Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Renaissance (Remastered)

Simply enough, this is one record that can't be forgotten by the many music fans who loved this 1977 RCA Records release by Lonnie Liston Smith & his band, The Cosmic Echoes, which consisted of his brother, Donald Smith on vocals, David Hubbard on Flute/Saxophone, Lawrence Killian & Guilherme Franco on Percussion, Al Anderson on Bass, and Wilby Fletcher on Drums.

It kinda makes you wonder why this album isn't re-released in the U.S.? (Another dumb move by the record industry).

So much magic was truly made on this album, and you just can't ignore just how wonderful this record sounded back then. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds good, today, and you wonder how many times these Rap music artists have sampled the song, "Space Lady"? Well, they sure as hell are lucky that Lonnie gave them the "OK" to do that, but the rappers know damn well that they can't replace a "gem" groove like "Space Lady", by putting their explicit lyrics over the track. Besides, a groove like this was never meant to be cussed on, right? :)

Right.

One thing I can say about another particular track, on this album, is the song "Starlight And You"...Now I know I was just a kid in the 70's, but I did, however get a good view on how many young adults, back then, were grooving to that song on the dance floor (at block parties, mostly)...Guys & Girls kissing on each other while dancing together...the groove was (& still is) so damn smooth, what else can yo do? MAKE SOME BABIES! LOL!

This album was produced by Bob Thiele & Lonnie Liston Smith.

Just go ahead & enjoy it.


Track Listong:

1. Space Lady
2. Mardi Gras (Carnival)
3. Starlight And You
4. Mongotee
5. A Song Of Love
6. Between Here And There
7. Renaissance

Download

Record Labels Tried To Kill The Music Industry

…And it seems as if we were all ready to surrender to this so-called new music genre, called "Garbage Music".

Not really.

In fact, not at all.

Just the other day, I heard somebody say that the major record industry is trying to change the way that everyone listens to music (i.e. changing the format of all genres of music that we love listening to). I'm here to let these record companies know & understand that you cannot change, or fix, what is not completely broken…it (the music) wasn't even broken to begin with.

The Rock music we grew to love, the Jazz that we are still able to swing the groove with, the R&B that sing soulful songs to, and the original Hip-Hop Rap that we all can rap about IS NOT GOING TO DIE!

Hey Warner Bros., what gives you the right to terminate the R&B and Jazz music genres from your category of music to choose from? To me, I think that you're all a big bunch of dummies (especially when you pulled all your videos from Youtube.com).

Plus, a no-thank-you note to Capitol/EMI, because as many record deals you all went through on so many artists, you people couldn't even figure out what music was good enough to keep issuing as 'available' in your catalog (You couldn't even keep the R&B group, Portrait, M.C. Hammer, Little Feat, or O'bryan on the record shelves). How embarrassing.

Now I can see why you two record labels actually burned out into a music catalog. Ran out of steam, huh?

Oh well. At least the REAL music still lives on. It's just a new birth of the same thing, and the music business will soon become a 99% truthful market (On the internet, that is).

The Brothers Johnson – Kickin’ (Remastered)

In 1988, George & Louis Johnson returned to the music scene with this 'forgotten" comeback album, "Kickin'". The album was released on the A&M record label, and as much as their relationship with Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss was still well-knitted, the Brothers Johnson had some more good funk to throw to their fan's faces. The album kicks off with the groove, "Kick It To The Curb", and this song sounds as if George & Louis never really lost their touch. Here's a fact that most people didn't know about this song: this song was not only written by George Johnson, but it was also written by "Fame's" Irene Cara. Bryan Loren ("Lollipop Luv") also had some production on this album, as well. The 2^nd track, "Real Love", has some punch to the Johnson brothers' funk, in which you can't even help but get up and dance your ass off. The other Loren-produced track is a slow mellow groove, "Still In Love", which is the 4^th track on the album. In my opinion, "Still In Love" should've been released as a single, because the song is so damn good, that it could've been a top 10 R&B hit for the brothers. What a missed opportunity that was for them.

There are many great moments on this album by the Brothers Johnson. The great surprise on this album is when they did a remake of the Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions song, "We Must Be In Love". George does a duet, on this song, with an unknown talented female singer, Denise Vallin. I was really expecting more from Denise as a singer, but sadly, her stardom quickly faded into the sunset after this album was discontinued.

I really don't see why this Brothers Johnson album got ignored, because the album is really that good.

Why don't you just download it and see what you think of this record. J Leave me a comment about it.

Track Listing:

1. Kick It To The Curb
2. Real Love
3. I Fresh
4. Still In Love
5. P.O. Box 2000
6. Ball Of Fire
7. We Must be In Love (Duet w/ Denise Vallin)
8. I'll Give It Up
9. This Is Our Love
10. Party Avenue

Produced by The Brothers Johnson, except "Real Love" and "Still In Love", produced by Bryan Loren for Left-Handed productions.

Download

Peter Brown – A Fantasy Love Affair (Remastered)

As many of you will recognize this 1977 album by the man who wrote & peformed the flaming Disco hit, "Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me?", and the other dance hit with Betty Wright, "Dance With Me", there isn't a doubt that most of you were trying to re-discover this full length album, again. For a long time, this album had been buried in the ashes, since Chicago's rock radio jock, Steve Dahl, blew it up with thousands of other disco records at the then-known Comiskey Park (White Sox) on the South side of Chicago, IL, but due to much of a relief, the album survived that bullshit. In fact, most of the disco hit records survived that fall. They're still being played today.

Peter Brown actually made this full length album in his home recording studio, which was actually in his bedroom (how the hell did he get the drum set in there?) You really can't even tell if it was done there, or not, but it was recorded in his bedroom. Every track was well produced & mixed by Cory Wade for Transamerica productions, and this record still sounds good to this very day. My most favorite track on this album is "For Your Love". That song has a real "road-traveling" groove to it, and I can relax to the song while I'm cruising in my vehicle, while going down the Chicago expressways (sunshine beaming down on my face & all…LOL).

Most of you do realize that on "Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me", there is the "B side 12 inch" version of "Burning Love Breakdown" mixed in to the track. I know, I know. Some of you like to hear that whispering wind blowing in the beginning & end of the original B-side version. Guess I'm gonna have to put that 12 inch up on this blog, as well.

PLUS, on the last track, "Without Love", most of the DJ Quik fans didn't know that on Quik's first album "Born & Raised In Compton", Quik used this Peter Brown song as a sample track on his "Quik's Groove" Instrumental. (FACT)

Well, what you waiting for? DOWNLOAD IT!! J

Track Listing:

1. Fantasy Love Affair
   
2. Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me / Burning Love Breakdown
   
3. You Should Do It
   
4. The Singer's Become A Dancer
   
5. For Your Love
   
6. Dance With Me
   
7. It's True What They Say About love
   
8. Without Love
   
   Download
   

OK, I’m back…

Sorry that I left you all for awhile. I had some business to take care of, while being outside of presenting you some of this lost music that these record companies never cared to re-release on CD, or digital download. I do have a whole lot more of this 'lost' music to give you a chance to listen for, so let the rollercoaster ride continue!

Michael Jackson: His Gifted Spirit

MICHAEL JACKSON (1958-2009)

I'm sitting here, typing words on this page, trying to say farewell to a Pop music icon who has given us so much enjoyment to the entertainment world, but I can't.

I'm talking about the King Of Pop, who is known as Michael Jackson.

As much as I have grown up listening to this person, singing lead vocals with the Jackson 5 on such hit songs, like "ABC", "I'll Be There", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "The Love You Save", all the way to "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)" and "Heartbreak Hotel", and then going on to break out on solo hit albums as "Off The Wall", "Thriller" and "Bad", there are no words that I can express in saying goodbye to Michael Jackson, at all.

All that magic, glitter, flash, and daring dance moves were some of the amazing things that M.J. could do, in order to make you gasp for air. Sure, there are some acts out there that try to do something similar to what Michael could do, but they didn't exactly have that "Michael Jackson" style. Most of these current acts have a style of their own, but not quite as good as the "King Of Pop (& Dance)".

In my opinion, Michael Jackson will always be the one who can hold that title down.

No. I can't say goodbye to Michael, at all. Michael's just in a better place where he can continue to dance, and entertain our hearts with more joy & peace to the world we live in.

Now maybe all of us can appreciate Michael Jackson, a lot more.

Keep on Moonwalking, Michael. We're watching you with a smile. J

Philip Bailey – Philip Bailey (1994)

It only takes a matter of time to wonder where a good album does go when it gets discontinued. In 1994, Zoo Entertainment/BMG released this album by EWF's very own Philip Bailey. I wonder who can remember the song, "Here With Me", in which the video was eventually in rotation at BET's "Video Soul" back in the day?

Well, that song did come from this self-entitled "Smash Hit" album by Philip, and to as much embarrassment that Zoo Entertainment slept on this lost gem, they really didn't care much about promoting it. They just figured, "Hey, it's Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire…let the album speak for itself. Maybe the fans will notice that it's out there." HELLO!? IDIOTS! That's why you're a record company…you're supposed to promote good records…WAKE UP!!!

I guess that's why the major labels of today enjoy the pleasure of giving you "trashy" music to make your head hurt, or better yet..EXPLODE!!

Anyway, I'm sure that most of you music lovers are looking for this lost album by Philip Bailey, so here it is!

Enjoy it while you can. J

 

Tracks 1, 9 and 12: Produced By Chuckii Booker for Big Dog Productions.
Tracks 2, and 6: Produced By Robert Brookins for SacBoy Productions.
Tracks 3, 5, 8 and 10: Produced by Brian McKnight, with additional Production by Robert Brookins for SacBoy Productions. Remixed by Robert Brookins and Donnell Sullivan.
Tracks 4, and 7: Produced by PM Dawn
Track 10: Produced By Philip Bailey and Roxanne Seeman

 

Track Listing:

1. Stay Right Here
   
2. Just Like Summer
   
3. Here With Me
   
4. A Diamond Just Like You
   
5. I'm Ready
   
6. Love Me Tonight
   
7. I Won't Open My Arms
   
8. Crazy Things You Do For Love
   
9. Live It Up
   
10. Yours
    
11. Call Me
    
12. Something's Missing

Download

The System – E.S.P.

Yes, this is the official comeback album for Mic Murphy & David Frank (a.k.a. The System). If some of you are confused by what the initials, E.S.P. stand for, they stand for Electro Soul Pioneers, because that is what this legendary duo is most famous for: their computerized-funk grooves that they put out through the 80's decade ("You Are In My System", "I Just Wanna Make You Feel Good", "This Is For You", and their famous Top 10 hit, "Don't Disturb This Groove").

You System fans know what I'm talking about. J

Well, it's good to know that most of the "System" hardcore fans do recognize this album that was released in the year of 2000 on their indie label, Town Sound Records. This release does have the well-known System sound that most of the fans are familiar with, and with the updated groove technology of drum and keyboard programming, the CD shows just how far Murphy & Frank have come (in fact, they were way ahead of their time in the 80's, when they did the "Sweat" album project) . This just goes to show you that these two respectable brothers have a lot more to give you on what's coming next in this musical journey, beyond-wise.

Now, the sad news about this album is that the music industry didn't see this album coming, or didn't care to see it coming, because the industry was, or is, being too damn busy trying to put out garbage music to the masses. Who wants to buy that bullshit anyway?

Actually, I would like to thank the "apeshit" music industry for ignoring good music, because it gives people like me to express myself on what music is good to listen to, especially if it's been discontinued, and not letting the new youthful generation hear what they really need to hear. (just might give me a new job as an A&R record executive, later on).

Oh, by the way. Mic & David did a remake of "You Are In My System". It's got a different feel than the original one, but I actually like the original, better. Cool change up, though. J

Overall, I love this album. Most of the tracks on this album are just plain HOT!

OK. Go get it!

Produced by Mic Murphy & David Frank for Science Lab Productions.
(E.S.P., Baby!)

1. Heaven In Your Eyes
   
2. As God Is My Witness
   
3. Supernatural
   
4. Love's Déjà vu
   
5. Tell Me
   
6. Soul Food
   
7. Good As Gold
   
8. You Are In My System
   
9. Midnight Train
   
10. Hole In My Love
    
11. Can't Let You Go

Download

The System - Rhythm And Romance

It's very hard to realize that this album is so hard to find.

This was the last Mirage/Atlantic Records album release in 1989, from the Electro-Soul Pioneers duo, Mic Murphy & David Frank. I'm really surprised that Atlantic Records only left one album available, by The System, in their music catalaog, which is "Don't Disturb This Groove".

Come on, Atlantic. There was more than one damn good record that these guys put out. No wonder why the record label is losing so much money in record sales. Too much garbage music being put out, today. What a waste.

Anyway, this is one album that really packed a wild punch in your face, with soulful deep electro-soul grooves from beginning to end. You can just put this album on, and leave the turntable, or CD player, grooving though the whole entire album without worry of a track sounding bad...that's just how damn good this album really was (& STILL IS). My favorite track on this album is "Wicked", because this track has a mean-ass groove that you can't help but feel the Bass pounding at your skin pores (makes you wanna get goose bumps, or something. LOL!). The main single that came off of this album was "Midnight Special" (not to be confused with the NBC '70's-80's late night show). The song did have a sequel-like groove to its predecessor song, "Don't Disturb This Groove", which was a #1 R&B and Top 10 Pop Hit. In fact, this track's music video, "Midnight Special", went to the #1 video music spot on BET's "Video Soul top 20", back in '89 when it was being hosted by the legendary Donnie Simpson.

The good news is...this album did have some good album sales, when it came out (the album went Gold).

After this album's successful year in '89, Mic & David went on to do a Mic Murphy solo record, called "Touch" in 1990, and then the duo took a long break from the music scene (no contract renewal from Atlantic).

After that long break, they returned back to the scene in 2001, with a new album, called E.S.P. (Electro Soul Pioneers) on their own indie label. I'll have that one up on this blog, very soon.

I must be the only one who's got this record, becuase I sure don't see anybody else posting it...Enjoy!

Produced by Mic Murphy & David Frank for Science Lab Productions.


Track listing:

1. I'm About You
2. Soul To Soul
3. Wicked
4. Midnight Special
5. I Don't Know How To Say...
6. I Wanna Be Your Lover
7. You Got Me (Where You Want Me)
8. Have Mercy
9. Face The Music
10. Think About It
11. Guardian Angel (Bonus Track)
12. Diggin' Your Rhythm (Bonus Track)

Download

Masekela - Colonial Man

...I wonder if anybody remembers this record? Hmmmm....OK. Now as good as this album was, when it came out in 1976 on the Casablanca Record label (right after the 1975 Casablanca release, "The Boys Are Doin' It"), it became quite a big surprise to most Hugh Masekela fans that when he released this record, it stirred up so much unexpected controversy, becuase he had humiliated on historical World explorers, from Vasco Da Gama to Queen Victoria & Cecil Rhodes (which he notated on the back cover about how they loved to 'Colonize', meaning create slavery). Masekela was actually being anti-colonial on this album...and to many ways, he was telling the truth as he sung about it. Out of all this mess, Hugh got blacklisted from the Government of the United States, got his recording contract, from Casablanca Records, cancelled, and, also, this album got banned from the United States.

All for what? Because Masekela sang about famous explorers who loved to Colonize?

Well, he was telling the truth!

I guess that the Governmental idiots, at that time, couldn't handle the truth, or they didn't want the truth to be told on History that's already been made.

However, he did have a few moments on this record, in which he dedicated a song to Brazil, called "A Song For Brazil", and he also did a cover of The Isley Brothers song, "For The Love Of You"...after that was done...the rollercoaster ride began.

Oh, one more thing. If you listen closely to the last song, "Cecil Rhodes", you will hear Hugh Masekela singing at the end of the track..."Cecil Rhodes...Bullshit!...Cecil Rhodes...My Ass!".

Just to let you know.

Well, did you ever expect that this album, "Colonial Man" would appear here on this blog? WELL, HERE IT IS...AND IT'S SO DAMN HARD TO FIND, ANYWHERE!!!

...and it's been remastered in CD quality (320kbps). :)

YOU MISSED THIS? I GOT IT FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD RIGHT HERE!
ENJOY!

Produced by Hugh Masekela.
Directed by Stewart Levine.


Track Listing:

1. A Song For Brazil
2. Vasco Da Gama
3. For The Love Of You
4. Colonial Man
5. Whitch Doctor
6. Cecil Rhodes

Download

Shakatak - Invitations (Remastered w/ Bonus Track)

The album cover may look sort of spooky & mysterious (Gives me the creeps, sometimes, but what a great-looking model), but as the saying goes, you can never judge a book by its cover. This 1982 Polydor/PolyGram release by Shakatak was one of the group's best R&B/Jazz recordings at that time.

Most of you may remember the songs, "Lose Myself", and "Lonely Afternoon", which features the sultry, sexy vocals of Tracie Ackerman (some thought it was Jill Saward singing on the track, but she is with the group at this time of recording). They are the actual tracks on this album, so you can stop worrying about this album being another fabrication of "Night Birds" replacing the actual song that was supposed to be there. In fact, "Night Birds & "Invitations" did come out the same year in 1982. That's primarily the reason why some Shakatak fans felt confused on what year these two albums came out(?).

On this Remastered album is a Bonus Track Remix to "Invitations". You can thank me for posting it here by leaving your comments. :)

Produced by Nigel Wright.


Track Listing:

1. Invitations
2. Lose Myself
3. Lonely Afternoon
4. Steppin' Out
5. Stranger
6. Usual Situation
7. Sol Fuego
8. In Shadows
9. Invitations (Remix) BONUS TRACK

Download

Steve Oliver - 3D

I was wondering what happened to this album by Contemporary Jazz Guitarist, Steve Oliver. "3D" is one of Steve's great album releases that came out in 2004. The album was produced by Spyro Gyra's keyboardist, Tom Schuman, and Steve, himself. A fine album, this is, and it features the hit Jazz single, "Chips And Salsa", which was featured on most Smooth Jazz radio station's playlists. Don't be fooled by just that one Jazz track on this album, because the rest of the album has plenty of grooves that will treat you to many nights of good relaxation. Just put this album on, and "Let It Go".

Guest Musicians include Tom Schuman on Keyboards, Eric Marienthal on Sax, and Harvey Mason on drums/percussion.

Go ahead, give it a spin.

Produced by Tom Schuman and Steve Oliver.



Track Listing:

1. Magic World
2. Wings Of Spring
3. You Rescued Me
4. Chips And Salsa
5. She's Got The Way
6. Oh Yeah
7. Let It Go
8. 3-D 'Third Dimension'
9. Funhouse
10.In The Shade Of Cool
11.Imagine
12.See You Soon

Download

The Crusaders - Rhapsody And Blues

After the release of their 1979 Platinum Gold Album release, "Street Life", The Crusaders took a different path down the street in 1980, and teamed up with Mr. Bill Withers to do an album that was particularly based on "Rhapsody & Blues". This album does have some sequel-like appeal to the "Street Life" album, but in some weird way, the album did not meet up to the same great status as the last album did. It did, however, make its way to the Grammys for a jazz album nomination, and it did recieve a Gold record status. Just goes to show you that Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, and Stix Hooper never lost their touch in what they did best.

The album does include the Bill Withers warming-vocal track, "Soul Shadows", as well as the "smooth" jazzy, "Elegant Evening". This album is genuinely a true lost gem in the raw. Now, I invite you to check out what you've been missing.

Produced by Joe Sample, Wilton Felder & Stix Hooper for Crusaders Productions.


Track Listing:

1. Soul Shadows (w/ Bill Withers)
2. Honky Tonk Struttin'
3. Elegant Evening
4. Rhapsody And Blues
5. Last Call
6. Sweet Gentle Love

Download

Oattes Van Schaik - "Love Attaxx"

Well, you can never say that you won't see a record that you wanted to get from the past, again. I can remember when I first saw this album on sale, in 1985, at my favorite record store, and the man behind the record counter had put this album on the turntable when I walked in. All I could do was love it! It turned out that this duo, Oattes Van Schaik, had hailed all the way from the U.K., and in that country, they were being known as "The Limit". This album was entitled "The Limit" on the Portrait/CBS label in 1984, and the record did very well, there. When the album reached here in the United States, they suddenly changed their name from "The Limit" to "Oattes van Schaik", and re-titled the album, "Love Attaxx", then they again changed "Oattes Van Schaik" to the initials, "O.V.S.".

The only question that I need to really ask is...why did they go through so many F*&$in' changes in their group's name? They were better off just being the name they chose first...THE LIMIT. Geez!!!

Anyway, the group consisted of Bernard Oattes & Rob Van Schaik (kinda like a Hall & Oates thing, huh?) Both of them produced, wrote, & performed on this lost, lost gem, and it featured some great cameo appearances by the late Gwen Guthrie singing duet w/ Van Schaik on "Say Yeah" (and this was a remix to the original on "The Limit" release), and David Sanborn gives some Saxophone licks on the album, as well.

My favorite tracks on this album were "Miracles", "Could This Be Love", "Everything About You", "Love Attaxx", and some of you may remember the dance track, "Crimes Of Passion"....THE WHOLE DAMN RECORD IS GREAT!!!(LOL) What more can I say about a good-ass Pop/R&B album, like this one?

Discontinued, but never forgotten. Check it out!

Track Listing:

1. Miracles
2. Could This Be Love
3. Everything About You
4. Love Attaxx
5. Say Yeah (ft. Gwen Guthrie & David Sanborn)
6. Destiny
7. Let Me Go
8. Crimes Of Passion (ft. David Sanborn)

Download

Ne-Yo - Year Of The Gentleman

This is the latest release from Ne-Yo. Now, I have to say that most of today's music doesn't sound as great as the Old School Music of the 60's, 70's, 80's & 90's, but some of these new, and latest artists do have a good way of showing gratitiude to those who paved the way for this new generation of musical artists to take the stage. Ne-yo, in my opinion, is one of those artists.

After checking this new album out by Ne-yo, I could tell that he is paying close attention to how music should really sound, and some the featured tracks on this latest release show some true colors in the mixdown production of Compound Ent.

The first track, "Closer", get jumping with a rhythm guitar riff, and then some Four-on-the floor House rhythm, in which this track makes you wanna move to the dance floor and shake it up like it's Saturday night at the club.

It doesn't even stop there. The next cut, "Nobody" keeps the party going, and to be true about it, Ne-yo has that Michael Jackson-like flow on this track. In fact, this song kinda makes you think that maybe Michael Jackson should've had this track for his new upcoming album. Truly slamming groove!

Now I actually see why R. Kelly was so damn jealous of Ne-yo during the time they were touring together (Stop crying, Robert). Ne-yo's talented songwriting is really happening here, and a great performing artist on stage. Ne-yo, you go, boy!


Enjoy!

Track Listing:

1. Closer
2. Nobody
3. Single
4. Mad
5. Miss Independent
6. Why Does She Stay
7. Fade Into The Background
8. So You Can Cry
9. Part Of The List
10. Back To What You Know
11. Lie To Me
12. Stop This World


FREE Listen from Rhapsody! CLICK HERE.

Jill Scott - The Real Thing: Words And Sounds, Vol. 3

I'm not sure if everybody has checked out this latest album from Jill Scott, but I can say that this is one of her best albums to this very day. Ever since Jill debuted on the scene with "Who Is Jill Scott?: Words & Sounds, Vol. 1", she has really blossomed into a bonifide R&B sensation. With her poetic skills and true vocalist style, Jill Scott is no doubt a natural writer in her own right, and she definitely has a right to speak her mind on many of these tracks that are on this latest, greatest, output.

The album kicks off with an Intro, Called "Let It Be" (not to be confused with The Beatles song). On this track, the music fades in, reversibly, with a Kalimba-like sound, and as it melodifies through the beginning of the song, Jill asks the question, "What Do I Do?", then starts speaking in a French language. "If it's Hip-Hop, If Its Bebop, If It's Reggaeton...", it don't matter as long as Jill can flow with it, and yes, she can flow with it like that.

I really cannot say which track is my actual favorite, because this whole album is really off the chain. In fact, all of her albums are off the chain: What more can I say? OK, OK, check out "Whenever You're Around", because that track's got a Stepper's feel to it.

Thanks to Rhapsody, I can now let you listen to it online for FREE. If this album does become unavailable (out of print) to the masses, then I will make it available for downloading it here.

For now, I'm helping Jill make her money. Please respect that. :)

Enjoy!

Track Listing:

1. Let It Be
2. The Real Thing
3. Hate On Me
4. Come See Me
5. Crown Royal
6. Epiphany
7. My Love
8. Insomnia
9. How It Make You Feel
10. Only You
11. Whenever You're Around
12. Celibacy Blues
13. All I
14. Wanna Be Loved
15. Breathe

Listen to it by clicking here, FREE, courtesy of Rhapsody.com.

Champaign - Modern Heart

I just found out that Sony/BMG had discontinued all of the Champaign albums from their music catalog (WHY?!?!!). Well, at least I have every one of their albums in my music collection (just be patient as I load each one of them up on this blog). It just goes to show you just how gullible these major (now shrunk to independent) labels have become, due to their greed for money, instead of their love for good music.

Anyway, this album from 1983, "Modern Heart", was Champaign's 2nd album release on the Columbia/CBS label. The album had a successful follow up to their "How 'Bout Us" debut album, and this one had a little more flavor to their great R&B/Pop sound. The album was produced & engineered by George Massenburg (Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, James Taylor, etc.) and Champaign, which consisted of Paulie Carman (Lead & Background Vocals), Rena Jones-Day (Lead & Background Vocals), Michael Day (Bass & Background Vocals), Dana Walden (Keyboards & Background Vocals), Rocky Maffitt (Drums & Background Vocals), and Leon Reeder (Guitar & Background Vocals). As you can tell, their name has something to do with their place of origin: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and the group had so much of their good music to give to the music lovers in a natural kind of way.

The first track gets some funk pumping with "Let Your Body Rock", as Michael Day plucks his Bass on the groove like he was Stanley Clarke. then the group slows it down a bit with a little bit of serenading/rekindling that lost flame of love with the hit, "Try Again". After trying again on that 'lost love' they go back into to the Funk with the track, "Party Line", in which this song is so damn funky, you can't help but turn up the volume on your stereo, or computer speakers.

If I may suggest you music listeners to check out a certain track I think should've got the chance to be released as a single, then that track would be "Love Games" (the duet between Rena & Paulie). Check that track out, for sure.

Well, I'm going to shut my mouth, and let you listen to the rest of this album by downloading it (Get that "International Feel", LOL.). :)

Track Listing:

1. Let Your Body Rock
2. Try Again
3. Party Line
4. Cool Running
5. Walkin'
6. Keep It Up
7. Love Games
8. Get it Again
9. International Feel

Produced & Engineered by George Massenburg & Champaign, in association with B-Line Productions.

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Portrait - Portrait

Now here's one album that came from a group who should've gotten more recognition in the 90's, but due to the ignorance of Capitol Records' promo people, they actually slept on how damn good this record really was (and still is). The R&B group, Portrait, originated out of Los Angeles, CA, and consists of Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Irving Washington III, Eric Kirkland, and Phillip Johnson. It turns out that this songwriting quartet was given an apartment in L.A. to live together & write some songs for Capitol Records, but what they didn't know was that they were already signed, as a musical group, to the label, as the information was told in an interview by Michael Angelo Saulsberry, himself. With that contract already in place, they went in to the studio and began recording the album that you now see here in front of you.

The self-entitled album was released in 1992, and began to take off with the first single of "Here We Go Again!", which features a sample of Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" album track, "I Can't Help It". The second single that followed was a Funky New-Jack-Swing/Hip-Hop like groove, called "Honey Dip", and that song also garnered another successful hit by the group. All of the other tracks on this album were great, as well, such as the track, "You", which triggers over to the Interlude, "Passion". "On And On" is about as soothing as a beautiful woman's silky skin, when caressed (excuse me for my romanticism LOL), and "Day By Day" is another slow cut that cannot be ignored. In fact, this whole album is jam-packed with every track being at its very best.

Since Capitol discontinued this album, I'm putting the album right here for you to download, and check it out for yourself.

So ENJOY IT!!

Produced by Portrait for Portrait Productions.

Track Listinng:

1. Commitment
2. Honey Dip
3. Here We Go Again!
4. You
5. Interlude: Passion
6. On And On
7. Precious Moments
8. Down Wit Dat
9. Interlude: Snap Along!
10.Problems
11.Feelings
12.Day By Day
13.Heartache
14.Yours Forever
15.Interlude: Why?
16.Here We Go Again! (Extended Remix)

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Dan Hartman - Instant Replay (Remastered)

When this album came out in 1978, nobody really saw Dan Hartman coming. Even though some Pop/Rock music fans may remeber Dan Hartman as being a guitarist/member of the Edgar Winter Group ("Come On And Take A Free Ride" and "Frankenstein"), Dan had exploded onto the dance (disco) music scene when the "countdown" chant went from 10 all the way down to 1, and after he was recognized, the title track went straight to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

This is the full-length album of "Instant Replay" that catapulted Mr. Hartman into his musical stardom, and the hits kept right on coming after this record was released. The funny thing is that not too many people knew, or realized that Dan Hartman had a serious "Funk" side of his musiccal creativity, during this '78 release. You can tell just by checking out "Double-O-Love" and "Chocolate Box". Then Dan gets all the way mellow with this one Sensual groove, called "Love Is A Natural" (that's the one I like the most on this albuim).

The band that is backing Hartman up on this record is an interesting group of musicians: Vinnie Cusano (known as "Vinnie Vincent" of the rock group, KISS) on guitars, G.E. Smith on Bass (played with Daryl Hall & John Oattes, and the SNL band on NBC), Hilly Michaels (known for his single, "Calling All Girls") on Drums, and the pretty female vocalist is Blanche Napoleon. Who was playing congas on "Instant Replay"? That conga player was Larry Washington.

There is a bonus track on this album: an 8 minute version of "Instant Replay" at the end of the full album.

FACT: If you remember the James Brown "ROCKY IV" track, "Living In America", Dan Hartman also wrote & produced that song with Charlie Midnight.

For those who didn't know, Dan Hartman had passed away, of a brain tumor, in the year of 1994. He was 43 at the time of his death. Rest In Peace, Dan.

Enjoy the album!

Track Listing:

1. Instant Replay
2. Countdown/This Is It
3. Double-O-Love
4. Chocolate Box
5. Love Is A Natural
6. Time And Space
7. Instant Replay (12 Inch Mix)

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Pieces Of A Dream - Makes You Wanna

So many people forgot about this great 1988 recording from Pieces Of A Dream, and I wonder why? This was the follow up album to "Joyride", in which Lenny White is back at the production board for this project. Plus, Preston Glass & Cliff Dawson dab a little bit of their production skills into the album, as well as the group, itself, co-produces with White on most of the tracks. The thing about this record is that the trio (James Lloyd, Cedric Napoleon, and Curtis Harmon) added three more musicians to the group's lineup: Lance Webb on Lead Vocals, Vincent Davis on Synthesizer, and Randall Bowland on Guitar.

The album gets pumping with the New-Jack-Swing track, "Ain't My Love Enough", which kinda makes you think of Teddy Riley & Guy's "Groove Me", then it goes into the sentimental Pop/R&B groove, "We Belong To Each Other", which is a production from Glass & Dawson. If you really wanna know which tracks are good to listen to, then I can tell you that mostly all of them are good, especially when you listen to "'Round Midnight", and the jazz version of Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" featuring the late great Grover Washington, Jr. on Sax.

There are two bonus tracks on this album: "Yubie, Yubie", which is a dedication to the late great Yubie Blake, and "Same Place, Same Time", which is another production from Preston Glass & Cliff Dawson.

One more thing to mention: This was also Cedric Napoleon's last album he recorded with Pieces Of A Dream (what is Cedric doing now?).

Enjoy!

Track Listing:

1. Ain't My Love Enough
2. We Belong To Each Other
3. Makes You Wanna
4. Rising To The Top
5. Round Midnight
6. Mellow Magic
7. Feelin' For You
8. Holding Back The Years
9. Yubie, Yubie
10.Same Place, Same Time

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Hypnofunk - The Love Element

There is going to be a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire fans to recognize this lost album by drummer, Sonny Emory & his "Hypnofunk" crew, because the album was produced by Maurice White for Kalimba International. The album was recorded in the year of 1997, when EWF was getting ready to put out another album for their independent record label, Pyramid Records. This album, however, did not go directly to the local record stores to be sold. Instead, this album was being exclusively sold, online, at mp3.com as a digital album download. This was not only the beginning of a new way to buy your favorite music, but also a way where you could save your music money by ditching the middle man from the marketing plans of selling a new record (kinda made the RIAA mad because they weren't getting any money from this new franchise {SO WHAT!}). By the time the RIAA tried to win a 'nonsense' battle by trying to shut down mp3.com, This Hypnofunk record suddenly disappeared with the 'then' website (which is now back up, but without the album being available).

Well now, you can have it again!

Some of the contributors who lended their musicianship to this record, was, of course, Sonny Emory & Maurice White, along with Verdine White assisting on Bass, plus some vocal help from a female singer, whose name is Cara Fears (thank you, Michael R., for helping me recover her full name in this blog post, bro), and keyboardists/songwriters, Phil Davis (who wrote the song, "Body Language" by Boney James) and Greg Manning.

So go ahead, and enjoy this one while it's here! (320kbps)

Track Listing:

1. 7-Up Streams Of Consciousness
2. Inside Your Heart
3. Im With You
4. Pretenders
5. The Love Element (Interlude)
6. Every Little Bit
7. Trinidad & Tobago
8. HUMP
9. Love, We Can Make It Part Of Life
10. Hypnofunk

Produced by Maurice White for Kalimba International.

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My New Music (Featured On Imeem.com)

Now you wouldn't think that I had some music of my very own to present here on my own blog, did you? Well I do, and two of these tracks that you'll be hearing in this playist is already on Itunes (I'll let you figure that one out). Go ahead and click on the play button to listen, You might be surprised at what you might find in it, because I worked with a selected few artists in this playlist (you may know them from the past). :)

Just to also let you know, I am in the recording studio, here in Chicago, IL working on my debut album project, which will be released next year (2009), and the album title is named, "World Groove". More info on this will follow, as the progress will be growing on and on...

For now, enjoy!

Cameo - Feel Me

Somebody looking for this record? Well I got it right here (HA! HA!)! This album was one of the best ever releases by the Super-funk band, Cameo, in which the group was led by drummer/songwriter/producer, Larry Blackmon. Released on Chocolate City/Casablanca Records, "Feel Me" quickly came out the same year (1980) after "Cameosis" was riding high on the R&B album chart with the tracks, "Shake Your Pants", "Cameosis", and the unforgettable remake of "Why Have I Lost You". At this point of the release of "Feel Me", the high-falsetto voice of Wayne Cooper was no longer a part of the group's signature sound, but the Cameo funk groove was still there. With the help of Anthony Lockett, Larry Blackmon was strongly able to come up with a bunch of new tracks that made people wanna get up and move to the dance floor on the songs, "Throw It Down", "Your Love Takes Me Out", and the well-known-funk-on-fire single, "Keep It Hot". When the record got flipped over to Side 2, that's when the fellas got their ladies on the floor to slow dance to a soulful. mellow groove of the title track, "Feel Me", which was sung by Mr. Lockett (and the babies were being made on that song, as well).

The members that were in Cameo, during that time, were: Larry Blackmon (drums/percussion), Anthony Lockett (Lead & Rhythm Guitar), Gregory Johnson (Fender Rhodes & Moog Keyboards), Nathan Leftenant (Trumpet), Arnett Leftenant (Tenor Sax), Tomi Jenkins (Lead & Background Vocals), Aaron Mills (Bass Guitar), Thomas "T.C." Campbell (Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, Mini-Moog, and Prophet Keyboards), Jeryl Bright (Trombone), and the replacement singer for Wayne Cooper: Stephen Moore (Lead & Backgeound Vocals).

By the way, if you listen, closely to the lyrics on "Is This The Way", you can probably tell that the song kinda reflects to what this world is going through, right now, as much as what we were all going through in 1980, during the "Ronald Reagan" era.

Produced by Larry Blackmon for New York City Players, Inc.

Track Listing:

1. Throw It Down
2. Your Love Takes Me Out
3. Keep It Hot
4. Feel Me
5. Is This The Way
6. Roller Skates
7. Better Days

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Earth, Wind & Fire - Touch The World

Sony/BMG made a very BIG mistake when they discontinued this album, "Touch The World" by Earth, Wind & Fire. The true fact is that this album received Platinum status back in the year of 1987. This was EWF's comeback album, that year. With the reunion of leader & founder/vocalist/drummer/percussionist, Maurice White, co-leader/vocalist/percussionist, Philip Bailey, energetic bassist Verdine White, saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk, percussionist/drummer/co-vocalist Ralph Johnson, and a new-member guitarist Sheldon Reynolds (who replaced Roland Bautista){and where's Larry Dunn on keyboards? I guess absent}, the supergroup was ready to take on new horizons in the music industry. The album scored two #1 dance/R&B hits, "System Of Survival" and "Thinking Of You", and the album charted on the Billboard top 5 R&B album section, that year.

The funny thing about this comeback album is that not all of the band members played on this record. Andrew Wookfolk & Sheldon Reynolds did play on the album, but Verdine White did not play the bass on this album. Instead, Nathan East was the one who handled the bass parts for this project, along with other contributing/well known studio musicians/artists like Ricky Lawson and the late-great Jeff Porcaro (Toto) on drums, George Duke, Rev. Oliver Wells, Bill Meyers, and Ian Prince on Keyboards, Skylark & Preston Glass for the Synthesizer & Drum programming on "System Of Survival", Rhett Lawrence and Larry Williams on Fairlight/keyboard programming, Paul Jackson, Jr., Attala Zane Giles, and Ray Fuller on guitar, and the horn section was filled in by Jerry Hey (horn arranger), Gary Grant, Wayne Wallace, Mark Russo, Bill Reichenbach, and Dan Higgans.

Featured guest vocalists on the title track, "Touch The World" are Edwin Hawkins, Lynette Hawkins-Stephens, and Walter Hawkins (The Hawkins Singers).

The album was produced by, of course, Maurice White for Kalimba Productions, except "System Of Survival" was Co-Produced by Preston Glass for Glass Slipper Productions, "Evil Roy", "Touch The World", and "Here Today And Gone Tomorrow" was Co-Produced by Philip Bailey, "Thinking Of You" was Co-Produced and Arranged by Wayne Vaughn, and "New Horizons (Musical Interlude)" was Composed, Produced and Arranged by Bill Meyers.

Yes, I remastered this one, too (320kb).

Track Listing:

1. System Of Survival
2. Evil Roy
3. Thinking Of You
4. You And I
5. New Horizons (Musical Interlude)
6. Money Tight
7. Every Now And Then
8. Touch The World (ft. The Hawkins Singers)
9. Here Today And Gone Tomorrow
10.Victim Of The Modern Heart

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Minnie Riperton - Minnie (Remastered)

This is a classic album that was released on Capitol Records in the year of 1979. Minnie was at her 100% best when she recorded this album with her co-producer/husband, Richard Rudolph, and other co-producer, Henry Lewy. The album includes the #1 R&B hit, "Memory Lane", in which the song tells the story of how she came across a photograph of herself, and her main man, and the photo brought back memories of how sweet the love between the two people were. The song is a happy & sad song at the same time, because at that time of the recording, Minnie's battle with breast cancer was slowly taking a toll on her health (as she ad-libbed the words, "Save Me...Save Me" at the end of the song).

The musicians who appeared on this album were Harvey Mason (drums), Claudio Sloan (drums), Phil Upchurch (guitar), Chuck Rainey (bass), David Hungate {of the group, Toto} (bass), Abe Laboriel (bass), Jeremy Lubbock (keyboards), The "Seawind Horns" (Larry Williams, Kim Hutchcraft & Jerry Hey), Hubert Laws (flute), and guest appearances by Stevie Wonder (a.k.a. "El Toro Negro" as credited on the album's notes), and Jose Feliciano (on "Light My Fire")

Good news! I found another way for you all to be able to hear this whole album again. Enjoy!

Track Listing:

1. Memory Lane
2. Lover And Friend
3. Return To Forever
4. Dancin' & Actin' Crazy
5. Love Hurts
6. Never Existed Before
7. I'm A Woman
8. Light My Fire (ft. Jose Feliciano)

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Philip Bailey - Continuation (Remastered)

This album was Philip Bailey's first solo album that was released on Columbia/CBS Records in 1983, right after the super R&B/Pop/Jazz/Funk group Earth, Wind & Fire took a break from their longtime success (and disappointing sales from the "Electric Universe" album). This album was produced by George Duke for George Duke Enterprises, and it features musical contributions from Nathan East on bass, James Gadson & Ricky Lawson on Drums, Paulinho da Costa on Percussion, George Duke on keyboards, plus horn arrangements by Jerry Hey & the Seawind horn section.

Some of the background vocals are being done by Philip Bailey & Geoge Duke, accompanied by other backing vocalists, which are Jeffrey Osborne (on "It's Our Time") & Sister Sledge (on "Desire")
OK, it looks like I'm gonna have to update this album download, here. Why? Because I have an extra BONUS TRACK to give to you all...Coming soon!

Track listing:

1. I Know
2. Trapped
3. It's Our Time (ft. Deniece Williams)
4. Desire
5. I'm Waitin' For Your Love
6. Vaya (Go With Love)
7. The Good Guy's Supposed To Get The Girls
8. Your Boyfriend's Back


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Welcome to my media blog!

What's Up!

This is Mike Stone, and I want to welcome you all to my blogspot. This blog that I created is not just made for media information, but also a place where I can feel free to share music from the past, plus some of my upcoming music that I will be releasing soon in 2009.

Stick around, because I will be here to share some information with you about what's goin' on in the entertainment world. See you later! :)

One more thing, if you going to download any of the above out-of-print albums that I have posted here on this blog, make sure that you leave me a "Thank you" note in the comment section. Right now, it doesn't matter to me if you do leave a comment, or not.

Just enjoy!

- Mike Stone