encounter at the flea market

[remicks]

*****

a remicks story ......



This is an odd coincidence….. That Jumbo 76 has gotten recent mention here on the board .

--- I went to a record swap last weekend and I was zipping through boxes of very mixed records , along with many other collectors, and I was happily finding some (!) . Then a young guy ( post disco era ) noticed my pile and got excited and said "Do you like disco ?"

And I nodded the affirmative while still looking ( the race was on! ) But instead of charging ahead, he was eager to show me what he'd just uncovered a few boxes ahead of me .... A Jumbo 76 album. The cover alone was very cool… … right away part of me was envious that he was minutes ahead of my browsing and he'd scored this record first .:oops::icon_sad::roll:
"Do you know this record?" he continued , waving it at me menacingly ...and I had to admit ..….no, I didn't :oops::oops: ......damn that was embarrassing …. This” kid “ was going to one up me on my disco knowledge , first try !!
"It's really a great one " and I could tell he was so happy to have found it .

Then I found Black Light Orchestra and he took it from me and looked it over curiously... he didn't know it ( but I could tell he wanted it :razz: !!) ... and I had to admit to him ... that I didn't really know it either :oops: ...


" What else do you have ? " He wondered so I surrendered my pile and he focused on my Salsoul 12” copy of D-R-U-M-S LULABYE ..”Oh, that is really good too “ he confirmed ( and … once again I admitted that I was getting it because I didn’t know it ....... either! …… )
(Odd ....not one comment on any of the ones I had ... that I did know ;))

So then he started asking me what I thought of this group or that song ..and he was naming some things I did know … and others that I didn't know.... but I started always nodding as if I did !

This was frustrating because this was going on during show time ....no time for chit chat ... records were being flipped thru at a frenzied pace ... records were aflyin’ ... and I was in my full hunt and find mode .....so I found myself sort of blowing him off.

The idea that this younger guy was so very interested in disco and that he knew these records that I didn't was a curious thing . I would have thought I’d have had much to enlighten him with…. ... this was a strange flip of events ....

But , it actually was a neat experience for me, because 1) I am always excited by the proposition that there is more to be found.( that Jumbo 76! LP ) and ... 2) its always great to run into someone with as much passion for this as I. Too bad it was under these circumstances ….
Now , I regret I didn't get to have a better conversation with this guy. I was sure I'd see him around there later after the dust had settled .... but I didn't :-(....
I regret that ...
Never got the chance to discuss our mutual interest further ...... and to (attempt to ) impress him as much as he had me ….….

*****

[needlefingers]

I'm thinking that the younger generation of DJ's is looking at 70's disco records with different eyes and ears than those of us who lived through it.

They are not tied, nor influenced, by charts, club play, requests and radio play.

They are hearing it and dicovering it on their own. Though many of them obviously have an attraction for it, it is easier for them to decide without influence. Outside of Disco/Pop oldies that are still played today, they don't know where the rest of the stuff fell. So they give it a better try than many of us might have.

When I was in my youth (in the 70's), I was attracted to Big Band music. But I did not live in the 1940's and my friends did not always share my interest. I was free to pick and choose as I felt.

As for flea markets and record fairs, I always have printed cards with my name and contact ready. You meet many buyers and sellers who will get in touch with you when they have something you may be interested in. It's an easy and graceful way to end the coversation and get back to your search before someone else gets to it before you.

[eddie]

I've just turned 30 and have a great love for Black music 1963-1997. I'm extremely knowledgable and actually have acquired most Cds in the area that I'm looking for. I'm not as into the scratchy vinyl but I'm always looking for new reissues and I'm now buying mostly online and through mail order houses.
I have though dealt with certain record shops that if they know I'm coming they rip the price tags off and put what they know I may want in the back so I pay more. The way I counteract that is to buy off what he posts online or make unexpected visits. He's a quality seller but he wants to use the collector to make money off of to off set the loses he takes on opening up common pop Cds. I also was at a certan shop and he said "I have 10,000 Cds down in the basement and it may be what you're looking for". I said OK and upon browsing discovered there was no method to his filing and he didn't want to spend a lot of time in the basement. I was spending money and he said come back another day.

I never like to let sellers know what I'm going for. If I get leveraged too much, I'll pass or buy off someone else online with cheaper payments.

[marmite7]

Hi Remicks - I'm more impressed you found time to blow him off AND still hunt for tunes! ;)

[Spellbound]

Congrats. You have accidently managed to cross paths with a generation y hipster nerd. A hipster nerd who utulizes every modern resource possible (internet, file sharing, mp3 etc...) to further his or her crusade or cause. Other styles/genres of music have recently encountered the same problem (metal, hip hop, punk etc...)

The sad times we are currently living in forces them to grab onto something from the past and call it their own. These 20 something pimple faced pricks who desperately seek the acceptance from those who were actually there. In order to gain acceptance from their peers and stand out from the rest of their friends many of these generation y hipsters will dive into lesser known genres and dedicate their entire being into it 24/7 and 365 days a year. Modern technology allows for them to make up for lost time so they desperately search day and night for information to impress others with. Many of them even have the balls to challenge those who were actually there into debates over discussed subject matter.

It is a hell of a lot easier to remember information about a particular record after you have been researching it for the past week on the internet as opposed to one who has not seen or thought about the record in over 25 years.

Whenever I see myself headed in the direction of actually becoming and turning into one of these hipsters I immediately slap myself in the face and take a break from the 12's for a few weeks. After all, the records are not going to go anywhere. I try to remain humble and not come off as being a prick. It is hard to do sometimes especially when discussing delicious topics such as 1970's music, 1970's cars and 1970's electronics.

[Bernie]

That's such a great story Remicks. It's hard to balance finding records before the next guy and chatting at the same time. Too bad you weren't able to talk a little further and get his contact info. Perhaps he would have been a great new friend to share further music discoveries with.

I really like the idea of bringing cards or paper with your contact info so you can easily trade info. This works especially well with dealers you come across as they will keep you in mind when they get new batches of records and let you get first dibs on things if they know you buy and don't give them a hard time.

Eddie, the fact that the dealer let you into his basement to check out his stock should be considered a privilege regardless of how messy. I think you really would do best to let the dealer know what you are after so he can keep an eye out for things for you. It's a relationship of trust and respect and by bouncing around to whatever store is willing to whore products doesn't help. Believe me, if you buy and patronize him regularly he will start to give you discounts without you even asking. Works for me all the time. Just let him know that you won't be taken for a fool and buy things that are way over-priced.

Despite Spellbound's extreme negativity, I have found the young guys desire to explore and give Disco and old music respect very admirable. Reminds me of when I was young. I strongly believe that they are the ones who are breathing new life into this genre and they should not be discounted. Many of the records and CDs submitted to this site's Vault are from younger members.

[QUINNY]

Despite Spellbound's extreme negativity, I have found the young guys desire to explore and give Disco and old music respect very admirable. Reminds me of when I was young. I strongly believe that they are the ones who are breathing new life into this genre and they should not be discounted. Many of the records and CDs submitted to this site's Vault are from younger members.

Aah, but Bernie, you were one of those 'young pricks' yourself when you started this website.:grin: :lol: :grin: :lol: :grin: :lol: :grin: :lol:

I can agree with Spellbound on many points and in particular, find the intensity of the younger 'nerds/trainspotters' incredibly scarey. Life's too short.....get a life.

Unfortunately, everything nowadays is a commodity to be traded, raped and pillaged, in order to make money and/or earn brownie points with one's peers. There are very few secrets out there and all music genres have totally lost any mysticism/romanticism they may have once had.

[neonlights]

I try to remain humble and not come off as being a prick.

Really now? Coulda fooled me.. :-P

Anyway,

That was a good story Remicks, it's always great running into people with similar interests.. After reading your posts on the forum, I'm pretty damn sure you could taught him a few things if you were able to talk a bit more.. If he's that much of a hunter, maybe you'll both cross paths again sometime..

[markydefad]

remicks, didn't ya ask him if he posts or lurks here?????:icon_question:

Maybe he's "among us"....lurking in da shadows of the web..compulsively making notes of what's coveted and what's crap.....:lol:

anyone who's interested is fine with me......;-)

[VINYLLIFE]

Hey Remicks...guess who?
Firstly thanks for the youngster compliment. I too wanted to find you after the dust had settled that day.Sorry for interupting during your hunt beacause I too am not to be bothered during the rush!! But when I recognize a fellow Disco brother/sister I jump at the chance to make friends. I was hoping to talk more that day and my intentions were to give you that Jumbo record as a token of a new found friend. Please consider the record yours, under one condition...that you come and get it. When you do, I am going to throw a party and introduce you to our Disco family here in L.A. We range in ages 40-54.We are passionate about real Disco.We have Hustle events as often as possible. We gather to dance every weekend, yes every weekend!In fact I will be spinning this weekend for the first three hours of an eight hour event. And believe me it will be real Disco. Thank you to Bernie for this sight and for your positive attitude about meeting and embracing some one new. Remicks maybe you can convince Marky to join us when you visit!!! lord knows I've tried!! Remicks, you have a new friend and family here. Let's talk Disco!
contact me at Vinyllife@yahoo and let's get this going! You can come check out my 28yrs of collecting stash.
p.s I'll post over at the promotions dept. about the Disco event 5-27

[markydefad]

HAH!!!! I was right!!! it's you, John...it's YOU!!!! Lurking in the shadows!!!!

ya know...I wondered if I didn't have an encounter with you at Amoeba a few months back...I had a copy of the "Down To Love Town" LP and a tall guy came up to where I was browsing the "new releases" yet to be filed and asked me if he could look at it and said that I had his old copy of the lp (which he had traded in, I guess) and then told me to get the cd version of Universal Robot Band (I had the vinyl version--cd has more cuts, I guess)....and, like remicks, I was too involved with my search..that I never asked him who he was...

only later I thought...was that John????:icon_question: John who tries valiantly to lure me out dancing...

[needlefingers]

Ahhhhhhh!

Once again, Disco has brought two people together.

Could it be magic?

Now why don't you two get a booth. Preferably, a DJ booth.

Much love (and envy),

Needlefingers

[VINYLLIFE]

Hey Marky!
Sorry but that was not me at amoeba. Had we bumped into each other I would have known it was you.The Disco lights illuminating from your Disco soul would have been a dead give away. But I wonder who the tall guy was?? To anybody reading this....if some one wants to talk Disco, stop and take a minute!! Let us unite! Ok Marky, your move. Come join your Disco "family" and be young again! You can even make some request's.

Disco Lives in L.A!!!

[eddie]

Bernie-
I was a little perturbed after driving 3 hours and then standing in the room that had about 10,000 discs and then telling me to come back after the holidays and after he cleaned out some of the lot. They were not filed in any manner and it was a teaser. Over about 5 years I did buy about $2,000 worth of music off of him and for the most part I respect him.

He wondered why I did not want to order common new jazz releases off of him through the mail for $15 each plus shipping. I said it was a bit of an inconvience and I like to "split the ticket" and sometimes I make returns after listening online and not cracking the seal. I do buy off electronics stores, chain stores, and private stores. However, my current favorite is online because I find more obscure stuff there through about 100 different private sellers. With everybody now selling online, the price has gone down. Every 1990's New Jack CD isn't $50. Most are between $.01-$5.00!!!! Competition does wonders!!

[nrgbeat]

Aah, but Bernie, you were one of those 'young pricks' yourself when you started this website.:grin: :lol: :grin: :lol: :grin: :lol: :grin: :lol:

I can agree with Spellbound on many points and in particular, find the intensity of the younger 'nerds/trainspotters' incredibly scarey. Life's too short.....get a life.

Unfortunately, everything nowadays is a commodity to be traded, raped and pillaged, in order to make money and/or earn brownie points with one's peers. There are very few secrets out there and all music genres have totally lost any mysticism/romanticism they may have once had.

Quinny, did you forget to take your happy pills today????:-?

[RetroRuss]

A great story and | like the reference 'a young guy' who by all accounts is about my age as he has been collecting for about the same length of time as me! :-D

Personally I think that it is great that a younger audience are enjoying the original dance sounds that the 'Disco era' created. I have commented elsewhere about certain House tracks that have sampled great tunes and they want to know the original - younger people are drawn into Disco & want the original or own a CD whatever. There are certain sites on the Web that discuss Disco music, tracks & artists that I've never heard of and then get very excited about 12"'s on the Red Rooster label or whatever. There is in my humble opinion nothing wrong with that as it keeps the genre alive.

[remicks]

. When you do, I am going to throw a party

:-o ...:-o...:-o



*****

[remicks]

Hey Remicks...guess who?

:D :grin: :-D !!!!!! ------------- My god this is a small world these days !!

I was hoping to talk more that day and my intentions were to give you that Jumbo record as a token of a new found friend. 5-27

Sure ….VS ;)...... and I was going to give you that Black Light Orchestra LP too !!! Honest !! :roll:…… …..
:p:p:p............................................ ........................................:lol:


--- I wondered in the back of my mind if it would be possible for you to belong here …………..and then I figured …NAH !! But I could tell from that day that you were one serious disco person ! ..... so why wouldn't you come to this site ......:D
Here’s all these people ripping through these records and you're Janice McClain (smack dab in the middle ) of them unabashedly talking disco !!!:lol:

To clarify ... I wasn’t really trying to blow you off… that was the wrong description …. just preoccupied …………….was hoping for a second JUMBO 76 LP !! in there!!! :lol: ..... and before I knew it ….we’d worked away from each other ….

Thanks for the kind invite!! Yes …. I would love to see this collection of yours ...must be something …..we’ll have to work something out ….. I’ll email you

remicks
*****

And ...... you're proof of what I've always said ..... disco keeps you young !!

[VINYLLIFE]

Great to here from you Remicks. Yes it is a small world, the Disco world that is. No matter what walks of life or distances between us, there is a definate bond when it comes to our loves for Disco. It never fails, when meeting some one new who loves Disco, it's like ruuning in to an old friend. I did not think for a minute that you were blowing me off. What I was thinking was, this is a person I must keep in contact with, and walah!! That was a good day record hunting!!! My favorite find was a Martin Circus picture disc. The Jumbo record was one I already had, I pick up doubles for friends to sell or trade with. I was wondering if you had made the trip to L.a just for the show or do you have some local Discoees I should meet. Tell me, did you enjoy DRUMS 12"?

Take care Remicks
John

DISCO LIVES in L.A!!!

[Disco Funk]

Hilarious stuff guys. Personally, I don't mind talking to people who strike up a conversation, but man does it suck if they grab a record that you had been looking for!!

As for that DRUM song, I thought it was okay. Tom Moulton did a mix, which wasn't an improvement over the original Mercury release. I just think the vocals are awful. Its just worth getting for the percussion breaks. The song was produced by Mr.Shania Twain, if I'm not mistaken - Mutt Lange.

Disco Funk

[discofrank]

Remmicks - Im a 31 year old male. I have been collecting and interested in Disco for many years (even before - waaaay before - the sudden media hype in mid 90s studio 54 movie days).. Anyway - In defense of the 'younger' y generation, I can never understand the 'politics of dancing' - pun intended :)

For instance, why must lesser known (less mainstream disco) tracks be kept secret and only in ties and cliches to those that danced to them in the day? Gee, I would give anything to go back and experience some of the culture associated with this music - but of course that would be imposible. Unlike someone posted earlier, I don't need this music to make me or call it originally my own. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't keep this great music secret, It really is my generation who will take the torch and run. Keep the fire burning!

[discofrank]

oh, btw I have the D-R-U-M record on Salsoul... In storage.. not a stand-out track at all.

[remicks]

For instance, why must lesser known (less mainstream disco) tracks be kept secret and only in ties and cliches to those that danced to them in the day? I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't keep this great music secret,

I'm not following you ?? Who is it that you think is keeping the music a secret ? :icon_neutral:
It's out there , all over the place . It's there for the finding .


And , anyone who 's followed some of my posts here knows that what I'm doing .... to this day .... still finding the music. I too am equally eager to find any and all of the exciting music from the era ..... and even though I was there ... I realize I still have a ton to learn !! It is quite wonderful too , ..... that there was so much of this music being created at the time that it just overflowed ... beyond one's ability to completely keep up with it . I think more than any other musical period ..... disco was the most productive ... its hard to believe so much was cranked out ... all during such a relatively short period .....

But DiscoFrank ..... if you're just waiting for this music to come to you .... to be handed to you .... I'd say that's the wrong approach ....because 90% of the fun is in the seeking and the discovering . It was that way in sorting thru the music back in the day .... and its still true now .... It's really all on you to find these hidden secrets .... to find your special songs from amongst the masses .... It takes work, but the work has its rewards .....


But you've said you are a collector ..... So, maybe you're meaning that all the music from then should be much more easily available on CD? Easy access for everyone. ..... I don't think this music was ever entirely meant for the common bloke ..... some songs made it thru .....but as we know .... most remained known only to those who actively sought it. Those who were active in the scene. Much of it didn't come easy. Limited pressings .. .. small labels ....etc..
I doubt all the best repackaging in the world would ever enlighten the masses about this stuff . It was special music ( for the special people !! ;) ) .... and the special people had to work hard to get it even then .... and I don't see how or why it should be any different now . I don't think the key to today's generation's discovery and appreciation of this music ... can be resolved just by making the music available wholesale .... For one thing ....there was so much more to this at the time than the music itself per say.

It really is my generation who will take the torch and run. Keep the fire burning!

I wish I believed this .... but this was an era all unto its own .... a magical merging of musical and social conditions that happened at the exact rightful opportunity which was ripe then .... but has since past . We can love the music .... in a version that is isolated in a retro bubble .... but the real fire ....well it was a helluva wild firestorm .... a disco inferno ....that swept thru quickly and with so much intensity , so much heat , the only thing it could to do next was ......fizzle out . The fire has passed.


*****

[QUINNY]

It was moi who wrote that there are very few secrets or mysteries out there. I, for one, feel that the easy access to all life's secrets will have a detrimental effect. After all, if you knew the answer to everything (or as with the internet can find the answer to virtually anything) suddenly things would lose value (hard currency wise, spiritually wise and any other way we hold dear).

A fool is, don't forget, "a man who knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing."

[JussiK]

These 20 something pimple faced pricks .

Oh cmon now, admit it, you fancy the pants off them, and in your excited but forever rejected state your lust can only turn into hate. Read Artaud or rent Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Salo - or 120 days of Sodom" and see yourself there.

Then take a look at say, Aicha's site for a view of guys and girls dancing to pure 70's disco a.d. 2006: good looking, carefree and young, something you obviously never were and never will be :-)