Bad Cameo

Various Artists - Old School Soul Party (2005) {4CD Set, Shout! Factory DK 33717}
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© 2005 Shout! Factory / TJL | DK 33717
Soul / R&B / Funk / Memphis Soul / Smooth Soul

One can't venture very far into contemporary pop without hearing the echoes of '70s-'80's soul, funk and r&b; decades once mocked have seen their vibrant, groove-savvy music re-embraced – often without a trace of kitsch-savvy irony. This triple-disc, 58 track collection may come anthologized with a slightly cheesy conceit–retro-party-soundtrack-in-a-box, with discs devoted to flavoring your soulful soiree's beginning, middle and end–but its potent collection of vintage, era-evoking favorites can't be denied. Disc one/"Kickin' It Off" wends its way from expected jams like Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" and Gap Band's "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" through such funk-fueled grooves as James Brown's sweaty "Payback" and Donna Summer's urgent, torch-song-with-a beat "Last Dance." Disc two/"Getting' Into the Groove" does just that via Top 40 stalwarts like The Spinners, Four Tops and O'Jays, while making room for legends (Al Green, Isley Brothers) and newcomers like the Brothers Johnson and Kool & the Gang alike. The set's final act winds down into late-night sultriness via Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Heraling," Delfonics' "Didn't I Blow Your Mind," Pointer Sister's "Slow Hand" and other sexy charms.

Lee Konitz - Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Giuffre (1951-1959) {2CD Set Verve 527 780-2 rel 1996}
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© 1951-59, 1996 Verve / PolyGram | 527 780-2
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Saxophone

This unusual two-CD set not only reissues the original LP of the same name but three other rare Verve LP's from the 1950's. Altoist Lee Konitz (on "An Image") is showcased during a set of adventurous Bill Russo arrangements for an orchestra and strings in 1958, pops up on half of Ralph Burns' underrated 1951 classic Free Forms (the most enjoyable of the four sets) and meets up with baritonist Jimmy Giuffre, whose arrangements for five saxes (including the great tenor Warne Marsh) and a trio led by pianist Bill Evans are sometimes equally influenced by classical music and bop.

Aleister X - Half-Speed Mastered (2013) {Steev Mike SM-21478}
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© 2013 Steev Mike | SM-21478
Underground Rap / Dub / Hip Hop / Rock / Punk-Pop / Electronic

For fans of Juicy J, Beck, Kool Keith, David Crosby, Andrew WK, Sweet, DJ Screw, Lee "Scratch" Perry, "Half Speed Mastered" is unreal album of disparate influences and stream of consciousness pop cult lyrics. Aleister X has been releasing underground and digital release since the mid 2000s, but "Half Speed Mastered" is his full length debut and the best thing the performer has done yet. Confusing but intriguing on first listens, this album grows on you and gets its hooks into your brain like nothing else. Bouncy pop hooks meet chopped n screwed beats and big picture lyrics, all with a seedy celebration of the Los Angeles vibe. Give the songs a chance and you will not be disappointed.