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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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Detroit 9000 (1973)



















































Starring
Storyline
Directed by blaxploitation specialist Arthur Marks (Friday Foster, Bucktown) from a script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Orville Hampton, Detroit 9000 follows a pair of detectives—one white, morally conflicted, and pragmatic (Alex Rocco), the other an African-American straight arrow (Hari Rhodes)—as they join forces to track down the men behind the high-stakes heist of a political fundraiser for an ambitious black politician.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

R.I.P. Levi Stubbs


Levi Stubbs (1936 - 2008)


I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, Levi Stubbs. It is not only a tremendous personal loss for me, but for the Motown family, and people all over the world who were touched by his rare voice and remarkable spirit.

Read more about Levi Stubbs @ Fullundie

Friday, October 24, 2008

Train Ride to Hollywood Aka Night Train (1975)



















Starring:


Storyline
Harry Williams, member of the rhythm & blues band, Bloodstone, is about to go onstage for a concert when he is hit on the head. The rest that follows is his dream. The four band members become conductors on a train filled with characters and (impersonated) actors from the 1930s, such as W.C. Fields, Dracula, and Scarlett O'Hara. Various songs are featured. The singing conductors are obliged to solve a mystery; Marlon Brando is murdering Nelson Eddy, Jeanette McDonald and others by suffocating them in his armpits. A wacky funeral, a fight with a gorilla, and the threat of being turned into a wax museum figure are all part of Harry's dream. 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Tom Scott & The L.A. Express - The Nine Lives Of Fritz The Cat OST (Single)



Blaxploitation.com:
Ever wondered what Tom Scott's LA Express, the masterful LA session band he played with in the 70s and sometime backing band to Joni Mitchell, would have sounded like if they got seriously funky? Well, wonder no more because this obscure soundtrack 45 will really hit the spot. Originally scheduled for an LP release, the full LP got canned when the second Fritz The Cat movie bombed, but luckily this 45 was released in limited quantities. It's a cracker - wicked mid 70s jazz-funk, super tight and with a monstrous funky vocal. Killer horn and rhythm section work means that this 45 is hot enough to melt your turntable. Absolutely brilliant.

And luckily for us comet01 over at My Jazz World decided to share this with the rest of us so we can enjoy it. Ain't life sweet?