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Haze

Aug 2010

Secret Stash Records is helping to distribute the album, Haze: When We Were Kids
In 1974 Minneapolis R&B outfit, Haze, released their debut self-titled album. The lead single, “I Do Love My Lady” became a regional smash hit reaching number 38 on the Billboard R&B Chart in early ‘75. It’s been hailed by local music critics as one of the best of a long list of lost and forgotten pre-Prince Minneapolis R&B hits. Later that year, frustrated with the poor distribution of their LP by ASI Records, they traveled to L.A. where they scraped together some money and funded the recording of 6 songs in the RCA studio. On their way out of the building, they were stopped by a man claiming to be an A&R rep who was interested in their sound. He took them out to lunch to talk business. Eventually he excused himself from the table to use the restroom. After he was gone for ten minutes, the band realized he had snuck out the back door through the kitchen and taken their master tapes with him. To date there has been no indication of the recordings ever surfacing. Later that year the band was offered a recording contract with Factors, Etc. and moved to Delaware to record a new album. There was a dispute with the owner of the label, the band was sent home and all the members went their separate ways. The album was never completed.

In mid 2007 a radio DJ from Mankato, MN purchased a massive stack of LPs from a private seller in Minneapolis. Included in that stack was a white label test pressing that she dubbed, “The Mystery Record.” After years of relentless work and investigating, she discovered that it was in fact the first Haze LP. She had never heard of the band before and was hard pressed to find a single living soul who could give her any information about them. Her search for the band created a massive local buzz and decades after they had all moved on to different careers, the band was thrown back in the spotlight. Local print publications and radio programs went nuts for the story. Word has spread about these forgotten heroes of funk and now music fanatics everywhere want the first Haze LP and it’s almost impossible to find. Used copies regularly sell for over $200 on ebay to buyers around the globe.

“When We Were Kids” is the same album as their self titled debut with a new name and artwork. This CD reissue is the first installment of the group’s reintroduction to the world of music retail. They have a completed unreleased lost album circa ’76 that will be reissued soon as well. Vinyl pressings of both albums will be released later this year.

Twin Cities Record Sale

May 2010

digging

It’s time for another record sale in Saint Paul! They’ve added a large amount of new stock, as well as enlisted various local DJs to entertain you while you dig. This is bigger than the last one! There will be lots of new vinyl stock (LPs, 45s), some posters, books, videos and a smattering of CDs. There will also be a larger than usual amount of jazz vinyl.  See below for more details.

Sellers:
Let It Be Records
GoJohnnyGo
Riffs-Ahoy

Dates and Location:

Friday May 14th      4 PM – 10 PM

Saturday May 15th   10 AM – 8 PM

Sunday May 16th     Noon – 4 PM

Sale Location (same as last time): 2285 University Avenue, St. Paul

It is being held in the ‘party room’ of the Carlton Lofts buildings, which is located between the two loft buildings. There is plenty of free parking on University. Of course, the sale is free as well! For directions help, is it 2 blocks west of the Vandalia/Interstate 94 exit. Take the exit, go North and then left onto University. Or it is 4 blocks east of the 280/Interstate 94 University exit. The 16 bus line runs right past as well.

Getting To The Roots Of Afro-Peruvian Culture

Apr 2010


On 4/15/10 we met up with Miki Gonzalez and the Ballumbrosio twins (sons of the infamous Amador Ballumbrosio) in Miki’s studio in Lima, Peru.  Miki (one of Peru’s biggest rock stars) offered some incredible insight into Afro-Peruvian music and the Ballumbrosios showed us the dances that are truly at the root of Afro-Peruvian music and culture.  Miki is the twins’ godfather.  He is one of the first (and only) non-Africans to be accepted into El Carmen in such an intimate way.  The twins’ father, Amador Ballumbrosio is widely considered to be the godfather of the Afro-Peruvian revival.  Miki explained how it was an incredible thing for us to learn the Zapateo (an Afro-Peruvian dance) directly from the twins.  He said we were getting our masters degree in Zapateo.

When Miki heard we were in town and what we were up to, he instantly invited us out to his studio.  It seemed as though everyone we came across in Lima was completely thrilled to share what they could of Afro-Peruvian music with us.  Miki and the twins were no exception.  This video is just a tiny little peek at the time we spent with them.  We hope you enjoy it!

Unai, Cory, Miki, and Eric

Music, an important part of Peruvian culture

Apr 2010
Songoro Cosongo

On our first day in Lima we stopped off for some mid-day ceviche and pisco sours in a small local restaurant that was built right off of the owner’s house.  He came out right after we ordered and chatted with us for a while.  We told him what we were in town for and that Cory plays Afro-Peruvian music.  He pulled a guitar off the wall that we were sure was only there for decoration and asked Cory to play for him.  Cory started playing a Festejo and the shop owner quickly joined in singing and even playing the cajon.  Then he and Cory played a classic Cuban Son (a form of Cuban folk music) together and all the other customers in the restaurant joined in.

Technically speaking, what we witnessed that afternoon was nothing special to speak of.  What moved us in a very profound way was the realization that music is so tightly woven into the fabric of their culture.  It was all about feeling good and enjoying the moment together with those around, even if they were strangers.  This would be the first of many examples we’d witness first hand that illustrates this cultures love of music.  It was one of the most fun experiences of our lives.  Check out this video clip to see it for yourself.