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Edwin Birdsong – Funtaztik (1981) (Salsoul SA 8550)

Edwin Birdsong – Funtaztik
1981 Salsoul Records SA 8550

A cult hit if only because of the iconic “Rapper Dapper Snapper”, the whole record is solid. Edwin Birdsong is an interesting guy who is associated with another really interesting guy, the recently-deceased Roy Ayers. I have a few more of Edwin’s albums to share. I’ll get right on that, which means you can expect them sometime before 2030.Edwin Birdsong – Funtaztik (1981) (Salsoul SA 8550)

The Sylvers – The Sylvers (1972) (Mr.Bongo 2019)

The Sylvers – The Sylvers
Vinyl rip in high resolution
FLAC |  300 dpi scans | Soul, Funk
1972 Pride Records || 2019 Mr.Bongo

The early seventies were the heyday of “family” bands from The Jackson 5 to The Staples Singers to, um, The Partridge Family. But there many less famous groups like The Stairsteps, and The Sylvers, with their own patriarchal figure helping shape things, and several guys named Leon in the mix.The Sylvers – The Sylvers (1972) (Mr.Bongo 2019)

James ‘Blood’ Ulmer – Are You Glad To Be In America? (1980) (Rough Trade – ROUGH 16)

James ‘Blood’ Ulmer – Are You Glad To Be In America?
Vinyl transfer in  24-bit 192 khz |FLAC | Artwork at 300 dpi
889 MB (24/96) 1.56 GB (24/192)| FileFactory | Free jazz, Funk
1980 Rough Trade (UK) | ‘Porky Prime Cut’

Well, greetings for the “new” year of 2025.  That’s all I will say about that.  This is the second record from guitarist James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, who had once been in Ornette Coleman’s band.  While his debut featured Ornette and was produced by him, this one shows how comfortable he was doing his own thing, while being produced by Mayo Thompson of Red Krayola fame.
James ‘Blood’ Ulmer – Are You Glad To Be In America? (1980) (Rough Trade – ROUGH 16)

David Amram – Havana / New York (1978, Flying Fish FF-057)

David Amram – Havana / New York
Flying Fish – FF 057 | Latin jazz

The product of a cultural exchange between musicians in two different nexus cities for musical innovation, this is a solid listen featuring members of the pioneering Cuban group Irakere (on Side Two only) and New York salsa band Típica ’73 (on Side One only) along with Pepper Adams, Eddie Gomez, Candido, Ray Mantilla and others.
David Amram – Havana / New York (1978, Flying Fish FF-057)

Don “Sugarcane” Harris – Sugar Cane’s Got The Blues (1972) (MPS 1977)

Don “Sugarcane” Harris – Sugar Cane’s Got The Blues
Vinyl rip in 24-bit/192 kHz | FLAC |  300 dpi scans | Jazz, Rock
1.74 GB (24/192) + 934 MB (24/96)
1977 MPS Records  ||  Orig. rel. 1972

Is the stunning cover art the best thing about this record? The album documents when fiddle wizard* Don “Sugarcane” Harris played the Berlin Jazz Festival with a lineup that featured Robert Wyatt on drums and Volker Krieger on guitar.  Terje Rypdal also guests on one odd song choice here, Song For My Father.

Don “Sugarcane” Harris – Sugar Cane’s Got The Blues (1972) (MPS 1977)