About 5-6 years ago, I found this incredible Afrofunk record by a band called Apotheke in Aachen Germany - the town that I grew up in - and I couldn't believe that this came from this very town, as it sounded like something that could've easily been recorded in the Caribbeans or in West Africa. I uploaded it to Youtube and immediately got yelled at by French boogie funk collectors as I was giving away "their secret". But I always believed that it is about sharing music and not withholding any information. Long story short, I played it to a bunch of people and word got out to Roskow Kretschmann, a former member of the world famous Jazzanova and one half of Black Pearl Records. As always, they did a thorough job and just published a reissue with the main track "Hi Baby Out" on the A-side and the never before released "War" on the flip. You can enjoy/buy the record via their bandcamp site here or - if you're in the US - swing by the Human Head NYC store in Bushwick to pick up a copy in our store.
Rare track on a private press 45 from the Aachen area, late 70's, early 80's...nothing is known about this group. If you played in it or know some of the musicians, please get in contact. Many thanks and enjoy!
I found myself at Up & Down on 14th street to celebrate the 100th issue of Fader magazine (major thanks to DJ Toy and the homegirl Payton). It was - as they say - "lit", tons of people rolled through, overall nice vibes and I even got to take a pic with one of Canada's best...
After that, the Bowery Electric was the next location to celebrate DJ Boogie Blind's birthday at one of the best parties in NYC, Mobile Mondays. Here, I immediately turned into my 12 year old self upon meeting super lovely Darlene Ortiz, Ice T's first wife and a more than Iconic part on his first two album covers (she was promoting her new book "Definition Of Down"). I couldn't get myself to telling her that some of my first sexual experiences were tied to the "Power" cover, but somehow I had a feeling that she knew. Or, as the homie Rok One phrased it: "You're not Hip Hop, if you haven't jerked off to that album cover".
After that, Boogie Blind and Skratch Bastid killed it with great 45 sets. Happy birthday and salute again. If you ever have the chance, come down to Mobile Mondays in NYC. Hands down one of the best parties in NYC! This night can truly be filed under "Happy Monday"!
Boogie Blind, one of Harlem's finest. He enjoyed the Dusty Donuts promos I gave him...
