The mission of The Department of Afro-American Research Arts and Culture to identify the global significance of the creative contributions pioneered by an international diaspora of Blackness
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Monday, July 28, 2008

Jack Conrad - Monkey Hustle (1976)




1. Block Party
2. D to School
3. Foxxister Transistor
4. Goldie and Long Green
5. Killer Express Freeway
6. Leon Ambushed
7. Monkey Hustle Main Theme
8. Rubbish Truck
9. Switch

review from imdb: ...No, the most important element "Car Wash" had that "Monkey Hustle" lacked was a really great soundtrack of classic tunes to tie things together. "Monkey Hustle" is noticeably music-lite for its genre. There is one decent tune--the title track--and it gets played a lot. But lots of scenes cry out for music, and the ones that get it have to make due with endless variations of this same theme. I predict that if AIP had sprung for a funky soundtrack like the producers of Car Wash did, and the filmmakers had come up with even five or seven more minutes of action to explain the ending, "Monkey Hustle" would be seen as a minor classic of the 70's black film era. It never would have been a "Cooley High," but it could have at least been a little brother to "Car Wash" (and it is a HELL of a lot better than "Thank God It's Friday").
I like the Monkey Hustle!, 5 November 2007
8/10
Author: curtis martin from Bothell, Washington, Land of Rain

Provided by Frayker Breaks
An old vinyl rip he had lying around. Those looking to hear the OST in better quality should pass on this and instead go for the Monkey Hustle / Black Mama White Mama CD rip provided by dtect.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Melvin Van Peebles - The Watermelon Man (1970) & Various Artist - The Thing With Two Heads (1972)

"Watermelon Man" 197
by Melvin Van Peebles

Beverly Hills BHS 26, 1970




1. Love, That's America
2. Great Guy
3. Eviction Scene
4. Soul'd On You
5. Where Are The Children
6. Erica's Theme
7. Fugue 1
8. Fugue 2
9. Fugue 3

Blaxploitation.com
This soundtrack is taken from the film that established Van Peebles' Hollywood career. A white bigot wakes up one day to discover he is black and experiences life in America in the late 1960s from a black perspective. The music mixes jazz and soul with a heavy hint of funk. Check out 'Love, That's America' for a nice example of a brass-heavy loose boogie.

This is a funny movie! for those who would like to watch it, it's up over at http://cinemageddon.org/doku/doku.php/projects:blaxploitation_movie_project


As a bonus, included in this file is music from and inspired by "The Thing With Two Heads". Lp 1972




1. A Prayer (Jerry Butler)
2. Dip, Dip,
3. Got My Hands Full (Billy Butler & Infinity)
4. Bongolia (Incredible Bongo Band)
5. Here I Am Again (Ollie Nightingale)
6. Fool's Paradise (The Sylvers)
7. May The Best Man Win (Ollie Nightingale)
8. I'm Truly Happy (The Sylvers)
9. Bongo Rock '72 (Incredible Bongo Band)
10. Take My Hand (Sammy Davis Jnr)
11. Oh Happy Day (Mike Curb Congregation)

Blaxploitation.com
This LP features music alledgedly 'inspired by' one of the most offensive movies of all time. The Thing With Two Heads was a man with one white head and one black head. Needless to say, the movie was released through American International. However, the soundtrack contains tracks culled from the MGM/Pride catalog and appears to be effectively a compilation of tracks from other Pride LPs. It does feature two great instrumentals by The Incredible Bongo Band, 'Bongo Rock 72' and 'Bongolia', very hard to find elsewhere. The rest of the album is a mix of seventies soul and vocal numbers. Quite easy to find and usually fairly cheap.

Speaking of funny offensive movies need I say where You can find this?

Provided by Isbum:

Here is your request filled, and a shameless plug for our blog, Franklynot. ;)

Feel free to split these to your liking. I have included a variety of covers and poster art if needed.

"Watermelon Man" courtesy of Rocket From Mars Vinyl Adventures!
Visit here:
http://isbumsplace.blogspot.com/

Keep on Pridin'!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds - The Black Motion Picture Experience (1973)


1. ACROSS 110th STREET (B.Womack-J.J.Johnson)
2. SLAUGHTER (Billy Preston)
3. BEN (W.Scharf-D.Black)
4. ALSO SPRACH ZARATHRUSTA (2001)
5. SUPERFLY (C.Mayfield) Curtom
6. TROUBLE MAN/T STANDS FOR TROUBLE (M.Gaye)
7. SHAFT (Isaac Hayes)
8. LOVE THEME FROM LADY SING THE BLUES
9. FREDDIE'S DEAD (C.Mayfield)

Another gift from MusicDawn. Thanks again!

Various Artist - Baadasssss! (2003)


1. Dialogue - No Crew Has Ever Looked Like This
2. Score - Main Title
3. Dialogue – Breaking the Rules
4. King Floyd - Groove Me
5. War - Get Down
6. Score - It’s About A Brotha...
7. Miriam Makeba - La Mumba
8. Pete Rock feat. Pharoahe Monch - Just Do It
9. Black Panther Fugitives - Gettin’ the Man’s Foot...
10. Dialogue - Back Up...
11. Zap Mama - Cou Cou
12. Antibalas - Che Che Cole Makossa
13. Dialogue - ...Jeanie, It’s Mel
14. Zuco 103 - I Came, But...
15. Donn Thompson - Love
16. Dialogue - How Much?
17. Melvin Van Pebbles – Sweetback’s Theme
18. Eric Roberson – Lil’ Money
19. Roy Ayers - Green and Gold
20. Dialogue - I’ll Make You a Bet…
21. Score - Father and Son
22. Immortal Technique - Can’t Knock the Hustle
23. Soul Brothers - Soul Brothers
23. Jean Grae - Look Around
24. Score - Inspirational Walk


You can find this soundtrack at MusicDawn.

Thanks MusicDawn.

Movie Review 
Baadasssss! (2003)

Various Artist - The Return Of Superfly (1990)



1. Superfly 1990
2. Eazy Street
3. Cheeba Cheeba
4. Funky In The Joint
5. On The Real Tip
6. Showdown
7. Forbidden
8. Take You Home
9. There's A Riot Jumpin' Off
10. Somethin' Like This
11. Superfly 1990 (instrumental)
12. For The Love Of You

Kind of hard to find a review on this soundtrack, but considering some of the Hip-Hop artist featured with Curtis Mayfield I sure this will not be a disappointment.

Thanks Flashlight

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Various Artist - Black Samurai (1978)



1. Alan Hawkshaw - Flashback
2. Fernando Pearson - Mellow Dancer
3. Keith Mansfield - Love Poem
4. Walter Murphy - Dangerous Curves
5. Keith Mansfeild - Aggressive Jazz Theme
6. Alan Parker - Soul Slap (Instrumental)
7. Madeline Bell - Soul Slap (Vocal)
8. Frank McDonald - Super Kool
9. Johnny Pearson - The Big Fuzz
10. Walter Murphy - Emergency
11. Walter Murphy - Back Streets
12. Walter Murphy - Time Runs Out
13. Syd Dale - Walk in a Nightmare
14. Syd Dale - Piece Worker
15. Frank McDonald - Prowl
16. Walter Murphy - Night Stalker
17. Walter Murphy - Emergency
18. Walter Murphy - Creepy Street
19. Walter Murphy - Lurking Shadows
20. Walter Murphy - Insomnia
21. Military Percussion Two (bonus)

An unofficial release compiled by Blaxploitation Pride's friend Frakyer. 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Alan Silvestri - The Mack & His Pack (1983)



1. In The Beginning
2. Cruisin'
3. Planetarium
4. Kill Fats Here Today
5. Here Today
6. Party Time
7. We Can Beat This
8. Play Ball
9. Slim

Blaxploitation.com
Despite the cover, this soundtrack is actually taken from a 1983 sequel to black action classic The Mack. The movie is very obscure and is not referenced in many of the standard video handbooks. One alternative title is 'The Mack And His Pack'. The movie disappeared straight to video and is hard to find, as is the soundtrack LP on the obscure ALA label. The music, by Alan Silvestri, has a tight 1980s sound and is reminiscent of Three Days Of The Condor in places. The vocal tracks feature the great Gene McDaniels (of ultra-rare funk LP classic 'Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse' fame). The whole album is tight, funky and sparse in sound; slap bass, soprano sax and toppy guitar predominate. Recommended but very hard to find. Absolutely at the opposite end of the funk spectrum from the original Willie Hutch score. Check out 'Party Time' and 'Here Today'.

Moviegrooves.com
Notes
This is the alternative soundtrack to the classic 70s blaxploitation movie The Mack starring Max Julien, Don Gordon and Richard Pryor.

The movie was originally released in 1973 with a great soundtrack by Willie Hutch. In 1983 and 1985 it was rereleased in cinemas to capitalize on the popularity of Richard Pryor and Roger E. Mosely, who were by now household names.
This LP contains the soundtrack for the reissued movie.
It's a great soundtrack with a top-notch, quality 80s soul and funk vibe - whilst also giving a nod to the classic 70s blaxploitation sound.
Composed by Alan Silvestri, The Mack features vocal performances from the great Gene McDaniels (of funk LP classic 'Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse' fame).
Thanks Frayker Breaks

Friday, July 4, 2008

H.B. Barnum - Five On The Black Hand Side (1973)




01. Five On The Black Hand Side (Performed by Keisa Brown & Prime Cut)
02. Kung Fu John Henry
03. Freedom (Performed by H. Barnum)
04. Tell Me You Love Me
05. They Keep Comin
06. Gideon & Morn
07. Black Star Barber Shop
08. Sweet Meat
09. Stormy & Gladys
10. Playin' Numbers
11. Temperance Woman
12. Roof Top Fight
13. Fun Lovin' Rap
14. Mama On The Roof, Gail Reads Demands
15. Fun Lovin' Arrives
16. Reception Line Dance
17. They Keep Comin'
18. I'll Give You Love (Performed by H. Barnum)


Review by The Doctor
This is a soundtrack that was never released on vinyl (Except for a hard to find 45' containing the theme song with Keisa Brown). Any way it has recently been released. For the most part, the music contained is a bunch of 1 to 2 minute musical stings, but I would consider it a pretty solid Blaxploitation album. It contains all the typical instrumentation you'd find in a Blaxploitation soundtrack; rhodes keys, wah guitar, funky beats, etc. Enjoy.