I’m delighted to announce the release of this collaboration between Russ Ellis and Jay Lane. What I might say about it is mostly said in Russ’s liner notes, below. But I’ll add, this one really reminds me of my dad. He’d love this. Actually, I think he does! I certainly do. Have a listen and a read and a Happy Caturday, y’all! Here we are at song 6 out of 11 for this album 🙂
-Eric Din
UPDATE August 14, 2021: Jason Martineau created a beautiful video for this track, which you can view here.
Liner notes from Russ:
I met Jay Lane when he was 14, the youngest participant in Cazadero’s Jazz Camp otherwise limited to “adults.” We were both enrolled in an “electronic music” class taught by Malcolm Cecil. Yes, that Malcolm Cecil.
For decades after that, Jay has been after me to collaborate on some “Hearts of Space” music. (That was the name of a popular radio show featuring computerized music). Last year I agreed and this is the result of that collaboration.
We did not plan ahead. It took Jay ages to get his Pleistocene equipment going. When it was ready, we just started. Then we stopped.
Happy Valentines from Berkeley Cat Records! This is a new song I co-wrote with Russ Ellis. Russ handed me the lyric sheet in December, when we had lunch to discuss his album-in-progress. I loved the words, but didn’t have a musical notion until he sang the melody into a voicemail and boom, I sat down and made the chord progression around his “I Got You” theme. Russ asked for a ska rhythm for this one. I was kid-in-candy-store level happy with this assignment, and had the song structure and guitar tracks done the next morning. Another very fun aspect of this collaboration was getting my UpTones bandmate Paul Jackson involved. I sent him the tracks, and a week later he sent me Organ, Synth, Bari Sax, Piano, Cowbell and the kitchen sink, all created on his digital keyboarding gizmo! Russ sang it at Jeremy Goody’s studio, and Jeremy mixed it there. Without further ado, please have a listen and send it to yer sweethearts!
-Eric Din
Liner notes from Russ:
My son, David, joined the Ska band, The Uptones, when he was in high school. The band made some serious spare change gigging around the Bay Area.
Recently, David asked Eric Din, The Uptones leader back then, to play guitar on the tune “Last Glass of Wine.” One thing led to another. Now all the existing and forthcoming songs from my recent songwriting enthusiasm appear on Eric’s label, Berkeley Cat Records.
In our various discussions, I was surprised to learn that Eric was familiar with silly music from the 1950’s, like ”Mairzy Doats” and Spike Jones’ rendition of “Cocktails for Two.” So, when the lyrics for “I Got You” showed up all at once, I knew they would get a sympathetic ear from Eric.
I proposed that he join me in a collaboration that included his making it a Ska tune. In truth, I had no idea that Ska originated in Jamaica. When they were teenagers, I enjoyed the Uptones’ music for its danceability. Listening to original Ska singers, I quickly gave up on the notion of trying to duplicate their delivery. I just tried to wrap my voice and words around the music and beat that Eric provided.
Lyrics
I got this floor under my feet Got the good food I like to eat I got this roof over my head And Rang Dang Cuddle Tang, I got you
I got these strong shoes protecting my feet I got this big hat covering my head I got this great coat, so I don’t freeze And, Rang Dang Cuddle Tang, I got you
This could all come down in a minute Everybody knows that’s true But I’m going to love it while I’m in it ‘Specially knowing I have you
I got a new song sneaking into my ear Got this very short list of things that I fear I got some big hugs from folks that I love But, most of all, I got you
Cop car, ambulance or widget All that other jive boogaloo Ain’t going to fuss, fight or fidget Cause I’m going through it with you
Ragtime, buttercups and golly Pocono, apostrophe too I’m going to love it while I’m in it Just because I’m in it with you Because I’m in it with you
Credits
Russ Ellis – Vocals Eric Din – Guitars, Bass, Drum Wrangling Paul Jackson – Keyboards and Percussion
Recorded at Din’s house, Paul’s house, and Jeremy Goody’s Megasonic Sound Recording Studio
Produced by Russ Ellis and Eric Din Mixed by Jeremy Goody at Megasonic
At Berkeley Cat Records we recycle. Which is why I’m re-posting this wonderful album again, this time with the full credits and lyrics and liner notes from The Recyclists themselves. There’s another album (Release B!) in the works, and they have a monthly gig at Rosenblum’s in Oakland, details here. Without further ado, here are the Recylists, in their own words.
Founded some time ago, but just recently discovered, The Recyclists groove is location based. Their sound leads you down the west coast of a grand land mass, near a giant ocean, on a blue ball in a black ocean, somewhere in time. They are driven by a love of horn lines, and a grand desire to funk it up.
Credits
An East Bay Operation:
Songs conceived and written in Berkeley & Downtown Oakland
Recorded “live” on a hill in Oakland at Valley View Studio
Mixed in North Oakland by SteveinOakland @ 62nd Street Studio
Mastered in Albany by Campana Sound Company
Support and Distribution by Berkeley Cat Records
Steve Healey – Drums
Colin Johnston – Trombone/Vox
John Joseph – Guitar/Vox
John Malamut – Keys/Accordion
Anthony May – Bass
Diana Niemoeller – Lead Vox
Larry Stewart – Saxophones
Mark Williams – Keys/Vox
Stace Wright – Guitar/ Lead Vox
Lyrics
ISLANDS
on an island there’s no one you can lie to, no truth to be challenged, except to yourself on an island there’s no one to account for, no one to look out for, except for yourself on an island there’s a beach you can sleep on, but no one to teach you, except for yourself when you left, I didn’t know (you’d still be gone) after all these years I wonder why it took so long
you’re my island, my fault to look out for, my reason to opt for, accepting myself you’re my island, surrounded by water, I cannot breathe here, no I cannot breathe here you’re my island, despite lack of contact, there’s nobody to listen, except for myself when you left, I didn’t know (you’d still be gone) after all these years I wonder why it took so long
HIGHLY LIKELY
they’re coming for you, they’re coming for me, the defecation of the paparazzi a hint of truth metastasized, first you doubt, then you wonder why it’s high, highly likely, it’s high, highly likely
a little late, a little dry, a little speculation leads you into a crime call it crazy, but they’re no fools, even skeptics read the headlines it’s high, highly likely, it’s high, highly likely
WIND IN YOUR SAILS
woman on the moon sings to me king of the mountain lives in dreams so down with the ship we go, out with the undertow fire is burnin’ at the root of our loyalties but when it rains, I feel wind in your sails, and you see look in my eyes, feel my weight look in my heart, see my patience baby
ACHING BONES
one o’clock in the morning, too much on my mind last splash of reception, haunts me all the time he gave all that she had, she had all that he gave like an east coast man, with a west coast son she’s coming home, the beat goes on and on, aching bones
a case for adventure, I’m always up for a cause he asks for redemption, we’ll sing him a song he gave all that she had, she had all that he gave like an east coast man, with a west coast son she’s coming home, the beat goes on and on, aching bones
ALWAYS WANTING MORE
I try to do what I can, yeah, I like to give it away first one in the morning, then two always wanting more if I tell you a secret, I know you’ll give it away I’ll always remember what you, what you said to me calm down your disappointment, come around and see my view glide out on to California, find that feeling once again
we’re all a little bit lonely, wear our hearts on our sleeves but your expectations, leave you, always wanting more if I tell you a secret, I know you’ll give it away I’ll always remember, what you what you said to me calm down your disappointment, come around and see my view glide out on to California, find that feeling once again
Berkeley Cat Records is very proud to release this new song from Russ Ellis, and this one happens to be the first song he ever wrote! A year ago. Eliza is a Bossa Nova, and if you’ve been following this adventure, you’ll notice that each of the songs in this garden has its own style and genre. I invite you to have a listen, read Russ’s thoughts below, and share as you like. Thank you.
-Eric Din
Liner notes from Russ:
My wife and I are in our eighties. We live in, for us, a large house that we keep in cleanly order with the help of a Brazilian couple with whom we are uncommonly close. After the husband of the couple was injured, his wife arrived one day with an assistant, a young Brazilian woman who did not speak English.
I had no emotional space to include the assistant and effectively rendered her invisible. Soon thereafter, I read a newspaper article by a woman writer, down on her luck, who turned to cleaning peoples’ houses to make ends meet. Upon completing the article, I reminded myself that my father’s mother was born a slave, and that I had the right to invisibilize no one.
The next time she came, I asked her name and vowed to remember it by singing, each time she came, the three notes that wound up at the beginning the song. From the moment I sang those notes, a song crowded itself into existence behind them. This was a new experience for me. Not only did “Eliza” volunteer itself into existence, it opened me up to singing again, and — newly—to song writing. I have thanked Eliza for the gift.
Berkeley Cat Records is so pleased to announce the release of the latest Russ Ellis single, Everything Changed. It’s his third in as many weeks, and I love this approach of building an album publicly a song at a time. I love this song, and I love how it follows Oom Chugga. We invite you to give it a spin, download, and please feel free share it up any which way! Thank you. -Eric Din
Liner notes from Russ:
I worked closely with Jason Martineau on “Eliza.” Since he is deep into music, both as a performer and scholar, I thought it would fun to try a collaboration with him. I proposed that I sing a line and have him respond on the piano, then I respond vocally, etc. Stumbling toward an understanding, this song was the outcome.
Oddly, this love song was not (consciously) inspired by or directed to anyone. It Just arrived.
Lyrics:
Once you came to me, whispered my name And everything changed. I never thought that you would see me, notice me. Who was I to hope?
Now I hold your hand, look into your eyes, And everything’s all rearranged. While I was loving you, you saw me too. And you knew my name.
Now I hold your hand, look into your eyes, And everything’s all rearranged. While I am loving you, you love me too. And we know our name.
Berkeley Cat Record is SO thrilled to announce the release of this brand new song from Russ Ellis, Oom Chugga! Dave Ellis produced, and Eric Din played guitar. This is hot off the presses – finished moments ago – that is how we roll nowadays at BCR – please share this far and wide, and enjoy! Free download – part of this growing album.
Liner notes from Russ:
This rhythmic chant and a variety of musics occurred to me simultaneously, as did the recitation of deprivations. I took it to my son, David. He took out some excesses that clouded the vigor and added instrumentation. We brought in Eric Din and I left it to them to complete.
Claudia, proprietor of Your Basic Bird, a Berkeley pet shop, allowed me to record her birds. I do not know Claudia’s political inclinations, although I have seen her in the audience of more than one Freight and Salvage concert.
Thank you, Claudia and your birds, for your contribution.
UPDATE, August 14, 2021: Check out the Oom Chugga Remix Challenge remixes, all here! They really are great. Each one was a unique and unexpected delight. Thanks to our marvelous remixers!
Lyrics:
Oom Chugga Oom Chugga Oom Chugga Oom Chugga Oom
Ain’t got no money Done lost my honey My nose is runny The president’s crazy
Credits:
Lyrics by Russ Ellis Music by Russ Ellis and Dave Ellis Music performed by: Dave Ellis with Eric Din – Guitar Russ Ellis – Vocal
What did we do in 2019? Goodness, we started, is what we did! There was no Berkeley Cat Records, and then there was. Just as when you leave a guitar case open, a cat will spontaneously generate there, if you leave an Eric Din open, a Berkeley Cat Records will inevitably materialize. Science.
In our first year of existence, we released records by The UpTones, The Recyclists, Eric Din and most recently (yesterday) by Russ Ellis! All of the aforementioned cats have more records in the works, and we’ll keep posting them here as they are made.
What else? The Recyclists have a residency gig starting soon!
I’m excited for that. I love residency gigs and The Recyclists. Note the flier above has helpful markers for bird, bench, play area and other important features. No cover, right by the water. It’s purrrfect.
That’s about it. Why is this a wap-up and not a wrap-up? The verb, to wap. Wap is what cats do when they knock things off of tables. Wap. Wap. Rely on us for information.
Here’s to a bright and beautiful 2020! Have fun tonight and be safe, kittins.
