Georgia On My Mind

Here's a recent acquisition, knocking off one of the few remaining Prestige 45s I'd like to find, Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers' version of 'Georgia On My Mind'. And it's an intriguing 45 at that. A poly-rhythmic latin groove propels the tune with vocals, horns, and strings more fitted to a soul track round it out. This version is up-tempo, 100 miles per hour, and it doesn't hurt that the 45 is pressed nice and loud. The lead vocals are impassioned, somewhat coarse, and it's a nice contrast with the softness of the strings and vibes. The vocalist really doesn't hold anything back, even name-checking James Brown near the end. And behind it all is that rhythm, that incessant and catchy rhythm. I think I have to give this another spin, and then what else can I spin?.....looks like it's gonna be latin night!

The Proposition

New York's afro-soul group, The Budos Band, has done it again. Their second 45, 'The Proposition' b/w 'Ghost Walk', features a new tune from their forthcoming album on the top side, and an organ burner from their first album on the B-side. A very nice pairing indeed.

'The Proposition' is a mid-tempo, horn-led tune. The trumpet and the saxophone interplay and take turns leading the tune. And when the horns come together for the main theme, they seem to originate from the ground itself. Behind everything is that spot-on poly-rhythmic groove. "Ghost Walk' opens with some tough drums, and then lets the percussion support a moody organ and a succinct guitar line. Some nice percussive breakdowns propel the song. The tune has a somber, dirge-like quality, and it really seems to be jumping out at me right now. I'm going to have to go back and listen to their album again. It seems that since this tune doesn't have the drums and horns, there's almost an 'other-worldly' feel to it.....hence the title?

Anyway, great two-sider here. Highly recommended record, and I'm looking forward to the new album. More information available here at Daptone.

Song To The System

One thing I've been really digging lately is soul and funk with a socially-conscience edge. There's really nothing like a quality tune coupled with lyrics that are still relevant 30 plus years after the record was released. Tonight's selection is one of a handful that I've been enjoying, Segments of Time's "Song to the System' on Sussex. I'd stumbled across many releases on this label, but this one was a complete surprise.

Opening with some strings, the song comes together, building the groove as the group sings "Think about it", the chorus throughout the tune. The groove is dense, drums, bass and percussion up in the mix, fuzz guitar moving through the background, tambourine ever-present, and horns in the background. The vocals duties are shared by the group, and they each have different voices and deliveries, from smooth to intense. Very nice. They take it down to vocals and percussion, and then are escorted to the end by the fuzz guitar, tambourine and vibes.

I believe that Segments of Time also released an LP. Anyone know what it sounds like? Is this tune typical of the whole album?