The 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Date

August 31, 2011

Miracler

Sam Koritz

Location

Albany, CA

Stuff about Sam

Never one to shy away from bringing totally new-to-us genres into the Prodge, in Oct. '09 this man brought us Swingy, which produced such swoons as "Oh, it's so, very good. Just beautiful," "Thanks, Sam, I love it all," "Nicely done, Koritz. You're some kind of big shot," and "Fab mix. Unexpected, kinda, but I've kinda come to expect that from you. Thanks for zagging!"

Then in Sept. '08 our prophetic Miracler produced a paen to our prez-to-be, Long Shot Dreams to Remember, which Your Hostess' upstairs neighbors would tell you Your Hostess has enjoyed many, many times. Comments from that one included, "Thanks for a fabulous mix. It makes me ache to go vote for the Black Messiah," "We gave it a spin on the office airwaves yesterday and it received a warm reception, even from the Palin supporters," and "What an incredible mix! I love it from start to finish, especially the liner notes."

Today Sam does what Sam does best: mess with our mind while running rampant through several musical genres. The Upstairs Neighbors will soon be tapping their feet to this one as well.

Notes from Sam

(1) "System," Crass. Any urban 40-something has to recognize Crass, if only for the amazing marketing logo: part cross, part swastika, part peace symbol. Used to adorn crusties. Apparently, like everyone else, they were confused. If interested, check out David Berger's 'Story of Crass.' De facto leader Penny Rimbaud now seems to regret the band's pacifism. Formerly young front-man Steve Ignorant now seems to regret the band's politics. He toured to SF this year with an otherwise Crass-free band playing all Crass songs & advertised here as Crass. I pretty much ignored them in the old days except for thinking that 'Do They Owe Us a Living' was funny. Maybe it was intentionally funny. This song, System, has lines that seem intentionally funny: "What've they got? F*ck all? NO!

What've they got? A swimming pool? Where do you get it?

Follow the rules! System, system, system." But it's hard to say.

Only in last few years, w/ Pandora, have I begun

to enjoy their *music* & unique untutored groove.

(2) "Do They Owe Us a Living?," Jeffrey Lewis. From an all-Crass covers album, on Rough Trade, from a few years ago: This is how you should cover songs: differently. I saw Mushroom playing The Who a while back & whatever else you say about it, it was interesting to hear a California folk-rocker sing the songs of a Brit inspired by Cali folk-rock.

(3) Swingle Singers, "Prelude #11....." There really was someone in this French band named Swingle. I worked at a record store on Polk St for years & stumbled on this, & The Double Six of Paris, their similar predecessor (produced by Quincy Jones in the early '60s). A few months back I'm listening to Jem's "They" & think "that seems Swingle Singer influenced." I added "They" to this mix & then went looking for a good Swingle Singers song & came up w/ this one. Bach keyboard music played swinging jazz vocals style. For more French Bach jazz check out pianist Jacques Loussier.

(4) The Shins, "Girl Inform Me." The Shins have a lot of pretty good songs. This one is like a lost great Beach Boys track so when I realized it hadn't been 3mpmp'ed yet I had to add it. There's a great pop song in there that some crap singer has to exploit someday, putting the lyrics way out front: This new confection has left me wondering why I can't concern myself with ordinary trite. Like what's this morning's paper got to say, and which brand of coffee to make, this is no umbrella to take into the wind, but before we begin, is there nothing to cure this anxiety?

(5) "Psalms 9 to Keep in Mind," Tommy McCook & Bobby Ellis. There was an explosion of musical inspiration in Jamaica in the '60s & '70s & a lot of it came from the Alpha Boys School. Here are ABS alumni TM (tenor sax) & BE (trumpet) as friends of Niney. McCook released an album called Jazz Jamaica in the early '60s w/ members of what then became The Skatalites.

(6) "Full Charge," Jackie Mittoo & The Soul Vendors. I almost put a cover of a Jackie Mittoo song in this mix but then I realized I already had this great original -- I love the percussion, the flute, & of course the jazz piano. Mittoo was a founding member of Skatalites & Wikipedia says he played on Alton Ellis's "I'm Still in Love with You." I think I got this album from Fritz. Thanks, man.

(7) "Blood & Fire," Niney the Observer. Catchy.

(8) Augustus Pablo, "Every Dub I Own." A catchy minimalist pop song despite a bad note or two. Which one of you pop mavens can identify the original song? King Tubby on knobs.

(9) "Middle East," Skatalites. This is mid-'70s King Tubby-produced reunited Skatalites dub album. Tommy McCook on sax. Starts off w/ "Give Peace a Chance." Dub w/ acoustic bass & Niyabinghi hand drums. Yes!

(10) "They," Jem. My last 3mpmp mix also included a Jem song ("Save Me"). Not just *inspired* by Swingle Singers it turns out.

(11) "Behold Dis Ya Dub of Class," Tommy McCook & The Aggrovators. I would've made the whole mix like this but that wouldn't have been as pop.

(12) "I'm Still in Love with You," Alton Ellis. I started this mix with songs from my "Beam Sound" Pandora station. I recognized Beam Sound as "Uptown Top Ranking." Googling it I learned that both songs & many more started w/ this Alton Ellis song. The "ISiLwY" rhythm tracks were overdubbed for a later version, & dozens of samples & versions grew from there. Here's a partial list.

(13) "Beam Sound," Roland Alphonso. Original member of Skatalites & Soul Vendors.

(14) "The Russians Are Coming (Take Five)," Val Bennett. Brubeck's "Take 5" is the only pop hit in 5/4 time. Val Bennett adjusts it to the standard 4/4. Someone had to do it.

(15) "Uptown Top Ranking," Donna & Althea. This duo of teen girls hit #1 on the UK charts in '78 with this song. "See me pon the road I hear you call out to me. True you see mi inna pants and ting. See mi in a 'alter back. Sey mi gi' you heart attack. Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist. Uptown Top Ranking....Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting. Nah pop no style, a strictly roots."

Mix is up. Listen and comment. And then comment on others. Cuz that's the deal. See you back here or on our members-only Facebook page.

Until next week,

XOK