RIBS TPTD: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Blue Magic, Donald Byrd
Filed under: R&B, Triple Play Thurs-Day, jazz, music, podcasts/mixes, soul
Let’s see… take one all-time, classic R&B group with arguably one of the most dynamic vocalists that there will ever be, one smooth sounding group that could harmonize a love song like there was no tomorrow and rock you on the dance floor just as well, and one trumpet in the hands of one of the masters of jazz… shake well (not stirred), bake for several hours at low heat…
Hey, that sounds like the recipe for this week’s Triple Play Thurs-Day! Come into our kitchen and sample what we’ve cooked up for you this week as we present to you:
RIBS TPTD: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes-Blue Magic-Donald Byrd
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Playlist:
- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Cabaret
- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back)
- Blue Magic - Look Me Up
- Donald Byrd - Change (Makes You Want To Hustle)
- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost
- Donald Byrd - Flight Time
- Blue Magic - Welcome To The Club
- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Yesterday I Had The Blues
- Blue Magic - Tear It Down
- Donald Byrd - Black Byrd
- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - I’m Weak For You
- Blue Magic - Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely
- Donald Byrd - Think Twice
- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Don’t Leave Me This Way
Enjoy!
Technorati Tags: soul, netinfoweb, TPTD, playlist, mp3, mp3blog, soul music, jazz, Rhythms In Black Satin, RIBS
RIBS TPTD: The 5th Dimension, Booker T & The MG’s, Roy Ayers
Filed under: R&B, Triple Play Thurs-Day, jazz, music, podcasts/mixes, soul
I hope you are enjoying this Triple Play Thurs-Day playlist format as much as I am. It takes me back to the good ol’ days when I had a weekly radio show in college. One of the things I really enjoy is coming up with combinations of music artists that you might not think about mixing together and then seeing what kind of musical flow can be be created from their body of work.
I think this week’s trio is a good example of that very point as we present to you:
- a childhood favorite from my early years, The 5th Dimension
- the distinctive Hammond organ sound of, Booker T & The MG’s
- and the master of the vibraphone, Roy Ayers
The 5th Dimension is one of those groups that often get lost, overlooked and/or downright rejected when it comes to a conversation about soul music. While it is understandable to a certain extent (especially when you analyze their music from the early 70’s on, when their music took on a more ‘pop-oriented’, less ’soulful’ sound), it is still unfortunate because they had great harmony and at times could belt out a pretty soulful sound, especially early in their career. Of course, as happens around here, I’ve tried to stay away from the more popular tunes from the group. I mean, if you know who the 5th Dimension are then you are already familiar with songs like Up, Up And Away, Wedding Bell Blues and Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In; One Less Bell To Answer is the lone exception because it works so well sandwiched in between the two Roy Ayers cuts (and it also happens to be one of my favorite songs by the group!).
What you will hear in this mix is a more soulful side of the group as exemplified by California Soul (written by Ashford & Simpson), Stoned Soul Picnic and the beautiful ballad, Together Let’s Find Love. As a matter of fact, things kick off with a downright funky version of Feelin’ Alright? (originally recorded by Traffic in 1968 and a hit for Joe Cocker in 1969) with Billy Davis on lead. I really like this version of the song, especially because it is so unlike their normal sound. See, told you the group had soul!
Anyway, if you haven’t heard (or even thought of) any 5th Dimension music in a long, long time, give ‘em listen here. Maybe your perceptions of the group will be altered just a little.
As the “house band” for Stax/Volt records, Booker T & The MG’s originated the unique sound of that label dubbed “Soulsville U.S.A.” (a play on Motown’s “Hitville U.S.A.” slogan). As such, I would go so far as to say that this group defined the sound of soul music in the 60’s to an equal degree as Berry Gordy’s Motown label. Listen to the groovin’ Hammond B-3 organ of Booker T. Jones and decide for yourself.
Roy Ayers’ Take All The Time You Need… talk about a song that can just make time stand still and transport you to another space and time. Whooo! When I first started to appreciate jazz back in the college days Roy’s jazz/funk vibraphone was one of the reasons (Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and David Sanborn have to take their share of the blame also, but that’s another story…) Whether its his wonderful interpretation of the M.A.S.H. Theme, his cover of Stoned Soul Picnic or the funky groove of Running Away (sorry, just couldn’t fit that one into this mix) the Roy Ayers sound is distinct, pleasing and soulful. If you are into Jazz (and why wouldn’t you be?) you must have some Roy Ayers in your collection. If you are just getting into Jazz, definately make at least one Roy Ayers disc a part of your initial purchase.
Usually at the end of these posts I bid you adieu by encouraging you to “enjoy!” the music. However, this week I need to change that up a bit. You see, my good friend EJFlavors who does the absolutely fantastic Old School Wednesday playlist each week was a little under the weather yesterday and didn’t get a chance to give us a mix this week. So, just to let him know that we are thinking about him and hoping that he feels better real soon, I’ll leave you today with the words he always uses at the end of his Wednesday messages…
“Take it light.”
RIBS TPTD: The 5th Dimension-Booker T & The MG’s-Roy Ayers
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Playlist:
- The 5th Dimension - Feelin’ Alright
- Booker T & The MG’s - I Can Dig It
- Roy Ayers - M.A.S.H. Theme
- The 5th Dimension - Never My Love
- Booker T & The MG’s - Never My Love
- Roy Ayers - Stoned Soul Picnic
- The 5th Dimension - Stoned Soul Picnic
- Booker T & The MG’s - You Keep Me Hangin’ On
- Roy Ayers - Take All The Time You Need
- The 5th Dimension - One Less Bell To Answer
- Roy Ayers - Mystic Voyage
- Booker T & The MG’s - Groovin’
- The 5th Dimension - Don’tcha Hear Me Callin’ To Ya
- Booker T & The MG’s - (Sweet, Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone
- Roy Ayers - Change Up The Groove
- The 5th Dimension - California Soul
- Booker T & The MG’s - Time Is Tight
- Roy Ayers - The Golden Rod
- The 5th Dimension - Together Let’s Find Love
- Booker T & The MG’s - Green Onions
- The 5th Dimension - Love’s Lines, Angles and Rhymes
- Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine (acid jazz mix by DJ Smash)
Technorati Tags: soul, netinfoweb, TPTD, playlist, mp3, mp3blog, soul music, jazz, Rhythms In Black Satin, RIBS
RIBS Sunday Soul: “Hot Fun!”…
Filed under: Funk, General/Misc, R&B, SundaySoul, music, podcasts/mixes, soul
Hey! Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the SundaySoul mixes, perish the thought. I have quite a few creations in mind that won’t fit in the Triple Play Thurs-Day slot that are just perfect candidates for some “Sunday Soul”.
Sundays are usually laid back, mellow days perfect for relaxing before getting back into the grind of the work week. But sometimes… the weekend is just so good to us that we just have to carry the party over from Saturday night. And that’s just the case with this mix. Let’s have some…
…Hot Fun!
RIBS SundaySoul: Hot Fun
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Right-click here to download .MP3 file (74Mb)
Playlist:
- The Blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park
- Sly & The Family Stone - Hot Fun In The Summertime
- Ohio Players - Love Rollercoaster
- Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage
- WAR - The Cisco Kid
- Ohio Players - Skin Tight
- The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze
- The Isley Brothers - Brown Eyed Girl
- Midnight Star - Wet My Whistle
- Kool & The Gang - Take My Heart
- The O’Jays - Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby
- The Main Ingredient - Happiness Is Just Around The Bend
- The Isley Brothers - That Lady
- The Commodores - Brick House
- B.B. King - Into The Night
- Stevie Wonder - As
BTW… I would be absolutely remiss (and probably vilified for life {smile}) if I didn’t give props to my two college buddys, “The Garrett Kid” and “The Mighty ‘O’”. The three of us collaborated on this mix last summer and had a blast doing it. I finally got a chance to get it up on the site. You two have been (and are still) such an important part of my life!
Enjoy!
Technorati Tags: soul, netinfoweb, SundaySoul, playlist, mp3, mp3blog, soul music, Rhythms In Black Satin, RIBS
RIBS TPTD: WAR, Sly & The Family Stone, The Blackbyrds
Filed under: Funk, R&B, Triple Play Thurs-Day, jazz, music, podcasts/mixes, soul
Well, I missed last week’s TPTD due to being out of town on business, so I had a lot of fun doing this one. This week’s Triple Play Thurs-Day consists of two of my all-time favorites and a personal fav that, IMHO, is often overlooked. We present this week:
- the Soul/R&B/Latin/Jazz fusion sound that can only be, WAR
- Sly & The Family Stone (no more words are needed {smile})
- a group that can be both jazzy and funky, The Blackbyrds
I could talk for days about all of these groups (and maybe I will a little later), but right now let’s just get to the music!
Enjoy…
RIBS TPTD: WAR-Sly & The Family Stone-The Blackbyrds
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Right-click here to download .MP3 file (100Mb)
Playlist:
- WAR - Slippin’ Into Darkness
- Sly & The Family Stone - If You Want Me To Stay
- The Blackbyrds - Do It, Fluid
- WAR - Heartbeat
- Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself Again
- The Blackbyrds - Happy Music
- WAR - Four Cornered Room
- Sly & The Family Stone - Thankful N’ Thoughtful
- The Blackbyrds - Love Is Love
- WAR - Tobacco Road
- Sly & The Family Stone - Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey
- The Blackbyrds - The Runaway
- WAR - All Day Music
- WAR - Gypsy Man
Technorati Tags: soul, netinfoweb, TPTD, playlist, mp3, mp3blog, soul music, jazz, Rhythms In Black Satin, RIBS
Track 50 Soul Music Sites All On One Page…
First, the link: NetInfoWeb’s SoulSites Aggregator Page
One of the things I have always wanted to do since I started this new direction for the main site (NetInfoWeb 2.0) is to create a place where people could go to discover soul music sites and easily find out what they are talking about. Well, today that goal has partially come true!
Phase 1 of the “SoulSites Aggregator” is now ready for you.
A little background as to how this is being done (for now)…
A couple months ago I found this great service called SpotBack News. Basically, it is a personalized news website that let’s you rate news stories and customize the site to present you stories from your topics of interest. One of the options SpotBack provides, NewsSnacks, let’s you build a custom news page from sources (i.e. RSS feeds) that you supply and presents it to you in a format similar to sites like Original Signal, POPURLS, Digg View, etc. Perfect! All that was left to do now was:
- Export an OPML file from my web-based aggregator
- Select the initial sites to display
- Create a subdomain (soulsites.netinfoweb.com) on my web server
- Add a 301 redirect to the default page of the new subdomain to display the page
Now, as I have mentioned, this is only the first step towards the eventual goal. Ideally, I would want to have this service running 100% on my own server without the need to rely on an outside site or service which could disappear at any given time. So… the development continues, but this first step is the realization of a dream I’ve had for a while now. It feels pretty damn good.
Technorati Tags: netinfoweb, soulsites, aggregator, soul music
No TPTD Playlist This Week…
I’m out of town all week and have very limited Internet access, so there will be no new Triple Play Thurs-Day playlist this week. Tune in next Thursday for a new mix… and maybe a little something extra!
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By N2H
