Well it was a Easter Sunday this week, and I had decided a few days beforehand to pull out all the stop to try and make this show a special one. The weather was already great for the start of the day. Nice and sunny and hardly any wind at all as I was driving in towards the Radio studio.
The first track that I played on this weeks show was called “Going out tonight” by Cool Million featuring Nathalie Dorra (Released in September 2008 on the album called “Going out tonight”). Nice summer track, that makes you think of that 1980’s soul/Rn’b sound that features heavily throughout this album. To be honest it’s the start and the use of the funky Rhythm guitar and the synthesiser that makes it so. The drum pattern and bass line are normal enough, but it’s the use of that funky guitar and synthesiser which gives this single that retro 1980’s Rn’b and soul feel. Nathalie voice was good for as the lead singer on this track. However the use of backing singers also helps the track as well immensely. Have a listen to the track in question I’m sure that you will like it. Please click on the link that below so that you can hear the track.
The next track up on the show was “Love Sex Magic” by Justin Timberlake and Ciara (Released in March 2009 from the album called “Fantasy Ride from Ciara). I have to be honest to people here and state that I have only ever played one track from Justin Timberlake in the whole time that I have been hosting this show. I thought I'd better change this. I have to say I like this single, and boy is it funky. I have since found out that it was co-written by Justin Timberlake and others. I have to say that I just love that bass line and drum pattern on this, and the opening whispered lines from Justin makes it sound even better. However, when Ciara starts singing the lead vocals on this it just gets better and better. When both Justin and Ciara come together vocally they sound great. Justin himself gets a chance to sing a verse or two himself within the song later on. All of this is going on together with a funky drum and bassline going on in the background.What more can you ask for. Please have a listen to the track. Make up your own minds.
A second track featuring Justin Timberlake on the show. I must be dreaming, or you must be. No nothings wrong I’d thought I’d just drop another excellent tune Rn’b tune that just begs to be played. This time it features T.I(real name - Clifford Joseph Harris Jr) on the track, who on this occasion is the rapper on the track, and for a few lines does some singing himself this time. Once again this single features a very infectious funky bass line and drum pattern to start the show off together with Justin and TI Singing the song main hook line.It works by just doing that. T.I when asked to come up with the rapping for the song comes correct and delivers. Justin when doing the singing part of the song sounds like Prince. Yes he sounds like the Purple one(*Prince!). I love this single. If dropped this on the dance floor it would get most people on it. Its not complicated, in fact its dance friendly. Towards the end of the song we even hear T.I singing himself. Please give yourself a chance if you haven’t heard this song before. Just click on the link provided below to hear the song in full.
The next track up was called “Good Women Down” by Mary J Blige (released in 2006 from the album called “The breakthrough”). Sounds very 1980’s in regards to what is coming out these days in the current climate of RN’B music releases. It does come with a slight hip hop drum pattern, but not that heavy as the producer (9th Wonder) is trying to keep it as melodic as possible so that Mary can do what Mary does best; and that is to sing. Apparently what I didn’t know about this single release was that it had used the part of the song called “Heart Breaking Decision” by Melissa Morgan (From the album called "Do Me Baby” – 1987) as sample within this track (Good Women Down). Anyway, Mary sings this beautiful, when she has to hit the high notes she hits the high notes, when she needs to put emotion in the song, she delivers also. A really nice track, and one that I hope that you will click on the link below and have a listen yourself.
Staying with the year of 2006 sees me bringing out another quality cut from that year. This time it features Omar Lye Fook and Angie Stone with “All for me” (Released in 2006 from the album called “Sing if you want to”) this one features heavily on the soul music side of Rn’b music this time but with just slight touch of funk added for good measure. Omar Lye Fook does all the singing on this track right up to 2 minutes and twenty-two seconds (this is of a track that lasts 3 minutes forty five seconds in total.). I have to say it sounds so atmospheric, and yet so soulful, and with a touch of funk thrown in for good measure at the same time. Omar puts a lot of emotion in his singing on this song. However, when Angie Stone’s vocal parts come to play on this project it sounds as if she hardly put any effort in her part, and yet it sounds so spot on. What a singer she is. This groove and tempo is made for both of these vocalists. I love the drum pattern, bass line, the keyboards chords and the acoustic guitar riff and licks on this track as well. In fact I love everything about this release. Have a listen to this track and see what I mean. Please click on the link below to hear for yourself.
The names Q-tip, Phife Dawg, & Ali Shaheed Muhammad might not mean much to people who aren’t that familiar to the world of Hip Hop Music. However, if I was to mention to you the group are better known as A Tribe called Quest most people would smile.I decided to ahead and drop out and out Hip Hop music for the listeners. “Find my way” by A tribe called Quest (Released in 1998 on the album called “The Love Movement”). Wow this still sounds good. Its still makes my head rock to be honest to you. It starts with the group uttering the chorus of the track, then that funky bass line and drum pattern gets me. The rapping of Phife Dawg and Q-tip who take turns at the mike is brilliant. I also love the way they incorporate the girly like backing vocals in the chorus as well. It all works so well. Don’t take my words for it, please have a listen yourself by clicking on the link below to do so.
Saying with Hip hop music saw me dropping something from the Uk, and from a new up and coming artist so to speak. The artist is Joleon Davaughan from East London, England. He is a new and up and coming artist that I always like to try and champion on the show if I can. It’s really difficult these days to make it within the music industry these days, and if I can help and like your stuff I will do so. I have to admit once again that I have already played this track on the show already. But it was another track that has made a big impression on the listeners to the show. The song is called “Feel good feel” by Joleon Davenue (released 2007 on the mixtape called “Something Special”, London, England).
I loved everything about this track. I loved the sample that was used and speeded up to match the rap that was accompanying it. It is a well-known tune within the Rare Groove music fans of this music. It fact he (Joleon) had used the Don Blackmon’s track called “Holding you, Loving you” (released 1982 – from the album called Don Blackman) to create this tune. Joleon’s version dare I say it, is even more funkier then the original. Or should I say it’s more danceable? Yeah I will say more danceable that’s the word. I love the way he raps on this. It’s all about telling a story. And I have to say he does it well. Yet another Hip Hop track that if you listen to the words you can actually envisage in what he is telling you. Have a listen to the track. You will like it, and maybe cause you to enquire more about this new and up and coming artist from the Uk. Please click on his Myspace website to find out more about him.
Yet another track that I drop for my listeners that features Hip Hop music. The track is called "Skills" by Gangstarr (Released in 2004 on the album called "The Ownerz") which is another track that is heavily influenced by funk music and great hiphop drumbeats. The lyrics are provided and rapped over by Guru. His flow and his delivery is spot on within this track. For instance the chorus of the song goes just like this. (Skills) Top rank point blank we vital - Spit flows rip shows peep the recital – (Skills) Now, you feel it when we drop those - Hot beats stop phoes killin shit we got those - (Skills) It's, the music that the street love -Each thug, is now reppin this with deep love -(Skills) Gang Starr duelin again rulin again - Watch as we do it again. The beats are supplied by the Dj, who is known as DJ Premier. I would love to know what sampled was used to create this classic Hiphop track? Anyone know? Anyway please have a listen to that track below to hear this classic.
Moved away just ever so slightly from the straight out and out Hip-hop Music tracks with my next selection. It does feature some rapping on the single though (I just couldn’t help it!). The single that I played for my listeners was “Real love” by Rell featuring Consequence and Kayne West (Released in 2004). Wow this sounds so good, the singing and the rapping are both spot on. I love Rell's voice, it sounds so good on this single. It makes you wonder how a talent like his hasn’t made it further in the music business. The rapper called Consequence provides a really good rap that keeps in the flow of the music and the temp of the track. The track was produced by Kanye West in the year of 2004, when it seemed as if everything he did or touched was turned to gold. Just have listen yourself you know you want to.
The next track features a more traditional sounding Rn’b track that hones in on the Neo soul side of Rn’b music instead of the Hip Hop influenced style of Rn’b music. “Love calls” by Kem featuring Floetry (Released in 2004) is the name of the track that was played. Kem heralds from Detroit, Usa and Floetry herald from London, England together with this remixed tune they came up with a true classic. The original cut was to be found on his debut album called “Khemistry” that was released in 2003. However, one of the big hits from the album (“Love calls”) got remixed by Darryl James (a DJ, remixer and producer) which became an even bigger hit on radio stations across the Usa in 2004; and helped to establish Floetry in the Usa. It has a slight Hip Hop drum pattern within this remix of the tune, however the soft Keyboards jazz/soul like chords on this track are prefect. Kem takes control of the lead vocals so well that he sounds like a cross between Al Jarreau and Lou Rawls at times such is brilliance of his voice on this one. Floetry are just prefect as backing vocals singers on this track as well, they come in at the right time, and stay silent at the right times. Everything is prefect on this single. Slow to mid tempo niceness is what we have here. Have a listen to see what I mean. Just click on the link below.
Staying with theslow to mid tempo Rn’b styled tracks I continue the ride with this - “Taking to me” by Amerie (Released in 2002 from the album called “All I have”). In my opinion this is still the best album that Amerie has done so far in her career. Its one of those album where you could put it in your Cd music player and let it just roll. You know what I mean? No need to arrange what songs that you would like to hear, or shuffle around the play list to get to the best tracks as every one is a winner on this album. Starts of with an Acoustic guitar playing in the background and a simple drum pattern and bass line. Then comes the lovely voice of Amerie on the sing. Wow, is all I can say. She has a really good voice, and to make it even better she is helped along by backing singers who are right on the money as well. This is good, real good, and it mystifies me that this never did better then it should. Great single. Have a listen.
Yeap you’ve guessed it. It was time 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!)
As the last throes of the last song within the Rare Groove selection was finishing. I had already decided on playing Soulful House and Garage music. I haven’t played much of any thing from that gender in a long time, and for this week I decided to put things right.
I started the ball rolling so to speak with this track, which is called “Someday, someway” by Brooklyn Underground featuring Supreme Mind (Released in 1992). As some of you may know or not I have a healthy love for the music of House and Garage music. I have done for many years if it features the elements of Jazz, Soul or Funk within its elements I‘m a sucker for the music. This typifies the type of House and Garage music that I fell in love with all those years ago. I love the use of the xylophone on this track it gives it that jazz vibe to the single; also the use of the keyboards which has that jazz riff going all the way through the single is marvellous. The soul is provided by the artists called Supreme Mind who puts so much emotion in his voice that you just can’t get enough of this track; in fact its so Moorish. As the track moves on another jazz like instrument is added to the pot so speak. A saxophone riff is also added that keeps it so jazz. The bass line funky as hell in all of this. All I ask is that you have a listen to this track, it will change you thoughts on House and Garage music. Please click on the link below.
Played another Jazz House track but nearly all instrumental, but half way through Kevin Yost utters the words repeatedly “I dream of you” as a semi softly spoken chant. The track is called “Dreams of you” by Kevin Yost (Released in 1997 on the album called One starry night”). It’s one of those records that just builds and builds. First with drums, then comes the bass line, and then finally come those soft jazzy keyboard chords and Jazz solo’s lines in the background. What a nice House track this is. It’s one that you’ve got to hear yourselves. Please click on the link below to hear the full release of this gorgeous track.
(*Please note that link taken from the website link given below. Please click on the link below to add any comments to their website about this track please*)
Decided on playing one more House track, and this one falls in the category of Soulful House instead of Jazz House. It doesn’t come better than this in my opinion, and that is “Whatever makes you happy” by Ten City (Released in 1990). The bass line of this track throbs at the beginning of this track, as does the High falsetto voice, which is Bryon Stingly. Then comes in the drumbeats and the simple keyboards stabs, and would you believe it a flute and a set of Congo’s brought in as well. All mixed up perfectly by Dj/Producer superstar that is David Morales. But the star of all this is Bryon Stingly. His voice is tailored made for this in fact. I’m sure that this has been said a thousand times before that he reminds so many people of the late great Sylvester who was a Disco and Soul vocalist of the 1970’s and early 1980’s in regards to his voice. It’s such a Happy song, summery song in fact. I sure that by the time you clicked on the link below, and listen to the song yourself you will be singing the chorus yourself which is - Different strokes for different folkes, Whatever makes you happy, Some do some don't, some will some won’t, Whatever makes you happy.Click on the link below and have a singsong.
Looking up on the studio clock I didn’t realise that there was around 15 minutes left on the show to go. Wow was I having fun or what? I ended up playing on the show with the playing the second of part of the Rare Groove selection part 2. No I'm not going to tell you what I played. Listen in whenever I play live, and you will find out.
I hope that you leave any comments about the various songs that you either heard through reading this Blog page or via listening to the show when it was played live on Sunday. Please leave any comments here and have you say.
If you are an up and coming artist/s and you would like exposure for your music. Please leave your comments here as well so that I can get back to you. Please do not be shy. Thanks.
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