So Much Time . . Ain't Got Time Fa Nuthin'

So, after dodging bullets since arriving in the Bay Area nearly two years ago I recently became one more (of the many) victims of this harsh economic climate. That might help explain why I have not posted anything new for a few weeks. I spent the past two weeks kicking it with my family and friends in Portland, OR. This also allowed me some time to do some care-free digging in Portland's famous record shops as well as thrift stores up and down the West Coast as my pal Chris and I drove back to the Bay Area along the coast. Needless to say, the coastal route is beautiful, but it's not much for soulful vinyl as the rural Oregon and Northern California coast makes Portland look like New York City. Be sure to check in over at Weed, Whites & Wine for some of my less-soulful and more twangy vinyl scores.

I'm still working through some of the goodies I brought back, but the one that is steady rotation in my brain is this killer little tune from the lesser-known Philly vocal group, The Futures. I snagged this little gem at a junk-shop in SE Portland for $5 along with a couple other great pieces. This tune really seems to speak to my current situation: so much time, but so much to do. Three weeks of being unemployed has taught me one thing: I work best with structure.

So, until something comes along that pays a little bit better I'm committing to give myself a bit of structure by posting on Soul Spectrum & Weed, Whites & Wine much more frequently, so stay tuned!


The Futures - Ain't No Time Fa Nuthin'

I heard it on the radio!

Hi, I'm Morgan, I live in Portland, Oregon and I'll be guest blogging for a bit while the Ambassador finishes off his epic roadtrip/move back to the left (right) coast. Thanks Allen! Now growing up in Portland has its advantages and its disadvantages but local (mainstream) radio is sadly not one of them. Even the most casual music fan would know pretty much every song on our classic rock stations. Our lone hip hop station was recently forced to change locations on the dial and nearly shut down, its spot taken up by an all sports format. The only bright spots are the university station KPSU and the community station KBOO. Have you ever had the experience of thinking you had discovered some amazing jam only to have your significant other tell you that they loved the song as a kid? In the vacuum of Portland radio this happened to me kind of a lot. First Choice is one of those bands that never gets any play in the pacific northwest and its a shame because they are one of the best outfits on disco - backed by the Norman Harris, Ron Baker and Earl Young trifecta that was the core of philly house band MFSB and featuring many of the finest arrangers and musician in the business. If you don't live in portland you probably hear "Doctor Love" and "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" often enough so here are a couple of slightly lesser known album cuts:

First Choice - I've Got a Feeling This and the next two cuts are off the album "So Let Us Entertain You"

First Choice - I'll Stay Right Here So good.

First Choice - Maybe Yes, Maybe No Another personal favorite.

First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder (Danny Krivit medley of Walter Gibbons, Shep Pettibone, and Frankie Knuckles remixes) The Man, Mr K puts his touch on this chronically remixed song. This is the version I usually listen to.