No sweat

Miles Davis, Get Up With It (Columbia 1974)
One of Miles' tape-splicing experiments with producer Teo Macero. "Rated X" is mental -- sounds like it was recorded in 2007. "Calypso Frelimo" is one of two songs that were allowed to stretch out over a whole side of vinyl. Sick glasses, Miles.

Miles Davis - "Rated X"

Miles Davis - "Calypso Frelimo (excerpt)"



Flora Purim, Stories to Tell, (Milestone 1974)
Vocalist first known for singing on Return to Forever's albums flies solo with big-name help: Airto, King Errisson, Earl Klugh, George Duke, Carlos Santana. Bass legend Miroslav Vitous composed and arranged the two best songs on the LP, the title track and "Silver Sword." Just like on "Rated X," the fx toward the end of "Silver Sword" get pretty wild for '74! Musta been something in the water.

Flora Purim - "Stories to Tell"

Flora Purim - "Silver Sword"



Le Pamplemousse, Sweet Magic (AVI 1978)
Best. Album cover. Ever. Disco auteurs Rinder & Lewis helmed this electronic-disco-funk hybrid. Some of the production feels too "bright" and the tempos a little too fast, but that doesn't detract from the deep diva vocals on "Deeper" and the alternating juiced-up / laid-back grooves on "No Sweat."

Le Pamplemousse - "Deeper"

Le Pamplemousse - "No Sweat"