In Rotation - Humpday Jam (Part XII)

Most people familiar with plezWorld know about my passion for good music. So in a brief departure from the gut-wrenching political season and stress of kick starting a business, it is time to mellow out with some good music.

One of the more enduring playlists on my iPod is "Soulful Groups." With groups from the 1960's and as recent as the new millenium, I'm going with a more old school look for this edition of In Rotation ... enjoy!:

1. "One of a Kind" by The Spinners from The Anthology LP (3:36)
   Old school, smooth, and soulful... no one could create a mood like the late Phillipe Wynne!
   
   
2. "Dukey Stick (12" Special Disco Version)" by George Duke from The Essential George Duke LP (8:05)
   George Duke bites hard on the Funkadelic sound!
   
   
3. "Silly Ho" by TLC from Fanmail LP (4:15)
   The post-modern definition of a "girl group"... channeling the grace and cool of The Supremes.
   
   
4. "Nathan Jones" by The Supremes from Greatest Hits LP (3:02)
   The original "girl group" from the early 60's...
   
   
5. "Groove Me" by Guy from Guy LP (4:34)
   Original New Jack Swing... where Teddy Riley cut his teeth on his sound... got that high top fade!
   
   
6. "Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson from The Very Best of... LP (4:59)
   Fell in love with this song the first time I heard it... as I understand it, his girlfriend sends him letters written on strawberry scented stationary. The song describes the feelings evoked by "Strawberry Letter 22," the title indicating the hopes of another letter.
   
   
   Hello, my love
   I heard a kiss from you
   Red magic satin playing near, too
   
   All through the morning rain
   I gaze - the sun doesn't shine -
   Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
   
   In the garden - I see west
   Purple shower, bells and tea
   Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
   
   Pretty music I hear - so happy
   And loud - blue flower echo
   From a cherry cloud
   
   Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
   Playgrounds will laugh
   if you try to ask
   Is it cool?, is it cool?
   
   If you arrive and don't see me
   I'm going to be with my baby
   I am free - flying in her arms, over the sea
   
   Stained window, yellow candy screen
   See speakers of kite - with velvet roses diggin' freedom flight
   
   A present from you - Strawberry letter 22
   The music plays, I sit in for a few
   
   Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
   
   A present from you - Strawberry letter 22
   The music plays, I sit in for a few
   
   Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
   
   
   
7. "The Rubberband Man" by The Spinners from The Anthology LP (3:37)
   Much more than a jingle for an office products store! *smile*
   
   
   
8. "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" by Human League from The Very Best of... LP (3:45)
   This could almost be seen as the sound of the '80's: Remnants of Disco. A sprinkling of Punk Rock. Part R&B. And a little Euro funk!
   
   
   
   
   
9. "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" by The Jacksons from Jacksons Live! LP (8:31)
   Vintage Jacksons... performing one of their baddest grooves live!
   
   
10. "Once You Get Started" by Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan from The Very Best of... LP (4:31)
    DAMN that girl can blow! Love that 70's groove and full sounding instrumentation.
    
    
11. "Southern Girl" by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly from The Greatest Hits of Maze... LP (6:54)
    Southern Fried Soul... hot, delicious, greasy!
    
    
12. "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" by Parliament from Tear the Roof Off 1974-1980 LP (8:32)
    The eternal battle with Sir Nose D'Void of Funk continues...
    
    
13. "For the Love of Money" by The O'Jays from Collector's Item LP (7:18)
    More than a jingle for opening of a hit reality-based tv show starring Donald Trump!
    
    
14. "5 Steps" by Dru Hill from Dru Hill LP (5:54)
    Standouts in the crowded boy group of the late 90's with their TIGHT harmonies... this moving ballad is about a friend who gives his life to save others (check out the video here).
    
    
    ~ ~ ~ BONUS CUTS ~ ~ ~
    
    
15. "The Walk" by The Time from What Time Is It? LP (9:32)
    Standouts in the crowded funk bands of the mid-80's with their TIGHT grooves... they should've stayed together.
    
    
    "We're gonna walk 'til the song's over,
    In other words, meet me at the bar in 32 measures, cool?"
    
    
    
16. "Fire" by The Ohio Players from Gold LP (4:27)
    The horns really bring this home... funky!
    
    
    
    
    
17. "Outstanding" by The Gap Band from The 12" Collection And More LP (6:15)
    Quite possibly the smoothest dance hit ever... a ballad that plays for the dance floor: dance to it without breaking a sweat!
    
    

In Rotation - Funk of July (Part XI)

It took over six months, but plezWorld's In Rotation is back!

Hey, it's the Fourth of July, it's hot outside, it's the Funk of July, the fireworks are ready to explode... how about some P-Funk?!? It's Friday, getting ready for the Family Reunion tomorrow, and my iPod got this uncut P-Funk all up in my earhole! Enjoy... but please don't fake the FUNK!

1. "Up For The Down Stroke" from the Tear the Roof Off (Disc 1) LP by Parliament
   
   "Get up for the Down Stroke... everybody get up!"
   
   
2. "Red Hot Mama [Live]" from the Standing On the Verge of Getting It On LP by Funkadelic
   
   
   If you've never seen Parliament-Funkadelic live, then you've never been funked up. These brothers are cuttin' em up on guitar... it is rumored that Eddie Hazel was asked to play the solo like Jimi Hendrix.
   
   
3. "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" from the Tear the Roof Off (Part 1) LP by Parliament
   
   
   "If you hear any noise, it's just me and the boys... gettin' it!"
   
   
4. "Groovallegiance" from the One Nation Under A Groove LP by Funkadelic
   
   The United Funk of Funkadelica!
   
   
5. "Reach for It" from the The Essential George Duke LP by George Duke
   
   "I'm gonna take you to the bridge and drop you off into some... funk!"
   
   
6. "Funkentelechy" from the Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome LP by Parliament
   
   
   10 minutes of unadulterated funk for ya... definitely in every real fan's Top 10.
   
   
7. "Funkin' For Fun" from the Tear the Roof Off (Part 1) LP by Parliament
   
   "Don't worry about me, we're just funkin' around... for fun!"
   
   
8. "Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock" from the Best of Funkadelic 1976-1981 LP by Funkadelic
   
   
   
   "Who says a jazz band can't play dance music, who says a rock band can't play funk, and who says a funk band can't play rock!"
   
   
9. "Mr. Wiggles" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament
   
   This song was part of the Aqua Boogie phenomenon that spread across America in the late 70's... and yes, I went to the concert with goggles and snorkel!
   
   
10. "Lunchmeatophobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet)" from the Best of Funkadelic 1976-1981 LP by Funkadelic
    
    
    
    The GrooveMasta is sho' nuff throwin' down to some Funkadelic. "Think! Think! It ain't illegal, yet."
    
    
11. "Rumpofsteelskin" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament
    
    So funky!
    
    
12. "Body Slam" from the Back in the Day: Best of Bootsy LP by Bootsy's Rubber Band
    
    More dance, less funk... but I still like it.
    
    
13. "Flash Light" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament
    
    
    The ULTIMATE Party song... 'nuff said!
    
    
14. "Standing on the Verge of Getting It On" from the Standing on the Verge of Getting It On LP by Funkadelic
    
    
    For the funky people: "People... what cha doing? Standing on the verge of getting it on, we're getting it on!"
    
    
15. "Atomic Dog" by George S. Clinton
    
    
    
    "Why must I feel like that? Why must I chase the cat?"
    
    Now, that's what I call the Funk of July... I hope you enjoy the Fourth and the Funk as much as I did!
    

In Rotation - The Return (Part X)

"If you hear any noise, it's just me and the boys... gettin' it!"
- from "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" by Parliament


It seems like FOREVER since I've posted In Rotation... so I'm just feeling the mellow sounds of the ladies tonight. Sitting here at my desk and letting my iPod take me away... so far away that I'm having an out-of-plezWorld experience... check it out!

1. "5 Miles to Empty" from the Still Climbing LP by Brownstone
   
   
   I could only find "Grapevine" by Brownstone... but you can still feel it, can't you?!?
   
   
2. "Put Your Records On" from the self titled LP by Corinne Bailey Rae
   
   
   I love this song... and not only because she shares the same first name as my wife! *smile*
   
   
3. "Hero" from the Music Box LP by Mariah Carey
   
   
   
4. "Sittin' Up In My Room" from the Waiting to Exhale LP by Brandy
   
   
   From the Babyface produced LP from the movie "Waiting to Exhale".
   
   
5. "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" from the Rainbow LP by Mariah Carey
   
   Mariah tears into this Phil Collins standard.
   
   
6. "Unbreakable" from the Unplugged LP by Alicia Keys
   
   
   I love this girl... she can play on my piano ANYTIME!
   
   
7. "Dream Lover" from the Music Box LP by Mariah Carey
   
   A nice little groove from Mariah Carey, back from when she could hit those ultra-high notes.
   
   
8. "Nothing Even Matters" from the The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill LP by Lauryn Hill
   
   Lauryn and D'Angelo chop it up... there are no weak cuts on this album.
   
   
9. "Irreplaceable" from the B'day LP by Beyonce'
   
   
   I hope you enjoy the Reggae influenced remix of Beyonce's hit!
   
   
10. "Tell Him" from the The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill LP by Lauryn Hill
    
    Now this is a love song... I love the background harmony.
    
    
11. "Shut Up and Drive" from the Good Girl Gone Bad LP by Rihanna
    
    
    It has a NASTY rock-tinged opening riff... this song makes me wanna just shut up and drive (real fast)!
    
    
12. "Ex Factor" from the The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill LP by Lauryn Hill
    
    
    Damn... I can feel the pain in this song! If you've ever been in love before, then you've been through this before.
    
    
13. "How Come You Don't Call Me" from the Songs in A Minor LP by Alicia Keys
    
    Finally an artist that can do a Prince song some justice!
    
    
14. "Umbrella" from the Good Girl Gone Bad LP by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
    
    
    Quite polished for a first song... and getting help from Hova can't hurt!

embedded audio for select songs courtesy of radio.blog.club.

In Rotation - Funky Friday (Part IX)

It's Friday evening, the week is over, I got a Heineken sweating all over my desk, and this iPod is thumpin' away in my ear to some uncut P-Funk! This "P-Funk!" Playlist is helping me get my head right.

Enjoy... but please don't fake the FUNK!

"Mothership Connection (Star Child)" from the Tear the Roof Off (Part 1) LP by Parliament


"If you hear any noise, it's just me and the boys..."

"Do Fries Go With That Shake" from the Greatest Funkin' Hits LP by George S. Clinton

I can't even tell you what this song does to me... that's right, make it bounce!

"Drop The Bomb" from the Drop The Bomb LP by Trouble Funk

Some DC Go-Go Music getting in with the funk: "Can we "Drop The Bomb" on Super Grit Crew... now Super Grit Crew, now what you gonna do?!? DROP THE BOMB!"

"Maggot Brain [Live]" from the One Nation Under a Groove LP by Funkadelic

If you ain't never saw Parliament-Funkadelic live, then you've never been funked right. This haunting melody and funky guitar solo gets in your soul... and stays there!

"Can't Stay Away" from the Back in the Day: Best of Bootsy LP by Bootsy's Rubber Band

Some slow funk.

"Funkentelechy" from the Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome LP by Parliament


10 minutes of unadulterated funk for ya... definitely in every real fan's Top 10.

"Icka Prick" from the Best of Funkadelic 1976-1981 LP by Funkadelic

Makes me wanna say something nasty.

"Mr. Wiggles" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament

This song was part of the Aqua Boogie phenomenon that spread across America in the late 70's... and yes, I went to the concert with goggles and snorkel!

"Lunchmeatophobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet)" from the Best of Funkadelic 1976-1981 LP by Funkadelic

Think! Think! It Ain't Illegal, Yet!

"Children of Production [Live}" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament

"We're gonna blow the cobwebs out your mind."

"Bootzilla" from the Back in the Day: Best of Bootsy LP by Bootsy's Rubber Band

Bootsy's signature song: "I come equipped with stereophonic funk producing disco inducing twin magnetic funk receptors, I'm perfect for bumpin', you see!"

"Flash Light" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament


The ULTIMATE Party song... 'nuff said!

"Standing on the Verge of Getting It On" from the Standing on the Verge of Getting It On LP by Funkadelic


For the funky people: "People... what cha doing? Standing on the verge of getting it on, we're getting it on!"

"Cosmic Slop" from the Best of Funkadelic 1976-1981 LP by Funkadelic

This song contains my favorite opening guitar riff of all time. I found this live version on YouTube... simply awesome!

Now, that you've been adequately funked... get the funk up and spread the word. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

BONUS CUT:

Dr. Funkenstein with The Mothership (LIVE)

"...pre-occupied and dedicated to the preservation of the motion of hips!"

In Rotation - Workout Sampler (Part VIII)

plezWorld Workout Sampler

My iPod has a Workout playlist, that I use when go into my workout room to hit the treadmill and free weights. For the past couple of weeks, I have been diligently working on my goal of losing 20 pounds by the end of the year. Four times a week, my routine includes a 2 mile run/walk on my treadmill and then 20 minutes of weight lifting. The plan is to get my heart rate up for 30-40 minutes during my workout. I use the music to block out all distractions, make me ignore the pain (I have bad knees - long story), and keep my feet moving.

Thus far, I've lost about 2-3 pounds, so I'm well on my way to slimming down and getting my wind back! The MP3 Player above plays selected cuts from my workout:

"Numbers" from the Computer World LP by Kraftwerk

"State of Shock" from the Ultimate Collection LP by Michael Jackson & Mick Jagger

"Got Til It's Gone" from the Velvet Rope LP by Janet Jackson

"Slide" from the Stellar Funk: The Best of Slave LP by Slave

"Single Life (UK Mix)" from the The 12" Collection LP by Cameo

"Jupiter" from the All 'N All LP by Earth Wind & Fire

"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" from the The Original Hits LP by Sylvester

"Controversy" from the Controversy LP by Prince

"Vogue" from the The Immaculate Collection LP by Madonna

"Dr. Funkenstein" from the Tear the Roof Off LP by Parliament

WOW! I worked up a sweat just thinking about it!

In Rotation - Friday's Frivolity (Part VII)

It's Friday afternoon, the week is almost over and I will let my iPod get me in the mood for the weekend. I've decided to let my "100 Least Played" Playlist do the trick. These are songs from lesser played playlists, but favorites of mine nevertheless... enjoy!

1. "It's Your Thing" from the Isley Brothers Live LP by The Isley Brothers
   
   This is a live version of the oldie standard by the Isleys.
   
   
2. "I Belong To You" from the I'm Your Baby Tonight LP by Whitney Houston
   
   Back when Whitney was Whitney... please come back to me, baby!
   
   
3. "Sweet Sticky Thing" from the Gold LP by Ohio Players
   
   
   Takes me back to the days when bands used real instruments like trumpets, saxophones, pianos, and real drum sets... almost want to pull out that old Afro wig for old time sake.
   
   
4. "Jungle Love" from the Ice Cream Castles LP by The Time
   
   This LP was basically The Time's part of the "Purple Rain" soundtrack... these boyz were tight and are right up there with The Revolution in my book!
   
   
   "Junge Love. Oo-ee-o-e-o! Think, I wanna know ya!"
   
   
   
5. "The Rooster" from the Speakerboxxx LP by Big Boi (Outkast)
   
   I'm not quite sure what was going on with this 2 album set... were they feuding when each member of Outkast did his own LP or was this by design? I'd love to get the lowdown. But in the meantime, I'll just bop my head to the beat of "The Rooster." Cock-a-doodle-doo!
   
   
6. "Da Da Da" from the Emancipation (Disc 3) LP by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince
   
   This is what rap should sound like.
   
   
7. "The Makings of You" from the A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield LP by Aretha Franklin
   
   A cover of the Curtis Mayfield song... I love these treatment by Aretha Franklin.
   
   
8. "Eric B. Is President" from the Paid in Full LP by Eric B. & Rakim
   
   
   Old Skool Rap: no b*tches, no hoes, no gun play, no n-word... none could do it better. "Nominated my DJ the President."
   
   
9. "'Round and 'Round (Merry Go 'Round of Love)" from the Guy LP by Guy
   
   Teddy Riley getting his chops with that New Jack Swing back in the early 90's.
   
   
10. "Dance (Disco Heat)" from the The Original Hits LP by Sylvester
    
    Damn, I love this song ... that unadulterated, pulsating beat and the need to work up a sweat in the Disco Heat.
    
    
11. "Who'd She Coo?" from the Gold LP by Ohio Players
    
    Who did she coo?!? What does it mean? I have no idea. But that opening fanfare by the horns is worth the price of admission.
    
    
12. "The Show (Live)" from the The Art of Story Telling LP by Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh
    
    More Old Skool Rap from the masters of the genre... I remember steppin' to this with my frat brothers when I was in college!
    
    
13. "Our Love" from the On The Radio - Greatest Hits LP by Donna Summer
    
    
    More disco-era music from the Queen of Disco... those tight-ass polyester pants, stacks, silk shirt, and a gold chain... HOLLA! NOTE: audio from "I Feel Love"
    
    
14. "Clouds" from the Life is a Dance: The Remix Project LP by Chaka Khan
    
    All of the remixes on this LP are the jam... you can throw on this CD and have an instant party.
    
    
15. "Shout" from the Fanmail LP by TLC
    
    TLC at their best... one of the last efforts by the group before they were broken up by the death of Left Eye Lopez. How soon we forget what an impact these three young ladies had on the music industry before Destiny's Child.
    
    
16. "Yeah!" from the Confessions LP by Usher f/t Lil' John & Ludacris
    
    
    Usher gettin' in the hip hop game with a lot of help from some of Atlanta's finest.
    
    
17. "777-9311" from the What Time Is It? LP by The Time
    
    An all-time personal favorite of mine... I'll take this over just about anything written or sung by anyone! And at just 8 minutes, there's plenty of time to get your groove on.
    
    
    "baby, what's your phone number. i know i'm kinda fast, but i can't waste time!"
    
    
    
18. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band LP by Beatles
    
    
    In elementary school, our music class actually "studied" the Beatles and their music until they broke up in the late 60's. This album features a number of musical styles and is a personal favorite of mine... I love "Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds" and its not so veiled reference to hard core drug use.
    
    
19. "New Position" from the Parade LP by Prince
    
    "Gotta find a new position... something that will make it alright!"
    
    
20. "Standing On The Top" from the Bustin' Out: The Best of Rick James LP by The Temptations & Rick James
    
    
    An oft-neglected collaboration between Motown stablemates, The Temptations and Rick James. Obviously, it was a Rick James vehicle that employed the tight harmonies of the fading Temps.
    
    
21. "Sensuous Whisper" from the Conversation Peace LP by Stevie Wonder
    
    When I think of pure musical genius, only two names come to mind: Prince... and Stevie Wonder!
    
    
22. "Cause I Love You" from the Spark of Love LP by Lenny Williams
    
    
    This has got to be SADDEST love song in the history of R&B... seriously!
    
    
23. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" from the Hot Rocks: 1964-1971 (Disc 2) LP by The Rolling Stones
    
    
    Their longevity doesn't rival that of The Isley Brothers, but in the annals of Rock, they have to be up there at the top. Rockin' with the Stones!
    
    
24. "Step by Step" from the The Preacher's Wife LP by Whitney Houston
    
    From the soundtrack for the movie that starred Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington... only fitting to start and end my list with Whitney Houston.

Well, now it's off to an end-of-year conference with my daughter's teacher... I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

BLOG UPDATE (04-28-2007): plezWorld added embedded audio for select songs, courtesy of radio.blog.club.

In Rotation - It's Humpday, Ya'll (Part VI)

For the past 3 months, I've had a team working on a project for one of my key clients. Today's challenge was a 3 hour presentation to the executive steering committee on our results. And now it's time to unwind! I'll let my iPod hype me up with my PurpleDance playlist, featuring Prince's more upbeat and danceable tunes... if you want to dance, you can:

1. "Pop Life" from Around the World In A Day LP (3:42)
   it's pretty nasty in the way Prince has the delayed lyrics in the left speakers, huh? oh, you never noticed that, did ya?
   
   
2. "Irresistible Bitch" from The Hits/B-Sides LP (4:12)
   i love the chimes in the background, almost sounds like the song was recorded in a church... bitchin'!
   
   
3. "Batdance" from Batman LP (6:14)
   "go... go... go with a smile!"
   
   
4. "Partyup" from Dirty Mind LP (4:24)
   the boy started out bad with a war protest song that you can actually dance to... check out those rough riffs on the guitar and MF bass line...
   
   "how ya gonna make me kill someone i don't even know?"
   
   
5. "200 Balloons" from The Hits/B-Sides LP (5:05)
   "fly with me, 200 balloons!"
   
   
6. "Controversy" from Controversy LP (7:15)
   driving bass, ticklin' those strings on his guitar... this is the album that i wasn't supposed to buy, because i gave my little sister the albums poster of a half-naked Prince in the shower! OOOPS! and to add insult to injury, he had the NERVE to recite the Lord's Prayer (a la Jimi Hendrix) to the beat! BLASPHEMY!
   
   
   "people call me rude, i wish we all were nude,
   i wish there was no black & white, i wish there was no rules."
   
   
   
7. "Little Red Corvette" from 1999 LP (5:03)
   "i guess i should've known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last..."
   
   
8. "Sexy Dancer" from Prince LP (4:18)
   i drove through a snow storm from New York City to Hampton, Virginia to see Prince as the opening act for Rick James in 1979.
   
   
9. "Erotic City (Dance Mix)" from Erotic City (Single) EP (7:26)
   when i was in college, this was MY FAVORITE dance song... erotic city come alive!
   
   
10. "Damned If I Do" from Emancipation (Disc 1) LP (5:21)
    under the moniker "the artist formerly known as prince", he did an independent release of some of his best STUFF in 1996 in a 3 disc boxed set.
    
    
11. "Anotherloverholenyohead" from Parade LP (4:00)
    i'd rather dance to this cut from the "Parade" LP than the much more POPular "Kiss".
    
    
12. "Uptown" from Dirty Mind LP (5:32)
    oh shit, now i'm gonna be humming this song all night: "i don't usually talk to strangers, but she's so pretty... gotta go Uptown!"
    
    
13. "We Gets Up" from Emancipation (Disc 1) LP (4:18)
    yeah, Prince was droppin' it on disc one of this collection... he's got the bass kickin' ass and those funky horns bringing up the rear... and you gotta stay around to the end of the song to hear Prince to tear it up on that guitar. "We gets up!"
    
    
14. "Sexy M.F. (12" Remix)" from My Name is Prince [Remixes] LP (7:34)
    i love a good remix that's true to the original, but adds just enough edge to make you wanna get up outta yo' seat... this is IT!
    
    
15. "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man" from Sign O' The Times (Disc ?) LP (6:29)
    "i may be qualified for a one night stand, but i could never take the place... of yo' man."
    
    
16. "Live 4 Love" from Diamonds and Pearls LP (7:00)
    i love the countdown and the awesome drum solo and bass line that kicks off this joint... damn, i think i'm working up a sweat.
    
    
17. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" from Prince LP (3:42)
    i guess i'll shut this jam session down with one of Prince's first hits... genius endures.

In Rotation - List of 7 Songs (Part V)

There is this "List of 7 Songs" challenge going around the blogosphere (courtesy of African American Dad by way of DJ Black Adam). I've been thinking about this for the past day or so, and came to the conclusion that there was absolutely no way in God's green Earth that I would be able to accomplish the feat of selecting my top 7 songs without alittle help. So I have decided to CHEAT! Yeah, that's right... if you're not cheating, you're not trying!

I have decided to let my iPod do the heavy lifting and with shuffle mode firmly in place, I have decided to grace my loyal readers with the first 7 tunes that pour into my brain.

1. "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon" by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass
   This Sound of Philadelphia classic ushered in the sexy, soulful voice of one Teddy Pendergrass.
   
   
   
2. "Sometimes It Snows in April" by Prince
   I often find myself humming this sombre song; I once witnessed an April snowfall while visiting Colorado Rockies about 10 years ago. This song is from the "Parade" album which served as the soundtrack for Prince's oft-forgotten movie: "Under the Cherry Moon."
   
   
   
3. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson
   Michael broke onto the scene as a solo artist with his "Off The Wall" LP back in 1979. You gotta dance to this: "you're a vegetable, you're a vegetable, they hate you, you're a vegetable. you're the buffet, you're the buffet, they eat off of you, you're a vegetable"!
   
   
4. "I'm Stone in Love With You" by The Stylistics
   OK... you can see that I'm pretty big on the 70's classics out of Philly! I just love the timbre of Russell Thompkins, Jr.'s falsetto! Just about song that they recorded between 1971 and 1974 was a hit; they only had one more hit after their songwriter (Thom Bell) stopped working with them in 1974.
   
   
5. "The Star Spangled Banner (Live)" by Jimi Hendrix
   I'm not sure where this was recorded and cannot authenticate the amount of drugs that were consumed prior to hitting the stage, but this song ranks up there in the pantheons of pure guitar artistry! Jimi took our national anthem and defined an entire generation (the Love Generation, ya'll) with one performance.
   
   
6. "I Want You, I Need You" by Bobby Brown
   I got this groove on his "Remixes in the Key of B" CD. Undoubtedly, the most talented of the old New Edition (and the new New Edition, as well)... it's a shame that he has continued to deprive us of his immense talent.
   
   
7. "I Would Die 4 U" by Prince and The Revolution
   It's a trip that two songs from different soundtracks by Prince would be on this list (from "Purple Rain"), but if you know me, you know that it would be difficult to go more than 4 or 5 songs without a song by Prince popping up. I love the danceability and the "hidden meaning" of this song (he's singing about Jesus: "I am not a woman, i am not a man, i am something that you'll never understand... and if you're evil, i'll forgive you by and by... i would die 4 u!")
   
   
8. "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People
   This BONUS CUT was added because (1) I love disco music - I was a teenager during the mid-70's, and (2) I was in the youth choir at my church and one of guys who would eventually join The Village People (who's father was the Pastor at the church - First Baptist Church in Elmsford, NY) was the director of our choir. He's the FIRST person I know who had a hit record!
   

Part two of the challenge was to "tag" 7 other blogs. Once again, I'm not one to follow the rules, so I decided to "tag" the blogs where I have posted comments in the past 7 days. Please take a moment to use the links below to view some excellent blogs:

Charcoal Link by Aulelia
Free Slave
Wandering the Ether
Anali's First Amendment
DJ Black Adam
African American Dad
Georgia Politics Unfiltered
Our Kind of Parenting
jaebrysonblog
Georgia Tech Sports Blog
Nat Turner's Revenge by Chris C.
Diary of a PhD Student by Anthony H.
The Field Negro
The State of...
Booker Rising

In Rotation - Humpday Smooth (Part IV)

It's been a long time since I mellowed out at work to some music on my iPod. It is the middle of the week, I'm waste deep in Excel spreadsheets, and my eyes are bloodshot from too many Sam Adams at last night's networking event, so I throw on the headphones and let my iPod take me to another place for an hour before my next meeting. It's Wednesday afternoon, so I must be listening to my "Jazzy Stuff" Playlist to hear songs that are smooth and mellow, but won't put me to sleep.

Here's the music flowing out of my iPod into my earhole:

Under Your Spell by Phyllis Hyman (4:35)
Kiss of Life by Sade (4:10)
Running Away by Roy Ayers (6:55)
Love Ballad by George Benson (4:16)
Betcha By Golly, Wow by Phyllis Hyman (6:15)
I Just Had to Hear Your Voice by Oleta Adams (3:38)
Love All the Hurt Away by George Benson & Aretha Franklin (4:10)
Never As Good As The First Time by Sade (3:58)
Living in Confusion by Phyllis Hyman (7:03)
Lover's Holiday Oleta Adams (4:10)
Window of Hope by Oleta Adams (4:23)
Can't We Fall In Love Again by Phyllis Hyman (5:16)
The Day I Stop Loving You by Oleta Adams (5:04)
Is It A Crime by Sade (???)

In Rotation - Purple Humpday (Part III)

I thought I'd fire up iTunes and listen to my Prince playlist this afternoon. It's Humpday and what better way to pass a few hours than with the Purple One! I'm going to try something new and also provide a plezcast with a few snippets of my favorites as they are played ... check it out:


Shhh from The Gold Experience CD (plezcast)
Alphabet Street from Lovesexy CD
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World from The Gold Experience (plezcast)
Trust from The Batman Soundtrack (plezcast)
Pope from The B-Sides CD
If I Was Your Girlfriend from Sign O' The Times CD
Dirty Mind from Dirty Mind CD (plezcast)

Let's Work from Controversy CD (plezcast)
The Holy River from Emancipation CD
Let's Go Crazy from Purple Rain CD(plezcast)
Housequake from Sign O' The Times
Let's Pretend We're Married from 1999 CD (plezcast)
New Position from Parade CD
Sleep Around from Emancipation CD (plezcast)
America from Around The World In a Day CD

Click to hear my Purple Humpday plezcast.

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