John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Punk history and rap relics rediscovered for September

Almost one year ago to the date, I finished the manuscript for my book, Boyz II Men: 40th Anniversary Celebration. Pouring that much time, energy, and research into the project left me a bit tunnel-visioned for a while. Upon turning in the manuscript and the book’s subsequent release, I promised myself that I’d redirect my creative focus. The long-form writing required to produce a book has been replaced by short record reviews and essays. Sorting records for DJ gigs has replaced the hours of drafting and revising chapter outlines. I’ve fully leaned into the joys of reading, DJing, and short-form writing, and it’s been fun and restorative. Here are five Philly-related gems that have been personal highlights for me this month.

Nancy Barile – I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-all Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion

I recently started reading Nancy Barile’s fantastic memoir, I’m Not Holding Your Coat. Barile opens by painting a vivid picture of her youth in suburban Pennsylvania. From a Bowie and glam-rock-obsessed teen in the ‘70s to a young adult navigating Philly’s buzzing and chaotic ‘80s punk scene, the book is full of detail and heart. Barile gives us a first-person look at her own personal and political development while reminding us of the transformative power of rock n’ roll. Highly recommended.

Brian Jackson – “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (feat. Black Thought)”

Throughout the 1970s, keyboardist and composer Brian Jackson was the figurative right hand of poet/singer Gil Scott-Heron. As a collaborative team, Jackson and Scott-Heron composed several enduring classics, including the 1971 biting, political opus “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” For this new version, Jackson links up with Black Thought and the production duo Masters at Work for a timely update of the classic tune. In his signature commanding voice, Black Thought calls for a modern revolution, reinventing the song to match the urgency of the political moment that we’re living in.

Shane Great – Loose Change

With an impeccable ear for sampling, programming, and arranging, Philly-based DJ/Producer Shane Great is one of the best beatmakers in the world right now. Loose Change is Shane’s latest beat tape, and it’s packed with dreamy, jazzy-inflected beats to make your head nod profusely. Crafted in the AKAI MPC and the SP-404 samplers, these beats are subtle, groovy, and full of flavor.

One Way – “Drama / Puffed Heads / On The Luv”

I recently came across this Philly rap 12” from 1999 that I somehow missed back in the day. Illadelph Records had a good reputation for putting out some dope sides by Munk Wit Da Funk in the ‘90s. One Way’s “Drama / Puffed Heads / On The Luv” single features Munk, Rasheed (aka Maylay Sparks), Joe Will, and Chops of the Mountain Brothers. “On The Luv” is a buttery cut with a floaty vibraphone sample, while “Drama” is a harder, heavy-hitting joint.

Crash Course In Science – Near Marineland

While visiting Ulises Books last week, I noticed a copy of Near Marineland, the 1981 album from Crash Course In Science that went unreleased until it was reissued in 2011 by the Schematic label. A bizarre and singular product of its time, Near Marineland is one of the most unique bits of synth-heavy ‘80s punk. Weirder than New Wave and groovier than No Wave, Near Marineland is one of the great documents of Philly’s wild ‘80s post-punk scene.