Choice Cuts Vol.4

It is once again time for me to reach back in the refrigerator for some "choice cuts". Each time, I will be featuring sizzling and succulent morsels that are grabbing my ear right now that range from funk to country, from afro-beat to garage rock, etc. Sometimes there will be a theme to these songs that ties them all together in a nice bow, but other times the songs featured will just be a musical hodgepodge of eclectic delights. Without further ado, lets see what "choice cuts" the vinyl butcher has prepared for us today.

                             












May Blitz- Squeet
From: S/T- [ Vertigo, 1970]  

The old adage "You can't judge a book by it's cover" holds true in many cases, none more so than for this British classic rock band's cover artwork for their debut album. I remember working at Music Millenium, upstocking my section of rock cd's one day and coming across this peculiar looking record with an ape sporting long matted hair and a bikini. I thought to myself, this looks like a cheesy record that isn't worth my time. I couldn't have been more mistaken, as this a classic rock record with drum breaks to keep the hip-hop heads bopping and muscular musical chops for the prog and classic rock fans to salivate over.   

"Squeet" would seem to be an ideal opening song for the record, but for some reason they opted to place it smack dab in the middle of the record where it would likely be overlooked amongst the strength of the rest of the record. Wickedly, it starts out swinging for the fences with the intro chicken scratch guitar paving the way for a rubbery bassline, and then the drums come in and it's all over. Shortly after the drums accompany the fat bassline, you are greeted with the strong and melodious opening verse of the song. Then, there is a slow-building instrumental bridge that erupts into a blazing guitar solo for the entire middle section of the song, and then they masterfully bring the opening bassline and drums combo back for another spin. Finally the song closes out with another blistering, fuzzed-out solo laid out over a bed of scattershot drums and sizzling bass.  Even at 6:52 seconds, this track leaves you begging for more.    

                                   















Bayete- Don't Need Nobody
From: Seeking Other Beauty [Prestige, 1972]  

I found this album on a blog named Never Enough Rhodes back when I first got started in this blogging game, and when I first laid ears on this track my head practically exploded from the sheer intensity of it. Those of you who are familiar with the Miles Davis electric fusion period in the 70's will find plenty to love about this track.

It starts out with a bang as cymbal splashes and fuzzy guitar introduce you to a zonked- out rhodes organ played through so many effects pedals that it's practically impossible to differentiate from a guitar sound. About a minute into the track there is a short vocal mantra stating" I Don't Need Nobody" that is repeated multiple times until an explosive organ solo takes you on an otherworldly psychedelic trip through the next three minutes of the track. At approximately the five minute point of the track, there is a trumpet and drums breakdown that leads back into the mantra of "I Don't Need Nobody". Then, the saxophone is run through the same effects pedals as the rhodes organ in the middle of the track, and the band proceeds to hit you over the head with an eclectic musical stew of saxophones, guitar, drums, rhodes organ and trumpets. The track finally closes at the 10 minute mark with a mesmerizing African chant.  This is truly one of the most psychedelic jazz songs I have heard, and for that matter one of the most psychedelic songs from any genre.   I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Choice Cuts.  

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