Anyway with my tail between my legs I started the show with this beauty “Everybody Love” by Maskerade (released in 2009 on a new mix tape called “American Singer” ) What singer Maskerade is. I just love his voice. It’s on that Donnell Jones tip, and you know how much I rate Donnell Jones don’t you.
Slow to Mid tempo Rn’b styled ballad type track. I just love that funky bass line and drum pattern that he drops in this track it does it allow becoming too slushy. The acoustic sounding rhythm guitar flirting in the background and simple chord progression of the piano also just gives it that edge. Please click on the link below to here the song/tune yourself.
The next Track is still one of the hottest tracks within the Rn’b gender at the moment. Ryan Leslie’s track called “Valentine” (Released 2009 – from the album called Ryan Leslie) is the track that everyone is talking about. From the start with the Piano like riff going through the song to the gradually incorporation of the drum line or drum pattern. This is then followed by Ryan Leslie’s Prince like voice into coming the mix. Wow, I’m thinking with only just those parts added into the song so far. After about a further 10 seconds all the other instruments are thrown in such as the bass line and other keyboard sounds. What a track. What an Album. I stress you to get this album. I really do. But first please have a listen to this track first by clicking on the tune below via the link situated below.
Changed it up a bit with the next track. Soulful Hip hop if it can be called that. “That’s what I’m talking about” by Pete Rock and Rell (Released 2008 on the album called “New York Finest”).
This is funky, danceable and yet so soulful at the same time. It’s the opening drum pattern and bass line that sets the whole thing up. The First 20 seconds to be precise are so funky. Then comes in Rells soulful voice together with backing singers. Wow.
Then after about 1 minute Pete Rock supplys us with a really good rap. I mean a rap with lyrics that seem to fit the flow of the song and tell a story at the same time. I can tell you that you will be nodding your head to this song. It has the right balance of Funk and Soul that don’t fight against each other but compliment each other. Please click on the link below to hear the song.
Continuing on that same Funk and Soul vibe of the previous played single. Sees me playing with a track from Hill St.Soul called “ Black Rose” (released 2008 on the album called “Black Rose). As I mentioned this song features a high percentage of funk music within its composition. Not forgetting the soul in which this group have become famed for. Acoustic guitar sounding start for this track then the funky bass line and drum line kicks in making you feel instantly funky.
However, the voice of Hilary Mwelwa (Lead Singer) and Teish O’day(Backing singer/Lead Singer) brings us back down to earth with their utter beautiful voices of there’s. Both are from the Uk and yet reminds me in parts of Angie Stone. Probably my favourite track of the album, but you might think otherwise when or if you get to her it. Please click on the link below to her the song.
Well I was feeling like a steam ship at the moment, and had gathered quite a full head of steam in regards to the music that I had already played. The next track I decided to play was to come from Maskerade again. The song on this occasion was called “Right and Wrong”(Released in 2009 on a new mix tape called “American Singer”). This is a right out and about Soul ballad. Nothing more, nothing less. A real simple drum pattern that reminds of the slow tracks from the artist called Usher when he started out and playing and performing his slower styled tracks from the album called 8701. Remember that album? Anyway this has got the same feel. Slushy, sentimental and yet very now in regards to the ballad type songs that are being released within the Rn’b field right now. Not the best track on the album. But well sung. Please click on the link below and listen.
This song is that not that new but features on the new album by Ryan Leslie which is called would you believe “Ryan Leslie” (released in 2009). The actual track that I was to play from the album was called “Just right”. I love this track.
Yet another track that is funky. Yes its funky. Really it is, but not so obvious, and of course its soulful. I like the fact that he brings in so many beats and natural music sounds together which when put together sound beautiful. Then there is Ryan voice which at times reminds you me of Prince then slightly of Jon B, then of Usher. I know it sound crazy but it does. Slow to mid temp track that really done well for him when it was released over here in the Uk. Don’t take my word for it. Please have a listen to the track for yourselves by clicking on the link yourselves below.
Another that from me that has a real nice funk vibe following through it, and yet has enough soul to shake at stick at is the Rn’b track called “Watching her” by Jon B whom I have just mentioned within the previous track(Released in 2008 as a single). Once again it’s the funky bass line and the drum line that sets everything up and together with a vocal sample that sounds so right. After about 30 seconds Jon B sings. He helped along by another artist that raps sometimes between and when he sings. You would have thought that this would have meant for his lyrics to sound muddled or hard to hear? But it works. Trust me it works. The singing then half rapped lyrics of both Jon B and his co-partner in crime set the scene. I’m loving this track I can tell you. Together with the funky and yet soulful vibe it makes you want to press re-wind on your cd player. Please just click on the link below to hear this song in full.
Well you’ve guessed it. It was time for me to play the Rare Groove selection part 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!)
As the last throes of the last song within the Rare Groove selection was finishing. I had already decided on playing some 1980’s styled Rn’b/Soul music. This came within the form of the group called Cool Million. Cool Million are a group that I have been championing on the show for quite a while now, and I am happy to do so. There bright and happy go lucky soul sound brightens up my day, and hopefully my listeners. I have been playing tracks from the recently released album called Going out tonight”(Released 2008) for the last 1 month and a half now. This week I decided to play “Give me my love” by Cool Million featuring CJ Anthony.
Upbeat, bright, happy go lucky and 80’s sounding are a few words that can describe this track. It’s got that Shalamar feel about it. CJ Anthony sounds like Howard Hewett (The lead singer) of Shalamar fame in my reckoning. Wow its good to hear this sound all over again, and to think it was made and released in 2008. Not 1982. Please have a listen to this. You will smile whilst listening.
Staying on the nostalgetic tip, I decided on playing a track for one of my Listeners called Elaine Mayes from Old Buckingham, Norfolk,England.It was a dedication for her from an admirer called Jason Blastock in Portsmouth, England who wished her all the best and love.
The song he wanted me to play for her was called “Lets stay together” by Al Green (Released in 1971), and have to say an excellent choice. I don’ t really need to say anymore to you as this track is a bonafide classic.
Changed the script with my next track though. It was the third track this evening that I had played from Ryan Leslie (from his album called Ryan Leslie 2009). One the big undergrounds hits from 2008 in regards to Rn’b music. Loved the Keyboard sound which opens the track this time around. This track has always been a dance floor friendly track that always seems to get the crowd on the floor. Funky, bright and easy to understand sung lyrics by Ryan Leslie; but its only when he lays down a rap in the song that it gets a little more complicated. I believe that this did well in the Usa. I can see why. Please have a listen to song below by clicking on the link.
I have been going on all night about Funk induced tracks well this has to be the funkiest track of the night that I have played. It features Nate Dogg, Warren G, and Snoop Dogg who formed the group called 213. The track called “Groupie Love”(Released in 2004 album called “The Hard Way). I believe that this tracks samples Herbie Hancocks track called “Chameleon”(Released in 1973 from the album called Head Hunters). Wow this track is pure funk, and Hip hop music at the same time. The three guys above that I mentioned must have had a lot of fun making this tune up. Just rolls and rolls and rolls along. This is West Coast hip hop at its best. The groove and the funk vibe on this track are incredible. And the lyrics and flow of the rap provided especially by Snoop Dog just wants to make you smile time after time after time. Please just listen to this great track. Its that good. Please click on the link below.
It seems as if I have swallowed a funk pill or something, as my next track once again has elements of a funk vibe all the way through it. However this is tempered by a very small measure of Soul music vibe to enter the fray. The track in question is called “Find a way” by A tribe called Quest (Released 1998 from the album called “The Love Movement”). A glorious track which allows us to hear a great raps from Q-Tip and Phife Dawag. This music is so funky, but not as funky as the previous one before. I will say it. This is the best track on the album in my opinion and the last official one from the group. I believe that this album has already gained classic status within the Hip Hop world. I just love this song. The interplay between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg is so good with their raps. Please click on the song below to hear the song below.
Well, I ended the show with the playing the second of part of the Rare Groove selection part 2 on the show. Time just rushed away with me this week. 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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