Not that much to do outside on those rainy cold daze? Enclined to be the subject of what the Brits name as (circumstancial) depression? Hold on, we got what it takes for you here on IDMW. Let’s mood… to chill with (Good) music as being the best antidote facing all sorts of diseases…
No wonder why Luther Vandross would set the world under his domination in the 80’s, displayin’ the various facets of his talent like NO other while exploring numerous directions. There would be on one hand his countless absolute classics and if thas wasn’t enough a whole bunch of hidden treasures on the other, such as the vibrant ‘My Sensitivity (Gets In The Way)’ taken from the The Night I Fell In Love album released in 1985. Damn, how you’re cruelly missed, man! (Epic). Havin’ contributed to Vandross’s recognition with recruiting him on classics such as ‘The Glow Of Love’ and ‘Seaching’ alongside Change, producers Mauro Malavasi and Jacques Fred Petrus displayed their unique touch while exploring a whole bunch of different directions with groups such as BB&Q Band and High Fashion most notoriously. Not to mention the quite underrated Zinc on some more experimental tip, as shown by the lascive and syncopated ‘Punkulation’ (Jive).
What ever happened to Ethel Beatty? Quite hard to understand why, despite such a sensibility, the one who also happened to work as a background vocalist for Change would never achieve to have more than one release under her belt under the form of a 2 tracker called ‘I Know You Care’/’It’s Your Love’ on Roy Ayers’s imprint Uno Melodic and produced by the latest. ‘It’s Your Love’ sounding like an answer to the seminal ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’. A song which would get a new life in 1998 as the B-Side of Donna McGhee’s ‘It Ain’t No Big Thing’ on Alpha Omega.
On occasions, some artists would remain stucked to a specific song for some reasons. That’s pretty much what happened to Timmy Thomas with the emblematic ‘Why Can’t We Live Together’ despite further efforts which never got the same attention (Glades Records). Alternatively, multi talented people could embark on a different direction despite some promising first try. One good example being given by Torino born Linda Di Franco who, after makin’ some waves with the Balearic ‘My Boss’ and the ultra sensuous ‘TV Scene’ (in quite a Sade-sque vein) both produced by Don Was of the Was Not Was fame, taken from her 1986 released album The Rise Of The Heart, would mainly focus on activities for the cinema.
‘I Don’t Even Know If I Should Call You Baby’… Well, I guess many observers didn’t… even know whatever would happen to the British band responsible of this song in 1991 – Soul Family Sensation - who, failed to repeat its success despite some warm response back then and a classy (piano) remix by the likes of Marshall Jefferson (One Little Indian).
Born Benjamin Earl Nelson, Ben E King happened to be much more than a one hit maker, should it be while being a part of The Drifters as well as a solo artist, bringing a sophistication that soul music hardly had before with his bariton voice. It’s then no surprise seing him makin’ waves on the mid 70’s club circuit (far less formated than nowadays) with this much souft after cool tempo groover by the likes of ‘Supernatural Thing’ co written by Gwen Guthrie, in a similar vein in regards to the arrangements as the original version of William DeVaughn’s’ ‘Be Thankful For What You’ve Got’. A cut which was to receive a reggae version later on by The Corporation of US label Clocktowner... On that cool swingalong tip, Al Johnson made quite some waves on his own with the 1980 released ‘I’m Back For More’ taken from the Back For More album, with production work courtesy of Norman Connors and the contributions of Jean Carn as a guest vocalist and the Jones Girls in charge of the backgrounds. A cut being the subject of heavy battles on the 2nd hand market as far as its (ultra rare) 12’’ promo package is concerned, which was later on sampled by Will Smith (Columbia).
Only you can make me… ‘Happy’! 20 years have gone since the release of this absolute classic which would put Surface on the map as a part of their debut album on Columbia after a couple of significant works such as ‘Falling In Love’ and ‘When Your X Wants You Back’ on Salsoul. A threesome comprising singer Bernard Jackson, former Port Authority member David ‘Pic’ Conley, and David Townsend who, after a nearly 15 years hiatus, was on the writing process of a new album when the latest died on 10/25/2005 for unknown causes at the age of 50.
Putting an end to this delivery on quite some versatile tip. Thanks to Prelude transient band LAX with the hyper moody ‘Possessed’ enlightened by a brilliant vocal interpretation of lead singer Geoff Leib and dope strings and horn arrangements over a couple of huge breakdowns. The latest being in my humble opinion the absolute jewel from their All My Love album released in 1980. MFSB
MOOD II CHILL TENNERZ
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