Butterfly Mind #4

(James Brown – I Got To Move)

LISTEN

BIG tune on London’s rare groove scene back in 1986 when first released. amazingly this cut was previously unissued but Soul Brother Number 1 and full crew, (The Jb’s), had already been tearing up the dancefloors of London’s underground movement for a year or more along with the cream of the soul and funk that came out of America during the late sixties and early 70’s. music which had largely gone unnoticed before it’s London revival. Not suggesting that it was unknown but guess what…it wasn’t called rare groove for nothing and no matter what is said it was in London that it sprung forth and multiplied. themusicologist was there and remembers it well. Great times, cherished memories.

musicology #433

Butterfly Mind #3

(Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Nobody’s Baby)

LISTEN

What can I say about Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings? not sure so I’m just going to let the cut speak.

musicology #432

butterfly mind #2

(Anthony Malvo – Simmer Down)

LISTEN TUNE

part two of the butterfly..

majestic piece of 90’s steppers from ‘Red Rose’. have an even better cut !! on this rhythm but I’ll keep that one in reserve until the right time come.

musicology #431

butterfly mind #1

(Delroy Wilson – Keep On Trying)

LISTEN

Over the last few days/weeks/months..maybe even years !! I have been doing a LOT of, (maybe too much?), thinking and subsequently find myself a bit lost as I wander through a maze of internal dialogue that seems to do nothing but ask questions.

The butterfly mind has that capacity, mesmerising to observe as it flutters from one place to another but a hard road to travel and extremely distracting. I don’t know whether ‘the road’ leads anywhere particular as, for me, it tends to be the journey more than the destination but responsibility both for self and others, (children), is a great leveller and something I take VERY seriously so it feels like I’ll have to turn my gaze from the butterfly and focus instead on building “a heaven on the earth”

as for themusicologist, I have spent too much energy searching for cuts that expressed my deepest feelings which has bottlenecked the flow of music. so from now my intention is to set the music free from the bondage of too much meaning and just try to lay down one slice a day that I feel like sharing. It will continue to be the soundtrack to my life but with a little more freedom.

first up…one from Delro’ (Wilson), Jamaican musicologist and sweet soul singer whose career stretches way back to the early sixties when he cut his recording teeth in 1963 at the tender age of 15, hooking up to Sir Coxsone, Downbeat the Ruler Dodd’s Studio 1. big 10 inch from the 1970’s on one of Coxsone’s many labels, (music lab).

musicology #430

noExcuses #7

(Spring, Summer, Autumn – Style Council)

LISTEN

Final cut of the noExcuses and i’m feeling it. Thanks for the ride and the memories they have predominantly been sweet and most importantly have delivered two living dreams.

Todays slice is courtesy of the Style Council whose musicology has always cut through my existence like a hot knife through butter.

I will learn, I will grow,
And for my pain, my strength shall show,
For as surely as Spring will come,
Bringing freshness to order’s dance,
Until the ices melt away,
Then we will live again,
I will try, I will succeed,
To train my sights upon the deep,
And wait for Summer’s bloom to come,
Bringing warmth to the frozen hearts,
Until the skies are filled with love,
Then we will live again,

I will search, I will find,
And grow again the parts that died,
Like the changes that Autumn brings,
We need the courage to go ahead,
And not cling on to the past,
Then we can live again

musicology #429

noExcuses #6

(No More Blues – Terry Callier)

LISTEN

Even though I have MANY slices of musicology to choose from in all sincerity, for me, this is the one which authentically nails the way I feel TODAY which, let’s face it..is all there really is….A man once proclaimed, (musicology #363)

“The aristocrats live in the past, the proletariat live in the present and the poor bourgeoisie live for the future”

Well..I don’t think you need me to tell you that tomorrow never comes and as sure as the sun shines you will die waiting for it. while looking back and living for, (and in), the past will fuck your heart, mind or both beyond repair.

so with that in heart…hold this cut from the majestic Terry Callier. 1998 cut borrowed, (again), from his Timepeace set..what a poet.

musicology #428

noExcuses #5

(Live Good – Burning Spear)

LISTEN

oi..3 days running !!

are the storm clouds lifting and is that the sun I can see trying to break through?
dont know for sure but what I am learning along the way is how authenticity can and does challenge existence. when someone wants to hurt and blame you for the muck in their life there’s a choice for you to make.
do you look to excuse, (blame), yesterdays behaviour and argue or do you genuinely take full responsibility for your actions, recognise your weakness and resolve to not make the same mistakes again? as the title of this theme suggests for themusicologist the choice I choose to make is, noExcuses.

Today’s cut is courtesy of the genius that is Winston Rodney a.k.a Burning Spear with a top ranking slice of the Studio 1 musicological ‘pie’…

musicology #427

noExcuses #4

(Children Of The Ghetto – Real Thing)

LISTEN

two slices ‘on the spin’ !!
progress.
is this a sign that themusicologist is back in the saddle?
who knows what tomorrow might bring? not me..what I do know though is that a ‘better’ tomorrow starts with one’s actions of today.

Back to the musicology which courtesy of England’s own 80’s Soul and Boogie collective known as the ‘Real Thing’ who many may have heard of in relation to their hit “You To Me Are Everything”. This piece, (more recently covered by Mary J Blige), is borrowed from their album 4 From 8 and goes out to all the children who know how it feels to live/have lived it. Stand strong, keep your heads held high, don’t allow the shit to get permanently stuck on your ’shoes’ or let other people try to tell YOU who YOU are and remember that:

“Deep inside the ghetto there’s a unity,
That cancels out the sorrow and the misery”

musicology #426

noExcuses #3

(Brand New Start – Paul Weller)

LISTEN

must have already laid this one down along the way but today it’s in honour of the two most beautiful and inspirational parts of my whole..one of which, (who is 11 years old), said to me the other night

“don’t worry dad, a new start is much better than a bad one”

how’s that for wisdom..choked me and I cried !! took me two days to absorb it but it was while listening to this cut yesterday that the full force hit me like a runaway train and then, (less than an hour later), just to make sure that I didn’t miss the opportunity one of the the other parts of my heart and soul (independently), checked in to ask for MY help..

Bravery and courage come in many forms but children are purity personified and when they knock I am, and will always be, there with door, arms and heart WIDE open.

Just like to add my deep thanks to Paul Weller for also being a huge inspiration and trusted guide on the journey.

musicology #425

noExcuses #2

(You Got My Mind Messed Up – James Carr)

LISTEN

too many cuts to choose from and my butterfly mind certainly needs direction while my heart weeps.
today’s slice is courtesy of the majestic James Carr a cat who had the misfortune of suffering from a condition known medically as Bi-Polar Dis-order. What that means, (like many mental conditions), is debatable but it is especially poignant for themusicologist as a much loved and cherished companion is also going through a period of transition that is in danger of being labelled. Recorded and released in 1966 on the Goldwax label.

musicology #424

noExcuses #1

(Paul Weller – Cold Moments)

LISTEN

Tried countless times over the last few weeks to get back in themusicologist saddle and every time something changes, (such is life), so what is themusicologist going to DO about it. Stop thinking and start throwing em down, day to day without thought or reflection..cuts that are rocking my soul. musicology style, without pages of the incessant internal dialogue that flows in, out and through this current fucked up mess of the life that I take FULL responsibility…..and with authenticity offer NO EXCUSES for

First up it’s a cut from one my long time trusted guides Paul Weller, who hasbeen there for themusicologist since the late 70’s around the time I entered what is sometimes referred to as the ninth year transition. Borrowed from his No 1 album from last year 22 Dreams..also featuring among others the all round talents of Steve Craddock and the drumming expertise of Steve White.

Listen keenly to the RIDE and if you refuse, (for whatever reason), then step the fuck off this musicology train and perhaps get back on board somewhere down the line. I have no intentions other than to share the way I feel which is always in flux and has no meaning other than in the here and now.