Saturday, June 27, 2009

zone / rhythm makers (76' vigor records)

The Rhythm Makers, from the Bronx, New York City, were Brought Together in 1968 by Rahiem Leblanc (Formerly of the Sons of Darkness) and Consisted of Leblanc (Vocals / Guitar), Keith ‘sabu’ Crier (Bass / Vocals), Kenny Banks (Drums / Soft Shoe / Vocals) and Herb Lane (Keyboards / Vocals). They were Signed to De-lite’s Subsidiary, Vigor, in 1974 to Complement the Label’s Disco/Funk Roster Headed Up by Kool and the Gang. The Group Sat Perfectly Alongside their Young Contemporaries Crown Heights Affair, the Kay-gees and Made in the USA and Quickly Established their Own Unique Sound under the Guidance of Disco Producer Billy Terrell.
Label:Vigor Records
Catalog#:VI 7002
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:US
Released:1976
Genre:Funk / Soul
Style:Soul, Funk, Disco
Credits:Engineer - Terry Rosiello
Producer - Billy Terrell , Rhythm Makers, The
Notes:Recorded and Mixed at De-Lite Recorded Sound Studio

Tracklisting:

A1 Can You Feel It (Part 1) (2:10)
Written-By - Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc , Herb Lane , Keith Crier , Kenny Banks
A2 You Better Believe It (3:40)
Written-By - Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc , Herb Lane , Keith Crier , Kenny Banks
A3 Soul On Your Side (3:35)
Written-By - Billy Terrell , Ebble Woolley*
A4 Zone (5:14)
Written-By - B. Ramsey , Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc , Herb Lane , Keith Crier , Kenny Banks
B1 Funk-N-You (2:01)
Written-By - Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc , Herb Lane , Keith Crier , Kenny Banks
B2 Street Dreamin' (3:25)
Written-By - Billy Terrell , Ebble Woolley*
B3 You're My Last Girl (3:16)
Written-By - Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc
B4 Monterey (3:43)
Written-By - Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc , Herb Lane , Keith Crier , Kenny Banks
B5 Can You Feel It (Part 2) (0:44)
Written-By - Emanuel "Rahiem" LeBlanc , Herb Lane , Keith Crier , Kenny Banks

coffy is the color / roy ayers (73' polydor)

"Coffy" has been one of my favorite movies for a very long time and I would have dreams of owning a copy of the soundtrack, and guess what, dreams DO come true! Although a bit pricey, worth every damn penny! Move over Shaft and Superfly, every track is pure quality jazz, for real, Roy Ayers is a genious. Another good thing is that it's not overplayed like the other two soundtracks mentioned (why is released in Japan and not here?). It's great mood music, especially for playing cards and cocktail parties, everyone loves it (and if they don't, they need to go!). The best tracks I believe are Aragon (as heard in "Jackie Brown"), Coffy is the Color, Coffy Baby and, of course, King George. Please do not look past this treasure!The film that gave Pam Grier her first leading role and vaulted her to queen bee of the blaxploitation movement also inspired a soundtrack that is arguably Roy Ayers's most rewarding work. Grier plays a disgruntled nurse who goes "underground" to exact revenge on the pusher men who put the monkey on her junkie sister's back. Ayers matches her step for gun-totin' step with crisp, percolating drum lines; colorful ripples of electric piano; and his signature, lissome vibe work. Ayers' twin talents--the head-scratching virtuosity of his jazz runs and the ass-shaking grooves of his R&B rhythms--are in full flower on this recording. But Coffy is more than an acid-jazz archetype. The classically inspired solo harpsichord piece and the wack auxiliary percussion freak-out also included here hint at a deeper pool of inspiration that Ayers would rarely return to again.