Interactive Black Music: Blues, Soul and Funky

Letta Mbulu: Kilimanjaro Take Us Higher (from the album: Sound of a Rainbow, 1980)

Ebo Taylor, a Ghanaian highlife/afrobeat legend who experienced a late comeback about ten years ago (maybe i.a. thanks to American r&b/hip hop star Usher who sampled one of his old tracks?). At any rate, Taylor subseqently relased two new albums, or even more and toured extensively (I attended a concert in Switzerland in 2014). These albums include new tracks and newly arranged unreleased material. Here is one of his recent songs.

Ebo Taylor: Ayesama (from the album: Appia Kwa Bridge, 2012)

Obviously, both tracks are a fusion of various genres but they do include the musical styles that are subject of this poll.- I might post a third tune later on, maybe a current soul/r&b track, also by an African artist. Let's see.

And my third suggestion, to stay in the Lowlands, the Dutch blues legends Cuby and the Blizzards...

Cuby & The Blizzards - Somebody Will Know Someday (1967):

Not my specialty, so I'm a bit Lost & Lookin' (for more)...

Rodolphe Burger - Lost & Lookin':

Thank you, Nickie!

Lorenzo:  I have seen Stevie Wonder open (!) at least half a dozen, or maybe more times, back in the 1970’s.  He and Joe Cocker (another known yet also appropriate artist for this poll), both.  Always a great show (from both).  Laura Nyro “Eli’s Comin’”  I know this one very well, it was a huge hit here in the states, both her version and Three Dog Night’s.  And suits the category quite well.  Roger Chapman & Streetwalkers “Crazy Charade”  I actually own this on a CD, so not going to go over it, but loved Roger Chapman, especially with Family.  Another wonderful spectacle in performance, like Joe Cocker.  The The “Sodium Light Baby”  Funky wah-wah guitar, has a real seductive, eerie, voodoo feel to this one.  Smooth vocalist, with lots of passion. 

Christian:  Lou Rawls “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water”  My mom was a huge Lou Rawls fan, let’s see if I remember this one from her collection. Classy, classy club atmosphere.  Gorgeous voice with just that hint of rasp.  Cool, cool piano, brushed drums and sounds like standup bass.  My mom had great taste.  😊  Chicken Legs Weaver “Paper Houses”  Gotta love this guy’s name!  A much heavier piece, with a definitely raspy voice, heavy percussion and kind of a rap.  Wonky, wangly guitars, kind of a sarcastic tone to it.  Thin and angly guitar lead towards the end

Cristi:  Curtis Mayfield ”Freddie’s Dead – Superfly”  I remember this very well, had tons of radio play in LA in it’s day.  Top drawer of it’s type.  Suits the category quite well, though!  Blazzaj “Am Tot Ce Vrei” Horn section and full band begin this one.  There’s kind of a rap vocal, another super-raspy voiced singer, which goes well with this type of music.  Lots of poppin’ bass and punches of the horn section throughout.  Funky!  Living Colour “Love Rears Its Ugly Head”  I remember this one, it’s a classic song of it’s type, all excellent players and a fabulous vocalist!  Wish I heard it for the first time, it would surely have been a contender.

Dwill123:  Tyrone Davis “Can I Change My Mind”  Lighter feel than the previous selections, this has a great vocalist also, smooth and steady.  Subdued production of the horn section and band, to showcase the fine vocal delivery.  The Spinners “Living a Little, Laughing a Little”  Ooooh, I liked that harp glissando at the beginning.  Sounds like it will be a full production piece.  Another fine singer, this one with more nasal quality.  Thoughtful lyrics.  Kool and the Gang “Open Sesame”  Sort of a Middle Eastern vibe, but very obliquely.  Poppin’ bass again here and sharp horns.  Female chorus in background, then the guys join on in.  They add in a little riff of “Streets of Cairo,” then back into the mail theme, to revisit it again later.  I think I liked Tyrone Davis the best here, even though that harp gliss caught my ear.   

Dark Elf:  Rhiannon Gidden “Julie”  I think I’ve seen her before, but not heard this.  A fantastic Delta or Appalachian style blues/folk tune.  I love banjo when it’s played this way, not so jangly.  I looked her up, now I know that I’ve seen her with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, courtesy NPR.  Excellent choice!  Memphis Minnie “When the Levee Breaks”  And now for some more Delta music.  Vintage recording, another where folk and blues combine in their own kind of mixture.  Esperanza Spalding “Endangered Species”  Looking forward to it, from her intro.  Sophisticated jazzy piece, vocalist is one heck of a bassist also.  I like Rhiannon the best here, although all three are welcome to my ear.

George: Hot Chocolate “Every 1’s A Winner”  Funky groove here, soulful singer.  Horn section, lots of production here.  Fuzzy guitar and steady bass notes on keyboards.  Good times song.  Fishbone “Everyday Sunshine”  A real blend of many styles, Fishbone was big on the LA scene during the 80s.  Heavy horns start this one out, another upbeat tune.  More smooth and soulful vocals.  More good times were had by all.  White Denim “Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)” Here is another goodtimes piece, good groove, danceable.  I think I liked Fishbone the best here. 

'Can I Change My Mind' - Tyrone Davis 

'Living a Little, Laughing a Little' - The Spinners

'Open Sesame' - Kool and the Gang