We start in softness. Elvis Presley recorded this song in 1956, it became an instant hit, and many musicians went on to create other versions, one of which was by Bill Swan. Listen to this much slower and soulful take on the original one. It was recorded 20 years later and hasn’t really gotten the attention it deserved.
From indie pop to experimental noise, passing by hard rock, acid house and boogie rock, this is a band that dared to venture into many different territories. The Glasgow group rose to fame in 1991 with the release of their third album, Screamadelica, an iconic release with sounds that mixed indie pop, country ballads, techno, dub and psychedelia. It broke down musical boundaries, helped fuse the techno and indie scenes and made the band worldwide stars. 3 years later, they followed up with Give Out But Don't Give Up, marking a massive departure from the psychedelic sound of Screamadelica into one influenced by classic rock and blues music. Denise Johnson lent her beautiful voice to a couple of songs, and ‘Free’ is one of them.
From the straightforward Euro-rock of its era to progressive flourishes to flashes of mysticism and prominent synthesizers, there’s plenty at work on Earth, the first official solo album by Vangelis (January 2021 / September 2021 mixtapes). ‘Let It Happen’ blends 70s psychedelic rock with the Greek musician’s expressive synth work.
Latimore is probably my best discovery of the month, and his 1973 debut album Latimore is such a treat. Marrying blues and soul, the Tennessean musician topped the lists in the mid-70s with the anguished ‘Let’s Straighten It Out’ and went on to become an enduring legend in the entertainment industry. Much like his contemporary Barry White, Latimore’s songs from that era became the background sound for an entire generation of lovers around the globe. Listen to the seducing ‘Let’s Do It in Slow Motion,’ and you might find yourself nodding in approval.
We continue with a mixture of soul, country and folk on 'Rising Sign,' a 70s rarity from Kentucky-born songwriter Jim Ford. A close associate and inspiration to Sly Stone, Ford became a major factor in the California music scene of the 60s and 70s, writing songs that were covered by some of the greatest musicians of that generation.
"For me, happiness is Fred Wesley playing the trombone,” once said the great James Brown about the funk legend who went on to become his musical director. Nicknamed the 'Funkiest Trombone Player Ever,' Wesley was the world’s most famous sideman, orchestrating the sinuous grooves and contributing the bold, surgically precise solos that defined the language of funk.
“In the summer of 2012, a new sound blew in from the dusty desert. It was a sound difficult to pin down, to codify; a sound that, like some wild horse, resisted one’s grasp. But this was no trend, no flash-in-the-pan movement, no shotgun marriage of styles, no ma’am. This sound went back decades, back to the latter half of the 1960s and early 1970s when adventurous artists started to blend country hoedown harmony with the elation of gospel, the sexual thrust of the blues and a touch of inner-city grit. This was a new sound with a simple name: Country Funk.” - Country Funk Volume 3 EP, Light in the Attic Records.
Born blind, Ronnie Milsap discovered his gift for music at an early age. During the 1970s and 1980s, he became one of the major figures of country music, thanks to his hybrid sounds combining country and pop. Taking on more of a disco feel, ‘Get It Up’ is a bit different from the rest of his catalog and stands out from the pack.
More disco with English singer-songwriter Andy Gibb and his 1978 smash hit ‘Shadow Dancing’. Featuring a solid arrangement of strings, horns and disco-funk guitar work, the song topped the charts as soon as it came out. It was written by Andy and his brothers in Los Angeles while the Bee Gees were working on the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Nolan Porter’s music rose to prominence with the UK northern soul movement of the 1970s. The LA-born singer was best known for his songs ‘If I Could Only Be Sure’ and ‘Keep On Keepin’ On.' With its soulful, dark and tortured vocals gliding gracefully over heart-stopping guitar riffs, lush beats and groovy organ keys, the former song eventually went on to inspire Joy Division’s ‘Interzone.’ You can hear that passion bubbling beneath the surface. Beautiful, bitter, and hopeful, this is the epitome of 70s northern soul.
This album combines activism and musical exploration, fusing sounds from several locations and eras to express messages of joy, optimism, and revolution. ‘Freedom Groove’ features Afrobeat legend Tony Allen (February 2022 mixtape). The Nigerian drummer, composer, songwriter and longtime drummer / musical director for Fela Kuti contributed seven tracks to this album right before passing away in 2020.
You might recognize Amarante’s voice from the Narcos series theme song. Drama, his second album, features warm melodies, suggestive arrangements, acoustic tones and sonic subtleties. Atmospheres seem to be a key sound on this intentionally artificial, fantastic and cinematic album.
More tenderness with a man that needs no introduction. On the ending song of his 1973 album Call Me, hear the great Southern soul singer incorporate elements of gospel and interject his performance with wild moans and wails. His signature sound set the standard for smooth soul and went on to influence a horde of singers who came after him.
Eddie Chacon experienced proper, peak-nineties acclaim with the soul duo Charles and Eddie. After two decades of silence as a singer to pursue a second calling as a fashion photographer and creative director, he returns with a mini modern masterpiece. Pleasure, Joy and Happiness explores the rare side of passion and heartbreak. With its laid-back wisdom and smooth vocal mastery, this is a wonderful album end-to-end.
Topping the UK singles chart in 1984, this song by English synth-pop Frankie Goes To Hollywood (featured on their debut album Welcome To The Pleasuredome) is an absolute one-off. One of those unique, captivating songs which have and will continue to stand the test of time.
