RIBS TPTD: Con Funk Shun, Black Ivory, The Dramatics…

May 31, 2007 by tgrundy · 2 Comments
Filed under: Funk, R&B, Triple Play Thurs-Day, music, podcasts/mixes, soul 

While piecing together this week’s Triple Play Thurs-Day mix and reviewing the playlists from the past month the following thought struck me, “where have all of the groups gone?” I mean we used to be awash in soul and/or funk groups with five, six, seven or more members like Kool & The Gang, Ohio Players, The Commodores; or vocal groups like The Dells, The Temptations, Blue Magic with three, four or five members putting out great harmonies, ballads and dance tunes. Today’s music scene seems pretty barren as far as these types of groups are concerned.

Even with the revival currently underway with Soul music these days, it seems a lot of the new music coming out is by single artists as opposed to groups. Now I’m sure there are some multi-member groups out there on the scene putting down some “sweet, soul music”, but it’s just not like is was before. Who are/were the BIG soul groups from the past 5-6 years? Destiny’s Child (they’ve since disbanded), En Vogue, TLC, Boyz II Men, Outkast. These are the one’s that come to mind off the top of my head. Who else is/was out there? AAMOF, why should anyone have to think this hard to come up with some names. That’s my point.

Throughout the 70’s, 80’s and into the 90’s we would have rattled off about 2 dozen or more groups by now that not only had been together for 10 years or more, but also had a string of hits, both funk tunes and ballads, that were required listening if you called yourself a soul music fan. And another thing (while I’m mildly ranting here {smile}), where has the “tambourine” gone? Check out the Black Ivory cut “Surrender”, it’s in there. You used to hear the sound of a tambourine in a lot of the old soul recordings, but not that much anymore (if at all). {sigh} Where have all of the Soul groups (and the tambourine!) gone?

Anyway, while we try to find and/or think of some good groups on the current music scene today, we still have the abundant legacy of music of the great Soul groups from the past to keep us satisfied. And as “evidence” as my good friend wzjn (of Got The Fever fame) would say, we present to you this week:

  1. the funky soul and beautiful harmonies of: Con Funk Shun
  2. a group firmly embedded in “The Soundtrack Of My Life”: Black Ivory
  3. never a “supergroup”, but a fine example of classic soul: The Dramatics

Sorry, no “Double Triple” this week (there’ll be another one again soon, although it would have been nice to do it with this trio) but we do “funk ya up” in the early part of the mix, let you catch your breath with a taste of the mellow side of these groups and some mid-tempo numbers, and then float you out on a black satin cloud of sweet, sensual sound starting with my favorite CFS ballad, “Love’s Train”, and ending with the classic, “In The Rain” by The Dramatics.

Enjoy!

RIBS TPTD: Con Funk Shun-Black Ivory-The Dramatics
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Playlist:

  1. The Dramatics - Gimme Some (Good Soul Music)
  2. Con Funk Shun - Chase Me
  3. Black Ivory - Mainline
  4. The Dramatics - All Because Of You
  5. Con Funk Shun - Ffun
  6. Black Ivory - Surrender
  7. The Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get
  8. Con Funk Shun - Let Me Put Love On Your Mind
  9. Black Ivory - Time Is Love
  10. The Dramatics  - Fall In Love, Lady Love
  11. Con Funk Shun - California 1
  12. Black Ivory - I’ll Find A Way
  13. The Dramatics - Hot Pants In The Summertime
  14. Con Funk Shun - Love’s Train
  15. Black Ivory - Don’t Turn Around
  16. The Dramatics - I Can’t Get Over You
  17. Con Funk Shun - All Up To You
  18. Black Ivory - You And I
  19. The Dramatics - In The Rain

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RIBS TPTD: A Holiday “Double Triple”…

May 24, 2007 by tgrundy · 12 Comments
Filed under: Funk, R&B, Triple Play Thurs-Day, music, podcasts/mixes, soul 

If the NBA can have its ‘Triple Double’ statistic when a player achieves double figures in points, rebounds and assists, I figured we should have something similar here at Rhythms In Black Satin.

Well, just in time for the holiday weekend we debut:
the Triple Play Thurs-Day: Double Triple!

That’s right we have double-dip of triple play mixes for you as you prepare for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Just like a double stack of pancakes, or a double chocolate, double layer cake, or a double dip fudge ripple ice cream cone, this one is full of some gooey goodness that’s sure to warm your spirit and put a smile on your face.

For this week’s double treat we present to you:

  1. The Isley Brothers
  2. The Gap Band
  3. Rose Royce

First we’ll pump you up with the “funky” mix and then we’ll change up the groove, turn the lights down low, lay you across our black satin sheets and massage your soul with the “mellow” mix. Mmmmmm, I’m starting to feel better already!

Fast:
RIBS TPTD: The Isley Brothers-The Gap Band-Rose Royce (funky)
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Right-click here to download .MP3 file (72Mb)

Slow:
RIBS TPTD: The Isley Brothers-The Gap Band-Rose Royce (mellow)
Alternate (if you have a problem using the javascript pop-up): Click here.
Right-click here to download .MP3 file (73Mb)

Playlists:

Fast

  1. The Gap Band - Early In The Morning
  2. Rose Royce - Talk To Me
  3. The Isley Brothers - People Of Today
  4. The Gap Band - Party Train
  5. Rose Royce - Do Your Dance
  6. The Isley Brothers - Live It Up
  7. The Gap Band - Burn Rubber on Me
  8. Rose Royce - Car Wash
  9. The Isley Brothers - It’s A Disco Night (Rock Don’t Stop)
  10. The Gap Band  - You Dropped A Bomb On Me
  11. Rose Royce - Love, More Love
  12. The Isley Brothers - The Pride
  13. The Gap Band - Humpin’
  14. Rose Royce - That’s What’s Wrong With Me
  15. The Isley Brothers - Livin’ In The Life

Slow

  1. Rose Royce - I Wanna Get Next To You
  2. The Gap Band - Going In Circles
  3. The Isley Brothers - Love Put Me On The Corner
  4. Rose Royce - I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
  5. The Gap Band - Yearning For Your Love
  6. The Isley Brothers - It’s Too Late
  7. Rose Royce - Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
  8. The Gap Band - No Hiding Place
  9. The Isley Brothers - Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
  10. Rose Royce  - Ooh Boy
  11. The Gap Band - Outstanding
  12. The Isley Brothers - Brother, Brother, Brother
  13. Rose Royce - I’m Going Down
  14. The Gap Band - I’m In Love
  15. The Isley Brothers - For The Love Of You
  16. Rose Royce - Wishing On A Star

If you like the TPTD:Double Triple, hit me up in the comments and let me know. Maybe we’ll make it a regular feature around here. Oh and as always, in parting, I bid you:

Enjoy!

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RIBS: A Monday Mix… “Funk Jammin”…

May 21, 2007 by tgrundy · 1 Comment
Filed under: Funk, R&B, music, podcasts/mixes, soul 

Music. Thank God for music. It does help sooth the soul during those trying times.

Here’s a rare Monday Mix from the Rhythms In Black Satin kitchen. Still in a serious “party down, give-me-the-funk” frame of mind as I try to break free of these shackles, obstacles and challenges that life is battering me with right now.

Like last week’s Triple Play Thurs-Day, this one is an all uptempo, fast mix.  We start you off with some funk courtesy of the Brides of Funkenstein (Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy), The Isley Brothers (Fight The Power) and Foxy (Get Off). From there Billy Ocean, MFSB, The Emotions and The Originals pick up the groove and move it further along. The centerpiece of the mix belongs to Brick with a back-to-back double play of their hits, Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody and Dazz (Disco Jazz). To wrap it all up, we reach way back and pull out the Buddy Miles classic, Them Changes, and then finish out the mix with a few disco-era cuts: a forgotten groove from Isaac Hayes, the title track to the album Chocolate Chip; Do It Any Way You Wanna Do It by People’s Choice; and [IMHO] THE signature track that epitomized the entire disco craze, Disco Circus by Martin Circus.

Oh, and lest I forget, a special “shout out and ‘Thank you’” to EJ (of Old School Wednesday & EJFlavors.com fame) for helping me cop a clean copy of The Emotions cut. Every Wednesday like clockwork EJ be puttin’ down his OSW music mix. Don’t start YOUR Wednesday without it!

So… a Monday mix, some “Funk Jammin” to start off the week.

Enjoy!

RIBS: Funk Jammin’
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Playlist:

  1. Brides of Funkenstein - Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy
  2. The Isley Brothers - Fight The Power
  3. Foxy - Get Off
  4. Billy Ocean - Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)
  5. MFSB - K-Jee
  6. The Emotions - I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love
  7. The Originals - Down To Love Town
  8. Brick - Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody
  9. Brick - Dazz (Disco Jazz)
  10. Buddy Miles  - Them Changes
  11. Isaac Hayes - Chocolate Chip
  12. People’s Choice - Do It Any Way You Wanna Do It
  13. Martin Circus - Disco Circus

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RIBS TPTD: Cameo, Brass Construction, BT Express…

May 17, 2007 by tgrundy · 3 Comments
Filed under: Funk, Triple Play Thurs-Day, music, podcasts/mixes 

Well… Murphy’s Law jumped up and bit me big time. But, despite him and the Board of Health trying to close down the kitchen this morning, I just looked them dead in the eye and said, “Uh, uh! I ain’t havin’ none of that TODAY!” As I mentioned last week, I’ve been going through some “thangs” lately, and the hard drive crash is just another obstacle in my path.

At times like this, as Gary Bartz would say, “Music Is My Santuary”. At times like this, I need something uptempo, some party music… I NEED SOME FUNK!!! And I have just the mix to shake these blues. It’s time to party down and Funk my troubles away as this week I present to you:

  1. Cameo
  2. Brass Construction
  3. BT Express

There ain’t nothin’ slow here… just pure-D, smokin’ FUNK. As GC would say, “Uncut funk, the bomb!”

Enjoy!

RIBS TPTD: Cameo-Brass Construction-BT Express
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Right-click here to download .MP3 file (73Mb)

Playlist:

  1. Brass Construction - Movin’
  2. BT Express - Does It Feel Good
  3. Cameo - Rigor Mortis
  4. Brass Construction - Happy People
  5. BT Express - Peace Pipe (Kenny Dope remix)
  6. Cameo - I Just Want To Be
  7. Brass Construction - Party Line
  8. BT Express - Give Up The Funk
  9. Cameo - Candy
  10. Brass Construction  - Get Up
  11. BT Express - Have Some Fun
  12. Cameo - Shake Your Pants
  13. Brass Construction - Changin’

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ARRRRRGGGGHHH! Computer Crash…

May 17, 2007 by tgrundy · Leave a Comment
Filed under: computer, crash, problem 

No, no, no, no, NO! {sigh} I was just about to upload the latest RIBS mix and… disaster! Well, as Bullwinkle would say, “Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat” (and no, it is NOT going to turn out to be a lion). Stay tuned…

RIBS TPTD: The O’Jays, Third World, David Sanborn…

May 10, 2007 by tgrundy · 6 Comments
Filed under: R&B, Triple Play Thurs-Day, jazz, music, podcasts/mixes, soul 

I’m dropping this a little bit late this morning… it’s been a crazy few days (you know, the kind where they got you running way before the sun comes up and you stay that way until way after it goes down; yeah, it’s been like THAT).

Anyway, thank God for music! That’s been the only thing keeping me sane lately (OK, well maybe ‘Uncle Jack’ helped a little too {smile}). And speaking of the music (after all that’s what you came here for, right?) this week we present:

  1. the Mighty, Mighty: O’Jays
  2. the reggae/soul/funk rhythms of: Third World
  3. the sweet, smooth and funky jazz saxaphone of: David Sanborn

RIBS TPTD: The O’Jays-Third World-David Sanborn
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Playlist:

  1. The O’Jays - Now That We Found Love
  2. Third World - Now That We Found Love
  3. The O’Jays  - Back Stabbers
  4. David Sanborn - Let’s Just Say Goodbye
  5. Third World - Sense Of Purpose
  6. The O’Jays - I Love Music
  7. David Sanborn - Slam
  8. Third World - Before You Make Your Move
  9. David Sanborn & Bob James - Since I Fell For You
  10. Third World  - Try Jah Love
  11. The O’Jays - Livin’ For The Weekend
  12. David Sanborn - Over And Over
  13. Third World - One More Time
  14. The O’Jays - You Got Your Hooks In Me
  15. David Sanborn - It’s You
  16. The O’Jays - Message In Our Music

Enjoy!

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RIBS TPTD: Mandrill, Ohio Players, Kool & The Gang…

May 3, 2007 by tgrundy · 3 Comments
Filed under: General/Misc 

OK, let me just be right up front about this… I was just in the mood for some uptempo music from back in the day. The weather is finally staying warm and feeling like Spring (soon to be Summer, YEAH!), the days are longer, I’m getting ready to start working the barbecue grill on overtime for the next few months… and it just felt like the time to CRANK UP SOME FUNKY STUFF!

Three groups that (outside of Parliament-Funkadelic) are the cornerstones of the majority of my high school and college party experiences. We present to you this week:

  1. the soul/funk/latin/jazz/african rhythms of: Mandrill
  2. those Dayton funksters better known as: Ohio Players
  3. “funky-jazz” or “jazzy funk”? Don’t know, but it is: Kool & The Gang

RIBS TPTD: Mandrill-Ohio Players-Kool & The Gang
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Right-click here to download .MP3 file (71Mb)

Playlist:

  1. Ohio Players - Pain
  2. Mandrill - Fencewalk/Hagalo
  3. Kool & The Gang - Let The Music Take Your Mind
  4. Ohio Players - O-H-I-O
  5. Kool & The Gang - Love The Life You Live (pt 1&2)
  6. Mandrill - Mango Meat
  7. Ohio Players - Varee Is Love
  8. Mandrill - I Refuse To Smile
  9. Kool & The Gang - 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
  10. Ohio Players - Pleasure
  11. Kool & The Gang - Kool & The Gang
  12. Mandrill - Mandrill
  13. Mandrill - Git It All
  14. Ohio Players - Fire
  15. Kool & The Gang - Spirit Of The Boogie
  16. Mandrill - Afrikus Retrospectus
  17. Ohio Players - The Reds

Enjoy!

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