Estonia Funk

This Blog post is about Estonian Funk.

A little known subject globally, but Estonia is a relatively small country anyway.

It used to be a part of Soviet union (CCCP). They gained independence in 1991 after the Soviet union collapsed.

Linguistically estonian is very close to finnish. So we are kind of relatives.

There lives a swedish-speaking minority in Estonia as well as russian-speaking minority,

Estonia itself, even though tiny, has 3 languages, Estonian, Võro & Seto.

Estonian people suffered under Stalin ethnic cleansing when a lot of "Intelligentsia" was forcibly

moved to Siberia to do forced labour in prison camps (Gulags).

This did not stop the funk though. Estonians are a stubborn bunch , and they always found ways to squeeze into their music western influences. They could see Finnish TV and hear Finnish radio for example, but they have a groove of their own as well. I´ts not all about copying American styles.

Some Estonian bands were not allowed to release records during the soviet-era and some were even banned from performing live.

This led to some artists leaving the country and moving to Canada, Sweden, USA etc. to be able to express themselves freely.

Only recently have some recordings been found from the vaults of Estonian radio and

personal archives and released to the general public. Some stuff was already released on the Soviet ministry of culture Melodiya - label back in the day.

Here is a sampling of some of my personal favourites. Please check them out and plunge headfirst into the fascinating world of funky Estonia!

COLLAGE - BOSSANOVA HING (1970)

JAAN KUMAN - HEI POISID, PINGUTAGE (1976)

UKU KUUT- FUNKY DUCK (1992)

RADAR - TROFEE (1985)

HELMUT ANIKO - PIKK INGLISKA (1990)

RENE UFER & LILIAN TREIBERG - KAJAKAD (1977)

TONU & RAIVO - SINISILMNE UNISTUS (1980)

LAINE - LOPULAUL (1980)

VELLY JOONAS - STOPP SEISKU AEG (1983)

ELEKTRA - MEID KAASA MUUSIKA VIIB (1981)

TORNAADO - TORNAADO (1979)

MOBILE - KVARTETT (1984)

VITAMIIN - TÄHELEND (1980)

SVEN GRÜNBERG / MESS - HUKKUNUD ALPINISTI TANTS (1979)

MARJU KUUT & UNO LOOP - SA TANTSI SAMBAT (1971)

VALTER OJAKÄÄR - RASKED VEOSED (1976)

APELSIN - IGATSUS (1978)

LEMBIT SAARSALU KVARTETT - RINGTANTS (1980)

KASEKE - ELEVANT (1983)

JAAK JOALA - TANTSULAUL (1974)

SVEN GRÜNBERG - KLAABU KOSMOSES (1981)

PSYCHO - NOMINA SUNT ODIOSA (1978)

T.KÖRVITS - NAERULAUL (1976)

IN SPE - TYPEWRITER CONCERTO IN D (1984)

EESTI RAADIO ESTRAADIORKESTER - MA OOTAN SIND (1979)

VÄNTOREL - VÄSIMUS (1971)

GUNNAR GRAPS MAGNETIC BAND - ODÜSSEUSE EKSIRANNAKUD (1982)

TONIS MÄGI & MUSIC SAFE - SA HAARA KINNI MU KÄEST" (1982)

So, there was a small sample of Estonian Funk in sound and picture.

Hope you liked it.

Here is a few good resources if you want to know more:

FROTEE

http://www.frotee.net/en/records

Estonian record label issuing lot of lost gems from the archives of Estonian TV and Radio,

among other things.

PSÜHHOTEEK

https://www.psuhhoteek.ee/

Estonian vintage record store. They also arrange happenings, and live concerts.

The owner, Ahto, is working in many fields of culture and is very active, both researching and arranging international conferences and symposiums. The shop is located in Tartu , a lively university town with an international vibe.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tallin, you should visit Tartu, you will be pleasantly surprised. It is a bit more relaxed, but far from boring. Especially at summertime it seemed like a non-stop party with about 30 celsius plus on the thermometer, night and day.

The bus drive is only about 2 hours on the well-maintained highway. On the road you can watch scenic countryside views with fields and huge stork nests on old country-houses chimneys.

BIIT ME

https://biit.me

Tallinn record store with new and old records. Lot of electronic & 12"s. I never left there empty-handed.

I understand they moved to a new location recently.

International selection but Estonian music is also available.

TALLIN OLD TOWN RECORDS

https://www.instagram.com/tallinnoldtownrecords

Used record store In Tallinn with plenty of Estonian records.

I have not visited in a few years unfortunately, but I used to go there every time I visited Tallinn,

along with "Raamatukoi", a bookstore.

ESTONIAN FUNK EMBASSY

https://funkembassy.eu

The name says it all!

Check out the "Groove of ESSR" vinyl releases, primo stuff!

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Some recommended Estonian movies and documentaries:

HUKKUNUD ALPINISTI HOTELL (1979)

Weird artistic Sci-fi Movie with soundtrack by Sven Grünberg / Mess.

SOVIET HIPPIES (2017)

(Nõukogude hipid)

Estonian documentary about Hippie movement during Soviet times.

Essential watching.

HARRY EGIPT REKLAAMIFILMID

WORLD FAMOUS TV COMMERCIALS BY HARRY EGIPT (2008)

84 Soviet-era TV commercials directed by Estonian Harry Egipt.

Must see DVD.

THE GOLD SPINNERS (2013)

The Gold Spinners is a story about the birth, glory, and disappearance of a peculiar, invisible, and mighty business empire, the film studio Eesti Reklaamfilm, the only company producing commercials in the Soviet Union.

DISCO AND ATOMIC WAR (2009)

Documentary.

A story about growing up in the Soviet Union. The film tells the story of a strange kind of information war, where a totalitarian regime stands face to face with the heroes of popular culture. And loses.

VIRU, VABASUDE SAATKOND (2013)

VIRU, EMBASSY OF FREEDOM

Essential Documentary about the Finnish-built landmark Viru Hotel in Tallinn, and the strange goings-on there. Black market, Alcohol, Erotic cabaret, top live jazz music. KGB kept an eye on the hotel guests, with microphones in 60 rooms and even some of the restaurant tables. KGB left the hotel 1991 but the secret KGB surveillance room in 23rd floor was only found in 1994 and is nowadays a museum.

The Hotel opened 1972.

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Here is some additional stuff to show you the many faces of Estonia.

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LASNAMÄE NARKAR

Epic video showing the daily reality of some living in rougher Tallinn suburbs.

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Estonia used to be big on the pirated clothing and CD business, lot of Finnish tourists used to go to

buy pirate CD´s there. Not too long ago you could still buy fake Adidas

in broad daylight in pretty much the city centre. Now officials say they´ve cleaned it up.

Unfortunately organized crime has not disappeared totally.

Danske Bank´s Estonian ex-boss was found dead in his own yard, just before he was gonna go to court to testify on a humongous money laundering scheme, involving no less than Russian prez Vladimir Putin´s "dirty" Billions being transferred thru the Estonian branch of Danske Bank to tax havens around the world.

Official explanation: suicide.

Danske bank got out clean though. They solved it by closing all operations in Estonia and did not even get a slap on the wrist.

Such is the bizarre underbelly of Estonian dark side.

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"ESTONIAN SAMURAI WAR IN HELSINKI 2009"

This you tube video needs a little background explanation.

It comes in 2 parts.

The part 2 is the "action"/ fight part.

Synopsis:

Estonian man arrives at Market square, Helsinki, Finland.

He sets up a stand to sell mushrooms.

He seems not to have paid for the selling permit.

So other sellers call the police to make him leave.

There is a language barrier and general misunderstanding, which escalates to violence quickly.

I heard rumours that the Estonian mushroom seller is some kind of

ex-special-ops elite-soldier from Estonian army.

( a "trigger" warning , If you do not like violent behaviour, do not watch this! )

part 2

(edited version, from another youtube channel)

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KANEPI

I would like to end this post with a more positive vibe.

There is a municipality in Estonia called Kanepi.

And this is their coat of arms

and flag

They had a referendum and the people voted for this. The area has long tradition for cultivation of Hemp (Kanepi).

VIDEO

Sex and music

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_roll

"The phrase "rocking and rolling" originally described the movement of a ship on the ocean,but by the early 20th century was used both to describe the spiritual fervor of black church rituals and as a sexual analogy. A retired Welsh seaman named William Fender can be heard singing the phrase "rock and roll" when describing a sexual encounter in his performance of the traditional song "The Baffled Knight" to the folklorist James Madison Carpenter in the early 1930s, which he would have learned at sea in the 1800s; the recording can be heard on the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library website"

Plenty of artists have used sexuality as a part of their act. Whether in the subject matter of their song lyrics, double entendres and suggestive titles or in their image on stage and in photographs.

The half-naked ( or nude) woman on an album cover is one of the oldest tricks in the book of any smart ad-agency.
Usually these sexy sirens, buxom babes and voluptous vixens have little to do with whats actually inside the sleeve.
(This subject deserves a blog text of its own and we will skip the subject matter for now.)

In this blog text we shall focus on 60´s,70's and 80´s funky MUSIC and it's erotic undercurrents.

To include Rock, pop etc. would be too huge an endeavor to tackle in a single blog post. It is enough to remind the reader of the gyrating pelvis of Elvis, the on stage penis-flashing antics of Jim Morrison of The Doors and the huffing and panting of allegedly masturbating-in-the-studio Donna Summer on her first hit record "Love to love you baby". Not to mention Samantha Fox, Sabrina Salerno & Danuta Lato and the rest of the 80's titty-queen pop-stars.

Madonna hit it big with "Like a Virgin", "Erotica","Justify my love" and released the explicit "Sex" photo-book featuring the singer in various stages of undress with other celebrities and models.
George Michael sang " I want your sex", later he was busted for having gay sex in a toilet.
Kiss had a hit song called " Lick it Up" while the heavy metal group WASP sang " Animal (Fuck like a beast)" and shocked concerned parents and christian organisations.
The singer Blackie Lawless has recently found Jesus and is now a born-again christian.
Lil Louis had a huge hit in 1989 with " French kiss", featuring a female voice vocally simulating intercourse on top of a house music backing track, slowing down and speeding up , as an emulation of a extended orgasm.

If you look at today's pop stars, they blatantly use sex to sell their music.
Flashing their scantily-clad booties in videos and singing about all kinds of perverted acts. It has become a cliché, almost, with botox-filled prostitutes posing as musicians and horny teenagers swallowing the bait, hook, line & sinker. Not realizing they have fallen victim to another genious marketing plan of the evil multinational corporations dominating the music production of today.
At least for me there is nothing essentially erotic about this. The music is over-produced and emotionally cold. The artists, like cheap prostitutes high on crack, not unlike mechanical dolls or strung-out dancers in a strip club. Empty shells unable to feel or project any genuine human warmth.

Shock rocker Marilyn Manson continually exposed himself as well as having gay sex on stage and self-admittedly sexually tortured groupies in the back room. No musical talent but still want to be a famous rock star? No problem! Just cause a scandal and the papers will write about it!
He is now facing charges for multiple counts of rape. Not very sexy.
Other groups accused of abusing their fans sexually are Scooter and Rammstein of Germany.

But, there are some genuinely sexy records.
For this we have to delve in to the archives of past decades and dig the funky vinyl crates of yesteryear. Behold as I reveal to you, the Sexiest records of all time!

The most erotic, titillating, stimulating,
suggestive, throbbing music has to be Funk.

These famous sexy funk hits ;
James Brown " Sex machine", Marvin Gaye " Lets Get it on" & "Sexual healing", Labelle " Lady Marmelade", Prince " Sexy MF" are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface we find a motherlode of less known erotic funk masterpieces, potent musical aphrodisiacs that excite the mind and make your body climax on the dancefloor.

Here is a selected list of some of the best erotically-themed, sexually arousing and straight up
"porn-funk" records out there.

MARVIN HOLMES & JUSTICE - "GIMME SOME TONIGHT"

USA 1973

CHAKAKAS - "JUNGLE FEVER"

BELGIUM 1972

ROD MCKUEN - "EASY IN"

USA 1977

BERNARD PURDIE - "LIALEH"

USA 1973

SUPER EROTICA - "SUPER EROTICA"

BRAZIL 1970

RITA - "EROTICA"

FRANCE 1969

TOM ZACHARIAS - SLICKA MIN CLITTA

SWEDEN - 1975

BOOBIE KNIGHT & THE UNIVERSAL LADY - "THE LOVOMANIACS"

USA 1974

BETTY DAVIS - "HE WAS A BIG FREAK"

USA 1974

BLOWFLY - "ARIES"

USA 1975

ROB - "MAKE IT FAST MAKE IT SLOW"

GHANA 1978

JIMMY SMITH - "GIVE UP THE BOOTY"

USA 1977

PARLIAMENT - "I´VE BEEN WATCHING YOU (MOVE YOUR SEXY BODY)

USA 1976

PRINCE CHARLES - "BIG CHESTED GIRLS"

USA 1982

POUSSEZ - "COME ON AND DO IT"

USA 1979

TEMPEST TRIO - "DO YOU LIKE THE WAY THAT IT FEELS"

USA 1979

BAR-KAYS - "WHITEHOUSEORGY"

USA 1976

TRINITY - "WILD CAT"

NETHERLANDS 1973

ABACO DREAM - " CAT WOMAN"

USA 1969

MILLIE JACKSON - "LOGS AND THANGS"

USA 1978

CANDIDO - "THOUSAND FINGER MAN"

USA 1970

CERRONE - "STRIPTEASE"

FRANCE 1978

That was it for this blog post. If you are not turned on by now, I maybe cant help you!

Talk to a professional!

I will now go and "funk" myself!

Funk you very much!

RADIO.D59B / SOUND TRAVELS #45 w/ Pierre Ringwald - with 2 Kuja Orchestra tracks!

https://soundcloud.com/radiod59b/radiod59b-sound-travels-45-w-pierre-ringwald

Kuja Orchestra tracks at 11:11 & 41:32

DJ Bunuel - LUX - Historia är framtiden 8.9.24 - YLE Radio show Including Kuja Orchestra!

https://areena.yle.fi/podcastit/1-71317526

Kuja Orchestra track at 2:04:20

Colin Curtis 19-12-20 World Wide FM - featuring two Kuja Orchestra tracks!

https://www.mixcloud.com/worldwidefm/colin-curtis-19-12-20/

Thank you Colin Curtis, awesome show!

(Kuja Orchestra tracks are at about 1:59 & 2:22)

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Dainis Porgants - "Depresija" (1991) Latvian Movie

I first found out about this Latvian movie after buying the soundtrack album.

Mūzika Kinofilmai "Depresija"

The Front cover struck my eye, and having heard and liked Raimonds Pauls´ previous

soundtrack and musical work, such as "Double Trap", "Šerloks Holmss" and " Sister Carrie",

I decided to give it a try. The Movie (and soundtrack) is from 1991, around the time when Soviet Union collapsed.

Latvia used to be part of Soviet Union, and there was a record pressing factory in Riga.

So this LP is not on the Soviet state run Melodiya-label of the ministry of culture, like Raimonds Pauls´ previous output.

Instead it was released on the new Latvian Ritonis -label. The music is quite interesting. Drum machines and synths are there, with a updated 90´s sound, even though I would not call it a masterpiece, it´s still worth owning for the sheer obscurity and weirdness of it.

On the front cover you can see a erotic cabaret dancer, or a stripper / prostitute.

In front of her on the floor are syringes, a drop of blood and a mirror.

I started wondering, how in the world can the movie be like?

After some years of having the LP, I finally found the Film on You Tube!

I believe it is the first (and only) Latvian movie I have ever seen.

No one in Finland is Importing Films from east-europe, and they are never shown on TV either.

Anyway...

I checked it out and...It is very interesting. Unfortunately there is no subtitles, and it is age-restricted, so you have to sign in to see it. It´s very very long as well (in two parts).

Is it a Movie or a TV-Series? I do not know.

"Kinofilmai" sounds like a movie to me.

As much as I could understand (I dont speak Latvian), the Film is taking place in Latvian underworld, with strippers, or erotic cabaret dancers

dancing in a club / Hotel and people dying from overdose of Intravenous drugs.

Maybe one day we can see a legitimate release of this Film for western audiences?

I would not hold my breath, though.

You never know, though. Check this 2004 CD re-issue of "Šerloks Holmss" on Mikrofona Ieraksti-label, somehow sponsored by the Finnish hardware store chain K-Rauta!

I did not even know they had K-Rauta in Latvia!

I picked that CD up when I visited the country, I thought it was just so bizarre.

Anyway...

Im sharing the link(s) here, Please do not judge me for copyright infringement.

Instead If you own this and want this blog post removed, drop me a message and I will do it.

DEPRESIJA PART 1

DEPRESIJA PART 2

"Blaxploitation" Films & Soundtracks

Blaxploitation is a term which means 70´s Movies featuring afro-american actors,

and aimed at that market. It is a combination of the words Black and exploitation.

These films often feature a funky musical score, sometimes far superior to the film itself.

Even though the original target audience must have been afro-american movie-goers,

some Blaxploitation films were imported to Finland as well.

"Shaft" and "Let´s Do It again" were shown in theatres back in the day,

while others had a VHS-video release for example "Human Tornado" and "Black Gestapo".

There are also Sexploitation films, which exploit the promise of sex in the title and

promotion of the film. I guess thats where the name of the Blaxploitation-genre originates from.

Sometimes the two genres overlap. Then we have exploitation of black sexuality.

Blaxploitation itself has subgenres, there are dramas, horror films, action films, westerns,

X-rated films, comedies etc.

I will write about these films from a white guys point of view.

I will also comment on the music as it is a central part of these films.

Even some otherwise very bad movies often contain a nightclub scene with some amazing

band playing killer soul-funk and mostly these were never released on vinyl.

The incidental background music is often very funky as well.

So the only way to hear some of these obscure, but super funky tracks is to see the films.

I try not to get too deep about the political / racial reasons why these films exist.

Obviously some films are more exploitative than others, made just to rip people off

of their ticket money, while others are more sincere efforts,

and actually carry a message of black empowerment.

These are my personal opinions, and while some of these films are considered classics,

To Me, they are not entertaining or good movies, and I take the liberty of saying so.

They may have cultural and historical significance, but that is not the main subject of this blog text.

The best thing to do is see these films for yourself and form your own opinion.

I merely report what I have seen and heard, to help other movie enthusiasts to find good films

and avoid bad ones. So here we go, in no particular order.

Superfly (1972)

Directed by Gordon Parks Jr.

The son of the director of "Shaft".

Super Funky classic soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield.

Genre-defining movie but...

Personally I did not like it. I find it slow-paced and boring

Superfly TNT (1973)

Dynamite soundtrack by the afro-funk band Osibisa.

The movie left a lot to be desired.

It has its moments but overall not a classic in my book.

Shaft (1971).

Directed by the multi-talented Gordon Parks.

Maybe the most famous Blaxploitation film, but...

actually quite boring.

Super Funky and famous soundtrack by Isaac Hayes.

Shaft In Africa (1973)

Super funky soundtrack by Joihnny Pate.

Better than the original, but not exceptionally entertaining.

Shafts Big Score (1972)

The soundtrack by Gordon Parks, the director of the film, is amazing. Killer Funk

Can not remember anything of this movie, so it cant be very good.

Gordons War (1973)

Super funky soundtrack.

Good movie worth checking out.

Black Belt Jones (1974)

Fun "karate" movie. Worth the price of admission for the opening sequence alone.

Not a great movie but a good one. With Jim Kelly Of Bruce Lee fame.

Soundtrack by Dennis Coffey is super funky.

Dolemite ( 1975)

Great Rudy Ray Moore Comedy.

Great funky soundtrack as well.

The Human Tornado (1976)

Dolemite part 2. Super funny movie.

Super funky music as well, Not released on LP as far as I know.

Disco Godfather (1979)

Another killer from Rudy Ray Moore.

This time battling evil PCP dealers in a disco setting.

Recommended watching.

Petey Wheatstraw (1977)

"The Devil´s son-in-law"

Its OK, but not Rudy Ray Moores Best.

Same goes for the soundtrack.

For Completists only.

Together Brothers (1974)

A good little thriller about a bunch of kids who witness a murder.

Amazing soundtrack By Barry White in a Dramatic instrumental mode.

Theres some vocal tracks as well. Recommended.

Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)

Melvin Van Peebles directs and stars in this what some call the first

"Blaxploitation" movie. Music by Earth, Wind and Fire is

far better than the movie itself. Enjoys cult status among enthusiasts, though.

Space Is The Place (1974)

Sun Ra movie. Absolutely amazing. Super movie.

Rumour has it that the film originally contained X-rated sequences,

removed at the last minute by Sun Ra. Space visuals, cosmic jazz,

social commentary, spiritual wisdom, humour. Recommended.

Tongue (?)

This is an X-rated Movie from the 70´s.

It features a guy with a extra long tongue, so he can really please the ladies.

It is like a male / black version of "Deep Throat".

He also has a pet frog.

In one scene cocaine is put in a vagina prior to intercourse.

Sick and quite disgusting movie obviously made by junkies.

Great Funky soundtrack Though, I have only seen the re-issue from 1998.

Maybe it was not commercially released originally.

Lialeh (1974)

Another Black Porn film.

Soundtrack by the famous session drummer Pretty Purdie is quite funky and soulful.

The going price for the original soundtrack LP is about 2000-3000 dollars.

I was horrified when I saw the movie.

OK, The opening sequence is quite nice with Purdie playing drums and a stripper dancing.

But in essence,

Its extreme low budget crap. In one scene a hot dog is inserted into a womans vagina, while she is being called "bitch". That about sums it up. Get The soundtrack, forget about the movie.

The Final Comedown (1972)

A low-budget masterpiece and a forgotten classic about a black panther caught in a shoot-out

with the pigs. The story unfolds in flashbacks as the brother reminisces how he got in

the situation, all the while battling the 5-0.

Soundtrack LP on Blue Note by Grant Green is essential. Dark and moody funk.

Recommended.

Blackenstein (1973)

Not a good movie.

Blacula (1972)

Soundtrack By Gene Page is absolutely amazing.

The movie is not.

Scream Blacula Scream (1973)

Bad movie. Do not waste your time, even though it has

Pam Grier on it.

Putney Swope (1969)

Real good movie with a message.

One of a kind. A real gem.

Super Spook (1974)

A real weird one. I dont know if these people were completely sober when they made this film.

Very low budget. Has its moments though.

Welcome home brother Charles (1975)

AKA "Soul Vegneance"

Another weird one, this time about a guy with a huge penis.

He uses it to strangle his enemies (white folks).

Low budget, and very strange ( in a bad way) film.

Black Mama, White Mama (1973)

Pam Grier Women In Prison flick.

Very similar to "The Big Bird Cage".

It is a Sexploitation / Blaxploitation film targeted at a male audience.

Nothing to write home about but Pam Grier is always a pleasure to watch.

Coffy (1973)

Maybe the best Pam Grier film.

Gritty and violent. Not for kids.

Roy Ayers soundtrack is a killer.

Foxy Brown (1974)

Pam Grier at her best. Kicking butt, both male and female.

Classic. Willie Hutch handles the soundtrack. Funky.

Sheba, Baby (1975)

Pam Grier as a private eye.

Forgettable movie. Soundtrack by Monk Higgins is quite funky though.

Truck Turner (1974)

Not a good movie.

Soundtrack by Isaac Hayes is Killer though.

Tough Guys (1974)

I believe I have seen this movie, but I can not remember any of it.

It usually means the movie was not that good.

The Isaac Hayes soundtrack is an absolute classic. Super funky stuff.

Wille Dynamite (1974)

This Movie is very good.

The soundtrack is good as well. Recommended.

The Big Bird Cage (1972)

Pam Grier escapes from a womens prison camp in the jungle.

Low budget and very generic of the genre.

Blaxploitation / sexploitation.

Not very interesting unless you are a Pam Grier completist.

Abar (1977)

AKA "Abar, the black superman"

This movie is super low budget, idiotic script, amateurish execution.

I wonder why this film was made.

In one scene "Abar" stops graffiti vandals with his psychic super powers

and makes them clean up instead.

Abby (1974)

A black version of the Excorcist.

Very low budget. Not a good movie.

Car Wash (1976)

Actually a decent feel-good comedy.

The soundtrack by Norman Whitfield was a huge hit.

Many Good funky tracks here.

TNT Jackson (1974)

Dont Waste your time.

Some of the worst "Kung-Fu" fights ever in a movie.

Cool Breeze (1972)

The Soundtrack LP by Solomon Burke is excellent.

Many Funky Instrumentals.

The movie itself is hard to come by, and I have to admit I have not seen it.

Let´s Do It Again (1975)

A comedy about a skinny guy being hypnotized to believe he is the greatest boxer

in the world. Quite Funny.

Excellent soundtrack By Curtis Mayfield and The Staple singers.

Cleopatra Jones (1973)

A strong black female character kicks butt.

as brainless entertainment Its OK.

Strong, Funky soundtrack by Joe Simon, Millie Jackson and others.

Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975)

Beautiful Tamara Dobson kicks more butt in part 2, this time in Hong Kong.

Not a masterpiece, but still worth checking out as an introduction to the genre.

According to IMDB this movie was banned in Finland.

Luckily we got a VHS release years later!

The soundtrack was not released at the time but is available on CD.

The Thing With Two Heads (1972)

This film is about a medical experiment where they stitch a black guys head

onto a white guys body, so he has 2 heads.

I havent been able to see it (only the trailer).

The soundtrack album has good funky tracks, but it seems to be at least partially a compilation,

not an original score, since it has tracks from the Bongo Rock LP by The Incredible Bongo Band.

Still worth purchasing as it is not very expensive. The movie itself is quite hard to find.

The Black Gestapo (1975)

AKA "Ghetto Warriors"

This is a B- movie that has to be seen to be believed.

A bunch of Black Militants take it a notch too far and form a Nazi-style black army.

This is a genre-defining film. It is not artistic in any way or very high in production values, but it

shocks and surprises you for sure. Worth checking out.

It even features (white) Voluptous vixen Uschi Digart of Russ Meyer-films fame.

Black Fist (1975)

AKA "Bogard"

Good, if somewhat downbeat movie about a boxer whose family gets killed

in the beginning of the film. He then goes on to become a fighter in illegal boxing,

while hunting for the bad guys. Quite Nasty and violent film.

Great soundtrack LP by Paul Humphrey and others.

Slaughter (1972)

Boring Blaxploitation from major studio.

I can not remember anything of it.

It probably had a chase scene and lot of fist fights.

Slaughter´s big Rip-Off (1973)

The title says it all. A rip-off.

Dont waste your time on this.

James Brown was asked to do the soundtrack, he was going to give them some old recordings,

but his arranger at the time Fred Wesley insisted on writing some original music for the movie.

The soundtrack thus became a stone cold funk classic.

Melinda (1972)

A mediocore film at best.

The soundtrack LP by Jerry Butler is a Classic. Funky and soulful.

Three The Hard Way (1974)

Evil White supremacists plan to poison the water supply with a chemical

lethal to black people only. A trio of bad-ass black guys goes on to stop them by any means necessary.

Sounds great on paper, but Superfly director Gordon Parks Jr. manages somehow to make it a boring and cliched movie.

The soundtrack LP by the Impressions is great, more soul than funk but still great

Coonskin (1974)

Animator Ralph Bakshi of Fritz the Cat and Wizards-fame made this cartoon-movie.

about life in the ghetto. Worth checking out if you can find it.

Featuring the voice of Barry White.

Black Caesar (1973)

A good movie. Well Worth seeing.

Amazing Soundtrack LP by James Brown.

Hell Up In Harlem (1973)

Have not seen the movie. (at least I cant remember it!)

Soundtrack by Edwin Starr is pretty Alright, not 10/10 but still funky.

The Mack (1973)

This is a very good movie. See it.

The Soundtrack By Willie Hutch is very good as well.Soulful and melancholic.

There is another soundtrack LP from 1983 with totally different music.

This soundtrack is more uptempo and funky.

The 1983 reissue of the movie contained this alternate score added by the distributors.

This score was composed by Alan Silvestri.

The Spook Who Sat By The Door (1973)

A significant film about the first afro-american CIA agent, who

is actually a militant Black Panther under cover.

Music produced by Herbie Hancock.

The Black Six (1973)

A Black motorcycle gang takes revenge on a white

gang. Worth seeing.

Lady Cocoa (1975)

AKA "Pop Goes The Weasel"

Not a very good film.

See it at your own risk.

Trouble man (1972)

I had high exceptations, as the soundtrack by Marvin Gaye is an all-time classic.

The film was not very good and I found it cliched and boring.

Sugar Hill (1974)

Voodoo, Zombies, Mobsters and a sexy leading lady with a huge afro.

Sound great on paper, doesnt it!

Cotton comes to Harlem (1970)

Major Studio Blaxploitation film about 2 black cops.

Not a good movie, the soundtrack by Galt Mc Dermot is only slightly better.

United Artists seem to have spent more money on the poster (really nice) than the movie.

Get Christie Love! (1974)

A made for TV movie about a black female cop.

Spawned a short lived TV-series.

Not a great movie, quite forgettable.

Darktown Strutters (1975)

AKA "Get Down And Boogie"

A real strange Movie. The plot was hard to follow, and my overall impression was

not a good one. You might want to give it a try if you are into super obscure movies.

"Super sisters on cycles - better move your butt when these ladies strut!"

Bone (1972)

AKA "Housewife"

Directed by Larry Cohen.

A rough and tough movie about a black guy who does a home invasion on a rich white couples home.

I liked the movie. It is very different from any other movie I have ever seen.

Youngblood (1978)

This movie is all right. Nothing wrong with it.

Soundtrack LP by War is funky and worth getting.

Friday Foster (1975)

Another Pam Grier vehicle. Unfortunately not a memorable one. It is truly a shame that she ended up in a bunch of crappy B-movies because she really has super star potential as an actress. Coffy and Foxy Brown are like the only good films she did. (I did not like her comeback film Jackie Brown by Quentin Tarantino, even though she still looks great in it at 47 years old)

Savage Sisters (1974)

AKA "Ebony, Ivory and Jade"

Three karate chicks kick ass. One blonde, one brunette, one Black.

Good mindless B-movie entertainment with the beautiful Gloria Hendry.

Bucktown (1975)

Another wasted opportunity for Pam Grier.

She is seriously the only memorable thing about this very mediocore film.

Of course if you think fistfights and such are super cool entertainment then go ahead and have a blast.

The Brother from Another Planet (1984)

A late entry in the Blaxploitation genre, most people probably dont even consider it Blaxploitation.

This comedy is real great and worth a watch.

Soundtrack is nice as well with Lee Scratch Perry and others.

Countryman (1982)

A white american couple crash lands in Jamaica.

They are rescued by a bush-doctor who teaches the to smoke weed and survive in the jungle.

Good movie and a good soundtrack.

The harder they come (1972)

Jimmy Cliff movie about Jamaican rudeboys.

First feature film produced in Jamaica.

Not a great movie but worth seeing anyway,

Classic soundtrack LP as well.

The Deadly Art of Survival (1979)

I found this VHS for 1 dollar at a Salvation Army Thrift Store in New York.

I did not know about this movie before.

Directed by Charlie Ahearn of "Wild Style" - fame.

Its a Extremely low budget Karate flick taking place in the ghetto.

Recommended.

So, that was it, a ride thru Blaxploitation classics, a few more obscure items and a bunch of

Films from the outer fringes of the genre.

I know I have seen more, but some I have forgotten even the names of.

I know I have not seen them all, so Looking forward to finding new gems.

Keep your eyes (and your mind) open. You never know what you might find!

Maybe next I will watch

Top Of The Heap (1972)

???

Brad Osborne Story - Reggae - Old School Hip Hop - New York

I Bumped into this most fascinating blog.

It contains the Story Of Brad Osborne of Jamaica, who moved to New York and

played a major part in the birth of Hip Hop and Rap music.

As this story is relatively unknown I share it here.

BRADS RECORD DEN

http://deadlydragonsounds.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-greatest-record-shop-in-world-story.html

Closely Connected to Brads Record Den was The DJ/MC T-Ski Valley who used to work there.

Here is a super fascinating Interview with him about the early days of Bronx Hip Hop Jams.

Knowledge is king. This is recommended reading for all you new school cats.

Know your history.

T-SKI VALLEY

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LegendaryHipHop/posts/275621663884854/

KUJA ORCHESTRA - KUJA´S DISCO 12" RELEASED BY MUKATSUKU (UK)

https://www.juno.co.uk/artists/Kuja+Orchestra/

We are happy to announce that Kuja Orchestra´s newest record is available for pre-order

from Juno. The Release date is 27. May 2022.

It is a 12" Single with two remixed versions of the track "Kuja´s Disco".

The record will be eventually available from Redhill Records as well,

but it is recommended to order yours now before they are gone.

Kuja Orchestra´s previous vinyl release 2020 LP on Jazz Aggression -label

was sold out in no time and is now out of print.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13.4.2022

X JUNKIE NL

Kuja Orchestra gets props from the Netherlands.

Thanks, much appreciated.

FRESH JAZZY SOUNDS

SARAH EVANS DJ SET - INCLUDES : KUJA ORCHESTRA - ELEVATOR GROOVE

Wicked Funky DJ set from UK´s Sarah Evans.

Thank you for playing The Kuja Orchestra.

Much appreciated!

Check it out.

WICKED WIGWAM TV LIVE FROM 1976

Amazing TV-live from Finnish prog legends Wigwam.

Check the last track "Grass for blades", funky psych groove!

Pay attention to the squeaky Arp Odyssey- solo from Pedro Hietanen, followed by a smooth tempo change and a goose bumps- inducing clean/dry-sound-guitar-solo by Rekku Reckhardt.

RIP Jim Pembroke.

Some say this is not the "classic" line-up. but Im not complaining.

Enjoy ( you can skip right to the last track)

Wigwam TV-live