagged a pick off of Facebook with Frankie Beverly listed as playing a weekly spot at the Keystone Club in Berkeley. The Listing read 'Frankie Beverly's Raw Soul, and to imagine them playing 'Color Blind' in Berkeley in 73-74 is just awesome. Well, you could say my dreams came partly true. When Grease Traps did this song completely and efficiently and with a whole LOT of soul, myself and the entire club were elated and with happy feet.

A heartfelt, sincere and electric performance from Gene Washington

Funny thing, the guitar player Kevin O'Dea came up to me, with a copy of their set list, before they took the stage, and said 'Try not to play any more of these' and there was 'Color Blind' at the encore location on their set list. Oops. My bad guys, I honestly did not know a few things...one, that you guys are fuggin incredible, two, that I would be so stupid to play THAT tune, of the TWO Frankie Beverly 45's I brought, and three.. that you guys, the Grease Traps, would have the eloquence and dexterity to cover that song. And, let me say again, to perfection.
Now, the singer for Grease Traps goes by the name of Gata. Lemme just say this man brings it. If you're gonna see the Grease Traps, you are gonna see that Gata man, and you better get your wig on tight, 'cause he's pure dy-no-might. If you give him enough room on stage this cat might just turn back-over flips. Stone cold solid soul performance. all. the. way. 'round.
They also covered another big tune that I almost brought, those of you who actually read these posts (rather than just download everything) will know I just recently acquired it, but 'Bold Soul Sister, Bold Soul Brother' is another hefty tune to cover, at least well. So, hats off to both the Grease Traps and Gene Washington and The Ironsides. For funk and soul to be in Oakland, like that... in that way last night, was a sincere TREAT.

The other Frankie Beverly 45 that I almost dropped on those ears and feet was 'People In The Know' another banger on the Gregar label. Equally rare, and equally potent. Another funk grinder, with higher message included. This version of 'Color Blind' that Grease Traps covered was the early version on Gregar which is much more raw and heavy compared to the later Maze version. The later Maze version is still good, incredible in fact, but no where near the insanity that is this 45. There's a sound of a revolution in this 45.

There's another Frankie Beverly And The Butlers 45 that I really want, on the Sassy label, 'If That's What You Wanted' which is equally hard edged as these two on Gregar, but tinged in a uptempo Norther dancer fashion. It's incredible too. All of Frankie's early shit must be incredible.
Imagining Frankie Beverly and Raw Soul being in the Bay Area way back then, in local clubs to be specific, playing the likes of these tunes is a funk collectors dream. To have bands in the Bay now playing Dyke and The Blazers, and Frankie's tunes is a blessing. Right on Bay Area, kudos to you then and now.

The Grease Traps are coming your way, check em out!

Important not to forget Colemine Records as both the Ironsides and Grease Traps have put out releases on their label. Colemine has brought a tough and solid broad spectrum of funk and soul acts to vinyl. We're thankful for all these new funk families, and as a example of what these bands can bring in the LIVE environment, last night at the Legionnaire, proof is in the pudding and the pudding' was TASTY. New funk is alive and well. Thanks Colemine, you are bringing the heat.

Colemine has an arsenal of new breed funk and soul. 

Check out these bands playing live here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Gene Washington And The Ironsides are playing 

The Starry Plough on March 8th

The Hopmonk in Novato on the 15th

Amnesia Bar in SF on the 20th

The Grease Traps are playing

19 Broadway in Fairfax on March 20th

  Alpine Meadows (12-3pm) & Bar of America in Truckee (9pm-1am) on April 5th
Amnesia in SF  April 17th
Off The Grid at Ft. Mason in SF May 2nd
 Boom Boom Room in SF (w/Sure Fire Soul Ensemble) on May 17th

And, enjoy this Frankie Beverly's Raw Soul offering 'Color Blind'

Frankie Beverly - Color Blind

Mary Wells - Dig The Way I Feel

This is a tune brought in the shop by our friend Jesse. There's so much good stuff coming through the VAMP shop. If you're in the Oakland Area you gotta come through. Hit me up here for details or read other posts here that mention it.
I was kind of bred into soul music by the Chicanos and Mexicanos in my hood as a kid. They showed me how to crease my dickies and how to stand with my feet forming a V. I always hated converse, they were uncomfortable as hell. But, a derby jacket and a little pomade and I was good to go. The original San Francisco Miklo. This was a remarkable period for San Francisco. There were still bombs rolling the streets of the city blasting sweet soul music, beige creased dickies and black suspenders. Lowrider and Chicano culture was at an all time high in the Mission district of SF. I also remember once after relocating to the East Bay hearing an incredible Friday Night Oldies DJ on KPFA. The passionate and stylistic voice of the radio announcer speaking both English and Spanish and always embellishing in street slang. That was really a wicked show and that DJ should be a national treasure. Ah, those times I miss.

What really touched me about growing up in the hood and changed my life was the music. The Vato friend of mine from down the street left me with a handful of 45's that forever change my view. Oldies, funk, doo-wop and disco. Some of the most soulful music I had ever heard. Those nuggets left imprints that shaped my tastes to this very day. Parliament's 'Flash Light', The 'Theme From S.W.A.T.' and the hit oldies sound of Mary Wells and many others.

Mary's 'Two Lovers' and 'Don't Beat Me To The Punch' were in that beginning stack of 45's and were constantly played on my fisher price turntable. Still to this day I love that sound. As much as soul music and oldies are embedded in my soul, so was my love and respect for Chicano and Lowrider culture. It's no wonder that the two interests are so infused with each other. The devotion in the Lowrider and Oldies scene isn't any less intense than the manic and obsessive Northern, Deep Funk or Disco Scenes. We're still basically talking about records here. So, as you can imagine it's just as fathoms deep as any other record collecting circle, maybe even deeper.

When the wifey and I went out recently we stopped by the Casanova for an Oldies Night and release party for the Souleros Crew's piece in Wax Poetics and we had a fantastic time. Some of the nicest and friendliest folks I've met and a night of killer tunes. Some even I had to shout across the dance floor to any willing ear to tell me what was playing on the turntable. Great unknown oldies, Lowrider classics, Chicano Rock, and Latin Boogaloo groovers were being played.
The Souleros family host parties and dance nights with events featuring 'The Baddest Chola Contest' and performances from groups like Myron & E. These folks are doing it big and keeping the harmonies and sweet soulful sounds alive and well.

Not a good pic by any standards, but a terrific night of soul

The always visually pleasing art at Casanova

 Here's another fine tune by Mary Wells. It's from the same period as her 'Serving Up Some Soul' album for the Jubilee label. She had a hit on that LP with the tune 'The Doctor'. This was in 1968 long after she had left the Motown and Atco labels. In fact she had jumped aboard 20th Century as well for a short period, I think one album. This was her last volume of work before she completely abandoned the recording business. Mary had an incredible career of legendary soul tunes. 'My Guy', 'You Beat Me To The Punch', 'Two Lovers', 'The Doctor', an album dedicated to the Beatles, and a duet with Marvin Gaye...this gal has an impressive catalog to say the least.

Mary Wells - Dig The Way I Feel

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygen

I never thought I'd be leaving a record store with a Philip Glass LP under my arm. And, be dying to throw it back on the turntable as soon as I got home. Just never dawned on me that I'd be headed in that direction, or that ephemeral music would strike such a strong cord with me. But, it did. I marvel at how much listening to 'Glass Works' was an incredible turning point for me as it was, and glad to have my newest right hand man there for me. Like a guru or Sheppard in a heavy acid trip. Fernando, my partner in crime, was there to hold my hand and more importantly turn the volume way up while we were working. 'Glass Works' I assure you is best listened to like a good Heavy Metal LP...as loud as possible.


Fernando is also the man behind Vamp, a music and art consignment shop. My biggest recent business venture is combining forces and partnering up with him and delving into the world of the record shop.

I have always avoided working at a record shop like the plague. Mostly for the primary reasons of never making any money, of course spending every dime earned on music itself. And, more importantly getting turned on to TOO MUCH MUSIC and having my addiction for vinyl climb to new and ridiculous heights. So true. All of it. It's a rabbit hole to make other rabbit holes look like, well.. something smaller.
 

The main bins at the shop and the wall before the LP display shelf upgrade.

So, in my recent travels into the bins of records I've acquired a taste for classical, discovered new loves in jazz, and been mesmerized by ephemeral and mood music. It's a wicked curse I tell you. One of these wicked mood pieces is this classic synth-scape lp by Jean Michel Jarre. And, just how the formula usually works at a record shop, the customers occasionally bring your attention to items. While I'm pricing the things I do know, those folks in the shop are digging for the unknown. And, purchasing the items I'm not yet hip to. And, I always do my best to share and expose them to new treats unknown to them. For me, being involved in a record shop brings back the sense of 'community' into vinyl collecting and redefines the true legitimate 'exposure' in sharing music.

Fernando and The No-good-of-dog store mascot Miles

Vamp has somewhere between a half dozen to a dozen consignors who bring their own unique collections, knack for acquiring, and tastes to the store. We've come a long way since I've been involved 6 months ago and I'm excited to see where we'll be in a years time. It's an exciting project for me, and when you're in Oakland you should come and check us out. We're quite flaky, but we're trying. We're open currently from 12-6 Thursday through Sunday, but you should always HIT US UP FIRST> WARNING: we are often involved in other stuff, and our hours are whimsical at best.
Come check us out... we have RECORDS. Lots of them.

VAMP - 547 Athol Ave. Oakland, CA 94606

So, here's some chunks from Jean Michel Jarre's Oxygen LP, I hope you enjoy it!


Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygen - Part 3

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygen - Part 4

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygen - Part 5

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygen - Part 6