Folks, the early ‘90s were a much simpler, more innocent time. It was a time in which you could believe that Shock G, the mastermind behind Oakland-based funk/rap collective Digital Underground and Humpty Hump, the outfit’s Groucho-nosed comedian, were two different people. At least I believed they were two different people. What can I say?… Read More “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground (1990)
The Pointer Sisters were musical chameleons; able to tackle throwback pop, dance music, middle of the road yacht rock, hard rock, jazz and even country with relative ease. Every couple of albums, they sounded like a completely different group. 1975’s “How Long” finds the Oakland-bred quartet (at least that’s what they were at the time)… Read More “How Long (Bet’cha Got A Chick On The Side)” by The Pointer Sisters (1975)
“Housequake” isn’t so much a song as it is a groove. And what a groove it is. Prince’s appreciation for the music of James Brown was never a secret (and it certainly isn’t now, as revelations of hours-long rehearsals with The Revolution where they just grooved on JB’s “Bodyheat” have come to light), and “Housequake”… Read More “Housequake” by Prince (1987)
Here are two songs that split the difference between rock and disco. The Stones’ “Hot Stuff” is a showcase for some smoking guitar by Keith Richards. I must admit I haven’t paid much attention to Keef as a guitarist, but he is smoking here. There’s also some fantastic interplay between the rhythm section of Bill… Read More “Hot Stuff” by The Rolling Stones (1976)/”Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer (1979)
You’re not going to get many statements of purpose more fervent than Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”. It’s a song of faith that stands tall even amongst Stevie’s many excellent declarations of faith. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not an especially religious person. Not an unbeliever, just a skeptic. However, if there’s one person that is… Read More “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder (1973)
As I think I may have mentioned before, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Licensed To Ill-era Beastie Boys. Part of it might’ve been a sense of “oh, now white guys are rapping and you guys are all into it” that I felt from people and couldn’t really articulate as a pre-pubescent. Part of it… Read More “Hey Ladies” by Beastie Boys (1989)
The Chimes came straight out of Scotland and…well, they didn’t really stick the landing on U.S. shores. Only one single of theirs scraped the ass end of the Hot 100, and their debut album (which turned out to be their only album) peaked at #162. The only success the group had in the States was… Read More “Heaven” by The Chimes (1990)
“Heartbreak Hotel” is not one of the better known Jacksons songs, but it’s one of the songs that points the clearest path to places Michael would go during his solo career. It was the first Jacksons song that was composed by MJ alone, it kicks off his love affair with gothic imagery, and it was… Read More “Heartbreak Hotel” by The Jacksons (1980)
“Heartbeat” was not a ginormous hit upon its 1981 release. It peaked at #6 on Billboard’s dance chart and #10 on the R&B list, and didn’t cross over at all. Back in the days when smashes could be regional, though, “Heartbeat” lit up the dance floors and airwaves in New York City (thanks to DJ… Read More “Heartbeat” by Taana Gardner (1981)
I’m attempting to think of a creative way to discuss Prince’s “Head”, and it might be the fact that I’m a bit under the weather, but the only way I think I can explain it is just to talk about its, uh, plot. Prince is chillin’, as one does, when he passes a young lady… Read More “Head” by Prince (1980)
Five Star Jamz 