This Saturday throughout the U,S. of A is officially Record Store Day. The major indie store organizations such as AIMS and CIMS are putting together events in every city including performances by Metallica, the Dresden Dolls, and many others. This is all great and everything but I don't see any of my local favorite stores particapting. I don't know if this is the fault of the organizers or the stores but it just doesn't motivate me to go out. But as Shelby Lynne is quoted on their website, "You can't roll a joint on an IPod."

Here is a press release of the new Greg Wilson Edit Series "GW Ruff Edits" the first of which is a re edit of the Italian cult classic "Prisencolinensinainciusol" by Adriano Celentano:

 RUFF EDITS #1
To launch this new series, edits don Greg Wilson extends a somewhat forgotten Italian cult club classic with a mad as toast title, which was originally issued a decade before the term Italo Disco was coined. ‘Prisencolinensinainciusol' by Adriano Celentano, with its relentless rhythm and horns, has been described as a rap release before there was such a genre. This glorious oddity found favour both on UK dancefloors and throughout Europe, following its release in 1973. It was still a choice oldie when Wilson started out as a club DJ in '75, and he would frequently play it, as a 7" single, at his club residencies in New Brighton, the Golden Guinea, the Chelsea Reach and the Penny Farthing , during the following years.

Only recently, a TV recording of Celentano performing the track has brought it to the attention of the YouTube generation, prompting major interest on influential forums like DJ History and Faith (where it was retrospectively proclaimed as Balearic Minimal Hip House!). You can view the clip here: http://www.cosmicboogie.co.uk/2008/03/27/greg-wilson-ruff-edits/

A prototype of Wilson's edit was first unleashed during one of his appearances at Manchester's massively influential Electric Chair (RIP) back in 2006. The finished edit, titled ‘Adriano Italiano' is already eagerly anticipated by the underground DJ community and, as such, destined to become a groove anthem throughout the summer of 2008, 35 years on from it's original release.

On the flip side of the 12" is another 70's single, this time not so obscure. ‘Blue Eyed Boz' sees Wilson extend Boz Scaggs' super slick slice of smooth Soul sophistication by an extra two and a half minutes to provide the 12" version that never was - the record only being issued on 7" back in 1976 (becoming a huge hit in the process). As with all the Ruff Edits, this is something Wilson first put together for his own personal use, but would now like to share with the wider DJ community.

Youtube Clip of "Prisencolinensinainciusol" by Adriano Celentano

 Thanks to Youtube we can see this great performance by Fela Kuti from 1971 at the Luna Nite Club. This was supposedly shot by Ginger Baker when he was visiting in Calabar, Nigeria.

Fela on Youtube 

I love these interesting stories about how rare records are uncovered years after the fact and the strange things that come with them. It really has a real level of history about vinyl that the mainstream culture doesn't understand. The band was called Leaf and hails from the streets of Baltimore. You can check out the full story about this obscure funk outfit in an article from the City Paper.

The great Joe GIbbs pasted away on February 21, 2008. Here is a press release from legendary reggae label VP Records:

VP Records sends its sincerest condolences for one of the greatest losses in reggae history. The legendary producer Joe Gibbs (born Joel A. Gibson) has passed away at the age of 65.

This influential man behind and in front of the boards was a major pioneering force from the late ‘60s, early ‘70s rock steady/roots era to the early ‘80s dancehall era, known for his seminal releases such as, "Two Sevens Clash" by Culture, "Someone Loves You Honey" by J.C. Lodge, as well as his influential four chapter African Dub Series.

VP Records President Chris Chin expresses, "We want to take this time to remember a truly pivotal producer in the reggae business. Our prayers go out to his loved ones. His spirit and music will live on. "

Joe Gibbs, and the late Errol Thompson, have an exclusive worldwide agreement with VP Records vintage imprint, 17 North Parade, to re-release his complete catalog, including the Barrington Levy Collection (Apr. 26th), Joe Gibbs Reggae Anthology (May 2008) and many more.

17 North Parade (VP Records) A&R Fidel Luna states, "The legendary Joe Gibbs to me is one of the most humble, straightforward and pleasant people I have ever encountered in the music business. His contributions to Reggae as a hit-making producer and distributor are truly second to none."

Sirius Satellite's Reggae Rhythms channel will air his last interview on Sunday, March 2nd when they debut their new weekly series ‘Sunday Classics'.

Rest in peace Joe Gibbs.

I bet everyone here has already checked this out but but if you haven't here is a link to the "World'sGreatest Music Collection" Over three million records! Unfortunately we can't find out records are included although it looks like there are some gems like "Precious Memories" by DJ Robbie D and all five of the Elvis Presley Sun 45s. Unfortunately I don't think any of us DJs can afford $3 million but maybe if we formed some kind of DJ Alliance to each put in $300 we could split up the findings. Too bad we only have less than a day left.

If you haven't checked out ReRelease.net do so now!  This great new digital record label reissues rare funk, jazz, and other strange odd bits. The album we'd like to focus on is the Spaced Out album by Thesda. Thesda was a group from the 70s started by Eugene Hagburg, then a Director of the Management Academy for the United States Postal Service. The name for the group was a nickname for their hometown of Bethsda, Maryland. The album was lost for years before a record collector picked it up in a thrift store last year. Don't forget to check out their other releases including their Massachusetts Jazz series which artists like the Mark Harvey Group and Arni Cheatham.

I have to recommend this website for its record shopping guide. The folks at discostyle.com have traveled the world to give us a look at the best places to dig for those rare disco 12s. The writers at discostyle.com provide vinyl shopping guides to London, Tokyo, Milan, Paris, Seattle, and many more hot spots. They also provide interesting commentary on local sights. You can check them out here at Destinations: Disco Record Shoppers Guide. 

The man who opened up Woodstock, Richie Havens comes back with this cover of Lamont Dozier's "Going Back to My Roots." A departure from Havens' signature driving acoustic guitar sound, this track still has all of the passion in Havens' performance with a classic disco groove.

Richie Havens - Going Back to My Roots

This now defunkt  London magazine was a beacon of hope in the hopeless world of over glossy, trashy, trance, techno magazines that largely ignores many interesting eclectic DJs. Featuring an array of great interviews with Danny Krivit, Mr. Scruff, and Patrick Adams as well as writings by Daniel Wang, Greg Wilson, Al Kent, and many others it was truly the eclectic DJs dream zine. If you take a trip to the djhistory.com forum you might be able to track down someone who can sell you a few copies.