Friends of Distinction - Going in Circles

Friends of Distinction were formed by Harry Elston, a former member of Ray Charles backing band the Hi-Fi's, (the other Hi-Fi's members founded 5th Dimension) This was their third single, the highlight of their 1969 debut LP on RCA 'Grazin' and features a flawless string arrangement from Ray Cork Jr.

Hampton Hawes - Web

An amazing track from legendary keys player Hampton Hawes.

'Hamp' was considered one of the finest west-coast bop pianists but this 1974 David Axelrod produced LP catches him in a more experimental and electronic mood (playing a Rhodes built especially for him)

His autobiography from the same year 'Raise Up Off Me', detailing his struggles with Heroin addiction (he served 3 years, of a ten year sentence, on drug charges until pardoned by JFK) and the music industry is considered one of the finest musical memoirs of all time.

This was used on Hieroglyphics LP 3rd Eye Vision on the track 'Off the Record' the Youtube comments of which has the following comment from original bass player Carol Kaye "We cut this at Fantasy Records, WEBB, was a total jam....I was fooling around with a fuzz-tone on bass and just started playing that line you hear, Hampton was in the booth and came out in the studio and started to jam on piano, Spider Webb came out on drums and this what you hear, just 1 take, 1974."

Honey & The Bees - Love Addict

A prime cut of Northern Soul 7" from Honey & The Bees, released on Philadelphia based Arctic records. It's been re-issued/bootlegged recently as original copies go for around £400, but you can't put a price on that groove!

Bonga - Mona Ki Ngi Xica

Bonga Kwenda is Angolas most famous musician, and a former athlete who once held the Portuguese record for the 400 meters. His forceful opposition to the colonial rule of the Portuguese Salazar government led him to be exiled, and this song, released in 1972, earned him an arrest warrant.

Since abandoning athletics to concentrate on music in '72 he has released more than 30 albums. His music reflects the ongoing exchange between South African and South American styles and combines elements of Angolan Semba, Samba and Cuban styles (Cuba sent thousands of troops to fight in the Angolan war of independance)

Another track to look out for is Mulemba Xangola a ridiculously upbeat and uplifting track released in 2001. A fantastic voice of Toots style proportions.

Pele & Sergio Mendes - Meu Mundo e Uma Bola (My World is a Ball)

"I kick it like Pelé way back in his heyday…"

Everyone knows Pelé, for his unsurpassed football skills, or as the smiling face of erectile dysfunction. Safe to say, he's less well known for singing and composition. On this 1977 LP he demonstrates both as he collaborates with a fellow Brazilian legend, pianist/band leader Sergio Mendes.

On this track (and 3 others on the album) he has the sole songwriting credit, and treats us to his singing voice as well. It's ok but, to be fair, the LPs best tracks are the ones that don't have anything to do with him, and some of these are pretty strong.

As far as i know this is Pelés only musical release and, although he doesn't offer any glimpses of musical genius, it does put him comfortably ahead of any fellow musical footballers in terms of quality. It's also far from being a low point in terms of Sergios output as well.

Oh yeah, isn't this a great cover too? I love the colours in the photo, the NY Cosmos Strip and the Pony boots, I've got the Portuguese version framed on my wall.

Breakbot

Breakbot - Baby I'm Yours (feat Irfane)



PNAU - Baby (Breakbot Remix)



Breakbot - Make You Mine



Metronomy - A Thing For Me (Breakbot Remix)



Here's a selection of some of my favourite tracks & remixes from French DJ/Producer Thibaut Berland aka Breakbot. They are all cool tracks and Baby i'm Yours has a sweet video. This guy is cooler than me.

Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks on Me

The Geto Boys 1991 Gangsta Rap anthem is a slick-flowed exploration of guilt and paranoia over one of Hip-Hops all time greatest beats. Almost as memorable is the cover photo, taken at the hospital where midget-rapper Bushwick Bill was taken after he shot himself, (during an argument with his girlfriend) Morally dubious, as this undoubtedly is, it's probably in marginally better taste than Big Mikes appalling jacket.

Hard to believe this is 20 years old.

Isaac Hayes - Hung Up On My Baby

One of Isaac Hayes finest tracks, from the soundtrack to the 1974 movie Three Tough Guys in which he also appeared. This was looped wholesale for the Geto Boys 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me (see above)