Road trip

Last summer I went on a road trip to Italy. About 3.700 km in 2 weeks time. Tuscany, Umbria, Liguria and then off to Sardegna. Sounds kick-ass, cause it was.

Bad thing was, this wasn't released yet.



It would have been awesome in our soundtrack.

*Check out Coleman's Promise album here. 

track's info
Brandon Coleman - Road trip
2018

Non childish

Cool stuff by Donald McKinley Glover, the man under the stage name Childish Gambino.

Check out the whole album here.

track's info
Childish Gambino - Redbone
Awaken, My Love!
Glassnote 2016

Whispering love

The Whispers seem to have been spreading love since 1969. It's amazing how much and how intensly they refer to it and how many songs they have to embrace it - even Lionel Richie could scratch his head with embarassement facing all this love. The thing is I don't really care for love songs in the sense of romantic ballads with lyrics that make the teenagers around the world hug their pillow and start crying to the thought of their crush. But I do care for love songs that have pure soul and funk love up a little bit. And the Whispers know how to bring it on.

"It's a love thing"

Ok, put in 2013 all people see is funny moustaches, odd stylistic choices and droll choreography, but the track kicks ass.

"Fell in love last night (at the disco)"

No disco, no love.

"Keep on lovin' me" 

The choreography keeps on getting better and better - I enjoy it, really.

"Don't take your love"

This is how you can beg someone not to take his/her love away and still look cool. 

"Creation of love"

Good for the soul.

*Bonus: My favorite one from The Whispers on the hands of Ruben&Ra is offered with a free download (as long as you pay with a tweet or a fb post). Grab it here.

tracks' info:
The Whispers
-It's a love thing
Imagination
Solar 1980

-Fell in love last night (at the disco)
Open up your love
Soul Train 1977

-Keep on lovin' me
Love for love
Solar 1983

-Don't take your love
Bingo
Janus Records 1974

-Creation of love
Planets of life
Janus Records 1973

*bonus
The Whispers - It's a love thing (Ruben & Ra Furry lover edit)
Ruben & Ra Retrospective 2013

This Norman ain't Psycho

Either as Norman Giscombe jr or as Junior Giscombe (or Junior), he has been giving us tunes to chill, sing or dance to. For about thirty years now.

"Mama used to say"

"Take your time, don't rush to get old, take it in your stride, live your life". Smart mama.

"Hot up and heated"

Is it me or is it hot in here?

"Get up and dance"

Try not to, if you can.

tracks' info:
-Junior - Mama used to say
Ji 
Mercury 1982

-Norman Giscombe Jr - Hot up and heated
Get up and dance 
Pressure Records 1981

-Norman Giscombe Jr - Get up and dance
Get up and dance 
Pressure Records 1981

Over - Not Over

During her forties she felt so tired, she committed suicide. Before the period in her life that caused her to end it and spread grief to her fans, she managed to leave a legacy of 10 albums and numerous loved songs to many people, having collaborations with The Whispers, the Four Tops, while she insisted that she didn't wanna change the world - I'm not sure I believe her though. Phyllis Hyman that is, a beloved singer, songwriter and actress. And when you leave a legacy, people are bound to pass it on, honor it, respect it and sometimes maybe update it in a way that younger generations will be able to get to know it. That's what Australian Frankee More did with her song "Some way", (offering also a free download).



Which very well proves that nothing is over, even when everything points out it is.
  
tracks' info:
-Phyllis Hyman - Some Way
You Know How To Love Me
Arista 1979

-Frankee More - It's not over
2013

A mind is a terrible thing to mess up

Up until yesterday, my favorite Lenny Williams track was "Choosing you".

Not anymore.
Lenny, you mind "messer".

*not to mention the ltj experience version of this gem (which is actually what led me to the original one), that is utterly and completely mind-blowing (find it here). How the hell have I missed this all this time?

tracks' info:
-Lenny Williams - Choosing you
Choosing you
ABC Records 1977

-Lenny Williams - Messing with my mind
Let's do it today 
MCA Records 1980

-Ltj experience - Keep yourself together (ltj edit re-work)
Small World Disco 2012

If it ain't got soul, mute it

People say if you know what you 've got, you ain't got much. I say if you ain't got soul, you ain't got nothin'. So what's it gonna be?

Not exactly one of the tunes that someone would pick for a summer soundtrack. But that someone ain't me.

Written and sung by Natalie Cole and believed to be referring to Tina Turner, this song has got so much funked up soul, it hurts.

Nothing to do with Salt-n-Peppa. Sorry.

Young boy in a world without love can you see where you 're going?

No loser could ever love this one.

Fellas, if it ain't got soul, mute it. Otherwise it will mute your soul.

tracks' info: 
-Elvin Spencer - Lift this hurt
 Winner Records 1970

-Natalie Cole - Annie Mae
Thankful
Capitol Records 1977

-Salt & Pepper - Man of my word
Heatwave 1969

-Jon Lucien - Search for the inner self
Ampex Records 1971

-Brothers of Soul - I guess that don't make me a loser
Boo Records 1968