Phil Medley and The M.V.B. Orchestra & Chorus - Happy Walk (1976)

Phil Medley, whose big ol' face adorns the back of this album, was a songwriter most famous for "Twist and Shout," as originally performed by the Top Notes (produced by a not-yet-mad-genius Phil Spector!), then made famous by the Isley Brothers, then made famous-er by The Beatles. I should note that Mr. Medley is also the uncle of one Sharon Brown, famous for the 80's hit "I Specialize in Love."

From what I can gather, Happy Walk  is the first album released under his own name (with the help of his M.V.B. Orchestra & Chorus) followed by only one other full-length a year later. Not sure what happened to the guy, because his talent for funky breaks and groovy melodies is hard to ignore. 

The album is mostly instrumental, with some sparse vocals thrown in here and there, and rides the line between Funk and Jazz masterfully. I would say it feels like Isaac Hayes collaborated with the Rat Pack, and everyone felt good about it. Not many albums will make you want to learn how to waltz and  break dance, but this is one of them.

ENJOY

Blowfly - Disco (1977)

Today is the 4th of July - Independence Day here in the States. I wanted to upload something special for everyone to play at their BBQ's - something that really represented what makes this country so special - and so I thought 'who better than Blowfly, masked defender of free speech?' Although I'm not sure this is what the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the constitution, Blowfly definitely kicked the ass of censorship left and right.

Looking like a blend between the Bee Man from The Simpsons and some sort of horror movie nightmare, Blowfly was a contemporary of Rudy Ray Moore's funky X-rated sense of humor - the general gist of all his records is to take current hits and re-write the lyrics as childishly perverted odes to the carnal act. This here is his Disco album, and it is no different. B.T. Express' "Do It" becomes "Suck It", "What a Difference a Day Makes" becomes "What a Difference a Lay Makes" and the list goes on.

So today, while you are setting off your fireworks and waving your flags, let Blowfly's sleazy spin on classic Funk and Disco be the soundtrack. It's sorta kinda what the founding fathers would have wanted.

ENJOY