Archive for the ‘Soul/ Funk/ Rare Groove’ Category

0058 Curtis Mayfield - To Be Invisible @ 3:47

Monday, December 14th, 2009

sweetexorcist

“so I’ll be invisible..”

When I first started buying old records, Curtis M was one who I would always look out for. All of these albums from the early 70’s (Sweet Exorcist, Supafly, Curtis, Back to the World) you can play the whole way through. This jam is kind of a slow one, but it stands out for me because of the ending. Remember that part in the Unkle video for Rabbit in your Headlights where the guy finds his strength and the car demolishes itself on HIM..I think this part of the song is like that. There’s like a little delay after “..upset”, and Curtis is reborn, choice made.  Invisible. It  sounds futuristic, and perfectly out of place.

Also, Cassius sampled it.

To Be Invisible 3:47 - 4:08

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

From Sweet Exorcist, released through Curtom Records in 1974.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Sampled, Soul/ Funk/ Rare Groove | No Comments »

0041 Raphael Saadiq - Love that Girl @ 2:02

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

raphael-saadiq-the-way-i-see-it

“She’s so…so sweet at dinner”

Amazing song, a feel good highlight from 2008. Let’s start with the bassline, and then you can go that piano play at the :32 part below, Saadiq’s straight smooth as velvet voice, the drum lead in at :37, the throwback to the 60’s but still sounding freshness, everything about this song is absolute loveliness.

I chose this part because you get the chorus, which is awesome, and then the lead in to the 2nd verse which I’m starting to notice more in different songs. I’ll try and find some more. Before the 2nd verse starts on a lot of songs, you get a little lead in, which here is the piano and drum part. It’s like the song is telling you, here we go again… and everyone in the band is smiling.

Love That Girl 2:02 - 2:42

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

From The Way I See It, released through Sony/ BMG, 2008.

Update:
There’s a video

Tags:
Posted in R&B, Soul/ Funk/ Rare Groove | No Comments »

0033 Willie Hutch - Brothers Gonna Work It Out at 0:00

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

themack

“you really don’t understand do you…”

2 instruments on this intro, a guitar and a flute, and that’s all you need. Listen to the guy exhale and sigh before he starts preaching, you gotta leave that in there.  They don’t make music like this anymore. This is only Part 1 of the  “you can’t keep us down..” Part 2 with the Clipse is next.

Brothers Gonna Work it out 0:00 - 1:45

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

From The Mack, released through Motown Records, 1973.

Tags: ,
Posted in Movies/ Soundtracks, Soul/ Funk/ Rare Groove | No Comments »

0015 Platinum Pied Pipers - Open your Eyes @ 1:43

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

ppp

“There is a light that shines, special for you and me..”

The background: Bobby Caldwell releases The Cat in the Hat in 1980. It features the song, Open your Eyes. Dilla uses the sample on the Common track The Light in 2000. The Platinum Pied Pipers do a cover of the song in 2003; there’s some history here.

PPP give it a nice re-rub, make it current, and keep the soulfulness from the original. The best part is right here when after the solo, the drums come back, and you hear the plea…”darling, open your eyes.” Come on baby!!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Platinum Pied Pipers Myspace

Tags: , ,
Posted in Detroit, Hip Hop, Soul/ Funk/ Rare Groove | No Comments »