After forming the Caribbean Kings, it was natural that we should have a Basement hang-out. We had one of the best there was by January 1971. It had a living room where we'd hang out for hours, it had 2 bedrooms, one of those was La Cueva de Mama; El Doctor painted a fluorescent mural of a naked woman on one of it's black walls. We also had a pool table, a boxing, wrestling area; and of course a Dance Room with rubber floors, black painted walls, fluorescent hand prints on the ceiling, graffiti, art, and posters, a strong flourescent black light, plus a powerful music system with a variable speed turntable. This was the hottest spot on 177 Street in Manhattan. Folks would come from miles away to see what we had made. This was the hippest Club House around.
Here's a sample of some of the sounds we'd play all day long...
This one to blow your mind:
This was the epitome of the whole era: I can still see Rhadames dancing to it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
WWRL 1600
Starting in the mid 60's I began to listen to a Soul Radio Station called WWRL, on the AM band (actually that's the only band I remember, besides short wave). It was the last station on the dial, a case of "the best for last".
The station was in Woodside, Queens; I believe.
Here's an example of what they played:
It was so, so mellow!
Frankie Crocker, Hank Spann, and Gary Byrd (GBE) on the airwaves.
Memories...
.
The station was in Woodside, Queens; I believe.
Here's an example of what they played:
It was so, so mellow!
Frankie Crocker, Hank Spann, and Gary Byrd (GBE) on the airwaves.
Memories...
.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Caribbean Kings
177 Street Roots-
We wound up forming a clique, a social club that eventually became a gang; We called it The Caribbean Kings. Near our neighborhood there was a gang called The Kings @ 176 St. & St. Nicholas Ave., and the younger Baby Kings; so to up the ante, we came up with Caribbean Kings. I didn't care much for the King part, but I was the one who insisted on the Caribbean part of the title since we aimed to top all our forerunners though most of us were barely in our teens. We had high hopes.
Some of the fellows were El Tigre - the president, San Martin his brother, El Doctor (177 St.), Elvio (El Gordo), Andy (Bolivar), Jay (Anibal), Playboy (El Hondureño), Orlando (172 St.), Pedro (Bill) of 173 St., Panita (170 St.), Smily (Papito), Tiny [106 lbs. Golden Gloves Winner] from 180 St., Habichuela (176 St.), and Fulvio. I can't remember any more names right now; Hey it's been a long time!
.
WBLS
Palisades Amusement Park
http://www.disappearingplaces.net/palisades-amusement-park#cpreview
.
The Corner
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I like What I Like
Here's a list of early disco tracks, compiled by some DJs, that was included in the Rhino Disco Box Set liner notes...[the tracks are sadly NOT in the set!!!]
Over time I've tracked down most of them on cd...not all...but almost all...
Let me know what you are looking for and I'll tell you where I found it....
I'll Bake Me a Man - Barbara Acklin (Brunswick, 1973)
If You Love Me Like You Say You Love Me - Betty Wright (Alston, 1972)
Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys - Equals (Shout, 1972)
Rain - Dorothy Morrison (Elektra, 1971)
Fencewalk - Mandrill (Polydor, 1973)
Street Dance/Njia (Nija) Walk (Street walk) - The Fatback Band (Perception, 1973)
Sultana/Rain 2000 - Titanic (Epic, 1972/1973)
Dust Yourself Off and Try It Again - Beautiful Zion Choir (Myrrh, 1973)
You're the One - Little Sister (Stone Flower, 1970)
Music For Gong Gong - Osibisa (Decca, 1971)
I Got It - Gloria Spencer (Jay Walking, 1971)
Girl You Need a Change of Mind/Date With the Rain - Eddie Kendricks (Tamla, 1972)
You Sure Know How To Love Your Man - Willie Hutch (Motown, 1974)
Think (About It) - Lyn Collins (People, 1972)
I Like What I Like - Everyday People (Paramount, 1972)
Twenty-Five Miles/Running Back and Forth - Edwin Starr (Gordy, 1969)
Feel the Need in Me - Detroit Emeralds (Westbound, 1972)
Giving Up - Zulema (Sussex, 1973)
Doing it to Death - Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s (People, 1973)
Melting Pot - Boris Gardiner Happening (Dynamic, 1973)
Beggin' - Timebox (Deram, 1968)
Woman/Wild Safari - Barrabas (RCA, 1973)
The Bottle - Gil Scott-Heron (Strata-East, 1974)/Brother to Brother (Turbo, 1974)
I Can Understand It - The New Birth (RCA, 1973)/Valentinos (Atlantic, 1973)/Kokomo (Columbia, 1975)
Pursuit of the PimpMobile - Isaac Hayes (Enterprise, 1974)
Take Off Your Make-up - Lamont Dozier (ABC, 1973)
Love and Happiness - Al Green (Hi, 1972)
Main Line - Ashford & Simpson (Warner Bros., 1974)
Armed and Extremely Dangerous/Smarty Pants - First Choice (Philly Groove, 1973)
Zing Went the Strings of My Heart - The Trammps (Buddah, 1972)
Who is He And What is He to You - Creative Source (Sussex, 1974)
Life and Death in G & A - Abaco Dream (A&M, 1969)
Half a Cup - Reggie Gardner (ABC, 1974)
We the People - Soul Searchers (Sussex, 1972)
Crazy 'Bout My Baby - Bonnie Bramlett (Columbia, 1973)
Getting Together - Brothers Guiding Light Featuring David (Mercury, 1973)
Sweet Charlie Babe/Time - Jackie Moore (Atlantic, 1973)
What Goes Around (Comes Around) - Black Ivory (Kwanza, 1974)
Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango (Atlantic, 1973)
Good Things Don't Last Forever - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain (Roulette, 1974)
Koke - Tribe (ABC, 1973)
Pull Yourself Together - Buddy Miles (Columbia, 1974)
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations (Gordy, 1972)
Under the Influence of Love - Love Unlimited (20th Century, 1973)
Little Bit of Love - Brenda & The Tabulations (Epic, 1972) --Brian Chin
With many thanks to Ed Rothschild, Danae Jacovidis, Bob Viteritti, Sergio Munzibai, Jeffrey Shore, and Tom Moulton.
Last edited by markydefad; March 3rd, 2008 at 03:02 AM.
Source
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)