Monday, August 31, 2009

PUDDIN, Thursday September 3rd!!!



It's a celebration!

Open Bar from 10-11pm, we are getting a case of bubbly for this one!

Legendary Disco DJs Hippie Torales and Peter Reyes have been DJ'ing since the early 70s, and have been DJ'ing Dance music and rare grooves all over the globe ever since.

Check out the August 21st Edition on http://www.eastvillageradio.com/shows/nowplaying.aspx?contentid=1290&showid=37408 for Peter's latest radio show

Check out http://secretrendezvousonline.blogspot.com/2009/08/mini-interview-with-nj-legend-hippie.html for an interview with Hippie about the dawn of Disco in New Jersey!

Doug Gomez and Henry Maldonado have been tearing up dancefloors in NYC with their Play It Loud parties, and have been tearing up floors all over the globe with their viny releases. Check www.playitloudnyc.com for mixes and party info!

JBX from Big City Records and Lost & Found has been one of NYC's top record dealers servicing the biggest producers with source vinyl for more than a decade. Check http://secretrendezvousonline.blogspot.com/2009/07/jbx-thanks-for-waiting-exclusive-secret_29.html for his "Thanks For Waiting" mix that has everyone trainspotting!

Asaf aka PaperStax is the man behind the man when it comes to rare tunes. He is going to close out the night 100 Limousines style with his trademark of "STRONG SONGS". check out http://www.100limousines.com/?p=214 for his mesmerizing soul disco mix!

Mini-Interview with NJ Legend Hippie Torales!



Hippie is back in the tri-state area this weekend for the Zanzibar Reunion party, and we are also luck enough to have him throw down some vintage tunes at Puddin' on Thursday as well. While he is here visiting I got him to answer some short questions for Secret Rendezvous.

Q. How did you get your start DJ'ing?

A. I started DJ very early on I use to work the turntables, mikes and projectors for our school auditorium. At the age of 13 I went to my first club (El Central in Jersey City NJ) and heard continues music for the first time. I was amazed and lucky enough to be brought up to the DJ booth to meet the DJ Angel (R.I.P). He explained the basics of 2 turntables the mixer and I was hooked ever since. I started DJing at home at 14 then started doing my first mobile gigs by 15.

Q. Tell us about the roots of the NJ Disco scene, the Traveling Disco Sound you were a part of.

A. When I first started Djing I was doing mostly parties for my friends then I hooked up with partner Nelson (Butchie) Nieves and we started Traveling Disco Sound in 197%$#. We use to do the roller skating ring in Newark called The Branch Brook Roller Rink (still around today). Then we use to do parties at different venues. At some point in early 70's we hooked up with Mark IV DIsco and started doing parties along with them and another mobile group called G.O.L.D (Gentlemen of Leisure Disco). We use to have parties in the Ebony Manor. We use to get 1000's of people to those events. And that was my introduction to a black audience. At that point in Newark there were a couple of things going on. Al Murphy was having his parties and started Le Jocks with Larry Patterson as his Dj and Shaniques was an established club with a steady audience. There was also the Showcase on Brandford Place which catered to a gay crowd and Murphy's bar which is still open today. At around the mid 70's Miles Burger brought an Old Holiday In hotel and turned it into the Lincoln Motel. At around the same time Kelly opened Sensations on Brandford Place and Butchie and I opened Docks on Market St.

Q. You were the first DJ in the booth at the Zanzibar. What was the date of the opening night of the Zanzibar, and what was that first party like?

A. Around 1978 I started workin at Abe's Disco located in the downstairs floor of the Lincoln Motel. House jock was Gerald T. And a DJ named Mumbles had a spot and I joined them. In January of 79 Miles started talkin about turning the upstairs ballroom into a night club. He contacted Richard Long to do the sound again (Richard had done the sound for Abe's) and Richard told him let me take you to a club in NY I did the sound for and took Miles to Paradise Garage. Miles came back wanting the same thing for New Jersey and proceeded to create Zanzibar. On August 29th 1979 Zanzibar opened to the public. We had almost 3000 people in attendance. We had a giant python in display in a showcase, we a tiger in a cage right next to the entrance where you pay. We had the Le Clique Dancers, a magician and a roller skating chimp named Zippy which was my competition that night. We were doing a live broadcast on WNJR radio at the same time. In the booth hangin out that night with me were Kool & The Gang, Tasha Thomas, Sugar Hill Gang and several other celebrities. At one point we had show put on by the chimp. He was roller skating forwards and backwards. It was probably one of the highlights of my career.

Q. What years were the Zanzibar open from, and can you tell me about the evolution of the club over the years?

A. I cannot give you all the history cause I'm not sure when they finally closed there doors. But they opened in 1979 and closed somewhere near the early 90's. Among the DJ's that played were Gerald T (The Lincoln Motel longest resident DJ) Larry Levan, Larry Patterson, Tee Scott, Francois K, David Morales, Naeem Johnson, Tony Humphries, DJ Punch and Shank and Kevin O. I believe Disciple did some parties there also. There were also some parties where Louie Vega also played.

Q. You've been doing your thing over the years and have seen DJs come and go. Can you tell me the differences you see in today's DJs vs the DJs of the 70s? ie: format, selection, the business aspects etc? Do you have any advice for them?

A. DJing use to be a thing we did for fun and passion. Now it's become a business and it's lost some of it passion. We use to consider everything dance music in a club and we use to love finding that b-side or import that would take our audience to another level. Now every club has become so segregated that most only play one style of music in any given night. The only advice I can give new jocks is to "Keep Your Ears And Your Mind Open" to new music. No matter what people label it. Find that song that you feel passionate about and make it your own by working it to your own taste by either working the crossover or remixing it live with 2 copies.

Q. So what do you have in store for the crowd at the Zanzibar re-union, and what do you have in store for your sneak preview at my birthday party? :)

A. Well for the Zanzibar Reunion were are going to try and recreate the excitement of the opening night. For your party I think I will try and turn you guys on to some good music from the 70's.

Thanks Hippie, see you at Puddin' on Thursday, and have fun laying it down at the Zanzibar reunion on Sunday!



Sunday, August 30, 2009

Norman Weeks - Hold on



When you look up *Strong Songs* in the urban dictionary, this record should be sitting there.

*tm 100 Limousines

Friday, August 28, 2009

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Starvue - Body Fusion b/w Puddin' Planning



Heavy stepper!!!

This one will have to get dropped at my birthday Puddin' jam coming very soon. Nothing but heavy DJs playing the heavy shit for my special day, stay tuned for details because "we take this Disco-Soul-Boogie shit serious"...

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Pax Nicholas & The Nettey Family - A Rare as Hen's Teeth Afrobeat LP That Everyone Can Now Enjoy!



Thanks to Frank over at Voodoo Funk collaborating with Daptone records, Pax Nicholas' impossible to find LP is now getting a proper re-issue. I just copped it yesterday and it is a fantastic record. This is the background info on Pax, swiped from the Daptone website:

Nicholas Addo-Nettey was born in Accra, Ghana on August 7th, 1954. From his early childhood on he was dedicated to music: he started singing in a gospel choir when he was only 6, and later on joined different traditional and cultural groups as a dancer and percussionist. In the 60s, Ghanaian youth were crazy about American soul music, and Nicholas was no exception to the rule. James Brown and Otis Redding were his idols, and by the age of 18 he started to perform himself. Shortly after, fellow musician Joe King Kologbo invited him to the Mecca of African funk music: Lagos, Nigeria. Nicholas was not only talented but also lucky. Kologbo introduced him to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the undisputed Godfather of Afrobeat. He was able to convince the master of his skills as a drummer and singer and in 1971 became a full member of Fela´s legendary band Africa 70 as a conga player and background singer. The first record he appeared on was “Shakara” – an international smash hit and one of Fela´s greatest. Nicholas was at the right place at the right time. In the 70s, stars like James Brown, B.B. King, Ginger Baker, Stevie Wonder and Manu Dibango came to Lagos to visit Fela’s Shrine Club to hear this new and incredibly heavy thing called Afrobeat.

While playing and recording for Fela’s Africa 70 (he appeared on all of Fela’s releases between 1971 and 1978), Mr. Addo-Nettey also always had his own thing going on the side. He released two solo LPs for the Tabansi Label with the Martin Brothers Band from Portharcort, Nigeria: Mind Your Own Business in 1971 and Na Teef Know The Road of Teef in 1973. The latter, made with Africa 70 musicians and singers, is heavy Afro-funk, recorded in Ginger Baker’s highly equipped Lagos studio, where many of Fela’s albums were recorded, as well. Obviously, Fela was not amused at all about these kinds of things, even less when he heard how strong the Na Teef… album was. Reportedly, he said, “Don’t you ever, EVER play it again!” And so it was. Despite being a killer record, Na Teef… remained undercover for more than 30 years.
The story of Na Teef… would have ended there had it not been for Frank Gossner (aka DJ Soulpusher of voodoofunk.com, a dedicated cratedigger who, in the 90s, found a copy hidden at a record store in Philly, tracked down Nicholas in Berlin, and brought the album to the attention of Daptone Records.

As for Nicholas, in the 70s he experienced life in Fela’s Kalakuta Republic, a place where about 100 musicians, dancers, friends and family members of Fela lived, played, loved, and celebrated together. It was a property in Lagos that had been declared an independent state by Fela, in open defiance of the brutal dictatorship that was ruling in Nigeria at that time. The regime, which hated Fela for his radical messages and his popularity, attacked Kalakuta several times. In one of these raids, Nicholas was arrested with several other band members and remained in prison for nine months, where he was strongly mistreated. During another army attack in 1977, Fela’s mother was thrown out of an upstairs window and killed, and the whole compound was burned to the ground. The dangerous conditions became to much for Nicholas to bear. When playing at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1978, he and other band members, including drummer Tony Allen, left Africa 70 because they didn’t want to go back to Nigeria. While Allen moved to Paris, Nicholas stayed in Berlin where he raised two sons and continues to play music to this day. Pax Nicholas now leads his own band, Ridimtaksi, which features West African musicians, continuing to play his own fresh take on Afrobeat.
– Matti Steinitz

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Zanzibar Reunion! Peter Reyes, Hippie Torales, Tony Humphries and more...




Looks like the Jersey legends are going to lay it down! If you like dance music, I wouldn't miss this one...

Monday, August 17, 2009

Perfect Touch - Merry Go Round



I wish the 80s sounded like this more often.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Splendor - Special Lady



Solid tune I was lucky to catch a promo 12" of recently, but what's infinitely more interesting is the story someone posted about the memories they have of this tune:

Anonymous - "Back in the 80s, I used to work at the "San Tropicana Resort" in Mexico. It was a really sleazy place. Lots of fugitives, prostitutes and swinging couples. One night by the poolside there was a massive party. About 200 people were in the pool having sex while this song was playing in the background. Some fat sleazy guy was getting a blow job at the hotel pool bar while some hooker was fucking another bloke on the side. An Amazing scene of lust and smooth jazz sleaze.This song brings it all back."

Enjoy...

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sidiku Buari - Koko Si - Polydor Ghana 1977



Afro-Disco Heat, perfect sounds for NYC during these hot & humid August days...

Marta Acuna - Dance Dance Dance



Played this baby at the last Puddin', forgot my camera so no pics though. Special thanks to Ron Morelli and the heads that came out for making it so much fun...

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

JBX - Thanks For Waiting Tracklist!



What a summer it's been so far! Sal P Fist of Facts party, the Secret Rendezvous we had, all the Puddin' parties with Peter Reyes, Kon, Jamie 3:267, Ron Morelli and the Foreal People reunion! Lots of parties this summer have been great, including Lost & Found crew's party at Santos Party House on Friday night. 1st guest of the party was none other than DJ Muro. Look forward for more special things to come.

Speaking of Lost & Found Crew, here is that recipe for JBX latest batch of goodies otherwise known as "Thanks For Waiting" that EVERYONE has been asking me about! I got one of the treasures I wanted, and have a long way to go. Good luck with your searches boys & girls...

Track List:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slacking Off ~ The Nassauvians (Cicada)
Illusion ~ M.N.S.B. (Seventh Scroll)
Giving Love Instead Of Gold ~ Lucy Stone (Fire Mountain)
Welcome To My Door ~ Spaceark (Color World)
Please Be Truthful ~ Family of Eve (Jeree)
My Love ~ Climax Band (B&B)
Don't Be Afraid ~ Sky's The Limit (J.M.J.)
I Love You ~ Jay Poole (Ne-Bo)
Thought You Ought To Know ~ Jesse McFall & Funk Elegant (Choice)
Baby, I Love You ~ Vise (Chocolate Mama)
Love Dream ~ Unity & the Downbeats (Stax-Take)
You're The One ~ Candi-Bars (Candy-Stix)
Don't Say No ~ Cast of Magic Band (Space)
You're A Melody ~ Aged In Harmony (Mor-Tones)
Running In The Rain ~ Turner Bros. (MB)
Everybody Needs A Place ~ Fisher (Nentu)
Super Strong ~ Ricky Lance & Magical Horizon
You've Got So Much Feeling (In Your Love) ~ Tal Armstrong (Love)
You Can Win ~ Bileo (M.T.U./ Watts City)
Class A ~ Majestics (New World)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, August 3, 2009

Fist Of Facts Record Release Party Pics with Sal P & Love On The Run

Special thanks to Sal P for preparing the home cooked meals for the crowd, and being such a fun guy to Dj all night with. Good times were had, and here are some of the pics in case you couldn't attend, now you can pretend!

Tag teaming with Sal P of Liquid Liquid/Fist of Facts fame

Crowd Feeling It

Sal on deck

People on the chow line

Sal serving food

Pure Love and my 7" box back on deck!

More crowd dancing to the disco-lypso-soul-boogie-punk-funk madness!

Sal on the mic while I'm spinning the Liquid Liquid & Fist Of Facts classics!

Peace!