Gotta Have House!

Growing up in the 80's I was listening almost entirely to rap music. However, by 1987 I was starting to branch out and become exposed to house and underground dance sounds. Here are a few of the tracks that inspired me back in the day...

Although "Groove Is In The Heart" was always Deee-Lite's signature track, this was one of my personal favourites off their first album:

Deee-Lite - Power of Love
http://www.zshare.net/download/15782504bca107e5/

Here is a beautifully deep piece of electronic music from 808 State:
808 State - Pacific 202
http://www.zshare.net/download/157815597fe618bc/

Adeva was one of house music's finest vocalists in the 80's. Here is one of her finest moments:
Adeva - I Thank You (Club mix)
http://www.zshare.net/download/157817730f362480/

Sometimes less is more - Mr. Fingers shows why in this top notch track from 1987:
Mr. Fingers - Can You Feel It
http://www.zshare.net/download/157842558f5f696c/

"Expansions" Radio Show Broadcast July 11, 2008

Here are the links to the July 11th broadcast of the program, including the interview with Pow Wow of Soul Sonic Force fame:

http://www.zshare.net/download/15537401f3b0f639/
http://www.zshare.net/download/1553781819edee33/
http://www.zshare.net/download/15538433a45955b2/

Tracklisting for "Expansions" broadcast July 11, 2008:
SEGMENT 1 - DEEP SOUL AND FUNK
Be Thankful For What You Got - William Devaughn/Searching - Roy Ayers/What A Man - Linda Lyndell/Ain't That A Mother's Luck - Dorothy Moore/Hang Loose - Mandrill/What Is Hip - Tower Of Power

SEGMENT 2 - 80'S SOUL
Sneakin' Out - Stacy Lattisaw/Reach Out - George Duke/Rocker - Shalamar/Music Makes Me Feel Good - Sister Sledge

SEGMENT 3 - INTERVIEW WITH POW WOW OF SOULSONIC FORCE
Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaata and the Soul Sonic Force
**Pow Wow Interview**
Renegades of Funk - Afrika Bambaata and the Soul Sonic Force

Musical Goodies

Here are some more rap treasures from my man Warlord in the UK. Enjoy!

Nile Kings-Droppin Bombs (1990)
1. droppin bombs (vocal)
2. listen to the light (vocal)
3. positive sound (vocal)
4. droppin bombs (instrumental)
5. listen to the light (instrumental)
6. positive sound (instrumental)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HMBEM45D

Kaos-Court's In Session (1987)
1. court's in session
2. you've got the time
3. kaos era
4. let's do it again
5. crank up the bass
6. let the people dance
7. what have you done lately
8. play it in the day
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8FWCJYSH

This Weekend

"Expansions" Radio Show With Dr.J

Program airs tonight 9:00-10:30CST on 90.5 FM CFCR

Check it on the web @ http://www.cfcr.ca/

On Tonights Program:

Special interview with Pow Wow from Soulsonic Force

Lots of new funk and hip hop goodies

Some Musical Goodness

Here are some classic rap gems for your enjoyment, along with some recent Stevie...

Rap/R&B Selections:
Monie Love - Monie In The Middle
Stevie Wonder - So What The Fuss
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - I Got A Love
Too Short - The Universal Mix
Doctor Ice - Nobody Move

Steely Dan Review

Steely Dan – Katy Lied

Released 1975

ABC Records / MCA Records

By Schwinkle

By 1975, Steely Dan had nearly transformed itself into the jazz / funk / rock fusion group that everyone thinks of today. After 1974’s release of Pretzel Logic, dominant band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagan decided to jettison the other members and touring in favour of working exclusively in the studio with highly polished session musicians. By the time the first track “Black Friday” opens the album, it is clear that something fundamental has changed. A total crossover between jazz, rock, and funk sounds, “Black Friday” scorches from the speakers in a relentless groove.

The second track is a laid-back jazzy number called “Bad Sneakers”. Listening to this track, it is almost possible to visualize a lazy summer afternoon in New York City in the mid-1970’s (even if you’ve never been to NY) – or a lazy summer afternoon in 1990 in Regina when I first discovered this amazing tune as the closing track on the compilation album A Decade of Steely Dan. Michael McDonald’s backing vocals are all over this track as well as the following one “Rose Darling”.

The Dan’s penchant for throwing in a blues-infused track is represented well with the blues-funk fusion of “Daddy Don’t Live in New York City”. A cynical song about dysfunctional relationships and drug and alcohol abuse, the Dan take depressing lyrics and strut with them through all 3:16 of the track. The drug theme plays itself out through “Doctor Wu”, a surprisingly catchy smooth jazz-influenced tune that is apparently about a physician that helped the band with addictions during that period of their career.

“Everyone’s Gone to the Movies” opens up what would have been side two of the original vinyl. If you didn’t know that you were listening to Steely Dan, you might actually mistake this tune for something by Jimmy Buffet. Marimbas and a Caribbean groove permeate this track. A return to form is served up on “Your Gold Teeth II” – a piano-driven, jazz-saturated track that features some incredible drumming and percussion from session ace Jeff Porcaro.

The rest of the album is rounded out with the bluesy “Chain Lightening”, the Michael McDonald infused “Any World (That I’m Welcome To)”, and the album closer “Throw Back the Little Ones”.

The fact that Becker and Fagan had moved on to attempt studio perfection with session musicians is readily evident upon first listen to this extraordinary album. Past Dan efforts pale in comparison – the musicianship is incredible and the songs are almost all of high calibre. It is hard to believe that Becker and Fagan would not listen to this album for years after its release due to their contention that there were sound imperfections in the master tapes due to a faulty dbx noise reduction system that was used during the recording sessions. Such imperfections are just not audible to the untrained ear on this masterpiece of an album.

Halifax Travels

I am currently out in Halifax doing some shows right now with limited computer access, but do promise to do a large post in the next couple of days. Lots of new music, pics and goodies. Stay tuned!