Dollar Bin Video #3 - "Black People in Death Warrant"

Here is the latest addition of my Dollar Bin Video segment, edited from my VHS copy of Death Warrant (1990). I made this video to demonstrate the somewhat humorous social divide in this film, and Van Damme's persistent efforts to prove he is "down." At the same time, there is one character in the film who seems to make absolutely everyone uncomfortable, regardless of race. Enjoy.

DJAIMIN - "Give You (92 Dream Sequence Mix)" (1992)

I love House Music. It is a genre which can express so many different emotions and feelings and messages while still causing a frenzy on the dance floor, and it can do all of this with absolutely no shame whatsoever regarding how corny the final result may be. It's all about feeling - this is a genre that does not really cater to criticism, and honestly, it doesn't need to.

This particular track, composed by Swiss club bro DJAIMIN and offered as an alternate remix on the 12" for "Give You," one of the biggest hits of his career, embodies everything I love about House Music. The critical side of my brain immediately notes that this song is dripping with cheese from start to finish - but then I realize that I just don't care, because despite my urge to giggle, I've already fallen so in love with this song.

It begins with atmospheric synths and impassioned dueling vocalists - for about the first 4 minutes - then Elvish midi flutes, Rave synths, a deep, warm bass line, and pounding four-on-the-floor drums kick in. The track climaxes with the addition of Gospel House piano chords, a punchy midi saxophone loop, and Jack rhythms. Each and every element on its own urges to be ridiculed, and yet the final result - in all of its 10 minutes of glory - earns its "Dream Sequence" name. There is a definite atmosphere to this song - a haze of beauty through simplicity and repetition - it is a comforting elixir that makes me feel happy when I hear it. And after all, that is the ultimate goal of House Music.

Johnnie Wilder, Jr. - "My Goal" (1990)

Johnnie Wilder, Jr. (1949-2006) was once the lead vocalist of the great Funk/Soul group Heatwave. They were famous for hits such as "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever." They also claimed the great Rod Temperton as a member, who is famous for writing every good song ever, including most of Michael Jackson's Off The Wall and Thriller albums. 

In 1979, tragedy struck in the form of a dump truck, which hit Johnnie's car, paralyzing him from the neck down. He continued recording with Heatwave for a while, and eventually went solo and recorded this excellent A Capella Gospel album, along with another called One More Day a few years later.

The songs on My Goal are poppy and soulful, demonstrating Johnnie Wilder, Jr.'s history in secular music. The vocal arrangements sound almost like a funkier version of The Beach Boys, with bouncing vocal bass lines and Johnnie's smooth falsetto floating gracefully above every composition.

Unfortunately, my 50 cent bargain copy is plagued with all those tell-tale vinyl hisses and crackles, which I did my best to clean up. I couldn't use a noise cancelling tool without effecting the wide range of frequencies in these arrangements, and therefore destroying what makes the music so great. I did my best to get rid of most of the big pops and clicks, but otherwise, the audio is presented as-is. Hey, there's always Amazon.

HERE.

René Simard - "Les Dimanches Apres Midi" (1974)

René Simard, a French Canadian superstar child entertainer, is said to have sold more records than Elvis Presley and The Beatles in Quebec. Whether or not this is true, these tunes deserve - nay, demand - your attention. They are lean, mean, funky, and altogether fun, and they all come from my vinyl copy of his 1974 album, Les Dimanches Apres Midi.

First up is "Merci Pour Tout" which kicks off with one of the meanest, funkiest untapped (to my knowledge) breaks I've pretty much ever come across. Seriously, this sample could make somebody's career as a Rap Producer, mark my words. And after the first 20 seconds, the rest of the song is pretty damn great too.

The next two I've decided to share are both covers of popular hits - I happen to love cover songs in a general sense - at least when they are done right, and these ones are done very right. First I will share "L'été Est La" which is a French cover of Bobby Day's "Little Bitty Pretty One," a.k.a. Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One," a.k.a. Frankie Lymon's "Little Bitty Pretty One," a.k.a. The Jackson 5's "Little Bitty Pretty One." My point is, this song has been covered a million times already, just not in French. René's version probably sounds most like The Jackson 5's, if only for his age/vocal similarity to a young Michael. Anyway, hear (and download) it for yourself. 

Finally, here is his French take on "Yo-Yo," originally performed by Billy Joe Royal, but made mega-famous by The Osmonds. Again, a song that has been covered and re-covered, but still sounds great in a new language, and with René's funky sound. Shake a tail feather, y'all. Or two or three.

Dollar Bin Video #2 - "Mission Impossible: Operation Safe Walk"

Here is my latest VHS rip for you all to enjoy.

This comes from a video by the same name, which was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in order to teach the elderly how to safely cross the street - with the help of thrilling spy techniques!

As a bonus, this video stars Mitch Miller, of "Sing Along with Mitch" fame, as a pedestrian safety expert and cigar enthusiast.