‘Diggin’ In The Crates’ is brought to you by Ben Lewis, designer and record obsessive from Brighton. Ben can usually be found in a dusty corner of one of the country’s many second-hand record emporiums, rooting around in search of rarities and hidden gems.
Syl Johnson – Different Strokes
I’ve only just found out recently that it’s Minnie Riperton laughing at the start of this soul classic, and hallowed breakbeat favourite. Syl was a prolific Chicago music scene mainstay, never really breaking out – and this track is from Syl’s purple period, taken from the album Is It Because I’m Black? Breakface!
Phil Cordell – Red Lady
After leaving pop/pysch outfit Tuesday’s Children in 1967, and before setting up Springwater in the 70’s (along the way having a hit in Germany with the very odd ‘Dan The Banjo Man’), Phil Cordell recorded this chunk of brilliant head nodding British psychedelia in 1969. Sitar, harps, and far out lyrical content (man), swirl over head snapping drums and ethereal backing vocals, in two and a half minutes of ahead of its time pop genius.
