Monthly Archives: July 2011
Rest in Power, Amy
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Seems like everyone has an opinion about Ms. Winehouse. I certainly do… SHE WAS AWESOME! Seriously folks, whatever you may think about the troubled singer’s personal life, the fact remains that she was one of, if not the best, voices of our generation. It saddened me deeply to find she had passed, and that that unique tone would be silent from now on. The night of her death, I was DJing in Washington DC, and was completely inundated with requests for her music. Normally that many requests would leave me frustrated, but they helped me realize I was not alone in how much joy I get from her music. I only wished somehow she could have seen that and made more.
I know this song is probably floating around on a few blogs, but it is my favorite of her’s. It was never included on either of her records. From what I gather there is a lot of other unreleased material floating around. I only hope we get to enjoy it and let her talent live on through it. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
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That Heat
Summer is an easy beautiful dream….. and of course the most popular time for weddings because of how magical and energetic it is. There are so many summery songs we love. Here are some serious favorites….Dripping ice cream cones and fireflies forever, we are into summers’ apex! |
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| Kool and the Gang- Summer Madness This could be the consummate summer melody, from Kool and the Gang when they hadn’t yet made ‘Celebration’- the wedding song that we DON’T EVER play. Anyway the synth in this one is smooth, and warm like summer itself. Not to mention that it would become the summery basis for “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and that guy from the movies. |
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| Jan Hammer – Don’t You Know Such a simple and happy song of silky sweetness and Fender Rhodes gliding along like a dragonfly. Jan Hammer would later go on to create the sizzling theme for Miami Vice – his knowledge of hot and sunny vibes didn’t come from nowhere. |
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| T Rex – Mambo Sun This song sounds like it should be playing at a pool party where you have so much fun that you pass out on a raft and get sunburned. “I got stars in my beard and I feel real weird, for you”…how romantic is that? |
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| Minnie Riperton – Les Fleur There is no one like her. We love her. We celebrate her entire catalogue. This one was originally recorded by Ramsey Lewis and when Minnie sings it, it’s full of surprise crescendos like hairpin turns in a 1974 Lincoln Continental. But it’s so summery and the lyrics are sung from the point of view of a flower, “will a lady pin me in her hair?”… |
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Ohio Players – Far East Mississippi
Whereas most other summery songs feel airy and warm, this one feels bad, sweltering hot and sticky like a summer night when you are up to no good and the heat and humidity won’t quit. Isn’t that part of what summer brings too? Hot unsettling nights to go with the heatwave days.
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| Roy Ayers – Running Away Everything that Roy touches turns to sunshine. This is an immaculate dance floor classic, with all of the warmth of a sweaty summer night and the intensity of the lyrics, “can’t you see I need yaaaaa”… |
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| Led Zeppelin – What Is and What Should Never Be What is it with Led Zeppelin? Summery magic vibes all the way. Lemonade and lying in the grass. Not much more to say. |
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| Donald Byrd – Places and Spaces Donald could always achieve this really unique boulliabaise of different styles and he was hugely prolific and soulful. But the album which shares this song title feels like the blue skies pictured on the cover art. Cloudless and hopeful like the sweetest summer day going somewhere fun and exciting. |
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