Tuesday, October 28, 2008

DSXXX w/ Raashan Ahmad & Vinyl? Check! 6


This 1977 album produced by Phil Benton & Brick has something for everyone (just ask India.Arie)! Containing such funk staples as "Dusic" and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody," Brick has some gems I could even hear War performing.

The standout though, is the final song, the one that sounds like nothing else on Brick. "Good Morning Sunshine" is the lone blues tinged track and stirs a wealth of emotion in the listener. Although, the singer is welcoming the sun that has been absent, there's no joy in his greeting. It's as if he's anticipating the rain that may or may not come, or the wait for the sun has left him weakened. The sparse guitar licks assist in creating a feeling of weariness on this excellent example of great lyrics and music




Brick - Good Morning Sunshine

Monday, October 27, 2008

Vinyl? Check! 5: Pimptastic

What can you expect from an album cover with a man wearing a pimp suit in a player pose? Great music, lol. Leon Haywood is the man credited with writing Carl Carlton's "She's a Bad Mama Jama" as well as penning ""I Want a Do Something Freaky To You" which was ONE OF the catalysts in making Dr. Dre's "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang" a 1993 hit record(It reached #2 on Billboard's Hot 100).

My selection from this album is "This Feeling's Rated Extra." Keeping very much in the vein of his pimp/player vibe, Leon let's the woman of the day know that she makes him feel like none other. Why, then, does this song remind me of The Planetarium scene in "The Mack?" Classic soulful sax work and Leon's voice make me rate this one an A+.


Leon Haywood - This Feeling's Rated Extra

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Vinyl? Check! 4: One Time for Syreeta...

It's difficult to pick a favorite from this album as Syreeta carries this one with the spirit of Minnie Riperton in her voice. Also worthy of mention are the contributors to this project: Stevie Wonder, Bll Withers, Billy Preston, Dorothy Ashby and Harvey Mason.

"Blame it on the Sun" is a song penned by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta 8 years after their divorce. This is one of the few songs on this album where Syreeta really pushes the vocals out and you can feel the emotion placed into the song. Poignant lyrics and lush instrumentation makes this one a stand out for me. The premise is similar to Milli Vanilli's "Blame it on the Rain" as one lover tries to justify the end of a relationship on everything but the lovers themselves.




Syreeta - Blame It On The Sun

New DJ Rahdu Mixed CD, Swoon Unitz!!!

PLAYLIST
1. Swoon Unitz Intro
2. Erykah Badu - Me
3. Hil St.Soul - Black Rose
4. Peter Hadar - Laugh Together
5. Raashan Ahmad - Close
6. Jazz Liberatorz - Cool Down
7. Esthero - Superheroes (GAS'D remix)
8. Deborah Jordan; Kamara - Rise
9. Kissey Asplund - You & I
10. Lemongrass - This Way
11. Black Spade - True Friends
12. Coultrain - Lilac Tree
13. Dwele - Free as a Bird
14. Circle Research - I'm Your Density
15. J-88 (Slum Village) - The Look of Love (The Liquid Crystal Project Remix)
16. Byron the Aquarius; Nadine Charles- Make It Right
17. Prefuse 73 - Last Night
18. Sy Smith - Fly Away With Me
19. Attica Blues - Blueprint
20. Velben - Come Around
21. The Rurals - Mother Sun
22. Sene; Kissey Asplund - Demon Love
23. Stacy Epps - Addicted
24. Flying Lotus; Dolly - Roberta Flack
25. Samon Kawamura; Aloe Blacc - Try
26. The One - Drippin'
27. Shingo Suzuki - Eternal Sunshine