Tax Time

Gary Nesta Pine & Dollarman: Money

I hate gimmick records. For example, let's cover every track of Pink Floyd's 1973 classic Dark Side of the Moon, but with reggae artists. Sounds stupid, but 2003's Dub Side of the Moon is actually good. Here's the Easy Star All-Stars version of Money. The choice to replace the intro cash register with a bong is a little juvenile, but I definitely dig the rap break.

The O'Jays: For the Love of Money

It's a little overplayed and probably ruined forever by that hump Donald Trump, but I always liked this Gamble & Huff ode to all things greed performed by The O'Jays from their 1973 masterpiece album Ship Ahoy. Dollar bills y'all.

Prince - Money Don't Matter 2 Night

Prince's shot at Philly Soul from his 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls.

Dennis Brown - Money In My Pocket

Here's Mr. Brown's 1972 hit single. You can find it on about a thousand Best ofs and Reggae Hit compilations. One of my favorites is the 1993 box set The Story of Jamaican Music from Mango.

Back Stabbers

I've got mixed emotions on the issue of sampling songs. For the most part I think it's kind of a cop out, but occasionally I'll hear someone create something totally new with a previously owned groove that I really dig. Generally speaking, if it was a good groove once, it will be a good groove again. You be the judge.

Angie Stone: Wish I Didn't Miss You

A standout track on her second solo album 2001's Mahogany Soul, Wish I Didn't Miss You borrows more than heavily from The O'Jays classic Back Stabbers. I love Angie's lyrics and new melody. She really makes this a brand new song. Best line: "Isn't it ironic, all you want to do is smoke chronic."

The O'Jays: Back Stabbers

Released on 1972's Back Stabbers LP, The O'Jays signal to everyone that the 70's are not going to be like the 60's. This song captures the paranoia and anguish of post Watergate America. I'm loving that ominous piano.

James Brown: Hot(I Need to Be Loved, Loved, Loved)

This 1975 single has sparked a lot of discussion among music fans. Let's start with the fact that this is bad ass funk to the highest degree. As most of you can tell, it's a total rip-off of Davis Bowie's 1975 hit Fame which was co-written by Carlos Alomar, a guitar player that actually played with JB and the Flames at one time. The story goes that Mr. Brown heard the song, played it for session musicians and quickly cut the track. JB thought he could disguise the stolen riff by rapping all over it. The Bowie track would go on to be #1 worldwide while Mr. Brown's version would be one of the first bumps in the road to his late 70's decline. Frankly, I prefer The Godfather's version! You can find it on the greatest box set ever released 1991's Star Time.

David Bowie: Fame

OK. This is the ONLY time you will find a non "soulful" track on this page, but I feel I have to include it for the sake of the discussion and besides it's a pretty funky track with a cool thumping bass line. And hey, that IS The Walrus on backing vocals! You can find Fame on 1975's Young Americans.

I Love Music

Songs praising the importance and power of music are as common as songs about love found and lost. I always seem respond to these tracks because I share this love for music. These great artists can explain this passion much more eloquently than I ever could.

Curtis Mayfield: Soul Music

Taken from Curtis' Give Get Take Have album from 1976, this track is bright and cheery. Curtis sings of the virtues of soul as a healer for life in the city. This music will take you to a higher place. The disco strings are almost too much, but Curtis' honest falsetto vocals keep it real.

Edwin Starr: Funky Music Sho' Nuff Turns Me On

Edwin Starr's vocals are as raw as Curtis' are gentle. This track is as funky as it gets. Again the music will take you higher. Released as a single for Motown in 1972, Funky Music... can be found on numerous Best of's.

The O'Jays: I Love Music

Cleveland based trio The O'Jays were one of the most successful (and in my opinion the best) acts to come from the direction of Gamble & Huff. Released in 1976 on the stellar Family Reunion album, this track was a disco smash but make no mistakes, this one is pure soul.

BONUS TRACK
Flunk: I Love Music

Not much musically going on here, but hey, that's Brother Ray talking! This late night fare from Norway can be found on Flunk's 2002 release For Sleepyheads Only.