Kool & the Gang - Summer Madness

I was in the car with some friends on a beautiful night listening to the old school station.  All of a sudden this song came on.  A song we all knew well, heard it all the time, even remembered what hip hop artist sampled it.  However, we could not remember who did this song.  First guesses were Herbie Hancock & Roy Ayers.  So i pulled out the shazam app on my iphone and up came Kool & the Gang Summer - Madness.  I was like I guess this is right because in Will Smith’s “Summertime” he says the name of the song, but we all weren’t sold that it was actually them.  Most of us are used to Kool & the Gang’s pop-infused funk like Jungle Boogie, Ladie’s Night, & Celebration, not a song so deep and funky as this.  I’ve now realized that I’ve been sleeping on Kool & the Gang.  I’m going to give the album Light of the World, which features Summer Madness a good listen. 

So enjoy the summer days that are coming.  I’m preparing for the best one yet

Sa-Ra Creative Partners v. Medeski, Martin, + Wood - Midnight Birds

This is a throwback to 2005, when Sa-Ra first started getting some buzz.  There’s a land of demos tracks and remixes all from that time period.  This is one of my favorites, it really captures there futuristic sound utilizing all types of synths.  Not too much to say on this one, but… enjoy.

-schwing

PPP (formerly the Platinum Pied Pipers) f/ Karma Stewart - On A Cloud

Oh my goodness this shit is so funky! It is that hot fire. I gotta gotta gotta thank my show So You Think You Can Dance cuz the choreographers always use some great music. I mean…that show is where I discovered Adele and Duffy and I can’t even tell you how many other songs. But this…this right here…..WOOOO. This is about to be on constant rotation in my crib.

With the amazing horns pushing this song forward and Karma Stewart’s AMAZING vocals, this song is an electro-funk-soul junkie’s dream. PPP - where have ya’ll been all my life? I’m sorry if I’m late on the scene, but ya’ll better believe I’m hitting up Amazon RIGHT now to grab some albums.

Oh - by the way - Karma Stewart is a new artist so if ya’ll like what you hear, pick up her EP here. Enjoy!

-Calidre

Madcon - Beggin

When I first heard this track it I tried to figure out what artist it was because I just knew as polished and well put together as it was, it couldn’t be some cats that were new on the scene. So I was right…kiiiinda. Madcon is new on the AMERICAN scene, but have been staples in Norway and Europe for years. Active since 1992, they’ve been making the Norwegians nod their heads since they caught a break in 2002. International hit Beggin, which was released in 2008, finally got distributed to us early this summer.

Gotta say…I’m excited to catch up on this group. They might have just given me some hip hop to actually look forward to. Enjoy!

-Calidre

Madcon - Beggin

[Tshawe Baqwa:]
Oooooh-
Put your loving hand out, baby
I’m beggin

Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

Ridin high, when I was king
Played it hard and fast, cause I had everything
Walked away, won me then
But easy come and easy go
And it would end

[Yosef Wolde-Mariam]

[Tshawe Baqwa:]
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out, baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

[Yosef Wolde-Mariam:]
I need you, (yeeah) to understand
Tried so hard
To be your man
The kind of man you want in the end
Only then can I begin to live again

[Tshawe Baqwa:]
An empty shell
I used to be
Shadow of my life
Was hangin over me

A broken man
Without a throne
Won’t even stand the devils dance
To win my soul

[Yosef Wolde-Mariam]

[Tshawe Baqwa:]
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out, baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

[Yosef Wolde-Mariam:]
I’m fighting hard
To hold my own
No, I just can’t make it
All alone

I’m holdin on
I can’t fall back
Now that big brass ring
Is a shade of black

[Tshawe Baqwa:]
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out, baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out, baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out, baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

 Macy Gray - I Try

Hmmmm…I don’t really know what to say about this post. This is a song that I love in all of its raw glory. I think my favorite thing about this song is that it gives you a peek into that place of weakness that all of us have. I remember when I was a teenager, I SWEAR that the guy I had a crush on was the only guy I’d ever truly “love”. And I would wear the shit outta this song.

I need you. Love me love me love me. 

Then another boy came along. And another. And another. And guess what…I realized that it wasn’t really all that crucial. And that I would have crushes on LOTS of boys. And I’d get over most of them pretty damn quickly.

Interestingly, the older I became the more weight this song carried with me. Imagine truly finding that person that you just can’t get outta your system. Kinda like Ed. I don’t know about you, but Macy sold me! And I’m sure Ed would have enjoyed it as well. Enjoy.

Macy Gray - I Try

Games, changes and fears 
When will they go from here 
When will they stop 
I believe that fate has brought us here 
And we should be together 
But we’re not 
I play it off but I’m dreamin of you 
I’ll keep it cool but I’m fiendin. 
I try to say goodbye and I choke 
I try to walk away and I stumble 
Though I try to hide it it’s clear 
My world crumbles when you are not near 
Goodbye and I choke 
I try to walk away and I stumble 
Though I try to hide it, it’s clear 
My world crumbles when you are not near 

I may appear to be free 
But I’m just a prisoner of your love 
I may seem alright and smile when you leave 
But my smiles are just a front 
I play it off but I’m dreamin of you 
I’ll keep my cool but I’m fiendin 
I try to say goodbye and I choke 
I try to walk away and I stumble 
Though I try to hide it it’s clear 
My world crumbles when you are not near 

Here is my confession 
May I be your possesion 
Boy I need your touch 
Your love kisses and such 
With all my might I try 
But this I can’t deny 
I play it off but im dreamin of you 
I’ll keep my cool but I’m fiendin 
I try to say good bye and I choke 
I try to walk away and I stumble 
Though I try to hide it it’s clear 
My world crumbles when you are not near 

Me’Shell Ndegeocello - Faithful

Bitter is perhaps my favorite Me’Shell Ndegeocello album. For the most part the album seems like a private confession - quiet, breathy, sometimes dark, sometimes desperate and sometimes hopeful. Whichever track you’re on, you can’t help but notice the sincerity and intimacy of the track.

While Ndegeocello is known for her skills on the bass guitar (when it comes to the instrumentation on her albums), this album foregoes alot of the showmenship and instead leans on quiet piano chords and soul baring vocals. There’s a pretty sweet cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “May This Be Love” and an ode to beauty in “Beautiful”.

This song in particular is actually about Ndegeocello’s infedelity. No excuses, no apologies - just an acknowledgement of what it is. It’s hard for me to imagine that there isn’t some truth to the lyrics…it just seems too damn real to be “hypothetical” to me. I hope you enjoy the track - def pick up the cd if you can. It is really an underappreciated musical gem in my opinion.

-Calidre

Me’Shell Ndegeocello - Faithful

My daddy made no excuse
I believe my lies are truth
Why wont you eat what you are fed
When I touch myself I think of only you
And when I touch someone else

No one is faithful I am weak
I go astray
Forgive me for my ways

I hear voices and I cant stand to be alone
Cause emptiness is all I have ever known
Soiled by my lust I feel no shame
No longer forsaken when they call my name
Beautiful angels come to my bed
I am satisfied on their flesh I have fed

No one is faithful I am weak
I go astray
Forgive me for my ways

Jamiroquai - Seven Days In Sunny June

I was planning on posting a different song this morning but this track caught my attention when searching through my iTunes files.The feel of it better matches up with me this morning. 

Jamiroquai is an English Acid Jazz/Funk/Disco band that has been around since the early 90s. While the name of the group is more synonymous for front-man Jay Kay (the guy in all the crazy hats), Jamiroqui is definitely a band complete with rotating musicians. Jay Kay formed the band when he didn’t get the gig as lead singer of The Brand New Heavies. Talk about a silver lining.

The band is probably best known stateside for their 1996 single Virtual Insanity. I know that’s when I first heard them (nevermind the fact that I was only 7 when their first album was released). The band has had many musical influences and as such their sound has evolved a lot since 1992. This song is off their 6th album Dynamite. This is one of my favorite tracks by the band so I hope you enjoy it!

PS….if you’re too young (or too old) to remember Virtual Insanity, check the video here.

-Calidre

Jamiroquai - Seven Days In Sunny June

The papers you’ve arranged
In a sense they’re strange
They speak to me like constellations as we lie here
There’s a magic I can’t hold
Your smile of honey gold
And that you never seem to be in short supply of

*Chorus*
Oooooh
So baby let’s get it on
Drinkin’ wine and killin’ time
Sitting in the summer sun
You know
I’ve wanted you so long
Why’d you have to drop that bomb on me

The lazy days
Crazy dolls
You said we’ve been friends for too long

Seven days in sunny June
But long enough to bloom
The flowers on the sunlight dress you wore in spring
The way we laughed as one
And then you dropped the bomb
But I know you too long for us to have a thing

*Chorus 2X*

Gotta get this
The stories in your eyes
Tell of silent wings
You fly away on

Seven days in sunny June
But long enough to bloom
The flowers on that sunbeamed dress you wore in spring (Yeah Yeah)
The way we laughed as one
Why did you drop that bomb on me

*Chorus*

Could it be this
The honey suckled dancing you’d seem to show me
Could it be this
For seven days in June I wasn’t lonely
Could it be this
You never gave me time to say I love you
Could it be this
I know you don’t believe me but it’s so true

Don’t walk away from me girl (4x)
I read the stories in your eyes

If you’ve been telling me we’ve been friends for too long (Yeah)
Why’d you wanna drop the bomb
Telling me we’ve been friends for too long
Why’d you go and drop the bomb
You tell me that we’ve been friends for too long (Yeah)

 Andre 3000 f/ Norah Jones - Take Off Your Cool

Oh Andre 3000 - how I love you. Let me count the ways:

You’ze a funky mofo

You wear pearls. And plaid sweater vests. And ponchos. And safari hats. And suspenders. Pretty much all things counter-intuitive of a black urban male.

I loved you in Four Brothers. Yup - I really did.

You have about a million alias. And everyone knows having an alias is cool.

You play the violin.

You’re a vegetarian. While not for me, its still cool beans.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was my introduction to southern rap. And what better introduction then that.

Did I mention you’ze a funky mofo?

I could go on but who has time for that? The Love Below is prolly one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. Its funky, its jazzy, its funny and its groovy. I love everything from the unexpected elements (falsetto singing - really?) to Andre’s always entertaining phrasing. Its been well over 5 years since the album was released and I am STILL tickled everytime I listen to “Where Are My Panties?”.

Take Off Your Cool is a silky smooth track thats more instrumentals then vocals. I picked it mainly because I think its something most people would glance over on their Outkast voyage. I like all of the facets of Outkast and I hope that this is one you can enjoy as well!

-Calidre

 Andre 3000 f/ Norah Jones - Take Off Your Cool

Hey yaaa… Ba-doo-baaaa-ba-doo-baaaaa [repeat 2X]

[Norah Jones]
Baby, take off your cool
I wanna see you, I wanna see you
Baby, don’t be so cool
I wanna see you, I wanna see you

[Andre 3000]
Baby, take off your cool
I want to get to know you
(Take off your cool)

James Brown  - Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag

I am posting this song for one reason and one reason only - mama’s got a brand new bag! I woke up this morning with a pep in my step and a smile on my face. At this point you may be asking yourself what the new bag is? Well don’t hurt yourself cuz it isn’t anything to philosophical. I LITERALLY got a new bag - orange alligator skin! And the ish is F-I-E-R-C-E.

I know what you’re thinking - orange?!?! Gator?!?! Well…for those of you that know me my wardrobe can be a bit on the conservative side. I have a lot of navy, gray, black and white and love simple clothing. What I also love are crazy shoes. I’ve never been very into purses but I decided yesterday I need at least one that pops for those days when I need a little flare. And what goes better with flare then FUNK! You know a song is iconic when not only is the title a popular colloquialism (gambling, shopping, lifestyle change), but no matter how few times you’ve heard, it automatically pops into your head in certain situations. I’ve been humming it all morning while I enjoy my new purse so here it is for ya’ll to hum along to with me. Enjoy!

-CaliDre

James Brown - Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag

Come here sister…..Papa’s in the swing
He ain’t too hip…about that new breed babe
He ain’t no drag
Papa’s got a brand new bag

Come here mama….and dig this crazy scene
He’s not too fancy….but his line is pretty clean
He ain’t no drag.
Papa’s got a brand new bag

He’s doing the Jerk….
He’s doing the Fly
Don’t play him cheap ‘cause you know he ain’t shy
He’s doing the Monkey, the Mashed Potatoes, Jump back Jack, See you later
alligator.

Come here sister
Papa’s in the swing
He ain’t too hip now
but I can dig that new breed babe;
He ain’t no drag
He’s got a brand new bag

Oh papa! He’s doing the Jerk
Papa…he’s doing the Jerk
He’s doing the twist … just like this,
He’s doing the Fly ev’ry day and ev’ry night
The thing’s….like the Boomerang.
Hey….come on
Hey! Hey…..come on
Hey! Hey….he’s pu tight…out of sight…
Come on. Hey! Hey!

Kashmere Stage Band - Zero Point

i WISH i played in a band like this when i was in high school.  the funkiest thing my band teacher let us play was the star wars symphony.  believe it or not kashmere stage band is a high school band from houstan texas whose music teacher, Conrad Johnson, decided to have his students play in the style of Otis Redding and other funky bands form the late 60s into the 70s.  unfortunately, i can’t find any videos of the group, because they also put on a full show with choreographed dance moves.

two of my major loves in life are music and education and this is simply one of the greatest stories i’ve ever heard.  the teacher connected directly with the students and helped them to achieve things beyond their imagination.  the kashmere stage band went on to record 8 studio albums and have been a prized possession among crate diggers worldwide.  now-again records a subsidiary of stones throw released a compilation album of their songs a couple years back called texas thunder soul.  check it out and enjoy!