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Five on the Black Hand Side: Akalepse

5.16.12
by Akalepse

This week's Five on the Black Hand Side comes from New York native, Akalepse.  From digging to rocking parties to managing the record label Truth & Soul, Akalepse's love and appreciation for the music is a badge he wears proudly.  It was only a matter of time before we got curious as to what Lepse is carrying around in his 45 bag. Lets take look.

"Choosing five is really hard. Five for what? Five for when? So i picked five that i would play at this moment. I play these records out, but if you hear these at the party, the party is going very well.  Magic moment status." - Akalepse

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45 Spotlight:
Eddie Billups – Shake Off That Dream

5.16.12
by Agent 45

Eddie Billups - Shake Off That Dream

When I have an opportunity to share information about 45s with people, it's always a strong temptation to talk about the great records from my adopted home of Georgia. While I ultimately decided against that this time, I didn't stray far at all from home. In fact, we will still find connections back to Georgia with this 45, proving that it's not as easy for me as I thought it might be. Eddie Billups hails from nearby Chattanooga Tennessee, and also recorded a brilliant single for William Bell's Atlanta based Peachtree label ("Soldier's Prayer" b/w "Ask My Heart"). "Shake Off That Dream" is a wonderful 1973 recording that borrows from 60s Soul, comes very close to predicting the Disco sound still a few years away, and, hides an incredible and unmistakeable Southern Soul ballad on the flip. Both songs were written by Atlanta native Tee Fletcher, who recorded a handful of great singles himself. In short, this is nearly a perfect record. I said "nearly", so what's the problem? Despite coming out on four (4!) different record labels, it was a total commercial flop! This is a complicated recipe, but is just the kind of thing that makes me love the 45 game. There are always mysteries to unravel, and it doesn't hurt when they sound fantastic on a dance floor.

Behind the Red Door Ep. 2: Cramske

5.16.12
by Hot Peas & Butta

What you are about to hear is not your average 45's mix that have been flooding the internet as of late but something more unique, eclectic and varying in sounds and genres.  This month's Behind The Red Door is delivered via cassette tape (yes cassette) from long time Philly friend and now Bay Area residing DJ Cramske.  Cramske's tastes run deeper than your typical 45 collector in which he doesn't just do Funk & Soul but extends to other genres including Surf and 50's Rock.

The first time I had to opportunity to hear and spin with Cramske was back around 2005 in Philly at a spot called Sidecar Bar and that is where I really found that appreciation and understanding for Surf Rock 45's.  Being that we're heavy into film here at Hot Peas & Butta, the Surf genre was definitely on our list of flicks that we've watched and enjoyed so it was a no brainer to have Sir Cram drop an exclusive mix for us.  But what we didn't know was that it would take him an entire year to return to Philly to grab some records then head back to the Bay to record his mix then finally send it to us via snail mail and on cassette!  Included with this package in addition to the "mixtape" was also a typed letter which you will actually hear at the beginning of the mix and a scanned photo of him and a few records just more quirkiness that I've come to expect from Cramske.

If this guy isn't living in an Analog world then I don't know who is!

Enjoy more after the jump.

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A Taste of What’s in Store for Germany:
Scarce One’s Cinematic Sounds & TV Grooves

5.08.12
by Hot Peas & Butta

Looks like our Hot Peas & Butta Germany fam DJ Scarce One has put together a nice Cinematic Sounds & TV Grooves 45 mix to kick off the upcoming Germany tour touching down this week in Berlin, Cologne and Siegen.  In true Butta fashion Scarce dipped into the archives of ads and soundtrack cuts from a his choice selection of cinematic soul punch.

Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Diggin’ in the Tapes: Sweet Big Box

5.07.12
by Mark Randolph

What better way to really introduce this column than with the one film that started it all; the Melvin Van Peebles master work, Sweet Sweetback's Badasss Song?

Melvin himself stars in the film as a modern day Stagger Lee, a brother running from the law after doling out copious amounts of whoop ass on some abusive cops. Through clever editing, static lens work and a funky score by an early incarnation of Earth, Wind and Fire, Van Peebles' film became the vanguard for what would follow.

This big box VHS was released by Magnum Entertainment in 1985 which, along with Unicorn Video, was one of the top distributors of indie films on VHS. This particular one is rare,7 on a scale of 1-10, as I have never seen another copy in my my feverish quest for more Big Box treasures. The cover art is spectacular, utilizing a full face negative of Melvin, hat cocked pimpishly askew, in the background with a menacing, mirror lensed cop, gun at the ready, in the foreground. Secured nicely on my bookcase, this 80s rarity has recently taken its place among the more prized jewels in my collection. Because of its place in film history and having one of the best personal stories in Melvin Van Peebles, this elusive big box VHS release is sure to be held in high esteem with most collectors.

Five on the Black Hand Side

5.07.12
by Hot Peas & Butta

Five on the black hand side is a new section in which we will find out from some of our favorite DJ's collectors and label owners 5 records that never leave their boxes or always get played no matter if  out at a gig or sitting in their living rooms listening to tunes.  Being that this is our first segment it's only right that we find out from Butta Bro #1 what his favorite pieces are and why.

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45 Spotlight: Billy Stewart – Crazy Bout You Baby

5.07.12
by Hot Peas & Butta


Billy Stewart
"Crazy Bout You Baby" b/w "I'm In Love (Oh, Yes I Am)
Year / Label: 1969 / Chess
Catalog #: 2063

This weeks soul spotlight comes from Chess Records artist Billy Stewart titled "Crazy Bout You Baby".  Billy had a slew of soulful hits for this Chicago Illinois label which he originally started out as an A&R in the early 1960's.  Many of his hits charted very well on the Billboard, R&B and pop charts with the highest "I Do Love You" reaching #6 on the R&B charts.

For the Record at Fat Buddha NYC

5.07.12
by Hot Peas & Butta

Hot Peas & Butta and The Elite Camp bring you a new Thursday night get down.

For the Record:
A night of good music from across the board, strictly on vinyl.

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May the 4th Be With You

5.04.12
by Hot Peas & Butta

Still in celebration of National Star Wars Day here at Hot Peas & Butta and seeing that our guest contributer Johnny Roast submitted his favorite Star Wars 45 themed set up it's only right that we add our submission of this picture sleeve and accompanying radio advertisement direct from 7" vinyl.

May the 4th be with you!

 

Keepers of the Box

5.04.12
by Hot Peas & Butta

We've been discussing here at the offices lately new ways of showcasing what some of our fellow 45 slingers are carrying in their boxes but didn't want to go the traditional route of pictures in standard flight cases.  Being that we're geeks with a lot of things across the board we've come up with a few themes and guidlines that our friends have to follow if they are to be featured on the pages of Hot Peas & Butta.

Since it's national Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you!) our fellow 45'er and all around Star Wars aficionado, collector and keeper of the Jedi gates, Johnny Roast sent us this photo of his favorite record tote holding his Soul Brother #1 7" and even threw in a few of his carded original figures from 1977 to make it even more complete.  We've got to give props to this guy who lives way over in the UK and if you've never heard his musical selections on the decks then scroll back a few pages where we posted his exclusive Hot Peas & Butta all 7" mix.