Candido - Dancin’ and Prancin’
Cándido Camero Guerra began his as a teen, playing congas in local jazz groups in Havana before moving to the US to eventually playing Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton’s big band. He was 58 and already a conga playing legend when he released Dancin’ and Prancin’ in 1979. Dancin’ and Prancin’ was put on our radar by our friend Ben at Redeye. I gotta say that I wasn’t so sure that it fit after a couple of listens - a little too.....disco. Then on maybe the 3rd or 4th g- round I became more aware of the rhythms and percussion and I felt like I was listening to a lost Talking Heads record or some amazing outtakes from the Remain In Light recording sessions.. Needless to say, from that moment on this record fully clicked with me and I knew it was a true Good Thing record.
Jingle Beans - Ethiopia and Kenya
Behold! A coffee is born. 'Tis the freaking season and what have you! Oh, Jingle Beans, oh Jingle Beans, our annual ho-li-day blend. Each year we go out of our way to make this blend as viciously fruity and seasonally outlandish as we can. This year we amalgamate two washed coffees - a floral Ethiopia and citrusy Kenya - that triumphantly coalesce into the best interpretation of aqueous fruit cake in a cup. Jingle Beans, Jingle Beans, Jingle all the beans.
