FEATURE: Adventures in Record Collecting #1

In this new and mildly exciting new feature, I go record shopping and tell you about what I bought:
Date: 08/14/2011
Location: Milwaukee Record & Music Show, American Serb Hall, Milwaukee
Money Spent: $8.00 USD
Number of Records Purchased: 6

The Records:

ABBA - Super Trouper:

I hate to break it to you, but if you don't like ABBA, you're a hater, plain and simple. For those of you who do like ABBA, it's worth remembering that, although their greatest hits compilations have sold several million copies, the original albums are more than worth a listen. Like many of their later-era efforts, Super Trouper features a few mega-hits (the biggie in this case being "The Winner Takes It All") interspersed with rock-solid album cuts. My only compunction about buying this is that every time I listen to it, I'll have to wonder what sadist decided to package records with crumply, bunchy cellophane inner sleeves.

Herbie Hancock - Future Shock:

The 1983 LP whose hit single "Rockit", and its heavily-rotated video, launched scratching into the consciousness of the general public via a guest appearance by Grand Mixer D.ST, Future Shock was the first manifestation of Hancock's interest in electro-funk. Great record, it's going to warrant a lot of repeat listens.

Herbie Hancock - Perfect Machine:

It was five years before Hancock released this, the last installment in the Future Shock  trilogy. It may be a bit rougher around the edges than the first, but there's plenty to love here, especially with tunes like "Vibe Alive" and "Beat Wise". I've actually been familiar with this one for a while, so I knew it was a good buy, especially for 50 cents.

Prince - Purple Rain:

A classic, no explanation needed. Glad to finally have it on vinyl, it will look nice slotted next to my "Let's Go Crazy" 12 "

Yazoo - Situation 12" Single:

Though they only released two studio albums, Yazoo (known as Yaz in the U.S.) made them both count. A taste of the first, Upstairs at Eric's, "Situation" became one of their most recognizable songs. Strange to learn that Alison Moyet's laugh was sampled for the "Macarena". While not that much of a radical departure, the dub version on the reverse is rather nice too.

Sylvester - Step II:

One of the greatest disco divas (even if he was a man), Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" is a dance floor classic, not to mention one of the earliest examples of what became known as Hi-NRG. The rest of the album doesn't disappoint either, even when the tempo drops.



Overall it was a good excursion. Everything's in nice shape and I didn't spend too much. Although I didn't find as many bargains as I would've liked to either. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!