Tune of the day (and rap lyric of the day) All Natural

Okay, enough fucking around!

This is quite simply one of the best hip-hop records of all time. It was massive for me when it came out and I still have a lot of affection for the legendary group and this legendary track. The Ramsey Lewis loop, used by many, is absolutely killer. And the lyrics are as good as it gets. I've included the samples of Ramsey Lewis and KRS One, plus the amazing "Julia" by the Beatles that Ramsey covered. Also, there's a short documentary on the amazingly under-rated Chicago crew All Natural referencing this tune. And it's on one of my favourite ever mixes right here here

"Now 50 years down the line, see I'll be chillin
like it ain't no thing, with little shorties on the swings
talkin bout, "My granddaddy had MAD flow
He got some old school, year two-thousand and ten tapes
when he was rockin the shows, and keepin it true
Takin out your granddaddy and his punk ass crew"
Your kid'll get mad, but Wilt didn't run
But what can you say, it's like father like son"

All Natural


Okay


Ramsey Lewis



The Beatles



Documentary



KRS-One

50 years of Motown numbers 27, 26, 25, 24 and 23!

48 hours to go to a huge celebration of Detroits great label! We are running a big night in Jam Friday at the Pavilion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. I'm counting down 50 of my favourites and here's five more

Download my Motown mix for here

No.27 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas-"Nowhere to Run"

Stomping tune with an amazing vocal



No.26 Marvin Gaye-"Let's Get It On"

Another turn in Marvin's career, from another classic album



No.25 Smokey Robinson-"Going to a Go-Go"

As fresh as ever I love this



No.24 Rare Earth-"I Just want to celebrate"

Norman Whitfield again showing the rock side of Motown



No.23 Edwin Starr-"25 Miles"

Northern soul classic

50 years of Motown numbers 31, 30 and 29! The Temptations, The Four Tops and the Marvelettes

I'm running behind a bit so here are three more give it up for the Funk Brothers and Norman Whitfield too, these guys were at the crux of the Motown sound and rarely get credit. I did a 2 hour radio show last year after Norman died out of the love of his music. His passing barely warranted a mention in the mainstream media. The Funk Brothers finally got overdue recognition in the fantastic 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown" movie, which was superb (I actually shed a tear or two during it). The party at the Pavilion is now 3 days away I hope you are ready to dance! Aswell as two classic from two of Motowns foremost bands i've included the highly influential "Hunter gets captured by the game" by the Marvelettes too, a record that was particularly influential to many gay soul fans, and another Smokey Robinson penned classic.

Number 31
The Temptations "Papa was a Rolling Stone"



Number 30
The Four Tops "It's the same old song"



Number 29
The Marvelettes "The Hunter gets captured by the game"

50 years of Motown no. 33-Frank Wilson "Do I Love You"

The fact that is probably the worlds most expensive record does not make a difference to me. The fact that is another Motown killer means it deserves a place here though! (I've also included the Chris Clark version) Check out classic northern soul like this downstairs in the Pav tomorrow with Phil Hope, who will also be joining us on our Motown special this Friday night at Jam!

50 years of Motown no. 35 and my Give me the night track-The Four Tops-'Reach out (I'll be there)"

More musical perfection from Holland-Dozier-Holland and the Four Tops, with the legendary Levi Stubbs on fire!

50 years of Motown no. 36-Willie Hutch "Brothers Gonna work it out"

Blazing social commentary from Willie Hutch. Everyone from Public Enemy to the Chemicals adopted the phrase, and the track itself still sounds amazing. Not your conventional Motown sound, but a reminder of how far to the left they travelled sonically in the 1970's. Check out our tribute on Friday night at Jam in the Pavilion.

50 years of Motown no.39-The Supremes-"Come see about Me"

Number 50-The Supremes-"Come see about Me"

We are running a big night in Jam on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, continuing today with another from the Supremes!
Download my Motown mix for free here

50 years of Motown no. 41-The Marvellettes "Please Mr Postman"

Motown classic number 41 complete with wacky video!

The Marvellettes "Please Mr Postman"

I challenge you not to sing; lol!

50 Years of Motown No.42-Martha Reeves and the Vandellas-"Heatwave"

We are running a big night in Jam on July 3rd to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna be selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, and given the weather we are having lately it's a perfect track!

50 years of Motown no.43-"Wherever I lay my hat"

50 tunes to celebrate 50 years of Motown!

Number 43-Marvin gaye-"Wherever I lay my hat"

We are running a big night in Jam on July 3rd to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna be selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, continuing with some early Marvin Gaye

50 years of Motown no.45-Stevie Wonder-I don't know why I love you

50 tunes to celebrate 50 years of Motown!

Number 45-Stevie Wonder-"I don't know why I love you"

We are running a big night in Jam on July 3rd to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna be selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, and this is my first entry from my namesake! A lessor known track than many of his big ones, but one of my personal favourites

Download my Motown mix for free here

50 years of Motown no.46 and one for the late night crew-The Four Tops-Ain't no woman like the one i've got

50 tunes to celebrate 50 years of Motown!

Number 46-The Four Tops-"Ain't no woman like the one i've got"

We are running a big night in Jam on July 3rd to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna be selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, here is the voice of the late great Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops!

50 years of Motown no.47-The Supremes-I hear a Symphony

50 tunes to celebrate 50 years of Motown!

Number 47-The Supremes-"I hear a Symphony"

We are running a big night in Jam on July 3rd to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna be selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, here is my first Supremes number, immaculate from Holland-Dozier-Holland again!

Download my Motown mix for free here

50 years of Motown no.50-The Temptations-Get Ready

50 tunes to celebrate 50 years of Motown!

Number 50-The Temptations-Get Ready

We are running a big night in Jam on July 3rd to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best record labels of all time. On my blog i'm gonna be selecting 50 of my favourites over the next couple of weeks, starting today with the Temptations.

Download my Motown mix for free here