StevieGBlog

Two global music legends and their legacys!

2011-06-07T19:17:00.006+01:00

Two of the worlds greatest music superstars who are no longer with us look set to continue their dynasty for many years to come due to their talented musical children. The recent 30 year anniversary of Bob Marley’s death was heralded widely across the world in a manner befitting a man who is arguably the worlds most global music superstar. Bob Marleys music is universal and timeless and despite the fact the western world often cites Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest stars, arguably only Michael Jackson has reached the masses of Asia and Africa as much as Bob. Fela Kuti is the certainly not as popular as Bob Marley on a global scale, but the Nigerian Multi-instrumentalist and political activist was also hugely influential, and like Bob, he has more than one son very active in music in 2011.

Fela Kuti’s children have not always enjoyed the same kind of harmony which the Marley children seem to manage and until recently there was a major standoff between half brothers Seun and Femi Kuti. One thing is for sure though, these two guys are carrying the afrobeat of their Dad kicking and screaming into the modern era and both have released significant music in recent years. As we celebrate Africa Day the world over this week it’s worth reflecting on this terrific music.

Femi has been around for longer and got a major push after the death of Fela in the late 90s in the first of several attempts to break him into the mainstream American music scene. Despite enlisting the likes Common, Mos Def and the Roots along the way, he has never quite crossed over in the way he or his record companies would want, but the music is rightly celebrated and critically acclaimed. Seun meanwhile is Fela’s youngest son and watching live in Cork a few years ago was almost exactly like watching his Dad! He not only looks like he plays like him too in his fathers legendary Egypt 80 band. If you ever get a chance to see any of the Kuti’s live take the chance and the same goes for Damian Marley and a few of his brothers. Bob and Fela have left behind some amazing music, and a bunch of children possessed by the same spirit and creativity!

The best Mother's Day track of them all!

2011-04-02T20:26:00.001+01:00

Great story behind my favourite Mother's Day Jam of all time. My first ever pirate radio show took place a couple of years before even Radio Friendly existed up in Thompson's House for DrossFM. Myself and Mr.Fork did a Mothers Day show one Sunday and he introduced me to this Philly classic, which was later sampled by Raphael Saadiq and Q Tip for "Get Involved". It was an epic radio show and one of the best buzzes I've ever had, despite the fact that more people will read this in the next few minutes than heard the show! This is for Mr Fork and all the mama's out there!

Loleatta Holloway RIP

2011-03-22T17:53:00.004Z

RIP Loleatta Holloway. Provided the soundtrack to many a great night for me in the clubs over the last 20 years. Respect

Here is an article I wrote about her a few years ago. It's a shame that she wasn't given more recognition while alive
There's are some career highlights down below too including an accapella of "Love Sensation" and footage of us spinning it at an epic Mor Disco night.

One of the biggest tracks for me over the last few months has been Whitney Houston's "Million Dollar Bill". I'll be straight up in admitting to never being a huge fan of Whitney during her 80's and 90's heyday and though her pop music was highly accessible and successful, from a soul point of view i've generally felt she has not offered too much with lots of drab bland middle of the road material. This changed dramatically with the "My Love is Your Love" album and the likes of Rodney Jerkins, Wyclef and Missy Elliot really helped bring a more soulful Whitney through on some classics songs.

Raphael Saadiq helped her subsequent "Fine" single become a bit of an underground soul classic while on her generally disappointing next solo effort "One of those days" was pretty tasty. "Million Dollar Bill" is her best single yet in my opinion and it is clear that despite her well documented personal problems Whitney has still got the ability in her to create powerful music. It's a top class tune written by Whitney and produced by Swiss beats, who uses a really good sample of a classic disco tune from the wonderful Loleatta Holloway to arm the track with a hook that is highly effective on the dance-floor.

This is where the story gets interesting though. Loleatta Holloway's own personal life will never gather even a smidgeon of interest and though she is known only amongst dance and disco fans she is a very important vocalist who should be heralded more. Even though there has been very little mention of her involvement with the new Whitney track, she won't mind, as 20 years ago she was given even less recognition and respect as Black Box scored a huge hit with a sample or blatant rip off on her "Love Sensation" tune on their "Ride on Time" release. To be fair, Black Box didn't know what they had on their hands but there is no doubt that "Ride on Time" would have been nothing without Loleatta.

The culture of sampling has changed a lot since in our more legally aware music industry but the good thing about house music and even the charty dance music that Black Box made is that it brought a greater awareness of the pioneering disco sounds back to a new generation. Loleatta helped embrace this herself with a number of collaborations and she finally got more respect too for her amazing back catalogue from her disco career. The likes of herself, Jocelyn Brown and many more great singers have now found a much more favourable place in music history, and that can only be a good thing. As for Whitney, even if the rest of the album was bad she would have delivered one of the singles of the year for me and it is really refreshing to hear the disco sounds I love on mainstream TV and radio.

Rest in Peace Tony Dixon

2010-11-25T19:23:00.006Z

It only seems like yesterday that I did a tribute here to New Jersey producer Tony D who died tragically last year. Well sadly tragedy struck again this morning when another Tony D, known to many as Tony Dixon, died in Dublin after a short illness. Myself and Tony go back to the 90's but it is fair to say he has been pushing soul music in Ireland for a lot longer than that. Here is a quick career summary from RTE's website

"Originally from Pinewood on the Northside of Dublin, RnB DJ Tony Dixon began his radio career working with the 'Big D' pirate station in the '70's.
He was known affectionately in the music industry as a member of the 'Northside mafia', a group of high profile presenters including Ian Dempsey, Tony Fenton and Gerry Ryan who all grew up together and went on to forge distinguished careers on both national and local radio.
In the '80's he moved to another pirate station, 'Sunshine Radio' before managing the popular nightclub 'Hollywood Nights' at the Stillorgan Park Hotel.
Tony joined Dublin radio station, FM104 in February 2000 presenting his Hip Hop and RnB show every Saturday night, where his catchphrase was: "If it's Hip Hop and RnB, don't miss me, Tony D".
He also worked as a sales consultant for the station.

Tony is survived by his son Josh, his son's mother Dee and his three sisters and two brothers."

Personally, I met Tony in the late 90's and early part of this decade when we were both residents at a club called Fresh N'Funky with the wonderful Gilly Robinson at the helm. This club later ran at the Coyote Lounge on D'Olier St but started out it's Irish residency in HQ

From Fresh n'Funky's site

"We launched ourSunday night residency with DJ Swing, at the HQ club in Dublin, a city at the heart of Ireland’s thriving club scene. A stunning live performance from Damage and DJ appearances from Trevor Nelson, Shortee Blitz, Brian Norman and Chilli Source alongside resident DJs Tony Dixon (FM104) and Stevie G ensure this night continues to grow in popularity and establish itself as a must for all Dublin R&B lovers!

Fresh’n’Funky were approached by one of the most stunning venues in Dublin - the Coyote Lounge. So in June 2001 Fresh’n’Funky moved to its current home where it continued to thrive every Sunday night."

I got to know Tony quite well as we were also columnists together at the legendary Blues and Soul magazine (Tony looked after the Irish side of things, on which i assisted him the odd time with news of Cork and the rest of the country; I also did Import reviews). I've included a few snippets including a moving piece Tony wrote about his Mum when she died.

Even though we were of different generations and backgrounds, Tony always struck me as a genuine guy who despite being 100% slick in public and on air, would also be very helpful behind the scenes

On a personal level, he helped me with a demo I made for RedFM back in about 2000/2001, when they were about to come on air in Cork. He helped give me advice that smoothed a transition from pirate radio and as we all know Tony knew a lot when it came to presenting a specialist show. Nearly 10 years later my show is still running and I thanked him personally the last time we met for his assisstance. In 2002 My Black on Red show won best Irish specialist music show at the PPI awards and I also thanked Tony for his influence in that terrific achievement for the music we loved. His legacy on the airwaves in Dublin extends over a lot longer and it's great to see him being recognised by his peers over the years and especially today.

He loved a music that was far from fashionable until the MTV awards arrived in Dublin in the late 90s but Tony was there long before that and he always stuck to his guns too

He will be sadly missed, and from myself and my colleagues in Cork, to the London/UK gang like Brian Norman, Colin Francis, Shorty Blitz, Firin' Squad, DJ Swing, Gilly Robinson, Trevor Nelson, Dodge, Steve Sutherland, Ronnie Herel and more, let it be noted, that Tony was loved outside Dublin too. DJ Swing was another who left us too early (tribute here) The likes of Frank Jez and co in Dublin will carry the torch forward aswell, and there were many more names i got to know over those years with Tony and co. In recent years I became disillusioned with the more charty r&b side of the club scene and one of the final straws was when a girl came to the DJ box in Coyote Lounge and asked us for "some real R&b like Britney". Tony and myself laughed at this. Even though i was much younger, Tony always acknowledged what i was trying to do by bringing the heavyweight soul of Aretha, Marvin and Stevie Wonder into the modern dancefloors that sometimes thought r&b and soul started in the late 90s. Tony knew well because he had been holding it down himself for years and he did more than practically anyone in Ireland for soul music of all different shapes and sizes. It was an honour to know him as a friend.

I broke the news to one of the best known names of those gigs today and Trevor Nelson rang me in disbelief aswell. Having not known he was sick I was also taken by suprise that a person so bubbly and full of life was being taken from us.

As Trevor said on Twitter

"Really sad to just hear about the passing of Tony Dixon.a true pro and 1 of irelands best r&b radio djs.had many great times with him"

We sure did.

My deepest sympathies are with all his family and friends

Rest in Peace

The most Important records in hip-hop history?

2010-10-04T10:25:00.027+01:00

Trying to pick ten is virtually impossible. First of all the ten most important records in hip-hop history would definitely have to include breaks like "Apache", "The Funky Drummer" and "Amen Brother" so for purposes of simplicity i'm gonna keep it to distinctly hip-hop records and leave the breaks for another day! Also, as a person who grew up as a kid in the 80's with hip-hop but who truly appreciates the sophistication of 90's (which brought us Dilla, Nas, Jay Z, Biggie, Dj Shadow, Rza and Wu Tang etc etc), i've decided to cut it off at 1990 as i feel the genre had developed at that stage to such an extent that it's raw materials were in place. Some of the best and most important 90's stuff like A Tribe Called Quest, De la Soul, Dr Dre and Snoop and many more, had it's roots in the 80's and while some lazy journalists who know little of hip-hop will count the likes of 2 Pac and Eminem in such a list, I will argue that they were simply a development of what had already come before. True, you could say that about most hip-hop, but the ten i've selected are a personal opinion on ten vital slabs of vinyl that helped pave the way. At the very bottom i've included some free mixes too of more newer skool 90s sounds plus a killer old skool party mix of pioneering tunes that time has largely forgotten, so check them out too! Remember this is my opinion only, feel free to comment and please spread the word!
Enjoy

I've decided to do this chronologically so let's start with

The Fatback Band-King Tim 111 (Personality Jock)

Hip-hop and rap had been around for a good few years but this is widely regarded as the first cut that made it to wax. Ironically it was by funk legends the Fatback Band, hardly the most hip-hop of outfits in many ways, but they are a great band and this tune still rocks clubs to this day. It is important to document any kind of music form, and since this was the first conventional rap record (leaving aside Gil Scott Heron, Last Poets, James Brown et al), it deserves it's place

The Sugarhill Gang-Rappers Delight

I prefer the longer version but this will do. Okay, many of the raps were lifted (props to Grandmaster Caz) and okay some of the purists were upset but this was raps breakout hit, coming only months after Fatback Band and bringing hip-hop to the wider world. A well documented Chic sample of "Good Times" by Chic provided the backbone, and the rest is history. I caught up with Nile Rodgers of Chic recently and he is understandably proud that the monster groove created by himself and Bernard Edwards plus Chic helped create even more music history with the devlopement of hip-hop.

Kurtis Blow-The Breaks

Okay i'm not gonna lie. I was gonna include some of the pioneering cut n'paste records by the likes of Steinski and Double Dee but youtube hasn't got the audio so I reckon Kurtis Blow deserves a mention. Remember in 1980 rap was seen as a fad but Kurtis Blow "became the first rapper signed to a major record label, Mercury Records, where "The Breaks" becomes a certified gold record. He is the first to release a Hip Hop album, to embark on a Hip Hop tour, to be featured on television ("Soul Train" in October), and the first to give rap mainstream marketability (he also opened up for The Commodores and Bob Marley on tour)"
Nuff Respect this joint still bangs in 2010 and is always in my box!

Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force-Planet Rock

Another massively influential track, this time sampling the mighty "Trans Europe Express" by Kraftwerk. I always maintain that Kraftwerk still sound like the future and this tune to me reflects the DJing scene where Bambaataa, Kool DJ Herc, Grandmaster Flash came out of in the 70's. Musically anything went and hip-hop was born as the bastard child of rock, soul, latin, jazz, reggae and many more styles, including the experimental electronic sounds coming from Kraftwerk in Europe. The DJ's were open-minded and saw funk in everything; to me this was the true spirit of hip-hop. The influence of this record on Electro, Techno, dubstep and house is immense. Bambaataa's place in hip-hop history was always secure, but this record made it even more so. Arthur Baker was on the boards too and I was honoured to have them both DJ together at my Jam night in Cork on Tommy Boy's 20th anniversary a good few years ago. Dan the Automator and Maseo from De La Soul also spun at an amazing night. The funny thing was, many in the crowd thought Arthur Baker was a roadie or something, and didn't realise that the old guy with the ZZ Top beard was a music pioneer who brought the world everything from Freeze and New Order to hip-hop and electro classics like this!

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five-The Message

Grandmaster Flash doesn't even appear on it, and Melle Mel and Duke Bootee wrote it, but this is one of the most important records of all time as it brought the prevailing party of the time into a more socially conscious edge and set the scene for the golden era of hip-hop that began soon after. Chuck D, Rakim, Kool G Rap, Guru, Krs-One, Ice T and many more were listening, and while it was hardly the first record to talk about life on the streets, it was certainy the most influential and most important at the time

Run DMC-Rock Box

"Walk This Way" was bigger but this was the first rap video played by MTV. There was pretty much an unwritten blacklist against black music videos in the early years of MTV despite the best efforts of Rick James and co (see this article here which explains the background well) "Rock Box" helped break rap through and in my opinion it was no coincidence that the early rap hits on MTV featured rock guitars that made the format fit in more with white audiences (ironically, rock music comes from the blues and r&b and black music anyway originally, but that's a story for another day!) These guys also played my Jam night in Cork just a few months before the tragic death of Jam Master Jay. They remain one of the most important hip-hop groups. To me Run DMC IS HIP-HOP!
The OG video is not embedded but here it is Here

Beastie Boys-No Sleep till Brooklyn

Not my favourite by any means but check the thread title. This was massively influential and like other rock orientated rap hits by Run DMC and LL Cool J it was hugely popular. The reason why the Beastie Boys are included here though is because the sales of "Licenced to ill" went through the roof and the album stood head to head in 1987 with U2's "The Joshua Tree" and Michael Jacksons "Bad". Hip-hop, the music that was written off as a fad, had arrived fully as a commmercial entity and record companies were suddenly taking note. Another big irony is that this was a bit of a fad album, and the band with punk rock roots were helped in many ways by both the immediacy of the music and the controversy which followed them everywhere as they took fellow Def Jam legends on tour. The Beastie Boys created music that parents would definitely not like. All over the world, white teenagers embraced it and the eventual chart domination of hip-hop and r&b ten or fifteen years later had a platform. The Beastie Boys themselves did something far more interesting however. They dipped further into obscure soul, reggae, funk and jazz territory and alongside the Dust Brothers created the seminal "Paul's Boutique" soon after, alienating most of those who made "Licenced to ill" global, but cementing their reputation as a credible hip-hop crew who are still relevant today!

Public Enemy-Rebel without a Pause

The golden era brought so many classics over such a short space of time that it is almost impossible to pinpoint one. For me, the period between about 1987 and 1991 was amazing and the background of this record shows how the intense competition at the time, between some of the great groups, led to some amazing music. Chuck D famously admitted that Public Enemy's previous album, "Yo! Bum Rush the show!", had already sounded dated by the time they went to record "It Takes a Nation of Millions" but it was the recording of another masterpiece that really got him hyped. Eric B and Rakim had already come through with "Eric B is President" but it was there use of Bobby Byrd's "I know you got Soul" that made Chuck realise he had to take it to the next level. I remember reading that he came to the conclusion that rap had more or less reached it's next level with "I Know you got soul", but "Rebel without a Pause" was just as good. The Bomb Squad are an amazing production team and the intense use of "The Grunt" by the JB's added to one of hip-hop's most important tracks ever. Also from this era we should mention KRS-One of BDP, MC Shan, Ultramagentic MC's, EPMD, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Big Daddy Kane and many many more!

De La Soul-My Myself and I

Now it gets tough. Two choices left to go how do I cut it down to two? Well this is tinged with personal bias a bit because in my opinion, the Native Tongues posse of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah and Monie Love (plus more), brought hip-hop into even other realms still. The aggression of the prevailing militant rap on both east and west coasts was changed up big time as more soulful samples and rhymes entered the mix. Written off as a novelty hippy vibe by many, De La Soul proved throughout their career that they were as hip-hop as anyone and to this day they are cutting edge and ironically, seen as an underground hardcore crew themselves! "Three Feet high and Rising" was produced by Prince Paul and it captured one of the last innocent eras of hip-hop, where the Long Island youngsters kicked playful rhymes over everything from Jimi Hendrix and Hall & Oates to the Steely Dan and (on this track) Funkadelic.
Hip-hop once again, had no boundaries, and the influence of this record on the 90's and beyond was profound. Rapping about relationships and everyday life had been there since the start, but this took it into more sophisticated territory and was proudly non sexist, non homophobic and non macho in an era where male posturing was as usual to the fore. Jazzier crews such as Camp Lo, the Pharcyde and Digable Planets emerged, while the likes of Gang Starr, Black Sheep, Biz Markie, De la, MC Lyte, Masta Ace, Main Source, Brand Nubian and A Tribe Called Quest also helped create what i still feel was hip-hops golden era. "De La Soul" is dead was even more ambitious for me, and criminally under-rated at the time, but the critics and fans alike had caught up with De La Soul again by the time "Stakes is High" came out in 1996. It's important to mention that the Jungle Brothers helped pave the way by becoming the first of the Native Tongues to release music, and A Tribe Called Quest became arguably the best of the lot with a string of amazing albums too, but I've selected this cut from "Three Feet High and Rising" against stiff competition once again! The Native Tongues got myself and millions of other young rap fans into soul and jazz and for that i'll forever be grateful.

N.W.A.-Straight Outta Compton

Hip-hop had stopped being a New York thing many years before "Straight Outta Compton" dropped. Philly was there practically from the start with Lady B, Schoolly D and of course Cash Money, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and many more. Miami and 2 Live Crew were making moves with Miami Bass and "As Nasty as they wanna be", a controversial album that was huge when i was a teen. Freestyle had also developed in not just New York but L.A. and Miami too while globally the UK, France, Japan, Germany and here In Ireland were all on board. It was on the West Coast of the U.S. where the next big growth happened though.
The origins of West Coast hip-hop are said to go right back to the 70's and back in the early 90's the amazing "It's not about a Salary" book by Irishman Brian Cross, who has become one of the most important photographers in hip-hop history over the last 20 years while living in the States, detailed this growth superbly. The likes of Too Short had been making gangster styled rap in Oakland for many years while Toddy Tee came through with the massive "Batterram" but it was Ice T, who was busting rhymes at the Radiotron nightclub where kids attended, who became perhaps the best known at the time. Ice T was quite open about the East Coasts influence in a recent Wax Poetics interview, but for my last pick i'm gonna pick another track and album that also had an east coast sound.
"Straight Outta Compton" could easily have been a New York production, but it's rhymes were most definitely from the West Coast. Eazy E brought the gangster thing to the next level in that he quite plainly was one, while Dr Dre's days wearing jumpsuits with the "World Class Wrecking Cru" (they made important music in their own right, as did NWA associate Arabian Prince and Egyptian Lover) were soon put behind him. Eazy E, Mc Ren, Dr Dre and Ice Cube created one of the most incendiary albums of all time in "Straight Outta Compton" and I can still remember vividly the day I was walking down Oliver Plunkett St in Cork after school and I heard it first. About a 100 yards from Comet, which was then located there, I could hear the music blasting loud and I literally ran up the stairs to find out what it was. I was on my way to get my daily vinyl fix and I bought this album straight away. I was never the same since and though i had problems with one or two lyrics, I had never experienced music so intense. At the time music like Public Enemy, Stiff Little Fingers, Dead Kennedys, The Ramones and Sonic Youth were my favourites, and like with PE this was music made it feel good to be a teen in 88! I had always regretted that i was to young to experience punk as it came out but it was an amazing feeling to be around when NWA and Public Enemy plus hundreds of more artists released their albums. The excitement and anticipation is something that will never leave me and later on as a DJ I was really lucky to be able to break debut albums by the Pharcyde, Paris, Nas, Biggie, Dj Shadow, Jay Z and many more in Cork at my clubnight in Sir Henrys.
NWA paved the way for Ice Cube and Dre and Snoop and subsequently 50 Cent and Eminem as "The Chronic" slowed things down into a P-Funk stoned out drawl but this song and album was massive. It's controversy with "Fuck the Police" came before Ice T's "Cop Killer" by a few years, but it was a sign of things to come as hip-hop crept into the mainstream bedrooms of teens not only in the US but all around the world. Ice Cube's first two solo albums are arguably better, "The Chronic" sold more, and Cypress Hill, The Pharcyde, Freestyle Fellowship, Del tha funkee Homosapien, House of Pain and later Jurassic 5, People Under the Stairs, Madlib and more went on to have varying degrees of success, but for me NWA's "Straight outta Compton" was the major moment in West Coast hip-hop.

The Old Skool Party mix volume 1

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Plenty of big tunes from the era that hip-hop often forgets; if it wasn't for these guys the music we love would never have developed. Many of these artists pioneered the genre and ended up broke or obscure, but the streets knew better. The likes of Run DMC, Salt n'Pepa and LL Cool J blew up as rap exploded, and later on Eric B and Rakim and a few more ushered in the new skool, but for a time, rap was an underground movement with a freshness and innocence that still sounds great today. I threw one or two early breaks on here too as it is impossible to measure the importance of rap without talking about the likes of Kraftwerk, Bob James, Chic, Grover Washington etc, but on future volumes i'll explore the breaks more. I've already done a James Brown documentary but the likes of the Godfather and George Clinton plus many more also deserve homage; this is gonna be the first volume of many Old Skool tributes. It is far from definitive and merely a snapshot of an era and some records that need to be heard by those who don't know! Also, note that there are plenty of fly girls in the mix too, i've always been a huge fan of females bustin' loose on the mic and there have been ladies at the forefront of rap since day one. Feel free to break out the lino and take it back to the days where just two turntables and a microphone could create musical magic that stands strong 30 years later.

Rappin Ain't No Thing Boogie Boys
On the Radio Crash Crew
Weekend Cold Crush Brothers
The Old School Kool Kyle & Billy Bill
Brooklyn's In The House Cutmaster DC
The Show (ft Slick Rick) Doug E Fresh
PSK (What Does it Mean) Schooly D
Sucker MC's Run-D.M.C.
Sucker DJs Dimples D.
Kill That Noise MC Shan
Rockin' It Fearless Four
Cha Cha Cha MC Lyte
The Man Machine Kraftwerk
I Can't Live Without My Radio LL Cool J
Let's Jam D.J. M.A.T.E. & The Latin MC's
Body Rock Treacherous Three
My Mic Sounds Nice Salt-N-Pepa
Mister Magic Grover Washington Jr.
Nautilus Bob James
It's Yours T La Rock & Jazzy Jay
Fresh Is The Word Mantronix
Change The Beat Fab Five Freddy
Eric B. Is President Eric B. & Rakim
Hey DJ The World's Famous Supreme Team
Bang Zoom (Let's Go-Go) The Real Roxanne With Hitman Howie Tee
B-Boys B-Girls Rock Steady Crew
B-Boy Style Lil' Jazzy Jay & Cool Supreme
Stick 'Em Fat Boys
Funkbox Party The Masterdon Committee
Rhymin' and Rappin' Paulette & Tanya Winley
To The Beat Lady B
Freedom Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Get Up And Dance Freedom
High Power Rap Disco Dave & The Force Of The 5 MCs
Funk You Up The Sequence
Whipper Whip/Dota-Rock/Easy AD (High Society) Fantastic 5 - Cold Crush
High Society Norma Jean

Tru Skool Hip-hop Volume 1

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Tru Skool Hip-hop Vol 1
Nas-The World is Yours
Jay Z-Dead Presidents
Xzibit-Paparazzi
Mobb Deep feat Q Tip-Drink Away The Pain
Common-I Used To Love Her
Gang Starr-Take It Personal
Gang Starr-Step In the Arena
2 Pac-I Get Around
Biggie-Unbelievable
Showbiz & AG-The Next Level
ED OG & The Bulldogs-I Got Ta Have It
De La Soul-Plug Tunin'
Chi Ali-Age Ain't nuthin but a Number
Masta Ace-Sittin On Chrome
A Tribe Called Quest-God lives Through
Black Sheep-Flavour of The Month
Biggie-Machine Gun Funk
Craig Mack-Flavour in Ya Ear
Wu Tang Clan-Can it be that it was all so Simple
OC-Times Up
Beatnuts-Props over Here
The Goats-Hip-Hopola
Gang Starr-Words I Manifest
Boogie Down Productions/KRS One-My Philosopy
Masta Ace/Biz Markie-Me & The Biz
MC Solaar-Bouge De La
Brand Nubian-Slow Down
Special Ed-I Got It Made
A Tribe Called Quest-Clap Your Hands
Paris-The Days of Old
NWA-Express Yourself
Pharcyde-Runnin'
Souls of Mischief-93 Till Infinity
Show & AG-Soul Clap
Naughty By Nature-Uptown Anthem
Lordz of the Underground-Chief Rocka
EPMD-Give it to the people
Nice & Smooth-Hip-hop Junkies
The Jungle Brothers-Straight Out The Jungle
Main Source-Lookin at The Front Door
ADOR-Let It All hang Out
Pete Rock & CL Smooth-They Reminisce Over You
House of Pain-Jump Around (Pete Rock mix)

Tru Skool Hip-hop volume 2

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Tru Skool Hip-hop Vol 2
Intro
Das EFX-Real Hip-hop
EPMD-Your A Customer
INI-Think Twice
KRS ONE-Hip-hop Vs Rap
KRS ONE-Mc's Act Like They Don't Know
Rawcotiks-
Smif n Wessun-BuckTown
Nine-Whatcha Want
Black Sheep-Similak Child
Masta Ace-Saturday Night
Big L-Street Smart
Easflashbush Project-Tried By 12
Jeru the Damaja-Come Clean
Biggie/Method Man-The What
AZ-Rather Unique
Nas/Az-Life's A Bitch
Lord Finesse-
Alkaholics-Next Level
INI-Fakin Jaxx (Remix)
Public Enemy-Shut Em Down (Pete Rock Remix)
Naughty By Nature-Hip-hop Hooray (Pete Rock Remix)
A Tribe Called Quest-Oh my God (Remix)
Gang Starr-Code of the Streets (Kenny Dope Remix and original)
D&D Project-1, 2 Pass It (Remix)
Blazhay Blazhay-Danger
Mama mystique-Tremendous
Wu Tang Clan-C.R.E.A.M.
Raekwon-Incarcarated Scarfaces
Genius/GZA-B.I.B.L.E
Method Man/Redman-How High (Remix)
Redman-Can't Wait
Big daddy Kane-Smooth Operator
Pharcyde-Passin Me By (Fly as pie Remix)
Jungle brothers-My Jimi Weighs A Ton (Remix)

Tru Skool hip-hop volume 3

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Finally it's part 3 of the mix that is gonna make the fans of golden era hip-hop go crazzzzy! How many real hip-hoppers are in the place?

As I Reminisce Master Ace
Funk Wit Da Style Craig Mack
Playin the Game Grand Puba
Shakiyla Poor Righteous Teachers
Fall-N-Love (Jay Dee Remix) Slum Village
No Equal The Beatnuts
Stop Ed Og & Da Bulldogs
Brooklyn's Finest Jay-Z Feat. Notorious B.I.G.
Everyday Struggles The Notorious B.I.G.
East Coast Das EFX
Ya Wish Ya Could Special Ed
Check The Rhime (Mr. Muhammad's Mix) A Tribe Called Quest
On The DL The Pharcyde
Keep 'em Eager To Listen Eric B.& Rakim
Flip The Script Gang Starr
Isn't He Something Lord Finesse
Think Main Source
DJs Get No Credit Big Daddy Kane
If It Aint Ruff N.W.A.
If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right Pete Rock & CL Smooth
No Delayin' Nice And Smooth
Cha Cha Cha MC Lyte
Kill That Noise-MC Shan
Poetry Boogie Down Productions
Jam Master Jay Run D.M.C.
We Can't Be Stopped Geto Boys
The Wrong N**** To F*** Wit Ice Cube
heed the word of the brother X Clan
Crossover EPMD
Mamma Feel Good Schoolly D
Yes You May Lord Finesse
Poison Kool G Rap & DJ Polo
One Time's Got No Case Sir Mix-A-Lot

Southern Soul and Disco Festival returns to Cork 2011

2010-08-19T19:11:00.004+01:00

No sooner is the Decades Festival over that talk turns to another music festival and the announcement this week that will be welcomed by loads of Cork music fans. The Southern Soul and Disco Festival, which last ran in Cork in 1999, is returning in 2011 and will provide a big boost for the city.

The Southern soul and disco weekends were a product of the Mor Disco and Simply Delicious nights that ran in Cork for many years and all of the operators have been keen for many years to get them back up and running. The original weekends drew great crowds to see some amazing acts, and a certain DJ and production duo called Basement Jaxx were one of the big names who went on to become very well known in music circles. Legendary diva’s such as Jocelyn Brown and Gwen Dickey of Rose Royce also played here, as did acts as diverse as the Jungle Brothers, Hot Chocolate, Trevor Nelson, Norman Jay, Rae and Christian and many more.

It was perhaps the under the radar names which defined the festival best however, and DJ’s from all over Ireland and Britain played in different pubs and clubs throughout the weekend. Mr Scruff was a regular visitor to Cork but back then not nearly as well known while the Idjut Boys, Harri, Future Homosapiens, Fila Brazilia, Tim Love Lee, Chubby Grooves and the Unabombers, plus a whole host of Irelands finest, performed here too. For a certain generation of clubbers in Cork, these weekends were pivotal, and during the 10 year hiatus it has become noticeable that such a weekends absence leaves a gaping hole in the musical calendar here. Details of 2011’s Festival will no doubt be announced in future months but it promises to be a good one!

One of the Festivals DJ’s who has gone to great things since returns to Cork this Saturday for a show in the Pavilion. Luke Unabomber will be joined by Robin Keys on Saturday night while across the road in the Vineyard tomorrow Crtl-Alt-Delete hosts Encrypter, Wife, Robin Renwick, Newah, Thotbott and Severane. N Dubz play Savoy tonight while Exit Pursued by a Bear do a free show at the Crane Lane on Saturday.

All of the people involved in the music scene in Cork received a great boost last week with the official announcement of something that I mentioned earlier in the summer; that Plug’d records is set to re-open on August 28th. The ESB substation in Caroline St will be the temporary home until the Triskels new renovated ChristChurch building opens next year. The Triskels backing is essential and they deserve great credit for having to foresight and faith in the record shop which was at the hub of the Cork music scene in recent years. The extra floor space will also enable more visual art, design, film, magazines and books so from a cultural point of view the benefits are going to be huge for Cork!

Vinyl Love 31-40

2010-07-21T10:31:00.002+01:00

More vinyl love

I've a lot of Jhelisa records Dorado used make a good effort on the design side of things too

A great album and a cover very much of it's time some nice tunes on this!

One of the best albums of 2010 and another visually striking piece she rocks!

Like many great artists in music history, Ike Turner was a complex character who did a lot of wrong as we all know. It's a shame that this has diluted the legacy of his music amongst many; because their were not many more important people in rock n'roll. Jurassic 5 plundered this amazing album.

What an artist-one of the very best!

The pic says it all

Definition of the word "FLY"!

De la Soul ain't dead!

No copies left in One Stop Records in 94 so my man Curty Cut gave me his own personal one-soundtrack to a great summer in the States  
Rest in Peace Curty Cut, who died at only 32 in 2002

One of the most iconic soul covers; my favourite singer of all time

Vinyl Love 21-30

2010-07-08T23:39:00.005+01:00

Another 10 from my collection!

Great artwork on KIng Britt's Philly throwback debut including this

Sly Stone tricky jumping like this with skinny jeans!

The late Malcolm McClaren brings the vinyl love

The hair was of it's time, but they have always been originators behind the mic!

Dooley O was on Black on Red a few years ago when David Long brought him to Cork-he signed this re-issue of a great track with Steezo

another icon this time one of our own more people should check this album too

More old skool

A bonafide jazz classic on Blue Note records oh yeah!

From the same era this was a lovely 12" from Heights of Abraham, an off-shoot of Fila Brazilia used spin their records a lot

More vinyl love this was a nice concept album from a Philly crew who had some great tunes in the early 90's

Vinyl Love 11-20

2010-07-06T20:14:00.007+01:00

Here's some more of my favourites from my collection

Love all of the Slave album covers too the disco era artwork was always interesting!

"Got a freaky, freaky, freaky, freaky flow control the mic like Fidel Castro"

more vinyl love and more Motown

Grace Jones albums are also always amazing think I have nearly everything she did on wax one of my favourite artists and visually spellbinding to this day

A Tribe Called Quest with arguably the greatest rap album of all time-and an iconic cover!

An always interesting artist with a crazy assed cover!

One of the best DJ's ever to visit Jam was Jazzy Jeff, a good guy too this was some record from back in the day

"It's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from goin under"

Public Enemy delivered one of great albums of all time back in 88, which they signed for me nearly 20 years later

Warmed up for this legend a few times and had him over at Jam where he signed this, a great album too

Vinyl Love parts 1-10

2010-07-04T10:33:00.010+01:00

I've decided to start posting up pictures of my favourite records. I used have about 20,000 vinyl albums and 12"s and still have well over half of that so as you can imagine there is some great art and some iconic covers.

Here are the first ten!

Let's start off with the legendary B-boy and graf artist who passed this week, this was a pioneering tune
Ramelezzee RIP

Since it's Jam's 8th Birthday tomorrow here is a classic from way back in the Sir Henrys days unreal cover and banging tune

"Now for my next record, i'd like to return to the classics"

"Dance this mess around" and other nice tunes from a great new wave band

One of the best Stevie Wonder album covers and an under-rated album

another great cover, another great band and one of the greatest songs of all time-great price too!

1993, Fish Records, Liberty St! (got it signed years later)

Gig is cancelled in Cork, but at least the music is still here EPIC music on Motown

Love this; Mahalia Jackson

Finally for now, a bit of modern day soul and a signed copy of a great album

The Festival of Africa in Cork this weekend!

2010-05-21T14:48:00.003+01:00

estival of African cultures which takes place in a host of different venues. As I always mention here, music is one of the best means of communication and personally I feel it has been a great way of understanding different cultures and the people behind them. The millions of Irish who have headed abroad over the last few centuries have made a fantastic impression culturally on other countries and it is great to see the amazing music of Africa now on our doorstep in Cork.

It all kicks off tomorrow with a free conference discussing the political, economic and social changes and developments in Africa in the 21st Century. This takes place in the Millennium Hall and is free from 11.30am. The Official Festival Opening Ceremony takes place at 1pm at the Cork City Library and this will feature loads of Cork school students displaying their West African drumming skills while Cork City African School Children demonstrate their Irish language skills.

Later that evening The Wailing Souls visit Cork for the first time and DJ Bellyman will be in support. These guys are quite simply one of the finest vocal harmony groups from Jamaica and their original line-up will be taking to the stage in the Pavilion from 9pm. The Africa Brasil boys will be hosting the official after party immediately after the show downstairs in the bar until the early hours of the morning.

One of the most interesting events happens on Saturday from 1pm on Camden Quay at the Camden Palace Hotel and again it’s free. Everyone is welcome to come along and sample free food from 7 different African nations, marvel at the fashion parade showcasing African designs and join in the African dance workshops with Cynthia. A number of African acts including the Lace, Koko Tanjah, Cork City African Gospel Choir, Sudanese cultural group and the South African dancers will all be performing. Zimbabwean artist and Sculptor Blessing Sanyanga will be exhibiting his work at the venue aswell.

Later that evening the fun continues around the corner at the Sin E with Koko Tanjah and Eamonn Cagney while a Sunday Service follows the following mourning before the Franciscan Well starts a daytime Garden party at 1pm. Acoustic music is the order of the day before the nightfall welcomes a wonderful Afrobeat workshop at the Pav with Allen-Taylor Adeniyi at 6pm. All musicians are welcome to this free event which will be followed by a free movie about the Life and music of Afrobeat godfather Fela Kuti. This leads nicely on to the finale of the weekend which is a free concert from Adeniyi’s group, the Oleku Band, bringing Nigerian Afrobeat and highlife to the closing party! In Dublin the Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures is celebrating it’s 10th birthday this summer and personally I see no reason why our own Festival of African cultures can’t get bigger and bigger every year. As with many of these things, many of the people who would love to go and check them out don’t even know it is on so here ya go, you have no excuse, go out and enjoy it!

More details here

A homage to Chic!

2010-05-17T17:12:00.009+01:00

As previously mentioned here in Downtown this summer in Cork brings us an amazing amount of soul and r&b gigs with many of the biggest names in music performing here. Already we had a cracking gig from Candi Staton last weekend and with Al Green, Michael McDonald, Booker T and Martha Reeves all in store, it’s fair to say anticipation levels are very high. This week I’m gonna preview a show in late May from one of my favourite acts of all time, Chic, who play live at the Savoy!

Chic are quite simply one of the most influential groups of all time. I would have said till quite recently they were one of the most under-rated groups but I have noticed that their status and indeed recognition level has increased in the last few years. In this country they stole the show at last years Electric Picnic at a show which seemed to be full of more Cork people than anyone else, and their arrival here later this month is sure to attract a lot of interest. It’s always with slight trepidation that I go and see one of my favourite bands, especially one which peaked so long ago, but I have to say, Chic were better than ever.

Bernard Edwards is now sadly departed but Nile Rodgers has assembled a superb band and with himself being one of the best guitarists and indeed producers of the last 30 plus years, you know you are in good hands. One of the reasons why Chic have received a lot of recent interest is because the amount of sampling that has taken place with their music and in the live show they played excerpts from hits such as “Love like this” and “Lady”, which used distinctive hooks from Chic hits such as “Chic Cheer” and “Soup for One”. In truth, modern dance and hip-hop would be a lot different without Chic and back in the day the first ever global hip-hop hit “Rappers delight” was itself a replayed version of their “Good Times”.

Nile Rodgers was of course a massively successful producer for other artists aswell and David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, Carly Simon, Duran Duran and Debbie Harry were just a few who benefitted from Chic’s magic touch, with Sister Sledge basically becoming almost a Chic mark 2 for their most prolific era. Rodgers himself remains an infectious character an his forthcoming autobiography is one of the most anticipated music books of all time. He knows practically everyone in the music business and despite one or two setbacks he remains as enthusiastic as ever on stage and in the studio. Previously, a book called “Everybody Dance, the Politics of Disco”, has put Chic at the heart of an important changing landscape in music in the late 70’s, with some very significant analysis of some of the racial and homophobic obstacles that artists of the disco era faced. Thankfully, we live in more enlightened times now, and Chic are bigger than ever. Here is my tribute to the legendary Chic download here

i've decided to mix up some of my favourite tracks from Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards and co. I kept it mainly to their classic era even though I rate plenty of the work they did afterwards too, but you can only do so much in little over an hour! This music is the soundtrack to my life and I hold all of these tunes dear, as in nearly 20 years of djing i've been spinning the hell out of them. I urge you to go and buy all of their albums, if you haven't already. in the meantime, enjoy the some of the greatest music of all time!

Saturday Norma Jean Wright
Spacer Shelia B Devotion
Everybody Dance Chic
Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) Chic
Got To Love Somebody Sister Sledge
We Are Family Sister Sledge
I Want Your Edit Chic
Soup For One Chic
Let´s Dance David Bowie
my old piano Diana Ross
You Fooled Around Sister Sledge
My Feet Keep Dancing Chic
High Society Norma Jean
Chic Cheer Chic
Strike Up The Band Chic
Le Freak Chic
Lost In Music Sister Sledge
He's The Greatest Dancer Sister Sledge
I'm Coming Out Diana Ross
Upside Down Diana Ross
Good times Chic
My Forbidden Lover Chic
Open Up Chic
One More Time Sister Sledge
Pretty Baby Sister Sledge
Thinking Of You Sister Sledge
Reach You Peak Sister Sledge
What About Me Chic
Why edit Carly Simon
Easier To Love Sister Sledge
Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song) Chic

And here's some more classics!

A rare view of Spike Island!

2010-05-04T17:50:00.024+01:00

Spike Island, a small island opposite Cobh and just off Ringaskiddy, is famous here in Cork for being a prison first and foremost. Ironically, most people in Cork don't even know where it is, and have certainly not visited there as it has till only recently remained a prison, but all that may be about to change as the Island is being officially handed over to the people of Cork on July 11th this year. With the Cork County Council developing it as a tourist attraction and potential venue of major cultural, artistic, sociological, geographical and historical importance, I was offered a rare insight into the Island itself this morning as myself and a number of other people involved in Cork's music scene were invited down for a visit. To say the potential of the Island for Cork is immense would be a major understatement. A steering group is already busy developing ideas and I'd like to thank Ken and Val plus the Coastal and Maritime Resource Centre, all at the Naval base and the Council themselves for enabling myself and the others to make the short trip over by boat this morning. The Islands history is rich and I'll leave my friend Wiki explain a brief synopsis.

"It was significant in the French intervention following the Glorious Revolution, and was later purchased by the British government in 1779 – becoming the site of Fort Westmoreland. Later a prison and convict depot, it was used to house "convicts" prior to penal transportation. It remained in use as a garrison and prison through the Irish War of Independence, when IRA prisoners were held there. Richard Barrett was among those detained there, but escaped during the truce of 1921. Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the island remained as one of the Treaty Ports, and was only handed back to the Free State in 1938. Upon its handover to the Irish state, the island's installations were renamed Fort Mitchel (after John Mitchel, nationalist activist and political journalist). The island remained the site of a prison and military base (for both the regular Irish Army and the FCÁ) for some time. Most recently it was used as a correctional facility for youth, when in 1985 it became mildly notorious when the inmates mutinied and briefly controlled the area; one of the accommodation blocks caught on fire and is known as the Burnt Block. This facility closed in 2004."

Thankfully Spike Island is going to be used a tourist attraction from now on and on July 11th it will be officially handed back to us, the people of Cork. Access remains the big problem and there is certainly work to be done, but in the coming months the potential of Spike Island is exciting and I know myself and all the other visitors today were inspired by what is a so far untapped destination only minutes from a port which has hundreds of Cruise liners and ships passing through it every year. I took a few random photos on my i Phone which i've posted below; I really should have brought my proper camera but you get the drift.

Obviously, I was fooling around in a few but what struck us all was that there is already an impressive infrastructure down there with the prison only being vacated relatively recently. We saw the prisoners quarters, some of the cells, the yards, recreation areas such as the gym, and even some of the older aspects of the military base, with an incredible canon being aimed out on Cork harbour at unwelcome visitors! I couldn't help but remember back to my days on pirate radio on Radio Friendly in the late 90's, when in-mates from Spike Island used ring in and contact me on my radio show every Sunday! It was poignant and eye-opening actually visiting the place where so many prisoners, convicts and soliders spent so many years; I'm looking forward to hearing lots more about the history of a Island that tells so many stories.

I'm delighted that the people of Cork will soon be able to experience Spike Island for themselves, though in the short term access is going to be a bit of a problem. The long term potential benefits for Cork are infinite though and you will be hearing lots more about Spike Island in the coming weeks and years!

PS-some links to a documentary on Cork prisons by Kieran Hurley and Catriona Chambers can be found here

Cork Jazz Festival is looking interesting for 2010!

2010-04-28T17:27:00.007+01:00

I met with some of the people organising the forthcoming Cork jazz Festival in October last week and I came away confident that this years event will even surpass last years one, which in my opinion, was the best festival in many years. The balance between commercial and artistic success at such a festival is always tricky, but in 2009 big acts such as Imelda May in the Savoy were backed by a host of others who filled different sized venues in one of the busiest jazz weekends since the 90’s.

Sun Ra Arkestra, Pharoah Sanders, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Dam-Funk and many more played very highly regarded shows, and notably, their was a very big travelling contingent from other Irish cities and indeed abroad. This year events is still quite a bit away but I can tell you that there is a strong possibility that Robert Glasper will be making his second appearance in Cork. The young pianist was not that well known the last time he came here, alongside Terence Blanchard, but he has become one of jazz’s biggest upcoming stars in recent years.

He will be joined by longtime musical collaborator Bilal, one of Philadelphias most under-rated singers. Glasper has already worked with most of the big hip-hop names; Erykah Badu, Common, Guru, Mos Def and even Dilla himself, who he has paid homage to on record, have all been in the studio with him. He is quite simply one of the most exciting names in jazz, and it will be amazing to see Bilal here too. The singers career has always been one step away from the big time, and his early high profile production from Dr Dre seemed to set him up nicely, but mostly he has kept it low-key and soulful. Everyone from Jill Scott to Common have been touched by his vocal magic, and himself and Robert Glasper in Cork would be a terrific prospect.

The fact that Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings might be on the same bill sends the excitement levels into orbit but this is not confirmed as of yet. These guys are known to many as the backing band behind the success of Mark Ronson and indeed some of the Amy Winehouse material, but they are a lot more besides and are simply one of the best contemparary funk and soul outfits. In Sharon Jones they have a singer straight out of the James Brown era of funky divas so I’m keeping more than my fingers crossed that this show will happen.

I know the festival organisers are gonna do their best to try and get jazz legends such as Sonny Rollins and Pat Metheny here too so we can only live in hope; often with the veterans it is tricky trying to get the dates to match the October weekend. I’m confident we will be looking at another very interesting festival regardless.

Robert Glasper/Bilal

Sharon Jones and the Dap-KIngs

Here's some vids i took at last years festival at the Pavilion

This article originally appeared in my Downtown column in the evening Echo recently

Rise and shine soul-Candi Staton

2010-04-27T08:40:00.001+01:00

ahead of the big gig at the The Pavilion Cork on Sunday i'm gonna be rolling out Candi Staton classics all week

Rise and shine soul-The Stylistics part 4

2010-04-23T08:47:00.001+01:00

Rise and shine soul

The Stylistics part 4

The original of one of the most covered and sampled tracks of all time everyone from Michael jackson and Moodyman to Blackalicious and Marc Dorsey used a piece of this and no wonder

More relevant now than ever

Rise and shine soul-The Stylistics part 3

2010-04-22T10:42:00.000+01:00

One for the late night crew-Monk Higgins

2010-04-22T00:18:00.003+01:00

One for the late night crew

"So keep abreast to the GangStarr conquest
Underground ruffnecks pounds of respect
I've never been afraid to let loose my speech
My brothers know I kick the code of the streets"

DEEP-did a sunday in the Torch, now Fionnbarras, in about 97, spinning jazz and soul like this-i'll have my Guru tribute up tomorrow!

Rise and shine soul-The Stylistics part 2

2010-04-21T09:23:00.001+01:00

If Prince covers your music-you know you have done something right!

One for the late night crew-Gang Starr

2010-04-20T23:29:00.000+01:00

One for the late night crew

I'm digging deep in the crates for Guru and have about 100 vinyl records in front of me as i prepare a 3 hour special on Saturday-quite simply, I admit i would not be spinning records without Gang Starr, who helped elevate hip-hop to a level on a par with the greatest jazz and soul. Rest in Peace

"Ill be taking care of business regardless
And when it comes to rhyming you know Im hitting hardest
So you can kick dirt but in the end you'll feel pain
You little sucker, there aint no shame in my game"

Rest in Peace Guru

2010-04-20T11:37:00.006+01:00

One of the best yet

No doubt about it Gang Starr were one of the greatest and until recent years he had some great solo stuff too. Simply one of the all time best MC's, I had the pleasure of hosting him at our Jam night in 2001 and hanging out with him for the day too; he was a nice guy and down to earth compared to many of the big name rappers i've met. It's a sad day for hip-hop but i'll be paying homage at Jam on Friday at the Pavilion and on Black on Red on Saturday on Cork's RedFM

Rise and shine soul-The Stylistics

2010-04-20T08:33:00.000+01:00

Rise and shine soul-Amy Winehouse 3

2010-04-16T08:14:00.000+01:00

I always love the way she was schooled in ska and reggae aswell as soul and jazz

One for the late night crew-Marvin Gaye

2010-04-15T23:26:00.000+01:00

Soul heaven----------Good night and good luck!

Rise and shine soul-Amy Winehouse 2

2010-04-15T09:47:00.001+01:00

"When you walk in a bar, dressed like a star, rockin' your Fuck Me Pumps"

Rise and shine soul-Amy Winehouse

2010-04-13T08:28:00.000+01:00

My favourite voice of the last 10/15 years, with one of the best ever versions of this Phil Spector track

Rise and shine soul-Dinah Washington 3

2010-04-08T08:58:00.000+01:00

"been up since 6 with my hyper daughter but the sun is shining and life is good"

Rise and shine soul-Dinah Washington 2

2010-04-07T10:33:00.002+01:00

another classic

and a great remix from Rae and Christian

One for the late night crew-Syleena Johnson

2010-04-06T23:22:00.000+01:00

Syl's daughter in good form

Rise and shine soul-Dinah Washington

2010-04-06T09:24:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite jazz singers all week

Ladies and gentleman, the amazing Dinah Washington!

Rise and Shine soul-Erykah Badu part 3

2010-04-01T09:22:00.001+01:00

Yeah!

One for the late night crew-Bobby Womack

2010-04-01T00:03:00.000+01:00

And he is still making soul classics after over 6 decades in the game!

rise and Shine soul-Erykah Badu part 2

2010-03-31T10:20:00.000+01:00

Erykah Badu week continues with part 2

another big Back Bar track

Rise and Shine soul-Erykah Badu

2010-03-30T09:22:00.001+01:00

This week we celebrate Erykah Badu who has another great album out!

This track struck a big chord here in about 98 used use the accapella a lot like in the first track on this mix free download here

"Don't know about the Internet
Don't know about the radio
Don't know about the television
All I know is 'bout my flow"

Rise and Shine soul-Aretha Franklin 5

2010-03-27T09:57:00.000Z

They didn't know what do do with her back then in the earlier days, but sometimes the jazzier stuff hit the nail on the head and this one deserves a wider audience

Rise and Shine soul-Aretha Franklin 4

2010-03-27T09:56:00.000Z

Rise and Shine soul-Aretha Franklin 2

2010-03-25T09:23:00.000Z

Sampled by Slum Village/Kanye/John Legend and co

Rise and Shine soul-Aretha Franklin 3

2010-03-25T09:21:00.001Z

Rise and Shine soul-Aretha Franklin

2010-03-23T09:09:00.000Z

One for the late night crew-Surface

2010-03-22T23:51:00.001Z

R Kelly used this but the original is the one!

Go Deep classic from a Jam classic from a jazz classic!

2010-03-21T11:24:00.003Z

I love it when music bends genres. This house track has been tearing it up at Go Deep in the Pavilion lately and I asked Shane about it last night. He told me it was called "Infinity" and my suspicions that it was inspired by the Souls of Mischief hip-hop classic were confirmed (Itself a clever use of Billy Cobham)

Enjoy and catch Go Deep every Saturday at the Pavilion plus folow on Twitter here

Rise and Shine soul-De La Soul part 6

2010-03-21T09:26:00.006Z

One of the greatest hip-hop love songs have a great Sunday! As a bonus check out the video below which features the making of "Peg"; sampled by De La Soul

and a cool random version

Rise and Shine soul-De La Soul part 5

2010-03-20T09:43:00.003Z

Great night last night unbelievable atmosphere thanks everyone on behalf of Sean, Michelle and all at the Donkey's Ears terrific turn out!

Rise and Shine soul-De La Soul part 4

2010-03-19T09:29:00.002Z

De La Soul and Stevie Wonder-a perfect combination

Rise and shine soul-De La Soul part3

2010-03-17T09:35:00.003Z

No decent vids of "I am I be" online so check Maceo Parker bringing it over Lou Rawls on the instrumental.

Rise and shine soul-De La Soul part 2

2010-03-16T10:53:00.001Z

and Tom Waits in there too!

One for the late night crew! Nina Simone

2010-03-15T23:14:00.004Z

One for the late night crew

Love music hate racism tomorrow in the Pav from 10pm

Nina Simone's version of the classic poem made famous by Billie Holiday-free download of my mix here

Rise and shine soul-De La Soul

2010-03-14T09:55:00.001Z

Rise and Shine soul-Nat King Cole 4

2010-03-13T09:37:00.001Z

One for the late night crew! Zapp and Roger

2010-03-11T23:17:00.001Z

Another of the big bricks upon which hip-hop was built the West Coast in particular were all over Zapp what a tune still rocks!

Rise and Shine soul! Nat King Cole 3

2010-03-11T11:57:00.000Z

a little later today
as I had a busy morn-but worth waiting for!

Nat King Cole - When I Fall In Love
Uploaded by oublierleracismeskyblog. - See the latest featured music videos.

European week against racism

2010-03-10T09:50:00.001Z

To mark and promote European week against Racism week from Saturday I'll be doing a Love Music Hate Racism mix on my Black on Red show on Saturday and a special Love Music Hate Racism set on Paddy's Eve downstairs in the Pavilion Cork bar (free from 10PM) spinning soul, reggae, jazz and more-Stevie G

Rise and Shine soul! Nat King Cole 2

2010-03-10T09:22:00.000Z

Rise and Shine soul

Nat King Cole 2

Before Too Short, Tupac and Lil Wayne, cats like Nat were talking about "the game" and paving the way!

Rise and Shine soul! Nat King Cole

2010-03-09T09:17:00.001Z

and a very good use

Rise and Shine soul! Minnie Riperton part 6

2010-03-07T10:04:00.000Z

The fact that it is her best known song and a standard is irrelevant; it's a classic track and another platform for that voice!

Rise and Shine soul! Minnie Riperton part 5

2010-03-06T09:15:00.001Z

"Extremity in rhythm, yeah that's what you heard.
So just clean out
your ears and just check the word"

The vinyl junkie's spring cleaning session!

2010-03-05T10:49:00.007Z

My studio is a disaster. I've still got over 10 or 15 thousand records at home alone and milliions of CD's too. All four corners of my house are covered in music and it's getting to the stage where I (and my wife) have said enough is enough! I already started by cleaning my office in RedFM last night and am starting my studio this weekend (even little Lola is giving a hand)

Rise and Shine soul! Minnie Riperton part 4

2010-03-05T10:08:00.001Z

oh yes! Covered and sampled by many; epic! Charles Stephney deserves respect here too as usual!

One for the late night crew! Kicking Back feat Taxman

2010-03-05T00:30:00.002Z

UK soul classic you might have had to be in the back bar to understand the sound I dedicate this to Gina, Shane and everyone else also the posse from the Donkey's Ears who are having a reunion in the Pav Friday week details HERE

My 600th blog post! Here, have a free hip-hop mix!

2010-03-04T17:08:00.003Z

A re-up of a hip-hop mix i recorded a few years ago old skool and new skool vibes combined enjoy!

Download it for free here

and there's loads more free mixes here too

Rise and Shine soul! Minnie Riperton part 3

2010-03-04T09:55:00.003Z

Another classic (and of course one of the best ever hip-hop samples bang in the middle by Tribe and co)

some uses

Rise and Shine soul! Minnie Riperton part 2

2010-03-03T10:07:00.001Z

People don't realise how important she was not just in soul music. She was also one of the first public figures to spread awareness of Breast Cancer, which took her at a ridiculous young age of 31

What a woman, and what a voice!

Rise and shine soul! Minnie Riperton

2010-03-02T09:28:00.002Z

It's Minnie Riperton all week; from her best album, a track that rarely receives credit-wise words too

One for the late night crew! Gang Starr

2010-03-01T23:29:00.000Z

One for the late night crew!

Still waiting on news of Guru I've a signed copy of this shit let's trust his own words and hope he makes it

"I'm a survivor, so Imma always remain
the little nigga with the voice to leave a stain on your brain"

Rise and shine soul! Sam Cooke 4

2010-02-28T12:09:00.000Z

(It's sunday i gave y'all a lie-in)

Rise and shine soul! Sam Cooke 3

2010-02-26T09:08:00.000Z

Rise and Shine Soul

Sam Cooke part 3

Noone can phrase tunes like Sam!

One for the late night crew! Fela Kuti

2010-02-25T23:35:00.001Z

One for the late night crew---and one of the best

Dedicated to the Africa Brasil crew starting a new night at the Pavilion Cork bar tomorrow-free entry

I'll be warming up between 8 and 10 spinning soul and world vibes

Rise and shine soul! Sam Cooke 2

2010-02-25T10:01:00.002Z

Living legends-Prince

2010-02-24T17:18:00.003Z

My "Living Legends" series continues this week with Prince. Where do you start with an artist such as Prince!? He is a one man musical machine who is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, singer, musician, collaborator and artist in his own right. He is a sexually ambiguous eccentric and incredible performer who has always been innovative with everything from his name to his attitude to the internet and the music industry. He is quite simply a music phenomenon and one of the most important music artists of all time.
For many his best days are long gone, but even his later era music has often impressed me and his jazzy "Rainbow Children" album from 2001 remains for me one of his most amazing and exciting works. Even back when he was writing hits such as "Manic Monday" for the Bangles, Prince was often using other names and he is rumoured to have literally thousands of unreleased songs in his vaults, aside from the many hundreds of bootlegs that are out there already.

Prince was also one of the first of a new wave of black artists who gained substantial playing time on a fledging MTV back in the 1980's, an era where the music television channel actually played music. The success of Prince and Michael Jackson opened the floodgates for the later-day commercial domination of hip-hop and r&b in many respects, and they gained the exposure that Rick James, Parliament/Funkadelic and the like never enjoyed. Like many of these artists, Prince was never one to be tightly pigeon-holed musically and it is ironic that even to this day Prince and one of his great heroes Jimmy Hendrix, are seen as black men operating in a white mans domain. The music of r&b and the blues and Little Richard and Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters had been streamlined into something more homogenized by the media, but make no mistake about it, this was always black music as much if not more than anything else.

Prince was never gonna leave racial divisions or anything else get in the way of his own music career. Like another of heroes Sly Stone, he assembled a multi-gendered and multi-racial band together on many occasions, and through all of his many name changes and ups and downs, there remains a rare sense of optimism in most of his music. He was always willing to tackle dark subject matter too, but even at a low ebb he produced stunning pop music. "The most beautiful girl in the world" was remarkable in that it was his first UK number one as a performer, even though two of his classics had been at the top of the pile already as covered by Sinead O'Connor and Chaka Khan. Prince was still the middle of a long running dispute with Warner Brothers at the time, but the music transcended everything and even the dogs in the street were singing it back in 1994.
Long running disputes with powerhouses such as E-Bay and Youtube have meant that Prince is sometimes in the news more for other things than his music these days (he is also being sued by Irish music promoter MCD for cancelling shows) but through every different crisis Prince has remained an enigmatic star who has done it his way. Albums such as "Sign of the times" are quite simply some of the greatest music ever recorded. Back even before then on the strangely prophetic "Controversy" Prince sung "People call me rude / I wish we all were nude / I wish there was no black and white / I wish there were no rules." He has done a brilliant job of ripping up those rules all through his music career, and he is a living legend who continues to fascinate us in 2010.

Rise and shine soul! Sam Cooke

2010-02-23T09:43:00.000Z

One of the greatest singers of all time

Rise and shine soul! Gil Scott Heron part 5

2010-02-20T11:29:00.002Z

(okay i've been up since 8 give me a break!)

Gil Scott Heron part 5

Kanye did a terrific job on this with Common and "The People" which i posted last week

Rise and shine soul! Gil Scott Heron part 4

2010-02-19T10:02:00.000Z

Rise and Shine soul

In anticipation of Lola's first birthday Monday

Gil Scott Heron part 4

Rise and shine soul! Gil Scott Heron part 3

2010-02-18T09:37:00.001Z

sublime

Rise and shine soul! Gil Scott Heron part 2

2010-02-17T10:14:00.001Z

another masterpiece

Rise and shine soul! Gil Scott Heron

2010-02-16T08:27:00.001Z

Longevity!

2010-02-15T16:15:00.003Z

Longevity is something that many artists wish to achieve but in a world that is moving faster than ever it is easy to see why many sometimes take the short term option over the longer term one. Unfortunately, this can lead to poor quality control and dated music. There are plenty of artists out there who are patient enough to see beyond music trends and fashions, and at the moment quite a few of them have decided to come back with music releases!

Sade is a singer who could never be accused of rushing things. It's nearly 10 years since her last album and "Solider of Love" arrives at a time when a million and one pretenders have come and gone, but when anticipation for her music is as strong as ever. This is laid-back modern day gimmick free soul music that rewards repeated listening. None of the singles here will threaten the Lady Ga Ga or Black Eyed Peas of the world chart-wise, but this album will stand up in ten years and sell millions too.

Massive Attack are another UK group who always seem to perfectly judge the time when a new album will be anticipated and despite being quite busy touring wise and in the studio quite a bit, they only sporadically release albums. Heligoland is their 5th proper album over a 20 year period that has seen them enjoy huge critical and indeed commercial success. As always there are loads of guests, including regulars such as Horace Andy and also DAmon Albarn, Hope Sadoval Tune Adebimpe, Guy Garvey, Martina Topley-Bird and Portisheads Adrian Utley. Massive Attack are a great band and this one takes a bit of work, but I have to admit I'm a fan.

The Gorillaz are a virtual group involving Damon Albarn who can certainly not be accused of tardiness when it comes to putting music out there. The new single "Stylo" is typical Gorillaz. Soul legend Bobby Womack joins Brooklyn rapper Mos Def on vocals over an electronic downtempo workout. Also set to appear on the forthcoming album are a host of guests once more. Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mark E Smith, Paul Simonon, Kano, De la Soul and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are all on board on what should be a mouth watering prospect. The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are back here in April and celebrate with the a fine release on Dublin's Choice Cuts label, paying homage to classics by the Art of Noise, Outkast and Fela Kuti amongst others.

Soul and jazz legend Gil Scott Heron has a new album out too. "I'm new here" is only about 27 minutes long and produced by XL boss Richard Russell. There's some great stuff on this album and it's terrific to have one of musics most influential figures back. Meanwhile, another soul legend beset with personal problems, could be making an even more unlikely return. Sly Stone has been AWOL bar only the odd public appearance for many years, but he is working with the likes of George Clinton on new material and though both his finances and health have taken some big batterings over the year, we live in hope that he can make a comeback.

Another new albums worth checking include the latest from the young US Jazz singer Jose James, which is called "Blackmagic" The spirit of legends such as John Coltrane is alive here on this stunning album, while I'm sure Gil Scott Heron himself would approve. Jose James is like the wonderful Robert Glasper, a new school jazz artist who is very much in the classic mode while remaining at the cutting edge of music in 2010. All in all, it's not been a bad start to the year for new music!

"I guess i'll see you next lifetime"

2010-02-11T22:53:00.003Z

1997

"On and On" already huge in Henrys, I bagged the vinyl of "Baduizm" in Manchester when we were djing over there-Think myself and Aoife Ni Canna got a copy each of the rare import and Angi, who i was spinning with at the time, was mad for a copy too as we tore apart Fat City for tunes-it was a great weekend and United ...won the match and another title soon after! The long 12 minute live version on the 12" was my first record on my Sunday soul show on Friendly that following summer, i used get up to the studio wrecked tired at midday after late night sessions and put it on, head down to the shop for
coffee and a sandwich, and be back in time for the next tune! She has continued to make great music since and her last album was my favourite of them all bar this.

I dedicate this tune to the memory
of Anna, who I shared some terrific times with that summer (although she
got kicked out of every club I DJ'd in it was always fun!)

"I Guess I'll see you next lifetime"

Stevie G presents the best of 97! Free download here

It's alright!

2010-02-11T12:53:00.002Z

Just saw on the news that there are huge celebrations are being held in South Africa to mark the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison.

I thought i told ya that we don't stop!

2010-02-06T09:56:00.001Z

Hip-housin part 2 tonight on Corks RedFM 104-106 on my Black on Red show-Stevie G

One or two more bits of UK Flavour, a couple of crossover hits, more
female MC's and one or two related tracks that are not hip-house per se,
but have that vibe; like this classic below!

part 1 here

Bringing that Hip-house back!

2010-02-05T09:34:00.005Z

It is interesting to look at the pop charts in the last couple of years and see how house and electro music has become so popular among the mainstream. Never ones to miss a beat, many of the higher profile hip-hop and r&b artists have jumped on the bandwagon too and the tempos of many of the biggest hits are quite high these days. This makes sense, particularly as dance-floors are easier to fill with more uptempo music, and with some of the best producers in pop music being from an r&b and hip-hop background, there is no shortage of armour in these chart assaults.

Will I Am, Timbaland, the Neptunes and many more have always been at the forefront of taste-making in the charts these last few years, and all continue to enjoy huge success. We have been there before though, and about twenty years ago both the charts and the nightclubs were awash with hip-house music that briefly became the next big trend. Commercial acts such as Technotronic, the Beatmasters, the excellent C&C Music Factory and lots of other acts enjoyed huge hits while underground obscure producers such as Fast Eddie, Tyree Cooper, Kool Rock Steady and Doug Lazy were very popular in the clubs. Many of these names soon disappeared from view and it's interesting to see what happened since. Even the commercially successful ones fell by the wayside in many ways, and it's no suprise seeing as there was a certain novelty element to the music in the first place.

It is a shame in some ways though that a few of these guys are not recognised, especially in light of the fact that they some of the music stands up favourably against the more popular modern day releases. The new Black Eyed Peas single, "Rock your body", uses a sample from Rob Base and EZ Rocks "It Takes Two" as it's backbone, but is still an inferior tune. The original, itself based one the James Brown produced Lyn Collins classic "Think", remains a big club track even in 2010 but at least the Black Eyed Peas are helping people to hear one or two of these old tracks.

Tyree Cooper tells a very interesting tale about the politics of hip-house. The Chicago producer and rapper now lives in Berlin, where he is still active in music. At one stage, after becoming disillusioned like many hip-hop and house artists of his era with a music industry that never rewarded him properly for record sales, Tyree had retired and ended up delivering pizzas rather than hot 12 inches of hip-house wax to the general public. In a story that in many ways echoes the fall of disco, Tyree tells of how many of the hip-hop fraternity in the late 80's initially distanced themselves from himself and the other producers and rappers who embraced house.

It was dismissed as "gay dance music" by a macho hip-hop scene who ironically ended up jumping on it's bandwagon in some ways when it became successful. The origins of house music in gay clubs was a bridge to far for a few rappers, and just like with the backlash against disco ten years previously, when hip-house went out of fashion there was a degree of homophobia involved. Tyree reminds us that Chicago was just as tough as many of the other cities that spawned hip-hop; "You don't know that shit was born and bred in Chicago on the South and Westside. Just as hard as y'all think y'all are, MFs in Chicago is just as hard." But in a macho hip-hop world the association with house, which ironically gave some of this music it's edge, was seen as a bad thing. Tyree and Fast Eddie and the others may be forgotten, but the music still sounds good to my ears regardless of petty narrow-minded politics and as a DJ i'll be doing my best to resurrect some interest in these pioneering sounds!

Free download of part one of my mix here

I'll House You Jungle Brothers
Let's Go-Fast Eddie
Nation Of Hip House Tyree
Hip-House-Fast Eddie Fast Eddie
hip house is a style of music today Tyree
Yo Yo Get Funky Fast Eddie
Turn Up the Bass Tyree feat. Kool Rock Steady
Get Into It-Tony Scott Tony Scott
4 Those Who Like To Groove (Club Groove Remix) twin hype
C'mon N Shake Yer Butts (Mike Dunn's Warehouse Mixx) 2 Young Brothers (Dynamite M.C. & D.J. Devastation)
Come Into My House (Zanzibar Mix) Queen Latifah
Do What You Want 2 In A Room
Let It Roll (Club Mix) Doug Lazy
In the mix-Mixmasters (Fast Eddie mix) Mixmasters
In the mix-Mixmasters (Vocal) Mixmasters
Work On Me Frankie Hollywood Rodriguez
Do It Robert Bond
It's About Time (Boogie Man Mix) Mix Masters & MC Action
I'll Make You Dance Kool Rock Steady
Hardcore Hip House Tyree
Let the Music Take Control Tyree
Get Busy Mr. Lee
I Git Minze Too Nice
Let d Ryhthm Pump-Doug Lazy Doug Lazy
Portrait of a Master Piece The D.O.C.
Portrait of a Masterpiece Remix-Doc The D.O.C.
Is there anybody out there?- The Bassheads with Afrika Bambattaa

Part 2 this Saturday

I wanna rock right now!

2010-02-04T16:31:00.002Z

More hip-hop meets house Saturday

and the James Brown brake from the classic original

So let it be house!

2010-02-03T18:28:00.000Z

More hip-house on Saturday on Black on Red--this is not hip-house per se, but Mike Dunn is another Chicago legend who deserves recognition (and it's a bangin tune)

Git on up!

2010-02-02T16:39:00.004Z

More hip-house next Saturday the revolution will not be televised (it will be on the radio however!) Free download of part of the mix here

"89's the year, house music is in your ear!"

2010-01-30T10:20:00.001Z

Debut of a new Hip-house mix tonight Black on Red from 7pm on Corks RedFM 104-106 one of my favourite ever mixes serious classic shit all the way!

Knock ya out the box!

2010-01-29T10:00:00.001Z

Knock ya out the box! Fast Eddie mix comin on my mix tomorrow!

I'll make ya dance!

2010-01-28T20:20:00.001Z

Lidell Townsell plus Kool Rock Steady = YAAAAAAA!

The classic mix of the classic anthem!

2010-01-28T17:58:00.001Z

I'll be bumpin the vocal in the mix on Saturday night on RedFM as we pay respect to hip-house on Black on Red

Modern day hip-house classic

2010-01-28T12:49:00.000Z

Don't you want some more?

2010-01-27T11:01:00.001Z

Mr Lee "Get busy"

2010-01-26T23:33:00.000Z

More hip-house chronicles I just wanna go crazyyyy to this one special hip-house mix from yours truly on Black on Red Saturday night!

Hip-housin with Doug Lazy!

2010-01-26T23:30:00.002Z

Two more classics

"I throw bass and you fetch like Trigger"

Classic shit

"It's not hip-hop or hop-hip it's hip-house"

2010-01-26T00:21:00.001Z

"Yo party people get ready for this
this is a serious song that can't be missed
It's not hip-hop or hop-hip it's hip-house
get ready, cause i'm about to turn it out"

One of my missions in 010 is to bring hip-house to new audiences!

I have some nice mixes coming in the next few weeks; this is some of the most under-rated and best party music of all time but many of the OG's remain obscure and broke; two of my favourite music forms together means happy Stevie stay tuned for some killer tunes both old and new

One for the late night crew! Jill Scott

2010-01-18T23:16:00.000Z

One for the late night crew!

I'm gone through an old Philly phase these last few days one of my favourite soul singers and one of my favourite albums this stands up there with anything the greats of the 70's did and that's saying something.

Teddy Pendergrass RIP

2010-01-14T10:41:00.003Z

One of my favourite soul singers died yesterday

I'll have a full tribute on Black on Red on Saturday

Rest in Peace Teddy

Here's ten of his best, starting off with the track that defined 10 years of my DJing in Sir Henrys Back Bar in the 90's

One for the late night crew! O.V. Wright

2010-01-06T00:26:00.003Z

Willie Mitchell RIP (he produced much of Wrights material, including this?; not sure but it's one of my all time favs)

Willie Mitchell RIP

2010-01-06T00:13:00.004Z

The legendary producer of Al Green, Syl Johnson and Ann Peebles, died today (Full tribute written a few days later below)

Free download of my mix here

Willie Mitchell died last week. To the man or woman on the street this will not mean much but almost every even casual music fan will of heard and hummed one of his songs in various forms over the years. Willie was highly respected in the world of southern soul, and helped mould Al Green into one of the most important soul singers of the last 40 years. Tunes such as "Let's Stay Together" and Ann Peebles "I Can't stand the rain" are rightly regarded as some of the most important soul tacks of all time, and Willie Mitchell was behind these and many more over a fantastic career that saw him writing, producing and performing for well over five decades.
TIna Turner was one such artist who benefited from Mitchell's genius. Her own comeback in the early 80's was spearheaded by the U.K. success of her "Let's Stay together" cover, while she also covered "I Can't stand the rain" during her most successful era. Rod Stewart, John Mayer and a host of other well known pop stars also turned to Mitchell over the years, and he was at hand to help spearhead the comeback of Al Green a few years ago too, as the two recreated one of soul musics great partnerships on a couple of very good albums. It is his early work with Green that elevated Mitchell to soul genius though.
He had been a respected musician who enjoyed some solo hits and was constantly on the road, but once he took over as head of the impressive Hi records, he really made his mark. He assembled one of the most impressive house bands in soul music and helped create a signature sound that combined jazzy chords with tight funky drums. Disciples such as the Rza of the Wu Tang Clan helped re-popularize this sound many years later through a major pillaging of Mitchell's back catalogue while producing some of the best hip-hop ever made. Kanye, Timbaland, Dilla and most of the modern day producers held Mitchell in great esteem, and Timbaland helped put Missy Elliot on the road to stardom with their cover and re-interpretation of "I Can't stand the rain" in the mid 90's. Before that she was a respected writer, singer and rapper, but ever since she has been a major musical player in the U.S.
It's a shame that the songs original singer, Ann Peebles, never found the solo fame her talent so obviously deserved, and she is seen by many as one of the most under-rated singers of the 70's. Similarly Syl Johnson, O.V.Wright and Otis Clay are all under-rated, despite various degrees of success. All three benefitted from some brilliant production from their label boss but much of this remained under the radar despite some heavy sampling and acknowledgement from the modern hip-hop and soul generation.
The same could certainly not be said of Al Green. He's been even more sampled and highly regarded and has been massively successful over the last 40 years. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was mentioning how he gave Cork one of it's greatest ever concerts in 2005 and it is fair to say that he is one of greatest soul and pop singers alive. Willie Mitchell discovered Al Green and claimed "Of all the singers, he was the only one that could hear jazz changes and really sing in that style. Once we got that sound together, I just kept making those arrangements ... and it was just hit after hit. Al Green more recently said "Willie is like my brother, my father, my coach, my founder" The appreciation was mutual. May he rest in peace.

Tune of the day! Solange

2009-12-10T12:11:00.003Z

Big one from last year Solange finally stepped out of her famous sisters shadows with "I Decided" and this was a superb follow-up utising some classic drums!

Drums