Category: rotations 2011

In Rotation, Volume 29

Posted on by EJ
In Rotation, Volume 29


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

Posted on by EJ
Heavy D

 

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

Posted on by EJ
In Rotation, Volume 28


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

Posted on by EJ
In Rotation, Volume 27

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

Posted on by EJ
In Rotation, Volume 26

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.

Posted on by EJ
Cupid’s Hunt: Love. Again.

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

2010 In Review

Posted on by EJ
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.