RIBS TPTD: The 5th Dimension, Booker T & The MG’s, Roy Ayers
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)
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2 Comments on RIBS TPTD: The 5th Dimension, Booker T & The MG’s, Roy Ayers
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NetInfoWeb 2.0: Soul, R&B, Jazz and Blues on the ‘Net » links for 2007-04-19 on
Thu, 19th Apr 2007 3:31 am
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Vincent on
Mon, 30th Apr 2007 4:46 pm
[...] RIBS-TPTD: The 5th Dimention, Booker T & The MG’s, Roy Ayers View blog reactions [...]
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I’ve had a copy of the 5th Dimension’s “Portrait” in my library ever since I was a child, and you can never go wrong with the Stax house band… Thanks for the links and such. I’ll be back on Thursday, rest assured.
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