Every year, as I pull out the tree and begin to put up Christmas decorations, I need to pull out my holiday playlist of standards I've been listening to since I was a little girl and a few newer ones. Christmas just ain't Christmas without this music.
There are a few that I hold dear to my heart as my top favorites with The Drifters' White Christmas falling in that esteemed category.
The Drifters' version is just everything. From the cheerful and peppy harmony to the smooth breakdown at the end. It is truly a classic!
You know how you hear a new song on the radio and think 'Damn, that is a tight beat' or 'That is an original sound!' and may wonder how they came up with that? Yup, I think I had a similar thought when I first heard Drake's summer hit, "Hotline Bling." It had this very empty, bare-bones production with a very simple hook. It was everywhere!
Then I came across this Timmy Thomas song "Why Can't We Live Together." Soon as the song started, I stopped in my tracks. That hot original beat that I danced to over the summer...was not a Drake original. Mind you, its not a total sample as Drake's producers clearly put a different spin on it but obviously you can hear that Thomas' track is the clear original.
Check it out here:
And Drake's here:
And apparently Thomas was none other than thrilled that his '70s song was brought back to life.
The day I discovered this amazing group and their music was one where I exhaled a deep sigh and an audible "Yesssss."
If I may, please let me introduce you to Jazzanova, a German-based group of musicians, whose ultra-chill sound can be perfectly summed up as nu-jazz, electronica with funk, soul and Latin influences. I mean these are some gifted musicians with some artfully relaxing music.
Check them out for yourself. Here are a few of my top tracks:
Lucky Girl
I mean just gorgeous!! Warm vocals by Paul Randolph, with a cheerful and airy jazz flute and vibrant horns.
No Use
Laid back, rich and sensual, this could easily make a "quiet storm" or romantic playlist. It instantly sets the mood.
Another New Day
Such smooth, varied and jazzy instrumentation. Has a thoughtful and introspective feel. Wait for that beat break at 2:33.
Theme from Belle Et Fou
Pure funk!!! But not dance funk; a more chill but uptempo piece. Sets the tone for a friendly get-together or dinner party.
So I'd heard this song a million times from TV commercials such as for TJ Maxx but while I subliminally filed it away, it never dawned on me to look it up. Because if I did, I would have been surprised to find its sung by none other than Estelle but the bigger surprise was finding out that unique-tress Janelle had dropped vocals on this cool, bouncy song.
How did I not pay attention to this??? Don't I feel silly??
This is one of those songs that make me frustrated with public radio because this is the kind of song I want to hear and should hear but seems to never play on common radio.
From the first sound of this unique voice, to the bells, and then the throwback beat drops, this track sounds like something special is happening. This one should grab you right away! Its a feel-good with a great sound mixing soul, a dash of reggae and a '60s beat but its the hook that will pull you in:
I say you got me singing G-G-G-G-G-G- (Georgia!)
So just who is this Tiggs?? He is a Tanzanian from South London honing his crafts in producing, singing and songwriting who aims to win a Grammy one day. I'll be looking out for that!
The year was 1998. I was 10 when the youngest artist to sign with a major label, Tracie Spencer was signed and then released her debut album, prompting the cute and catchy single and video "Symptoms of True Love." I was hooked and instantly jealous. This girl had everything going on: beauty, a big voice and she was already making music at the tender age of 12! I remember that thing that struck me about her was how well she sang at such a young age.
Fast forward a few years, when her second album dropped. I remember the day I first saw the "This House" video of the now older and more mature Tracie. I was blown away! In just two years, the cute little girl had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. I was even more jealous. Not only that but but the song and whole album was good. She sounded even better!
She had a couple other singles from this album, "Tender Kisses" and "Love Me". She went on to do some modeling and even recorded a 3rd album in 1999. But soon after fell into obscurity. She did do some background vocals for Kanye West but settled into family life and has mostly stayed out of the limelight.
And for another flashback, check out her first video:
Watching TV over the past few weeks (probably MTV's Catfish if I am really thinking on it), this commercial kept coming on and this super-hyped, stupid crazy beat came on. Couldn't grab my phone fast enough to Shazam it and find out the source of that insane ass-shaking beat.
This would happen to me about 10 times before I finally caught the commercial in time to realize it was an ad for Mountain Dew. Off to Google I went and finally tracked down the song. Its called Wiggle Wop by Party Favor.
Party Favor is the work of one Dylan Ragland, an electronic dance and trap music DJ who has been making a name for himself touring internationally and working with artists such as DJ Khalid, Gucci Mane and Sean Kingston.
If you're a fan of the movie Shaun of the Dead, you may recognize this song (and if you're not, what is wrong with you???). Really, only first 6 seconds of this song appear in the very beginning of the movie but you can also hear it playing low in the jukebox in the first Winchester bar scene where the main characters are introduced.
It was a perfect choice for a movie about a zombie apocalypse, though you didn't hear that much of it. But turns out, its much more than that. Released in 1981 during a time of unrest and violent riots were occurring in cities in Great Britain, it was praised for its the social commentary on local events, which spoke on issues such a unemployment, deindustrialization and urban decay.
Also worth noting, is the British 2 tone sound, which melds ska with reggae, punk rock and new wave.
So here is what I remember about Don't Wanna Fall In Love by Jane Child: the video featuring a white woman with a nose-ring chain connected to one earlobe, spiky short hair on top of her head, swinging around ankle-length blonde braids, in a long coat, as she danced in various scenes in what looks like New York City.
Oh that and the late '80s/early '90s beat and synth sound in an all-around fun song sung with a hint of R&B.
It was 1990 and I was barely a teen when this came out but it caught my attention because while she looked like she should be singing a punk rock song, this track was a bit more urban. In fact, it reached #6 on the R&B charts at that time and #2 on Billboard's Top 100.
But where is Jane Child now? As it often happens when one has just one solid hit song, she was dropped from her label when her follow-up album failed to chart. Jane Child did continue to do music and released singles independently but none rose to the level that this one did.
The Dungeon Family, an act I sadly was unaware of until now, is a musical collective or music family if you will, based in Atlanta, GA and comprised of several well known hip hop acts including Outkast, Organized Noise and Goodie Mob.
And you can tell by their sound that this track features members of Outkast as their quintessential sound comes through. Follow The Light has one of those easy-to-remember hooks that you will have you singing along to in about 15 seconds. Its chill, and after the immediate statement People don't use our music to get high, they use our music to get by, it drops into a that feels warm and homey.
I can't remember when I first heard this song, whether it was the radio on CD or what have you. What I do remember is being completely mesmerized by it and the concept of falling in a forever love.
It was 1993 and I was about 15 years old. Checking the charts, it never made Top 20 but it resonated something in my young mind because I loved listening to is and picturing my future wedding.
Even all these years later, its still a beautiful love ballad.
Who knew Tito Jackson was cutting singles? Yes Tito! MJ's brother and more than that, its nice!
Its got a cool little finger-snapping sound. This single was a bit unexpected from me since you always hear of other Jacksons stating they are working on new music but to actually hear it and like it, well, let's just say it was a nice surprise.
Check it out here:
Also check out this interview with Wendy Williams here:
Doing karaoke the other night, this song was surprisingly chosen and oh my gudness, the memories it brought back!
Back to 1992, when SWV (Sisters With Voices) dropped their debut album Its About Time and I was already loving "I'm So Into You", the group's first single when "Weak" was released as their second.
I was instantly entranced, like many of my peers and it became The Song to learn to sing, word for word and as close to lead vocalist Coko's tone and range as possible. I tell my friends I studied this song like it was my elective in high school! In ever EVERY girl in school was singing (or trying to sing) this song.
Quick tidbits, apparently Coko didn't like the song at first and it was written by producer Brian Alexander Morgan based on his feelings for singer Chante Moore. Who knew?!
In light of what would have been Michael Jackson's 58th birthday (on August 29th), here is a list, in no particular order of some of his best more obscure, lesser known or unreleased singles.
Music and Me (Music and Me)
Released on the album of the same name in 1973, Music and Me failed to chart and did not perform well. Its a sweet, reflective ballad sung beautifully by a very young Michael about the constant companion in music.
We've been together for such a long time now
Music, music and me
Stranger in Moscow (HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I)
Solemn. Pensive. Somber. But exquisite in its tone, capturing the very human emotion that is tormented loneliness. When I was going through a rough period years ago, this song was on mad repeat. It was written by Michael during a time of intense media scrutiny and personal anguish. Its a drastic departure from his usual pop sound.
How does it feel (How does it feel)
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel (How does it feel now)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone
And you're cold inside
I Can't Help It (Off The Wall)
Featuring one of the smoothest and most tranquil bass intros in all of R&B, I am actually astounded that the first 7 seconds of this have not been sampled to death. This gem from the Off The Wall album is a solid, chill song anyone could kick back to.
I can't help it it I wanted to
I wouldn't help it even if I could
I can't help it if I wanted to
I wouldn't help it, no
Get On The Floor (Off The Wall)
Still in the height of the disco era, MJ recorded this kick ass disco song featuring a bomb breakdown in the middle that you cannot NOT dance to!
So get on the floor,
and dance with me,
I love the way you shake that thing, girl
especially...
Show You The Way to Go (The Jacksons)
Ok, I will fully admit, this is a cheat because its actually a song by the Jackson brothers recorded but uhhh, whatever! Its just too good not to include! This is one of those rare songs I'd heard as a child but then completely forgot about and never really heard again. That is until after his death after my local radio station began playing a weekend marathon. Instantly stuck in my head. Forever.
Let me show you,
Let me show you the way to go
Break of Dawn (Invincible)
The first of several sexy and very current ballads from the under-promoted Invincible album. This one features the rarity of Michael singing about 'making love', a topic he usually steered cleared from. But it works here and stands as a great song.
Hold my hand, feel the touch of your body cling to mine,
You and me, makin’ love all the way through another night,
I remember you and I walking though the park at night,
Kiss and touch, nothing much, let it blow just touch and go
Heaven Can Wait (Invincible)
Call me a sucker but I just can't resist a great ballad that starts off with angelic sounding bells, then dips into the beat. The charm of this song is the conviction in which Michael sings about not leaving his baby alone. Swoon!
Tell the angels no, I don’t wanna leave my baby alone.
I don’t want nobody else to hold you,
That’s a chance I’ll take,
Baby I’ll stay, heaven can wait
Whatever Happens (Invincible)
This one starts off sound like a spaghetti Western movie, til the beat drops in. But accompanied by Carlos Santana's sexy guitar riffs, an easy hook and some background strings, Whatever Happens is one of the best tracks off of the Invincible album.
Whatever happens...don't let go of my hand.
Keep The Faith (Dangerous)
Seems like every top 100 artist needs to have a 'believe in yourself' type song and this is definitely the one from MJ. Maybe its a bit corny and simple but its still a solid message with a catchy and hummable hook. Worth mentioning is the choir that comes in around the end and ends on one satisfying, single note.
So keep the faith, ow, Don't let nobody take you down, brother, Just keep your eyes on the prize, And your feet flat on the ground, Keep the faith, baby, yea
Just Good Friends (Bad)
Ok, so kinda dated right now with all its heavy '80s synth and drum beats but its also a funky duet with The Stevie Wonder. Does anything else even matter after that?
If they ask her,
Tell 'em that we're just
Good friends . . .
P. Y. T. (Thriller)
Probably more popular than the other "obscure" songs, as any MJ listener is probably familiar but this is a quintessential '80s, R&B song, complete with call-outs to all the pretty young things (which I'm sure everyone knows includes vocals by big sis LaToya).
Pretty young things, repeat after me,
[Michael] I said Na Na Na,
[P.Y.T.'S] Na Na Na,
[Michael] Na Na Na Na,
[P.Y.T.'S] Na Na Na Na
The Girl Is Mine (Thriller)
Before there was The Boy Is Mine, there was The Girl Is Mine, one of the best duos from a time when Sir Paul McCartney and MJ were still friends (ya know before Michael bought The Beatles' catalog, thus squashing their friendship into the dirt). Yeah its a bit juvenile but MJ fans typically find it cute and singable. Plus it brought us this classic line:
I'm a lover not a fighter!
The Lady In My Life (Thriller)
THIS SONG RIGHT HERE!!!! Hearing this song as a 10 year old girl in Baltimore in the '80s and hearing Michael croon about the lady in his life was the defining moment when I realized I wanted to marry him! Hearing MJ sing with such emotion about growing old together was enough for me in my young mind. The first first few bars of this track let you know immediately what kinda mood you're getting and it the sexiest song he produced. It hits all the right notes at the end when he gets into the soulful ad libs. So I'm just 'gon go ahead and proclaim this one of the BEST R&B love ballads of the 1980's. *mic drop*
And I will keep you warm through the shadows of the night
Let me touch you with my love
I can make you feel so right
And baby through the years even when we're old and gray
Ahhhh, call me a sucker for the chilled out electronica, but this tune only took about 5 good seconds to catch my ear and was then promptly added to my library of must-have new finds.
The song, Crave You, pretty much has all I need in a chillax tune: midtempo dance beat, a mellow and memorable hook, some bells, some keyboard, beat breaks in the right places and just an overall clean production.
The track was produced by Australian duo Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell, aka Flight Facilities, who have performed with artists such as The Roots, MGMT and have also had their music featured in the popular game Grand Theft Auto V.
And without further ado, please check this week's featured song:
All praise my main music source Spotify again for introducing this choice track into my radar.
The sound? A hip fusion of dance, electronica and traditional Mexican which blends into the fun, uptempo tune Se Baila Asi.
Straight outta Mexico City, Mexico, Mexican Institute of Sound of MIS, is the musical product of DJ and music producer Camilo Lara, with collaborations with various artists.
With a perfect blend of musical genres such as samba, funk and rock, Take It Easy My Brother Charles is a fantastic and fun track that starts off with larger than life horns and smooths into a snappy, happy and easy to pick up hook. This song gets heavy rotation on my 'feel good' songs playlist. Sung mostly in Portugese, one wouldn't even need to know a single verse as the tune, its production and his classy voice transcend
Born in Rio De Janeiro, He began singing and performing at an early age until he caught the eye of music producers and was signed to a recording contract. Take It Easy My Brother Charles was then released in 1969.
Check it out here:
His unique sound has been covered and sampled throughout many different artists and genres in the industry. The most noticeable would be the track "Mas Que Nada", sampled by Sergio Mendes with The Black Eyed Peas.
[While pre-gaming at Horseshoe Casino having drinks] Oooh, getting pumped!!! Gonna see Beyonce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woot woot!!!!!!
[I wonder what Bey is doing right now? Getting her hurr and makeup done. I wonder if she's getting a massage or other treatment to get her body ready. How does one prepare for a show like this?
I wonder if she starts getting her hair and stuff done at like 5pm. How long does it take to put it all together?
Wonder where she's staying? Which hotel?
I wonder if Jay and Blue are with her?
7:20pm, we need our check its time to go!!!!!!!!
[walking over form Horseshoe to the M&T Bank Stadium and surveying the crowds of women making their way over too] Errrr'body heading over to the show tonight. I hope she doesn't start at 7:30pm exactly [running late waiting for a train to pass]
Wow, ladies are looking nice tonight. Huur done, nails done, everything did! I see you!
Ok the ones in the high heels, they will be regretting that later!
Section 138, here I go, please don't start til I get in my seats.
In seats, now damn gotta hit the ladies room.
That line to the ladies room? Seriously??? OK, nope. Gotta wait.
Ok something is happening. Oh....just an opening act.
Who is DJ Khalid?
Oh, who cares, he is rocking it!!!!!!!!!!!!! [dancing]
Ohh Wale!
Oooh Trey Songz. He fine!
Mmmm, still fine!!
Ok, let's try the ladies room again....Nope, still too long. Can't!
Ok, bring on Beyonce!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure this box white box here will project the whole show. Wonder how they put this together, dissemble it and put it back together every night.
8:30pm. Where she at?????????
9pm. Hmmmm she's running late. Most shows I've been to, the artists was on stage by 8:30pm
9:05pm and the 'turn up buzz' has worn off and and my friend has nodded off in her seat.
9:15pm Did she get into with Jay and had to stop and tell him about himself? That probably takes awhile!
9:25pm OMG lights....action, the sounds of Formation!!! She's coming!!!!!!!!!!
During the Show
Finally!!!!!!!!!!! There she is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, from my seats, which I thought were pretty good, she's still tiny.
Man, to have those Beyhive seats near the stage.
Woulda been nice to be on the floor and maybe get sweated on.
Ok, those dance moves...crazy!! I mean she had to learn some serious and complicated dance moves to all these songs? How does she remember them all???
I mean really??? All that dancing and she then gets on the mic and doesn't miss a note? Who does that???
Ok, I am tired watching her. Let me sit down.
Seriously she dances soo hard, she's going to hurt herself one. Gonna need a hip replacement by the time she's 50. Hips and knees wear out! I'm concerned.
So her fave song off Lemonade is All Night Long? Really? Cause I find Hold Up waaaay hotter! And Freedom is my close 2nd.
Lawwwdhavvmercy!! All this dancing, when does she catch her breath to sing! Does she breathe air!
"Hold Up" that's my sooooooooooooonnnnnngggg!!!!
Wonder how her lacefront stays in so well. Is it sewn in around her edges Yeah, she probably has her blonde edges pulled out to hide the lacefront edge. Yeah, all that takes time and a skilled team.
Ohh, she's sweating and somebody got that sweaty towel. Lucky!
Ok, slow song, can we all sit down for a few?
So mad I barely have any bars in this stadium! How am I to Facebook my experience at the moment! I can't even tag the place! M&T get it together!
I wonder who tucks Blue into bed at night when her mom is on stage?
Also how does Blue deal with the rigors of touring? Being in a different city every night, living out of a suitcase. Its seems like such a hectic lifestyle for a small child. But then again, it's probably all she knows.
So Bey's favorite song to perform is "1+1"? Really? Shoot its not my fave to hear. But ok.
Wow, she is barely getting in like 5 min breaks. What if she has to go to the bathroom? Is there like a bucket near the entrance so she can drop it like its hot real quick???
Whaaat that's vlogger Evelyn "calling in black" (@evelynfromtheinternets). She played her video!!!!!! I wonder what she got paid?
I'm thinking like at least $3,000 would be a good amount to pay her. I hope she got at least that.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww, a Prince tribute.
Still can't believe Prince is gone!
Her ass tho????? Its perfect.
See even if I did like 1,000 squats, I could never have an perfect apple ass like that. Damn!
OK, its getting late. I got things to do in the morning. I gotta get up early...take my son to the Science Center.....
She's thanking us. Ok, time to wrap it up.
Maybe we should head out early and maybe I can hit the ladies room. Is it still a line??
After the Show
That was AMAZING!!!! But damn I'm tired [its nearly 11:30pm]. How the hell do I get out of here????
[seeing ladies who were in heels with heels in arms walking back barefoot] See! I knew it!
Final Thoughts
I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell ya'll. But Beyonce...is NOT HUMAN! I'm convinced and someone would have to seriously break it down to me why she's not but I really thing she's an android!!!! There is NO HUMAN on this earth that can dance through so many fast-paced and complicated dance moves, then pick up that mic like she doesn't need air to breath and belt out those notes as strong and clear as if she were a comfy, recording booth, sipping on lemonade. SHE's NOT HUMAN. She was sent to Earth by some superior force to bring us music and fashion and art and life and make all of us feel good but I'm telling you, she is NOT one of us!
She truly, truly has an amazing gift and it was a fabulous show. But I'm going to need a whole 'nother weekend just to recover from this experience. #tired #dehydrated #wornout! #satisfied
It was a bit tricky finding info on this somewhat elusive artist, but I thankfully stumbled on a Spin article that shed some light on the New York singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist that is Gabriel Garzon-Montano.
Spotify blessed me again with the souful, mid-tempo track Everything Is Everything and it's the type of song that you cannot not like. Its just pretty perfect in its simplicity.
This little number, featuring a gorgeous sample from Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons, I discovered while at happy hour with friends one night. I heard this fat beat and ear-catching crooning in the background and it distracted me from my drink until I had to ask, "What is this song????" Soo many years later and its still a stable in my happy/feel good and workout playlists.
Formed in 1992 by the duo Yosef Wolde-Mariam and Tshawe Baqwa, they hail from Norway. Yes, they're Norwegian!! and while this hot song didn't really chart in the US, it did reach #1 is France, Norway, Russia and Portugal and was #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Just prime example to me that sometimes the US market is well behind!
You've heard them on popular hits and songs and likely know the tunes but do you know where those original sounds came from?
Its no secret that some of the hottest songs to hit the tracks have sampled musical compositions from others, re-purposing them and sometimes recreating the entire song over. Here is 25 of some of the most recognizable samples. Some you may recognize right away. Others may not be so easy.
I Got The... / Labi Siffre (Eminem) This sample will come in around the middle of the song.
I Can't Stand The Rain / Ann Peebles (Missy Elliott)
Express Yourself / Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (NWA)
It's Just Begun / The Jimmy Castor Bunch
(The Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Kool Hertz and many more)
Ozone Breakdown / Renegade Soundwave
(This one will be more well known among Baltimore club fans)
Funky Nassau Pt. 1 &2 / The Beginning of The End
(Pete Nice & C.L Smooth, The Prodigy and many more. Listen for the drum break in the middle)
I Get Lifted / George McCrae (Snoop Dogg, KC and the Sunshine Band and others)
School Boy Crush / Average White Band (TLC and others)
Khosara / Abdel Halim Hafez (Jay Z)
Cavern / Liquid Liquid (Grandmaster Melle Mel)
Are You My Women (Tell Me So) / The Chi Lites (Beyonce)
Thank You (Fallentinme Be Mice Elf Agin ) / Earl Van Dyke
(Sly and the Family Stone, Janet Jackson and dozens of others)
Cola Bottle Baby / Edwin Birdsong (Daft Punk)
Jungle Jazz / Kool and the Gang
(Jade, Mantronix, Brand Nubian, Common and more)
Bustin Loose / Chuck Brown (Nelly)
Daydream in Blue / Gunter Kallman Choir (Lupe Fiasco and I Monster)
Love Sensation / Loleatta Hollway (Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch)
Brazillian Rhyme (Beijo Interlude) / Earth Wind Fire
(Big Pun, A Tribe Called Quest and more)
Amen, Brother / The Winstons (NWA)
Funky Drummer / James Brown
(over 1200 songs sampled including Dr. Dre, Jay Z and Public Enemy)
Think / Lyn Collins (sampled over 1400 times)
Synthetic Substitution / Melvin Bliss
(over 700 samples including Naughty By Nature and Wu Tang Klan)
Impeach the President / The Honey Drippers
(Notorious BIG, Audio Two and many more)
Apache / Incredible Bongo Band
(500+ samples, including Nas, Sugar Hill Gang and Jay Z)
Street Player / Chicago (Rufus and Chaka Kahn and others)
