- Artist: Jackson 5
- Title: ABC
- Year: 1970
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: Bought it used sometime in the 1990s
I grew up with the Jackson 5 on the radio, and of course TV too. I was just old enough to remember the hits from the album “ABC.” Overall, it’s a pretty energetic and joyous production, but listening to it is a little bittersweet. It’s hard to believe that Michael would end up so, in a word, strange.
For me, this record is almost a 10, but some of the second side drags it down. That said, my favorite is on that side, “I’ll Bet Ya.” That one was originally by Funkadelic, on their first album I believe, and let me tell you it too is damn good, even though it’s sung an octave lower. Considering who wrote most of the songs on “ABC”, George Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, et al and it’s no wonder it’s so good.
A whole lotta info about the Jackson 5 at Wikipedia.
- Artist: Isaac Hayes
- Title: Shaft
- Year: 1971
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: No idea when, bought it used and it’s near mint
Butter Your Soul With the Movement
Which is to be Continued by Black Moses.
Whatever you say Mr. Hayes. That psychedelic sentence is big and bold on the inside of this gatefold double album, but it’s just a promotion line using the titles from the four earlier albums pictured right below it. Anyhow, I would guess that very few people familiar with the hit “Shaft” have ever heard the whole double album. That’s too bad. The first disk is heavier with a few very rocked out jams, and the second is so chill I could feel my blood pressure dropping as I played it. I don’t have a lot of records by Isaac Hayes, but I’m glad I have this one.
IsaacHayes.com
- Artist: ABC
- Title: How To Be A Zillionaire 12 inch
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: ?
- Keeper: Yes
Another 12 inch single, “How To Be A Zillionaire”, from the album of the same name. But I think this came out before the album. This record includes the original plus two solid remixes. I dig it.
I`ve seen the future, I can`t afford it
Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
- Artist: ABC
- Title: Vanity Kills
- Year: 1986
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1986 – Bought it when she was working at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
- Keeper: Yes
I like to say that ABC was the greatest pop band ever. But this isn’t the greatest 12 inch remix ever. Side 1 has “Vanity Kills (U.S.A. Remix)” and side 2 “ABC Megamix.” The song “Vanity Kills” is solid, if not my favorite ABC track, and the mix is decent. The flipside is less interesting, and not very “mega.”
War -- Platinum Jazz
- Artist: War
- Title: Platinum Jazz
- Year: 1977
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: Bought it used somewhere a long time ago.
- Keeper: Yes
I should probably rate War’s “Platinum Jazz” a 10 just for the opening track alone. “War is Coming! War is Coming!” is stupid good and despite being over seven minutes long I wish it would just keep going. This record is a compilation of some of their longer jams and instrumental pieces. Some people might find much of it a bit too spacey, but I like the whole trippy funking thing.
Check out the all too short clip of “War is Coming” and read more about “Platinum Jazz.”
