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Category Archives: rotations

In Rotation. Volume 31

flowlines

Closing out 2012 the right way.  Podcast #249….one more until the big number.

In Rotation, Volume 31.

 

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Drops from Macedonia, DJ Diva, and Carvalho, of course.

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01 – Ralf Gum Feat. Jocelyn Mathieu – Everything [site]
02 – Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band – My Way Featuring Diane Charlemagne [soundcloud]
03 – Funkommunity – Pass It On [site]
04 – Raw Stylus – Believe In Me [wiki | myspace]
05 – Ananda Project – My Synthesizer Is Huggin’ You [site]
06 – Cool Million Featuring Jono McNeil – Peace Of Mind [soundcloud]
07 – Positive Flow – Children Of The Sun feat. Heidi Vogel [site]
08 – Carvalho – Dubplate [bandcamp]
09 – The Layders – You Know What You Mean to Me [facebook]
10 – DJ Kemit – Never Go Away (feat. Jean Baylor) [site]
11 – Mister Barrington – I Remember You [site]
12 – Oddisee – The Need Superficial [site]
13 – S3 – All I Know [bandcamp]
14 – Jessie Ware – No to Love [facebook]
15 – Workshy – Way Back When [podcast]
16 – Yuna – Live Your Life [site]
17 – Anthony David – Sweet Pain [site]
18 – Dionne Bromfield – Good For The Soul [wiki]

This podcast caps off the year 2012 and sets the stage for 2013,which will be big for me, so stay tuned.  Going to try to keep this short and sweet.  With Ralf Gum, The Sunburst Band, DJ Kemit, and Ananda Project, you know that I’ve got some serious head-nodders in the mix, an Funkommunity, Raw Stylus, Mr. Barrington, and Cool Million also adding to the flow.    Watch out for Carvalho in 2013, as this brother from the UK is doing it well.  Miles Bonny and Brenk Sinatra show their prowess as S3, while Oddissee gives you a great dose of hip hop as well.  We’ve also got ethereasl vocals from Workshy and Yuna complimenting the soulful vocals of Anthony David and Dionne Bromfield.

Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Take it light.

 

Swing Out Sister

Swing Out Sister

By request, and quite a bit of brain power, internal struggles, and lot of time, I present to you:

Swing Out Sister: One

 

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01 – Twilight World [Superb, Superb Mix] (It’s Better To Travel)
02 – Surrender (It’s Better To Travel)
03 – Am I The Same Girl (Get In Touch With Yourself)
04 – My State Of Mind (Beautiful Mess)
05 – Get In Touch With Yourself (Get In Touch With Yourself)
06 – Everyday Crime (Get In Touch With Yourself)
07 – Ordinary People (Living Return)
08 – Better Make It Better (The Living Return)
09 – All I Say, All I Do (Beautiful Mess)
10 – Where In The World (Kaleidoscope World)
11 – Forever Blue (Kaleidoscope World)
12 – Happy When You’re High (Filth And Dreams)
13 – That’s The Way It Goes (Living Return)
14 – Out There (Beautiful Mess)
15 – Certain Shade Of Limelight (Where Our Love Grows)
16 – After Hours (It’s Better To Travel)

Swing  Out Sister: Two

 

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01 – Breakout (It’s Better To Travel)
03 – Stoned Soul Picnic (Shapes And Patterns)
03 – Somewhere In The World – (Shapes And Patterns)
04 – Don’t Let Yourself Down (Lving Return)
05 – Something Every Day (Beautiful Mess)
06 – La La [Means I Love You] (Living Return)
07 – Beautiful Mess (Beautiful Mess)
08 – Incomplete ithout You (Get In Touch With Yourself)
09 – Happy Ending (Where Our Love Grows)
10 – Notgonnachange (Get In Touch With Yourself)
11 – Heaven Only Knows (The Best Of)
12 – Butterfly (Beautiful Mess)
13 – Stop And Think It Over (Living Return)
14 – You Already Know (Shapes And Patterns)
15 – Something Out Of This World (Shapes And Patterns)
16 – Where Do I Go (Somewhere Deep In The Night)
17 – Shapes And Patterns [Reprise] (Shapes And Patterns)

This took quite a bit of time and thought to put together, as with any great group. Having time constraints and placing the best known cuts along with the absolutely sublime can be an intensive process – but is well woth it. Having been around since 1985, Swing Out Sister’s Corrinne Drewery and Andy Connell (and former member Martin Jackson, who left after the first album “It’s Better To Travel”) have been consistently releasing albums soulful and jazzy, sunny and somber, with the old school vibes infused with new techniques- and they all work flawlessly.

I could not have done this alone, of course, to try to maintain my sanity. Shoutouts go to Shim, Joaquino, Macedonia, DJ Diva, James Madison, Alethea, Lisa, Ricky Mac, Paul E., TGrundy, Damone! and The BlacqueHoney Lounge for seeing me through this ordeal – well worth it.

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Workshy

Workshy

If you are familiar with Swing Out Sister, Basia, or Matt Bianco, then I believe that you’re going to like this.  As described on one of the fan websites, they are “somewhere in between Matt Bianco and Swing Out Sister, with a little bit of Sade and Burt Bacharach thrown in” which I agree with wholeheartedly – and personally I’d throw some Michael Franks lyricism and Incognito sensibility as well.

Workshy: One

 

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01 – Sleepwalking (The Golden Mile)
02 – I Saw The Light (The Golden Mile)
03 – Love Is The Place To Be (The Golden Mile)
04 – Never The Same (Ocean)
05 – Half A Mind (Ocean)
06 – Master Plan (Ocean)
07 – But Alive (Heaven)
08 – Finding The Feeling (Coast)
09 – Too Late (Under The Workshy Influence)
10 – Blue Murder (Coast)
11 – All In The Mind (Under The Workshy Influence)
12 – Something Sweeter (Under The Workshy Influence)
13 – I Get High (Under The Workshy Influence)
14 – True To Life (Under The Workshy Influence)
15 – Way I Feel Today (Unforgettable Collection)
16 – Light Of Day (Unforgettable Collection)
17 – Never The Same (Coast)
18 – All Or Nothing (Allure)

Workshy: Two

 

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19 – Got It All Together (Allure)
20 – Dive Into Love (Allure)
21 – Somebody (Allure)
22 – Love Squall (Clear)
23 – End Up Here (Clear)
24 – Let It All Go (Clear)
25 – Got It All Clear (Clear)
26 – The Reason (Clear)
27 – You Want It, You Got It (Clear)
28 – Get It On (Clear)
29 – Forever (Mood)
30 – How It Is (Mood)
31 – The Girl In Question (Mood)
32 – The Penny Drops (Mood)
33 – Call On Me (Smile Again)
34 – Throw Away The Key (Bittersweet)
35 – Better Days (Bittersweet)
36 – Out Of The Cold (Smile Again)
37 – You Go Your Own Sweet Way (Heaven)

During an IM conversation from the one and only Ricky Mac from the UK, he pointed me to  the Youtube video for “Half A Mind,” which unfortunately has since been removed.  The song affected me so much that I went to Spotify and was even more impressed by them and then went to Amazon and promptly purchased everything I could from them. With the assistance of Joaquino, I was able to find and purchase even more.  The biggest impact that they had upon me was the fact that they have been out as long as Swing Out Sister and Matt Bianco, but I had never heard about them until now, more than 15 years.  They’ve managed to infuse acid jazz, pop, lite soul, and jazz as well seamlessly.  It was extremely, extremely difficult to pull this and keep the limit to 2 podcasts, which means that you will be hearing more from them as time goes on.

Now, trying to come up with an explanation of each track is extremely difficult as I like all of the tracks in the mix.  ”Half A Mind” started the ball rolling for me, “Sleepwalking” kept it moving, and tracks like “Somebody,” “Got It All Together” and “I Get High” are just three of the tracks that keep me going. As you can see, the list goes on and on.  I’d invite you to sit back, relax, and take a listen, and let me know what you think.

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In Rotation, Volume 30

Black Radio


Bringing in 2012, just in time for Spring.

In Rotation, Volume 30. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.
 

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01 – Incognito Featuring Vanessa Hayes  – Ain’t It Time
02 – Sy Smith – Messages From The Stars
03 – Deborah Bond – 5:35
04 – Dego featuring Tosin Tao – Right From Wrong
05 – Towa Tei Featuring Taprikk Sweezee – Tase Of You
06 – Liquideep – Angel
07 – Incognito Fearuring Maysa – Capricorn Sun
08 – Robert Glasper Featuring Erykah Badu – Afro Blue
09 – Teisha Marie – Unscripted
10 – Dezzaray Dawn – Deep Waters
11 – Szjerdene – Lead The Way
12 – Benny Sings – Each Other
13 – Solburn – Children Of The World
14 – Compton Featuring Kafele – Somebody Else’s Dream
15 – Cleveland and Ahmed – Sensitive
16 – KING – Hey

For this podcast to start off the year, I wanted to highlight some of the high points of 2011 while bringing in the goodness starting out this year.  It takes to listen to two albums that started off this  year with  a bang.  First Incognito’s Surreal is a definite pleasure, and while I could talk about this album at length, I would recommend that you pick it up.  The track Ain’t It Time is a nice remake of the 1976 disco hit of the same name.  Sy Smith continues the goodness with Messages From The Stars from her new LP Fast And Curious.  I think I may have mentioned this before – but I’ll mention it again – Deborah Bond’s Madam Palindrome was one of my favorite albums of last year because of it’s consistency and it’s flow, all while sliding some production and vocals that aren’t afraid to swing to the left a little and then realign themselves nicely.  The track 5:35 is a perfect example.

I continue with a track from Dego’s A Wha’ Him Deh Pon? LP.  This is followed by a track from Towa Tei which I wrestled with for a bit because this track was 2009, and I (and I’m slightly embarrassed about this) did not know that he had not one, but two albums, since 2009.    The album Big Fun was discovered, thanks to Spotify, and I found myself playing Taste Of You more times than I’d care to admit. Liquideep, the duo from South Africa, released an album that combines R&B, dance and house music rather nicely, entitled Fabrics Of The Heart, and  Angel is one of my favorite tracks from that LP.  I continue this with another track from Surreal with vocals from Maysa entitled Capricorn Sun.  and a track from Robert Glasper’s Black Radio, destined to be one of the top 10 albums of the year, entitled Afro Blue, with vocals by Erykah Badu.

This podcast is also making up for lost time for what I consider a personal music transgression.  One thing that I was remiss in doing was actually paying more attention to Twitter than I should have last year I had communicated with Teisha Marie and liked her vibe. Imagine my dismay when I went to the record store and actually saw an album by her.  Yes, I should have had Addiction, and should have definitely had  Unscripted n a podcast last year.   The same holds true for Dezzaray Dawn’s Deep Waters, since I’ve actually had the EP and didn’t realize it until about a month ago. Continuing the blend is Szjerdene ‘s Lead The Way, which I heard on my ride home from Atlanta’s station WCLK, and I’m glad I did.  Finally, making up for my transgressions from last year, I had to drop a single from Benny Sing’s ART that (like Towa Tei), I didn’t know about until I listened to Spotify.

I then end this with some great tracks.  Solburn’s Children Of The Ghetto i a nice track from Natural High, which is followed by a track which is one of my absolute favorites from last year, Compton’s Somebody Elses Dream with vocals by Kafele.   I then end tis with tracks that I was grateful to hear thanks to Gilles Peterson, Cleveland and Ahmed’s Sensitive and anoter one of my favorite tracks from last year from the trio KING, Hey.

Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

 

 

In Rotation, Volume 29

Lalah


Ending rotations in 2011 with a nice one, if I do say so myself.

In Rotation, Volume 29. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.
 

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01 – Back Together (Director’s Cut Classic Club Mix) – Hardsoul featurimg Ron Carroll
02 – Kloud 9-Loves Just Better With You (The Realm Vocal Mix)
03 – The E Family-Peace And Joy
04 – Natalie Williams-Lil Wiser
05 – Mark de Clive-Lowe-Push (feat. Bembe Segue, Nia Andrews)
06 – Shirley Jones & Jean Carne-Whatever It Takes (Joey Negro Club Mix)
07 – Silly-I Like It
08 – 45-Lucky Day (feat. Ray Mann from The Ray Mann Three)
09 – Goapele-Break Of Dawn
10 – Mind Combined-Something’s Better
11 – Strange Fruit Project-Gotta Move featuring Yolanda Johnson
12 – Colonel Red-Pressure
13 – Rime-sucker
14 – Krystal Hardwick-No Other Way
15 – Compton-Record By Record (Featuring Jaidene Veda)
16 – Lalah Hathaway-Where It All Begins
17 – Maysa-Motions Of Love

Creating these podcasts starts out with a bit of angst as I try to find cuts that I like from multiple vibes, and I usually try to start off with the house vibe (this is a long story that I will share later – I promise.)  Lowtempo house tracks from Hardsound and Kloud 9 kick this set off quite nicely.  The Escovedos, now known as The E Family continue with this wonderful track that is reminiscent of Earth Wind and Fire, aptly named Peace And Joy.   Natalie Williams continues with her jam A Lil Wiser.  Mark DeClive Lowe, calling in the vocal assistance of Bembe Segue and Nia Andrews  turn the flow to the left with a soulful, synth track that instantly has become my favorite MCDL track to date, Push.

Old school heads will appreciate the next two tracks, one from the old school divas Shirley Jones and Jean Carne with Whatever It Takes and Silly, a former group from Japan which managed to surprise me with a nice tribute to DeBarge with their rendition of I Like It.  45 aka Swing-O released an album a couple of weeks ago so, of course, I was on it immediately, and selected Lucky Day from the  album Stop! Look!Listen, another great album.
Goapele follows the mellow vibe with Break Of Dawn.   Mind Combined from Korea  follows Goapele with the mellow, smooth track,  Something’s Special.  

Strange Fruit Project never ceases to amaze me with their flow. as is evident from the CD A Dreamer’s Journey with Gotta Move.  Colonel Red from the UK, known for his soul singing, also adds a little hop-hop flair with his cut, Pressure. Rina drops a head-nodder from the album Our Kingdom

You gotta love Krystal Hardwick’s vibe when you hear No Other Way.  The album A Tale of Two Fish is along the same vibe, so pick up, you won’t be dissapointed.  The same can also be said of Compton’s Record By Record, from the album Compton’s Soul, another sublime CD.  I then end on the mellow tip as always, with two of my all-time female singers, Lalah Hathaway with the title track of her CD, That’s Where It All Begins, and Maysa Leak with her title track from her CD as well, Motions Of Love.
I will be putting additional information into the tracks above, so check for more updates.  Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

 

 

Heavy D

heavyd4

 

Dwight Arrington Myers,  AKA Heavy D, has passed on. In tribute:

Heavy D. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.
 

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01 – Heavy D And The Boyz – Somebody For Me
02 – Heavy D And The Boyz – Now That We Found Love
03 – Michael Jackson featuring Heavy D – Jam
04 – Janet Jackson featuring Heavy D – Alright (12 Inch Version)
05 – Heavy D And The Boyz – Overweight Lover In The House
06 – Heavy D And The Boyz, Big Daddy Kane, CL Smooth, Grand Puba, Kool G. Rap. Q-Tip – Don’t Curse
07 – 2Pac, Grand Puba, Heavy D, Notorious B.I.G – Let’s Get It On
08 – Tyrese Featuring Heavy D – Criminal Mind
09 – Heavy D And The Boyz Black Coffee
10 – Heavy D And The Boyz With Cynthia Johnson – Got Me Waiting
11 – Heavy D And The Boyz – Is It Good To You
12 – Monifah Featuring Heavy D – I Miss You (Come Back Home)
13 – BB King Featuring Heavy D – Keep It Coming
14 – Heavy D Feauring Anthony Hamilton – I Can’t
15 – Soul For Real – Candy Rain
16 – Carl Thomas – Summer Rain
17 – Heavy D And The Boyz – Peaceful Journey

I sat down and tried to figure out just what I would say and realized that I’m pretty speechless that this man has departed, much as I have with the others that have left us  He was one of the kings of hip-hop, no doubt, who held his own  He incorporated pop, jazz, funk, and reggae, and did so with ease. Not only was he a musician, but also the head of Uptown Records, after which he delved into acting.  on television, in film, and even off–Broadway.

This, of course, is the focus on his first love: music.  From his first hit, “The Overweight Lover In The House” to his latest album featuring vocals from Anthony Hamilton, the man did it all.  There’s a great list of people here, however, there are some that weren’t mentioned.  Tammy Lucas is the vocalist in “Is It Good To You” and of course, Aaron Hall in “Now That We Found Love.”  The background vocalists on “Peaceful Journey” are K-Ci and JoJo, and Cynthia Johnson is the vocalist on “Gor Me Waiting.”

Much love to Theresa and KB. Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

 

 

In Rotation, Volume 28

deborah-bond-lewis-taylor


Better late than never.  Glad to be back. Check it.

In Rotation, Volume 28. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.
 

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01 – Si Tew with Pete Simpson – Room To Grow (Yoruba Soul Mix) [ Si - site | Pete  - myspace ]
02 – The Rurals featuring Jaidene Veda – Into Life [ The Rutals -  wiki | Jaidene - bandcamp ]
03 – Leon Ware – Love On The Beach (AtJazz Love Soul Remix)  [ site]
04 – Deborah Bond featuring Lewis Taylor – If I Didn’t Need You [Deborah -  site ]
05 – Soulpersona – Stretched Thin (featuring Princess Freesia) [ SoulP -  blog ]
06 – Dego – Pushing You To Begin (featuring Ferraz)  [ 2000 black - site ]
07 – Soulpersona – Alright (“Loose Ends” Remix featuring Replife and Princess Freesia)  [ purchase | SoulP -  blog ]
08 – Rahsaan Patterson – 6 AM [ site ]
09 – Heston – Ooh La La [ myspace ]
10 – Deborah Bond – Mr. Day’s Dream
11 – Julie Dexter – Blue Skies [ site ]
12 – DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayah – Telephone [ Back For More - site DJ Jazzy Jeff - site ]
13 – Tracy Cruz – Love’s Galaxy [ site ]
14 – Zo! Featuring Phonte – Everything She Wants [ +FE - site  | Phonte - wiki ]
15 – DJ Mitsu The Beats – Promise In Love featuring Jose James [ DJ - myspace | Jose James - site  ]
16 – Emily King – Down [ site ]

New employment and new responsibilities are the cause for the delay of this rotation, but I’m glad to be back in the thick of things. Starting off the set with Si Tew was par for the course. Pete’s vocals sine through this downtempo house track. I continued with the smoothness of the Rurals and Leon Ware, two consummate artists, both in new school and old.

As if things couldn’t get any better, SoulP and Princess Freesia manage to knock it out of the box with an outstanding track from the album The Lapdance, one of the best albums of the year. The same can also be said for the Deborah Bond’s sophomore LP Madame Palindrome. The track If I Didn’t Need You with Lewis Taylor was a nice surprise and a welcome addition to a very, very nice album. The thing that thrills me about rotations is that for me, personally, they hold a lot of surprises. Deborah’s duet with Lewis is the first one. The second one came rather unexpectedly.

I was listening to Kaidi Tathum and loving his latest album (which will be in the next rotation- believe me) and was handed an album from Dego (better known as Dennis McFarlane), whom I had never heard of before but loved the track Pushing You To Begin. To my delight and surprise, it turns out that Dego and Kaidi were the forces behind 2000 Black, who dropped A Next Set Of Rockers, a nice album released in 2008. Then to make matters even better, SoulP decides to take one of my favorite tracks of all time, Hanging On A String (Contemplating) and mix it with Replife’s track Alright (from the album Soulacoaster) and Princess Freesia’s vocals. I’m usually wary of any Loose Ends remixes, but this is one of the best ones produced.

To continue the old school soul, Rahsaan Patterson’s track follows with Lalah Hathaway follows from one of the best albums of the year, Bleuphoria.  After these tracks, it was only natural that the next track Heston, with the soulful Ooh La La. I have a soft spot for original instrumentals, as evidenced by my  inclusin of Deborah’s Mr. Day’s Dream.  This great track is followed by a trac from the underrated artists Julie Dexter from her album New Again, as well as DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayuh from the album Back For More.

Tracy Cruz’ nice track Love’s Galaxy is followed by the  remake of Everything She Wants by Zo! and Phonte, a great track from the album …just visiting three.  Finishing the sets off are two great cuts from DJ Mitsu The Beats with Jose James, and a track from Emily King, an artist who I was unfamiliar with, but thanks to my friend DeLo and Soulbounce. I’ve got a chance to hear and appreciate.

Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

 

 

In Rotation, Volume 27

Kafele1

Starting the end of spring/beginning of summer. Check it.

In Rotation, Volume 27. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.
 

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01 – Random Soul feat Kristen Pearson – Take Your Time (Random Soul Classic Mix)
02 – Black Coffee featuring Bantu Soul – Even Though [myspace]
03 – LeNora Jaye – Always Get Away (Ahmed Sirour Rework) [fanpage]
04 – Kafele Bandele – Stone Crazy Remixes (Kafele Mix) [myspace]
05 – 45 & Stephanie Mckay – I Believe [45 - myspace | Stephanie Mckay - website ]
06 – I.R. I. E. featuring Ajuana Black -  I (Mamas Earth Vibe) [I.RI.E. - facebook | Ajuana - myspace ]
07 – Avery*Sunshine – I Got Sunshine [ site ]
08 – Mark de Clive-Lowe – Koko + Lee Roe [ site ]
09 – Bah Samba feat. Tasita D’Mour – Live In The Summer (The Super-Phonics SPF50 Vocal  Mix) [ Bah Samba - myspace | Tasita - myspace ]
10 – Cool Million feat. Jeniqua – Making Love (Robss Urbanized Mix) [ Cool Million -  myspace | Jeniqua - myspace ]
11 – Rhian Benson – Rewind [ site ]
12 – Moon Baker – ABC Of Romance (Feat. Candy Dulfer) [ Moon - myspace | Candy - site ]
13 – Lower East Side – Let Me Love You Tonight [ Anaya - myspace ]
14 – 45 & Jimmy Abney – Nothing Feels Better Than You [ 45 - myspace ]
15 – Terry Callier – Keep Your Heart Right [ site ]

For the third podcast in a row, I’ve had way too much music to put into one mix, which of course is a good thing.  This year so far has proven to be bountiful. It also helps, of course, that I start discovering music over the last 3 years or so that I should have been hop to.  Call it the endless catch-up mode.

If it seems I’ve been pulling out more mellow house cuts, it’s because it’s the  beginning of the summer and I’m in that kind of vibe.  Instrumentation is key here, and horn and keyboard solos accentuate the goodness.  The vocalists on the first three tracks are Kristen Pearson, Bantu Soul, and LeNora Jaye who make these cuts shine. After the first three great cuts,  Kafele is  next with “Stone Crazy” which is destined to be one of my favorite cuts of 2011.  I  think I’ve played the track so much that there should be a “Kafele Anonymous” somewhere.  I also curse myself for not hearing about 45 earlier. He’s worked with two fantastic artists, Stephanie Mckay and Jimmy Abney, who is no longer with us, on his second album.  Both tracks are here, which further illustrates my missing out on great music. I can also say with certainly that his album would have been my favorites of 2009 – it’s just that good. Independent artist I.R.I.E is here thanks to my man Mr. Anatole.   The track “I” is a great cut, and is accentuated with vocals by Ajuana Black.  I’ll be keeping my eye on them.

I’ve got Avery Sunshine, who is a great new artist, and Rhian Benson, who is now out with her second album.   Moon Baker, an artist from the Netherlands, is here with saxophonist Candy Dulfer (remember “Lily Was Here?”) Her album’s principal producer is the one and only Nicolay, so check her out.  Mark de Clive Lowe Bah Samba, and Cool Million are also in the mix.  Tasita is a vocalist that I first heard on Reel People’s “Seven Ways To Wonder.”  She continues her greatness here with Bah Samba.  The track from Cool Million presents vocals by Australian artist Jeniqua – another artist to keep an eye, and ear, out for. The set ends with Terry Callier, an artist that has been around for quite a while.  “Keep Your Heart Right” is officially  one of my personal anthems which makes me smile when I hear it.

Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

In Rotation, Volume 26

KING - Supernatural

This one was a blast, as usual.  Black Coffee with Hugh Masekela, Gorillaz, Anthony David, J*DaVeY, and more.  Check it.

In Rotation, Volume 26. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.
 

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01 – Black Coffee feat. Hugh Masekela – We Are One (Black Coffee Original Demo Mix) [myspace]
02  – The Layabouts feat. Shea Soul – Perfectly (The Layabouts Vocal Mix)
03 – BSTC feat. JL – Love It  [myspace]
04 – Reel People feat. Darien – Sure [Reel People - site | Darien - myspace ]
05 – Liquideep – Fairytale [site]
06 – Gorillaz Feat. Snoop Dogg And Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach [Gorillaz - site | Snoop Dogg - site[  Hypnotic Brass Ensemble | myspace]
07 – J*DaVeY – Quicksand [J*DaVeY - wiki | Def Sound - bandcamp]
08 – Mint Condition – I Want It [site]
09 – Nick Van Gelder – Ain’t No Friend Of Mine [myspace]
10 – Giovanca – Everything [myspace]
11 – Cee Lo Green – Little Black Book [site]
12 – Gorillaz Feat. Little Dragon – Empire Ants [Gorillaz - site | Little Dragon - site]
13 – Blu with Jack Davey – iFeel [Blu - wiki | Jack Davey - blogspot]
14 – King – Supernatural [groovmnt]
15 – Gretchen Parlato – All That I Can Say [site]
16 – Anthony David – As Above So Below [wiki]

It’s always a joy – and somewhat of a challenge – to try to represent different styles of music, and this one is no exception.  I started off with two mellow house tracks from Black Coffee (who pulled in Hugh Masekela, who I distinctly remember hearing quite a bit of when I was a little kid) and Roundabouts with the vocals by Shea Soul.    These tracks are then followed by my official wake up song of the spring “Love It” by BSTC featuring JL.  The next track shows that both Reel People and Darien keep it rolling along with music each year with the track “Sure.”

The next track was brought to my attention in passing, and I’m glad it did. Liquideep, who won the MTV Africa award last year for Best Song Of The Year with “Fairytale was a pleasant surprise. Horillaz bring it forward twice in this blend (which I try not to do too often) with tracks from Snoop Dogg and Little Dragon.  J*DaVeY, Def Sound,  and Blu, who I got to see in concert (and did a phenomenal job I might add) light the mix up with “Quicksand” and “iFeel.”  Well known band Mint Condition, the prolific Cee Lo are here, are here, as well as  up-and-coming artists like Gretchen Parlow and the trio King.   In addition, Giovanca and Anthony David are represented here as usual which round out this blend.

Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

Cupid’s Hunt: Love. Again.

Lewis Taylor

A little late, but ready for your consumption…finally. Love – this time from the end to the beginning.
Cupid’s Hunt: Love. Again.

 

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Love fades….
01 – Notgonnachange – Swing Out Sister
02 – Laugh Together – Peter Hadar
03 – Love Is Blind – Metropolitan

…until there’s no love left.
04 – Outta Love  – Reel People featuring Omar
05 – Game Over – Quintessence
06 – No Love – Little Dragon

The absence of love is real..
07 – Whoever – Lewis Taylor
08 – Ordinary Pain – Stevie Wonder
09 – My Baby Don’t Love Me – Everything But The Girl
10 – She Just Wants To Know – Giovanca

….and quite painful….
12 – Crying Overtime – Alexander O’Neal
13 – River Run Dry – The Family

…up until it’s acceptance and progression forward.
11 – If She Breaks Your Heart – Foreign Exchange

After a breakup, finding a new love has it’s challenges…
14 – Everybody Here Wants You – Lewis Taylor
15 – Maybe I – Cooly’s Hot Box
16 – Mind Blowing Decisions – Heatwave

….until you find the new love and are ready to move forward.
17 – That Girl (LP Vocal Version) – Georg Levin

Of course, input is always welcome. As Todd Grundy says, every day is Valentines Day.  Hope you enjoy.

Seq – Name – Artist
1 – Notgonnachange – Swing Out Sister
2 – Laugh Together – Peter Hadar
3 – Love Is Blind – Metropolitan
4 – Outta Love featuring Omar – Reel People
5 – Game Over – Quintessence
6 – No Love – Little Dragon
7 – Whoever – Lewis Taylor
8 – Ordinary Pain – Stevie Wonder
9 – My Baby Don’t Love Me – Everything But The Girl
10 – She Just Wants To Know – Giovanca
12 – Crying Overtime – Alexander O’Neal
13 – River Run Dry – The Family
11 – If She Breaks Your Heart – Foreign Exchange
14 – Everybody Here Wants You – Lewis Taylor
15 – Maybe I – Cooly’s Hot Box
16 – Mind Blowing Decisions – Heatwave
17 – That Girl (LP Vocal Version) – Georg Levin

Teena Marie: Ivory Queen Of Soul

Teena Marie

I’ve been called Casper, Shorty, Lil’ Bit
And some they call me Vanilla Child
But you know that don’t mean my world to me
‘Cause baby, names can’t cramp my style.

Ask anyone where they were and they first heard Lady T, and they’re responses will be varied, but one thing’s for sure….they’ll tell you that she could belt out her songs and that if anything, she was definitely unforgettable.   She may have been called many things when she was growing up, but when all is said and done, she’ll always be Lady T.

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Teena: Uptempo
1 – Square Biz (It Must Be Magic )
2 – It Must Be Magic (It Must Be Magic )
3 – I’m a Sucker for Your Love  with Rick James (Wild and Peaceful)
4 – I Need Your Lovin’ (Irons In The Fire)
5 – 365 (It Must Be Magic )
6 – Behind The Groove (Lady T)
7 – Don’t Look Back (Wild and Peaceful)
8 – Chains (Irons In The Fire)
9 – Ballad Of Cradle Rob & Me, The (It Must Be Magic )
10 – Revolution (It Must Be Magic )
11 – Work It (Naked To The World)
12 – Lovergirl (Starchild)
13 – Surrealistic Pillow (Naked To The World)

 

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Teena: Downtempo, Volume 1
14 – Portuguese Love (It Must Be Magic )
15 – Fire and Desire W/Rick James (Street Songs)
16 – Casanova Brown (Robbery)
17 – If I Were A Bell (Ivory)
18 – Wishing On A Star (New York Undercover: A Night At Natalie’s)
19 – Happy w/ Rick James (Throwin’ Down)
20 – Too Many Colors (Lady T)
21 – Irons In The Fire (Irons In The Fire)
22 – Young Love (Irons In The Fire)
23 – Aladdin’s Lamp (Lady T)
24 – I’m Gonna Have My Cake (And Eat It Too) (Wild and Peaceful)
25 – Yes Indeed! (It Must Be Magic )
26 – Opus III (Does Anybody Care) (It Must Be Magic )
27 – Ooo Wee  w/Kurupt (Sapphire)
28 – Baby I Love You (Congo Square)
29 – Baby I’m Your Fiend (La Dona)

 

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Teena: Downtempo, Volume II
30 – Out on a Limb (Starchild)
31 – Dear Lover (Robbery)
32 – Ooo La La La (Extended Mix) (Naked To The World)
33 – Deja Vu (We’ve Been Here Before) (It Must Be Magic )
34 – Naked To The World (Naked To The World)
35 – Sunny Skies (Emerald City)
36 – Stop The World (Robbery)
37 – Can It Be Love (Lady T)
38 – Now That I Have You (Lady T)
39 – Where’s California (It Must Be Magic )
40 – You Blow Me Away (Sapphire)
41 – Parking Music (Passion Play)
42 – A.P.B. (Sapphire)
43 – Can’t Last A Day w/ Faith Evans (Congo Square)

 

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There has been so much to say about the lady since she transitioned that I’d be duplicating everyone thought of her that have already been said.  I felt it was important to celebrate her life through the recording’s that she’s done.  Believe me, it was time well spent.  I also had a lot of help, thanks to the folks on Twitter and Facebook, helping to make sure I made this as comprehensive as possible. Many, many thanks to them.  It should also be known that I was not alone in my quest.   The one and only T. Grundy from RIBS, has a wonderful tribute to Lady T spread across two mixes, which are available here.   There are more coming, so look back here during the next couple of weeks for more.  Rest in peace, Teena- you will always be in our hearts.

As usual, I look forward to feedback Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

2010 In Review

2010 in review

There’s been a lot of things going on right now, and I’m playing catch up and handling things like Teena Marie’s transition (mix coming soon).  It was. however, important to get this out, so without further ado – my view of 2010 from an aural perspective.

2010 In Review.

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Volule 1
1- Good Love  - Richard Earnshaw featuring Erik Dillard
2- Back For More  - Cool Million Feat. Eugene Wilde
3- All Is Well With Love – Zo! Featuring Chante Caan
4- This Love – Si Se
5- Umm Hmm – Erykah Badu
6- Casualties Of Honey – Silhouette Brown
7- Hazy Daisy – Silly
8- Slippin – Quadron
9- You Used To Rock – Blue Six
10- Lay You Down – José James
11- Find A Way – Samantha James
12- Daydream – Dira
13- I Know You – Deborah Jordan
 

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Volume 2
14- Phuncky Times – D-Influence
15- Summer Lovin – Eric Benet featuring India Benet
16- Two Hearts – Teddy Pendergrass and Stephanie Mills
17- Love Gun – Cee Lo Green featuring Lauren  Bennett
18- 2012 – Jaspects fraturing Janelle Monae
19- The Biggest Sin – Wicked Jazz Sounds Band
20- Gettin’ To The Good Part – Herbie Hancock
21- Somethin’ Special – Quincy Jones
22- How Can You Love Me – El DeBarge
23- Open Your Mind – Kleeer
24- 1975 – Incognito
25- Don’t Wait – The Foreign Exchange
26- Serenade – C3
27- Love – Princess Freesia
 

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I really wish  I had time to type it all out, but I did manage to say a little more  in this podcast.  In two volumes, I managed to touch on tributes, tracks from the past, new school, J-Pop, instrumentals, and alternative music.  That being said, there is no set genre here – just what I perceived to be sonically stimulating in 2010.  Please note: there is no acid jazz or Teena Marie tracks- they will be posted seperaately.  Also, there is a post of 2010 in memorial, so stay tuned for that.   As usual, I  look forward to feedback   Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

In Rotation, Volume 25

It’s the second one in a row with too many good tracks to choose from. Presenting:

In Rotation, Volume 25. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.

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01 - Waiting (feat. Kenny Thomas and Roy Ayers) - Richard Earnshaw [myspace] [Kenny - myspace]
02 – Put A Little Lovin’ In Your Heart – Incognito [link]
03 – Truth – MdCL presents Sy Smith [site | Sy Smith - wiki]
04 – Circles (Feat. Nina Jayne) – Richard Earnshaw [Nina - site]
05 – The Biggest Sin – Wicked Jazz Sounds Band [site]
06 – Clickstrodinaire – Aroop Roy [myspace]
07 – ChamPain – CeeLo [site]
08 – AZUR (As You Are) – Stuart Zender & Don-E [Stuart - site | Don-E - myspace]
09 – Game Of Love – Nick Van Gelder ft. Mazan [Nick - myspace]
10 – Catchin’ Up – Loop Session
11 – It’s You – Deyampert ft. Jane Hamilton [Deyampert - myspace | Jane - myspace one & two]
12 – Rollercoaster . – Nikko Gray [myspace]
13 – Average Fruit – Quadron [myspace]
14 – Chinese Silk – Un-Cut featuring Jenna G [Un-Cut wiki | Jenna G wiki]
15 – Extraordinary Love – Driis [site]
16 – I Need Music – Bennson [myspace]
17 – Daydream – Dira [myspace]

In trying to come up with this podcast I discovered that I had way too much music to choose from, so I just let it flow and stashed the rest away for IR 26 which will be coming in about 2 weeks. There’s much to say, but I will keep this as brief as possible, since it’s impossible to say how great each track is. I started with Richard Earnshaw, Incognito, and McDL (better known as Mark DeClive Lowe) with Sy Smith. “Circles” with vocals by Nina Jayne is the second cuts that made me sit up and pay attention to the album “In Truth.”

The next track is the head nodder “The Biggest Sin” (and if you didn’t nod your head to it, be sure to let me know!) It’s followed by the instrumental “Clickstrodinaire”
by Aroop Roy. Following this instrumental are two tracks from former members of Jamiroquai (and great artists in their own right), bassist Stuart Zender and drummer Nick Van Gelder. “AZUR” is also grace with vocals by Don-E while “Game Of Love” has lead vocals by Mazen.

Five absolutely sublime tracks “Catchin’ Up,” “It’s You,” “Rollercoaster,” “Average Fruit,” and “Chinese Silk” are followed by a singer/rapper named Driis. If the name doesn’t sound familiar to you, his real name Idris Elba will. I end the set with two mellow tracks – “I Need Music” and “Daydream.”

Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.


 

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Resurrection

So, you might be wondering….where is EJ and what the heck has been going on with this site for the last week? Well, there were quite a few adventures and mishaps. Note: this may get a little technical at times, so don’t sweat it

Just after my transition period started (also known as the end of employment), my site went down (bad_httpd_conf issue). After more than 24 hours, I finally heard from tech support that the site was being copied to another server. Most everything was copied but there were still some fundamental pieces missing from the puzzle.

Also during the same time, there was an attempt to upgrade the installation (from MT4 to MT5). The installation failed and there has been little help in fixing the problem. This is when I decided to get the help of Todd “Big-La” Kelley to work his magic and help converted the site over to WordPress (while trying to keep as much intact as possible), which is why you see this new site before you. Here’s the lowdown:

1. All of the entries you see before you work now.

2. All podcasts are still available.

3. Radio Blogs (popups to play the tracks) are now gone (yes, all of them). I will try to resurrect all of the ones from 2010, but all of the other ones (from 2004-2009) I am sorry to say, are gone. I can resurrect them upon request, but no promises. (Update:  Radio Blog Club is now closed down so now I am afraid I am missing source code as well.  Until I can find it, Radio Blogs are on a hiatus.)

4. The “About EJ” and “In Real Time” tabs are now on the site. They’re both still being worked on. “About EJ” will be a mini-autobiography, while “In Real Time” will consist of near-real-time updates about what’s going on, including CBox (quick shout outs) and Twitter Thoughts (yep, I’m on Twitter also).

So, after 5 days, we’re back in business, but the site is still being worked on, so you’ll see some changes, but steps are being taken so this issue never happens again. My apologies for this downtime, and major major props for Big La for pulling it together. Any comments or suggestions? Feel free to let me know.

Take it light.

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In Rotation, Volume 24

I’m absolutely happy to say that this is the first rotation I’ve done in 2 years that I had too many songs to choose from. It’s a good thing. Presenting:

In Rotation, Volume 24 – July, 2010

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01 - All I Ever Wanted - Bah Samba (9:08) [myspace]
02 – Get Through To You – Dira (5:21) [myspace]
03 – The Better Life – Georg Levin featuring Clara Hill (3:24) [site]
04 – Change Your Mind – YahZarah (3:32) [myspace | wiki | twitter]
05 – Casualties Of Honey – Silhouette Brown (5:10) [myspace]
06 – You Used To Rock – Blue Six (4:33) [site]
07 – Just Dance  - Cool Million Feat. Noel McKoy (4:52) [myspace]
08 – Lost In The Moment – Marcell and The Truth (3:54) [site]
09 – This Could Be The Night (Featuring Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington & Rapper Big Pooh) – Zo! (4:19) [myspace | twitter]
10 – I Need Your Love – PJ Morton (2:49) [site]
11 – Mad 1 More Night – Russell Taylor (3:50) [site]
12 – Showya – Darien (4:30) [myspace]
13 – Past Present Future – Angel Grant (4:43) [site | wiki | myspace]
14 – Always Will (Ft. Muhsinah & Kaidi Tatham) – Eric Lau (4:23) [myspace]
15 – The Song (feat Chaka Khan) – Incognito (5:09) [link]
16 – Love – Princess Freesia (5:56) [myspace | facebook]
17 – All Is Well With Love (Featuring Chantae Cann) – Zo! (2:55) [myspace | twitter]

Since work and school have been an absolutely busy experience, trying to pull out rotations is a challenge – even doubly shoo with trying to keep the Old School Wednesdays moving. Let’s see if I can keep up with the music this year, which is undoubtedly much more active (and interesting) than it was last year.

I have always been interested in Bah Samba, and have used them on a couple of occasions. After doing some research, I saw that they have been out for more than 10 years, and that one of the vocalists was no other than Alice Russell who is phenomenal both on the turntable and in person. It prompted me to pull out All I’ve Ever Wanted without hesitation. I’ve followed this from Dira, a new artist produced by Bluey from Incognito. The track Gotta Get Through To You is off of the CD Something About That Girl. Georg Levin then sets the groove with vocals by the one and only Clara Hill with The Better Life.

Yahzarah’s Change Your Mind is a great track which was produced by Nicolay (who incidentally produced the entire LP, The Ballad of Purple St. James). This is followed by Silhouette Brown with a little help from Lady Alma on the track Casualties of Honey. Blue Six follows this up with the bass-thumping You Used To Rock. We then slide into the old school vibe by sliding into the German collaboration by the name of Cool Million with the track Just Dance with Noel McCoy.

I was able to get my hands on Marcell And The Truth and I was very impressed with his LP.. Lost In The Moment is one of my favorite tracks off of the CD. Symbols. Special thanks to L. Michael Gipson got alerting me to this release. Zo! slides in with a track from Sunstorm entitled This Could Be The Night with Erro, Darien Brockington, and Big Pooh. This is followed by PJ Morton’s I Need Your Love and Russell Taylor’s Mad 1 More Night from the CD Confessional.

Showya. a great track from Darien produced by Soulpersona, is one of the most frequently played tracks by yours truly. This track is followed by Past Present Future by Angel Grant, an artist fro the former Perspective Records (remember Lil’ Red Boat?) I found this track while listening to her previous album, aptly entitled Album. The track comes from her current album entitled My Journey Back. Eric Lau then gives us the lovely track Always Will with vocals by Musinah and Kaidi Taitham .

After Eric’s track, Incognito follows with vocals by the one and only Chaka Khan with The Song an unquestionably solid track that will be heard for years to come. This is followed by Princess Freesia, an artist to watch out for, with the soulful track Love, which keeps the goodness flowing. I conclude this with a track from Zo!, entitled All Is Well With Love, one of my absolute favorite tracks from the LP. This track is graced by the vocals from Chantae Cann,

Shououts go to Ricky McCarthy, Paul Eversley, Soulpersona, Zo!, and L. Michael Gipson.
Got requests? Send an email to ejflavors at gmail dot com. For those who’d like to subscribe to these podcasts, enter this link manually into iTunes. Also, please be sure to check out on GROOVMNT always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

 

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