#crate diggin

[oldirtytony]

[ultimate-tlc]

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[930club]

CRATE DIGGIN’: In Honor of Della Reese

The soulfully divine Delloreese Early, better known as Della Reese, passed this November, and while the world mourned yet another legend, it sparked a sensation that sent me perusing and ultimately stumbling across my 1960s spirit album! The Detroit darling's early beginnings derive from a strong gospel influence, singing in churches from the age of six until she was discovered in the 1940s at a talent contest by the incomparable Mahalia Jackson at eighteen years old! Della's career is unequivocally matched with seven decades of touring across the world as a Grammy-nominated gospel and gold-awarded R&B/jazz singer and songwriter, ordained minister, author, Golden Globe-nominated actress, and overall force of nature!   This woman is a creative’s #LifeGoals, #CareerGoals, and #Goal'sGoals While searching through her discography, I came across many jazz ballads as well as a very familiar song,"Whatever Lola Wants", commonly used in commercials from Pepsi to Magnum ice cream. Originally written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for the 1955 musical Damn Yankees and sung by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and many others, Della included a rendition accompanied by 11 tracks, entitled Della Della Cha Cha Cha. The album is a collection of sassy siren cha-cha anthems, intended for the carefree girl who knows exactly what she wants and gets it, too! She is luxurious and sexy, fun and confident – a tease. She’s me in the ‘60s, walking into a speakeasy with a long, black fur coat, draped in diamonds, an ole nasty pin curl, bold red lip, and an 'it' factor that demands all the attention in a room. (And yes, I did make up a fictional scenario in my head to illustrate the nostalgia of it all because that's where this album takes me!) The ‘60s were a pivotal era in music that brought us many of today's cherished sub-genres, and Della Reese's parts in that are undeniable. Her style was intentionally robust and outgoing, the difference between an artist who simply sings a song and the artist who becomes the song. Della became her songs. Every single track on Della Della Cha Cha Cha is pleasingly dramatic, from her diction to the overuse of alliteration in songs like, "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Many of the songs are repetitive, mimicking classic cha-cha dance counts, with a heavily emphasized brass percussive orchestra.

What I like most about Della Della Cha Cha Cha and many of Della’s songs is her attention to vocal detail. It wasn't solely about sounding pretty; it was the overall approach. From scatting to stressed annunciation, vibrato, scooping, and many other techniques, Della mastered the art of dynamics and gave each individual song just what it needed! 

Because of Della Reese, artists with unique tones like SZA and Khalid have a place in the mainstream pop industry making alternative R&B. Her music will forever hold weight among music enthusiasts. 

Check out Della Della Cha Cha Cha above!

-Dey Stegall

[axelroley]

rare files.

[welcometothefreaqshow]

Rhythm Roulette: Mr. Porter (VIDEO)

Best episode so far! 

For this episode of Rhythm Roulette,  MASS APPEAL met up with one of Detroit’s illest, Denaun Porter. As an original member of D12, Mr. Porter has played an instrumental role in Eminem’s career and the history of Shady Records. His time with Em goes all the way back to the MC’s 1996 debut, ‘Infinite,’ and Porter has handled many tracks over the years for the MC and his crew, D12. Let’s also not forget Porter’s work for G-Unit, because he was behind the beats for such classics as 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” and the group’s “Stunt 101.” Other collaborators over the years include Busta Rhymes, Xzibit and Jadakiss. Who knows where Em would be without Mr. Porter? As his trusted hypeman on tour, Porter truly knows how to turn it up a notch. And that is exactly what he did for this episode of Rhythm Roulette. Making a daring leap in the history of RR, Porter remembers that when he was coming up, he only enough money for one record. So in that spirit, he took his chances and only pulled one piece of vinyl from Amoeba Music in Los Angeles. He ended up with some soulful disco from 1977, a sound that most producers stay away from, but you’ll be surprised to see how he flipped it…into three different beats! Watch the full video above.

[930club]

CRATE DIGGIN’: Dr. John - In the Right Place

Just a few days ago, as I was frantically preparing my apartment for my impending move, I stumbled upon a dusty old box sitting at the very top of my closet. Peering out from under the flaps was a gigantic fly. A colorful, delicately hand-drawn fly, one of the many creatures and creations that litters the cover of Dr. John’s record In the Right Place (1973).

I think the first time I encountered Dr. John came while watching one of my family’s favorite movies, Sahara. Right at the beginning of the film, you’re treated to the lead track from the record, “Right Place Wrong Time,” a funky, up-beat, horn driven jam. It only took until the first chorus before I was beginning my parents to buy me a record player.

I couldn’t remember the last time I sat down and listened to the full album, and since rediscovering it, it hasn’t stopped spinning back at my apartment. While “Right Place Wrong Time” may have gotten me (and many others since it landed on Billboard’s Top 200 for 33 weeks) hooked, each track on the album is great. Super funky, super soulful, with Dr. John’s unique raspy voice guiding you along the whole ride. It took me a long while to even realize that the New Orleans-style backing band that I loved so much was in fact The Meters, only adding to my appreciation. I can only hope that you get as much out of this ol’ gem as I did this past week.

-Jack Bentsen

[votava-records]

The Alchemist - European Vacation. Episode 2 : Germany

[votava-records]

How record collectors find lost music and preserve our cultural heritage

For generations, record collectors have played a vital role in the preservation of musical and cultural heritage by "digging" for obscure music created by overlooked artists. Alexis Charpentier shares his love of records -- and stories of how collectors have given forgotten music a second chance at being heard. Learn more about the culture of record digging (and, maybe, pick up a new hobby) with this fun, refreshing talk.