Buddy Miles - A Message to the People (Update)

The album A Message to the People has proven to be a popular download. I've decided to scan and upload better quality pics. Let's face it, what music library is complete without high quality album art?

~Enjoy~

Buddy Miles - More Miles Per Gallon - (1975)

Last summer, me and a buddy were driving home from a breakfast on Queen East when I veered the car off to the right and announced that we had to check out the sidewalk sale we just passed. Reluctantly, my buddy joined me and in amongst the lame Quincey and Merle Haggard I came across this treasure. Unsure of what it was, I remember not listening to it right away, and I remember how much I regretted waiting after putting on the platter. I get the same feeling listening to it now as I type. More Miles Per Gallon, was released ~4.5 years after A Message to the People, and it shows in Miles' style. It's less psychedelic/Hendrix-esq and more straight ahead. I'm not sure if he was trying to conform with the more straight ahead dance rhythms of the late 70's (Boogie, Disco) or if he just decided to tone down the flamboyance. That being said, Miles still beats the hi-hat like it was his bitch.

The title of the album suits the content as it's a great disc for driving. Nearly every track is upbeat and features a funky bass line. Miles starts the album strong with the two power tracks "Rockin' and Rollin' On The Streets of Hollywood", and, "Do It To Me" - a thinly veiled reference to booty calling your ex. The album continues to chug along until the 7th track "Livin' In The Right Space" - a soulful ballad shmeared in reverb and fluffy love. It stays weak after that but whatever's lost at the end is made up for by Miles's solid drumming and tight band.

Strutt your stuff mama

Buddy Miles - A Message to the People (1971)

Since I'm already on some Electric Lady Studios 'ish, I figured I'd put up another funk classic cut by a friend of Jimi's. This album comes from the, "Baddest of the Bad" when it came to drummers. I'm not referring to his technical ability but instead to his ability - simply put -  to kick ass on the throne.

Buddy Miles's A Message to the People was released the same year that Hendrix died which is significant as it was with Hendrix's Band of Gypsys that Miles first started his professional career. However, I'm not sure if A Message to the People was released after Hendrix's death or before. Tracks to look out for include, "The Segment +" and his sinfully soulful version of "Midnight Rider" - which has enough reverb to make Rudy Van Gelder jealous. The album artwork was done by Abdul Mati - the same genius who did Santana's Abraxas and Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. So check it out and remember that when "lust and fire have faded away, fantasies and moonbeams have the day"
cuz,

That's the way life is...