Cut of the Week: The Coolin' System-Smoking at Tiffanys

Covers can be a touchy thing.  On one hand, covers can be a good way to pay tribute to a artist you appreciate, as well as give you a way to stretch out on a familiar tune, on the other hand, if you play too many, you risk being called "unoriginal" or "a cover band."  And yet, there are genres where covers are expected, almost required, especially in the jazz realm.  Bop is built almost entirely on covers, while some of the best songs out there are improvements on the originals.

Which is why I didn't even bat an eye when the new Coolin' System album (recorded at the new GED Soul house in Nashville) had nary an original on it.  While none of the covers are particularly well known (thus taking the George Thorogood rout of obscure non-originals), they are covers still, but everyone in the band is enough of a bad ass to pull it off without drawing criticism for doing so.

Which brings us to today's cut, Smoking at Tiffany's.  Originally by Jazz Soul group Funk, Inc.  it came out in 1973 on the album Hanging out.  The System prefers to play it strait, not messing with the arrangement much and letting their musicianship hang out in front.  Just give it a listen.

Hear it here:
http://www.gedsoulrecords.com/home.html

Hear the original Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfyL89y1olk

Cut of the Week: Magic In Threes- "Nicks Theme"

I return, with some fresh Soul.

One thing a lot of modern soul doesn't do enough of lately is take the time to . . . slow down, ease back, and let you get comfortable.  Everything is groovy, of course, but the Barry White or Issac Hayes school of chilled out soul seems to have drifted off.  I think that the main blame for this is the focus on live music as a revenue stream for funk bands and small labels.  Live venues lend themselves to the higher energy tunes by nature (when was the last time you went out to see a slow jam?), leaving the chill cuts to the album and B sides.

Yet here we have a revival of that style in a labor of love from GED Soul, The Magic In Threes.  Released alongside a new release from The Coolin' System (reviewed here next week!) just last week, Magic in Threes brings back the chill jazz soul of the 70s, and today's track exemplifies this perfectly.

Nicks theme is a smooth number riding on a guitar and rhoads rhythm (GED must have added a Rhoads to its instrumental stable, because its all over this record), with a woodwind and reed accompaniment, that invites you to lean back and take it in.  Nothing stands out past what it needs, and the Flute solo is tasty as hell.

Here it now, and enjoy:





Pick it up here:

http://gedsoulrecords.com/home.html

Also, be sure to check out the GED podcast while your there!

Magic In Threes - Mesothelioma

Now whats all this, Hmmm? ;)

Why So Slow?

So, It's been about a week since I've updated, but there is reason.  You see, for a good chunk of last week, I was in a studio, helping out with a bit of Jefferson St. revival with two extremely talented artists.  I'm not going to say who just yet, but you can bet that it's gonna be a shitload of soul when it hits.

I'm not dead, just helping with the revival. 

45 of the Week: The Coolin' System- The Prophet b/w Dracula

Here's the thing about Nashville:  No one is in just one band.  Ask anyone in a band that has made it out of Nashville and they will tell you just how many bands they where in before they broke with the current one, and just how many bands they are still in! (Session players don't count)  There could be many reasons for the multiple band rotation: Different styles, more gigs (equals more money), a better chance at making it.  But then there are the players who just want to play

Cut of the Week: Transit-Come on and Ride

Who knew that a collaboration between the MTA and Jack White could be so Soulful?  Many of you probably know about Jack White's label Third Man Records, but probably more for the fact that it's run by one of the most eclectic and busy people of the music buisness, not to mention the founder of the White Stripes and the Dead Weather.  If not that, then probably for its "Stunt Records,"  like the peach scented record, Texas Sized 13" record, the Triple Decker Record, and most recently the Reggie Watts Hair Record (Jack's expression in that vid as he tried to play it was priceless!).

Soul Gear-The Technics 1200 Turntable

Tech 12s, Technics, or just plain 1200s, since the 1970's  the Technics turntable has been a constant to both DJs and audiophiles thanks to its rock solid construction, consistent performance, and high quality sound. So high of quality are these decks that they last for years and still command upwards of $300 on the used market.