No one's recommended this? This song is unreal in so many ways. First, it sounds like relaxing lounge jazz, then all of a sudden it changes into music for a Scooby-Doo episode, then the strange wailing comes in and you're floating through the deep void of space in an alternate reality without worrying about oxygen or the laws of physics. That is all within the first minute of the song. And then, and then, let's not forget the way the Brother kills on the organ, my friends. Then there's the sample appeal, most obviously this was slowed down for A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario", and recently reworked by Jay Dee, in that trademark handclap hitting, hypnotic head-nodding Dilla fashion.
This is one of my all-time favourite tracks - most probably in my top-5 - and is a perfect example of what I understand "jazz-funk" to be. I came across it many years ago on a compilation put out by French label "Big Cheese Records". I hunted down the album it was from (not sure if it's been re-issued - or if it has, it hadn't been then) and was pleased to find that the whole album was strong with most songs carrying a similar vibe to VJC. Those that were different, were still great.
I'm not sure what VJC stands for. I wonder if it's the initials of someone close - his mother or another familiar member perhaps? Throughout many of the tracks, he seems to be playing a character with chatter between the tracks leading one into the other leaving.
from Do It Now - Worry About It Later (Impulse AS-9216) available on CD - The Meltdown (Big Cheese Records)
Greatest instrument of this song is Marlena's voice and the story it tells about being a mother and getting along in ghetto. I haven't heard any as improvising singer than she is and I know there is not many as versatile as she is and that is the reason You need to get this song. During eight minutes that this song lasts you may find yourself singin' "I'm woman of the gheeetto...", even if you are not and you there may also raise urges to feed a baby. This is a warning.
This song goes to same category as Marvin Gaye�s and Curtis Mayfield�s political material, but what makes this different is that this song does it by the point of view of a woman. And lord that woman is strong one.
from Spice of Life (Cadet) available on CD - Blue Break Beats Volume Four (Blue Note)
Pure rhymes and ghetto eloquence:
"When I date back I recall the man of the family tree, my right hand, poppa doc I see. Took me from a boy to man so I always had a father when my biological didn't bother..."
from Mecca and the Soul Brother, available on CD
tinks: i absolutely love this cut, it was one of my favorites back in 11th grade when it came out. good choice! delicado: and that sampled beat/guitar riff at the beginning is awesome as well - anyone know where that's from?
I love the Clash. I love the way they were four disparate individuals each bringing their own stuff to the mix. Topper's excellent drumming, Simonon's cool, Mick Jones musicality and street smarts, and Joe Strummer's....umm...Strummer-ness.
I love the fact they didn't play Top of the Pops. I love the fact that Strummer admitted that this was mainly 'cos he was crap at miming rather than out of any significant political stance or anything.
I love how gooood they were live. And I love the fact that I was lucky enough to see them.
I love the fact that Strummer picked 'Crawfish' as his favourite Elvis song. I also love the fact that sometimes, to my mind, they got things badly wrong, sounded a bit gauche or wrongheaded or worse. I'm thinking of Red Brigade t-shirts, using Belfast as a photo opportunity, and maybe singing about ghettos and Brixton, for the 'romance' of it when they weren't necessarily the closest to either. I dunno. That side makes me feel uneasy at times, but that's fine - makes me think.
This song is great. Reggae influenced rock, Strummer belting out 'one more time in the ghetto...'.
Its been so sad losing Joe, Johnny (Cash) and John (Peel) over the last couple of years. Good men, you feel.