KOSMO's VINYL of the Week

The Cadillacs, "Speedoo"

8/27/2021

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in New York City of 1955 for The Cadillacs' "Speedoo", first released on the Josie label in October...

First named The Carnations, a four piece doo wop/vocal group from PS 139, a Harlem Junior High School (James Baldwin went there too), they became the Cadillacs when they started recording and added a 5th member. Their dance routines were created by famed choreographer Cholly Atkins, better known for his later work at Motown. Never a hit in the UK, I probably first heard this on Charlie Gillett's "Honky Tonk" radio show - it was also a very popular sound on The Clash tour bus !" KV

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Isley Bros., "Behind a Painted Smile"

8/20/2021

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in Hitsville USA, 2648 W.Grand Blvd, Detroit, in 1966 for The Isley Bros' "Behind A Painted Smile", first released on their "Soul on The Rocks" LP in January 1967 by Motown...

"The Isley Brothers (on this one, O'Kelly Jnr, Rudolph and Ronald) originally hail from Cincinnati, Ohio and started out as a vocal trio in the 1950s. Their stay at Motown only lasted for two albums and a handful of singles and in view of the success they had after leaving, it was for them the right thing to do.

This one became a UK Top 5 hit in 1969, after The Isleys had already left Motown and was included on my much treasured UK version of "Motown Chartbusters Vol.3" (the sound of my Xmas of 1969)." KV

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T. Rex, "Mambo Sun"

8/13/2021

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the London of 1971 for T.Rex's "Mambo Sun", produced by Tony Visconti and first released on the "Electric Warrior" LP on 24th September 1971 on Fly...

"I must confess that at the time of their success, (me then being 14) I viewed T.Rex as a teenybop/girls group. Many of the girls at school were besotted with Marc Bolan, some scratching his marc, or the band's name, on their arms. I had a pal who bought the LP and so I got to hear it quite often and although I liked some of it, a fan I was not.

It was only long after Marc's tragic death in 1977 that I began to fully appreciate the Bolan Boogie. They really had their own sound, in no small part to Bolan's guitar playing and Visconti's production. Boogie Children !" KV

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Mose Allison, "I Don't Worry About a Thing"

8/6/2021

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back at Atlantic Recording Studios, 1841 Broadway (60th St.) NewYork City, on 13th March 1962 for Mose Allison's "I Don't Worry About A Thing", first released on the album of the same name on Atlantic...

"In 1962, the 35 year old Mississippian, Mose Allison, was making the transition from a jazz pianist to a piano playing, singing sage. Accompanied by Addison Farmer on bass and Oise Johnson on drums, this was a breakthrough recording and established Mose as perhaps the ultimate "Mod" white recording artist.

In view of the current anxiety regarding the Delta Virus (not Blues) I thought we should all check in with the Sage Of Tippo - he always sets me straight." KV

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