Bargain Bins #01
Are you collecting records on a budget? Is the wallet a little thin this month? Do you still have the itch to do some digging? BeatCaffeine is starting a series called Bargain Bins. This new reoccurring series will highlight three great records on a bi-monthly basis that can often be found for five dollars or less.
Follow the Bargain Bins Spotify Playlist to hear highlights from each of the records featured in this series. New tracks will continue to be added to this growing playlist.
Herbie Hancock
Lite Me Up
(1982/Columbia)
A year prior to releasing the platinum-selling album Future Shock, Herbie Hancock released the often overlooked recording Lite Me Up. Similar to a number of his releases prior to the 1982 album, the recording features Herbie continuing his ongoing exploration of creating music using, at the time, the most advanced technological instruments including synthesizers, vocoders, and drum machines. The album features a number of jazz-influenced electric boogie jams including the standout track “Gettin’ To The Good Part.” A great track for the dancefloor that is usually located in the dollar bins!
Earth, Wind & Fire
Open Our Eyes
(1974/Columbia)
Arguably the group’s best overall recording, Earth, Wind, & Fire’s 1974 album Open Our Eyes surprisingly often finds it’s way to the bargain bins. This record, which really saw the band begin to have some commercial success, features many incredible tracks including heavy-funk jams “Mighty Mighty” and “Kalimba Story,” the soulful groover “Devotion,” and one of my favorite EWF tracks, the Balearic instrumental “Drum Song.”
Chico Hamilton
Nomad
(1980/Elektra)
Another often overlooked recording from the late great jazz drummer Chico Hamilton, the 1980 album features a number of great mid-tempo instrumental tracks including the funky tropical gem “Strut.” Other solid tracks include the more mellow cuts “Denise” and the title track “Nomad.” Good warm weather vibes that will typically cost less than your next purchase of La Croix.
BEATCAFFEINE BARGAIN BINS PLAYLIST
(This playlist will be updated monthly)
