Tag Archives: Recommendations
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “You’re All I Need To Get By”
Nick Ashford wrote this song with Valerie Simpson in 1968, and they both sung backup it. It’s one of my favorite songs ever. I just can’t get over how beautiful it is. Nick Ashford died on Monday. He was 70 … Continue reading
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The Delfonics – “When You Get Right Down To It”
If you’re in the mood for Philly soul, chances are there’s a lady in your life. I really can’t imagine the need for this kind of audio velvet if you’re spending your evenings in with a bag of Bugles, a … Continue reading
Filed under Every instrument in the world...ever!
Sly and the Family Stone – “If You Want Me To Stay”
Sly was starting to crack up a little by the time Fresh came out, but it’s still a solid record of minimalist funk – I love that this bass line is front and center. Probably my favorite Sly song, if … Continue reading
Filed under Really exciting video work
The Rance Allen Group – “Ain’t No Need Of Crying”
Rance Allen is a preacher and a gospel artist who recorded for a few labels throughout his career, but they were with Stax when they did this one. I’m a sucker for this sound, which is why I’m such a … Continue reading
Filed under Literal YouTube clips
Sam Cooke – “Sugar Dumpling”
This song makes me think of summer. It’s always a shame when a song you love bears the ugly mark of the misogyny of the early 1960′s, but it makes the song valuable as a cultural signifier as well as … Continue reading
Filed under Seven different kinds of meat
Roberta Flack – “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
I had a big, big Roberta Flack thing in college. I used to DJ a soul music radio show on KCOU Columbia, and when I tabulated whose music I had played the most on that show (Why did I do … Continue reading
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The Jacksons – Can You Feel It?
…well? Can you? It’s mind-blowing to me that this song was recorded and released after Michael went solo. He was already one of the biggest stars in the world, and he decided to make another record with his less talented … Continue reading
Aretha Franklin – “You Send Me”
I love a bit of obscure soul as much as the next nerd, but when someone is obsessively collecting all the 45s Major Lance ever released, I sometimes wonder if s/he spent enough time with Aretha Franklin. This is a … Continue reading
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Millie Jackson – “I’m Tired Of Hiding”
From Millie’s 1974 masterpiece, Caught Up. There’s not a bad cut on the entire album, and the whole thing hangs together not just as a concept album, but as a narrative album. Millie became notorious for her sexually explicit lyrics … Continue reading
Filed under Things Millie said to your wife
Ray Charles – “Hard Times”
It’s Springtime in Minnesota, which means it’s snowing again. This song seemed fitting. Ray had a serious winning streak on the Atlantic label – if you’re a soul music fan, there aren’t many of his sides from those years that … Continue reading
Filed under Fathead steals the show
