musicology #422

nowordsjustmusic2 #2

(Randy Crawford – Trade Winds)

Listen Tune….

musicology #252

birthdaybashsoul&funk #7

(Steve Parks – Moving In The Right Direction)

Final cut from the birthdaybash rare groove selection and I’m finishing up with a top ranking piece of 80’s soul from a cat called Steve Parks. As far as I know he only waxed one set for the Solid Smoke label from which this, the title track, is taken. First heard by themusicologist in 1986 whilst raving out and about in London Town. Last ‘played ‘out’ by themusicologist at the birthdaybash on November 29th.

Tomorrow begins the Christmas selection. One a day to put us in the mood for when the sleigh bells ring…….

musicology #244

soul&boogie #5

(Dolette McDonald – Xtra Special)

quick’s the word and sharp’s the action on today’s post..Busy, Busy, Busy at the moment and time waits for no man so I’m dropping this piece of ‘82 ’shun on you without further ado. BIG tune on the floor and in the clubs back then and is still very much sought after. 12″ on the BC label. Produced and mixed by Began Cekic for, (Al Hudson’s?), One Way productions.

musicology #243

soul&boogie #4

(Maze – Before I Let Go)

Boogie of the highest order from the legendary Maze featuring of course Frankie Beverly. Too many bombs dropped by them to list and every one a winner. Already featured twice on themusicologist so no need for the introduction. This one, released in 1981has got it all..lyrics, vocals, production and of course impeccable syncopation.

musicology #242

soul&boogie #3

(Change – Paradise)

For themusicologist one of the many benefits of listening to and learning from the ‘boogie’ is the genre’s optimism. At the time, (certainly in England), the outlook was BLEAK. Margaret Thatcher, (and crew), had torn the heart out of the country and begun to establish their ideology on the nation.

Free Market, ‘Entrepenurial’, State backed Capitalism where the individual was more important than the collective. I’m not about to go ‘into one’ on the political philosophy of the times all I will say is that as an 11 year old in 1979 just about to start secondary school it certainly had a huge impact on me. Greed became the order of the day which in my opinion had a negative impact on society at large. The boogie on the other hand had a positive effect bringing people together ‘under a groove’.

The group in today’s spotlight were formed in 1979, (in Bologna), by Italian producers Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi and with their first album ‘The Glow Of Love’ enjoyed instant success. Obviously Luther Vandross as lead singer played a part but more than that the group had ’style’ and so even after Luther’s one album contribution they managed to evolve and continue to deliver.

The importance of ‘Boogie’ to the development of what became known as ‘House’ is unquestionable and this cut from their second album, (Miracles), is a 5 minute slice of Boogie, with a capital B.
Tight drums, pucker bass line, excellent production and the perfect vocal from Diva Gray as the cherry on the cake.

musicology #241

soul&boogie #2

(Kleeer – Intimate Connection)

day two of the ’soul&boogie’ and already dropping bombs…anyone who was there throwing shapes knows that this cut tore it up anytime it was played and still sounds as fresh as it did more almost 25, (Count ‘Em), years ago.

The cats in question, (Paul Crutchfield, Richard Lee, Norman Durham and Woody Cunningham), started out in the early 70’s but it wasn’t really until they hooked up with producers Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael around 1976, (as the Universal Robot Band), that things really began to take off.

3 years later they changed their name to Kleeer and begun to record, (for me), some of the best boogie of the period, one of which has already graced themusicologist, (musicology #10). This one though from 1984 is the cream of the crop. produced by Eumir Deodato, engineered and mixed down by Mallory Earl for Atlantic, has to be one of my most cherished pieces of the ‘black stuff’.

Serious…..

musicology #240

soul&boogie #1

(Light Of The World – London Town)

inspired by last weeks mod selection I would like to take this opportunity to explore in chronological order the music of the various scenes I have had the pleasure of being involved in over the years.

mod revival was the first, (1977 – 1981), and this one, (1981 – 1984), known over here as ‘Jazz Funk’ musically and ‘Casual’ fashion wise saw me into the crucial teenage years.  For me the two are connected, especially in attitude. Jazz Funk/Casual was yet another working class movement that sprung out of a desire to be ‘modern’ and create something in tune with the times. This selection is a soundtrack to those years. ALL big tunes on the scene.

First up has to be this one from UK outfit ‘Light Of The World‘ with the essential 12inch ‘London Town’ on the Ensign label, (produced by Augie Johnson). Proof if needed that we certainly have the talent on this side of the pond to produce genre defining cuts of the highest order.

musicology #216

foreignpon’tour #1

(Aaron Broomfield – I’m Gonna Miss Ya)

small interlude in the 12angry finds themusicologist ‘on tour’ in Cyprus. Had to mark it with a slice of the musical pie. wicked piece of 80’s Boogie that will always bring back memories of the time spent here.

Update Febuary 16 2009… lyrics request from a Funk and Boogie Cat out of Japan?..

Girl you are my baby, I love you so dear,
but im looking at tomorow, and I know I wont be here,
the day for me is coming, when I gotta find my way,
I gotta go out in this world, find us a better place,

gonna miss yah, day and night,
gonna miss yah, gonna miss just holding you tight,
gonna miss yah when my days are blue,
Im gonna miss yah but i’ll be back for you,
gonna misss yah, day and night,
I’m gonna miss yah, gonna miss just holding you tight,

there’s things I want to tell you, and dont you ever, ever forget,
you are my only baby, no matter who I’m with,
keep searching for tomorrow, keep looking on ahead,
and when you think that you are all alone,
Ill be back for you instead,

I’m gonna miss yah, day and night,
I’m gonna miss yah, gonna miss just holding you tight,
gonna miss yah when my days are blue,
I’m gonna miss yah but ill be back for you,
gonna misss yah, said day and night,
I’m gonna miss yah, gonna miss just squeezing you tight,
gonna miss yah, when my days are blue,
I’m gonna miss yah, but I’ll be back for you

I’m gonna miss you, gonna miss your loving,
oh girl, oh girl I know I’m gonna miss you so much,
ohhh deep down in my heart, gonna miss your loving arms
I’m gonna miss your love song,
i’m so blue im so blue, but I’ll be there for you

musicology #166

malevocals2 #4

(Leroy Hutson – Paradise)

today’s cut is an 80’s Soul & Boogie classic from a man whose apprenticeship was served under one of the genres undisputed kings…Curtis Mayfield. Originally a member of vocal group ‘The Nu Tones’, he went onto feature (along with Donny Hathaway), as a member of the ‘Mayfield Singers’ after hooking up with him at Howard University.

multi talented as Singer, Songwriter, (he co-wrote Donny’s solo anthem ‘The Ghetto’), arranger and musician. he took over from Curtis as lead singer of ‘The Impressions’ in 1970

in 1973 having served his apprenticeship he went solo and released some extra fine work especially on his Hutson, and Hutson II albums. This one is a later work, (1982), taken from his only album for Elektra.

musicology #119

jamboree #6

(Gil Scott Heron – B-Movie)

sticking with the 1981 selection the time has come to lay down some Gil Scott on yah..one of the kings of the social commentary lyric. not sure how many of you know this one but it completes, (along with ‘The Bottle’ and ‘Home Is Where The Hatred Is’ ), themusicologists top three from this hard hitting, no nonsense poet, astute observer and commentator.

“Well, the first thing I want to say is…Mandate my ass!

Because it seems as though we’ve been convinced that 26% of the registered voters, not even 26% of the American people, but 26% of the registered voters form a mandate – or a landslide. 21% voted for Skippy and 3, 4% voted for somebody else who might have been running.

But, oh yeah, I remember. In this year that we have now declared the year from Shogun to Reagan, I remember what I said about Reagan…meant it. Acted like an actor…Hollyweird. Acted like a liberal. Acted like General Franco when he acted like governor of California, then he acted like a republican. Then he acted like somebody was going to vote for him for president. And now we act like 26% of the registered voters is actually a mandate. We’re all actors in this I suppose.

What has happened is that in the last 20 years, America has changed from a producer to a consumer. And all consumers know that when the producer names the tune…the consumer has got to dance. That’s the way it is. We used to be a producer – very inflexible at that, and now we are consumers and, finding it difficult to understand. Natural resources and minerals will change your world. The Arabs used to be in the 3rd World. They have bought the 2nd World and put a firm down payment on the 1st one. Controlling your resources we’ll control your world. This country has been surprised by the way the world looks now. They don’t know if they want to be Matt Dillon or Bob Dylan. They don’t know if they want to be diplomats or continue the same policy – of nuclear nightmare diplomacy. John Foster Dulles ain’t nothing but the name of an airport now.

The idea concerns the fact that this country wants nostalgia. They want to go back as far as they can – even if it’s only as far as last week. Not to face now or tomorrow, but to face backwards. And yesterday was the day of our cinema heroes riding to the rescue at the last possible moment. The day of the man in the white hat or the man on the white horse – or the man who always came to save America at the last moment – someone always came to save America at the last moment – especially in “B” movies. And when America found itself having a hard time facing the future, they looked for people like John Wayne. But since John Wayne was no longer available, they settled for Ronald Reagan – and it has placed us in a situation that we can only look at – like a “B” movie.

Come with us back to those inglorious days when heroes weren’t zeros. Before fair was square. When the cavalry came straight away and all-American men were like Hemingway to the days of the wondrous “B” movie. The producer underwritten by all the millionaires necessary will be Casper “The Defensive” Weinberger – no more animated choice is available. The director will be Attila the Haig, running around frantically declaring himself in control and in charge. The ultimate realization of the inmates taking over at the asylum. The screenplay will be adapted from the book called “Voodoo Economics” by George “Papa Doc” Bush. Music by the “Village People” the very military “Macho Man.”

“Company!!!”
“Macho, macho man!”
“ Two-three-four.”
“ He likes to be – well, you get the point.”
“Huuut! Your left! Your left! Your left…right, left, right, left, right…!”

A theme song for saber-rallying and selling wars door-to-door. Remember, we’re looking for the closest thing we can find to John Wayne. Clichés abound like kangaroos – courtesy of some spaced out Marlin Perkins, a Reagan contemporary. Clichés like, “itchy trigger finger” and “tall in the saddle” and “riding off or on into the sunset.” Clichés like, “Get off of my planet by sundown!” More so than clichés like, “he died with his boots on.” Marine tough the man is. Bogart tough the man is. Cagney tough the man is. Hollywood tough the man is. Cheap stick tough. And Bonzo’s substantial. The ultimate in synthetic selling: A Madison Avenue masterpiece – a miracle – a cotton-candy politician…Presto! Macho!

“Macho, macho man!”

Put your orders in America. And quick as Kodak your leaders duplicate with the accent being on the nukes – cause all of a sudden we have fallen prey to selective amnesia – remembering what we want to remember and forgetting what we choose to forget. All of a sudden, the man who called for a blood bath on our college campuses is supposed to be Dudley “God-damn” Do-Right?

“You go give them liberals hell Ronnie.” That was the mandate. To the new “Captain Bly” on the new ship of fools. It was doubtlessly based on his chameleon performance of the past – as a liberal democrat – as the head of the Studio Actor’s Guild. When other celluloid saviors were cringing in terror from McCarthy – Ron stood tall. It goes all the way back from Hollywood to hillbilly. From liberal to libelous, from “Bonzo” to Birch idol…born again. Civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights…it’s all wrong. Call in the cavalry to disrupt this perception of freedom gone wild. God damn it…first one wants freedom, then the whole damn world wants freedom.

Nostalgia, that’s what we want…the good ol’ days…when we gave’em hell. When the buck stopped somewhere and you could still buy something with it. To a time when movies were in black and white – and so was everything else. Even if we go back to the campaign trail, before six-gun Ron shot off his face and developed hoof-in-mouth. Before the free press went down before full-court press. And were reluctant to review the menu because they knew the only thing available was – Crow.

Lon Chaney, our man of a thousand faces – no match for Ron. Doug Henning does the make-up – special effects from Grecian Formula 16 and Crazy Glue. Transportation furnished by the David Rockefeller of Remote Control Company. Their slogan is, “Why wait for 1984? You can panic now…and avoid the rush.”

So much for the good news…

As Wall Street goes, so goes the nation. And here’s a look at the closing numbers – racism’s up, human rights are down, peace is shaky, war items are hot – the House claims all ties. Jobs are down, money is scarce – and common sense is at an all-time low on heavy trading. Movies were looking better than ever and now no one is looking because, we’re starring in a “B” movie. And we would rather had John Wayne…we would rather had John Wayne.

musicology #118

jamboree #5

(Ozone – Gigolette)

all things considered..has to be this one. for three reasons.

1: It’s me dear Uncle Bassie’s Hawaii Five-O birthday bash today and I’m sure he will appreciate the four string on the track

2: Big night out tonight celebrating ms Steen’s birthday at Brother Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures,
(Leisure Wear theme !!)

3: The piece was released in 1981 (same year as the notorious Diadora Borg Elite which will be on ‘me plates’ tonight)

Good Enough…

1981 was also the year themusicologist became a teenager, Raygun became president, the Brixton, Toxteh, (and Lewisham), Riots boiled over, 13 people died when a house in New Cross burned to the ground. Britain was deep in recession, Bombs were going off in the capital, Berbatov was born, Bob Marley died and Spurs won the FA cup, (themusicologist was there at Wembley to see Ricardo ‘ Ricky’ Villa score the winner), beating Manchester City in a glorious replay….

musicology #41

doublebubble..#7

(Wornell Jones – It Must Have Been Love)

finishing off the 3 round theme with the icing on the cake. a barely known 80’s Boogie, marrow trembler from this musicologist/songwriter/singer/bass player. what more can be said about it other than

“it must have been love”

one thing themusicologist would like to add to the diary is a few words on how music is so often the catalyst for change. this week I undertook a new journey .. therapy… relationship therapy to be precise. for an ‘alley-cat’ this is almost unheard of for many reasons but, (almost), anything and everything is worth investigating and as communication breakdown is all too common in this age there is obviously value in wise counsel. this musical diary is my therapy, best friend, shoulder to cry on and this week here we are without planning, scheming or manipulating listening to duets, two people in harmony… bliss and strangely almost confessional.

the point to make here is that no matter how hard one ‘knocks’, (and themusicologist is an example of this pursuit), if the door to the heart is closed and nobodys home the time will come when the person outside packs the emotional bags and hits the road. Darryl Banks knew this back in ‘66 and laid down an anthem, (musicology #11), to guide us but if you don’t ‘listen’ you can’t hear. so this piece of musicology goes out to all those who aren’t listening as well as those who are.

musicology #40

doublebubble .. day6

(Womack & Womack – Woman)

If you like your soul straight up, no chaser this is one of them tunes that does all the talking .. lovers/haters hold this marrow trembling 4mins 17 seconds of 80’s soul duet heaven from Linda and Cecil and let the music be your guide…

musicology #35

doublebubble day 1

(Bobby Womack & Patti LaBelle – Through The Eyes Of A Child)

so we have heard from the ladies, the men have said their piece and now its time for doublebubble..the duets.

of particular interest for themusicologist is the difference between these three disciplines.

harmony between two people is a sound/sight to behold .. anything is possible and nothing is too much of a challenge and this weeks 7 pieces are, (I believe), all examples of such togetherness. kicking off with some fine 80’s soul&boogie delivered by two deep and soulful singers ‘the poet‘ & ‘lady marmalade‘ . musicologists that have been laying down quality almost 25 years before coming together on this one in 1984.

musicology #18

(Gwen McCrae – Keep The Fire Burning)

this one goes out to the saturday night/sunday morning crew who’s company themusicologist had the absolute pleasure of sharing. special thanks to JP for the kind words regarding this musical diary..it’s what makes it all worthwhile. Not forgetting me bredren, (Reload), and the special woman in my life…

“but as time goes by, things get cold and dry theres no more water in the well,
and there aint no way that two can come together if we stay locked in our shell”

love this piece..

musicology #15

(Maze – When I’m Alone)

back to the one tune with one of my favourite pieces of 80’s boogie.

Sunday afternoon ‘Soul spectrum’ selection … in training for the soul weekender next month.

musicology #10

day3

(Kleeer – Open Your Mind)

I did say no philosophy but, things change…

still sticking with the pucker boogie..and letting music do the talking. but had to mix in a bit of spoken word……y’know !!

It’s the full 12″.. thought about editing out the sax solo out but it wouldnt be the same without it so it stays..feeling it strong and it’s all good.

musicology #9

moving and juggling…

“when the world is down on you……love’s somewhere around…and I want you to know that….(sing along with me children)…joy and pain are like sunshine and rain.“

a jazz funk anthem that still sounds just as good as when first heard more than 20 years ago..respect is most certainly due to Maze and Mr Frankie Beverley

if life is rough and your relationship is suffering and you don’t know how to breakthrough … send your companion a link to this one tell them the musicologist would like a word, and if this doesnt communicate the message then nothing will and it may be time to make a move

musicology #8

Womack&Womack – Baby I’m Scared Of You

the musicologist can see a clearer path and has made resolutions.

for the next few weeks i’ll be throwing down 1 piece at a time,
(a.k.a the one tune technique), the reason:

a soundtrack for metamorphosis/change that I would love to share using the
universal language.

the time has come to make a move and I can only hope the music does the talking.

feeling it…… then lets trip back to the early 80’s and the days of Lois Jumbo’s, Diadora, Adidas, Fila , Pringle and Aquascutum sported with authentic mod panache whilst line dancing at the ‘Ly, Cinderellas, Samanthas, Gullivers and Flicks.

First up…one for the ladies out there…but don’t play man for cheap…and bear in mind that he need a little mo’ too…..