KOSMO's VINYL of the Week

The Upsetters, "Bird in Hand"

12/25/2020

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

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Eddie & the Hot Rods, "Writing on the Wall"

12/18/2020

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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

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Celeste, "Both Sides of the Moon"

12/11/2020

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the England of 2018 for Celeste's "Both Sides Of The Moon", produced by Gotts Street Park and first released on Polydor, 14th December 2018...

"Celeste is a California-born, British singer who grew up just outside of Brighton. I'm not going to pretend to know much about Celeste, except that she 'blew up' big time in The UK in 2019, winning several awards.

Gotts Street Park is a collective that hails from Leeds. It was my #2 son Charlie that first played me this and I've been listening to it ever since." - KV

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Les McCann, "Burnin' Coal"

12/4/2020

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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

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