Henri Debs & Serge Christophe - Bidonville  (7", 1971)

Vinod Rathod & Chorus - Choli Ke Peechhe (Khal Nayak, 1993)

Raimundo Fagner - Cinza (Oros, 1977)

With arrangements, musical direction and keyboards by Hermeto Pascoal.

Harry Forson - Aya (7", 1978)

Bobby Brown - I'm Bolieve (Prayers Of A One Man Band, 1982)

Not Whitney's Bobby, but the hippie from California who ad-libbed his songs on street corners around the world, playing about 50 homemade instruments with every finger and toe and possibly even his nose.

 

Switch - I Call Your Name (Switch II, 1979)

Can you identify the two Debarges in this band? (Clue: it ain't Bunny or Chico)

 

Given today's hectic lifestyles and the constant juggling of celluloid telephones and blueberries, I'm sure you're finding it increasingly difficult to fit the long-playing workout into your daily schedule. Or perhaps like me you're getting a little tired of having to flip the record over in the middle of a bend or a stretch as sweat drips all over the turntable.

Well, I'm happy to announce that those days are finally over. Solely for the benefit of you, my dear readers, I have condensed both sides of Debbie Drake's classic exercise program into an intensive three-minute routine that will allow you to reap the benefits of the full workout and still make it to the 7:30 showing of Blades of Glory.

I must warn you, however. The maneuvers are a little more complicated than before, and the level of difficulty has increased slightly to make up for the shortened duration. But I'm certain that with a little practice this rigorous exercise will get you ready for bikini season in the blink of an eye.

Have a great workout!

 

A midnight mélange assembled on the 4-track using the following ingredients:

K'dusho - by Pinchos Jassinowsky (1927)
March of the Bugs - by Philip Sanderson (2005)
Chant D'Amour - by Chants Populaires Tahitians (1931)
Stop! Check It! - by Flower Power (1969)

... and a healthy dose of Oliver Reed's favorite drink.

 

Spring is here and you know what that means, folks. It's time to get your garden tilled and planted. Are you looking for a secret weapon to give you that extra edge over your neighbors? Something that will guarantee red-ripe tomatoes in June and the tallest, most colorful coneflowers this side of the Mississippi? Well, I suggest you throw out that organic fish fertilizer and invest in a weatherproof stereo system. Decades of research have demonstrated that the use of audio energy can dramatically stimulate plant growth and produce more robust crops. Corporate farms have kept this information carefully guarded for years, but now Dr. George Milstein has finally made the technology available to the home gardener by electronically embedding special sound vibrations into a delightful collection of songs that you and your plants can enjoy. Don't take my word for it, though, just look at these satisfied listeners:

"Pumpkins in April?! Thanks Dr. Milstein!"


"We aren't midgets, we swear!"


"Now I have the biggest watermelons in Pike County!"


"Three words: POISON IVY LAWSUIT!"

Unfortunately the full album is required to grow large plants such as coconut palms and giant cycads, but the following selection of songs will grow enough fresh basil to make pesto for a family of six and give your Chia Pet a full coat of fur by morning. Play daily for best results and please keep us updated on the progress of your plants.

Song 1 (best for annuals & perennials)

Song 2 (for your herb garden)

Song 3 (for vegetables only)

Note: you may hear high frequency tones on occasion. Don't be alarmed, these are just some of the growth-stimulating energy waves that could not be hidden completely.

Antonio Adolfo - Vermelhinho

From the album Viralata, (1979), released on Adolfo's own record label, Artezanal.

 

Starbuck - Call Me (Rock 'n' Roll Rocket, 1977 )

These stylish lads from Atlanta are currently entangled in litigation with Herman Melville and some coffee chain.

Circle City Band - Magic (12", 1983)

This roller rink jam was a top ten hit in Indiana and Alaska and was also the theme song for the BET cable channel for two whole years.

 

It's been said that one out of every three modern renaissance men were born in Buenos Aires. But that doesn't mean they still live there. In 1968 Juan Carlos Caceres left his home on the southern shore of the Rio de la Plata and moved to Paris to paint, sing, teach art history and can fresh vegetables. He even found time for a little hobby called Malon, a latin-tinged powerhouse comprised predominantly of French musicians. Caceres composed all of the music for their 1972 album El Camino Dale Negro, as well as providing lead vocals and playing more instruments than you can shake a stick at : piano, drums, trombone, trumpet, peruvian flute, zansa, and siku, to name a few. He also took the trash out of the studio on a regular basis.

Malon - Go Home

Malon released two more albums in the 1970s. I'm not sure what became of the other members of the band after that, but Caceres continues to play music, lecture, and exhibit his art all over the world. As an expert on the history of Argentinian music, he has recently focused his efforts on exposing the 'real and uncensored' history of tango music. Specifically, the idea that tango originated in the musical traditions of Afro-Argentines but were subsequently written out of its history and folklore.

Tim Maia - E Necessario (Tim Maia, 1977)

 

The Vibrations - Shake It Up (7", 1974)

Written by Bunny Sigler, who was named Bunny as an infant when his mother noticed that he had a fully-grown front tooth.

 

Music has been a part of the Salvation Army tradition nearly since its inception. In the late nineteenth century, when salvationists paced the streets of London like hungry pumas hunting for agnostics to devour, they were often met with unruly opposition. In response, generals at Army headquarters devised a clever plan to lull the unbelievers into a stupor with music and then pounce on them mercilessly. Charles William Fry and his three sons were a family of musicians from Alderbury in Wiltshire and they were hired by the Army just for this purpose. Within days the Frys had the rowdy skeptics hypnotized, bound, gagged and begging for bibles. Realizing the tremendous power of their musical instruments, the Frys then took their cellos and trumpets to union protests and busted them up lickety split. Rumor has it their violins were also directly responsible for the Red Flag Act of 1878, the opening of Royal Albert Hall, and the institution of "The Ashes" in cricket.

The Salvation Army was likewise so impressed by the persuasiveness of music they began employing musicians to be on call 24/7 for any crisis that might arise. This eventually led to the creation of full-fledged bands, a tradition which continues today. The Army's ability to adjust to current trends is one reason they have remained a relevant force in music for over 100 years. From the poppy Joy Strings of the sixties to the ska-core Insyderz of the nineties, they've always had a knack for using the popular idiom to reach the masses.

Redemption was no exception. Formed in New Jersey in the mid-seventies as an attempt to promote Christian funk, the nine-piece band consisted of musicians who had grown up playing in the salvationist church and reflected the high standard of musicianship within the Army community. Trumpeter Lew Soloff had previously been a member of Blood, Sweat, and Tears and has since worked with Mongo Santamaria, Carla Bley, and Ornette Coleman. Trumpeter Phil Smith attended Juilliard and is now the principal trumpeter for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Trobmonist Charlie Baker is now the lead trombonist for the New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra. Vocalist Jude Gotrich became a back-up singer for Perry Como and Andy Williams and has also appeared on Sesame Street.

Gone Fishing was released in 1974 by Triumphonic Recordings.

Jesus Knows

Freedom In Jesus

A Change Will Come

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

Pesnyary - Mnie Viasnoju Prysnilasia (Pesnyary, 1971)

Legendary 9-piece Belarussian band and the darlings of Melodiya, the Soviet state-run label.

 

While most kids his age were outdoors popping pez and shooting spud guns, little Robert Sheff was locked away in a tiny studio studying piano composition under the stern tutelage of Meta Hertwig and Otto Wick. And by the time his teenage friends were busy bringing sea monkeys back to life, Robert was bringing the works of John Cage to life in a celebrated concert series in his native San Antonio.

Then one day he hopped on a bus to Michigan, where he was destined to meet the Pop Brothers -- Iggy, Dan, and Philip -- who had recently started a blues band called The Prime Movers. Just by chance they were looking for a keyboardist, and when they saw Robert's fingers whipping across the keys like sump'n sump'n, they implored him to join the band.

The Prime Movers circa 1966 (that's Robert on the far left, can you spot Iggy?)

News of Robert's talent spread rapidly. First Carla Bley wanted a piece of him. But when her rival Laurie Anderson caught wind of this development she phoned Robert immediately and demanded he collaborate with her on her latest project, Strange Angels.



The fellas weren't too far behind. David Behrman and the great John Cage were chomping at the bit to make good use of Robert's distinguished digits. He was in more demand than a toothpick at a corn roast! But being passed around by all these hoity-toity musicians was wearing poor Robert down.


He decided to move out to Oakland to teach Harmony & Couterpoint at Mills College, where he would remain for twelve years. It was an environment steeped in experimental music and the perfect place for Robert to realize his philosophical and musical visions.

First order of business? Swapping his lackluster name for something with a little more pizazz. After many sleepless nights and a hundred alternatives he finally found the one.



Now he was ready to record his first album. In 1977, with the help of Peter Gordon and a host of Bay Area talent, Out of the Blue was born.

MP3 files removed at the request of the copyright owners.

Afra & Incredible Beatbox Band

There are countless stories about artists who switched careers abruptly after witnessing a single inspirational performance. Robin Williams was likely to follow in his father's footsteps at Ford Motor Company had he not been lured into acting by Dr. Stangelove. And who knows what direction William Hung was heading before he saw Ricky Martin's 'She Bangs' video? Afra had come to Brooklyn from Tokyo to pursue a career in horticulture but that changed instantly one night in 1996 when he heard the man with "the most gifted mouth outside the porn industry." And no, I don't mean Kenny G, I'm talking about Rahzel from the Roots:

"Porn got nothin' on me."

Afra was bitten by the beatbox bug and there was no hope for recovery. For the next four years he honed his new craft, strengthening his ribcage and perfecting his breath control at the karaoke bar where he worked. In 2002 he was crowned Grand Champion at the Beatbox Battle Of Brooklyn. Upon returning to Japan he joined forces with Kei and K-Moon from the Tokyo street scene to form the Incredible Beatbox Band. The trio has since become one of the best known beatbox groups in hip hop, touring the globe extensively and playing massive festivals such as the Sonar in Spain.

"And don't forget, they were the opening act on my tour!"

Afra & Incredible Beatbox Band's 2006 release I.B.B. features guest appearances by Money Mark, Tucker, and La Rock.

Incredible Batltimore Breakbeat Apache Fly Me To The K-Moon

Ned Doheny - Get It Up For Love (Hard Candy, 1976)