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Monthly Archives: January 2006

In Rotation: 01/30/06

Monday January 30, 2006   EJ

Are you going to SXSW? I’ll be there. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be the guy with a computer in his backpack, two sets of headphones, and about 10 CDs. Todd Kelley is back in action. I’ve also got a podcast comin’ up, because someone called me out. Watch for it.

Meanwhile, this is what’s playing in the car:

In Rotation: 01/30/06. [Javascript/browser issues? Try this link.]

01 – Teedra Moses – Caution
02 – Emka – Eternal Harmony
03 – Darien Brockington – Steppin’ Out
04 – Faith Evans – Lucky Day
05 – Quintessence – Game Over
06 – dwele – know your name
07 – D-Nell – Lace
08 – Sy Smith – Time
09 – Ivana Santilli – It May Take A While
10 – Opensouls – In Your Hands (Gerd’s 4Lux Remix)
11 – Quintessence – Friday
12 – Rose – Call Me
13 – Donna Gardier – You Don’t Know
14 – Motorcitysoul – The Dream
15 – HEAVY – Wonderlove (For Minnie)

Quintessence is on heavy rotation. Opensouls, Rose, and Donna Gardier are new to my ears this year, but I’m still vibing to CDs from last year that didn’t get enough play. Enjoy.

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OSW: Back In The Day, Volume 1

Wednesday January 25, 2006   EJ

This is how it’s goin’ down….

Old School Wednesday : Back In The Day, Volume 1.
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01 – The Brothers Johnson – Ain’t We Funkin’ Now
02 – The Whispers – It’s a Love Thing
03 – The Intruders – I’ll Always Love My Mama
04 – Sister Sledge – Thinking of You
05 – Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover
06 – Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway – Back Together Again
07 – Whatnauts – Help Is On The Way
08 – Sly & the Family Stone – Family Affair
09 – Tower Of Power – Below Us, All the City Lights
10 – The Stylistics – You Make Me Feel Brand New
11 – Al Green – Have You Been Making Out O.K.
12 – Stevie Wonder – Knocks Me off My Feet
13 – Teena Marie – Déjà Vu (I’ve Been Here Before)
14 – Minnie Riperton – Inside My Love
15 – The O’Jays – Help (Somebody Please)
16 – Lakeside – Real Love

There is a twist of course, which was our original theme. There are at least five tracks that have been sampled. Name the song and the track(s) that sampled them. I’ll admit that two of those tracks I’ve been playing endlessly since they were dropped to me by no other than Todd Kelley. Mad props to him.

Enjoy.

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In Rotation: 01/22/06

Sunday January 22, 2006   EJ

I wanted to say about how I had a lot to report this weekend, but considering it was cold and raining and I was in the house working, there’s not a lot to talk about (unless you want to hear about the fun things going on in the workplace). But before I drop the tunes to you, there’s a couple of things going on.

If you’re wondering where toddkelley.net is, he’s down for a little maintenance. He’s due to return very soon, so keep watching.

I have gotten more into television more than a little bit these days. Smallville’s 100th episode is coming up, so I’m going to be in front of the TV, and I’m waiting to see who’s going to meet their demise. And then there’s 24. Mr. Palmer is out of the picture, but the show still has me watching it faithfully. And yeah, I still have this ongoing fascination with My Name Is Earl, and I just know I’m not wrong (am I?)
Any shows I’m missing on the tube? Hook a brother up.

On with the tunes in my ears right now:

In Rotation: 01/22/06. [Javascript/browser issues? Try this link.]

This is how it goes down:

01 – Brandy – Full Moon (Rascal Extended Mix).The sample should be kinda familiar to us old school heads. Many thanks for J. Brotherlove to discovering this, causing us to have to track it down and play it 15 times a day.
02 – Benny Sings – Unconditional love. This is one of my favorite tracks from Champagne People.
03 – Colette – Like The Sun. In all my endless surfing of music sites, I came up on Colette’s Hypnotized. Check her out here.
04 – J*Davey – Relax. Yeah, it’s them, dropping beats like A Tribe Called Quest does.
05 – Lyrics Born – Before And After. This was brought to my attention by Phillycat. Check them out here.
06 – Goapele – Different. You’e got the new release Change It All, right?
07 – Mary J. Blige – So Lady Featuring Raphael Saadiq. Arguably, one of the finest cuts off of The Breakthrough.
08 – Kenny Lattimore – Come to Me. This is one of the tracks from Weekend, and since Mary J. collaborates with Raphael on So Lady, it’s only fitting that I pull out Kenny’s collaboration with Raphael as well.
09 – Anthony Hamilton – The Truth. One of the tracks from the excellent CD Ain’t Nobody Worryin‘.
10 – Soulstice – Andromeda. A recent discovery of mine, even though I’m a little late to the party. From their debut Illusion.
11 – Bilal – All For Love (In The Sun). An fantastic track that I’ve played more than 5 times in a day. More details forthcoming.
12 – The Rurals – True. From Songs Of The SoulSoother (The Peng Fables Volume 1).
13 – Quintessence – You Don’t Care. I hate when I’m late to the groove. No matter, I’m catchin’ up.. I’m getting into Quintessence these days. This track is from 5AM.
14 – Anthony Hamilton – Change Your World. This track is from Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ also. This track is produced by James Poyser, and co-produced by no other than ?uestlove. Fantastic cut with an outro that makes me hope they release an extended version of this cut.

Keep bouncing.

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OSW: Angela And Company

Wednesday January 18, 2006   EJ

Champagne People
On January 10th, Angela Bofill suffered a stroke and is now convalescing in Santa Rosa, California, which is why she’s the impetus for this playlist:

Old School Wednesday : Angela and Company.

I originally started out with one song from Angela, but because of this news, I thought it would be great to expand and drop some of the greatest songs Angela has graced us with.

01 – Angela Bofill – Too Tough
02 – Fred Wesley – House Party
03 – Steely Dan – Do It Again
04 – Angela Bofill – Something About You
05 – Jermaine Jackson – I Think It’s Love
06 – Caron Wheeler – Blue (Is The Colour Of Pain)
07 – Angela Bofill – Guess You Didn’t Know
08 – First Love – Things Are Not The Same (Without You)
09 – Inner Life & Jocelyn Brown – Feel What I’m Feeling
10 – Angela Bofill – Under The Moon And Over The Sky
11 – The Jones Girls – We’re a Melody
12 – Angela Bofill – This Time I’ll Be Sweeter
13 – Rufus – Hollywood
14 – Angela Bofill – I Try

I’ll never forgot I Try which was one of the cuts I played endlessly in high school after a breakup. Talk about a powerful song! Under The Moon and Over The Sky and Bet You Didn’t Know are two other tracks that are rarely played.

With The Jones Girls, Rufus, and Inner Life & Jocelyn Brown on this playlist, some strong songs (from Steely Dan and Jermaine Jackson) as well as some other unforgotten cuts (from First Love, Fred Wesley, and Caron Wheeler), there’s good stuff here.

Much thanks to Thierno and the one and only PhillyKat for the inspirations. Enjoy.

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OSW: Remembrance, Volume I

Wednesday January 11, 2006   EJ

Lou Rawls Barry White

The passing of Lou Rawls had a profound impact on me this week, so I felt I should pay tribute to his legacy, As I started putting together the playlist, I soon realized that I had not paid tribute to Barry White as well. I also realized that there are quite a few singers out there who haven’t been duly recognized. It is for this reason that this OSW is entitled:

Old School Wednesday : Remembrance, Volume I.

01 – Lou Rawls – Groovy People
02 – Barry White – It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me
03 – Lou Rawls – Let Me Be Good To You
04 – Barry White – For Your Love (I’ll Do Most Anything)
05 – Lou Rawls – See You When I Get There
06 – Love Unlimited – Walking In The Rain With The One I Love
07 – Lou Rawls – You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
08 – Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love’s Theme
09 – Lou Rawls – Lady Love
10 – Luther Vandross – My Sensitivity (Gets in the Way)
11 – Barry White – I Only Want to Be with You
12 – Luther Vandross – She Loves Me Back
13 – Barry White – Your Sweetness Is My Weakness
14 – Change – Searching (LP Version)


The Luther tracks here are tracks which weren’t on The Luther Tribute, so they were included in this mix to round it out. Barry was also the mastermind of Love Unlimited and Love Unlimited Orchestra, which is why Walking In The Rain With The One I Love and Love’s Theme are also in this playlist.

May Lou, Luther, and Barry rest in peace.
.

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The Fifty of 2005: The Top 25 (1-25)

Sunday January 08, 2006   EJ

Finishing up the 50 songs of 2005 (songs 26-50 are posted here), here are:

The Fifty of 2005: The Top 25 (1-25).

25 – Jamiroquai – Starchild. I hate to use the term "standard Jamiroquai," but this is definitely what I expect to hear from them, particularly the background vocals, which carry the song. The mantra "there’s a Superman comin’" puts this song over the top for me.
24 – Vanessa Freeman – Dawning Of A New Day. This track was on London Soul, which prompted me to purchase Shades. Vanessa’s vocals are great, and the scratchin’ lit this track up.
23 – Symbolyc One & Illmind – Night Like This Featuring Darien Brockington & Big Pooh (Of Little Brother). Yeah, there’s a nice rap dropped in this cut, but it’s the fact that Darien and Big Pooh (!!) sung on that make it a superb cut..
22 – Platinum Pied Pipers – Stay With Me (feat. Tiombe Lockhart). The fact that Triple P is my favorite CD of 2005 makes it extremely difficult to choose two tracks from it. This is one of the ones I kept playing over and over.
21 – Benny Sings – Unconditional love. Benny drops a head-nodding track. Absolutely refreshing since it fits in all genres.
20 – Carmen Rodgers – (The Way I Want To) Touch You. Captain and Tennille did it, and Carmen knocked it out the box. Chill out with it.

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The Fifty of 2005: 26-50

Saturday January 07, 2006   EJ

It’s time to put 2005 to rest and focus on this year’s musical goodness, which is already off and running. We’ve dropped the albums, now it’s time for the singles.

The Fifty of 2005: 26-50.

My rule: no more than two from each artist or group, which makes it more challenging but eliminates the chance of putting most of the tracks of a CD on the list.

50 – Rich Medina – Happiness. From Connecting The Dots, a CD that definitely touched on many styles. The spoken word of this song appealed to me.
49 – Kanye West – Bring Me Down (Feat. Brandy). Brandy and Kanye already have that hip-hop/appeal. It’s about the orchestration and Brandy’s inspirational vocals. I almost feel like I’m in church listening to this cut.
48 – Amerie – All I Need. Yeah, One Thing was a great track, but for some reason, it didn’t hit me as hard as it hit everyone else (the video, now, is a different story – but I digress). All I Need did. The sampling and the vocal structure are cool, but it’s all about the percussion, which refuses to keep the track in straight 4/4 time. I love it.
47 – Middle Child – What If. Take a free form conversation and sing it. Now set it to a good beat. That’s what Middle Child and J. Rawls did. Good stuff.
46 – Raul Midon – State Of Mind. I’ve heard that Raul is phenomenal in concert. If it’s as good, or even better than this, then I’d expect sold-out shows everywhere.

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The Mighty Dozen of 2005

Thursday January 05, 2006   EJ

It’s time to close out 2005, especially since I closed out 2004 with one. The 50 of ’05 will be next, but for now, let’s bring out The Mighty Dozen……

Champagne People12.
Champagne People

Benny Sings
Sonar Kollectiv

I’m sure one or two people (or 50) will find this strange that I like this CD. He’s neither Mariah nor Common, he’s just another guy. It’s good stuff, however. I picked up this CD after I became intrigued with his CD I Love You.

Check Out: Unconditional Love, Party, Together

Gordon Chambers11.
Introducing Gordon Chambers
Gordon Chambers
The Orchard

An award winning songwriter and a great singer, Gordon Chambers manages to supply a solid album perfect for the Urban Contemporary landscape.

Check Out: Touch You There, Slippin’ Away, Always Be Proud

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OSW: Welcome to 2006

Wednesday January 04, 2006   EJ

It’s a new year, and I’ve gotta do new things. It’s hilarious that over the holidays, people close to you around Christmas and New Years say that they check out your site all the time, and they want more. (You guys know who you are). So, I’m officially out of my mini-hiatus. I’ve got to deliver the top 12 CDs of 2005 and the top 50 singles of 2005. And yes, my friends, the in-rotations have gotten to where I’ve got so much music that I’m overflowing with good tracks. Watch for ‘em. True to my promise, I’ll be getting more into my life’s story this year, cause it’s gonna be a great year.

Old
School Wednesday: Welcome to 2006.

01 – Michael Jackson – Get On The Floor
02 – Brothers Johnson – Stomp
03 – Donald Byrd – Change (Instrumental)
04 – Alexander O’Neal – What Is This Thing Called Love?
05 – Gwen Guthrie – Outside In The Rain
06 – Jody Watley – Still A Thrill
07 – Prince and the Revolution – 17 Days
08 – Stevie Wonder – That Girl
09 – Al Jarreau – Golden Girl
10 – Bill Withers and Grover Washington, Jr. – Just the Two of Us
11 – Average White Band – A Love Of Your Own
12 – The O’Jays – Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (Sweet Tender Love)
13 – S.O.S. Band – Even When You Sleep
14 – Expose – Seasons Change

I was feeling Off The Wall, so I had to throw one of the tracks that got the least play.That track along with The Brothers Johnson and Donald Byrd set off the tone for me. I was feeling Alexander (especially since it’s my favorite track off of All True Man), Gwen Guthrie, Jody Watley, and Prince and The Revolution , and then had to slow it down with Stevie, Al Jarreau, Bill Withers/Grover Washington, Jr., Average White Band, and The O’Jays. SOS Band and Expose round the set out.

Enjoy. Best wishes to everyone for 2006!!

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KB’s Favorite Albums of 2005

Sunday January 01, 2006   KB

Happy New Year, peeps! It’s your favorite blogger’s favorite blogger: KB. While my blog is on a ghetto sabbatical I figured I’d take advantage of the fact that EJ is in the corner, drunk like a hobo, and take over his blog for the 400th entry. All week Brotha EJ has been asking for my top albums of ’05 so I figured I’d post it here on his site. Keep in mind this does not include compilations and reissues so great albums such as Motown Remixed, DJ Maj’s Boogiroot, and Midnight Soul Vols.1 & 2 were not included.

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