Now PLAYING on my Turntable

Dif Juz - Who Says So? (1983 Mini LP, Red Flame Records, RFM 24, UK)

Side 1:

1. Roy's Tray
2. So Shy
3. Song With no Name
4. Tabla Piece

Side 2:

1. SWNN Part 2
2. Pass It On Charlie
3. Channel
4. The Dub Song

The label has a Cheap Thrills stamp on it, so I've had it since my days in Montréal, way back in the 80s. Cheap Thrills was my personal vinyl "temple" back then. I still like to pop in whenever I'm in downtown Montréal. A true LEGENDARY record store.

Anyway, back to the record now playing on my turntable. An instrumental band from the UK, Dif Juz put out very few records, but everything I've heard from them is fantastic. Head music, I'd call it.

This one, Who Says So?, features a heavy dose of dub, clangy guitars & saxophone. Really nice groove to it, with a hint of mystery. The music has an almost cinematic appeal to it... "visual music", perhaps?

There's not one bad track on it, but, for my tatse, the last one - The Dub Song - is the killer track. Hard-hitting dub topped with healthy chunks of guitar and a bass line to kill for.

A keeper, for sure.

More on Dif Juz.

Dif Juz, Who Says So? - Front cover

Dif Juz, Who Says So? - Back cover

Long live vinyl.
;)

Quick Visit at the 5th Ottawa Community Record Show

Yesterday (Sunday, October 2) was our first visit at the Ottawa Community Record Show, which may seem odd since we've been selling vinyl records on eBay since 2005! This marked the event's 5th edition.

For a certain number of reasons, we've never had the chance to attend the Ottawa Record Show in the past, so we decided to check it out yesterday. We mainly wanted to find out if it would be worth, eventually, to take part in the event as sellers, as a way of promoting our "Chez LouLou" virtual store to the local community.

First, we had a chance to meet a Twitter "friend" in person (@swanpr), who was there selling records for a friend of hers. A delight to finally meet her in person. She was selling amazing records, but definitely out of our price range. Among other things, very cool Contemporary & Electronics stuff: loads of John Cage, Steve Reich, Xenakis & other "take-your-breath-away" items. Some Punk items were also quite interesting.

The event seemed to be fairly well organized, but here's a tip: don't bring a 10-year old at the event, with little to no interest in vinyl records. I probably would have stayed there a LOT longer, but our son just wanted to get out of there after 20 minutes.

One small criticism, though : I'm not sure why they need to charge a $3.00 admission fee. It always pisses me off when I need to PAY to get into an event where I'll probably be BUYING stuff from vendors. I just don't see the logic.

All in all, what I found there was a good mix of sellers (record stores as well as individuals), and lots of interesting vinyls to be had, and for a wide range of prices. Most of the local record stores that sell vinyl were represented there, namely Vertigo Records, the Record Centre and Birdman Sound.

We're definitely considering renting a table for the next Ottawa Record Show (April 22, 2012). It's not like we don't have enough records we could sell (10,000 + LPs, over 4,000 45s)! We'll see...

Didn't buy much, though, but I did manage to pick up these nice items at a low price ($3.00 each), including two SEALED Tom Mawhinney LPs!

Not a bad afternoon after all!

Long live vinyl.
;)

Bit Rebels – A Roof Shingled With Vinyl Records: A Different…

Now, THIS is cool!

Bit Rebels; "A Roof Shingled With Vinyl Records: A Different Kind of Retro"

I think I'd have enough junk records to do my roof!

Long live vinyl.

;)

The revival of vinyl records | 6abc.com

Nope, vinyl's NOT dead!

Here's an interesting read (+ a video of the news report):

The revival of vinyl records | 6abc.com

Long live vinyl.

;)

Now PLAYING on my Turntable

Hawkwind - "Doremi Fasol Latido"

Great record, great sound. I have the 1972 German pressing, and it is so much more enjoyable on vinyl than the later CD re-issues, trust me.

The liner notes are hilarious, all spacey-galactic bullshit written by someone who may have smoked too many bongs on a cold Monday night or something. We are reminded that "Lemmy the Lurch" (of later Motörhead fame) played bass and 6-string guitar on this space rock masterpiece, and may have contributed the odd vocal here and there.

Both sides start off really strong ("Brainstorm" on Side 1 and "Lord of Light" on Side 2) and the onslaught goes on from there until the needle hits the end of the record.

A wonderful piece of wax.

Long live vinyl.
:)

Another GREAT video featuring vinyl on a turntable!

Sonic Youth - "Dirty Boots" (from Goo, 1990)

Sonic Youth music was MADE to be played on vinyl. "Dirty Boots" is a great song, no matter the format, but it's just that much... awesomer on vinyl.

'Nough said. Listen & enjoy:

Long live vinyl.
:)

Video: Sealed Beatles Record Collection

This'll make any Beatles fan drool with envy. The guy's showing off his collection of SEALED Beatles records. Holy crap!

Interestingly enough, the guy really knows his stuff and provides fascinating comments about almost every album he presents. Really cool!

Long live vinyl.
:)

Gary Bartz/Ntu Troop -- Harlem Bush Music/Taifa, Part 2

My $0.10 Find of the Week from last week is turning out to be quite a gem. There isn't a bad track on this amazing piece of wax.

Produced by the legendary Orrin Keepnews (who most notably produced Monk's wonderful albums on Riverside) it features some really great  and groovy playing by the likes of Gary Bartz himself (on soprano and alto saxes), Andy Bey (vocals), Juni Booth (bass), Nat Bettis (percussion) and Harold White (drums, awesome,awesome drums!).

Check out this INCREDIBLE track:

Long live vinyl.
:)