KOSMO's VINYL of the Week

The Rance Allen Group, "There's Gonna be a Showdown"

8/28/2020

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are at United Sound Studios, 5840 Second Ave, Detroit, for The Rance Allen Group's gospel version of Gamble & Huff's "There's Gonna Be A Showdown", released on their 1972 LP "The Truth Is Where It's At" on the Gospel Truth label...

"I have always been a fan of Archie Bell & The Drells' "Showdown" from 1969, but last year my Man in Manchester - Dave Bennett, introduced me to this version, and for me it beats the original. The Rance Allen Group were three brothers from Michigan and the Gospel Truth label was a Stax gospel music subsidiary. They came to Stax's attention via a talent show in Detroit and are featured in the "Wattstax" movie. Some folks have an issue with the lyrical content of gospel music, but for me it is no different than much of the rastafarian reggae I listen to."

"Elvis Presley once said "Soul music is just gospel music with different words."" - KV

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Roland Kirk, "Serenade for a Cuckoo"

8/21/2020

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Nola's Penthouse Studios, 111 West 57th St. NYC, on September 16th or 17th, 1964 for Roland Kirk's "Serenade For A Cuckoo", first released on his "I Talk With The Spirits" LP on Limelight in 1965...

"It was Ian Dury that introduced me to Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Rahsaan was added to his name in 1970). A huge fan, Ian even wrote a song in tribute, "OK Roland", with Kilburn & The High Roads.

Kirk was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1935 and became blind at the age of 2. By age 14, he was playing sax in R'n'B bands. To quote Hank Crawford, "He was an original from the beginning.". A multi-instrumentalist, Kirk could play tenor sax, nose flute and regular flute all at the same time and was known for his off the wall presentation and his spiritual and political remarks. He was also a lot of fun - he left this dimension in 1977 and if there is any sort of afterlife, he's sure to be part of it !" - KV

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Patrik Fitzgerald, "Safety Pin Stuck In My Heart"

8/14/2020

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are at 162 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, East London in 1977 for Patrik Fitzgerald's "Safety Pin Stuck In My Heart", first released on a 7" EP on Small Wonder...

"I'm not sure the term was used at the time, but Patrik Fitzgerald pioneered a style that could be called Folk (or Acoustic) Punk, and I assume that he was an influence on Billy Bragg and those that followed. My old partner in crime, the poet Jock Scot, and myself would often run into Patrik at Bow Road tube station where we would give him a boisterous salute, which he appeared to find extremely intimidating. We were full of good intentions, but were known for going 'over the top'." - KV

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The Skatalites, "Freedom Sounds"

8/7/2020

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
"This week we are back at 13 Brentford Road, Kingston, Jamaica, with Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd at the controls for The Skatalites' "Freedom Sounds", first released on the "Ska Authentic" LP in 1964...

"I have seen this credited to Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso and just The Skatalites (there is also a rock steady version by The Soul Vendors) but being as they were both in The Skatalites, I am going to stick to that 'umbrella' credit. It was omitted from the 1967 UK issue of "Ska Authentic" which only adds to the confusion, but there is no confusion once you hear the tune.

A heavyweight ska classic that became something of a theme for the various line ups of Skatalites that played over the years. Absolutely crucial !" - KV

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