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

Giorgio Moroder - Underdog

From a really fun album by Italian disco grandfather Giorgio Moroder.
At this time he was known simply as Giorgio. These tunes pack the same glam rock - bubble gum punk punch as 'Police On My Back' by Eddy Grant. I know Europe was a killer place to be in 72. I'm just saying.

Giorgio was of course one of those pioneers of analog circuitry in pop music and it shows immensely in this early stuff.  Leading the way in early italo sound and pioneering the synthesiser like no one else. He's been behind everything from Donna Summer to Electric Light Orchestra. On film he's set a fantastic mood for everything from Scarface to Flashdance, Midnight Express to Metropolis.

This album is lesser know in the public eye, yet loved by at least two groups I can think of that are both worlds apart. It's liked by fans of early glam and bubble gum as a decent pop dance record and B-boys know this LP for the epic break beat organ number 'Tears' sampled by DJ shadow. Both of these songs (and any from this LP) could easily be the missing music for a dance club scene in Clockwork Orange. It's groovy and silly yet extremely enjoyable. This bubble gum pop with heavy fuzz and early use of synthesisers is brilliant in overall production sound. One could easily see that Giorgio was well on his way to becoming the huge music mogul we now know so well. His earlier work like 'That's Bubblegum - That's Giorgio' is more straight forward bubble gum pop. This album branches out into cosmic, the roots of italo and psych rock. Brilliant stuff.


Giorgio Moroder - Underdog
Giorgio Moroder - Son Of My Father

Mass Production - Bopp

Just a nice and tasty instrumental from Mass Production. It's been a perfect opener for me at a BBQ or day time party. Something I'm really enjoying lately. Being in the park, or in someone's back yard playing a cut like this getting them ready for the funk yet to come. This is from their 1981 Lp "Turn Up The Music".  A few sailing guitar, synth, and trumpet solos separated by head nodding melodic funk. Nothing like it.

Mass Production - Bopp

Dwayne Omarr - This Party's Jam Packed

Damn man! I keep playing this tune out and nobody's feeling it. You are all complete suckas if your not feeling this shit. Can you fuckin' believe it? Not only rare as shit, but probably one of the best electro rap boogie jams known to man. So thick, and so rich. This shit seriously bumps. Hopefully it will find a home in your heart too. Maybe it has no place on the dance floor. At least maybe not in this era. But, I will continue to boogie, pop, and top rock to it regardless. Or, just wait it out like you know we all do until there's a small bit more of acceptance. Are cats just truly not ready for electro funk like this. It puzzles me. Maybe some folks just don't hear things like we do eh? Well, good for you and me.. cause I know you will go out and bump this shit somewhere. As a side note, I HAVE been told that I am too funky. Ha ha! Don't think that's gonna be a problem for me.

Dwayne Omar is a straight tripper, just look at the photo. But, be careful the photo is not related to this release. So, if your feindy for this 12" like I was, it's just a plain sleeve. But, I had to include this great photo of Dwayne. This 12" eluded me for a great while, and now that I have it.. it needs to be shared. Agreed?

Dwayne Omarr - This Party's Jam Packed