Posts

Showing posts from August, 2012

Sir Dance-A-Lot

Image
Last week I played a track from Nytro, a production from one of the architects of the Motown sound, Norman Whitfield (picture). From 1966 to 1974, Whitfield produced almost all of The Temptations' material, experimenting with psychedelic sound effects and other new production techniques. He teamed up with lyricist Barrett Strong, who was the first to have a hit record (‘Money’) on Motown. Together they wrote songs for The Temptations and other Motown artists, such as Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips. Both acts recorded Whitfield-produced hit versions of the Whitfield/Strong composition ‘I heard it through the grapevine’. The Gladys Knight & the Pips version was the best-selling Motown single ever to that point, but it was replaced a year later by Gaye's version. Because of the fact that in September it is 4 years ago that Whitfield passed away, I pay tribute to him with songs from The Undisputed Truth, Rose Royce and Nytro. 'Nytro express' is a rough

Mountain Or Molehill?

Image
I’m a huge admirer of Peter Godwin. He started as one half of Metro in the 1970s (the other half was Duncan Browne, known for his classic 'The wild places'). In the 1980s he became a frontrunner of electropop, making it big with hits like ’ Images of heaven ’ (with a couple of naked ladies in his video), ‘Emotional disguise’ and ‘Baby’s in the mountains’. The latter is featured in this mix. He also wrote for acts like David Bowie and Steve Winwood (also featured in this mix). Peter Godwin recently released a very nice new single, called ‘ Disguise ’, which sounds a little bit like ‘ Avalon ’, the classic from Roxy Music. And guess what? He still has his 1980s haircut! ;-) He’s one of the mountaineers in the mix. Enjoy the climb! Picture from FreeFoto . Tracklist: Commodores – Keep On Taking Me Higher (1981) Nytro – High On Disco (1979) Jackie Wilson ‎– (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher [Rock Savage Mix] (1967) The Super-Phonics – Higher! (2005)

Summer Soul Radio

Image
Here’s some soul music that makes you relax next to your radio in the grass, by the pool or elsewhere… The song from Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons is a remake of the classic from the Shirelles (also sung by Leslie Grace recently). It’s a bit strange to hear a man sing the lyrics, because the original song is about respecting a woman after having a one night affair. The song is written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The latter sings, although a woman, the original (masculine) lyrics of ‘Just once in my life’ on a demo (from ‘The legendary demos’ that came out this year). It was meant for male vocalists, namely the Righteous Brothers. There’s also a version sung by The Beach Boys. They are featured in this mix with a track from their latest album. Thanks to Flashlites Productions for helping me out. Beautiful picture from Mariah Rea . Enjoy! Tracklist: Patti Jo – Ain’t No Love Lost [Leftside Wobble Edit] (1972) Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio (2012) Bob

Boombox - Synthi Disco & Electro Funk

Image
Here's some electronic soul that sounds cool on your ghettoblaster! Liner notes: Chromeo – I Can't Tell You Why [Dub Version] (2009) Chromeo are P-Thugg (real name Patrick Gemayel, born in Lebanon, July 31, 1979) on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box, and Dave 1 (real name David Macklovitch, born June 7, 1978) on guitar and lead vocals. The two childhood friends jokingly describe themselves as 'the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture'. Roger ‎– I Want To Be Your Man (1987) Roger Troutman (November 29, 1951 – April 25, 1999) was the lead singer of funk pioneers Zapp who influenced West Coast hip hop due to the scene's heavy sampling of his music over the years. Troutman was well known for his use of the talk box, a device that is connected to an instrument (frequently a keyboard) to create different vocal effects. In his later years, he was mostly known for singing the chorus to the hip-hop classic 'California Love

Summer Soul Cocktail

Image
A mix that hopefully gives you a relaxed summer feeling. I sometimes describe my style as ‘funky chill’. Well, that’s exactly what this mix is: some funky stuff to chill on! ;-) It's a tasty cocktail (I hope...) of disco, jazz-funk, soft rock and soul, of course. It's some kind of follow-up to Sunny, Sexy & Soulful , a succesful previous mix I did. 'Summer rain' from My NamE may sound familiar, because it samples the disco classic 'Spring rain' from Bebu Silvetti. I like both versions I selected of 'Summer (the first time)' as well. It's written by Bobby Goldsboro. When he sings the lyrics, the song seems to be about a great sin that's going to happen ('the sun was a demon'). Millie Jackson's interpretion is more about seducing than being seduced. She's relaxed and in control ('you try not to stare'), while Bobby Goldsboro is shaking like a leaf when the 'first time' is about to begin. There's a Dutch v