Great idea for a thread. I've got some idea about the other nine I will do, but I think this topic requires some time and thought... a lot more effort than just a list and a cursory summary of why the record was impactful. I've also got some interesting ideas about what records to cover and why. Some of them are not the easiest things for me to listen to now, but each record I cover will be something that was a bit of a milestone to my musical interests. I can think of no better record than the record I will talk about first as it is a bit of an origin story of what I view as a bit of a forum myth.
1. Lee Moses - Time and Place
This whole post is actually about giving credit where it is due. From the onset, I have to mention
@Matt M because just a little more than an hour ago, he posted this in what's spinning and after several days of agonizing over what record to start with and how to tell certain stories, a light bulb went over my head in full Tex Avery fashion.
In the old home, the first round of this reissue was in the curated section. I have stated time and time again, that while those dudes aren't the best businessmen I've ever come across, they did have great taste in music. All other things aside, that service introduced me to a lot of great music. Even more so, that forum was the origin of this forum and many of the same people post here, the vibe is much the same, and as well, I don't think there has ever been assembled a more knowledgeable or passionate group of music nerds. As Severan once said, we're capital H heads.
So when
@mcherry, one of the few people here, there, or anywhere that I defer to in all things soul said this album needed to be picked up, well I did. This record is fire. It was a lost gem. It is, in its own way, a musical history of the late sixties and so much more. In a just world, it would be one of the most well known albums of all time. His guitar playing and voice are unique and amazing. Seriously, if you like music, if you dig soul, if you are one of the people pining over every
@Plaid Room / Colemine or
@soulsteprecords or Big Crown or Daptone release, then this is one you need - stop reading and go listen to it.
It opened me up to explore more of these reissue boutique labels like Light in the Attic (the label that reissued this album) or Numero. However, in addition to rekindling a long love affair with soul music in general (just in time for Stax to sort of explode on the scene again), it had a bigger impact.
@Crabbers started playing this record by a lady called Gloria Barnes right after BFRSD 2017, about a year after I got this beast of a record. Either through a post or just our mutual appreciation of soul with him reaching out to me about it or vice versa, he mentioned that it was a companion piece to the Moses record. In fact, Moses plays guitar (and sings a bit) on the record. The Ohio Players are there. Again, if you ain't heard it... get thee to listening and stop with all this reading bs.
And that's where the real impact is... so I've a habit of exploring the nooks and crannies of my favorite records which led me to another boutique reissue label called Remined. It so happens to be a sublabel of Colemine. I resisted the influence of Crabbers and
@Enoch telling me to sign up for their subscription emails. I eventually caved and added myself to the email list. Still I resisted, but I started to listen to the stuff the label was putting out. Then there was buzz, a lot of buzz, as ATO took over for Durand Jones's distribution. Their first s/t record became one that I knew I needed but still resisted the urge to buy. Honestly, and I know there is a bit of heresy here, that first album didn't quite sell me. There is something trying too hard to be current in it. Something about the drumming Aaron does that just doesn't feel as earnest as their next record - American Love Call - did. Someone, and dammit, I hate that the old place is gone, offered to send me an extra copy of that first album my way. (YOU HAVE TO LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT, WHEN STUFF LIKE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!!!) And that was it, when their new album was announced, I ordered the indie store variant from Plaid Room. I also added the live record from the previous RSD to that order and bam... I hit the bottom of that Rabbit Hole hard.
So, there you go. That's what lead to me discovering Colemine, my absolute favorite label. One that currently has three records in the top ten of the year for me. While I often direct people to Crabbers when they thank me for their love for the label - the real reason I found them goes back to a record most people don't know exists, a record club I don't want anything to do with anymore, and the best moderator anyone ever had.
further listening:
