Song Of The Day – Michael Franti and Spearhead – The Sound Of Sunshine

American musician Michael Franti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s almost summer.  Forget that Calgary was plus 6 yesterday with biblical rainfall and the mountains got a sprucing up with a bunch of new snow.  I am going to call it and say, summer starts now.  To bring it in with some music, I give you Michael Franti and Spearhead with “The Sound of Sunshine”.

California-based, the band, fronted by Michael Franti, plays a great mix of, well, pretty much everything.  I hear funk, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, some folk and lots of fun.  Great tune, and wherever you are, remember Canadians love summer.  It is short and we make the most of every minute.

Michael Franti Home

Michael Franti on iTunes

Michael Franti on Amazon

Michael Franti on CBC

Related articles

• Summer anthem: Michael Franti’s “I’m Alive” (dulli012.wordpress.com)

Remembering Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner

Ohio Players~Funk on Fire:The Mercury Anthology (Photo credit: bamalibrarylady)

 

Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner passed away on January 26, 2013.  He was 69.  Sugarfoot was with Ohio Players from its inception in 1959 until he left in 1985 to go solo.  He played guitar and sang for the band.  They played a version of funk that hit pretty much the same sound, and was very popular during the disco era of the 70’s.  Great stuff that makes you want to jump up and move.  The track I have pick features the band on “Midnight Special” with Wolfman Jack introducing them as they play “Love Rollercoaster“.  We old-timers will remember all the above.

 

 

Related articles

 

• Leroy ‘Sugarfoot’ Bonner, Frontman Of The Ohio Players, Dies (wnyc.org)
• Ohio Players Singer And Guitarist Leroy ‘Sugarfoot’ Bonner Dies (mymajicdc.com)

 

Remembering Bob Babbitt

Motown 4 album set (Photo credit: vintage_breda)

You like the Motown sound?  Bob Babbitt, bass player extraordinaire, was likely responsible for that.  He passed away on July 16, leaving behind a huge legacy and body of work.  He played bass for Motown’s studio band, The Funk Brothers from 1966 to 1972.  This would make a lot of people very familiar with his work, without realizing it.  He was the bass player on such hits as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours“, Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears” and Freda Payne‘s “Band of Gold”.  He also played with such greats as Phil Collins and Jimi Hendrix.  Very diverse portfolio.  Here are a few tracks.

Signed Sealed Delivered

–

Uptight (with Phil Collins)

Remembering Pete Cosey

Miles Davis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pete Cosey, guitarist extraordinaire, passed away on May 30, 2012.  He was 68.  He was a session guitar player at Chess Records until 1973, playing on recordings by Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, among many others.  In 1973, he joined the Miles Davis Band and played with them until 1975.  When the band broke up in 1975, he pretty much disappeared, surfacing from time to time to play on someone’s record.  He resurfaced somewhat in 2001, forming a band, The Children of Agharta.  Check out the clips I have included.  The guy was amazing.

Pete Cosey Jamming

–

Calypso Frelimo

Song of The Day – Marvin Gaye – "Heavy Love Affair"

 

Marvin Gaye in 1973 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Marvin Gaye.  Not much to say about one of the greats.  Terrific singer, smooth R&B guy who is missed to this day.  It is hard to believe he died in 1984, holy crap.  I heard this song on my way to work the other day and was blown away….again.

 

–

 

Heavy Love Affair

 

 

Song of The Day – The Meters – "Come Together"

 

The Meters (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My trivia question on George Harrison’s cover version of “Got My Mind Set On You” set me to thinking.  Hmmm, George, Beatles, great songs, covers.  Made me want to hear a Beatles song, but not by the Beatles, and not a cover that was well-known.  I settled on one of my favourite songs by them, “Come Together” and remembered this version done by The Meters.  These guys were a New Orleans funk band that were together in the 60’s and 70’s.  They did not have much mainstream success but were held in high regard by many in the know.  They backed up a lot of people, names like Dr. John and Robert Palmer.  This cover has a great edge to it, as edgy as the original I would venture.  As a special add-on, Ii have also included an all time funk classic.  Enjoy.

Come Together

–

Cissy Strut

 

Song of The Day – The Meters – “Come Together”

The Meters (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My trivia question on George Harrison’s cover version of “Got My Mind Set On You” set me to thinking.  Hmmm, George, Beatles, great songs, covers.  Made me want to hear a Beatles song, but not by the Beatles, and not a cover that was well-known.  I settled on one of my favourite songs by them, “Come Together” and remembered this version done by The Meters.  These guys were a New Orleans funk band that were together in the 60’s and 70’s.  They did not have much mainstream success but were held in high regard by many in the know.  They backed up a lot of people, names like Dr. John and Robert Palmer.  This cover has a great edge to it, as edgy as the original I would venture.  As a special add-on, Ii have also included an all time funk classic.  Enjoy.

Come Together

–

Cissy Strut

Song Of The Day – Remembering Chuck Brown

 

wind me up chuck (Photo credit: firmleague)

On May 16, the Father of Go-Go, Chuck Brown passed away at the age of 75.  The Father of Go-Go.  Why?  The man was a DC legend, defining and perfecting his take on the genre.  He died as the acknowledged leader in this form of music.  Another great player who helped shape our musical world in a fairly anonymous way.

If you are a Washington Nationals fan, you will recognize this one.  Bustin’ Loose is played when the Nats hit a home run.

Bustin’ Loose

–

Cover of The Other Side

Chuck’s legacy includes stints with Jerry Butler, and with the Soul Searchers.  He also recorded an album “The Other Side“, with one of my favourites, Eva Cassidy in 1992.  This record is a keeper.  Eva could sing the phone book.  Here is a tune off it.

Need Your Love So Bad

–

His other notable contribution to the world of entertainment was performing the theme song to the “Sinbad’ TV show.

Related articles

• Chuck Brown Honored At Smithsonian Folklife Festival (mymajicdc.com)

 

Song Of The Day – Remembering Chuck Brown

wind me up chuck (Photo credit: firmleague)

On May 16, the Father of Go-Go, Chuck Brown passed away at the age of 75.  The Father of Go-Go.  Why?  The man was a DC legend, defining and perfecting his take on the genre.  He died as the acknowledged leader in this form of music.  Another great player who helped shape our musical world in a fairly anonymous way.

If you are a Washington Nationals fan, you will recognize this one.  Bustin’ Loose is played when the Nats hit a home run.

Bustin’ Loose

–

Cover of The Other Side

Chuck’s legacy includes stints with Jerry Butler, and with the Soul Searchers.  He also recorded an album “The Other Side“, with one of my favourites, Eva Cassidy in 1992.  This record is a keeper.  Eva could sing the phone book.  Here is a tune off it.

Need Your Love So Bad

–

His other notable contribution to the world of entertainment was performing the theme song to the “Sinbad’ TV show.

Related articles

• Chuck Brown Honored At Smithsonian Folklife Festival (mymajicdc.com)

Song Of The Day – Remembering Belita Woods

 

Belita Wood (Photo credit: snabby)

May 14 saw the passing of 70’s soul singer Belita Woods.  She was 63.  She was with the group Brainstorm and recorded “Lovin’ Is Really My Game”, a disco hit in the late 70’s.

–

–

She spent time in the 90’s and 2000’s with Parliament – Funkadelic.  I think most will enjoy this one.

–

Related articles

• Former Brainstorm Singer Belita Woods Dies At 63 (detroit.cbslocal.com)