Hidden Strength - “It Didn’t Have To Be This Way” (Hidden Strength, 1975)

Picked this up entirely based on the cover at work and it is blowing my mind right now. Everyone must hear their space-funk-jazz jams.

See also the next track on the album, though it has more flute solos and a chorus you’ll never be able to get out of your head: “Happy Song”

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Timmy Thomas - “Funky Me” b/w “Why Can’t We Live Together” (Glades Records 7”, 1972)

Both sides of this 45 are just a man and an organ. The production is kind of off. The drums are really just a selected preprogrammed drum beat in an electric organ. The first song being an upbeat jazzy-funk instrumental but I think the real gem is the flip side. “Why Can’t We Live Together” is lonely, simple, desolate ballad of being kind to each other and is one of those topics that never really goes out of style. It takes a while for the vocals to kick in but when they do (and not for long) they absolutely make the song. 

Uploaded from my personal collection and purchased at the Carrboro Record Fair from the kind DJ Harley Lyles.

Lee Fields & The Expressions - Faithful Man

Lee Fields & The Expressions - Faithful Man

Turiya Alice Coltrane & Devadip Carlos Santana - Illuminations
A side, meh. B side, oh yeah.

Turiya Alice Coltrane & Devadip Carlos Santana - Illuminations

A side, meh. B side, oh yeah.

King Curtis & The Kingpins - “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin cover)

Jeff Beck w/ Jan Hammer Group - “Darkness/In Search Of A Sun” (Live, 1977)

The drums bring it all in a good bit into the jam but when it comes together, it really does come together.

Raw Material - “I’d Be Delighted” (Raw Material, 1970)

Stanley Clarke & George Duke - “Louie Louie” (The Clarke/Duke Project, 1981)

Like a virtuoso Bootsy Collins meets…George Duke.

Ray Charles & His Orchestra - “Unchain My Heart” (1961)

The Sons of Champlin - “Boomp Boomp Chomp” (The Sons, 1969)

Used in The Beatnuts’ “Straight Jacket”.