Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Category: Afro-Cuban +/- Latin jazz

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Nina Simone (vs. Syd Nathan) at Bethlehem Records

Browsing Nina Simone‘s early single releases on Bethlehem Records — Gus Wildi‘s jazz label, whose control and eventual ownership would ultimately be given over to Syd Nathan of King Records — my eyes are immediately drawn to the instrumental B-side, “African Mailman,” a fairly radical and oblique song title for

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Afro-Cuban +/- Latin jazz
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Lord Thunder: Final Deluxe 45?

Browsing DeLuxe releases in chronological order in Discog’s database, Lord Thunder‘s “Thunder” from 1975 appears to be the last gasp of Starday-King: “Thunder” Lord Thunder (1975) But wait:  1975 sounds much too late in the post-Syd Nathan saga for a new production to come out of the Starday-King studios, especially

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"Tacos and Grits"
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“Tacos & Grits”: Jazz Trombone

Zero to 180 kicks off its musical salute to grits with “Tacos And Grits,” an obvious winner of an instrumental by jazz trombonist, Al Grey: “Tacos and Grits” Al Grey (1963) This first featured song in Zero to 180’s music & grits series — launched on the heels of Saturday’s

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"Scotch and Soul"
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Rufus Harley’s “Scotch ‘n’ Soul”

Rufus Harley‘s sole 45, “Bagpipe Blues” on Atlantic Records — an original amalgamation of Scottish highland and African-American musical traditions from 1965 — was undoubtedly the first of its kind.  45Cat‘s carey jeggs notes that Harley is “[p]robably the first jazz musician to play the bagpipes, although Albert Ayler also

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"Be In"
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“Be In”: Flower Power Latin-Style

Caterina Valente and Edmundo Ros take on the hit hippy musical, Hair — and win! “Be In (Hare Krishna)” is the side two kick-off track from 1969’s Silk ‘n’ Latin LP:  -front cover- -rear cover- Be In – Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros [Pssst:  Click on the triangle above to

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