Here are two funky songs with the same title. Both songs pointed towards a shift in Black music. I can explain the difference in the two songs using Soul Train gifs, which is pretty awesome. Here’s a gif that, to me, exemplifies King Floyd’s “Groove Me”. It’s dirty, backwoods funky. Which makes sense, because King… Read More “Groove Me” by King Floyd (1970)/”Groove Me” by Guy (1988)
After a one-song break to accommodate Rick Springfield’s finest moment, Teddy Riley returns to give another white singer some extra flavor. Jane Child got more attention for her look than her music, which was fairly prototypical L.A. pop/soul. She rocked feathered hair on top with cornrows on the bottom. She also had a nose ring… Read More “Don’t Wanna Fall In Love (New Jack Swing Remix)” by Jane Child (1990)
Boy George is, was and always will be a soul singer (direct precedent: Smokey), so partnering him with Teddy Riley for a couple songs on 1989’s High Hat was a masterstroke on behalf of George’s American record company (although they had no motive in mind other than making a hit, which is kinda what record… Read More “Don’t Take My Mind On A Trip” by Boy George (1989)
“Dangerous” is the final track on the Michael Jackson album of the same name, and it ends the proceedings with a bang. It says a lot to the quality of Dangerous that you’re not like “holy fuck, is this album over yet?” by the end. Because it’s damn near 80 minutes long. In my piece… Read More “Dangerous” by Michael Jackson (1991)
Bad Rabbits were my favorite local act during the time I spent in Boston. Any band featuring Black nerdy dudes with a punk rock sensibility was bound to score high marks with me. I only got to see them live once, but it was memorable. The show was at Brighton Music Hall (for scale: the… Read More “Dance With You” by Bad Rabbits feat. Teddy Riley & Clinton Sparks (2013)
My intention was to include an anecdote about my 18th birthday in this entry, but I checked some dates and my sense of time is slightly off. So that anecdote will have to wait. BLACKstreet is best known for the #1 pop smash “No Diggity”, a fun enough song which definitely is not the best thing… Read More “Before I Let You Go” by BLACKstreet (1994)
Five Star Jamz 