Barbara Mason - Ain't Got Nobody

Back to the swing and finger snaps of a good Northern dancer. Hot off the wheels of another killer nite at Lower Bottoms. This was as easy pull straight from my box of unplayed stuff that I brought. Songs I didn't get around to playing. Funny how you can bring a small box of 45's and still NOT play everything in it. Let me say again, how much it is to spin amongst the LB crew. I totally dig each of the other DJ's styles. In particular, I love Bobby's acid drenched funk, Adrianne's sweet and groovy soul and Joseph aka Trick Baby's completely unpredictable style. Always a good time and like I've starting saying lately, this is the best combo of hipster and homeless with a crackin' sound system I've been to since our very own Sound Boutique club.

From start to finish Barbara Mason has had huge hits and a knack for writing perfect little soul pop tunes. She's penned killer oldies sound with 'Yes, I'm Ready' in 1965 and brought the boogie back with 'Another Man' in 1984. Just an example of how lengthy and prolific her career has been. I'm happy to report Barbara is alive and well. Still singing and knocking the socks off of soul fans all over the world. This is just a small offering from Barbara, and we'll delve into much more of hers in the future.

 I hope you'll enjoy this nice and smooth dancer from this legendary Philly soul queen.


Barbara Mason - Ain't Got Nobody

Tony Clarke - Ghetto Man

Tomorrow night is all about Oakland. My funk brothers, the keepers of the Lower Bottoms District in West Oakland, throw their massive wacky party that's a fine mixture of homeless and hipster. It's of course, simply called 'Lower Bottom's Funk and Soul' and is one thee best parties around.

I'm really glad to be back with this crew, I've missed them quite a bit, and I've got some really tasty tunes to get off my chest. This Tony Clarke smoker is one of them. Nothing new on most deep funk heads, but regardless a great tune. I just recently stumbled across another copy of this and decided to throw it in the box for this night.
Tony was a sincere entertainer, a freight train of soul, and put out a lot of steam from 1962 until his death in 1970. He put out about a single every year. I know Tony from his first single, which was also the first single I heard from him, entitled 'The Entertainer'. It was a smooth sweeper big on the mod and northern circuit released in 1965 on Chess. This single 'Ghetto Man' is worlds apart. It's from 1967 and on the Chicory label. Another big Northern and Mod favorite was his huge production and wicked dancer 'Landslide' also recorded for the Chess label. This gives you and idea of just how dynamic his short career was, and what an immense powerhouse he was.

Please look up Lower Bottom's Funk and Soul, and Revolution Cafe to come and join us this Saturday. They serve food. hint hint. And, the place is decorated like a 60's and 70's exploitation film from hell. The Boys at LBF&S have made it very important to play their tunes through the biggest loudest sound systems they can find, so if you enjoy hearing funk and soul LOUD...this is indeed the place to be. We'll be going very late, like we always do. So even if you've got other plans we're a good party to join up with on the late night tip. Sloppy seconds has never been so good.

Tony Clarke - Ghetto Man

Julian Covey - A Little Bit Hurt

From hard rock to hard organ blazin' mod soul. This little slab of boogaloo swingin' action has been in my mod 60's soul box ever since Alec Palao played it when we DJ'ed together many years ago. It's a hand clap groove with the simple addition of bass and piano. Once the organ sets in, it's hell fire to spark with mod shing-a-ling dance moves.

This track, a double breasted pin stripe suit and some talcum powder and you've any mod committed to the dance floor like nobody's business. It's a little over 2 minutes of pure fire.


From this heavy rhythm guided groover it's easy to tell that Julian Covey was a drummer. Julian's real name is Philip Kinorra. He's played with British organ and groove kingpins Graham Bond and Brian Auger. Right along side McDuff and McGriff, Graham and Brian ushered in my introduction to organ, fresh from the mod days right into acid jazz and rare groove. Hard to deny the underbelly of a Latin groove with that bad ass conga and stand up bass. In fact it's a hybrid of true Latin soul that somehow meets Spencer Davis' 'I'm A Man' somewhere in the middle.


I'm a little bit hurt by just what a monster tune this is. Hope you agree.


Julian Covey - A Little Bit Hurt