This week I started the show with a Soul ballad classic.“Secret Garden” by Quincy Jones, Barry White, El Debarge, AL B Sure and James Ingram (released from the album called Back round the Block - 1989). What a classic and yet simple soul ballad this track is. Each singer taking turns to sing individual verses within the track. Each of us have their favourite singer on this track. Mine is Barry White, however friends of mine love James Ingram part within the song. Others state that El Debarge sounds like Michael Jackson. And of course you’ve the fans of Al B Sure who say that he was the main man in this song. I wish that Valetine's day had of fell on a Wednesday this year. This is a perfect song for such an occaision. Please click on the link below to hear the full song in all it's eternity.
I decided to stay on the ballad type soul/rnb music vibe with the next track that I selected.“Take me” by Teedra Moses feat Rapheal Saadiq(released 2004 on the album called Complex Simplicity) is just that track. Both vocalists are superb on this.
Starts of with an orchestra like arrangement to the track that gives the track a nice mood to build on. Then comes a light acoustic rhythm guitar added with a lazy sounding bass line to beef up the track. I have already mentioned the vocalist on this track are first class(Teedra Moses and Rapheal Saadiq), and so are the backing singers as well that have been employed on this as well. It’s a summer tune. But this track when dropped even in mid winter takes away the winter blues. Please click on the link/tune below to hear the song in its full entirety.
Used to hear this song all the time say from (2001 when it was first released, to around 2005). It was always on some radio station on the dial whether I turned on the radio at home, or when I was trying to find a music styled station whilst driving around in my car. Another classic slow jam for my listeners on the show. I was really spoilling them tonight. Anyway the track that I am on about is called “U got it bad” by Usher (released in 2001 from the album called 8701). Starts of with an wind effect sample going through the track and a simple acoustic guitar lick to greet us.
Then the drum line bassline and Usher’s voice are added to the mix, and there we have it. Brilliance. Usher really does put every thing into this song when he drops his vocals on this track. You feel that this song lyrics really did happen in his life? Well only he can tell. Half way through the track a Rock like guitar solo is given life and is makes the song sound even better. I can go on and on about this track, but just listen t to it, and hear if for yourself by clicking on the link below.
The next track that I played was this.“Only you by Jill Scott (released in 2007 from the album called “The Real Thing” (Words And Sounds Vol.3) Now this track is funky. However it still has that soul ballad like approach to it. Slow to mid tempo tune which was needed as I felt that the show was gearing to be too one paced.
I love the bass line and drum pattern on this. It sounds funky and yet hypnotic all at the same time. I also like the simple piano riff that goes through out the length of the track, and the backing vocals on this. And remember we do have Jill Scott’s lead vocals on this which are sublime, you have a track that stands out on the album. Please click on the link below and hear it all for yourself. Ok?
The next track is a tune that I thought would do really well in 2008. It didn’t do that well as I expected though. “House on a beach” by Glen Lewis(released in 2008) is the song that I am going on about. Originally this song was made by Floss and produced by Ryan Leslie in 2007. It looks like they sold the rights to Glen Lewis or something. Or has he done a cover version of the same tune? Sounds like this song has sampled “Sexual healing” by Marvin Gaye right at the start of the track or is it my ears. This tune is slow to Mid tempo in the groovability stakes, and yet it sounds so summery. I love the light drum and bass lines that have been employed on this track. I also love the various lovely sounding echoing keyboards that have been employed on this track as well. They work well. Glen's voice seems prefect for this type track, nice and light and whispery sounding to boot. Please have a listen for yourselves by clicking on the link below.
Well, time had reached for me to play the Rare Groove selection part 1 of the show. For those of you that listen in each week I need not say anything more. For those of you that are new to this well. Each week I play two sections of the Rare Groove selection. 3 songs in each part. These songs are either bonafide Rare grooves, or songs that people have simply forgotten about. (However, if you want to know what was played in this part of the show you will have to listen to the show!)
Mid temp tune this. What I am I on about? Well the track called “I’m free” by Terry Dexter (released from the album called Listen on 2008) that I played directly after the Rare Groove selection. At first when I first heard this song. I didn’t like it. But after the 3 time of hearing it I fell in love with it. It sounds as if it could be used promoting an item via a TV commercial. However it’s soulful, and wonderfully sung by Terry Dexter, and I just love the music that accompanies the voice on this track. Don’t just take my word for it. Click on the link below and listen for yourselves.
The next tune up was an up and coming artist that I have played on a couple of occaissions on this show. I played this tune on the show last week as well you know. Victoria Lockwood is her name, hailing from my hometown of Ipswich, based in England. Victoria’s track is called “Pure Love” (still a undecided release date?) and the track starts of with Victoria repeating the line “This is going out” together with simply constructed keyboard chords. Then a lazy sounding hip-hop drum line is added to the track. Eventually the bass line and her singing the first verse of the song comes to the fore.
When the chorus does come up, Victoria’s voice is strengthen by the fact that backing singers are singing with her on this on this track as well. Victoria reminds me of an artist that is forgotten somewhat today. I have to say on this track Victoria reminds me of the singer called Misty Oldland. Misty who is from London, England, released a track called “Got me a feeling” which became an Underground cult classic to the soul fans based in the Uk at the time (1993). This song by Victoria slightly reminds of “Got me feeling”(1993), and I feel that if pushed in the right direction it will go places. I love Victoria voice on this record. I am going to say that her voice is “Organic Soul”. That’s the term that I am going to use for Victoria. Please have a listen to this track by clicking on the link below that will take you to her website address where you will be able to hear this track and others.
Decided on changing the flavour and vibe on this show at this moment in time. So Lovers Rock Reggae was in order to be played I thought I haven’t played much of it in a while and now was the perfect opportunity to do so. The track that I played was this one “The Very Best” by Intense,England(released in 1988). What a sweet tune this is, Lovers Rock Reggae or not. It’s not that difficult to play or create musically, but it’s the emotion and summery vibes that you get from this track that makes it stands out.
A simple drum and bass line pattern within this song which together with a simple rhythm guitar and a keyboard riff allows the lead singer and the other singers to put the cherry on the cake in regards to the sweet vocals that are dropped on this track.Just have a listen to the track and you will see what I mean. Please click on the link below.
If we are talking about Lovers Rock Reggae then we have to put this within the top 5 best Lovers Rock tune ever made. The track that I am on about is called “Its true” by Donna Rhodan, England(released in 1981). What makes this so special in regards the Lovers Rock fans circle is that it did allow the music of Lovers Rock to incorporate other musical themes such as Jazz. Not just the Soul music vibe which is always evident within Lovers Rock circles. Donna was 16 years old when this tune was created, and which she wrote herself. When you the first bars of the tune play out your think that it could be a Soul/jazz standard that you are about to hear. Then the customary bass and drum pattern within a Reggae music style is heard throughout the song. The very girly like vocals shine through on this song, and makes you think of summer. You need to hear this song to hopefully capture the full flavour of things. Please click on the link below.
The next song was on the roaster was by an up and coming artist called Kemi Lake from London, England. I played this last week as it so happens. I thought why not play it again this week? I’m always on the look out for up and coming talent (if those are the words to use on this occasion) in regards to this show. Been in contact with Kemi over the last couple of weeks in regards to finding out all about her via her my space website. I liked the track of hers called “Come into my life” (2008 release).
The tracks starts of with a flute like riff, then all the other instruments are gradually added over a short space time (i.e. the drums, bass line and handclaps, etc), and then finally Kemi’s voice. It works and would sound great in today’s modern dance floors. The background singers that are employed are added in all of the correct places that enhance the song even further. Have a listen to this track and make your own judgement. Please go to Kemi’s own my space website to hear this song and a few others there. Just click on the link below.
Now this was just another funky tune that I decided to play this evening. The track in question is “Black Rose” by Hill Street Soul featuring Teish O’Day, England (released in 2008 on the album called “Black Rose”). I have to say the bass line and drum line are just delicious on this. Makes you want to groove just on hearing those two instruments alone. Hilary Mwelwa and Teisha O’Day vocals on this track are so good. In fact they are spot on. They are so soulful. The keyboards and the faint guitar lick in the background brings out the sweetness in the track as well. If this was given proper air time. It would create a big stir in the USA. But will the Radio stations do this song any justice? I fear that they will not. But this is a great track. Please have a listen to it by clicking on the link below this will take you to her myspace website. Where you will be able to hear this song.
Next track was this "That's what I am talking about"(2008 release) by Pete Rock featuring Rell. A Rnb tune with a Rap provided by Pete Rock half the way through the song. It’s a nice tune this. Rn'b music with a creditable rap going through it which works. I haven't really heard a bad song yet from Rell, even though this song belongs to Pete Rock (as its of his latest album called "New York Finest" - 2008 release). Nice and Soulful but also features a nice funky mid tempo groove at the same time. A good tune to start of the show with I thought. Please have a listen to it via click on the link provided for you below. You will find the song within his Myspace website.
Well, I ended the show with the playing the second of part of the Rare Groove selection part 2 on the show. No I'm not going to tell you what I played. Listen in, and you will find out.
Well, time is now up.....and I'm away until next Wednesday show. If you want to leave any comments that I have made about any tracks that were played; or any stories that I mentioned relating to the tracks as well. Then please add your own personal comments below via clicking on the "Comments button" OK? Don't be afraid to have your say here.
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