A Rose By Any Other Name...

Sorry I haven't posted in nearly a month, folks. Been trying to scramble and make up for lost time. I've missed deadlines for MTV, Def Jux and even this upcoming Drake collaboration so I had to put the blog on pause for a second.

I think I'll stick my neck out today and post a record from the litigation-happy DeWolfe, who have released an excellent selection of film and television music in the late 60s through early 80s, and even today. This piece from 1976 features composers Staker, Natal and Thomas and can be classified as what I call "mood music". Atmospheric selections such as "Green Dew" (which I sampled for "Moondust" late last year) and "Troubled Water" really make this an LP to add to the collection. If you can find the occasional eBay posting for this record then you'll find that it won't cost you anymore than $10 to $15 USD. Notice I said "occasional": good music, evidently, is hard to come by. (download)

In The Nick Of Time

Today's offering is 1976's Distinctive Themes/Race To Achievement, helmed by the legendary Nick Ingman. Some soft music, some pulsating themes, but overall a solid LP from the KPM library. This record also happens to be the source LP for Jay-Z's "Stick 2 The Script" as well as my own instrumental for "Pineapple Gumdrop" off of the upcoming "Dream, Extinguished" LP. I won't tell you which songs, though. You'll have to find out for yourself! (download)

It's A Small, Small World

Today's entry is from the beloved Bruton Music label. Released in 1985, this LP is typical fare for mid- to late-80's library music (cheesy, disco-esque and moog moog moog). It has a few flaws, but stand-out tracks like "Corporation Of Stature" and "The Nation's Pride" more than make up for it. Brian Bennett and Ray Russell share composing duties.

It's fairly difficult to track this record down. But that's what I'm here for. On a side note, this place used to be bustlin'! The profile page says 13,000 views for cryin' out loud. I know I've been MIA for a while (I was in love, jack) but unfortunately the disclaimer still stands: downloads are available for three weeks only. However, I'm a softie; if the traffic picks up, I'll start taking repost requests again. (download)

Space for Basse...?

Yes, yes, YES.

Holy crap, this LP has the illest music on it. Raymond Guiot helms this library record from Telemusic that focuses on the bass cello. I just made a sick beat from it that you will hear from later on in the year, probably the next few weeks (shhhhhh...).

You could cop it from eBay for $100 but whoops! You took too long, jack; someone already copped it. Whatever shall you do? (download)

What You Want Me To Do? I'm Sorry!

I'm back.

[cocky Jay-Z laugh]Eheheheheh.[/cocky Jay-Z laugh].

M&M&M

Guess who's back? It's me, snitches.

Finally got things squared away so we're back in business. Today's post comes from 1975's live recording of the legendary "3 M Concert" from Cherry Hill, New Jersey's Latin Casino. The three M's, of course, are Margie Joseph, Blue Magic and Major Harris. The performance gave birth to a 2-LP vinyl record released the year following the concert, which of course can be found floating around on eBay somewhere. It was the live version of Major Harris's "I Got Over Love" from this record, and not the studio version on Jealousy from the same year, that Just Blaze used to create "I Really Mean It" for the Diplomats. Peep the original demo version of "I Really Mean It" -- originally titled "Don't Go", apparently -- on Just's blog.

Enjoy! Check out how Major shouts out Philadelphia producer Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey, who unfortunately passed away in 2005. (download)

Ape Shit

Now that I am somewhat over the initial shock, anger and disappointment of my f**kin' car being stolen, I suppose I can get back to sharing more music. Don't have a lot of time for commentary today, but fellow DJ Premier stans fans will know that today's entry is the source of the fiiiiiiiyah collaboration between GangStarr and M.O.P., courtesy of the Blade soundtrack from '98. Peep track 12 from this Jimmy Webb-helmed score from the 1973 motion picture The Naked Ape if you don't believe me. (download)

Right On, Time

I hope everyone thoroughly enjoyed the albums I posted a few days ago. Today's post has been brought to you by two of the 5th Dimension's former singers, husband and wife Marilyn and Billy. After much success with the 5th Dimension in the early 70s, the pair left the group in 1975 to establish their own careers, releasing this joint album in the process.

This album from 1976 features the popular cut "Nothing Can Stop Me", which has been sampled ad nauseum on the mixtape/underground rap circuit. Less notably, but certainly just as deservedly, the song was also sampled by Jaheim on his debut single "Could It Be" from 2001. Nice.

The lights are going out in this place real soon. You've been warned. (download)

Please...

...send your prayers toward singer Nancy Wilson today, as she is currently being treated for a collapsed lung. While she is expected to recover just fine, I still would like to send some positive energy her way; as most people who know me know, I am a huge fan of her work and believe she is one of the greatest vocalists of our time. Please keep her in your prayers.

This Little Lite Of Mine

Peep the ill EP from this Bay Area-based collective, originally released in the mid-70s and reissued in 2000 by Ubiquity Records. If you're a fan of Roy Ayers-esque jazz like I am, you'll dig this. (download)