There are A LOT of compilations out there.  From african funk to obscure european sounds to NY underground loft party music from the 70′s, and BBE has a heavy reputation of releasing some of the highest quality comps.  They don’t play.  From the moment you get your hands on anything from the BBE label, you know you have something special.  I mean, we’re talking CTI & Blue note level of craftsmanship, people.  BBE comps are always mad thick, heavy stock cardboard, great artwork, and just an overall high high high aesthetic value.  This compilation is no different, as they pay tribute to Perception & Today Records.

You may have some Perception/Today records in your collection and not even know it.  You most definitely have HEARD music from this label.  I wasn’t too informed on them, even though I own a couple Black Ivory joints.  I’ve mostly heard people playing some of these classic tracks at parties or bboy events and what not, so to hear them and make the connection was a big deal for me.  Also, after reading the extensive liner notes (written by Dean Rundland), I was left with a much deeper respect for this label, which only lasted for about five years in the early 1970′s.

Think of it like this:  Imagine Stones Throw Records in LA came out with their first release in the mid-90′s.  What if post-2004, after spending the last few years releasing the first Quasimoto album, Lootpack album, Jaylib, and Madvillain record, numerous hip hop singles and funk 45 records, Stones Throw just closed their doors, Peanut Butter Wolf disappears into obscurity, and the label is never heard from again.  This is kind of what happened with Perception/Today.  The combined effort and brainchild of Terry Phillips and Boo Frazier, Perception/Today steadily released some of the finest funk, soul, and jazz music of its time until 1974, when the label closed its doors.

TRIVIA TIME! We’ve got one copy of BOTH VOLUMES to the first person who can tell us what the letters BBE stand for?

After trolling the web, I found this cool mix by DJ Chris Read, of all the tracks on this compilation.  Check it:

Best of Perception & Today Records (BBE Release) by Chris Read (Musicofsubstance) on Mixcloud