KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in A&R Recording Studios, Midtown Manhattan, in September 1975 for Television's "Marquee Moon", released as the title track of their debut LP on Elektra in February 1977...

"The New York City based band, Television, had originally featured both Tom Verlaine and Richard Hell, who had been to high school together in Delaware. But by 1975 they had settled down to this line up: Verlaine, Billy Ficca, Fred Smith and Jimmy Rip.

When this record came out, it was clearly considered a Punk LP, and I think it helps show how much variety there was available under the banner Punk at that time.

​An attitude or an approach, but never a formula." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in Stax Studios, 926 E. McLemore Ave, Memphis, on the 20th December 1965 for Wilson Pickett's "Ninety Nine And A Half (Just Won't Do)", first released on "The Exciting Wilson Pickett" LP by Atlantic in 1966...

"Alabama born in 1941, Wilson Pickett moved to Detroit in his early teens and soon became involved in the Motor City's gospel scene. He eventually came to the attention of Atlantic's Jerry Wexler as the co-writer of a Solomon Burke hit. Once teamed with the set up at Stax in 1965, and then with Muscle Shoals' Fame Studios in 1966, Wilson had a heap of hits of his own.

He also had his problems with alcohol, cocaine and a fiery temper and left us, aged 64. I once read an interview he gave which he concluded by saying "Don't write anything nice about me, remember I am known as the Wicked Pickett"." - KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the Detroit of early 2020 for Moodymann's "Just Stay A While", first released on his "Taken Away" album by KDJ Records on 21st May 2020...
"Born Kenny Dixon Jr, to parents from Detroit, Moodymann has been releasing music since the early 1990s. He is fiercely loyal to his beloved but battered Detroit, saying "If Detroit's a dying city, I'm going to stay right here and die with it !", and that's about all l I know about him.
Another one that has come my way via my #2 son Charlie, when he plays something I like, I ask about it." - KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Channel One Studios, Maxfield Ave, West Kingston, Jamaica, some time in 1975 for Junior Byles' "Fade Away", produced by Joe Hoo Kim and first released (I think) on the Well Charge label...

"Kerrie Byles Jr. was born in Kingston in 1948 and formed a vocal group, The Versatiles, in 1967, while working as a firefighter. They were soon discovered by Lee "Scratch" Perry and although they split up in 1970, Junior would continue to record for Perry until some time in the mid-1970s.

"Fade Away" was recorded at the Famous Channel One Studios and was an enormous hit in JA in 1975 and popular in London the following year. I never owned a copy until it was released as part of the soundtrack to the reggae film "Rockers" in 1978. Since then, Byles has suffered increasingly from Mental Health issues, sometimes living as a homeless person - a great talent who has been dealt a bad hand." - KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Easy Eye Sound Studio, Nashville for Marcus King's "Beautiful Stranger", produced and co-written by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and first released on the "El Dorado" album on Fantasy Records in 2020...

"Greenville, South Carolina born, Marcus is the son of blues guitarist Marvin King, and he started playing on stage with his Dad at the age of eight!

This record was introduced to me last year by 'My Man in Manchester', Dave Bennett. There's nothing new here, just a fine country soul ballad well executed, and, for me, it hits that spot. There's also a nice acoustic version, easily found online, by Marcus and Dan Auerbach - worth checking out too." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Musicland Studios, Munich, in late 1976 for Donna Summer's "I Feel Love", produced by Giorgio Moroder and first released on her "I Remember Yesterday" LP in 1977 on Casablanca...

"I'm not sure when in the 1970s, one could say that Disco Music had arrived, but in my mind it seems that it was around the same time that what became Punk Rock emerged. A part of the soundtrack of my own experience of those times was this record, blaring from radios and jukeboxes in pubs. It somehow transcended the banality of most Disco hits.

Italian producer Giorgio Moroder made "I Feel Love" as the part of a concept album that would represent the futuristic - the only 2 human things on it being Keith Forsey's overdubbed kick drum and Donna Summer's voice, which was supposedly recorded in one take." - KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the then newly opened Record Plant Studios, 321 W.44th St. NYC on 2nd May 1968 for The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", first released on their "Electric Ladyland" LP...

"In the realm of Jimi Hendrix, I must confess that I prefer his more formally structured records to his wilder, more 'free' sides. In fact, my favourite Hendrix LP remains his "Smash Hits". But it is this later track that is my all time favourite, where Jimi shows us (once again) that Blues Music can always be updated.

At the Fillmore East, NYC on 1st Jan, he introduced Voodoo Child as The Black Panthers' "national anthem". Play Loud !" - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are once again in King Studios, 1540 Brewster Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio on the 6th May 1949 for The Delmore Brothers "Blues Stay Away From Me", first released as a 78 RPM 10" on King...

"These brothers, Alton and Rabon, were Alabama born into a family of poor tenant farmers. Their mother sang in the local church and so you have to think she was an influence. They had been sporadically recording since 1931 when Albert and Rabon recorded this with harmonica man Wayne Raney and the input of African American record producer Henry Glover. It's not only a great record, but also a great example of The Blues influence on Country Music.

I first heard the song on the Johnny Burnette Rock' n' Roll Trio LP and there are many other versions too." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in The Nola Penthouse Studio, 111 W 57th St. NYC, on either Feb 6th, 9th or 10th for "Killer Joe" by The Jazztet (featuring Art Farmer and Benny Golson) first released on the "Meet The Jazztet LP" on Argo in 1960...

"The Jazztet was a 6-piece band formed in November, 1959 and was co-led by trumpeter Art Farmer and saxophonist Benny Golson, who also wrote "Killer Joe". Both men had been playing professionally since the 1940s, Art Farmer leaving us in 1999 at age 71, but Benny is still with us aged 92! The LP also features McCoy Tyner, who would leave the Jazztet to work with John Coltrane.

There is a spoken word introduction, but I have left it off as, to me, it wears a bit thin on repeated listens." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are at Greene Street Recording studio, 112 Greene Street, Soho, New York City for Run DMC's "Rock Box", first released on their self-titled debut LP on Profile Records in 1984...

"Having got to know Russell Simmons through Kurtis Blow, I was aware of Run DMC from the get go. Here was a hip hop outfit that presented itself pretty much as it did on the street. Their debut was, for me, the first Rap LP that was strong from start to finish and I played the hell out of it, although mostly on a boombox cassette.

Who would have thought that my favourite Heavy Metal record of all time would be made by two African American dudes from Hollis, Queens, but it was and it still is !" - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in the Stax Recording Studio, 926 E. McLemore Ave., Memphis, on July 9th or 10th, 1965, for Otis Redding's version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come", first released on the "Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul" LP on Volt...

"Sam Cooke wrote this song around Christmas 1963 and it was first released by him as a b-side. Cooke said it was unlike any other song he had ever written and may have only performed it once live. Otis Redding recorded his version in the year after Cooke's death and it is one of three Cooke songs on the "Otis Blue" LP.

Otis Redding is my favourite singer of all time and "Otis Blue" the first LP I ever owned, it is without a doubt one of the masterpieces of Soul Music - if you don't own it you should." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are near the village of Hyssington on the Welsh border with Shropshire, for Ronnie Lane's version of Derroll Adams' "Roll On Babe", first released on the "Anymore For Anymore" LP on GM in July 1974...

"I recently read that Yo La Tengo had just recorded this, and although their version is a faithful cover of Ronnie's arrangement, it is in fact a cover of a cover. Bass player, singer and songwriter Ronnie Lane was the foundation of both The Small Faces and the later, taller version. He walked away from The Faces at the peak of their popularity and also away from all the trappings of the rock star lifestyle. He was an unpretentious man, who wanted to live an unpretentious life, and made unpretentious music. Sadly he died of multiple sclerosis aged 51 in 1997, having lived with the disease for over 20 years.

The phrase "diamond geezer" comes to mind whenever I'm thinking of him." - KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week, although we are in the London of 2015, we are also celebrating the current turn of events in the place of the song's title, "Georgia", recorded by Tiggs Da Author and first released in July 2015 by RCA...

"Tiggs Da Author is a Tanzania-born, North London-raised (by Ghanian parents), rapper/singer. I shall not pretend to know anything else about him, but it was one of my two sons that put him on my radar 2 - 3 years ago.

I do, however, know more than I care to about Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader in Waiting. To all the good folks of Georgia, I Salute You !" - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the New York City of 1957 for Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite", produced by Dick Jacobs and first released on Brunswick in August 1957...

"Detroit-born Jackie Wilson first came to fame as a member of Billy Ward and His Dominoes, where he was Clyde McPahatter's replacement. His solo debut, "Reet Petite", (co-written by Berry Gordy) was a minor hit, but it did become a UK#1 in 1986, almost 3 years after Jackie's death. It is said that his acrobatic live performances would send the ladies in the Apollo Theater's audience into a frenzy.

In late 1975, Jackie fell into a coma as a result of a heart attack, and I am proud to say that The Clash played a benefit concert in Detroit to help with his medical bills." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studio, Washington Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica, for The Upsetters' "Bird In Hand", first released on the "Return of the Super Ape" LP in July 1978...

Until 1978, I don't think there were many (if any) reggae records made with the lead vocal in Hindi, but that's what this one is ! "Bird In Hand" (aka Milte Hi Ankhen") was written by the Indian film music legend Naushad for the 1950 Bollywood musical drama "Babul". The Perry-produced version features vocals by Sam Carty and I have read that his Hindi is far from perfect.

How it came to be recorded at Black Ark, I have no idea, but like the Upsetter himself, it is both baffling and brilliant ! I can't imagine anyone else having done it at the time." - KV 

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in 1976 and on Canvey Island, Essex, England, for Eddie & The Hot Rods' "Writing On The Wall", first released as a 7" 45 RPM single on Island...

"It might be hard to believe now, but early in 1976, what was fast becoming a Punk Rock Revolution in the U.K. was in fact led by Eddie & The Hot Rods. The band featured Lew Lewis on harmonica, until he became "too much" for the others and it was said that it took all the other band members and road crew to hold Lew down when they told him he was fired !

In 1976, things were moving fast and by year's end, The Sex Pistols were a household name." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in RCA Studios, 55 East 24th St, NYC, on 20th November, 1968, for Les McCann's "Burnin 'Coal", first released on the "Much Les" LP on Atlantic...

"Lexington, Kentucky born Les McCann kick-started his musical career in 1958 when, as a singer, he won a US Navy talent contest that lead to a spot on the Ed Sullivan Show. Rather than pursuing singing, Les saw himself as primarily a piano player and began recording in 1960. He went on to become one of the major figures in what is now described as Soul Jazz.

On this cut, he is with not only Les McCann Trio regulars Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Donald Dean on drums, but also latin percussionist Willie Bobo. Groove on..." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in Hitsville U.S.A., 2648 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit, in 1966 with Holland-Dozier-Holland at the controls for Martha & The Vandellas' "I'm Ready For Love", first released on the Gordy label on 6th October, 1966...

"When I was kid, it seemed that Tamla Motown released a great record every week, and this I considered to be quite normal! Not only that, but if I'd been asked, I would have probably said that I expected that to continue forever.

At the heart of this incredible feat of creativity were the writing/production team of Lamont Dozier and the brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, who left Motown in early 1968 in a dispute over money. In 1966, Martha & The Vandellas were Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford and Betty Kelly." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Prairie Sun Recording Studios, Cotati, California for Tom Waits' "House Where Nobody Lives", first released in April 1999 on his "Mule Variations" album on ANTI...

"If Tom Waits was only a songwriter, I would hold him in high regard, amongst the very best of those that have ever plied that trade. But he is so much more than that - a singer, an actor, a sage, a presence - perhaps - "phenomenon" is a better description.

Here with a country/soul blues, he gives us some words of wisdom and sound advice. You can't ask more of a song." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the Hollywood of 1948 for Brother Bones and His Shadows' version of "Sweet Georgia Brown", first released as a 10" 78RPM record on Tempo...

"I first knew this by way of Rahsaan Roland Kirk's faithful cover version from 1976. But when I moved to NYC I learned that Brother Bones' version had been the Harlem Globetrotters' theme tune since 1952!

Bones was Alabama born in 1902 as Freeman Davis and had also worked as Whistling Sam. Legend has it that Tempo discovered him in a Hollywood Chinese restaurant, he left us in 1974 aged 71." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are 'Live' at the Lyceum Theatre, just off The Strand, London on the 18th July, 1975, for Bob Marley & The Wailers' "No Woman No Cry", first released as a single on Island in September 1975...

""Live" at Lyceum, to which this version ultimately belongs, is surely one of the most important live albums ever recorded. It established Marley as a 3rd World International Superstar and made him and The Wailers one of the 'must see' live performers of not only their time, but of all time.

When released, there were some purists who felt that the record was too fast, but the world connected. Tuff Gong in full Conquering Lion form, carrying his faith and his people with him." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week, although we are in the Hit Factory Recording Studio of 1988, we are also very much in the America of Here & Now for Patti Smith's "People Have The Power", first released on Arista in June 1988...

"Round my house, Patti Smith is known as "Saint Patti" or "Notre Dame des Colombes" (our lady of the doves) and is held in high regard not only as a rock'n'roll singer, poet and writer, but also as a kick-ass mother and wife.

This one, co-written and co-produced with her husband, the late Fred "Sonic" Smith (ex-MC5), is a regular go-to for me, whenever political anxiety rears its head. A kind of Psalm 23, if you will." - KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Columbia Studios, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood in early 1966 for Paul Revere & The Raiders' "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone", from their "Midnight Ride" LP, first released on Columbia Records on 6th May 1966...

"Introduced to me by The Sex Pistols as a cover of a Monkees tune, this is the original version of the song. It was written by the professional songwriting duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and produced by Terry Melcher (son of Doris Day and witness at the Manson trial).

Starting out in Idaho, The Raiders (due to an embrace of a hokey 3 cornered hat image), rarely get the recognition they deserve as a popular garage band. By all accounts, this line up could kick ass !" - KV