I'm BACK! & part of the VAMP music*art*consignment team!

Hello Friends! WOW...that was a long hiatus. A lot has happened since April. Some crazy things, some stressful things, many fun things and some BIG things! Namely, I have joined the team at VAMP music*art*consignment in Oakland in a BIG WAY! If you haven't heard about VAMP, check out the Facebook page to see what we're all about: https://www.facebook.com/vampmusicandart. We are open every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from noon until 6pm. We are a vintage vinyl record store made up of both consignment and shop owned offerings. We specialize in Black music from the 1940s-1980s, specifically Jazz, Soul, Gospel, R&B and Blues. We carry LPs, 45s, 12" singles, etc. We are always getting in new stuff, so be sure to check back often and keep an eye on our FB page for the best news!

We recently started making lists of new stock coming into the store. Check out the list below for tons of great titles that you will have the opportunity to buy starting this weekend! And as a matter of fact, VAMP is the location and setting for a play that is currently being put on the the All Terrain Theatre group (https://www.facebook.com/events/434243053263196/). Opening night is tonight! (Thursday night), with shows Friday and Saturday night, as well as Thur/Fri/Sat for the next 2 weekends. Shows start at 8pm with a couple ending at 10pm and a couple additional ones extended to midnight with a little after party! The storefront will be open during these times for your shopping pleasure, so come in for these special hours to get the first choices of the new stuff! Hope to see ya there!

Okay, here's the list of new stuff! **Breaking news!** Hitting the shop this weekend! Lots of excellent 70s and early 80s soul, funk & boogie records from this collection! Mostly all in excellent condition and priced to move! Check it here:

5 Stairsteps & Cubie Love's Happening
Al Hudson and The Soul Partners Spreading Love
B.T. Express Energy To Burn
B.T. Express Non-Stop
Bar-Kays Light Of Life
Bill Summers and Summers Heat Straight To The Bank
Bill Withers Menagerie
Bill Withers Still Bill
Bill Wolfer Wolf
Billy Paul War Of The Gods
Billy Paul Let 'Em In
Billy Paul 360 Degrees of
Billy Paul First Class
Billy Paul When Love Is New
Billy Paul Only The Strong Survive
Bloodstone Do You Wanna Do A Thing?
Bloodstone I Need Time Bloodstone I Need Time
Bloodstone Unreal
Bobby Caldwell Carry On
Bobby Womack Lookin' For A Love Again
Bobby Womack Understanding
Breakwater Self Titled
Brenda and The Tabulations I Keep Coming Back for More
Brother To Brother Let Your Mind Be Free
Casiopea Eyes of the mind Cheri Murphy's Law - 12" Single
Chic Self Titled
Chocolate Milk Blue Jeans
Chocolate Milk Self Titled
Chocolate Milk We're All In This Together City Limits Circles
Collage Get In Touch With Me/When You Smile - 12" Single
De La Soul Saturdays
Dee Dee Bridgewater Just Family
Deodato Happy Hour
Detroit Emeralds I'm in Love with You
Digital Underground Kiss You Back
Donald Byrd & 125th Street, NYC
Double Exposure I Got The Hots For Ya (Salsoul 12" Single)
Double Exposure Ten Percent
D-Train You're The One For Me
D-Train You're The One For Me - 12" Single Eddie Holman I Love you
Enchantment Journey To the Land Of…
Enchantment Once Upon A Dream
Enchantment Self Titled
Faith hope & Charity Self Titled
Faze-O Riding High
Floaters Self Titled
Flora Purim Nothing Will Be As It Was…Tomorrow
Freddie Hubbard Splash Funk Deluxe Self Titled (Salsoul)
Funkadelic One Nation Under A Groove
Gene Page LoveLock
Gene Page Love Starts After Dark
George Duke Dream On
Gregg Diamond Bionic Boogie
Heaven & Earth That's Love
High Energy Steppin' Out
House Party Soundtrack
House Party Why You Get Funky On Me - Soundtrack Single
Impact Self Titled
Invisible Man's Band Really Wanna See You Jackson Five Dancing Machine
James Brown The Original Disco man
Jean Carn Sweet & Wonderful
Jeffrey Osborne Don't Stop
Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager The Love We Have
Lenny Williams Spark of Love
Lets Clean Up The Ghetto Comp
Lisa Stanfield All Around The World
Manchild Power and Love
Marlena Shaw Sweet Beginnings
MFSB Summertime
Mike & Brenda Sutton We'll Make It - 12" Single
Norman Connors You Are My Starship Norman Connors This Is Your Life O'Jays Meet The Moments Self Titled
Originals Green Grows the Lilacs
Parliament Mothership Connection
Parliament Funkentelechy
Patrice Rushen Anthology of…
Pharoah Sanders Love Will Find A Way
Phyllis Hyman Somewhere In My Lifetime
Phyllis Hyman Self Titled
Public Enemy Night Of The living Baseheads
Ramsey Lewis Routes
Raydio A Woman Needs Love
Richard Evans Self Titled
Rick James Stone City Band
Rick James Fire It Up
Ronnie Laws Friends & Strangers
Ronnie McNeir Love's Comin' Down
Rose Royce Fresh Cut
Roy Ayers I'm The One
Roy Ayers No Stranger To Love
Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan Self Titled
Seawind Self Titled
Silk Get On Up - 12" Single
Slave Showtime
Stanley Turrentine Pieces of Dreams
Starpoint Hot To The Touch Starpoint Say You Will 12" Single
Starpoint Have You Got What It Takes
Starpoint I Want You - You Want Me - 12" Single
Starpoint Sensational
Tavares Madam Butterfly
T-Connection Totally Connected
T-Connection Pure & Natural
The Blackbyrds Better Days
The Choice 4 On Top Of Clear
The Choice 4 Self Titled
The Delfonics LaLa Means I Love you
The Dramatics Joy Ride
The Jamaica Boys Spend Some Time With Me - 12" Single
The Miracles Do It Baby
The Miracles City Of Angels
The Moments Look At Me
The O'Jays In Philadelphia
The Originals Portrait of…
The Temptations House Party
The Trammps III
The Tymes Tymes Up
The Undisputed Truth Higher Than High
The Whatnauts Help Is On The Way - 12" Single
Third World Arise In Harmony
War Galaxy/Junkie To My Music - 12" Single
Wes Montgomery The Best Of Wes Montgomery Bumpin' Willie Hutch Fully Exposed
Your Arms Too Short To Box With God Soundtrack
Zapp Computer Love - 12" Single

Today's Inspirational Quote

...courtesy of Thelonius Monk:

“I say, play your own way. Don’t play what the public want — you play what you want and let the public pick up on what you doing — even if it does take them fifteen, twenty years.”

COLOR. By Tom Sachs

Great video about color theory by artist Tom Sachs.

BBC Reggae Britannia

http://youtu.be/95zSqP75kVI

Time for another VAMP SOUND OUT! - Young Birds Fly!

The friendly proprietors at VAMP music and art are opening up the doors and stage for another SOUND OUT! Coming up on March 10th, we will be welcoming 4 great bands/performers from the Seattle, WA area. The party starts at 7pm. As usual, BYOB/BYOFood. There will be plenty of time to shop for records, too (extended hours in the shop!)! We look forward to unveiling an improved performance space for this event! Hope to see you there!!!

Saturday, March 10, 2012 7:00pm until 10:00pm
7:00: Bobby Jo Valentine (30 minute set)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zowB-idERI&feature=youtu.be
7:40: Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount (40 minute set)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejP3z5N-tXo&feature=youtu.be
8:30: The Jesus Rehab (40 minute set)
9:20: Soul Mechanix (40-50 minute set)

The fun happens at:
VAMP art*music*consignment
547 Athol Ave.
Oakland, CA 94606

Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.186349564719855.40807.186348871386591&type=3#!/events/190371244401791/

A quiet moment gives way to a poem...

A manic wind blows through the palm fronds overhead
Tossing my hair gently across my face.
The sun holds court in the crystalline blue skies
Like a spotlight for a special place.
I close my eyes and reflect upon the orange glow
of the sun filtering through my closed lids.
Thinking of my personal solitude
And the fact that life has a way of going this way and that
But embracing the knowledge that I am a pillar
To my own strength and happiness.
Just as the sun has a path,
So do I.
Thoughts blowing through my mind
As the wind blows through the trees.
I will emerge to find
The smile of life offering open arms.
...and I am happy to accept!

Temptations Let Your Hair Down

Good morning!

Lower Bottoms Funk + Soul + Luther Ingram - If It's All The Same To You Babe

Gearing up for tonight! Headin' on down to the Lower Bottoms Funk & Soul dance party at Revolution Cafe. Got my dancin' shoes at the ready and practicing some spins to some ace Luther Ingram. See ya on the dancefloor!

Musical Legacy and a tribute to those we've recently lost!

There is a lot of talk lately about music, new vs. old, good vs. bad, etc. With the recent loss of greats such as Etta James, Johnny Otis & Jimmy Castor (in the soul world), many are feeling sadness at the thought of an important musical era coming to an end. The 1960s and 1970s provided just the right environment: politically, socially and musically, to fuel what exploded onto the scene in a collective musical genre that we call SOUL. A few years back, in 2006 to be exact, we lost one of the most legendary contributors to R&B, Funk and Soul (and beyond!), Mr. James Brown. A quick check on other Soul greats who passed that year adds the following to the list: Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett and Billy Preston. And while we are spending time to remember those we lost most recently, in 2011, we lost a great talent in Nick Ashford of Ashford & Simpson fame; Dobie Gray, best known for "Out on the Floor" and "The "In" Crowd"; and Gil Scott-Heron, a socially active spoken word artist known for tunes such as "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", amongst others.






I guess the point that I would like to make here is that music is lasting. The message, the feeling, the melodies...all of these things have been preserved in recordings for future generations to discover and enjoy. Death is a strange thing and when it's someone who has been influential to pop culture, to your life's musical journey, or someone who has touched you personally, it is expected to make an impact on the way you see their individual contribution, as well as the music or movement or genre, on the whole.

I have realized that being born in the 1970s, as I was, thankfully gave me the link to the first half of the 20th Century that has been so influential to me and on the second half of the Century, but seems to be a distant memory now into the 21st Century. Because of this link, I have been exposed to music, culture, cars, fashion, etc. that most kids born in the mid 80s and beyond do not and will most likely never understand. Some of us out here are what can be called "old souls" and will tend to gravitate towards stuff from eras that we never lived through ourselves. But this is the most important thing to recognize and hold onto! Modern technology, pop culture and most notably, music, has brought about an abrupt change to our culture. Instead of appreciating true talents, society accepts digitally altered "talent" and the sad thing about it, is that it's eaten up! We are all too busy with our iPads, iPhones, Blackberry's, etc. to lift our heads up and look and listen to what's going on around us! If our society as a whole, blindly and silently, continues to accept the low quality, mass produced crap that is being offered up on not so shiny silver platters, we can only expect for things to continue to get worse. Mainstream has never been the stream I have flowed with. Humans are individuals and we should be proud of that, instead of trying to find a way to become assimilated with the rest of the millions of people out there. Eccentricity is a good thing! Individuality is a good thing! Embrace these things and find the path that is right for you!

...And now back to our beloved singers, songwriters and entertainers that have been lost, we must keep their talent alive. Share the music with anyone who will listen. Share the passion for their talents and remind the young ones coming up now, to dig. Dig into the past to find the influence for the future!

Jimmy Cliff - Sitting In Limbo

Woke up with this tune in my head. Second time in a week. Funny how there's a song for every moment of your life...

Calling Fellow Soul DJs! Where It's At! is looking for guests!!!

Hello Friends and fellow DJ's! Up until this month, I have been holding it down twice monthly at the Mad Dog in the Fog for Where It's At! with my DJ partner in crime, Shawn. Sadly, he will be moving back home to the Big Apple very soon. This will be leaving open the opportunity to welcome guests to share the decks with me. If you are interested, whether I already know you or not, hit me up! Please keep in mind that this is a 100% vinyl party specializing in 1960s & 70s soul:: Funk, Disco, Rare Groove, Motown, Modern, Northern, etc. Some nights get pretty eclectic, while others seem to focus a little more on a couple styles. It all depends on the mood of the bar and where my musical intuition flows. Regardless to say, it's a nonjudgmental night and we just like to spin good tunes and have a good time over a few pints of beer! So, if this is up your alley, send me a message and I'll get you scheduled to join the party!

With all of that said, here are the details:
*10pm until close (usually we quit the tunes about 1:45am)
*Mad Dog in the Fog - Lower Haight, cross street is Fillmore
*530 Haight Street, SF
*Free drinks for the night. Mad Dog is a beer & wine bar, fyi
*A little cash at the end of the night.

Contact me here if interested or need any more details: mookeysmooddesign@hotmail.com

Lower Bottoms Funk + Soul vol. 12 [1 Year Anniversary w. *MissT*]

Keeping the Spirit alive in the New Year.
Lower Bottoms Funk + Soul vol. 12 [1 Year Anniversary w. *MissT*]

Can't believe we've been so fortunate to ride the wave this long. One great party after another formed out the ferment of all our collective efforts.
So many great guests and awesome supporters, late night vibes, & bumping jams!

Thanx Bay Area, but especially the West O. Hood for knowing what it is. And how we do.

Hope you all can make it to our anniversary!

===================
9PM-LATE NIGHT
Saturday Jan 14
@1610 7th st.
LOWER BOTTOMS
{{FUNK + SOUL}}
w. spesh guest
MissT (where its at)
------------------
& your residents!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Where It's At! First edition of 2012!

Hey Friends! So, it's that time again...2nd Friday means another edition of Where It's At! This will be the first one of 2012! Let's get the year off on the good foot! MissT & Shawn have been holding it down for the past 2 1/2 years. All OG vinyl all night long! Soul, Funk, Disco, Rare Groove and Motown tunes from the 60s & 70s. We love to bring ya the music and hope to see ya there!

Mad Dog in the Fog
530 Haight Street @ Fillmore
San Francisco, CA
10pm til close

p.s. I will be looking for guests starting in February. If you're interested, hit me up, but keep in mind we don't do laptops, iPods or Serato...vinyl only. Free drinks & a little spending cash at the end of the night. Cheers!

Rhygin Records and the Rhygin Showcase!

If you are a fan of reggae music, I highly suggest you check out this label: Rhygin Records! They just released a showcase album featuring their fantastically talented roster of musicians. Top quality from start to finish. Definitely a record that you need in your collection! These guys know how to do it right!
http://music.rhyginrecords.com/

The record features:
*Generation Rockers
*Roots Daughtah
*Sandollar Sound
*Tino Ranks & Sandollar Sound
*The Black Emeralds
*Gold Cobra

Thanks to my friends Paul & Adrian for the copy. Excellent tunes...sounds like I'm in 70's Jamaica...just need a rum cocktail in my hand and some warm sun on my face and it'd be perfect!

The Sahara All Stars of Jos - Take your soul

WAKE THE TOWN! Hotshots of Rocksteady & Reggae! This Saturday night!

The longest running Vintage Reggae & Rocksteady night in San Francisco! 4 Years and running! Shawn Atkinson holds it down the first Saturday of every month! This Saturday, January 7th, we invite you to join us at the Mad Dog in the Fog! Shawn welcomes his special guests King Daddy (Craig McNaught) & Mini! It's going to be a party so hope you come down to join us! Top drawer Skinhead reggae & rocksteady all night long! Bring a friend...we promise a great night! See ya there!

ALWAYS BOSS!!!

Mad Dog in the Fog
530 Haight Street @ Fillmore
San Francisco, CA
The Lower Haight

Wake The Town
Every 1st Saturday of the month
10pm until close
FREE!
https://www.facebook.com/events/356105014404102/?ref=ts

"Getting in the Mood" by Mandrill! 1980