80’s boogie mp3

musicology #484

SoulBoy#3

(D-Train – You’re The One For Me)

for the next 3 days, (starting today), themusicologist is going AWOL so the SoulBoy posts are going to be short but, at least as far as the music is concerned, sweet. Truth is I am starting a foundation course today and I’ll be busy with it until Sunday night so with that in mind…

Today’s cut is a classic piece of Soul from the early 1980’s. BIG on the Jazz Funk scene that rocked London’s underground towards the end of the 70’s, (in reaction to the commercialisation of Disco),  and lasted right up until the mid 80’s, (before Rare Groove took up the batton)

One of my favourite cuts from the period, D-Train consisted of James “D Train” Williams on lead vocals and Hubert Eaves III, (former member of funk and soul outfit Mtume), as instrumentalist. This was the version that moved the crowd mainly due to the introduction..

“With the love I have inside of me we can turn this world around,
we can live through all eternity and we’ll never touch the ground,
We’ll take a chance to ride apoun a star to a place that’s far away,
The light of love will shine on us forever and a day….”

Soul Weekender Crew…all yours..

musicology #436

Fragments #2

(Marvin Gaye – In Our Lifetime)

“The psychiatrists, analysts and all the psychological and social experts complain that they have to repair the immense damage done, to children in particular, by the social , parental and educational systems. But this human wastage is their stock in trade, whether they be therapists, politicians or social workers and the like. If everything only went well, the social welfare field would disappear, and all these fine people would be laid off. The system feeds, then, on its own misfortune. And every agonizing revision or alternative would involve an even more complicated, even more perverse machination”.

the musicology is courtesy of Marvin with a quality piece of 80’s Boogie from his final Motown set ‘In Our Lifetime’

musicology #252

birthdaybashsoul&funk #7

(Steve Parks – Moving In The Right Direction)

Final cut from the birthdaybash rare groove selection and I’m finishing up with a top ranking piece of 80’s soul from a cat called Steve Parks. As far as I know he only waxed one set for the Solid Smoke label from which this, the title track, is taken. First heard by themusicologist in 1986 whilst raving out and about in London Town. Last ‘played ‘out’ by themusicologist at the birthdaybash on November 29th.

Tomorrow begins the Christmas selection. One a day to put us in the mood for when the sleigh bells ring…….

musicology #244

soul&boogie #5

(Dolette McDonald – Xtra Special)

quick’s the word and sharp’s the action on today’s post..Busy, Busy, Busy at the moment and time waits for no man so I’m dropping this piece of ’82 ‘shun on you without further ado. BIG tune on the floor and in the clubs back then and is still very much sought after. 12″ on the BC label. Produced and mixed by Began Cekic for, (Al Hudson’s?), One Way productions.

musicology #243

soul&boogie #4

(Maze – Before I Let Go)

Boogie of the highest order from the legendary Maze featuring of course Frankie Beverly. Too many bombs dropped by them to list and every one a winner. Already featured twice on themusicologist so no need for the introduction. This one, released in 1981has got it all..lyrics, vocals, production and of course impeccable syncopation.

musicology #242

soul&boogie #3

(Change – Paradise)

For themusicologist one of the many benefits of listening to and learning from the ‘boogie’ is the genre’s optimism. At the time, (certainly in England), the outlook was BLEAK. Margaret Thatcher, (and crew), had torn the heart out of the country and begun to establish their ideology on the nation.

Free Market, ‘Entrepenurial’, State backed Capitalism where the individual was more important than the collective. I’m not about to go ‘into one’ on the political philosophy of the times all I will say is that as an 11 year old in 1979 just about to start secondary school it certainly had a huge impact on me. Greed became the order of the day which in my opinion had a negative impact on society at large. The boogie on the other hand had a positive effect bringing people together ‘under a groove’.

The group in today’s spotlight were formed in 1979, (in Bologna), by Italian producers Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi and with their first album ‘The Glow Of Love’ enjoyed instant success. Obviously Luther Vandross as lead singer played a part but more than that the group had ‘style’ and so even after Luther’s one album contribution they managed to evolve and continue to deliver.

The importance of ‘Boogie’ to the development of what became known as ‘House’ is unquestionable and this cut from their second album, (Miracles), is a 5 minute slice of Boogie, with a capital B.
Tight drums, pucker bass line, excellent production and the perfect vocal from Diva Gray as the cherry on the cake.

musicology #241

soul&boogie #2

(Kleeer – Intimate Connection)

day two of the ‘soul&boogie’ and already dropping bombs…anyone who was there throwing shapes knows that this cut tore it up anytime it was played and still sounds as fresh as it did more almost 25, (Count ‘Em), years ago.

The cats in question, (Paul Crutchfield, Richard Lee, Norman Durham and Woody Cunningham), started out in the early 70’s but it wasn’t really until they hooked up with producers Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael around 1976, (as the Universal Robot Band), that things really began to take off.

3 years later they changed their name to Kleeer and begun to record, (for me), some of the best boogie of the period, one of which has already graced themusicologist, (musicology #10). This one though from 1984 is the cream of the crop. produced by Eumir Deodato, engineered and mixed down by Mallory Earl for Atlantic, has to be one of my most cherished pieces of the ‘black stuff’.

Serious…..

musicology #240

soul&boogie #1

(Light Of The World – London Town)

inspired by last weeks mod selection I would like to take this opportunity to explore in chronological order the music of the various scenes I have had the pleasure of being involved in over the years.

mod revival was the first, (1977 – 1981), and this one, (1981 – 1984), known over here as ‘Jazz Funk’ musically and ‘Casual’ fashion wise saw me into the crucial teenage years.  For me the two are connected, especially in attitude. Jazz Funk/Casual was yet another working class movement that sprung out of a desire to be ‘modern’ and create something in tune with the times. This selection is a soundtrack to those years. ALL big tunes on the scene.

First up has to be this one from UK outfit ‘Light Of The World‘ with the essential 12inch ‘London Town’ on the Ensign label, (produced by Augie Johnson). Proof if needed that we certainly have the talent on this side of the pond to produce genre defining cuts of the highest order.

musicology #216

foreignpon’tour #1

(Aaron Broomfield – I’m Gonna Miss Ya)

small interlude in the 12angry finds themusicologist ‘on tour’ in Cyprus. Had to mark it with a slice of the musical pie. wicked piece of 80’s Boogie that will always bring back memories of the time spent here.

Update Febuary 16 2009… lyrics request from a Funk and Boogie Cat out of Japan?..

Girl you are my baby, I love you so dear,
but im looking at tomorow, and I know I wont be here,
the day for me is coming, when I gotta find my way,
I gotta go out in this world, find us a better place,

gonna miss yah, day and night,
gonna miss yah, gonna miss just holding you tight,
gonna miss yah when my days are blue,
Im gonna miss yah but i’ll be back for you,
gonna misss yah, day and night,
I’m gonna miss yah, gonna miss just holding you tight,

there’s things I want to tell you, and dont you ever, ever forget,
you are my only baby, no matter who I’m with,
keep searching for tomorrow, keep looking on ahead,
and when you think that you are all alone,
Ill be back for you instead,

I’m gonna miss yah, day and night,
I’m gonna miss yah, gonna miss just holding you tight,
gonna miss yah when my days are blue,
I’m gonna miss yah but ill be back for you,
gonna misss yah, said day and night,
I’m gonna miss yah, gonna miss just squeezing you tight,
gonna miss yah, when my days are blue,
I’m gonna miss yah, but I’ll be back for you

I’m gonna miss you, gonna miss your loving,
oh girl, oh girl I know I’m gonna miss you so much,
ohhh deep down in my heart, gonna miss your loving arms
I’m gonna miss your love song,
i’m so blue im so blue, but I’ll be there for you

musicology #118

jamboree #5

(Ozone – Gigolette)

all things considered..has to be this one. for three reasons.

1: It’s me dear Uncle Bassie’s Hawaii Five-O birthday bash today and I’m sure he will appreciate the four string on the track

2: Big night out tonight celebrating ms Steen’s birthday at Brother Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures,
(Leisure Wear theme !!)

3: The piece was released in 1981 (same year as the notorious Diadora Borg Elite which will be on ‘me plates’ tonight)

Good Enough…

1981 was also the year themusicologist became a teenager, Raygun became president, the Brixton, Toxteh, (and Lewisham), Riots boiled over, 13 people died when a house in New Cross burned to the ground. Britain was deep in recession, Bombs were going off in the capital, Berbatov was born, Bob Marley died and Spurs won the FA cup, (themusicologist was there at Wembley to see Ricardo ‘ Ricky’ Villa score the winner), beating Manchester City in a glorious replay….

musicology #41

doublebubble..#7

(Wornell Jones – It Must Have Been Love)

finishing off the 3 round theme with the icing on the cake. a barely known 80’s Boogie, marrow trembler from this musicologist/songwriter/singer/bass player. what more can be said about it other than

“it must have been love”

one thing themusicologist would like to add to the diary is a few words on how music is so often the catalyst for change. this week I undertook a new journey .. therapy… relationship therapy to be precise. for an ‘alley-cat’ this is almost unheard of for many reasons but, (almost), anything and everything is worth investigating and as communication breakdown is all too common in this age there is obviously value in wise counsel. this musical diary is my therapy, best friend, shoulder to cry on and this week here we are without planning, scheming or manipulating listening to duets, two people in harmony… bliss and strangely almost confessional.

the point to make here is that no matter how hard one ‘knocks’, (and themusicologist is an example of this pursuit), if the door to the heart is closed and nobodys home the time will come when the person outside packs the emotional bags and hits the road. Darryl Banks knew this back in ’66 and laid down an anthem, (musicology #11), to guide us but if you don’t ‘listen’ you can’t hear. so this piece of musicology goes out to all those who aren’t listening as well as those who are.

musicology #40

doublebubble .. day6

(Womack & Womack – Woman)

If you like your soul straight up, no chaser this is one of them tunes that does all the talking .. lovers/haters hold this marrow trembling 4mins 17 seconds of 80’s soul duet heaven from Linda and Cecil and let the music be your guide…

musicology #15

(Maze – When I’m Alone)

back to the one tune with one of my favourite pieces of 80’s boogie.

Sunday afternoon ‘Soul spectrum’ selection … in training for the soul weekender next month.

musicology #9

moving and juggling…

“when the world is down on you……love’s somewhere around…and I want you to know that….(sing along with me children)…joy and pain are like sunshine and rain.”

a jazz funk anthem that still sounds just as good as when first heard more than 20 years ago..respect is most certainly due to Maze and Mr Frankie Beverley

if life is rough and your relationship is suffering and you don’t know how to breakthrough … send your companion a link to this one tell them the musicologist would like a word, and if this doesnt communicate the message then nothing will and it may be time to make a move

musicology #8

Womack&Womack – Baby I’m Scared Of You

the musicologist can see a clearer path and has made resolutions.

for the next few weeks i’ll be throwing down 1 piece at a time,
(a.k.a the one tune technique), the reason:

a soundtrack for metamorphosis/change that I would love to share using the
universal language.

the time has come to make a move and I can only hope the music does the talking.

feeling it…… then lets trip back to the early 80’s and the days of Lois Jumbo’s, Diadora, Adidas, Fila , Pringle and Aquascutum sported with authentic mod panache whilst line dancing at the ‘Ly, Cinderellas, Samanthas, Gullivers and Flicks.

First up…one for the ladies out there…but don’t play man for cheap…and bear in mind that he need a little mo’ too…..