Wheel me out

Was(not was) was formed by Detroit natives David Weiss (Davis Was) and Don Fagenson (Don Was) in 1979. These two starving musicians decided to start a project that encompassed many types of music and creativity that spanned from Jazz and Rock, all the way to Dance and beat poetry. The two amazing producers worked with a bunch of different artists(including two of my all time favs Iggy Pop and Elvis Costello) to help their sound stay fresh and to push their creativity to the max. As i mentioned before i was a bit confused by the duo because i couldn't see how "Walk the Dinosaur" could've come from the same group who made"Wheel me out", the song featured here today:

Was (not was) - Wheel me out

Walk the Dinosaur Video (just for fun)

Sesame Funk and more!!

i went crazy the other day getting a little nostalgic on Youtube. While looking up old television shows i used to watch as a kid, i realized that T.V. had a huge impact on the music i listen to today. Here are a few examples:

the infamous pinball count by Walt Kraemer and the Pointer Sisters. this wouldn't come on every episode, but when it did, you know it got my pampers a'shakin!



A lot of you prolly won't remember this one, but for those of you born in the seventies like myself it should bring back some memories. There were quite a few clips set in the sesame street discoteque when i was growing up and it makes a lot of sense. It just goes to show you that Jim Henson and his team had their collective 'ear to the streets' and knew how to reach the younger generation. This tune, sung by the one and only Cookie Monster, actually got pretty popular due to some remix action by Disco Godfather Larry Levan...who at the time was resident dj at a little place called the Paradise Garage (kind of a big deal).



Now my pops couldn't watch sesame street all day, so at some point i had to hand over the remote. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing though. Dad had good taste and was a fan of cop shows with awesome themes like C.H.i.P.S.:

Oh, and the S.W.A.T. theme by Rhythm Heritage ...this song jams!

I also wanted to include the extended 45 version which in my opinion has one of the illest breakdowns in history (sampled used in Lauryn Hill's "Sweetest Thing rmx") enjoy!!

Sex and Fury @ COOL OUT tonight!

NYC's Pharoah & Ferola aka Sex and Fury, representin' the Broken Teeth Crew (Dallas/NYC/Austin) have been making their way around Tx this week simply laying waste to any and every soundsystem they get ahold of. Great track selection coupled with their flawless double-team mixing definitely make for one hell of a party wherever you find these two! Needless to say, i'm super stoked to have them playing with us tonight. This is the last stop on their Texas tour before heading off to Oklahoma, so they promised to make it a night to remember. Expect some ol school house, dirty disco and anything else they wanna throw at you...shine up your dancin' shoes, break out the baby powder and remember to check your gun fingers at the door!

check out Sex & Fury's myspace and go here for mixes and other info

see you tonight!!

Fela Anikulapo Kuti

While taking a cab from work to COOL OUT a few months back, i started chatting with the driver as i often do. Finding out that he was a native of Nigeria, i asked if he was a fan of Fela Kuti. "Woah", he said "i used to go to his club Afro Spot (later re-named Afrika Shrine) all the time when i was young! At least once a week...". I wanted to tell him to stop the cab so i could jump in the front seat and start picking his brain. But i was already running late, so instead i just started bombarding him with questions in hopes that i might better understand what it was like seeing the man perform, not just live, but in his element. He told me that the experience was unreal and very empowering. I can't remember everything he said, but i think the one quote that sums him up best was this..."he was a man bigger than Nigeria itself." Nuff said.

To find out more, here is the beginning of the Fela documentary that tells the amazing story behind the musical genius. The rest can be found on Youtube:

And an earlier track w/ the Africa '70 as Fela Ransome Kuti:

Fela Kuti - Shakara (Oloje)

**btw we start COOL OUT with a Fela track every week so it pays to get there early!**

Happy Birthday MJ!!

Today would've been Michael's 51st birthday. So its only right to pay some respects to the man responsible for influencing so much of the music we know and love today. Here's one off of 'Forever, Michael' released in '75.

Michael Jackson - Almost There

Jorge Ben vs. Rod Stewart

Love love love me some Jorge Ben! For those of you who don't think you're familiar with this brazilian samba/funk/jazz genius, think again. Although he's got a ton of great music in his catalogue, you'd probably best recognize him for his first major hit, "Mas Que Nada" later popularized in the US by Sergio Mendes (ie used in Austin Powers). Other favorites of mine include "Ive Brussel", "Para Que Digladiar" and the reason for my post today "Taj Mahal" (originally released in 1972 on the album 'Ben' but revamped and re-released on numerous Jorge Ben albums throughout his career). An epic samba-esque tune that builds up and breaks down into an awesome chanty, sing alongy type chorus (ie "dae da dae de dae, da dae de dae...") all the while keeping the tempo right around 130bpm. Now, i've loved this tune for a while now, but every time i hear it i usually end up singing "Do ya think i'm sexy? (1978)" by Rod Stewart. Well, as it turns out, im not so lame AND more importantly, im not the only one who noticed this almost too obvious similarity. Later that year Jorge sued Rod for plagiarism, and won. Sweet. Of course, this was good news for Jorge, but even better news for me because now i won't feel so tacky when i can't help but burst into "if you want my body, and you think i'm sexy..."

Here's a funkier version off of his 'Africa Brasil' album released in 1976. Funkier yes, but you should still be able to make out the likeness:

and here's another lil treat that should get "do ya think i'm sexy?" outta yer head:

Jorge Ben - "Take it easy my brother Charles"

Eastside Connection - You're so right for me

I think it's only right that this be the inaugural posting here at Cool Out World, since this is one of my all time favorite songs and one of my first attempts at editing disco. This amazing tune ,written and arranged by the acclaimed and very talented jazz violinist Harry Scorzo Jr and performed by Eastside Connection, was released on Rampart Records in 1977.  A totally upbeat, super positive disco treat that always gets people movin'...enjoy!

Eastside Connection - You're so right for me (Schwa Edit)