Daily Party Platter from Jonathan Toubin Little Hank "Mr. Bang Bang Man" (Sound Stage 7, 1966)

Greetings from Manchester, UK! This Jamaican-informed floor filler isn't only a NY Night Train Soul Clap classic but its also a 60s Twisted Wheel classic! In America in its day this one was apparently the kind of good-time obscurity only played in Pittsburgh! A bouncy rhythm punctuated with "Shotgun Wedding"-style novelty gunshots - but when he sings about walking down the street with his pistol in his hand, it shouldn't be taken literally. He's singing about something else! All the girls call him "bang bang man"! And how rare is it that you have a record that fit in the Pittsburgh scene, the Northern Soul scene, and the NY Night Train parties - and has a ska/rock steady groove to boot? A rare bird! And an instant party!

Not much is known about Little Hank other than the fact that he had two rather limited mid-1960s Sound Stage 7 45s. As per usual, feel free to comment if you have any info on Little Hank or this record...

The Honey Drippers "Impeach the President" (Alaga, 1973) via Jonathan Toubin's NY Night Train Party Platter

In the last year or so, when i have to leave town I post some cool songs each day, to make life easier on the road, by one of my favorite DJ's ever Jonathan Toubin. So while I am on a whirlwind Euro visit to solidify some exhibitions for 2018/19, I will start you off here with the platters and descriptions via Jonathan. Thanks for staying tuned.

Tonight, after a long day of consuming political theater, I turn this summer's theme song as I take over Questlove's Bowl Train at Brooklyn Bowl... I finally picked up Roy C and the Honey Drippers' much-sampled Nixon-era classic "Impeach the President" from thee immortal Todd-O-Phonic Todd at WFMU Record Fair and its going keep spinning round and round all summer long until I don't need to play it anymore!

Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

originally Published on Feb 13, 2017
Summer of 1960 saw JFK's nomination at the Democratic Convention, “Psycho” at drive-ins everywhere, the Greensboro, NC, Woolworth's sit-in, Cuba’s nationalization of foreign-owned property, the Cold War heating up after the U2 incident, and “Money (That’s What I Want)” on the radio. During those uncertain times, 1960’s big #1 summer R&B hits were mostly about good lovin’ gone bad, Jackie’ Wilson’s “Doggin’ Around,” Bobby Marchan’s “There Is Something On Your Mind,” and The Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown,” but Berry Gordy's “Money” pushed romance out of the picture in favor of finance.

“Money (That’s What I Want),” from its subject matter alone, might as well be our national anthem. And like so many of smash hits of the time, a barrage of covers, answer songs, and parodies followed hot on its heels. But “Money” was special in that it continued to be played, and played with, year after year - becoming one of the most-covered and referenced songs of its era. The blurry pen of Chess house bassist/producer/songwriter Willie Dixon didn’t waste time responding that summer, pushing romance back into the equation with “I Need Love.” Dixon’s protagonist acknowledges that “money will make you jump and shout” but… attests that a little bit of good lovin’ will knock him out…

Raised in the King Biscuit harmonica heaven of Arkansas blowing alongside another harp genius James Cotton, Little Mack Simmons was a bright star in the Chicago blues diaspora’s mighty constellation by the time he started churning out exciting sides for Bee and Baby, CJ, and Chess by the end of the 1950s. In August 1960 Little Mack stormed Chess studios with a killer cast of usual suspects - the explosive dual guitars of longtime Little Mack collaborator the legendary Eddie King and the diverse jazz/soul wunderkind Freddie Robinson (later Abu Talib), who was just getting his start with Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf etc, superstar pianist Detroit Junior, Big Three organist Lafayette Leake, backing vocalist Georgia Hinton (who takes the lead on the B-Side) and Chess rhythm section regulars Bob Anderson and Billy Davenport. They plow through “I Need Love,” slamming on a bold kinetic wiggle from the get-go and relentlessly and dynamically pushing though a couple of minutes of the most exciting music ever waxed... This may just be the finest of Little Mack Simmons' dance sides...

You can find this in print on vinyl on Volume 10 of the "Jerk Boom Bam!" compilation series!


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my danchttps://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/
e parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

The Allisons "Surfer Street" (Tip, 1963)Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

Originally Published on Feb 24, 2017
Cut in 1963 at Gold Star Studios with Darlene Love on the lead vocals, this epic platter contains a Jolly Green Giant sound and a heavy re-arrangement of Don and Dewey’s Specialty Records classic “Big Boy Pete.” And maybe other members of The Blossoms were also harmonizing? And The Wrecking Crew laying down the backing tracks? Probably! And what the heck... Maybe you're even hearing a Jack Nitzche arrangement? If you know something, say something... This strange and beautiful gem hasn’t only been making the New York Night Train glow for many years, but is also a staple for top disc jocks like Intoxica Radio’s Howie Pyro and Sock Hop Austin’s Andrew Mcalla. The A-Side, a cover of “Money,” is also worth a turn…

graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my danchttps://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/
e parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Larry Bright “Bloodhound” (Tide, 1962) Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

Originally Published on Feb 24, 2017 - In one of the most wildest runs in L.A. history, the infinitely under-rated Larry Bright cut a hair-raising stack of wax for some the west coast’s top labels - Del Fi, Tide, Original Sound, Rendezvous, etc. And both sides of this holy obscurity are up there with the best of ‘em. Bright came to California from Corpus Christie, hit the jackpot with his first record “Mojo Workout,” and spent the next decade sporadically knocking ‘em dead on record and on stage but never could scale his mountain of legal battles, personal problems, and bad luck. Everyone from The Kingsmen to Bill Cosby recorded “Mojo Workout” and Downliners Sect did “One Ugly Child.”


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my danchttps://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/
e parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Swamp Rats "Psycho" (St. Claire, 1966)Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

originally published Published on Apr 21, 2017
Since the NY Night Train is off to Pittsburgh tomorrow I figured I'd throw a Swamp Rats platter up here... Swamp Rats are of course one of the most exciting garage bands ever and this track is a bonafide classic that I initially learned from Crypt Records' canonical first volume of "Back From The Grave." Its hard to imagine a worthy cover of The Sonic's "Psycho," but, like the "Louie Louie" on their debut 45, Swamp Rats make it their own with unprecedented speed and brutality. "Psycho," like another one of my other favorite Swamp Rats' spins, a snarling stab at The Sparkles' "No Friend Of Mine," is a contemporary standard that was far from an obvious cover choice in its time. Pittsburgh however was one of the only markets outside of Washington state where The Sonics both charted (and visited!) - due in no small part to the advocacy of tastemaking DJ god Mad Mike Metrovich and his inclusion of "Psycho" on his "More Mad Mike Moldies Volume 4" LP. The entire thing is perfect but stick around for the experimental backwards explosion at the end is the cherry on top and makes this one of the more unique sides of its time!

Like The Monkees, The Sex Pistols, and other earthshattering acts, The Swamp Rats were a prefabricated band. Formed from the ashes of McKeesport, PA's amazing teen trio The Fantastic Dee Jays, WMCK DJ Terry Lee put the group together. He explains, “There was no actual "band'...the Swamp Rats was a group of people that I put together to make records and do live shows at my dances. The group slowly started to change. As it changed, there were personality conflicts, members left, members returned, and new members were added. It was like a revolving door. The Swamp Rats consisted of over 12 people at various times..."

Pittsburgh Music History pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/rock/the-swap-rats
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/swamp-...


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to the daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl I turn at my parties sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly on the dance floor, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey into learning more about cool old records together! But above all else I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Little Woo Woo "Harlem Shuffle" (Heat, 1967) Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

originally published Published on Apr 22, 2017
A flaming bare-bones take on "Harlem Shuffle" by the consistently fabulous Little Woo Woo on the mysterious Heat Imprint!

Edward "Little Woo Woo" Early started out in a Dayton, OH combo called The Moroccos in 1956. By 1960 they recorded the first and perhaps only single on Dayton's 3M label as Little Woo-Woo & the Moroccos' - "This Wonderful Girl Of Mine" b/w "My One And Only." The charming platter did well enough to get national distribution on Port Records. Little Woo Woo and the Moroccos next surfaced in 1962 on another obscure Dayton imprint, Greenstar, with the under-known two-sided classic featuring the explosive "The Big Swim," which you may remember from "Souvenirs of the Soul Clap, Vol. 4," backed with the very cool and crazy jam “Muzik Megaton.” The band next caught their big break - loading up the truck and zipping up to Detroit to record a total of six sides in two sessions at Motown. The result, under the Morrocco Muzik Makers moniker, and their sole soul 45 for Motown. The A-Side "Back to School" hit far below the band's usual standard of excellence but its fat flipside “Pig Knuckles” is a wailing firecracker and one of Motown’s most candid, unusual, and exciting instrumentals. The rarity of this record is testament to how little the label attempted to do with it and it looks like the The Moroccos disappeared from recording after their Motown adventure.

Little Woo Woo however, sans the Moroccos, appeared at least once more on vinyl - on an impossibly rare 1967 Heat Records “live” LP. Today’s Party Platter is the scarce single contains the LP's tracks “Harlem Shuffle” and the instrumental “Outrigger.” The band credited on the LP is Dayton organist Sammy Dobson, drummer Billy Vance, and vocalists Leatha Early (Woo Woo’s sister?), Connie Lawson (Dayton singer of Connie and Kenny?), and Leroy Rogers. Like 3M and Greenstar, Little Woo Woo also appears to be the only act released on Heat - making me wonder if his three amazing non-Motown singles were private presses. Though the band was from Dayton and the Heat records were on the log at Cincinnati’s RITE Custom Pressing, the label mysteriously includes only a Birmingham, Alabama address.

If you have any information to add about this amazing band or record, feel free to chime in!

graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to the daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl I turn at my parties sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly on the dance floor, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey into learning more about cool old records together! But above all else I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Big Ella "Too Hot To Hold" (Salem, 1969)Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

originally published Published on Apr 28, 2017
Getting ready for Saturday's Chicago Soul Clap and Dance-Off with a huge Windy City platter by thee one and only Big Ella! This killer diller vocalist whose life and career details remain clouded in mystery is the next evolutionary step in a the bawdy blues diva lineage going back beyond Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Despite her obscurity, and she only has three known records, Big Ella is one of the coolest vocalists of her time and all six ofher sides are stellar!

Stanley Booth's "True Adventures of the Rolling Stones," Bill Wyman goes to see Big Ella play in Memphis and her 1969 banger "It Takes a Whole Lot of Loving", from the same year, she shouts "They call me Big Ella and Memphis is my home". So this heavy duty slice of some of the grittiest funky soul action ever cut into wax is both a Chicago record by a Memphis superstar. And wait 'til you hear the flip (https://youtu.be/yxysSxULNig)! Big Ella is thee Queen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTJ05...) and all of her flaming sides are earth-shaking and way too hot to hold!

check out the only internet page on her thusfar...
http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2...


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my danchttps://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/
e parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Louis Jones w/The Bobby Scott Orchestra "The Birds Is Coming" (1963) Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

originally published Published on Apr 14, 2017
Get ready for Saturday's Houston, TX Soul Clap with Galveston soul screamer Louis "Blues Boy" Jones surrealist horror rhythm and blues masterpiece informed by Alfred Hitchcock's "The BIrds"... "The Birds is Coming"!

Years back I found a record for one my favorite DJs and people, Action Pat of Miami's fabulous Southernmost Soul Club and he gave me this curious platter as a thank you. When Pat gave me this killer slice of eccentricity I shouted, "This might just be the best record I've ever heard!" then I asked, "But how can i get anybody to dance to it?" He told me they'll dance if they're in the right mood. And he was right! And the flip "Cuz I Love You" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLNrn...) is one of the ultimate Texas soul ballads and a showcase for Jones' unreal pipes!

Like Wilson Pickett, Louis "Blues Boy" Jones is one of the rare soul screamers who is also a super-musical note hitter that delivers the goods with impeccable phrasing for maximum emotional effect. While his ballads are something to behold, all five of his A-sides work hard on the dance floor. Particularly his "Come On Home" - a signature song of sorts for me that hasn't stopped rotating on my tables since nearly the beginning...

Blues Boy Jones was born in Galveston in 1931 and by the early 1950s had served in the Korean War and was in Houston lending his amazing vocal talents to the backing Bobby Blue Bland, Big Mama Thornton, and other stars of Don Robey's universe in the studio. His first record, the ringing "Rock'n'Roll Bells" on Peacock was as much novelty as high grade dynamic rhythm and blues. It was a minor hit and a favorite of Elvis Presley. Its surprising that not much followed on Duke/Peacock. He then hooked up with Bobby Scott Orchestra and churned out a couple of amazing 2-siders recorded in Beaumont and released on a Lelan Rogers' pre-International Artists imprint, Sabra Records. As a member of Bobby Scott Orchestra, Jones toured the world as a featured vocalist and behind Otis Redding, Jerry Butler, and Maxine Brown. Brown invited the band to New York where this single and another killer diller for Bobby Robinson's Enjoy were both recorded in 1963.

https://tshaonline.org/handbook/onlin...
http://thefacts.com/free_share/articl...
graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to the daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl I turn at my parties sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly on the dance floor, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey into learning more about cool old records together! But above all else I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

The Creep "Betty Lou Got A New Tattoo" (Oakridge, 1964)Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

originally published Published on Jun 2, 2017
I learned “Betty Lou Got A New Tattoo” from the A-Bones cover that for years remained a staple of their live set and also from Norton Records’ stellar “Fort Worth Teen Scene” compilation on which this appears. I will always associate this song with Billy Miller and remember the playful smirk on his face and his distinctive vocal delivery as the band reliably tore through this one with unbridled gusto. Since Billy passed away a few months ago I play this every Friday at Home Sweet Home in his memory and I feel his spirit in the room when it inevitably shakes the house down. So this of course goes out to him.

The Creep, AKA Nick Kithas of Creep and the Deacons, moved on from his rockin' roots to become a notable a jazz musician, club owner, and restauranteur in Ft. Worth. Another hero of mine Jim "The Hound" Marshall says, "It's basically a take off on Bobby Freeman's Betty Lou Got A New Pair Of Shoes, but better, and dumber."

I hope that you enjoy this classic as much as I do and get yourself a copy of "Fort Worth Teen Scene" to get wowed by all the killer rock'n'roll coming out of DFW in the 1960s. http://www.nortonrecords.com/304-vari...


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to the daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl I turn at my parties sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly on the dance floor, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey into learning more about cool old records together! But above all else I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

The Honey Drippers "Impeach the President" (Alaga, 1973) Get your enjoys, Jonathan Toubin Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

Originally Published on Jun 8, 2017
Tonight, after a long day of consuming political theater, I turn this summer's theme song as I take over Questlove's Bowl Train at Brooklyn Bowl... I finally picked up Roy C and the Honey Drippers' much-sampled Nixon-era classic "Impeach the President" from thee immortal Todd-O-Phonic Todd at WFMU Record Fair and its going keep spinning round and round all summer long until I don't need to play it anymore!


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to the daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl I turn at my parties sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly on the dance floor, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey into learning more about cool old records together! But above all else I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

The Egyptians "Party Stomp" (Mah's 1960): NY Night Train Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train

Like a lot of the best tracks ever, I learned this Detroit destroyer from Norton Records. I was initially drawn to the cover of Norton's rerelease - picturing what I can only describe as the absolute coolest looking band I've ever seen. Three turbaned young hip black men with matching patterned shirts, white pants, black socks, and white shoes. One holds a tambourine, one a microphone, and the other a guitar. I've never been able to learn anything about these super-heroes other than that they come from the Motor City and look and sound like this. What else do you need to know? Listen to that! This copy of the best rock'n'roll instrumental there is came cheap from my first trip to Peoples' Records when I took the NYNT Happening to the Old Miami in 2009. The other side "Inkster Boogie" is also about as party as it gets and will probably find its way up here in due time!

Feel free to look at their picture, or even order the reissue while you listen http://www.nortonrecords.com/140-the-...

graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

The Night Riders with Mel Smith "Pretty Plaid Skirt (And Long Black Sox)" (Sue, 1959) - NYNT Daily Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train

Today we have another all-time classic by Mel Smith and the fabulous Night Riders - who you may remember from “Chicken Backs” a few months ago. In the early 1950s Atlanta’s Melvin Smith had a huge teenage r&b hit with ”Looped" and by 1954 wound up in Philadelphia fronting bassist James "Doc" Starkes hard rockin' Nite Riders. This overlooked territory band stuck together for nearly a decade - settlng in Hartford and made a living tearing up the east coast.

“Pretty Plaid Skirt (And Long Black Socks)” is one of those rare tracks with a killer name and even better music. I don’t exaggerate when I say this is a perfect platter and one of the most exciting rock’n’roll recordings ever made! Check out the way the band swallows up the wild Bo Diddley guitar and tightens the frantic energy into a symphony of rhythm and heart-stopping dynamics! And that unreal musicianship! And after the verses check out the guitarist machine gunning into "Black Angel's Death Song" slashes before sliding the octave chords way up the neck way beyond where they typically go! Up and down and way out! He was executing a 1980s/1990s post-hardcore punk guitar cliché decades before its time! We used to call that "the Fugazi chord" when i was a kid! And the rhythm section's kinetic syncopation holding the machine together in this high speed chase! And Melvin Smith's throaty growl! And recorded so clear and raw and present at the same time! And mastered loud! Lay down the needle and get ready to jump back because it’s gonna pop out and grab ya! You’re not gonna hear anything quite like this anywhere out there. As with “Chicken Backs,” if you don’t wanna go through the trouble to find one of these killer-sounding original 45s, somebody made a recent reproduction that can be found in a number of internet stores…

Here’s more about Melvin Smith, Doc Starkes, and the amazing Nite Riders…

http://thehoundblog.blogspot.com/2012...
http://koti.mbnet.fi/wdd/docstarkes.htm
http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/m...


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Joe Cooke "Dish Rag" (Apollo, 196?): NY Night Train Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train

Hot stuff! Comin through...

One would think that this is the Joe Cooke of Little Joe and the Thrillers fame. But the voice isn't similar.. Also there's not much out there that indicates this platter exists. It doesn't appear in the Apollo Records discographies - except one that inaccurately lists it as 1953. I'm thinking maybe this is more like 1963? It references the Mashed Potato - which was big in 1962 and "Deputy Dawg" - which also didn't appear on TV until 1962.

If you've been to thee Clap the last couple of years you've probably done the "Dish Rag" to this platter or if you went years back, you may have done the dance to King Coleman's different "Dish Rag" floor destroyer! If you don't know how to do it, Little Joe gives you step-by-step instructions!


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Thee Midniters “Everybody Needs Somebody” (Whittier, 1967) original vinyl - NYNT Daily Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train

Originally a Solomon Burke / Bert Berns 1964 Atlantic soul hit, and further popularized by The Rolling Stones in 1965 and Wilson Pickett in 1966, and made even more famous by The Blues Brothers in 1980, Thee Midniters’ “Everybody Needs Somebody” is by far the most rocking version - all decked out in fuzz and urgency and Thee Midnite Feeling!

This playlist anticipates the June 18 Los Angeles New York Night Train SOUL CLAP AND DANCE-OFF at the REGENT THEATER with THEE MIDNITERS with Greg Esparza, THE PREMIERS, and THEE COMMONS with a list of my ten favorite o.g. Midniters sides for the LA RECORD!

graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Thee Midniters "Never Knew I Had It So Bad" (Whittier, 1967) original vinyl - NYNT Daily Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train.

Of all of Thee Midniters’ recordings, this is their most straightforward garage rock and the band proves that they can effortlessly deliver a snarly fuzzbox pounder with the best of ‘em.

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Lee Rogers "Troubles" (Mah's, 1962): NY Night Train Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train.

Lee Rogers was one of the finest and most prolific vocalists of the soul era in Detroit and was a big influence on Marvin Gaye and the Detroit sound in general. While Rogers is underrated and virtually unknown in the outside world, you'd be hard pressed to find a soul 45 collector that doesn't have at least a few of his jams.

Mississippi-born Lee Rogers appeared on the Detroit recording scene with a vocal group called The Peppermints, but really made his mark in the early 1960s singing with The Barons whose amazing early soul/post-doo wop group 45s "Dog Eat Dog"/"Money Don't Grow On Trees Who's In The Shack"/"While The Cats Away" are still goodtime dance party classics! In 1962 Rogers went solo with "Walk On By" but DJs flipped it for the side you're hearing, the very swinging and dynamic "Troubles." Next Morris Levy's Roulette Records saw enough potential here to pick the platter up for national distribution.

And why not? "Troubles" has everything! Check out that piano intro! And the way the up-high guitar figure slides in over a banging beat! And Rogers' stunning falsetto! Gliding and vibrating all over the top and eventually howling by the end! And all the stops and the sax that comes in outta nowhere! And its got so much fluidity and emotion that you don't even notice how much is happening! A bonafide early rockin' soul classic!

After "Troubles," Rogers moved away from the rock'n'roll/rhythm and blues influence in favor of a mid-1960s Motown soul approach and went on to record countless canonical sides for D-Town, Wheelsville, Premium Stuff, Diamond Jim, and Loadstone.

Soulful Detroit on Lee Rogers
http://soulfuldetroit.com/web11-mike%...

graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Thee Midniters "Dragon-Fly" (Whittier, 1967) original vinyl - NYNT Daily Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train

Thee Midniters blow thee summer of love open with this cool and crazy surrealist cartoonish instrumental masterpiece that is beyond category and description. Their Dragon-Fly is of the “Flight of the Bumble Bee” and “Green Hornet" species, buzzing around the cut-and-paste aesthetic of Love’s “Revelation” and briefly landing a couple of times on a bizarro early Sun Ra horn arrangement before flying off into the smoggy dayglow horizon. Weird, wild, and wonderful!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Ruben Fort "So Good" (Anna, 1960): NY Night Train Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train



This week I'm throwing all Detroit platters up here in anticipation of Saturday's Soul Clap and Dance-Off at U.F.O. Factory!

While "So Good" can definitely be categorized as popcorn soul, like a lot of the rockin' minor key Detroit destroyers, this one's minimal arrangement, lack of orchestration, strong dynamics, ripping guitar work, handclapping break, and rock'n'roll bridge drives this jam smack dab in the middle my neighborhood. Also while the intro warns that the backing vocals may send this track into cheeseville, the singers instead hold back until the choruses and add a little touch of Detroit group doo wop harmony to the mix. And of course Fort's soaring soulfullness is the star of this show!

Of all of the early Motor City recording stars, its particularly difficult to find any information about Ruben Fort. And this is too bad because he possesses some serious pipes and can really push 'em way up into Willie Little John-ville with the greatest of ease.

What little is known about Fort is that his career got lost in the Anna/Harvey/Check-mate soap opera from which Motown was born. "So Good" was cut for Billy Davis and Gwen Gordy's Anna Records imprint one month after Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)" put the label on the map. Motown mogul Berry Gordy's sister Gwen was in a long heavy romantic relationship his writing collaborator Billy Davis (the co-writer here! The team of Gordy and Davis pinned Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops," Marv Johnson's "You Got What It Takes," etc) and Gwen and Billy started Anna Records together. The Moonglow's Harvey Fuqua, the arranger here, a huge Chess Records recording star, and at the time Etta James' boyfriend and collaborator, helped Anna get the Chess distribution that enabled "Money (That's What I Want)" to become a hit. Harvey also fell in love with Gwen and the two ran off together to build the excellent Harvey and Tri-Phi imprints. The dejected Davis split with the acts he signed to start the quality but unsuccessful Chess subsidiary Check-Mate. And Berry Gordy absorbed the remainder of the Anna roster to help build the foundation of Motown Records.

As luck would have it, Ruben Fort was assigned to Check-Mate instead of Motown. Despite getting lost in the shuffle of history, Fort's Check-Mate platter, "I'll Do The Best I Can"/"Nobody" also illustrates what a badass Ruben Fort is. I'm gonna go in my stacks and dig that one up for you as well. If you're somewhere out there Ruben Fort, you've got fans!


graphics by AVI SPIVAK (http://www.avispivak.com)!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/

Godfrey "Down Whittier Blvd" (Whittier, 1967) with Thee Midniters! original vinyl - NYNT Daily Party Platter

This is the continuing series I will post every other day while i'm out of town, thanks to Jonathan Toubin DJ of New York Night Train



Owner of the Kay-Gee, Gee-Kay, and Flashback record labels, radio DJ, and host of many East L.A. dances and review shows, Godfrey Kerr was one of the biggest proponents of Chicano rock and soul music in the mid-to-late 1960s. His recording of Kim Fowley’s “The Trip” backed by The Challengers is now canonical via Pebbles and other compilations. “Down Whittier Blvd” is yet another dose of his excellent outsider boho proto-rap poetry backed by Thee Midniters. It’s also the closer of his East L.A.-centric compilation Godfrey Presents: 16 Successful Sounds. If anybody out there knows Godfrey, please let him know we want to hear him do this one!

You're listening to my daily addition to the New York Night Train Party Platter playlist. Each track here is recorded directly from my original 45s (no bootlegs, reproductions, etc) to give you an idea of what the real deal authentic vinyl sounds like. COME BACK EVERY DAY FOR A NEW FIX! Because the records pass so quickly at my dance parties, this channel is an attempt to stop and focus on one record at a time in hopes to personally learn more about each one and at the same time turn you on to the artists, tracks, labels, etc. I'm just hipping myself to a lot of these records for the first time as well - so you can view this as our journey to learning more about cool old records together! But mostly I hope this music moves you as much as it moves me.

Get your enjoys,
Jonathan Toubin
Soul Proprietor, New York Night Train

https://www.youtube.com/JonathanToubin
https://www.facebook.com/newyorknight...
https://twitter.com/jonathantoubin
https://instagram.com/jonathantoubin/