Bettys Fast Cheap and Easy

Luiz Bonfá-Jacarandá (1973)

2011-06-10T14:24:00.002-05:00

I'm back! I'm terribly sorry for the delay but I came back with a real winner. This is an excellent offering of Brazilian jazz fusion. You may already know the song "Danse V" from my In Flight mix. My copy plays with surface noise, but this is such an excellent album that I tend to not notice. I hope you enjoy it.

By the way, I really enjoy reading your comments even if I don't get around to replying. Thanks for your support! Your feedback drives my desire to post more.

Direct link

1 - Apache Talk
2 - Empty Room
3 - The Gentle Rain
4 - Dance V
5 - Song Thoughts
6 - You Or Not to Be
7 - Don Quixote
8 - Strange Message
9 - Jacarandá
10 - Sun Flower

In Flight Spring 2010 Mix-Improved quality

2010-05-08T10:04:00.004-05:00

Here's a mix I started compiling a couple of months ago and I finally laid it down last night. It contains a lot of stuff from LP's I recently acquired, plus some rediscovered gems. Funk & jazz with a dash of soul. Kind of moody. A bunch of breaks. Can't wait to rock this on the road tomorrow. I hope you like it, too.

Improved direct link here!

Marlena Shaw - Liberation Conversation
Eddie Kendricks - Date With The Rain
Buddy Miles Express - Funky Mule
Luiz Bonfa - Danse V
LA Carnival - Blind Man
Yusef Lateef - Queen Of The Nile
Ohio Players - ( I Wanna Know) Do You Feel It
Sly & The Family Stone - You Caught Me Smilin'
Don Blackman - Holding You, Loving You
Jeremy Steig - Cakes
Ohio Players - Honey
Graham Central Station - Got To Go Through It To Get To It
Clay Frazier - Feel The Funk
The Four Tops - Still Waters (Love)
Ramsey Lewis - Cecile
The Dells - Love Is Blue/I Can Sing A Rainbow Medley
Deodato - September 13
The B.T. Express - You Got It-I Want It

If the link doesn't work, try this one, then click on In Flight Spring 2010 DJ Red Sonja.zip

The Dells-Love Is Blue (1969)

2009-12-04T10:19:00.008-06:00

I finally got my hands on a copy of this record when I was back home in Chicago. Stellar production courtesy of Charles Stepney. This is probably my favorite Dells record.

Love Is Blue/I Can Sing A Rainbow
Oh What A Night
Dock Of The Bay
A Little Understanding
One Mint Julep
Whiter Shade Of Pale
A Summer Place
The Glory Of Love
Honey
Wichita Lineman/By The Time I Get To Phoenix

Enjoy! (edited 17.Dec)
(direct d/l-no waiting)

Main Ingredient-Euphrates River (1974)

2009-09-26T09:08:00.010-05:00

I revisited this album a few months ago, and it's been on heavy rotation ever since. Includes superb versions of "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" and "Summer Breeze". If you haven't already heard it, don't pass this one up.

1 Euphrates
2 Have You Ever Tried It
3 Summer Breeze
4 California My Way
5 Happiness Is Just Around the Bend
6 Looks Like Rain
7 Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
8 Just Don't Want to Be Lonely

Link

Backup link

Mel Brown's Fifth (1970)

2009-06-17T05:02:00.008-05:00

This is probably one of the funkiest releases I've ever heard on Impulse. He used to play with Bobby Blue Bland, and it's no surprise. A little bit of blues, jazz, funk...this album has it all. Another cool thing about this album is that both sides have looped endings, so the record never stops playing. (check out the cuckoo clocks at the end of side 1)

Time For A Change
Good Stuff
747 Airport Blues
Luv Potion
Drifting Blues
Cheap At Half Price
Home Made
Gimme A Little Slack

Enjoy

Sonny Stitt-Tornado (1974)

2009-04-30T12:06:00.007-05:00

A rare and surprisingly funky LP from Mr. Stitt. This is a record I hate to part with.

Spinning Wheel
Natural High
Tornado
We've Only Just Begun
Escanaba Beat

Enjoy!

(Please note this record is VG- so it plays with light surface noise, but it's still enjoyable to listen to)

Johnnie Taylor-Wanted: One Soul Singer 1967

2009-04-20T05:06:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite soul albums.

I Got to Love Somebody's Baby
Just the One (I've Been Looking For)
Watermelon Man
Where Can a Man Go from Here
Toe Hold
Outside Love
Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)
Blues in the Night
I Had a Dream
Sixteen Tons
Little Bluebird

Enjoy!

Syl Johnson x3

2009-03-30T05:54:00.006-05:00

All can be found here. Enjoy!

Is It Because I'm Black? (1970)

Is It Because I'm Black
Come Together
Together, Forever
Concrete Reservation
Black Balloons
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
I'm Talkin' 'Bout Freedom
Right On

Diamond In The Rough (1974)

Let Yourself Go
Don't Do It
I Want to Take You Home (To See Mama)
Could I Be Falling in Love
Stuck in Chicago
Diamond in the Rough
Keeping Down Confusion
Please, Don't Give Up on Me
Music to My Ears
I Hear the Love Chimes

Back For A Taste Of Your Love (1973)
Courtesy of Jigsaw of Dustmightz. Thanks, brother!

Back for a Taste of Your Love
I'm Yours
I Let a Good Girl Go
Any Way the Wind Blows
You Don't Know Me
Feelin' Frisky
We Did It
Wind, Blow Her Back My Way
I Hate I Walked Away
Love You Left Behind

The Dells-Sweet As Funk Can Be (1972)

2009-02-27T12:26:00.004-06:00

Sweet Chicago Soul. Plus, "When You're Alone" was sampled by Madlib. 'Nuff said.

Prologue
Windy City Soul
Funky Breeze Ghetto Scene
Brown Eyed Lady
Origin Of Funk
Do What You Gotta Do Babe
Sweet As Funk Can Be
Til I See You Again
Sweet
When You're Alone
The Look Of Love
Fonky Thang Diamon Rang
Oh My Dear
Ol Amigo
Just As Long As We're In Love
Epilogue

Black Heat S/T (1972)

2009-02-25T08:47:00.005-06:00

As I was recording this for you guys I kept saying to myself "Goddamn this album is great."
It's funky and soulful, with some booty-shaking tracks. And it also has a few really nice ballads on it.
I ain't crying; I just got something in my eye…

Enjoy!
(alternate Megaupload link)

The Jungle
Chicken Heads
Street Of Tears
Barbara's Mood
Chip's Funk
Wanaoh
You'll Never Know
Honey Love
Send My Lover Back
Time Is Gonna Catch You

Manu Dibango-Soul Makossa (1972)

2009-02-13T06:16:00.007-06:00

An afro-funk classic.

New Bell
Nights In Zeralda
Hibiscus
Dangwa
Lily
Soul Makossa
Oboso

New link can be found here:
www.bettysfast.com/Blog/

The New Birth S/T (1970)

2009-01-29T05:56:00.005-06:00

The first release from The New Birth, previously known as the Nite-Liters. My second favorite of theirs, after Birth Day.

Enjoy!

01. What'll I Do 3:09
02. UNH Song 3:12
03. All The Way 3:13
04. It's All In The Game 2:49
05. Pretty Words Don't Mean A Thing 2:34
06. Do The Funky Chicken 4:00
07. Brand New Lover 4:29
08. You Don't Have To Be Alone 3:18
09. One Way Bus 2:41
10. It's You Or No One 3:01

James Brown

2009-01-21T12:36:00.009-06:00

Here are a couple of double LP's for y'all. I especially like Revolution Of the Mind (Live At The Apollo). I don't usually enjoy live albums, but a live James Brown album is a different story. Enjoy!

Revolution of the Mind (1971)

It's a New Day So Let a Man Come in and Do the Popcorn (Intro)
Bewildered
Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
Escape-Ism
Make It Funky
Try Me
Fast Medley: I Can't Stand It/Mother Popcorn/I Got the Feelin'
Give It Up or Turnit Loose
Super Bad
Get Up, Get into It, Get Involved
Soul Power
Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants)

Get On The Good Foot (1972)

Get on the Good Foot, Pts. 1 & 2
The Whole World Needs Liberation
Your Love Was Good for Me
Cold Sweat
Recitation by Hank Ballard
I Got a Bag of My Own
Nothing Beats a Failure (But a Try)
Lost Someone
Funky Side of Town
Please, Please, Please
Ain't It a Groove
My Part/Make It Funky, Pt. 3 & 4

Junior Parker "Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On" (1971)

2009-01-14T09:29:00.004-06:00

Since I made you guys wait so long, I thought I'd make it up to you with another great album.

Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business Goin' On
The Outside Man
Darling Depend on Me
Taxman
River's Invitation
(I Wonder) Where Our Love Has Gone
Just to Hold My Hand
You Know I Love You
Lady Madonna
Tomorrow Never Knows

Eddie Kendricks "People...Hold On" (1972)

2009-01-14T08:15:00.010-06:00

Sorry I've been gone so long! I will try to post more regularly this year. I'll make it my New Year's resolution.

Also, I just updated a couple of dead links thanks to a request, including the Majestic Arrows which seems to be a popular post.

Here's another great album from my collection. Enjoy!

If You Let Me
Let Me Run into Your Lonely Heart
Day by Day
Girl You Need a Change of Mind
Someday We'll Have a Better World
My People Hold On
Date with the Rain
Eddie'e Love
I'm on the Sideline
Just Memories

Alternate link.

Gong-Camembert Electrique (1971)

2008-07-09T14:20:00.009-05:00

New link (April 2010)

Radio Gnome
You Can't Kill Me
I've Bin Stone Before/Mister Long Shanks/O Mother
Mister Long Shanks: O Mother/I Am Your Fantasy
Dynamite/I Am Your Animal
Wet Cheese Delirium
Squeezing Sponges over Policemen's Heads
Fohat Digs Holes in Space
Tried So Hard
Tropical Fish: Selene
Gnome the Second

Yma Sumac-Mambo (1954)

2007-12-15T23:47:00.000-06:00

Read all about the fascinating Yma Sumac at allmusic.com here.

Bo Mambo
Taki Rari
Gopher
Chicken Talk
Goomba Boomba
Malambo No. 1
Five Bottles of Mambo
Indian Carnival
Cha Cha Gitano
Jungla
Carnavalito Boliviano

Download here.

Moving!

2007-11-24T23:06:00.000-06:00

Hello all!

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile. I'm preparing to move to Germany in mid-December so I've been very busy.

Stay tuned! As soon as I unpack my records, I'll be back!

For now, if you're in the mood for some morning music a la Betty, click here.

Sun Ra "Atlantis" (1967)

2007-07-16T20:14:00.000-05:00

Some space jazz for yo' azz.

Enjoy!

1 Mu
2 Lemuria
3 Yucatan
4 Bimini
5 Atlantis

Album overview from allmusic.com

The Cannonball Adderley Quintet "The Black Messiah" (1972)

2007-07-12T18:07:00.000-05:00

A live set recorded at the Troubadour club. Performers include Nat Adderley, Alvin Batiste, Ernie Watts, George Duke, Mike Deasy, Walter Booker, Roy McCurdy, Buck Clarke & Airto Moreira.

"Now I don't give a damn whether you can count or not, we still are the Cannonball Adderley Quintet !"

Introduction
Black Messiah
Monologue
Little Benny Hen
Zanek
Dr. Honouris Cousa
Chocolate Nuisance
Untitled
Steam Drill
Eye of the Cosmos
Episcode from the Music Came
Heritage
Circumference
Pretty Paul
Scene

Block Rockin' Breaks July 7, 2007: The Return of Gene La Treen

2007-07-11T22:06:00.000-05:00

Big thanks to my boys who contributed to the show, whether they knew it or not. In particular, Jigsaw, Jon Caruso and Cuban Cigar, who provided the Syl Johnson cuts, Soul Food Mix & Freestyle Fellowship/3rd Bass cuts, respectively. (And probably some other shit I'm forgetting) Thanks for helping me keep it interesting for the people, fellas!

Make sure you show them some love!

Enjoy!

1 Block Rockin' Breaks theme
2 Beastie Boys - The New Style
3 Biz Markie - Albee Square Mall
4 Prince Paul - Macula's Theory
5 Syl Johnson - Wind Blow Her Back My Way
6 Eric B & Rakim - Microphone Fiend
7 Groove Holmes - Night Glider
8 Twin Hype - Do It To The Crowd
9 Swollen Members - Front Street
10 Big City - Disgustin'
11 Freestyle Fellowship - 7th Seal
12 Original Flavor - This Is How It Is
13 Ghosface Killah - We Made It
14 Syl Johnson - I Hate I Walked Away
15 Groove Holmes - The Red Onion
16 Block Rockin' Breaks theme
17 Jon Caruso - PSA
18 Jon Caruso - Jon Caruso's Soul Foods Kitchen
19 Organized Konfusion - 3 2 1
20 NWA - Straight Outta Compton
21 Public Enemy - Cold Lampin' With Flavor
22 Chakachas - Jungle Fever
23 3rd Bass - The Gas Face
24 Alkaholiks - Only When I'm Drunk
25 Cypress Hill - When The Shit Goes Down
26 Billy Cobham - Stratus
27 Main Source - Looking At The Front Door
28 Donald Byrd - Think Twice
29 The Roots - You Ain't Fly

Junior Murvin "Police & Thieves" (1977)

2007-07-02T21:24:00.001-05:00

Roots Train
Police and Thieves
Solomon
Rescue Jah Children
Tedious
False Teachin'
Easy Task
Lucifer
Workin' in the Cornfield
I Was Appointed

New link!

Teddy Edwards "Feelin's" 1974

2007-06-20T22:54:00.001-05:00

From the Muse label.

1 Bear Tracks
2 April Love
3 Ritta Ditta Blues
4 Eleven Twenty-Three
5 Georgia on My Mind
6 The Blue Sombrero

Allmusic has lots of nice stuff to say about this one:

"Focusing primarily on originals that mix hard bop and soul-jazz with a slight Latin flavor, the tenor saxophonist leads a fine sextet that includes trumpeter Conte Candoli, pianist Dolo Coker, bassist Ray Brown, drummer Frank Butler, and percussionist Jerry Steinholz."

Brother Jack McDuff's Greatest Hits

2007-06-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

With George Benson, Ray Barretto, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green & others. Grab it here.

Rock Candy
Grease Monkey
Brother Jack
Somethin' Slick
Screamin'
The Honeydripper
Sanctified Waltz
Tough 'Duff

Block Rockin' Breaks May 26 2007

2007-05-30T15:17:00.000-05:00

The latest show is up! Download the zip file here.

01 BRB theme
02 Big Daddy Kane - Set It Off
03 EPMD - Strictly Business
04 De La Soul - The Future
05 Eminem - Brain Damage
06 X-clan - Verbs of Power
07 Big City - Chedda
08 Taana Gardner - Heartbeat
09 Ultramagnetic MC's - Kool Keith Housing Things
10 Diamond D and the Psychotic Neurotics - Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop
11 Public Enemy - Nighttrain
12 Pharoahe Monche - Simon Says (US Remix)
13 Jay Z - Takeover
14 Eric B. & Rakim - Eric B Is President
15 Gangstarr - Take It Personal
16 BRB theme
17 Smif N Wessun - Wrekonize
18 Freestyle Fellowship - Hot Potato
19 Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies
20 Bar-Kays - Holy Ghost
21 Cameo - Shake Your Pants
22 GZA - 4th Chamber
23 Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Can't Front on Me
24 Mad Kap - Check It Out
25 Roots - It Just Don't Stop
26 Black Moon - Buck Em Down
27 Souls of Mischief - Let Em Know

Thanks for listening!

Johnny Jenkins "Ton Ton Macoute" 1970

2007-05-24T12:22:00.000-05:00

Supremely nasty funky blues from Macon, GA. This guy had a heavy influence
on Jimmy Hendrix. And for you beat-diggers...there are a couple of really nice breaks! Check it out.

I Walk on Gilded Splinters
Leaving Trunk
Blind Bats & Swamp Rats
Rolling Stone
Sick and Tired
Down Along the Cove
Bad News
Dimples
Voodoo in You

Willie Colón & Hector Lavoe "Cosa Nuestra" 1971

2007-05-13T11:43:00.000-05:00

More good stuff from the Fania label. Check it out.

1. Che Che Colé

2. No More Llores Más

3. Ausencia

4. Te Conozco

5. Juana Peña

6. Sonero Mayor

7. Sangrigorda

8. Tu No Puedes Conmigo

The Further Adventures of Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery (1966)

2007-05-04T18:16:00.000-05:00

Performers include Jimmy Maxwell, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry, Jimmy Cleveland, Grady Tate, Ray Barretto, Oliver Nelson and others!

King of the Road
Maybe September
O.G.D. (aka Road Song)
Call Me
Milestones
Mellow Mood

Enjoy!

Johnny Hammond Smith "Black Feeling!"

2007-04-29T00:47:00.001-05:00

Some nice funky jazz on Prestige. Performers include Virgil Jones, Rusty Bryant, Leo Johnson, Wally Richardson, Jimmy Lewis & Bernard Purdie.

Black Feeling!
Kindra
Johnny Hammond Boogaloo
Dig On It
When Sunny Gets Blue
Soul Talk-1970

Updated link (Aug 2010)

Block Rockin' Breaks April 20, 2007

2007-04-23T20:29:00.001-05:00

Updated link!

BRB intro
Original Flavor - Way Wit Words
Pharcyde - I'm That Type of Nigga
MC Lyte - I Cram To Understand You
Cypress Hill - The Funky Cypress Hill Shit
Mandrill - Fencewalk
Organized Konfusion - Stray Bullet
Mobb Deep - Drink Away The Pain
Tuff Crew - My Part Of Town
Ghostface Killah - Iron Maiden
Hieroglyphics - The Who
Ahmad Jamal - Ghetto Child
Alkaholiks - Hit and Run
BRB theme
Madvillain - Hardcore Hustle
Nas - The World Is Yours
Run DMC - Sucker M.C.'s
Poor Righteous Teachers - Easy Star
KMD - Peachfuzz
O.C. Smith - On A Clear Day
UTFO - Rough & Rugged
Jay Z - Threat
Nite Lighters - K-Jee
Beatnuts - R.U. Ready (Remix)
MC Solaar/Ron Carter - Un Ange En Danger

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound 4

2007-04-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

Another gem from the Fania label. Enjoy!

Sonny Phillips "My Black Flower" 1977

2007-04-14T15:31:00.000-05:00

Funky jazz with some really nice percussion and hammond.

Check it out.

Goin Home
Salaam
My Black Flower
Me and My Brudder
You Make Me Feel So Young
Jalal

Block Rockin' Breaks April 07 2007

2007-04-07T02:57:00.000-05:00

The latest show is up! Download it commercial free or listen to it online at live365.com.

Track list available upon request.

Thanks for listening!

DJ Red Sonja's Fania Mix

2007-04-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine told me that he saw a Fania mix on sale at *gag* Starbucks this week. Not to be outdone, I decided to share my Fania mix from January 2006.

It's one of my personal favorites if you'll forgive me for saying so.

Check it out!

Block Rockin' Breaks Feb 21 2007

2007-04-02T13:08:00.001-05:00

Yeah, yeah...I know it's an old show.

I've got a new one coming up this week.

For now, forgive me and download this one...commercial free.

Playlist available...but only if you ask. ;)

Updated link

The Magic of The Majestic Arrows

2007-03-27T23:04:00.001-05:00

Rare Chicago Soul on the small Bandit label. Updated link!

ONE MORE TIME AROUND
LOVE IS ALL I NEED
DOING IT FOR US
GOING TO MAKE A TIME MACHINE:
( VOCAL)
( INSTRUMENTAL)
I'LL NEVER CRY FOR ANOTHER BOY
WE LOVE TOGETHER
ANOTHER DAY
THE MAGIC OF YOUR LOVE
ONE MORE TIME AROUND

Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound III (1972)

2007-03-24T17:11:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite Latin/Salsa albums of all time.
Enjoy!

Te Vas Acordar de Mi
Yo Soy Chambelon
Que Engañada Estas
Que Salga Pascual
Soy el Terror
Hagan Silencio
El Traqueteo
Se Pone Bueno
Soy
Ilumina Mi Camino

Sharing the fruits of my labor...

2007-03-20T21:21:00.000-05:00

I figure the most appropriate way to start off would be to share one of my favorite finds...you know...one that I won't sell. ;)

Took me years to start appreciating the blues, but I think maybe that's because I wasn't hearing the right stuff. Fucked up when you remember that I was born and raised in CHICAGO! Anyway, enjoy! And why not give me a shout...let me know you're out there!

Super-dirty-filthy-nasty-funky blues.

Spoonful
Tail Dragger
Smokestack Lightning
Moanin' At Midnight
Built for Comfort
The Red Rooster
Evil
Down In The Bottom
Three Hundred Pounds of Joy
Back Door Man