The universal power of music comes from its ability to encapture and translate the countless emotions paving our existence from an instant to another. From the very ups to the deep downs, with the sounds gathering us on these pages being no exception. So here we go with the first installment of our Mood II Chill column the title of which supposedly speakin’ for itself…
The decline of the record sales along those last years finds the beginning of an explanation as to a big majority of albums have been hardly conceived around a single and rarely much more. Once again, far from the yesteryears’ standards. Not to say efforts whereas each components had more or less the potential to have a single release!!!
Starting this column while paying a tribute to Steveland Judkins Morris better known as Stevie Wonder shouldn’t come as a surprise in regards to the awesome legacy of this man who, to me, stands as the best songwriter/composer of his generation. And I know how I’m not the only one in this position as I’m far from being the only one this man would bring ‘Joy Inside My Tears’ while havin’ a listen to his music. This bringing us back to the souvenir of the Songs In The Keys Of Life double album released some 31 years ago on… Motown, including jewels such as the above mentioned in addition to ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ in honour to the birth of his daughter, ‘Wish’ and ‘Past Time Paradise’ to name but a very few!!! This leading us to one of his former background vocalists, Deniece Williams who was to start her solo carreer in 1975, teamin' up with producer Maurice White of the Earth, Wind & Fire fame then releasing the anthemic 'Free' (later covered by Chanté Moore) taken from her 'This Is Niecy album issued the year later. A Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez all time favorite as well as a former Vintage of the Week here on IDMW.
1977 was no doubt a key year Earth, Wind & Fire. A band who excelled in both jazz, funk & soul circuits prior makin waves in the clubs but also delivering awesome cool stuff including the memorable ‘Be Ever Wonderful’ taken from the All’N’All album released on Columbia.
The good thing about the disco days is that you could find incredible musicianship from the most obscure releases such as Pasadena’s ‘We Love You’ on the Crown & Key Records label hailing from… Pasadena with both a sung version featuring a whole choir and a vibrant instrumental interpretation on the flip as delivered by Don Myrick & The Phenix Horns ESQ, not to be missed for those in search of symphonic vibes.
Hot on the heels of his success alongside the Commodores in the 70’s (thanks to the particular tone of his voice), givin’ shapes to a solo carreer was just a matter of time for Lionel Richie. Here again, almost everything on his Can’t Slow Down album had the potential to compete on the single front, from the cuts which effectively did (‘All Night Long’, ‘Penny Lover’, ‘Stuck On You’ and ‘Hello’ to those which, unfortunately didn’t, including the title track and the jazzy ‘Love Will Find A Way’ co-written by Greg Phillinganes (Motown).
Quite closer to us, although reachin’ his twennies next year, the aptly titled ‘Heaven’ from the album of the same name was no doubt a peaktime of subtilty by the likes of BeBe & CeCe Winans, receiving no surprisingly the support of BBC Radio 1 jocks such as Jeff Young and Robbie Vincent (Capitol). And the same could be said about US DIY man Dino responsible of both the vocal arrangements, the keyboard, the drum and the horn programming then the piano solo on the transcient ‘24/7’ taken from the album of the same name released in 1989 on 4th & Broadway.
Music being a language, I guess none of you then should be surprised to be said how the best of it is supposedly comin’ from the work of those knowin’ the best how to speak it… And God knows how the late Luther Vandross was one of them, not only as the brilliant singer he’s best remembered for, but also as a producer, counting among his numerous efforts the 1982 released Jump To It album for Aretha Franklin on Arista. And no doubt how when gathering talents such as Keyboardist Natt Adderley Jr, Marcus Miller on bass, Yogi Horton on drums, but also George Duke on piano, one could hardly do wrong such as demonstrated on the vibrant ‘(It’s Just) Your Love’ which hopefully happened to be released as the B-side of ‘Love Me Right’ prior being given a new life 7 years later as a part of the famous 12 Inch Grooves Series on UK label Old Gold Records & Tapes. And the same global comment to be said about the highly emotional ‘On My Own’ which saw the reunion of two incredible singers by the likes of the evergreen Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald in 1986 with production work courtesy of the immense Burt Bacharach with Carole Bayer Sager (MCA). And the story to be ended for now with a tribute to the late Dusty Springfield who to me stood as one of the best white voices on the soul front and a special mention to one of her most vibrant effort under the form of the most unexpectedly Pet Shop Boys produced ‘Nothing Has Been Proved’ lifted from the Scandal OST with orchestral arrangements by Angelo Badalamenti and a sax performance by Courtney Pine which was to receive some remix treatment by Marshall Jefferson on its 12” release on Parlophone.
Comin’ back next month with another delivery of selected goodies for those in search of cool home listening, knowing those have been dropped out of club airing for almost 2 decades now… All da best, MFSB
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