Rasputin Stash......Nasty Head-Funk

[visuals]

Back in my downloading days, I got hipped to a track titled "Mr.Cool" by an underated group from Chicago named "Rasputin Stash". I had always considered myself as a funk-head that had heard all of the greatest funk in my days but how mistaken I were. The cut "Mr.Cool" was hardly a 100% funk piece as it had a disco-ish sound to it but it did contain a few funky elements. I then got hipped to the album "The Devil Made Me Do It". This album made me sit up and take notice from the very first cut titled "Ooh Baby". I was suprised that these cats were just swept under the rug and had received very little recognition. Maybe this is what made me fall in love with this long lost obscure gem. Every funk lover that has never heard them should give them a chance. You simply cannot call yourself a funk lover and not like this group. I refer to it as head music as they make reference to weed quite a few times throughout the disc. Do yourself a favor and get hipped funk lovers. I really don't think you'll go wrong.
I actually consider this to be my greatest find of the year for 2003. I purchased a lot of discs this year but this one holds a very valuable position in my large collection of funk.
Trust me.

[Nano]

Hi Visuals: I discovered "Mr. Cool" a few years ago in a Warner CD compilation of old grooves called "Right on!". I like that song a lot and it's always near when I make a funky soul recording for a friend. It sounds right off a Tarantino movie... 8)
However, I couldn't find any Rasputin's LP at the fair -they worked for Curtom, the Curtis Mayfield label-, nor the compilation CD you mention. BTW, this CD does NOT include "Mr. Cool"? How come? (I found this at AllMusic.com).

[visuals]

Hi
I have heard good things about the "Right On" compilation CDs a while back but never heard it.
Rasputin Stash did work for Gemigo/Curtom but if I remember correctly "Mr.Cool" was a track from the group's self-titled 1971 album Rasputin's Stash, on Cotillion Records. The group originally contained 8 members but over the years, They lost 4 members. The group also changed their names a couple of times from Rasputin's Stash to Rasputin Stash to R-Stash. I only have the CD The Devil Made Me Do It on Gemigo/Curtom. It is compiled of the original 1974 nine track album and includes 10 unreleased bonus cuts. Having 19 tracks total, I like all but 4 and that's only because they sound more like disco than funk.... :cry: ....Not a bad thing but it interrupts the funky flow of the disc . Still, A very valuable addition to my funk collection. If you like Mr. Cool, I advise you to get ahold of The Devil Made Me Do It album if you have never heard it.

[Nano]

Thanks for the reccomendation... The "Right on!" CD was compiled by the late Chas Chandler -producer of The Jimi Hendrix Experience- and is centered on old tunes from where new bands have extracted samples to use. For example, there's "Headless heroes" by Eugene Mc Daniels, later sampled by the Beastie Boys on "Get it together", from the Ill Communication CD. There's material by early Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Electric Prunes and even a Cher version of "For what it's worth" recorded at Muscle Shoals. My favorite, other than "Mr. Cool", is "Don't cha hear me calling to ya" by Junior Mance, a 1970 recording with great piano playing.
All the recordings are circa 1968-75, extracted from "the Atlantic and Warner vaults". Cool indeed.

[NickNack]

Seems the CD is readily available:

Rasputin's Stash

[Forrrce]

I know of two Rasputin's Stash LPs and have never owned either because they've always sounded pretty ordinary upon playing. I heard 'Mr. Cool' on the Warner comp. and quite liked it, I guess it just sounds better on its own.

Not so long ago, I was given their Gemigo LP on CD (the one with the cartoon cover featuring the guys on bikes) but was again unmoved by the listening experience.

[Nano]

Seems the CD is readily available:

Rasputin's Stash

Thanks, Nick, but since the devaluation of the Argentine peso last year buying any import product -on the street or in the web- is totally out of the question for me. :cry: So the only thing left is the record fairs, because there were no local editions.
The "Right on!" CD and many others I buyed prior to 2002, when Argentine peso was still strong and there were a lot of imported stuff in the record stores, at available prices. That's all over now, and it seems it won't return for a long time.

[zeca azevedo]

Hi fellas,

I have a CD by RASPUTIN STASH called THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, released by CASTLE RECORDS in England. The record contains all tracks of their 1974 album and some bonus, but it does not contain MR. COOL (a song from their first album, released by COTILLION in 1971). Being a lucky guy (when it comes to music), the only title of the RIGHT ON series I have in my record collection is the one with MR COOL... Cool, isn't it? It is a great, funky track.

You're right, fellas, this is a great funk band and they deserve more recognition from Funk & Black music lovers everywhere.

Peace,

zeca azevedo

[Nano]

Hi Zeca! Long time no see!

I don't know if there are other compilations called "Right on!"; I only know this CD, which obviously is the same you have. And your Rasputin's Stash CD seems to be the same Visuals have. So you're lucky :)

[zeca azevedo]

Hi Nano,

how are you, my friend? Is everything ok in Argentina? I know there's more titles on the RIGHT ON! series. The copy I have was made... in Argentina! None of the RIGHT ON! volumes were released in Brasil, unfortunately. I really dig this compilation, is great. And I strongly recommend the RASPUTIN STASH CD too, it is very funky.

Talkin' about CURTOM/GEMIGO releases (RASPUTIN STASH recorded for the Chicago label), does anyone here have records by LEROY HUTSON and THE NOTATIONS? These artists are great and they are not known by many, I think.

Peace, NANO, and Happy 2004 for you and your loved ones.

Paz,

zeca azevedo :D

[Forrrce]

Talkin' about CURTOM/GEMIGO releases, does anyone here have records by LEROY HUTSON and THE NOTATIONS? These artists are great and they are not known by many, I think.

Indeed. I used to do a bit of work for Castle/Sequel in the UK and their Hutson/Hutson II re-issues were cut from my records, because most of the masters are long gone. A chap called Giovanni at (I think) Masterpiece did the excellent post-production.

I actually had 2 copies of each LP, one of each being sealed - and even though the opened copies were pretty near mint, I opened the sealed ones and used my (then) best turntable/cartridge for the transfer. Never let it be said that I'm not (occasionally) dedicated!

[visuals]

Zeca....I am definately a fan of Curtom's Leroy Hutson. Very under-appreciated artist in my opinion. Some of my favorites are the funky Don't It Make You Feel Good,Blackberry Jam,Lucky Fellow,The Ghetto 76'. Even some of the ballads were funky. I have the Hutson II/Closer To The Source double play set and a few Hutson albums. Some of his tunes seem to mimic Barry White's funkier side but Leroy still has a style of his own. Good call. As for the Notations, I only heard one ballad by the group which I downloaded a while back as a recommendation. Pretty good but not enough to say I have really experienced the group.
Fill me in on some more stuff... thanx

[Nano]

Zeca: Happy New Year for you too (and all the people of this board). As you may know, it seems Argentina is slowly standing up again after a really disastrous period. Certainly there's more hope on the street and thing are getting a bit funkier 8) Viva el Mercosur!

I wonder where's our mutual friend Blaxman?

[zeca azevedo]

Hi friends,

first, about our freind BLAXMAN: he's doin' fine now, after a turbulent period. I'm talking to him almost everyday by phone (mostly about music, of course) and he's one of my best friends. Since he don't have a home computer, is difficult for him to enter the FORUM like before, but I'm sure he'll be back as soon as he can :D .

About LEROY HUTSON, friends, I really love this guy's music. His first album (LOVE OH LOVE) is a Soul masterpiece, and the guy did some wonderful records in the 70's. Unfortunately, he never had a big hit record. It is a shame that songs like SO IN LOVE WITH YOU, ELLA WEEZ (I've played this track on a party a long time ago), IT'S DIFFERENT, CAN'T STAY AWAY or the discofied FEEL THE SPIRIT never reached a bigger audience. At least we, fans of soul & disco, are able to recognize the genius of mr. HUTSON and to keep his music playin'.

Peace,

zeca azevedo :D

[zeca azevedo]

I used to do a bit of work for Castle/Sequel in the UK and their Hutson/Hutson II re-issues were cut from my records, because most of the masters are long gone. A chap called Giovanni at (I think) Masterpiece did the excellent post-production.

I actually had 2 copies of each LP, one of each being sealed -and even though the opened copies were pretty near mint, I opened the sealed ones and used my (then) best turntable/cartridge for the transfer. Never let it be said that I'm not (occasionally) dedicated!

Hi Forrce,

I have these CASTLE CDs on my collection and I never thought they came from your record collection. T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U, friend, for sharing this beautiful music with us. As you can see, your records are travelling around the world by now :D Here's a real connection between you and me.

Peace,

zeca azevedo :D

[Blaxman]

Hi Nano and friends at discomusic.com,

First, thanks for asking by me, Nano. Be sure you're among the members I fully respect in this forum. I'm OK now, after a hard working year when I sadly lost my dad and my mom is severely ill. That's why I cant be here chating with you guys in full effect.

Anyway.....a new year is coming and I wish to be here to stay!!

Onto Rasputin Stash's CD. I have it too. Courtesy of our good friend Zeca. I think it is a very good band. Sadly, I dont know the track called 'Mr. Cool' but, judging by the comments here, I feel I should look for it.

Another band I think is a little similar to Rasputin Stash is Shotgun. At least on their first LP (from 1977), they have that same 'hard funk' style. However the later material from Shotgun seem to be very disposable.

Have you all a happy 2004!!!!

Till next year,

Blaxman