Fu-Schnickens, Breakdown, Jive Records, 1994

Posted by admin | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


LP Version. Damn good stuff. “The Flow will break you down,” “I get so busy on the mic with my rhythmic flows…” The first guy to rap on the track is real smooth, really like the delivery. The crazy dood takes some getting used to, but has a lot of energy. The third guy has an aggressive style. Overall the production is very nice. Heavy bass lines with samples, scratches, and drop-ins way in the back of the mix. The separation of sounds is cool, it keeps the tracks un-cluttered. The vocal tracks stand on their own much better with the heavy bass lines. One thing about this 12″ single is that the remix is actually pretty good. The Dunkafelic Remix can stand on its own and keep people moving to the beat. Many times, alternate versions sound crummy, like versions that didn’t make the cut for a reason. The instrumental version has some nice areas that could be sampled and re-used. There is a long section of drums and bass only, then a few bars where the bass drops out altogether. Overall, the record is excellent, this is definitely one for the personal mix tape!
Artist: Fu-Schnickens
Release Date: 1994
Label: Jive Records
Tracks: Breakdown (LP Version, Dunkafelic Remix Instrumental, Dunkafelic Remix), Sneakin’ Up On Ya — LP Version
For Sale: Coming Soon.

Read more | Comments (0) | May 19, 2009

Freedom, Grandmaster Flash And The Furious 5, SugarHill, 1980

Posted by admin | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


“We got a beat that just won’t end, so you better get ready to rock my friend!”. What a cool record. I could barely believe the publish date was 1980! The lyrics have a real party feel… something to get up and move. The horn drop in at the beginning is really cool. I wonder where they got that sample. Speaking of samples… its amazing to hear a record, produced before drag and drop computer software was around, with such a depth of production. It sounds like live musicians, samples (did they have samples then, or was it just the spin of a record and quick fade control on the out?), and the great rapping. This 1980 release really stands on its own and makes you wanna rock it!
Artist: Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5
Release Date: 1980
Label: Sugarhill Records
Tracks: Freedom (Vocal and Instrumental).
For Sale: DJ Quik, Jus Lyke Compton

Read more | Comments (0) | May 9, 2009

DJ Quik, Jus Lyke Compton, Profile Records, 1992

Posted by admin | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


“Let me tell a little story, about the places i’ve been to and the sh*t that i’ve been through…”. Quik is one of those artists you can instantly like. He creates a unique, smooth sound with live bass lines and wah wah guitar. It sounds like live musicians are used in his toons. This 12″ single showcases great production skills. The music is tight with interesting samples in the background. There are two songs on this release, Niggaz still Trippin’ and Jus Lyke Compton.
Artist: DJ Quik
Release Date: 1992
Label: Profile Records
Tracks: Jus Lyke Compton, (Radio, Acapella, Instrumental), Nigga Still Trippin’.
For Sale: DJ Quik, Jus Lyke Compton

Read more | Comments (0) | May 8, 2009

The Cold Crush Brothers, Fresh, Wild, Fly and Bold, Profile Records, 1984

Posted by jeremy | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


“Fresh, wild , fly, and bold, we’ll be that way till we grow old. For the rest of our life as long was we live, we’ll keep using those adjectives.” Three guys laying down the tracks and the rhymes.  There is good word play and trading of verses on this release.  The production is pretty simple, mostly a drum beat with limited synth bass lines.  There is a fair amount of scratching and a few sample drop ins.  Overall, the lyrics are great and the real strong point of this record.  So, in the words of The Cold Crush Brothers… “Man, let’s get out of here it’s Miller time!”
Artist: The Cold Crush Brothers
Release Date: 1984
Label: Profile Records
Tracks: Fresh Wild Fly and Bold, (Instrumental, Cold Crush Its Us, Radio Edit.)
For Sale: The Cold Crush Brothers, Fresh, Wild, Fly and Bold

Read more | Comments (0) | Apr 21, 2009

Newcleus, Jam On It, Sunnyview, 1984

Posted by jeremy | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


“Go Crazy, Go Crazy, Dont let your body be lazy. I said don’t stop the body rock till your eyesight starts to get hazy!” and of course… “Jam on it, Jam on it, Jam, ja, ja, ja, ja jam on it!” Not sure if that is the right amount of “ja’s”. This is a very recognizable toon from the early 80’s. The production is very nice within a synth and drum machine environment. The bass drum has a couple nice tones during different verses. The drum sound reminds me of the Paul Hardcastle song “19″. Some of the drum tones are the same or very close. The lyrics are fun to listen to and keeps the whole song light hearted. Also, there is an instrumental version of this 12″ single.
Artist: Newcleus
Release Date: 1984
Label: Sunnyview Records
Tracks: Jam On it, Jam On it (Instrumental)
For Sale: Newcleus, Jam On It

Read more | Comments (0) | Apr 20, 2009

Jimmy Reed, Rockin’ With Reed, Vee Jay

Posted by jeremy | Filed under Blues


Liner notes: “If you don’t like to dance, then just put this record right back where you found it, ’cause Jimmy Reed is for folks who like to JUMP… NOT BOP… NOT CHA CHA cHA… NOT JITTERBUG, BUT PURE-DEE JUMP!”Ran across this record the other day, Jimmy Reed, Rockin’ With Reed.
Released in 1959 on Vee Jay Records, there are 12 tracks on this release. If you’re into 12 bar blues, then this is the perfect record for you! The first interesting thing about this record, is that Reed wrote all the songs except one! Is that
unheard of in todays music? At the time of this recording, Reed was living in Gary, Indiana and recorded his songs for Vee Jay Records. There are many references to Jimmy Reed influencing Rolling Stones, so I gave this record some extra listening time. The tracks basically consist of 2 guitars, harmonica, and drums. There are no instruments featured. It sounds like they added bass sounds by turning up the mids and lows on a second amp. The whole record only used 2 or 3 mics in a room.  Although, the harmonica comes through very nice, it cuts right through all the mid tones. For example, Reed’s voice and harmonica stand out on “I Know Its A Sin.” The song has a nice, slow, feel. His voice is a bit more up front in the mix on this track. “Rockin with Reed” is an up tempo tune with a lot more interesting harmonica jamming.  Overall, this is a good record.  The fact Jimmy wrote most of the songs and the minimal instruments used is cool, but I found myself looking forward to hearing the harmonica cut through and take its place.Track Listing:

  1. Going To New York
  2. A String To Your Heart
  3. Ends & Odds
  4. Caress Me Baby
  5. Take Out Some Insurance
  6. The Moon Is Rising
  7. Down In Virginia
  8. I Know Its A Sin
  9. Wanna Be Loved
  10. Baby, What’s On Your Mind
  11. My Bitter Seed
  12. Rockin With Reed

Read more | Comments (0) | Apr 5, 2009

Parliament, Funkadelic vinyl.

Posted by jeremy | Filed under News


Parliament, Funkadelic records have been posted to the VintageFidelity.com website. If you like George Clinton, there may be something here for you! Record reviews are on the way for P Funk!Vinyl For Sale:

Parliament, Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome
Parliament, Aqua Boogie
Parliament, Gloryhallastoopid
Funkadelic, The Electric Spanking of War Babies
Funkadelic, Tales of Kidd Funkadelic

Read more | Comments (0) | Mar 3, 2009

Who’s Making Love, Johnnie Taylor, Stax, 1968

Posted by jeremy | Filed under Memphis Soul, R&B, Soul


Another great album by Johnnie Taylor . Released in 1968 on the Stax label, there are 11 great tracks on this release. First, the production is great! That nice, full, analog sound sets the tone for the entire album. “Who’s Making Love” is the first track and asks the question, “Who’s making love, to your old lady, while you were out making love?” Great song all around. Up tempo with lots of horns. “Woman Across The River” is a nice slow blues toon that really showcases Johnnie’s voice. The instruments are lower in the mix on this one. “Hold On This Time” is my personal favorite on this record.  Its has a nice smooth tempo with a great feel. This song can get stuck in your head for sure!  There are many blues songs and soul cuts on this record that have the Memphis sound.  I did notice the drums sound really good on this record… and I see Al Jackson Jr. was one of the producers.  Is there a connection here?  The players are not listed on the album, but we can assume Donald Duck Dunn, Al Jackson, Jr., Steve Cropper, and Booker T. were all on this record.  Plus, you have the great song writing from Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Raymond Jackson, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, and many others! Its a great release from Johnnie Taylor and Stax!
Track Listing:

  1. Who’s Making Love
  2. I’m Not The Same Person
  3. Hold On ThisTime
  4. Woman Across The River
  5. Can’t Trust Your Neighbor
  6. Take Care Of Your Homework
  7. I’m Trying
  8. Poor Make Believer
  9. Payback Hurts
  10. Mr. Nobody is Somebody
  11. I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water

Read more | Comments (0) | Feb 27, 2009

DJ Kool, How Low Can You Go, Creative Funk, 1988

Posted by jeremy | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


“Put that thing in funky gear!” This track is more dance oriented with its straight forward beat, call outs to the audience to wave their hands from left to right and other funky dance instructions. There is a good number of samples in the background, car sounds, party sounds, and others. The title hits on the breakdown section with “Bass! How low can you go?” The bass then is highlighted with a saw style layer on it.
Artist: DJ Kool
Release Date: 1988
Label: Creative Funk
Tracks: How Low Can You Go (Radio Edit, Extended) .
For Sale: DJ Kool, How Low Can You Go

Read more | Comments (0) | Feb 19, 2009

Too Short, I Ain’t Trippin’, Jive Records, 1989

Posted by jeremy | Filed under 12" Singles, Rap/Hip-Hop


Pretty cool song… long with a lot of lyrics/story telling. The music production sounds pretty straight forward. Drum beat, with a TR 909 either generating the whole beat or layered on top. Keyboard bass line. Not much else to the track… Although the lyrics are really the best part of this 12″. The A Cappella version is pretty, you could really do a bunch of fun production with the lyrics…”I Aint Trippin no more, really aint worth my time.”
Artist: Too Short
Release Date: 1989
Label: Jive Records
Tracks: I Aint Trippin (Extended Remix, Radio Edit, Instrumental, A Cappella) .
For Sale: Too Short, I Ain’t Trippin’

Read more | Comments (0) | Feb 15, 2009

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