Category Archive

Josh and I got together tonight and played an hour and a half of strictly Michigan music, from 60’s small label soul to funk to rock and roll and back around to soul with a little twist of bluegrass and super obscure primitive stuff thrown in. Toward the end, Josh was almost in tears over Lee Osler’s Tarnished Love Affair (the Back to Ypsilanti B Side), and Sally and Zoe the dogs were munching on pizza.

I am attempting to try to put up the sessions, broken into smaller parts, although we’re running into some too-big-of-files problems.

But, we had a ton of fun, and at least we learned how to improve for next time.

*Update: I will post the first two songs, and keep working on the best way to do this.
: Podcast CousinsCast, Part 1. These first two songs are a random sample of a random selection of Detroit 45s that I pulled from the 450 soul 45s (not all Detroit but a good number) I am currently in the process of listing. Look for them all to go up all at once in another few weeks.
What’s next: Another soul 45, a blues-funk song about the Ford Rouge plant, and an incredible jazz/funk track with a break that goes on for days.
*Note: This CousinsCast, all other audio currently posted, and future audio posted on this site is for educational purposes only, made to provide a sample of the original records we are selling, and/or to educate others of the history of music in Michigan.

I’m watching the tournament and playing records too.  These are some I’ve been listening to:

I took a picture of the B side of Back To Ypsilanti playing on my record player because I wanted to hype it’s arrive coming soon to hear.  Van kept bugging me to make him a copy.  I made him a copy of Back To Ypsilanti and he kept asking for that B side.  Everyday, he’d say, “You got that other joint yet?”  I’d say no man, you gotta trade me.  He had this studio recording of the Temptations and Marvin Gaye and a few others all singing together, practicing.  One of the Temptations sons, who he knows on the Detroit soul and R&B karaoke circuit, gave it to him.  Van’s a big soul karaoke guy - he goes over to Detroit from Ypsi about 3-4 times a week to sing or host events.  And he sings to his middle school students everyday (he’s a gym teacher).  The nights he’s not singing he goes to watch high school basketball games.  But anyway, he wouldn’t give it to me.  He liked having that recording that nobody else had (or I had).  So I never made him a copy of that B side, Tarnished Love Affair.  But I will trade him though. 

But look Van, don’t you wish you just finished listening like I did?  It was good too - I can still hear it - (AND HERE’S A TEASER) so long, so long, so looooooooong…..

This next one is good for relaxing.  Like that end of the week relax when you first get home.  Jimmy Smith, with Grant Green.  A Blue Note classic.  And one of the best covers ever made.

Just a walkin’ the dog, if you don’t know how to do it, I’ll show you how to walk the dog.  1963 Stax.  Rufus Thomas.  I wonder if my wife will let us name our son Rufus?  I’m guessing no.  As you can see from the cover, ol’ Rufus sure did know how to make white people dance!  It must have been easy.

I love bluegrass.  And I love local music.  That’s why this is one of my favorite records in my collection.  The RFD Boys first record on Jessup.  I’d compare them to The Seldom Scene.  Which is another of my favorites.  They do a great version of Country Road.  And some good originals.  Overall just so good…I’m going to go see them on the 25th - maybe you should too?

After seeing the Holmes Brothers at the Ark a few weeks ago, I dug back into my gospel section.  Detroiters The Rance Allen Group is similar to The Holmes Brothers in their ability to blend gospel with uptempo soul and rhythm and blues.  This is their second album, on Gospel Truth, a Stax label.  They do a song called Just My Salvation that’s set to the music of the Temptations Just My Imagination.   

So that’s what I’m on so far tonight.  I’m thinking about making a mix CD from my vinyl collection, but I can’t decide if I want to pick a genre or do a multi genre.  My genre options I’m considering are: all Michigan bands, bluesgrass, funk, 50s to early 60s R&B, Blues, Funk, Reggae, or even something crazy like Gospel, Bluegrass Gospel, Zydeco/New Orleans, or old school Rap.  Of course, my laziness always takes over and I end up just playing them and thinking about making a mix some other day.

In other news, Max Conroy is visiting Cousin Justin this weekend.  Max is part of the 586 Gunson Street band from East Lansing that I’ve heard so much about.  Apparently there’s a long lost recording still floating around somewhere.  I’ll see the both of ‘em tomorrow so I’ll see what I can dig up. 

This is what I would throw in it on my way to work:

1) Taj Mahal, Mo’ Roots

My favorite Taj Mahal album, it’s a masterful blend of reggae and southern roots music.  Clara (St. Kitts Woman) is going in my next mix tape after Akido’s Yesterday http://cousinsvinyl.com/2006/akido-self-titled-mercury-lp-1972-afro-funk/.  A great Friday morning selection.

2) Jah Bunny, Dubs International

Such a sweet dub album.  All the songs are well put together, and not as echoey and crazy as Lee Perry.  Makes for great late-night cruisin’ music.  Also good for a passenger friend who just needs to chill out.

3) Various, Electric Breakdance: The Hottest Breakdance Music On The Street

Awe yeah!  This is my pimpin’ music!  1984’s freshest breakdance joints.  Need to shop here to listen to this www.myairshoes.com Too bad I can’t put the poster that comes with it on the side of car.

4) T Rex, Electric Warrier

“Beneath the bebop moon, I want to crooooon, with you, Beneath the Mambo Sun, I got to be the one, with you…”  Impossible not to turn this up.

5) Mel Brown, Eighteen Pounds Of Unclean Chitlins and Other Greasy Blues Specialties

Yeah, it’s what you would expect.  Mmmm, mmmm!

6) Marvin Holmes and the Uptights, Ooh Ooh The Dragon and Other Monsters

Sweet happy funk.  Has one of my all time favorite songs, I’ve Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do).  The back cover describes this album as being as funky as barrrels of hot asphalt.  This is being played as loud as my speakers will let them.  I hope I don’t get a speeding ticket with this on.

UNDER THE SEAT: Wes Montgomery, Full House

OK, this is cheating a bit.  But I gotta keep this in reserve in case I feel the need for some relaxed jazz cruising.  This early Riverside is one of my favorite jazz LPs.

I think I’d put in a new rotation after about a solid two weeks.  Better not do any off-roading though.

-Cousin Geoff