Started the show of with this, as I wanted to get over as many tracks as possible for you the listener as always. I haven’t played this track on the show before, but I have always wanted to and its still a winner in my book. The track is called “It never rains in Southern California” by Tony! Toni! Toné! (Released in 1990 on the album called the Revival) was a great way to start the show. This tune had a slight tingle of a funk vibe all the way through it, but once again the main musical vibe on this track is the Soul music edge provided by the boys, and especially the leads vocals provided by Raphael Saddiq wonderful vocals, The drum pattern and the bass line are steady. But it’s the keyboards, the light acoustic guitar and the orchestration that has been added to this single that makes it so good. Please have listen to this track for yourselves to see what I am going on about by clicking on the link below.
The next track up on today’s show saw me delving into the Gospel music scene. The track in question was called “More than a” by Lisa McClendon (Released in 2003 from the album called “Music”). Best Track on this album for me this track is. Start of with a huge bass line and drum pattern, and nice sounding Keyboards; and then Her voice kicked in. And what a voice that Miss McClendon processes. Clear as a bell and as sweet as Sugar. Reminds you of one part Jill Scott and one part Nora Jones is the best way I can describe her vocal talents to you all out there. Her message is gospel after being raised in a gospel background she puts this message against a Neo Soul Sound and classic soul sound that seems to be winning her over many fans. She is helped by some great backing vocalists on this track that they themselves you believe could come to front of this and deliver just as good lead vocals on this track. Please go to her website which has just been updated. There you will find new details of her and her pending new album called “Reality”.
Next track up is what we call and out and out Rn’b single, from the one of the best singers in that gender - "Dont't Trip" Donnell Jones featuring Mike Jackson (Released in 2008). Slow to mid tempo track that features a nice and heavy bass line and drum pattern, and also it seems to feature samples snaps from the late great Notorious B.I.G in the background. The groove is just spot on for me anyway. It also features a more then credible from Mike Jackson on this single that works just fine in regards to Donnell Jones voice. Please, please have a listen to this one. You’ll find that you had will be swaying to side to side once this song is on. Please click on the link below.
The next single sees me varying away from the modern day Rn’b sound and onto Soul music. It doesn’t come better then this “You’d better not hurt me” by Carol Riddick (Released in 2006 on the album called “Moment like this”). Wow this is just beautiful record. It starts off with a lovely sounding keyboard riff that keeps repeating its self over and over which works, and sets up the single for a vocalist such as Carol. When she appears within the track he voice sounds so soulful charged that you are wanting for this single NOT to finish. She is accompanied by some equally fine backing vocalists on this track that make the vocals side of things sound so great.
Please, please have a listen to this track. Soul single releases like this make the music of “Soul” so revered all over the world. Please click on her website which does contain copy of this song on her website.
The next track up on the schedule strays into the Rn’b world but has healthy supply of Soul to keep it nice and sweet. The track in question is called “Computer Love” by Maskerade featuring Renee T (Released in March 2008), which works, I have to say. Starts off again with a light keyboard entrance, and simple drum pattern to get the listener ready for the vocals. The vocals from Maskerade are just so right. To be honest Maskerade remind me of Eric Benet at times, who seems to have capture this type of groove for himself over the years. Maskerade is helped along his vocal journey on this by backing singer called Renee T. The groove is just right slow to mid tempo. I think given more exposure that people will soon fall in love with the Maskerade sound. Please click on the link below to hear it yourselves.
The next track sees me once again moving, but this time to Soul music tinged with Funk music. The track in question is called “Down here with you” by Van Hunt (Released in 2004 from the album called “Van Hunt”). Lovely funk bass line and drum pattern on this one. Also added flutes, and soft sounding keyboards on this number as well. Then comes the Prince like vocals of Van Hunt which sound spot on for this type of this single. Mid tempo track which worked perfectly along with the funky vibe going all the way through this track. Sound sensually as well at the time. Got that Maxwell feel about it if you know what I mean. Anyway please have a listen to this track by clicking on the link below.
The next song selection 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.
Played this last week and I decided to give it an airing again this week. The track is called “Let the funk flow” by EPMD (Released in 1988 from the album called “Strictly Business”). Thought I stay on the hip Hop trail with another single.
This tune owes much of its success due to the fact that it uses a heavy slice of these tracks to make it possible in the first place – “(It's not the express) it's the JB's Monaurail' by the JB’S (Released in 1975)and the use of "Nobody Knows You (When You're Down and Out)" by Otis Redding (1966). This is funk meet Hip Hop with great rapping interplay between Eric Sermon and Parrish Smith on this as well. It really will make your head nod and smile at the lyrics that are coming from these two. A hip hop track from 20 years ago that still sounds so good. Please click on the link below to listen to the track in question.
The next track sees me moving away from Hip Hop music scene and back onto a Funky, yet soulful Rn’b music track. My next selection is from the Uk, from the group called Hill St. Soul. The track is called “Black Rose” by Hill St.Soul (Released in 2008 from the album called “Black Rose” ). You are greeted with absolutely stunning funky bass line and drum pattern, and guitar riff on the outset of this single. Then Hillary Mwelwa comes in and really sets down the law. Hillary I have to say sounds so much like Angie Stone, and that can’t be a bad thing. This is one single that you will love as soon as you hear it. It’s funky and so soulful at the same time. Please just click on the link below to hear more of it. Please!
Yeap you’ve guessed it I’ve that part in the show. 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 more soulful Rn’b styled music. The next track is still one of my favourite Rn’b tracks about still even though it was released in 2002. The track is called “Faithful” by Raphael Saddiq (Released in 2002 from the album called “Instant Village”) and was the first solo album he did since leaving the group called Toni, Tony, Tone. What a great sounding track this is. I love that old soul Rn’b sound. It will never go out of fashion, but on this occasion it is boasted by the addition of a funk vibe allowed to ride all the way through it. The singing by Raphael is great. Half way through the track Raphael enters into a spoken conversation with the backing vocalist which helps to break it up, and make it sound even more interesting as a single. I just love this. Please listen to this. This is a quality song.
The next track sees me back into the world of Rn’b styled Gospel music. I’m really going in all directions today aren’t I? Well, the title for this track is called “7 Days” by Deitrick Haddon (Released in 2006 from the album called “7 days”). Starts of sounding like something that Bobby Valentino would have put out. Starts of with a harp like sound, keyboards and a violin like effects to greet us on the start of this single. Then all of a sudden Deitrick’s voice, the bass line and drum beat groove are all added and everything sounds sublime. It really is such a good sound that you forget that it is a Gospel track. The track features really good backing singers that add weight to the song when they sing the chorus. Oh yes, I love this tune. Have a listen yourself to see what I mean. Please click on the link below.
Back to Soulful and yet funky Rn’b music again with my next selection. The track that I dropped was this ”Watching her” by Jon B (Released in 2008 on the album called “Helpless Romantic”). So, so funky, but not in the most brazen of ways; however its the groove that makes it as funky as hell. However, it is sweetened by the soulful vocals of Jon B. I like this single. The funky groove which is slow to mid temp makes you nod your head, and yet the soulful approach keeps you in check. I have to admit it has Dwele written all over it in my opinion. When I first heard this I thought it was another killer from Dwele, but it wasn’t to be. But no problems, this is still as great single. I love that obscure vocal sample that flits in out of the single in the background. This one works. Please have a listen to this track you will love it.
Well I did a complete change with my next selection of track. It raised a few eyebrows I can tell you, but it shouldn’t really because it does feature Soul, Jazz and Funk elements within the mix. “Sincere” by M.J.Cole (Released in 2001 from the album called “Sincere”) was the next track up that I dropped for my listeners. The Skippy drumbeat and bassline that was such a feature within the Uk Garage movement is all here. But more importantly it contains the voice of Elizabeth Troy. Wow, her voice is just what is needed on the Jazz infused Uk Garage track. Atmospheric, Jazz and Soul infused Uk Garage track that is often credited as one of the tunes of the movement. I have to agree it doesn’t get better then this. Please click on this to hear it all again. Its that good.
I tasted the Uk Garage flow and I wanted more. With that in mind I dropped this “Neighbourhood” by Zed Bias featuring Nicky Prince & MC Rumpus (Released in 2000). Starts with Zed Bias playing some Jazz Chords in the background, which is added to with Nicky Price uttering the words “When the Dj keeps it real”. Then was are given more Jazz like chords in the background of the tune, and then comes the whole thing whether you are ready or not. The obligatory Skippy drum pattern and bassline, and the vocals and chorus of “I feel good, good, good, good. I feel good, yes wonderful good. Anytime I come into the dance I have to listen to my, my, my, my neighbourhood”. Then the bass line seems to go even lower and the drum pattern seems to be even more fierce after that. The groove on this is just so raw and rough. Brings back memories for you? It does for me. Please have a listen to this track will make you groove.
Stayed with Uk Garage movement with just one track with this. This one being “I believe” by Goldie (Bump and Flex mix) (Released 2001). This one is more soulful then the previous Uk Garage track that I just played. However, this track started out as a Drum and Bass track when it first originally came out. It was written and produced by one of the legends within Drum and Bass music that is Goldie. However, Bump and Flex members who are Grant Nelson and Norris the Boss the Windross got their hands on this one, remixed it for us, and came out with this classic Uk Garage track from the ashes. I love the way in which they allow the singer/vocalist to start the track with out accompanying music on the outset at all. Then all of a sudden you get everything all at once. The skippy drum pattern, the simple walking, yet funky bassline, the jazz keyboard stabs, and finally the occasional vocal pattern of the vocalists being bought in and out of the song. It really does work on this single. It sounds great in a club or when you have this playing this in your car going to work. Well, I think it does. Have listen to it below to see if you agree or not.
Well, I had my fix of Uk Garage. I though it better to change the flavour a bit, and did so with my next track. I decided on playing a track from and up and coming artists that had sent me something through the post. The track was called “My Life” by Kastaway (Released in 2008 on the Mixtape called “1934”). Slow to mid tempo grove that uses an obscure jazz music sample to start the show off within this track. Kastaway voice sounds just right for the mellow sounding Rap track. Basically the lyrics are all about his life so far. I just love the beat, the groove and it seems like two samples that are used in this track. However I love the fact that he allows for trumpet sample to be played in this track to finish it all off altogether. I thought that it was a nice touch. I personally love the melodic sounding hiphop. Do you agree? Have a listen by going to his website where you can hear all the songs from his album there. Please click on the link below.
The next track that I was going to drop on the show I had already played before on the station. “My style” by Rare Jewelez (Released in 2008 on the mixtape called “Kings Pawn”). Rare Jewelez is an up and coming artist/ whom I have always liked to support in any way I can if it will help him or anyone that sends good material to me. The material that he sent me was Gospel Hiphop. A rap with a message, and a groove that you just can’t beat. So funky over a slow to mid tempo groove that makes you nod your head at the same time. I would love to find out what samples that they have used to make this tune up. It sounds that he has used at least 3 samples to create the musical side of things on this. However, I love his rapping. He sounds so laid back, and yet he gets his message over at the same time. Please check this out and hear for yourselves by clicking on the link below.
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 the second of part of the Rare Groove selection part 2 on the show to finish. 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 will leave any comments about any of the various songs that you either heard through reading and listening (Via the links) on 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.
