Thank you so much for your enthusiastic reactions following the publication of our Mood II Chill column. True, some of you looked quite surprised with slow vibes being mentioned on these pages. However, let’s not forget how the said club music was not as formated – if not, not formated at all - not so long ago, leaving space for a whole array of different stuff which, to many, would be seen as unclassifiable nowadays…
The recent decrease of the temperatures going under O Celsius remind us how Winter is fast comin’ on this side of the planet with most of us livin’ here in search of cosy atmospheres. Hopefully, we at IDMW are equipped with what might be perceived as a 4WD data basis featuring music in regards to almost any kind of… mood!
Those of you coming to these pages since our day 1 may remember what appeared as one of the very first Single Of The Week in our history and also what to me stands as one of the most vibrant post-productions to be credited to Quentin Harris. Well, you’ve guessed it, the memorable ‘When Love Came In’ by the likes of Lathun featuring India Arie released on Fall Out in 2003 with its original here deserving a careful listen if you’ve ever missed it (Island).
2’.47’’… Quite a short duration as compared to today’s standards and everything was to be said on the magnetic 1973 released ‘What Is Wrong With Groovin’ by the likes of Soweto hailing singer Letta Mbulu (then later on re-released on the Jazzman label)on a rhythm varying from downtempo ballad to jazz melted with bossa nova influences. A lady who was to make a cameo appearance 14 years later alongside Jacko on the vibrant ‘Liberian Girl’ (Epic).
Earth, Wind & Fire rocked the world, not only because of their stunning horns section (eventually hired by former Genesis lead singer Phil Collins) and the undoubtable skills of producer Maurice White. But also because of the incredible range of the voice of their lead singer Philip Bailey who was to drop the brilliant ‘Children Of The Ghetto’ as a part of the Chinese Wall album under his own banner in 1984, spanning lush keys over a slightly influenced lover’s reggae bassline (Columbia).
Not many if not rare are those who’ve graced our ears and spirits while telling stories with a deep meaningin addition to their gifts both as singers and musicians. The first comin’ to my mind (apart from Stevie Wonder) being Gil Scott-Heron who I’ve happened to be lucky enuff to see on of his last live appearences on stage alongside long time partner Brian Jackson at NYC S.O.B. (thanks to my brother Ron Trent!) a few years back now. This leading us to his vibrant and approriately titled ‘Winter In America’, as far as this precise moment is concerned.
One of the most talented artists to have emerged during the past decade is no doubt Maxwell, in the true vein of people such as Marvin Gaye, Carl McIntosh of the Loose Ends fame and D’Angelo. Each of his songs being a delight for the soul headz as illustrated by the fonky delicate ‘I Am You & You Are Me’ standing as one of (if not the) the most vibrant love declarations around, taken from the Embrya album released in on Columbia. But also ‘This Woman’s Work’ on his MTV Unplugged EP with an as exceptionally crying interpretation and arrangements as the original version courtesy of Kate Bush some 8 years earlier (EMI).
Although many Americans have had the temptation to consider themselves at the roof of the world, one could hardly forget about the consistent contribution from the Brits with some of them being among the very best on the planet. A reality which fully applies to saxophonist Courtney Pine, we’we mentioned the name of on the last issue of this column. A man who’s shown quite a versatility expressing himself on both the jazz, soul and drum & bass circuit at the time, with ‘Life Goes Around’ being one of his best shots alongside female singer Juliet Roberts at the very top of her art (Antilles).
UK again although much earlier, back at the beginning of the 80’s, with an emblematic band speaking of which we could say they were doing avant-garde blue eyed R&B with obvious influences from US producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (S.O.S. Band, Alexander O’Neal, Janet Jackson…) droppin’ the memorable ‘Only Human’. Their name: The Human League! (Virgin). Even further, puttin’us somehow ‘2000 Light Years From Home’ are The Rolling Stones with their song of the likes. Weird to say the least and quite futuristic, knowing this has been released in… 1967!!! Then also most likely unexpected on those pages to many of you, although you gotta live with it: we’re INDAMIX and we definitely mean it! MFSB
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