holyrollerproductions.com

Don ‘Soultrain’ Campbell

holyroller — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:35:15 +0000

Campbellock on Soul Train

Hiphop and the dance communities of the world owe alot to Don Cornelius and Soul Train, despite the struggle of the dancers for recognition of their art and fair treatement,Soul Train presented a platform where dancers of the early 70′s showcased the blue print of hiphop to the attention of the rest of America and the world.

Cornielius knew that dance was integral to the show and made sure he sought out the best dancers of the time, It was by no means a smooth ride for the dancers who never got paid to be on the show, although soul train dancers always received an unspoken equal status with any star performing, be it James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, or the even the Jackson Five,

This audio is an interview taken from the film Underground Dance Masters (a film we actually commented n before) it features Don Campbellock Campbell,the originator of the dance called known as Locking or the ‘Campbellock‘ as it was called back in the 70′s.
Campbell talks about the dance from its roots to how it was introduced on Soul Train, which led to the Campbellock taking the country by storm.
Don Campbell is frank when discussing his experiences with the late Don Cornelius.
Soul Train was a new show at the time and CorneIius was always 1st to introduce new dances and dance talent to the country,
Throughout Soul Trains prescence on television,dancers like The Electric Boogaloos, Damita Joe , Jefferee Daniel, and Jody Watley all appeared on the show.
Campbell pointed out that It was Don Corneliuse’s introduction to locking that led to Soul Train getting many great dancers through his(Campbell’s) connections.
Don Cornelius would recruit talent through dance contests, the likes of Don Campbell and Damito Joe would enter and were able to become regulars on the show.
Most of the original line up of the Lockers (Greg Pope Leo Williamson, Fred Berry Adolpho Quinones aka Shabadoo and Slim the Robot ) became regulars on Soul Train.
Campbell also talks about Toni Basil and her involvement with the Lockers and how Basil exchanging words with Cornelius let to Campbell being thrown off Soul Train. and how he felt vindicated when his group returned to the show as headliners.

Campbellock speaks. music mashup by holyroller

Rivers Flow On

holyroller — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:22:03 +0000

Shottsman brings together the Sankofaz and guests for a hard core underground Free-Jazz workout dedicated to the late Sam Rivers.
The Sankofaz Ensemble included Jason Yarde, Niles Asheber, ‘MR’ Mensah, Kikanju Baku, and Jonus Mbanu for this turbo jazz meets spiritual, session.
This is an hour section from ‘the Evolution Suite’- I’ve Known Rivers. the sound is raw, and the vibes is strong.
Holy Roller thanks all the musicians that took part in this amazing session.

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The Evolution Suite

holyroller — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:07:52 +0000

Holyroller presents an hour long long Free-Jazz session in memory of the late
Sam River the piece features The Sankofaz, featuring Jason Yarde and Niles Asheber. The Sankofaz are the new keepers of the turbo jazz gates, this collective of musicians are driven by their dedication to all things fusion, spiritual, and experimental, lead by genius drummer Kikanju Baku,along Sankofaz mentor IG Culture he hopes to introduce serious music people to their brand of turbo jazz and spiritual fusion.

Also available for listening is a short piece presented by Kikanju Baku of the Sankofaz giving respect to Sam Rivers, the man and his music. The music is an uncut live session

The Evolution Suite ‘I’ve Known Rivers’. feat the Sankofaz and guests

Kikanju baku presents a short tribute

Holy Roller alongside the Sankofas pays tribute to the great Sam Rivers born 88 years ago in El Reno, Oklahoma .As a master expoent of free jazz the multi instrumentalist saxophonist took the form known as free jazz to intellectual and musical higher grounds . The prolific Rivers was to consistantly maintain this level of creativity throughout his 50 year career . Technically Rivers was second to none and knew his music to an extreme degree . He will go down in music history as a genius and legend of avant garde music.

Jimmy Caster: it’s just begun

holyroller — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:27:35 +0000

June 23rd 1947 – January 16th 2012

As the legends and musical dons of a past era of music leave us with shocking regularity, now is absolutely the time to celebrate the legacies that these superhuman beings have left for soul children and soul childrens children.
Jimmy Caster was another of those super gifted uplifted brothers who saw the future and gave us a glimpse of it.

A song like “it’s Just begun” is not only a B Boy anthem. everyone should know this legegndary song, the lyrical content is a shout to all the young hopeful soul rebels tearing a path to the future. the true definition of Dynamite Soul! this song is one of Holyrollers all time favourites alongside songs like Dexter Wansel’s “Yellow Sunshine“!

It’s Just begun is the original ultimate break and beat, Bboys, party people and music lovers old school and new head for the floor everytime DJ’s reach for this selection.
Holyroller presents IG Culture’s remake of the Jimmy Caster Bunch Classic.
This was a one off project called the UN-Organization united nation of funk featuring Finn Peters, Eric Appapouley and Bembe Segue. They recorded a mega tribute to Jimmy Casters untouchable hit strictly with love. please play this version and celebrate the genius and raw twisted funkiness of a super legend Jimmy Caster!
May the soul brother rest in double funkin peace!

UN- organization (united nation of funk)
IT’S JUST BEGUN (again) 21st century rub

Holyroller presents a tribute to Sam Rivers

holyroller — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:43:33 +0000

Sam Rivers tribute tommorow monday the 16th of January, Holyroller brings together, Jason Yarde Akwasi Mensa , Niles Ashaber, Kikanju Baku and Jonas of PBH! its on!! TURBO SWING MEETS AVANT GARDE ISH!!!

HolyRoller Radio Jan 2012

holyroller — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:17:48 +0000

Holyroller back for the new year with music from The Styvesants, Boog Brown,Napoleon Wright, JDavey
Iman Omari, Sbtrkt, Blu and Exile, ID Four Windz, Georgia Anne Muldrew, J Davey, and more…tune in

download here

IG and Elgo crew this Sat 14th of January

holyroller — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:14:03 +0000

hope you can make it down! full bless all massive and crew

A special Sam Rivers tribute

holyroller — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:29:59 +0000

Holyroller and Shottsmann presents a special Sam Rivers tribute jam session on the 16th of this month, feat Jason Yard, New turbo swing sensations Kikanju Baku and Jonus of P.B.H and Akwasi Mensah, more TBC
date 16TH jJanuary 2012 session to be filmed by Shottsmann.

vintage 1940-50′s skates

holyroller — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:37:51 +0000

Bargain basement super find

Rare vintage 40′s 50′s skates. price bargain @ £40.00

Paper thin leather it’s like putting a sock on.
Old school peeps skated on wooden wheels?
not sure how they acheived this.

NYC documentaries

holyroller — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:42:38 +0000

The late 70′s era in New York’s history, can be seen as golden or grimey, depending on ones perspective but what cannot be denied is that this era represents a planetary alignment that has affected the world in a significant and permenent way.

Two films that cover this era era we’re talking about, is the BBC documentary Once upon a time in New York, and NY77: the coolest year in hell.
These films attempt take us on a journey to the sleaze, and squaler of a decaying mid 70′s New York to witness the birth of Disco Punk and Hiphop, from an American and British point of view,
Both films were released in 2007 each film not exactly on general release but can aquired.

Picture late 70′s NYC, it’s streets soiled with every form of crime, murder, drug dealing and armed robbery.
Arson was rife, as the blazing back drop of the South Bronx resembled a warzone. Residents driven out of their homes, as landords had their own buildings torched as insurance scams.
And while street gangs ran rampant and burned the Bronx to the ground, goverment cutbacks financially choked the city to the point of death.
This is the picture that the film NY77: coolest year in hell documents.
The early focus of the film targets a sleazy chapter in late 20th century American history, revisiting a pre A.I.D.S epidemic New Yoek, where anything of a sexual nature went, dialog during the film recounts at least 200 porn establishments open for buisness on 42nd street, and prostitution so rife that from 34th st to 50th st and 8th avenue there were at least 1200 hookers.

NYC77 traces the riegn of terror of the notorious serial killer ‘the Son of Sam‘ and shows how Ed Beam (New Yorks mayor of the time.) had lost control over what the crumbling city, while candidate’s Bela Abzug and congressman Koch ‘fought for the soul of the city’.
The film spotlight’s the new creative energy growning within NYC, an energy that formed Punk, Disco, and Hiphop.
It reavels to the lower east side of Manhatten, another decaying part of the city where young misfit’s, and out of town thrill seeking caucations gravitated towards, hungry for excitement.

The attraction and buzz of the downtown scene was triggered by places like CBGB’S, a dingy downtown night club that , a was home to The Ramones, Blondie, New York Dolls, and Talking Heads.
While the downtown scene gave birth to punk rock, the Bronx was birthing Hiphop, pioneers like Afrika Bambaataa, Disco Wiz, Grand Master Caz, and KRS1, take us back to the days of clubs like Disco Fever and block parties,

NY77 also shows the birth of disco speaking on places like the Loft and Paradise Garage, Interviewing legends like Frankie Knuckles

What NY77 fails to underline ( but only slightly!) is the fact that the music was the driving force of the disco movement,with little to nothing mentioned about the artists and pioneers of the disco sound, the blue print and early echo’s of house music.

The hedonistic days in Studio 54 and the sexual decadence of Ceaser’s Retreat, are also highlighted, swingers with one time porn star Annie Sprinkles talks about the sexual primiscuousness of that era.
The film also relives the bedlam that took place on the nightwhen a city wide blackout hit the city
Hiphop Legend KRS1 speaks his horror as a child, as he witnessed regular people degenerating down to common thieves and looters in the chaos that followed in wake of the black out.

NY77: the coolest year in hell has a gritty approach, with good grapics and animation that enhance the archival footage in places but overcook it in other’s.

Once upon a time in New York City, is a more sterile affair,t hat comes across vague, and at times biased in its view of that period ,
This 2nd film pretty much touches on similar topics as NY77 but in our opinion places much more emphasis on the downtown punk scene, and the artists within that scene. The monotonous (disinterested sounding) British accented narrative, sets this film up for critism very early on.

Studio 54 is focussed on as the main home of disco as opposed to the Loft or the Paradise Garage, with no real evidence of the New York roots of disco. Statements such as “Studio 54 had the same freshness as punk” are questionable.
The films attempt to cover “the birth of hiphop” fails drastically, infact it starts to talk hiphop in the last 15 minutes. and summorizes with a blatant untruth as it gives Blondie’s psuedo rap song ‘Rapture‘ credit as the song that spread hiphop worldwide, In our opinion the statement “the song ( Rapture)stood at the pinnicle of street music” seriously damages this films credibility as a fair and balanced documentary.

NY77: the coolest year in hell. is a more entertaining look at the period, and almost gives equal billing to tthe punk, disco and hiphop movements (punk coming in 1st hiphop a close 2nd, and disco cruising in 3rd) and manages to highlight the political as well as the social aspect of this important period in New Yorks history. In contrast BBC documentary tells a different story that can leave those who know frustrated, but that’s the whole point, the documentary is for those who don’t know, and after watching this film we wager the the layperson will still not know.

Once upon a time in New York’s nonchalont approach annoys at times, A biased view in parts of this film is evident as it prefers to doctor hiphop’s history and creates it’s own ‘hiphop pioneers’ in a mish mash of misleading dialog rendering it’s version of the story an incomplete and untrustworthy document.

other Films of that period
Times Square
Doin Time on Times Square
South Bronx Heros
Night of the Juggler
Taxi Driver
The Warriors
Wild Style
80 Blocks from Tiffanys
Downtown 81
The Deadly Art of Survival
Flying Cut Sleeves

Books
The Bronx is Burning