The Soul Direction

The Rain

2009-11-25T12:05:00.000-08:00

It`s almost sort of officially winter in Seattle, so in light of not seeing the sun for for the next 4 to 20 months... a few of my favourite rain songs:

Eddie Kendricks: Date with the Rain
Originally the lead singer of the Temptations, some later works from Eddie Kendricks solo career. (1977, Tamla Records)

Ann Peebles: I can`t stand the Rain
Released in 1973 under the same name on Hi Records.

Average White Band: Stop the Rain
The not even close to Average White Band from Scotland: Bio

I`ve been lazy.....

2009-05-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some mixes I`ve done during periods where I was far less lazy... Some of my favourites.
Until I get motivated. Give me one more week.

Downtempo/Funk: 2008
Funk/Hip Hop/Jazz: 2006
Funk/Soul: 2003

Ain`t no sunshine

2009-03-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

While spring has supposedly sprung, I have yet to see this 'spring' people are always telling me about, which apparently involves this thing called sunshine. I am intrigued.
For this first edition of 'connect the dots', 'Ain`t no sunshine' seems to be an appropriate jump off:
Originally released in 1971 on the album "Just As I Am", this was Bill Withers` first big hit, recorded while he was still working full time in a factory that made parts for airplanes, and which would be followed by many others including "Lovely Day", "Lean on me", "Just the two of us", "Use me", and so on.. but I digress to later posts. It was released as a single in September of 1971 as the B-side(as many great songs are) to "Harlem". Bill Withers won a Grammy for"Ain`t no sunshine" in March of 1972, and was followed by so many covers that I am going to crop it down to my top 10 favourite. They are as follows, in no particular order:

Favourite vocals
Bill Withers
Lyn Collins
Al Jareau
Mama Lion
Favourite instrumentals
Prophets of Soul
The Harlem Underground Band ft. Willis Jackson
Armado Perza
Favourite Jamaicans
Ken Boothe
Horace Andy
And to end things off, favourite remix... of a cover:
Kashmere Stage Band (J.Rocc)

Creation

2009-03-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

After months and months of procrastination, I`ve finally decided to get in on this blogging thing.
I`ve been in love with funk, soul, hip hop, latin, afrobeat, downtempo, house, breaks, and any form of art that has drawn strength from these forms of music for as long as I can remember. It`s what makes me and many other people happy. So this blog will largely be dedicated to those things... Things that I`ve created, things my friends have created, and things that people I love and appreciate for all they have done for music have created.... and the things that keep us sane when we really need it.