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 #391

PostMod/ernist #1

(Terry Callier – Keep Your Heart Right)

LISTEN

Transcendental cut from one of the great sets, (Timepeace), courtesy of the genius that is Terry Callier. Dedicated to my two children who have had to endure much in their young lives and today is no exception. Know that no matter what lies ahead, Dad is, and will always be, by your side.

“Can you feel the way the world is turning,
Will we live to love another day,
Is the lesson too late for the learning,
And do our emotions just get in the way,
Ohhh what d’ you say,
If the truth appears,
Will you turn away, turn away, turn away

In brightest day or darkest night
Dont give up the faith and keep your heart right,
Like a mountain stand for eternity,
Ohh your light will shine for the world to see

Keep your heart right,
Keep your heart right,

In a weary world that needs redemption,
Maybe we can learn to love again,
And this time there will be no exemptions,
Only better days ahead for us my friend
And it’s time to begin,
And if the thoughts are true wooohh,
The song never ends, never ends, never ends,

In brightest day or darkest night
Dont give up the faith and keep your heart right,
Like a mountain stand for eternity,
And your light will shine for the world to see,

Keep your heart right,
Keep your heart right,

musicology #245

soul&boogie #6

(Faze O - Ridin’ High)

LISTEN

Cats…apologies for not completing the ’soul&boogie’. Been ‘grafting’ since EARLY Saturday Morning and have only just made the time and space to hook up to themusicologist. Decided to continue the theme for this week so it’s straight into this one from Chicago boogie quintet Faze - O who scored with this 1978 cut on the She label. Keyboardist Keith “Chop Chop” Harrison, guitarist Ralph “Love” Aikens, bassist Tyrone “Flye” Crum, drummer Roger “Dodger” Parker, and percussionist Robert “Bip” Neal, Jr combine to deliver a glimpse into the future of funk/soul/boogie at the dawning of a new day.

LISTEN TUNE……

musicology #240

soul&boogie #1

(Light Of The World - London Town)

LISTEN

inspired by last weeks mod selection I would like to take this opportunity to explore in chronological order the music of the various scenes I have had the pleasure of being involved in over the years.

mod revival was the first, (1977 - 1981), and this one, (1981 - 1984), known over here as ‘Jazz Funk’ musically and ‘Casual’ fashion wise saw me into the crucial teenage years. For me the two are connected, especially in attitude. Jazz Funk/Casual was yet another working class movement that sprung out of a desire to be ‘modern’ and create something in tune with the times. This selection is a soundtrack to those years. ALL big tunes on the scene.

First up has to be this one from UK outfit ‘Light Of The World‘ with the essential 12inch ‘London Town’ on the Ensign label, (produced by Augie Johnson). Proof if needed that we certainly have the talent on this side of the pond to produce genre defining cuts of the highest order.

musicology #135

theGood,Bad&theUgly #2

(Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Ain’t No Sunshine)

LISTEN

part two of the alternative soundtrack selection finds Blondie, (the good), getting his comeuppance from Tuco, (the ugly), for doublecrossing him, (sounds like Blondie wasn’t listening to Tuco’s threat from round one).

musicology courtesy of Jazz Funkers Ubiquity led by Roy Ayers, Vibraphone virtuoso who was given his first pair of mallets at the tender age of FIVE by the instrument’s undisputed champ Lionel Hampton.

this cut is taken from the 1973 Polydor album Red, Black & Green and is, for themusicologist, as good as the Bill Withers original especially as the piece does what all the best ‘covers’ do…bring something fresh to the table.