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

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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.

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. [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.

Loose Ends – This Side [click to play or right-click and save s]
Loose Ends – The Other Side [click to play or right-click save as to download]

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This Side:
01 – Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating) [A Little Spice]
02 – Slow Down [Zagora]
03 – Mr. Bachelor [The Best Of Loose Ends]
04 – Watching You [The Real Chuckeeboo]
05 – Life [The Real Chuckeeboo]
06 – Choose Me [A Little Spice]
07 – A Litttle Spice [A Little Spice]
08 – Stay a Little While, Child (Remix) [Zagora]
09 – Nights of Pleasure [Zagora]
10 – You Can’t Stop the Rain [So Where Are You?]
11 – The Sweetest Pain [So Where Are You?]
12 – Be Thankful (Mama’s Song) [Zagora]
13 – I Can’t Wait (Another Minute) [Zagora]
14 – So Where Are You? [So Where Are You?]

The Other Side:
15 – My Way (Main Stay)
16 – Don’t Be A Fool (Extended Vers [Look How Long]
17 – Tell Me What You Want (Extended Version) [A Little Spice]
18 – Gratitude [The Real Chuckeeboo]
19 – Gonna Make You Mine [Tighten Up, Vol. 1]
20 – Who Are You? [Zagora]
21 – Ooh, You Make Me Feel [Zagora]
22 – In The Sky
23 – Love’s Got Me [Look How Long]
24 – Don’t Worry [Tighten Up, Vol. 1]
25 – Time Is Ticking [Look How Long]
26 – Cheap Talk [Look How Long]
27 – Hold Tight [Look How Long]

Devising one podcast for all of Loose Ends’ material proved to be impossible, so I decided to pull them into two podcast – one with the well known tracks, and one with the lesser known tracks that were unreleased, and tracks specifically from Tighten Up, Vol. 1 and Look How Long, which  were sonically different from the previous albums.  Shoutouts to Ricky and Theresa.  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.

Old School: Brighter Tomorrow. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.

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01 – The Whispers – In The Raw
02 – Earth Wind & Fire – Fall In Love With Me
03 – O’Bryan – Lovelite
04 – Prince & The Revolution – Anotherloverholenyohead
05 – Cameo – She’s Strange
06 – Tom Browne – Brighter Tomorrow
07 – Evelyn Champagne King – Betcha She Don’t Love You [12" Version]
08 – Angela Bofill – What I Wouldn’t Do (For the Love of You)
09 – GQ – I Love The Skin You’re In
10 – The System – Supernatural
11 – Deniece Williams – Free
12 – Atlantic Starr – Touch A Four Leaf Clover
13 – Steve Arrington – Sugar Momma Baby
14 – Patrice Rushen – Settle For My Love

Thanks to Mr. James Madison, I pulled a playlist back from 2006 back when we used radio.blogs  and before the days of podcasts and  resurrected it with a couple of touches here and there .  Using a previous playlist was easy, but what made it even more of a blast to do was my friend Theresa , who adds her spin on it throughout the mix as well.  From Whispers to Tom Browne to the Sylvers, there’s tracks from the 80s to enjoy.  Shoutouts to all of the podcasters, both old and new.

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. [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.

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01 – Your Secret’s Safe With Me (Skin Dive)
02 – Alone At Night (Passion Fruit)
03 – All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go (One Bad Habit)
04 – Soul Mate with Eric Benet (Dragonfly Summer)
05 – Ladies’ Night with Bonnie Raitt (Objects Of Desire)
06 – The Art Of Love (Blue Pacific)
07 – When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone) (Passion Fruit)
08 – When it’s Over (Tiger in the Rain)
09 – Popsicle Toes (The Art Of Tea)
10 – Now I Know Why (They Call It Falling) (Skin Dive)
11 – Every Time She Whispers (Barefoot on the Beach)
12 – One Bad Habit (One Bad Habit)
13 – Tell Me All About It (Passion Fruit)
14 – When I Give My Love To You with Brenda Russll (Skin Dive)
15 – Wonderland (Objects Of Desire)
16 – The Lady Wants To Know (Sleeping Gypsy)
17 – Tiger in the Rain (Tiger in the Rain)

While I was in college, I was listening to a variety of music- anywhere from The Police to Pebbles to Peter Gabriel.  During this time I started getting into more mellow music and New Age music was being payed, and I started vibing to artists like Spyro Gyra, Najee, Hiroshima, and others- so much so I wrote a term paper entitled “Cool Soul” and managed to get an A (I still wish I had that paper, and the tape that I put together for the professor.)   I heard the track “Your Secret’s Safe With Me” on one of the radio stations, and from that point on, I became an instant Michael Franks fan and still continue to be one to this day.  His style was unique – very mellow- so much so that when you’re listening to his music you think the topics are all mellow and soothing- that is, until you listen to the words. That is when you realize that the man’s lyrics and vocal arrangements are slick. Titles like “When Sly Calls,” “One Bad Habit,” and “Popsicle Toes” are perfect examples.

“When Sly Calls,” “Popsicle Toes,” “When I Give My Love To You,” and “The Art Of Love” are  four of the most popular tracks from Michael particularly “When I Give My Love To You” with vocals by Brenda Russell. The track “Ladies Night” is a nice duet with Bonnie Raitt.  Michael Franks has used various other vocalists (like Luther Vandross) and instrumentalists (like Marcus Miller, Nathan East)- and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Shoutouts go to Theresa, Aleathea, Jayson,  and ASCENDANT, with a huge, huge thanks to DarrenKeith.  Have 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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01 – Jermaine Jackson – Let’s Get Serious
02 – Eddie Murphy – Everything’s Coming Up Roses
03 – Third World – Try Jah Love
04 – Jermaine Jackson – I Think It’s Love
05 – Roberta Flack – Don’t Make Me Wait Too Long
06 – Carl Anderson – Buttercup
07 – The Spinners – Its a Shame
08 – The Supremes – Bad Weather
09 – Syreeta – When Your Daddy’s Not Around
10 – Syreeta – Spinnin’ and Spinnin’
11 – Quincy Jones – Betcha’ Wouldn’t Hurt Me
12 – Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway – You Are My Heaven
13 – Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It
14 – Minnie Riperton – Take A Little Trip
15 – Angel Grant – Well Okay, I’ll Say It…(I’m N Love With U)
16 – John Keith – I Can Only Be Me

Stevie’s birthay is today, and I thought about doiung another

As we know, a Stevie Wonder list is easy to provide to the the masses, because there’s so much material out there- in fact, I can reasonably say that about 4 good ones an be done in a reasonable amount of time. What I wanted to touch on was the influences of Stevie Wonder – his influences with writing, production, and instrumentation where he isn’t the lead or co-lead vocalist. The challenge, of course, is trying to find the obscure tracks, which I managed to do even after life’s helter-skelter moments over the past two seasons. I’m still ecstatic about this and I hope you love it.

The goodness begins with Jermaine’s I Think It’ Love,
an all time favorite. I didn’t know that Stevie an Eddie Murphy has actually worked together, so I was a little surprised to find out about Everything’s Coming Up Roses, which is a solid track, which Stevie wrote and produced. Third Work;d’s Try Jah Love is a staple of mine, as is Jermaine’s I Think It’s Love (and the killer horns.)

The two tracks Don’t Make Me Wait Too Long an Buttercup were the pinnacle of this mix for me. I remember Roberta’s track being played on the regular in 1980. Carl’s Buttercup was my big inspiration, which I didn’t remember hearing and was given to me on a roundtable with G-Force.

I go back to the 70s with the next 4 tracks. The Spinner’s It’s A Shame was another staple that was a popular song back in the early 70s, written by Stevie. The same cannot be said for the solid jam from The Supremes’ Bad Weather, also written by Stevie. A post-Diana single, this track never really took off, although it’s considered one of the best tracks that The Supremes has ever made. Stevie’s collaboration with Syreeta is illustrated with the the effervescent When Your Daddy’s Not Around and Spinnin’ And Spinnin’, a track that wasn’t played here in the States but was a popular one in the UK.

I then bring it back to the mainstream in the 80s with 3 track I’m sure you’re familiar with that illustrates his penmanship: Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me with vocals by by Patti (co-written with Stephanie Andrews), Roberta and Donny’s You Are My Heaven, and Michael’ a I Can’t Help It. Minnie Riperton fans should also be familiar with Take A Little Trip, arguably one of my favorites from her.

I conclude with Angel Grant’s Well Okay, I’ll Say It (with Stevie on harmonica), produced by Jam and Lewis, and John Keith’s I can Only Be Me from School Daze, which was produced by Stevie. Shoutouts and a little more information is also touched on in the podcast. This goodness was touched by the one and only G-Force and of course, shoutouts to TGrndy. Need I say more? 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 Flowink.com always keepin’ you in the loop. Take it light.

UK Mix, Volume 5. [Click to play or right click-save as to download.

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01 – Billy Ocean – Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)
02 – Savanna – Never Let You Go
03 – David Joseph – You Can’t Hide Your Love
04 – Linx – You’re Lying
05 – Light Of The World – Famous Faces
06 – Second Image – Starting Again
07 – D-Influence – Good Life
08 – Carleen Anderson – Mama Said
09 – Nu Colours – Fallin’ Down
10 – Touchdown – Ease Your Mind
11 – The Limit – Say Yeah
12 – Culture Club – Time (Clock Of The Heart)
13 – Omar – It Don’t Mean A Thing
14 – Rae  And Christian – Spellbound
15 – Level 42 – Love Meeting Love
16 – Lynden David Hall – Do I Qualify?

As usual, it was an absolute blast.  This was a blast to put together.  Two of the tracks, Savanna’s vocals were from David Osborne (Sade) on “Never Let You Go.”  There was also a vocalist on “Say Yeah” that came as a surprise to me – you’ll have to check the podcast to know exactly who she is.  I had never heard of any tracks from Rae and Christian, but thanks to the UK geniuses, I was exposed to them – and gladly so. Volume 6 is definitely on it’s way.

Shoutouts and much love go to Bajanrascals, Paul E., Michael W, Mario Mixmaster McQuay, Claudia H, and Sammy W.   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. [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.

1 – And Love Goes On – Earth Wind & Fire
2 – Got To Be Enough – Con Funk Shun
3 – Take It To The Limit – Norman Connors
4 – Now I’m Fine – Grey & Hanks
5 – Twilight Zone – Manhattan Transfer
6 – No Stoppin’ That Rockin’ – Instant Funk
7 – Don’t Stop the Feeling – Roy Ayers
8 – So You Wanna Be A Star – Mtume
9 – Never Give Up On A Good Thing – George Benson
10 – Under Your Spell – Phyllis Hyman
11 – Rescue Me – A Taste Of Honey
12 – Soul Shadows – Crusaders
13 – Two Places At The Same Tmei – Raydio
14 – So Good So Right – Brenda Russell
15 – My Love Song For You – Nile Rodgers f/ Sarah Dash

This blend of tracks gives a little of everything.  Norman Connors is paired with Ada Dyer.  The Rod Serling- infused track from Manhattan Transfer was regularly played on the R&B stations so it was a nice surprise to rediscover that track again.  It was also good to pull tracks not remembered, like Mtume and Gray and Hanks.  I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that every time I hear the track from A Taste Of Honey, I can’t help but think of Positive K’s I Got A Man (and I’m sure I’m not alone). All in all, a good way to start the springtime, yes?  Of course, input is always welcome. Take it light.

01 – Slide
02 – Spice Of Life
03 – Party Lites
04 – Wait For Me
05 – Inside Out – Odyssey
06 – Watching You
07 – Just A Touch Of Love
08 – Dreamin’
09 – Snapshot
10 – Steal Your Heart

I can remember the bassline from back in elementary school  when Slide was released, and carries me until this day.  Inside Out is poissibly my most used track in Old School Wednesdays, and Dreamin’ is my ringtone on my cell phone. That should tell you something, right there.   If nothing else should grab you in this mix, it’s the transition between Inside Out and Watching You.  Mark, you’re gone, but will never be forgotten.  Of course, input is always welcome.  Take it light.

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.

First it was Leon Sylvers…then Bluey…and then we continued on with Temperton.  Now we can add a fourth one to the list of prolific writers/producers – Nile Rodgers..

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Nile: One

01 – Upside Down – Diana Ross
02 – He’s The Greatest D – Sister Sledge
03 – Good Times – Chic
04 – We Are Family – Sister Sledge
05 – I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You) – Grace Jones
06 – Notorious – Duran Duran
07 – Let’s Dance – David Bowie
08 – Original Sin – Inxs
09 – Le Freak – Chic
10 – I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
11 – Jump Jump – Debbie Harry
12 – Dress You Up – Madonna
13 – Tenderness – Diana Ross
14 – Chic Mystique – Chic
15 – The Jam Was Moving – Debbie Harry
16 – Roam – The B-52s

Niles: Two

01 – Backfired – Debbie Harry
02 – The Reflex – Duran Duran
03 – China Girl – David Bowie
04 – Camouflage – Out Load
05 – Pleasure – Al Jarreau
06 – I Want Your Love – Chic
07 – (Funny) Bone (Instrumental) – Chic
08 – State Your Mind – Nile Rodgers
09 – High Society – Norma Jean (Wright)
10 – Rebels Are We – Chic
11 – Open Up  (Instrumental) – Chic
12 – Doin’ That Thing To Me – Chic
13 – My Old Piano – Diana Ross
14 – Angel – Madonna
15 – Thinking Of You – Sister Sledge
16 – Victor Should Have Been a Jazz Musician – Grace Jones

I got the attention of Niles when Wayne A. pointed me to Walking On Planet C about a month ago, when Nile detailed about his bout with cancer.  This got started my mind in a tailspin (as news like this always does), which prompted me to pull all of his music together and listen to him a bit more.  Of course, pulling the music together of a man who has far-reaching influences took more than a little time.  I had mentioned this to Greg S., one of the sharpest men on the west coast, and he ran with it.  Not only did I get quite a bit of feedback, but he presented me with one his playlist specifically concentrating on Nile. which you see on Nile: One.  This had the desired effect which to bring me out of anral funk and was a direct influence on Nine: Two, a list of my favorite tracks by him.  Besides Chic, B-52s, Diana Ross, and Norma Jean Wright, you’re treated to Inxs, Out Loud, David Bowie, and Grace Jones.  Please believe me when I tell you that a third one can be generated (and quite possibly a fourth).  Enjoy, and expect to see more of him in 2011.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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.