The Bar-Kays – Open your heart
I seem to be in the mood for funk this week. I was reminded of these guys by a friend this week and I thought I would revist them. I first came across them on a Stax compliation a while ago.
I love this track, it is upbeat and funky with that classic 80’s groove.
RjK
I am going to see these guys tonight at the Jazz Cafe and am pretty excited about it. It should be a great show, and an interesting crowd.
There is something distinctly epic about this track, like Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young meet Miles Davis in an early 70’s melting pot.
RjK
Soul II Soul – Back to life (However do you want me)
I heard this over the weekend and it has been stuck in my head since. What a great tune. It still sounds fresh even though it is more than 20 years old. Pretty fun video here too, some pretty special style on display.
/RjK
The Staple Singers – I’ll take you there
Classic soul tune. What an awesome, funky bass line!
RjK
Spandau Ballet – True
I have realised that the 1980’s have been under represented on here recently and what better a way to address that anomaly than this? Classic and iconic, I can’t do it justice with words.
It came into my mind today in somewhat embarrassing fashion – A guilty pleasure of mine came onto my MP3 player. It was a cheesy Nelly track (I know, I know) that I am shamefully fond of and which uses a sample of True.
Also, how good is the video? Silhouettes, smoke and shoulder pads. Ah, the 80’s, they were simpler times,
Head over heels, when toe to toe, this is the sound of my soul. This is the sound…
RjK
I was out for dinner tonight in the company of several fellow Irishman. During the course of the meal I was reminded about this guy, who was prominent in Ireland when we we all at school. I had largely forgotten about him recently but I always really liked this song. It has a mysterious intensity which speaks to me.
/RjK
Arrested Development – People Everyday
This is simply joyous and one of my all time favourite hip hop tunes and certainly one of the sunniest I have encountered. It is taken from the spectacular 3 years, 5 months and 2 days in the life of… which features several highlights but this is probably my favourite. It borrows heavily from Sly and the Family Stone but I think turning it into something even better.
They are also a great live act. I saw them about 10 years ago (how can it have been that long?) in Dublin and they blew me away. It would still be one of the top 3 or 4 gigs I have been to. I found this pretty funny video while doing some research for this post. Check out the two stiffs in the middle of the studio. Unfortunately I don’t believe they are permanent members of the band!
RjK
This is a favourite from Northern Irish singer Foy Vance. He was a favourite from university after I saw him play a few times in Belfast and very much enjoyed it.
There is something real about his style (musical, not too sure about the dodgy fedora) and delivery that I can’t help but respond to, particularly in the the live setting.
Shed a little light so I can find you…
RjK
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes – Wake up everybody
This is one of my all time favourite soul tunes. Socially conscious and still prescient today, despite being released in the mid-70’s.
It is classic Philly soul, written by McFadden and Whitehead and featuring Teddy Pendergrass on lead vocals on what would be his last album before turning solo.
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes (great name) are well worth some further investigation, having made some great and varied music from Disco to Doo Wop.
RjK
Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
Was out for dinner with two very old friends tonight in Paddington and on the way home I passed through Baker Street underground station. I can never go through there without hearing the sax in this song, and maybe hoping to bump into Sherlock Holmes. It may be a little cheesy but it is also wholly irresistible. I have been meaning to post if for a while anyway as Gerry Rafferty sadly died earlier in the year. RIP.
RjK