CONTRIBUTOR: Alister Johnson (Do Right Music, Love Handle)
ARTIST: Black Savage
SONG: Kothbiro
LABEL: Black Blood
YEAR: 1976
I remember the day I bought this record like it was yesterday. It was sometime around 2006-7, and a weekly trip to the St. Lawrence Market to check out the records was in the schedule. I went to my favourite dealer, let’s call him ‘Mikey’ (mainly because that is his actual name), and he had a few boxes to flip through. I remember pulling out a random jazz record, a copy of Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots 12″ and this 7″ with a drawing of a crazy looking zombie vampire dude on the picture sleeve with the text BLACK SAVAGE around his head. Inscribed on the back in barely legible writing was ” to Bob, with compliments from the Black Savage “. I bring them up to Mikey, not knowing what to expect. The jazz record was $20, pass. “Patrice Rushen will be $10, and that 45 is $5.” I put the Patrice down, pulled out $5, made the exchange, thanked the man and was on my way.
‘Kothbiro’ is a slow scorcher, or a slow burner, a descriptor that the Cratery alumni have often used for joints that hit hard. The bass line is reminiscent to Inna Gadda Da Vida, but slowed way way down , with haunting vocals and organ that swirls and stabs you into oblivion. Add in the hard drums and you have a winner. Enjoy…
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