Ms. Shaw's Soul

Sorry it's been a while since I've had a chance to post anything, but work's got me fairly busy, so here's another quickie. I've got a couple smooth Marlena Shaw tracks for you to check out. I hope you dig 'em.

Marlena Shaw: Go Away, Little Boy

I've always loved this track. It's got a very laid back, easy way about it. Marlena tries to lay down the law, but caves at the end. Find it on her 1969 Cadet release Spice of Life.

Marlena Shaw: Feel Like Makin' Love

Here's an oozy sultry bit of soul jazz from Marlena's sassy 1974 release Who Is this Bitch, Anyway?

Buffalo West Essentials Pt. I

I can't believe how time flies. Were almost at August and summer is rapidly coming to an end. Our warm sunny days are numbered in New York and I haven't posted nearly enough Reggae for my taste so here I go. I present 3 tracks in no particular order that I quite simply could not live without. Enjoy.

Althea & Donna: Uptown Top Ranking

This track was the biggest hit for Althea Forest and Donna Reid reaching the top of the U.K. charts in 1978. Although most of their albums remain out of print and extremely hard to find, 2001 saw the reissue of the Uptown Top Ranking full-length on the Caroline label.

Lloyd Charmers: Darker Than Blue

I know I've just recently posted a pair Lloyd Charmers tracks, but I can't help it. I'm hooked on this heartbreaking cover of one of Curtis Mayfield's most powerful compositions. Backed by Third World, Charmers also sings the haunting backing vocals. This is the title track on the Blood & Fire compilation Darker Than Blue: Soul from Jamdown (1973-1980), a must for any music collector.

Steel Pulse: Roller Skates

This tale of a stolen boombox is a standout on Steel Pulse's 1984 release Earth Crisis.

I Ain't Superstitious

Today's Friday the 13th so here are a couple superstitious track for you superstitious sorts...

Let's be careful out there today!

Howlin' Wolf: I Ain't Superstitious

Taken from the 1971 London Howlin Wolf Sessions featuring Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones and Steve Winwood. While generally panned by blues purists, this album was one of my first introductions to The Wolf and still one of my favorites.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '77: Superstition

For most of the second half of the '60s, Sergio Mendes was the top-selling Brazilian artist in the United States, charting huge hit singles and LPs that regularly made the Top Five. Here he is with his 1977 Brasil incarnation performing one of three Stevie Wonder covers found on Vintage '74.

Mother Earth

Erykah Badu: Today(Earth Song)
Find it on 2001's Red Star Sounds

Memphis Slim: Mother Earth
Find it on the 1961 Chess reissue Memphis Slim

The Soul Children: I Don't Know What This World Is Coming To

Find it on the 1972 Wattstax soundtrack

America The Beautiful

Ray Charles: America The Beautiful

This bicentennial track makes me forget all the problems we have in this country...at least for a few minutes. I miss Ray.

Pledge Allegiance

I was trying to come up with some great patriotic tunes to share on our country's birthday, but I couldn't get this funky gem out of my head. Maybe I'll get a couple USA tunes for you tomorrow! All rise.

Funkadelic: Grooveallegiance

This is as funky as it gets from Mr. Clinton and the gang's 1978 release One Nation Under A Groove. Funk Patriotism at it's finest! Mmmmm...that's tasty bass!