Mike Tyson Greatest Verbals

Somewhere in this man is a 21st century version of th Great Gatsby or something.

this moment in black history it takes a nation

This band must have a good record collection because they wear their influences pretty openly. They could also be some longtime record store employees Germs tribute artwork (which was kind of killed in the 90s but well done here). Public Enemy title variation "it takes a nation of assholes to hold us back" Clearly a DC and Chicago influence from this band from Cleveland Ohio (which seems to have no ex members of Integrity or Confront). Somewhere between Nation of Ulysess and Trenchmouth. There is also a more straight ahead rocking element that would be at home on Touch and GO. For some reason they occasionally remind me of the Didjits, Zen Guerill, and the Refused. That said it is an enjoyable record. 14 shots. No fucking around. Political but in the DC way. Obtuse if you will. Listened to this driving from Boston to the Cape and I didn't skip any tracks so is a good sign. Albini did the production and Cold Sweat is the label.

Respect Due to Levi Leiphemer

Yesterday I doubted his ability to hold a 3 second lead and just like Phil and Paul, I was wrong. He took 18 seconds more from Voigt and was amazingly 37 seconds faster than World TT Champ Fabian Cancellar. Damn!!!
Todays' stage could be decisve but it is unlikely a break could go with any key player. If anyone wants to unseat Levi it will have to be today because tomorrow's circuit race will be one for the sprinters.
It would be nice to see Horner of Jakob Pil take a flyer and shake things up, who knows......

Benediction Moon S/T Krishna Rock Part 6

Benediction Moon self titled. Now this is a record by and for Hara Krishnas. Side One has 4 tracks of fried-hindu hippie folk/rock. Not psych to my ears, but clearly less produced than the Golden Avatar and lacking the studio musicians of Hansadutta. One of the 4 is a traditional raga. Side 2 is a full side of his Divine Grace chanting the Maha Mantra with accompaniment. Gatefold LP contains breakdown of the songs and an explanation of the maha mantra with purport by Pradupadha. Nice Picture of Prabupadha.
This is a pretty crazy release made by a group of Krishnas(? maybe just hippies) living on a commune in New Zealand. Private Press. If the Golden Avatar record reminded me of the goofy side of California Hippies, this record ,makes me think of the real deal. Hippies in loin cloths living in tree huts like Ewoks arguing about how to build compost toilets or cars that run on tofu. When this arrived in the mail box, I knew I was on the right track. In fact of all the records I got this might be the crown jewel of Krishna Psych.

Hansadutta Swami Vision LP Krishna Rock Part 5

Hansadutta Swami has/had at least 2 records. "The Vision" is a pretty disjointed experience. His voice has an unsettling kind of manic edge to it as he warbles sort of atonally and with minimal regard to the songs rhythm about all the troubles of life in the material world. I saw this record compared to Syd Barrett and it does have an unhinged element to it but it reminded me more of Manson than Barrett. It did grow on me over time.
Have not heard the other I think "self-titled" LP. Some countryish guitar and piano appear. A little harmonica. This really has a country rock kind of feel to it. Recorded around 1979 in the Berkely area.
Most lyrics are composed by Hansadutta and cram a lot of thoughts into the songs. Krishna influence is obvious, but his "poetic" take on modern life and illusion.
There is perhaps a nod to later krishna rockers Shelter with the song "think before you drink". I had hoped for a lyrical level more akin to Dan Higgs, but it was not to be. The warble in his voice on the country waltz "Oh sraagrati Vaisnava Soul" makes him sound like Gram Parsons gone completely around the bend. He opens up side 2 with a an upbeat "you'rs so wise" with lyrics like "I thought I was God/but I'm less than a dog/I will sit at your door/Taking scraps from your floor" you know it's a good time.
Hansadutta got himself in a far amount of trouble with the Krishnas and the law, and I am conflicted about his impact on life and ISKON, but this is a tale of Krishna Records and clearly he was down to make them. He still has a website, but doesn't seem to be selling these records.

Cavaliers Unlimited The Nasty b/w Soul Vein 45

Cavaliers Unlimited The Nasty b/w Soul Vein 45. Cali-Tex Records CT-106. Straight out of Portland OR 1969 comes these 6 brothers, the Cavaliers Unlimited. Saved from obscurity by DJ Shadow. Good Look Shadow.
The Nasty is a nice instro. Packs a lot into a short track. Nasty sound, Good drum breaks, nice horns, solid guitar lead. Production has a nice overdriven feel-you could picture the speakers shaking in the studio. Raw like cocaine straight from Boliva.
Soul Vein is the B Side and it has a heavier groove and lets the organ player stretch out.
Licensed from the band so it is all legit and probably the only way you will here this 45. Few copies are "known to exist".

RIP Dennis Johnson

I spent a lot of nights during high school watching the classic Celtics line up and DJ was big part of that. Respect Due