Nightwind - Why Can't We

This post is LONG overdue. You see, we here at Sound Boutique had made this track the first release for our record label. While that diverted some attention and energy away from this blog it was a necessary journey for me. And, a completely enjoyable and fascinating voyage for all involved. My right hand man in all of this, Luke Holton, the creator of Nightwind, can attest to the joy it's been for us.
It started with me scoring this Nightwind original 45 from a French record dealer. I liked this b-side so much I had to have it. It wasn't the normal uptempo funk or boogie bangers that I was usually after. But, it signified a newer development in my tastes and a direction that myself and the entire Sweaterfunk crew were taking... a turn to more mellow tempos, slower burners to break up the party rockers. Also happened around the time we started turning to two step and mid tempo jams. All greatly influenced by Dam Funk coming to share his mid-tempo jams, and spawned from his original mid-tempo themed night.

Nightwind circa 1981

It wasn't until later, actually after having the 45 for some time that I realized there was a fantastic uptempo party rocking flip side to this great record. Once I realized that this was golden either side you played, I started to try to track down the artists. Spoke with Fred Walker on the phone, yes he's the sax man on the beginning of this song, and he told me how to find Luke. Spoke with Luke next and he was thrilled to hear someone was into the music had made years ago. Once he told me the tapes were still laying around somewhere it was quickly decided to make it happen and put this song to wax once again.

Nightwind circa 1979

I set a date for release and so glad I did. If I hadn't, this re-release might never have seen the light of day..you know, people get busy..life kinda takes over. Anyways, the date pushed everything along and made it happen. Also, Luke was once of the nicest guys you could do this kind of thing with..an exceptional gentleman, a real sweetheart and a creative genius. So, without his kind, loving approach, and stamp of approval this would have never happened.
Loads of amazing and exciting things have happened since we first put it back out in November of 2011. First, we sold out within less than a year (and keep in mind, almost NOBODY knew of this record). Second, Luke discovered a video the band made for a local public access channel in St. Louis. Third, more tapes were discovered with MORE amazing Nightwind material..things like 'Spaceman', and multi-tracks with stuff like 'Mr. Silky's Rap'... be sure to check out the videos down below.

Leading lady Janet Savage and Nightwind
performing on a local public access TV show 

After a surprise guest visit at Lipo for Sweaterfunk, an interview with our fam and numero uno homie Ken Maxx (K-Maxx) on KPOO and people playing this song from New york to Australia, from France to Japan, it's official Nightwind is loved universal! Luke has also told me he has taken back up his piano playing and now regularly plays solo piano at a local club. Fantastic. This has been good for all of us. Now, we're about to press up the 3rd run of the re-issue, finally press the long awaited 'Spaceman', and working on a TON of other material all found on 10 multi-track tapes. It's a frickin' dream.

Ken and Luke, the Night-Maxx connection.
Super big thanks to Ken and the legendary KPOO

The biggest thanks to Nightwind, Luke Holton, Fred Walker, Janet Savage and the music loving crowds at Sweaterfunk for loving this tune. These songs, and Nightwind in general championed Sound Boutique's existence as a record label, and now we're devoted to sharing more music via that channel.

Somewhat minor but important details about the release of these songs.
Absolute first pressing in 1982 is on Star City Records.
Second pressing on Sound Boutique is from 2011, has two styles one with center hole
punch, one without. Both are from same run in 2011. Pressing plant mistake that we went with just to see the differences.
Third pressing is a black and silver label from 2013.
Fourth pressing hopefully coming soon as the 2013 run is almost gone.

thee first pressing...and thee hardest to find.
1982

Sound Boutique's proudest moment and first
release from 2011. 

Same as first batch released in 2011, but quantity
was sent back to pressing plant to have center holes
removed like originally designed. turns out we liked both!

2nd Sound Boutique pressing. We decided to
redesign to contrast from 2011 version

This second run was released in 2013

You can still get a copy of this record by going here...
http://soundboutique.bigcartel.com And make sure to peep all the videos here..






For the sake of still selling our track and Luke actually getting his royalty we're NOT sharing the mp3. You can hear the whole tracks via these youtube posts. We hope you will support Nightwind and Sound Boutique Records by buying a copy of the vinyl. thank you.







Oh yeah, and this test pressing of the 2011 version...

release deadline was so close to the record release party,
we only had the test pressings available! They are now ridiculous RARE!

Ben - I Would Have To Be a Fool

This kinda ended up being a regular spin at Sweaterfunk. I don't know how it got into my crates but once it did, it was a staple. Rather nice record to have because it has the regular vocal version, and right after it the instrumental version. Even stranger that it's one sided 12 inch. We clearly needed another side from this guy. I don't know anything about Ben, but this record appears to be from the L.A. area. lol. Its just darn good quality indie-soul and this track is a classy boogie jam.
It somehow made it's way into Jon Blunck's crates as well, and played on the regular. With the two of us having it, that meant it was played a lot. I was just reminiscing about SF and how I haven't been able to make it in ages. Jon just recently assured me my membership was 'fo life' and after getting jumped in there's no escaping. I'm not going to push the subject any farther than that. After all, Jon is from Los Angeles, and dresses like a gang banger and I probably don't want to play around.. might end up in the bay with cement shoes on.

This track was just released on 'Under The Influence' number 3 compiled by the homie James Glass. Shit, I've known James for something like 20-25 years. We've gone from bugging out over Dorothy Ashby LP's to wigging out on Willie Wood and the Willie Wood Crew. He's been into disco much, MUCH, longer than I, but we've met in the middle somewhere called boogie. Good chap he is, and a deep digger with a lethal collection. Known for only holding stone cold mint copies of things, he also shows with this comp, his tastes are immaculate as well.

Enjoy this Ben track..


Ben - I Would Have To Be a Fool

Father's Children - Hollywood Dreaming

This song has been a huge tune for us at Sweaterfunk over the last several years. It's also been a tune that's evolved the Sweaterfunk crew toward the directions of steppers or two step songs. That's been a growing undercurrent for us in recent years. For me, alot of the intense 'boogie fever' that I've had has subsided yet only to be replaced for the love for the smooth slower tempos of two step. Even from our first 'mid-tempo' themed night with Dam Funk (which you can find a recording of right here on SB) we've known the direction of the smoother slower jams would win us over. Our 'Steppers' themed nights have been our version of Funkmosphere's 'mid-tempo' nights. It a place for us to really branch out and steer away from the usual throbbing disco beats, and fall back in the car seat and just ride.

Our annual MLK 'Steppers' Sunday this year was our third installment and as epic as ever. I'm quickly feeling like this direction into stepper land is soon to be the only direction I'm passionate about. Playing tunes to a packed house, a 3 day weekend crowd, and dropping nothing but unknown soul gems is a dream come true for us. It's what we live for.

This all on the heels of an excellent Father's Children release by the Numero Group folks. Beautifully packaged up like they always do including an extra 45 and 3 press photos. So we've found yet another musical group with a huge catalog and much needed exposure and appreciation...Father's Children is that one indeed.


Father's Children - Hollywood Dreaming

Stroer - Don't Stay Till Breakfast

SWEATERFUNK NEW YEARS EVE

Its Friday the 23rd of December. Um.. despite the inaccurate date on the top of this page. Don't know what the hell is going with the blogger's dating order! But, the entire year is just about gone. It went by at an astonishing speed. I've come across some truly fantastic records this year and am currently amassing a list of goodies for next year. It'll be a good year for the blog.

Some amazing things have happened. I've released the first official vinyl 45 on the 'Sound Boutique' record label, kick started a Record Shop with Fernando, taken the next leap with my business, and seen my Sweaterfunk family grow and evolve in epic ways. We're hosting a New Years Eve Party at SOM Bar with Opolopo and Amalia for NYE. We've been gigging with ONRA, Dam-Funk, Steve Arrington, K-Maxx, B. Bravo And Starship Connection, The Pendletons, Dj Spinna, and now are welcoming Opolopo and Amalia for a U.S. debut.

It's been a fantabulous year, and now we're gonna top it off. More of our family of future funkers and extended brethren of Space Soul aficionados. It's gonna be another epic night of Sweater Funkin'


COME JOIN US!
Saturday December 31, 2011
NEW YEARS EVE WITH SWEATER FUNK & LIVE performance from
OPOLOPO & AMALIA [Sweden]
keys. vocoder. efx. apc. vox.
@ SOM
2925 16th St.
www.som-bar.com
$20 Presale / $30 Door
9 PM til 3 AM
21+  Buy tickets here! http://opoloponye.eventbrite.com/

Stroer Self Titled LP from 1979

I've decided to share a rare German electro tune from Stroer, of which I have to thank Randy Ellis for turning me on to. This tune is light years ahead of it's time and I haven't posted anything quite as genre breaking as this since way back when I posted Supersempfft's 'Let's Beam Him Up', which you should definitely check out. It's really hard to imagine this was made in 1979. Also this is quite similar to Supermax, another favorite of this whacked out genre. More Germans obsessed with synths and seemingly unaware of any marketable tendencies. Like true mavericks, dancing themselves right out of the spotlight.

This self titled album is at times folksy and other times funky rock. This 'Breakfast' tune is laying down the foundation for electro, house and techno. Still it does so with a cool calm soft rock approach, I could even imagine the singer in a white blazer and some top-siders. From what I can gather Stroer was a group of two brothers, Ernst and Hans Peter Ströer (often referred to as Hansi), and on later albums adapted to the name The Stroer Duo. They continued after this LP to record a few albums, journeying into experimental, 'out' and fusion. They eventually developed some notoriety for composing film music. They are also still active and have newer releases from 2008 and a re-issue of a 1985 album in 2010. This tune was also featured on the Elaste Vol. 2 LP.

The Stroer Duo c. 1985 - Stroer Brothers with Howard Fine

Hats off to Randy for pointing me to this one, and PLEASE come funk with us on New Years Eve in San Francisco!! We guarantee the usual formula of obscure and mind blowing boogie and modern soul. As always nothing but friendly vibes. And, we're hoping to detour all NYE amateurs!!!
So, join us...stay with us til late. And, unlike the song says...please... stick around and join us for breakfast!!

Get your tickets here.


Stroer - Don't Stay Till Breakfast

Leo Roy - Pound For Pound

this upcoming sunday 'we gon' git down'

 

Here's a slice of disco funk for your enjoyment. Just more Peter Brown discoey goodness. A lot has been going on lately and its a bit overwhelming. There's some exciting things too, but mostly stuff I've got to keep under wraps until its ripe to share. My family is back and in and out of the hospital and Sweaterfunk is in limbo. So far, it's been a turbulent year. As you can tell I've come to a slow roll with the posts and even though I'm making time now, it's gonna be short and sweet. More from me when all the dust settles. Soon my brothers and sisters, soon. Keep the faith.

Leo Roy - Pound For Pound

David Sea - Night After Night

In the 80's David Sea was asked to join the Temptations and yet he passed on the opportunity to continue with his solo career. During that career he made excellent tracks like this, and pushed his excellent caliber of soul music right on through the 2 thousands. Many often speculate that he was born a decade late, wondering what would have happened for him in the 60's and 70's soul era. Regardless of his timezone, David has stood out with exemplary talent. In 2007 we saw two of his tunes, previously unreleased, issued on a 7 inch and put out on the Shotgun label. Both 'Let's Just Get Together' and 'Believe In Me' are fine examples of his early work. David released a contemporary LP in 2006... Check this clip for a nice contemporary soul jam with some awesome footage of the Atlanta Steppers Club. He's now currently on tour with The Temptations and still is very active recording today.

Actually I 'just' nabbed this tune and I'm happy to play it tonight at Sweaterfunk. If you're in the area don't miss it. It's a holiday tomorrow, and should be mad.

This tune was also featured on Eddy Funkster's newest mix. He's put together some of the rarest boogie funk 45's for his 'Comin' At Ya' mix. It's a list of 45's to make any modern soul and boogie funk collector drool with envy. Understand, this homie don't play. I've seen nothing but quality come from this bro, and he packs serious heat in his DJ bag.

He starts out with one of the rarest of the rare, one of thee most coveted, the Pyramid Plus 45. A tune that we were planning on posting here, just exactly as he has done...with the instrumental version! Since that doesn't surface nearly as often on blogs. Nicely done Eddy Funkster aka DJ U-Ome!
I find our interests in boogie are parallel and we often have the same records in our crates, same tunes we're buggin' about, and after the same rare shit. Aside from making usual appearances at 'Funkmosphere' and making these killer mixes, he's deep into dub step. We hope to have him at Sweaterfunk soon again sometime. To catch him in his hometown of Los Angeles just keep your ears and eyes wide open.

Eddy Funkster Aka DJ U-Ome - Comin' At Ya

David Sea - Night After Night

Warren Burris - Get Up Off Your Love

So back to business... and back to boogie basics. Modern soul appreciation 101A. With NO pre-requisite. I'm catching a lot of flak these days for not knowing what the hell I'm talking about. Guess what? I don't. I don't know SHIT. Other than the hot ass shit that goes around the turntable and gives me that 'baby on a tit' face. Just the tunes that make me 'Goo-Goo Ga Ga' and all hairs stand up on end. Really folks, I do tend to whip things up into a meringue pie sometimes. A meringue pie of shite! Lol. Ultimately you should know that it's really just about the music. I honestly can't help with a little chitterlings and chatterlongs here and there and hopefully you won't mind. As long as we DJ for you along the way right? Dropping tasty little goodies along the way. But, onto the chuuunes.. 'cause that's the ONLY thing that really matters here at Soundboutique.

Today we have the mighty sounds of Warren 'Big-beard' Burris.
From 1988(!) this LP was only available in the UK. My goodness, it is quite an exceptional beard he has. Well, the music is perfectly groomed as well. Immaculate if you will. This funk dancer bomb 'Get Up Off Your Love' has been thrilling my heart lately and is what I will play when I can ever find my way to Sweaterfunk in San Francisco. Man, I miss that party. Perhaps I should look for an apartment in Chinatown. If you haven't been... You need to check it out. From where ever you are.... You may need to travel around the world to catch it. The best music night I've EVER been a part of. They've come super far too. From a room with me and five other DJs all just kinda standing around jocking each other tunes, nerding out. It had all the makings of another record nerd sausage fest, but turns out we knew what the hell we were doing. Vets of the rare groove game and pirates of various worlds of music came together to champion boogie music and preach it to the San Franciscans.

Turns out boogie was the dirty little secret passion and guilty pleasure everybody wanted to play but didn't. Or, hadn't hadn't found an ear for. Or, a home. Now, the guest DJ waiting list has grown to epic proportions and notables Dam Funk, Haircut, Kon and Amir, Monk One, Daz-I-Kue have all dropped legendary sets. It's been a match made in heaven for me. Playing a sound that until recently was only available via dancing in the street with winos and their transistor radios. And, this upcoming valentines day, I'm definitely digging out some tear stained soul and mid tempo lovers jams. It's gonna be sick. Come to the Lipo at 916 Grant Avenue (at Washington St) in china town SF on Sunday Feb 13 (or any Sunday for that matter) and you will have a damn good time.
Seriously, Warren...beard of the decade award.   Sweaterfunk...party of the decade.

Warren Burris - Get Up Off Your Love