VARIOUS ARTISTS - GILLES PETERSON DIGS AMERICA VOLUME 2 (LP)

Gilles Peterson Digs America Volume 2 Various Artists On Vinyl LP

This is the second in the Gilles Peterson Digs America series of compilations and, like Volume 1, this album was curated by DJ Gilles Peterson.  Back by popular demand, Volume 2 is another collection from the world renowned tastemaker, DJ and BBC radio host.

Digs America Volume 2 was compiled with tracks from the famous Brownswood Basement (a version of his radio show dedicated to rare and old tunes, and also the name of the house where his collection is kept) and also includes music bought on a recent visit to the USA and Canada.  Between DJ dates Peterson squeezed in trips to local record stores and while he found plenty of goodies he was also reminded of the demise of the record store.  The best specialty vinyl shops, typically run by a knowledgeable owner, promising a selection of rare, curious and classic tunes, are sadly vanishing fast.  Village Music, the Mill Valley, California-based record store that provided the backdrop for front and back of this album, will be closed by the time this album is released.  Fingers have been pointed at all kind of reasons for store closures including a lack of new vinyl to Ebay, iTunes, sharing of files, poorly run stores, raised rent etc.  Whatever the reason, the casual trip to your favorite vinyl emporium is quickly becoming much more difficult as stores disappear like endangered species. So here is Gilles Peterson digging and sharing in hopes of keeping quality rarities alive, but searching perhaps at the end of an era.

Included on this compilation are tracks like the ultra rare Mary Lou Williams 45'' “You Know Baby” and her previously unreleased “Pussy’s In The Well,” alongside other well known artists like a version of “My Favorite Things” from Al Jarreau’s first ever album, a spiritual Jazz piece from piano-great James Tatum and a moody Soul Jazz ballad from Lorez Alexandria.  Soul favorites RAMP are on-board with an unreleased gem that rivals any of the tracks on their much loved Come Into Knowledge album, Detroit’s Dee Edwards and little-known Bay Area singer Carrie Cleveland mix a little Northern Soul with a touch of Funk while The Diddys get cosmic and Ray Camacho drops a Latin version of a Brass Construction classic.

Gilles Peterson Digs America Volume 2 Track Listing

1. Lorez Alexandria - I’m Wishin’
2. Bethlehem Progressive Ensemble - Make Way (Call To Worship)
3. Irene Kral - Goin To California
4. Mary Lou Williams - You Know Baby
5. Carrie Cleveland - Make Love To Me
6. Dee Edwards - Why Can’t There Be Love?
7. RAMP - The Old One, Two
8. The Diddys Feat. Paige Douglas - Intergalactic Love Song
9. Ray Camacho - Movin' On
10. Steve Parks - Sadness In My Samba
11. Gap Mangione - Boys With Toys
12. Reverie - In Every Way
13. DB Shrier - East
14. James Tatum - Introduction/Lord Have Mercy
15. Al Jarreau - My Favorite Things
16. The Love Affair - Never In My Life
17. Mary Lou Williams - Pussy’s In The Well
18. Musicians from the Summer Program for Youthful Musicians - Brougham