The “do it yourself” (DIY) ethic has typically been attached to punk and independent rock music, as their production and countercultural ethics refused to walk in line with accepted societal norms. Today these barriers are no longer, as the white-collar world embraces tattoos and death metal lunch boxes. Hip Hop and Rap music, specifically Gangster Rap, have also become normalized, with big budget videos and thug life imagery as eagerly consumed as boy band Kool-Aid. But there was a time that it, too, was looked down upon for its raw social commentary.

In 1985 an independently self-produced record, initially sold out of the trunks of cars, would change the face of Rap and Hip-Hop music forever. Jesse Weaver Jr. (aka Schoolly D) and his friend Lance Allen (aka DJ Code Money) joined forces to produce Schoolly D. This raw ground-breaking album took the listener on an adventure through the often mean streets of Philadelphia. It broke the mold, helping to create the “Gangster” Rap" genre while putting Schoolly D and the 52nd and Parkside neighborhood of Philadelphia on the map.
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At the time this song blew me away, not for the gangster imagery but because nothing sounded like it. The booming reverb on the Roland TR-909 kick drum was trancelike and lightyears from anything I’d heard before. I wasn’t alone, the song would be sampled by Chapterhouse, The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, The Prodigy, and even Siouxsie and the Banshees would use it on their “Kiss Them for Me” Single.  ​

Before Robbie van Leeuwen formed Shocking Blue and penned “Love Buzz” as well as the international smash hit “Venus,” he was in The Motions, a popular Dutch Beat group that found success in post war Europe.
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One of my favorite singles of theirs is “For Another Man.” It’s a sparse, though nearly flawless under 2-minute pop song, driven by the bass and drums. It also perfectly captures the time period, and it’s a song that probably made Gerry and the Pacemakers or The Kinks envious.  

​I’ve always been a fan of the “power” trio. Like many of you, I too adore The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Rush, and The Police. But where trios are common in Jazz, they aren’t in Rock, especially when groups must reproduce their recordings live. Guitar solos feel naked and minor mistakes that are normally hidden behind an extra strumming hand, now hamper otherwise wonderful performances.

One of the great “power” trios that never received as much attention as they should have is the Kitchens of Distinction. Formed in London in 1986 they would find early success in the UK with their second album, only to see their third release The Death of Cool largely ignored. Why was this? Well, aside from poor marketing and fierce competition, throughout musical history homosexual musicians were shunned and forced to hide themselves behind lies and inuendo. Even Freddy Mercury, whose flamboyant performances, chart topping hits, and band name would have made Liberace wink, sadly still hid his sexuality from the press.

This wasn’t and isn’t the case for lead singer and bassist Patrick Fitzgerald, who sang joyfully and confidently about his sexuality. Songs like “4 Men” and “Breathing Fear” (a song A&M balked at as it referenced gay bashing) didn’t back down to marketing pressure.
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 “When in Heaven” is the second single from The Death of Cool. It’s a lyrically humorous take on the afterlife and a great example of how three people can make a lot of music. From Swales’ loops and shimmering guitars to Fitzgerald’s basslines and Goodwin’s beats, each member of the group fold perfectly together. It’s not my favorite song of theirs, but it has some wonderful moments and I think it’s an excellent introductory track for those of you who either never heard of them or didn’t give them a chance.

Among the long list of musicians that did not receive proper payment for their work was Arthur Crudup. Born in 1905 in Mississippi, Crudup migrated to Chicago where he performed in the street while living in a packing crate until he was discovered by legendary music producer Lester Melrose.

“That’s All Right” was released by RCA on September 6th, 1946. It’s an infectious jumping blues number, recorded five years before the legendary “Rocket 88.” The song didn’t receive much attention until nine years later when Elvis Presley was fiddling with it between sessions. It would become Elvis’ first single for Sun Records and helped launch his monster career.

Arthur Crudup stopped recording in the mid 50’s when he realized he wasn’t getting paid for his work. He died in 1974 after unsuccessfully seeking royalty payments from Sun Records and other artists who covered his music.