KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in King Records Studio, 1549 Brewster St. Cincinnati on 18th August 1956 for "One Hand Loose" by Charlie Feathers with Jody and Jerry, first released as a single on King...

"Although recorded in Cincinnati, this record is pure Memphis 1956, with Jody Chastain on bass and Jerry Huffman on guitar. Like Elvis, Charlie Feathers was born in Mississippi and moved to Memphis as a kid. He also hung around Sun Studios (co-writing "I Forget To Remember to Forget") and worked at Crown Electric ! One of the great rockabilly originals, Feathers always stuck close to the sound and/or its Country and Blues roots. He died aged 66 in 1998 of complications from a stroke." KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the Dix Hills, Long Island, N.Y. of January 1970, for Alice Coltrane's "Turiya and Ramakrishna" from her "Ptah, the El Daoud" LP released on Impulse...

"Detroit born in 1937 as Alice McLeod, the classically trained jazz pianist and harpist became Alice Coltrane when she married John Coltrane in 1965. She performed live with her husband until his death in 1967 and I believe that after that she became very involved in the Hindu faith, eventually becoming a swamini. She died in 2007in Los Angeles. I had wrongly thought that she had only played harp and when I heard this a couple of years back I immediately fell under its spell. It was recorded in the basement of her home, with Ron Carter on bass and Ben Riley on Drums." KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the New York City of late 1966 for Tim Rose's version of "Morning Dew", produced by David Rubinson and first released as a single on Columbia Records, 13th February 1967...

"Tim Rose was Washington DC born in 1940 and after a stint in the U.S. Air Force, joined the early 1960s folk scene - forming a band with and marrying Mama Cass Elliott. Signed solo, he appears to me, to have taken liberties with the writing credits of 2 songs, adding his name to both this - a Bonnie Dobson song and "Hey Joe", which he claimed to be a traditional song. Still, his version of the much covered "Morning Dew" (introduced to me by The Jeff Beck Group on"Truth") featuring Bernard Purdie on drums and Felix Pappalardi on bass, is the one I like best." KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the here, there and everywhere of the summer of 1986 for Cameo's "Word Up" first released as a single on Atlanta Artists (Mercury)...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0066921/
"Founded in 1974 by front man Larry Blackmon as a 14 piece Ohio Players-like funk band,
Cameo were presented as a trio when this hit 12 years later. And "hit" it did - it was everywhere. Can't say I know much about the band other than Larry is originally from Harlem and I have no idea where the inspiration to wear what became a trademark codpiece came from (giving him lineage to The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and "A Clockwork Orange") ?. Play Loud !" KV

This week we are in the New York City of September 1967 for The Velvet Underground's "White Light White Heat", produced by Tom Wilson and first released as the title track of their 2nd LP on Verve in January 1968...

"This was actually the first Velvet Underground LP I owned (with the baffling UK re-issue toy soldier cover), purchased in 1976. Made in 2 days after the VU fired Warhol and Nico departed, it has none of the "Andy Warhol's prettiness", it is indeed a brutal, feedback drenched affair. Guitarist Sterling Morrison said something like "we were all pulling in the same direction, even if it was straight off a cliff." KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the here and now, but I'm not exactly sure where ? I suspect either Los Angeles or London, anyone know ? Anyway, it's for James Blake's latest, "Say What You Will", to be released on his "Friends That Break Your Heart" LP September 10th on Republic...

"My #1 son Jack played me this a few weeks back and I have continued to listen to it quite regularly ever since. I can't say I stay on top of what Mr Blake does, but every so often he will produce something that I really like. There's no denying he's a talent. His falsetto on this one reminds me of Roy Orbison, as does the songs underlying sadness - what the Italians describe as "Morbidezza. There's obviously some humour being displayed here - but "Many a true word said in jest" KV 
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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

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

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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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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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the Austin,Texas of 2019 for the Black Pumas' "Colors", first released as a single on the ATO label...

"The Black Pumas are Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton, who met and became musical partners in Austin in 2017. Burton was spotted busking by a pal of Quesada's and after some time in the studio, a duo was formed. I'm not sure if the other musicians and singers they play with are permanent or not.

I only heard "Colors" after their self titled debut LP was released and have since learned that it was a song Burton wrote prior to his meeting Quesada.

Since first hearing this track, it has only grown on me, more and more." KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back on Orange Street, Kingston, Jamaica, this time in 1967 for Prince Buster's All Stars' "Seven Wonders Of The World" first released as a single on Buster's Soulsville Center label...

" I think this is the third Prince Buster to appear on my Vinyl of the Week and it will be the second one some of you recognise. This record is what The Specials (Special AKA) based their "Ghost Town" on and I have no problem with that. I have come to the conclusion that much of the music I love has come about by "call and response". Someone has an idea and records it, then someone else hears that idea and makes it their own and records it again. Along the way a whole new thing is made. This is not to be confused with a lame cover version, so if you can't make it your own, keep well away !" KV

Silkscreen Credit - Jeremy Collingwood

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in Sun Recording Studios, 706 Union Ave, Memphis for Jerry Lee Lewis and his pumping piano's version of "Crazy Arms", produced by Jack Clement and first released as a 10" 78RPM record in December 1956...

""Crazy Arms" is a song with a murky background as to who wrote what and when, but regardless it was a huge hit for Ray Price in the summer of 1956. It was also the first song that Jerry Lee ever recorded for Sun and he can be heard on it in all his young glory - swaggering and defiant (something that can be heard on all his best recordings).

Guy Stevens rated Jerry Lee above all the other rockers and after "London Calling" was released, his dream was to make a record with The Killer backed by The Clash. Alas, he never pulled it off." KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Electric Lady Studios, 8th St, NYC, during the Transit Strike of 1980 for The Clash's "Magnificent Seven", first released on the 3 LP set "Sandinista"...

"For Record Store Day II on July 17th, The Clash are releasing the one-time radio promo 'interview' LP, "If Music Could Talk", with a new cover by yours truly. I actually only did the front cover, shown here, but also contributed some liner notes for the back and can be heard on the record.

In a shameless piece of self promotion, I have chosen "The Magnificent 7", one of the musical tracks on this release, which also features me as one of "The Magnificent Seven Rappo Clappers" (Joe's original title)." KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Sam C. Phillips Recording Studio, 639 Madison Ave, Memphis, in 1964, for Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs' "Wooly Bully", first released on the local XL label in December 1964...

Led by Dallas-born Domingo 'Sam' Samudio, Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs were a 5 piece, formerly known as The Nightriders, who had become the house band at The Diplomat in Memphis. Written and sung by Sam, "Wooly Bully" (local hipster phrase meaning "good for you") appears to be a reworking of "Hully Gully Now" by Big Bo & The Arrows, although it was Sam who added it's Tex-Mex flavour !

In the early days of what was to become punk rock, this was one of the early 60s tunes that became very popular on that scene and the first copy I owned was a cover version by Eddie & The Hot Rods." KV

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the Sweden of 2008 for Fever Ray's "When I Grow Up", first released (digitally) on the debut album "Fever Ray" in January 2009 on Rabid Records...

"Fever Ray is the name Karin Elisabeth Dreijer chose for her solo project, while still in another electronic band, The Knife, with her brother Olaf. I really don't know too much about her, except that she comes from Gothenburg and has been making music since 1999 (maybe earlier). Full disclosure I don't even know the album this was taken from ! I just came across the single and it has stayed with me. I'm not a big fan of music videos, but Martin de Turah's one for this really did capture my imagination." KV 
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Curtom Studios, on the North Side of Chicago, for Curtis Mayfield's "Back To The World", first released as the title track to his 4th solo LP on his own Curtom label in May 1973...

"Chicago born in 1942, Curtis Lee Mayfield got his first guitar at age 10, and it is said that, as a boy, he loved it so much he slept with it. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and social activist - he surely has to be one of the greatest musical talents the United States ever produced - he could really do it all and on this one he does - everything about it is superb !

Before Bob Marley became the international superstar he deserved to be, the most covered songwriter in Jamaica was Curtis ! Tribute Indeed. Right On, brothers and sisters, Right On !" KV
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KOSMOS's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back at Sun Recording Studios, 706 Union Ave, Memphis on the 21st July 1955 for Elvis Presley's version of "Tryin' To Get To You" first released on the debut Elvis Presley LP on the 136h March 1956 on RCA...

"Although recorded at Sun, this cover of The Eagles' (a DC based R'n'B vocal group) 1954 b-side, was released after Elvis had moved to RCA. It must have been dear to him as he recorded it twice at Sun in 1955, this being the 2nd version. Then, many years later, on the 1968 TV Comeback Special, a black leather clad Elvis performed it in the round, wiping away any concern that The King had lost his mojo - it's worth checking out.

Some people get hit by lightning and a few actually become lightning, my life without Elvis Presley's influence is unimaginable." KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the London of lockdown for the Sons Of Kemet's "For The Culture", featuring D Double E, from their latest album "Black To The Future", released last week on Impulse Records...


"When people ask me who do I listen to from now, my most likely answer is going to be Sons of Kemet. A Black British quartet led by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and featuring 2 percussionists and a tuba. This one features East London grime legend D Double E, the man who inspired Dizzee Rascal to pick up the mic.

This is Jazz from the 21st Century !" KV
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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are spiritually in New Orleans for Dr. John's, backed by The Meters with Allen Toussaint arranging and producing, "Right Place Wrong Time". First released on the Dr.'s "In The Right Place" LP by ATCO on the 25th Feb 1973"...

"You can't get more New Orleans than this combination, even if it was not made there and the guitar solo was laid on later by the in-demand session player David Spinozza.

Mac Rebennack (AKA Dr John) grew up in New Orleans 3rd Ward and started recording at age 14 or 15, circa 1956. He soon became a writer and producer, but it would take until 1973, with this record, for him to front a big hit record of his own.

I think of it as one of the finest examples of someone being able to make a hit record without having to compromise their musical identity in any way - it's all about what he was always about - New Orleans R&B." - KV
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