25 replies to this topic

[Kwicky Koala]

Playing nothing but the best old school Soul and R&B jams...

First up is The Dramatics performing "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" on Soul Train in 1972. Not a live vocal, but how funky were these guys? That dancing just makes me happy. Must have been the five coolest guys on that week.

Note: I am posting my vids in spoiler tags because I find my computer can't handle loading tons of youtube vids at the same time, which is what this thread will become.. thanks.

The Dramatics - Whatcha See is Whatcha Get (1972)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Day two, and I want to continue the up-tempo feel with this version of "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" by one of my favourite groups, The Spinners. The original is different enough that I'll post it sometime later - this version is a lot more stripped down and funky. Love that organ sound.

The Spinners - Could It Be I'm Falling in Love (1973)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Fans of GTA Vice City may recognise this track... I watched The Whispers on Unsung last night and had to add something by them. "And the Beat Goes On" is one of those songs that owes its success to immaculate production - it took them forever to get it down, but when they did, wow. Just try to listen without dancing.

The Whispers - And the Beat Goes On (1979)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Time for a solo artist I think. Millie Jackson turns up the heat in this short but intense live performance.

Millie Jackson - All the Way Lover (1977)

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[Kwicky Koala]

"It might take months... it could take years". The great Bobby "Blue" Bland tells it like it is. He was pushing 70 when this performance was recorded!

Bobby "Blue" Bland - You've Got to Hurt Before You Heal (1998)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Yeah, this song is pretty cheesy. It's honestly my least favourite of The Stylistics' well-known tunes. But I have to post it, because of the "i can give you gatsubiiiiiii" ad.

The Stylistics - Can't Give You Anything (But My Love) (1975)

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[Kwicky Koala]

It's Saturday! Which means its "Extra Long Jam" day. Perfect for relaxing over the weekend, or indeed taking a caravan across the Sudan.

The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt (Tom Moulton Mix) (1981)

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[Kwicky Koala]

To celebrate this thread's one week anniversary, I'm going to post a special video - 5 groups, 20 singers on stage at one time, culminating in a face off between The Temptations and The Four Tops and a uplifting cover of a Jackie Wilson classic. I find it impossible not to smile the whole way through.

The Manhattans, Cadillacs, Drifters, Temptations and Four Tops - Battle of the Groups Medley (1985)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Noticing lots of people have posted movie music, I thought I'd post "Across 110th Street" today, originally written for a 70s flick of the same name, and then used in Jackie Brown and American Gangster (none of which I've seen, by the way). Expect more Bobby Womack in the future.

Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street (1972)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Britain wasn't exactly awash with great soul groups in the 70s, but a few did try imitating the American sound, including Hot Chocolate, best known for the international smash "You Sexy Thing". Before that they recorded this groovy song on the perils of interracial love. It was later covered by an American rock group, Stories, but this version is best.

Hot Chocolate - Brother Louie (1973)

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EDIT: Fixed dead link

Edited by Catterick, 14 June 2013 - 07:16 AM.

[Kwicky Koala]

I'm in a melancholy mood this morning, LA. Sometimes you wish you could've had the courage to tell certain people that you liked them, but then situations change and you'll never see them again. And you're left saying, "how could I let you get away??"

The Spinners - How Could I Let You Get Away (1976)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Just some uncomplicated disco-influenced stuff today. I admit I have trouble thinking of songs by female artists, I'm going to try to change that.

Gladys Knight & the Pips - Baby Don't Change Your Mind (1977)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Its about time for some James Brown. This is from a very good film called Soul Power, documenting the Zaire '74 concert that went on in Kinshasa just before the Ali-Foreman fight.

James Brown - Cold Sweat (1974)

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Edit: replaced dead link with '73 Soul Train vid

Edited by Catterick, 03 July 2013 - 11:12 AM.

[Kwicky Koala]

It's Saturday! It's Extra Long Jam day. Perfect for warding away amorous older gentlemen.

The Three Degrees - Dirty Ol' Man (Tom Moulton Mix) (1973)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Another of my favourite groups, the O'Jays, got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Aided by former member Sammy Strain the trio performed a medley of their most recognisable songs. Playing "For the Love of Money" to the Hall was pretty appropriate, I think.

The O'Jays - Medley: Backstabbers/For the Love of Money/Love Train (2005)

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[Kwicky Koala]

This is a nice rare groove from a group that only released four songs, Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr. You can't even find a photo of them on the internet. People generally think "You Can't Blame Me" is their best cut, but I've kind of grown to prefer this one. On the strength of this performance I can't believe we never heard more of the group or the powerful voice of Virgil Johnson.

Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr - A World Without You (1972)

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[Kwicky Koala]

The strangely captivating sound of Blue Magic. I think he's doing the robot at the start.

Blue Magic - Sideshow (1974)

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[Kwicky Koala]

A perfect example of the sound of early Motown.

Mary Wells - You Beat Me to the Punch (1962)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Starting today, Thursday is a "random" day. Where I post something that isn't strictly R&B but is influenced by or influential to the genre. To start here's some Dennis Brown with a breezy Lovers Rock track from the early 80s. This type of reggae was influenced by Soul music and many artists did covers of popular R&B songs.

Dennis Brown - Love Has Found Its Way (1982)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Despite the fact that its unavailable on any cd and doesn't feature their original lead singer, this song by The Intruders is one of my all time favourites. It brings back lots of memories for me..

The Intruders - I Bet He Don't Love You (Like I Love You) (1971)

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[Kwicky Koala]

It's Saturday! It's ELJ day. And who needs Adele when you have France Joli? Perfect for getting over things.

France Joli - Gonna Get Over You (1981)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Some classic Jackie Wilson today. I think I heard somewhere that Berry Gordy was involved in the writing of this song, and used the profits to form Motown Records... if that's the case it's a very important song. Such a great dancer as well.

Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops (1958)

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Edit: replaced dead link

Edited by Catterick, 19 July 2013 - 05:30 AM.

[Kwicky Koala]

Sorry to begin the week on a downer, but this is a really great song.

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - I Miss You (1972)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Another kind of sad song.

Minnie Riperton - Memory Lane (1979)

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[Kwicky Koala]

My crazy theory: this song isn't just about a breakup. The title points to an existential crisis. Like looking into a mirror and trying to grasp that the person you're looking at is you...

The O'Jays - Who Am I (1972)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Being natives of Philly, its no surprise that Hall & Oates were influenced by soul music, especially in their 70s days. There may be even better examples of this that this particular song, but it allows me to do something I've never been able to before - post a song with a really kickass guitar solo, supported by some great bass interplay. Maybe it was the hat?

Hall & Oates - Camellia (1976)

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[Kwicky Koala]

This song reminds me of summer days spent at my mum's place while she and my sisters went on holiday, watching old episodes of Pokémon and sharing pasta with my sister's pet rat... um...I mean... I've said too much.

Al Wilson - Show and Tell (1973)

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[Kwicky Koala]

It's Saturday! I hav9e a really good ELJ song=aia for you toda666yyyyyyy.......................................

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...

Bievenue Mesdames et Messieurs! Maintenant, un registrement spécial de Eurovision!

Izhar Cohen & Alpha Beta - I Want to Be a Polar Bear (1978)

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[Kwicky Koala]

Apologies for yesterday, when an unscheduled attack by some European hackers taught me more than I ever wanted to know about Israeli disco. In penance, here's something really funky.

 

The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself (1972)

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[Kwicky Koala]

This is the real old school. A randy song from an artist best known for depressing yet humorous blues numbers.

 

Percy Mayfield - Loose Lips (1953)

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