The biggest knock against Toto was that at times they sounded generic and sterile, which is a pretty fair knock. However, they were studio professionals and at least in one case (David Paich), they were studio professionals who were the children of widely renowned studio professionals. They didn’t grow up bashing instruments randomly in a… Read More “Hold The Line” by Toto (1978)
There is an element of religious iconography present in the music of British sophisti-pop group Breathe. Of their five top 40 American hits, one is called “Say A Prayer”, another (the excellent and phenomenally sad “Does She Love That Man”) takes place during the Christmas season, and their debut single is called “Hands To Heaven”.… Read More “Hands To Heaven” by Breathe (1987)
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)
Deniece Williams is the most famous musician to emerge from Gary. Indiana whose last name isn’t Jackson. Much like Michael and his famous family, though, Niecy has a Motown connection. Her initial entry into stardom was a stint as a background singer for Stevie Wonder-she sings on the majority of his classic ‘70s albums. “Free”… Read More “Free” by Deniece Williams (1976)
Curtis Mayfield’s talent for writing plain-spoken songs that spoke reality was well-known by the time “Don’t Worry” came out. I was a few years away from entering this world when “Don’t Worry” was released, but I’d imagine that folks who were familiar with “Choice of Colors” and “Amen” freaked the fuck out when they heard… Read More “(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go” by Curtis Mayfield (1970)
“Do You Really Want To Hurt Me”-you can’t really ask for a better debut single. Everything that made Boy George what Boy George is, is present here; vulnerability, that soulful croon. Some elements that push “Hurt Me” over the edge to 5-stardom; that sumptuous near-acapella intro, that dubby bass/drum breakdown in the bridge. Some folks talk… Read More “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?” by Culture Club (1982)
My quandary: I just rated “Dirty Work” four stars, but I like that particular song about as much as I like “Do It Again”. Do I down-rate “Do It Again”? Or do I call a do-over on “Dirty Work” and give both songs five stars? Well, it’s obvious which decision I went with. “Do It… Read More “Do It Again” by Steely Dan (1972)/”Dirty Work” by Steely Dan (1972)
In the entry for “Bi”, I discussed how the emergence of Living Colour was the first indication I had that hard rock music could be played by folks that looked like me (and the first indication, tacit as it was, that it was okay for me to enjoy hard rock music awkwardness-free). So I won’t rehash… Read More “Cult Of Personality” by Living Colour (1988)
Of course, I was an alienated teen in the ‘90s. Hell, I’m a somewhat alienated adult in 2018. I was/am also a fairly alienated teen/adult who developed/develops unrequited crushes on people I didn’t/don’t think I’m worthy of because I had/have shitty self esteem. So, Thom Yorke in the summer of 1993 was speaking my motherfucking… Read More “Creep” by Radiohead (1992)
Rick James started experimenting with a more synthesizer-dominated sound beginning with this song, which climbed the charts in early 1983. It was the first hit for The Mary Jane Girls, a group of young women that he put together in the wake of his arch rival Prince’s success with Vanity 6. Or did Rick have… Read More “Candy Man” by The Mary Jane Girls (1983)
Five Star Jamz 