That's In The Past

Well, it's been a few weeks since the last post and I really thought that I'd get my act together over the Memorial Day weekend, but things didn't pan out as I thought they might........but anyway, my little girl is six months old and settled down into a pattern of going to bed by 8 pm, so hopefully I can return to a more regular posting schedule. I say that now, but if those beautiful blue eyes were to open, I'd step away from this keyboard in an instant.

Anyway, today's treat is one of a handful of 45s I've bought in the last 6 weeks. Yes, it's been pretty dry lately. Thankfully tunes like Brenda & The Tabulations' "That's In The Past" on Dionn can be found for a decent price.

This tune just captures me right from the intro. The song builds nicely with a jangly guitar, a roaming bass line, and a slightly funky drumbeat supporting Brenda. And then the horns come in, and then those soaring strings, and the song wraps you up.......brilliance. The production gets me as well, as the music - the strings especially - almost overpower the vocals. But Brenda does a great job of making the song hers with the support of those well-placed male backing vocals.
Quality stuff.

Midnight Boogaloo

I figured I'd keep the promo 45 in a company sleeve look and feature a 45 by the ever-impressive Ray Barretto. This is the second 45 I have found by Mr. Baretto on the UA label, and it is very much the opposite of "Do You Dig It?", which is a manic slice of boogaloo. On the strength of these two 45s, I guess I should hunt down the LP, but it's alot harder to sneak an LP into the house than a 45......

'Midnight Boogaloo" is a restrained and jazzy affair, building and changing tempos throughout. The piano player opens the scene, and, after some interplay with the guitar and bass, the drums and horns come in. That snare is a-snapping, and it sounds fantastic. The horns help the tune to ebb and flow, always returning everything to that opening piano line. A solid tune that would certainly let the dancers breath while the band continues to smoke.

I would be curious to hear of any other Barretto 45s on UA, and if anyone has seen any stock copies. I believe he only had one LP on the label, so I can't imagine there is many more......