Sunday, June 7, 2009
Root down
A friend just put me onto Jimmy Smith's 1972 album Root Down, whose title track was sampled most famously by the Beastie Boys, above.
The original has just been remastered and rereleased, this is a wicked slice of funk with lethal congas and some criminally addictive rhythm guitar on top of an ecstatically shuffling boogaloo groove.
I won't mention the bass guitar, but I accept no liability for sprains.
Mara has some unbelievable step moves to this one.
Fitting in nicely with recent Los Angeles and bicycle discussions this track was recorded in February 1972 at -uh- the Bombay Bicycle Club, Los Angeles.
Play It Loud.
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23 comments:
It's so funky I need to pinch my nose, I'm also doing the funky frown.
Respect to your frown EJ.
I was mad drumming- eyes closed, arms crossed, hi-hatting with right and rim shotting with left.
Bass drumming the foot.
I think I made it clear above, I'm not responsible for any damage to your nose.
that was just a joyous near 13 minutes.
I have just simultaneously got up on the good foot and down with my bad self. It's not very often I say that of a Sunday evening. Damn funky.
I have just simultaneously got up on the good foot and down with my bad self. It's not very often I say that of a Sunday evening. Damn funky.
So damn funky, I said it twice.
and I haven't watched that beastie for a while.. so so cool.
Funky!!!!! I feel like a ... well I feel like a ... you know ...
That feels good, thanks nilpferd !
Just let it happen Toffeeboy
Cheers people.
Well I absolutely HATED having to listen to that all the way through ...
Nice one.
... without being able to sit down at the drumkit behind me at this late hour !!
Nice one Herr Hippo.
;o)
Bugger my local 'net connections! They're so bad right now, I can't even stream this tune, or even watch a youtube clip. Grrrrrrrrrrr. Nae funk fer me the night like!
Just recovering after a long day at work and coming home to tired boys.
Haven't listened to the dangerous podbean track, yet, but I have to admit that I have a Beastie Boys Root Down EP that has a few different versions of their version of the track. I can't wait to listen, but my tired boys are watching Mary Poppins, so it'll have to wait.
Can I just say that I love Jimmy Smith and that I think the Beastie Boys are underrated?
Ach weel, Mac Blimpy, at least you've got the whisky. Or is it whiskey?
Steen, I was sure you'd mentioned Jimmy Smith before, I thought this was the ideal combination for the Steen household.. it does carry an excess booty shakin' warning, though.. meanwhile Jimmy is channelling DD's drumming, Shoey's niceness, joyous Shane, funky frownin' EJ, Balearicbeats Balearicbeats double double get up on the get down, Daddy feelgood... Toffeeboy takes it way beyond, though..
And don't forget, Blimpy, the longer it takes, the funkier it'll be..
I LOVE IT!! Is the whole album that good?
Well, I listened to the whole album this afternoon. And I think I've sprained my neck.
Root down is definitely the stand out track, but I don't think you'd be disappointed with the rest, either- there are a couple of faster pieces and a long blues with some nice harmonica.
Nilpferd--I'll look into it.
I have a Jimmy Smith album--Back at the Chicken Shack. It's only 5 tracks. I'm trying to get some stuff together to send to you--I'll send that too, if you like.
Sounds great!
One highly rated Jimmy Smith album I've been toying with getting recently is Groovin' at Small's Paradise, it's an early, bluesy recording from 1957. In fact, Root Down is also on Spotify. I'm in two minds about telling you that, though- it sort of removes the excitement of getting something new you haven't already heard. Although it's also good for checking things in advance. Hmmm, don't suppose that really helps much..
An ATOTW perhaps (subtle hint)?
ATOTW? Ass twister of the week?
The box is a bit full at the moment, but I'll queue it up..
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