Kelly Price

My 90s R&B was predominantly female-dominated and with the exception of Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and the late Whitney Houston, at that time I was drawn to the image more than talent. Any grouping of two or more singing females was a delight.

It would take the neo-soul calibre of Angie Stone and others to get me to focus on the voice and hold that as the true proof of talent.

I remember learning of Kelly Price in the mid-late 90s singing back-up for Bad Boy, Brian McKnight and her work with R. Kelly. I bought her Soul of a Woman CD, as I did with most 90s R&B releases, and remembered being surprised by the power of her vocals.



For many reasons, I didn’t follow Kelly Price’s music career after the release of her 1998 debut. I was Price-less because I had moved away from urban/hip hop music of the time and spent a great deal of focus on 1960/1970s soul, jazz, funk, rock and reggae.



Through the course of the last decade, I've learned that I can’t resist talented, female recording artists with powerful voices. Not too long ago, I remembered Kelly Price as one I should revisit. I scooped up a number of Kelly Price 12" singles I came across during record shopping trips. Rather than hunt through my collection, I bought a second copy of her debut CD for easier access last year.

My research last year revealed she released an album simply titled Kelly. The song I took most notice of was Tired and realized she is a better singer than I already gave her credit for.

Earlier this month, I did my Women's Day Showcase episode of The Suite Delight and made sure Houston, Price and as many of my favorite female vocalists made it onto the playlist within the air time I had.

With Whitney Houston’s recent passing, I remember the late legend allied with Price and Faith Evans.



My quest has begun to get her music that I'm missing. As I've come to learn, Kelly's music is priceless and will feature on my show whenever possible.

I just found out she will be hosting and probably performing in early June. I have yet to see and hear Kelly Price perform live, which I know will be an experience I will never forget. If I could be there at Fairplex, I would.  Looks like I have a second quest as far as her music is concerned.

DJ Solespin Birthday Celebration on CJLO 1690AM (March 31, 2012)

It is becoming well known that there are two sacred months for The Suite Delight radio show. The first is March in celebration of my birthday.



The birthday party play lists comprise of songs I’ve heard, liked, hunted and deemed special enough for the momentous occasion.



Tune in to CJLO on March 31 from 8pm to 10pm E.S.T. for this special edition of The Suite Delight with DJ Solespin.



In this audio-visual world of ours, here's some footage taken during the show's broadcast.





















Solespin Birthday Party Postscript
Like every Birthday Celebration or show anniversary episode, I spend weeks to months planning the playlist, packing the record bad and do the shows on the assigned dates. This year was no different.

The songs were carefully chosen and brought with me to the station. I had written down the songs in something of a skeletal form. With the songs of utmost importance placed high on the playlist.

During the course of the show, it was clear a number of songs would not make it on to the show. Time restraints as well as insuring Canadian content regulations were adhered to prevent me from playing some tracks.

As I write this, I’m listening to the podcast of the Solespin 2012 Birthday Celebration episode with my analytical ear, I was told that I would be pleased with the finished product and may not need to be as harsh with my critique. They were right. I am pleased with how the show turned out. I hope you feel the same.

Click play to hear the show and here to download it and other podcasts.



Playlist: Solespin Birthday Celebration

Koushik - Reverse Pt. 2
Maestro - Clap Your Handz
Most Wanted - Calm Down (Club Version)
Cookie Crew - Born This Way
Black Light Orchestra - Theme For Black Light
Jimmy Bo Horne - Spank
Skyy - Call Me
Talk Spot
The B.B.Q. Band - On The Beat
Tiga - Pleasure From The Bass
Sylk 130 - I Can't Wait (Alex Kidd Remix)
Deee-Lite - E.S.P.
News & Community Calendar
Talk Spot
Duck Sauce - Barbra Steisand
Young Holt Unlimited - Funky Is As Funky Does
Diana Ross & The Supremes - Love Child
Big Al Downing - I'll Be Holding On
Talk Spot
Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - Save Me
Galt McDermot - Hair
The Gerald Wilson Orchestra - Aquarius
Bobby Bryant - Hare Krishna
Madeleine Chartrand - Ani-Kuni
James Last - Se A Cabo
The Mighty Sparrow - Sparrow Dead
Talk Spot
Gwen McCrae - Move Me Baby
Talk Spot
Jr. Walker & The Allstars - Holly Holy
Talk Spot

Sienna Sequel (2008)

While doing some Spring cleaning, I re-discovered one of my most precious, vintage podcasts.

My radio show was named Eclectricity back then but as you can learn, the foundation for The Suite Delight was laid down already.

This is the second of two shows dedicated to my god-daughter Sienna. She was a little over a year old when she visited the station and holds the record of being my youngest guest co-host.

Her brother will be getting the same treatment with two playlists dedicated to him as well.

Click play to hear the show and here to download it and other podcasts. 



Sienna Sequel - January, 2008
Playlist

Title: Talk Spot
Shirley Ellis Name Game
Shirley Ellis Clapping Song
Marvin Gaye You're A Wonderful One
Dave Clark Five Glad All Over
Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames Yeh! Yeh!
Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 Mais Que Nada
Nickodemus & Quantic w/Tempo Mi Swing Es Tropical
Title: Thanks 2 Kwanzaa Countdown for giving me more inspiration
Segun Brucknor & His Assembly Dye Dye
Leroy Sibbles Express Yourself
Bob Marley & The Wailers Could You Be Loved
Stevie Wonder We Can Work It Out
James Brown Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose
David Ruffin It Takes All Kinds Of People To Make A World
Title: Talk Spot
Eddy Grant Say I Love You
Mr. Slaughter Spread Love
The Mighty Sparrow Jean & Dinah (1992 Medley Edit)
Winston Soso Ah Feel To Party Tonight
Joe Thomas Thank You
Kool & The Gang Big Fun
Title: Sienna says something on air!
Inner City Good Life (Magic Juan 7" Mix)
Tony! Toni! Tone! Feels Good (Edit)
Dead Or Alive You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
De La Soul Three Is The Magic Number
Paul Simon Mother & Child Reunion
Tenor Saw African Children
Tenor Saw Victory Train
Title: Talk Spot
Ocean Put Your Hand In The Hand
John Denver Take Me Home Country Roads

The Bells - Fly Little White Dove, Fly

I may not have been in elementary school yet but I remember hearing The Bells’ Fly Little White Dove, Fly playing on the radio.

 

When I started buying and collecting used records, the songs heard in my youth were the first sought after.

I can say it was the last time I heard the song until I bought the Oh! What A Feeling compilation of Canadian artists. When I heard the song, I couldn’t believe it was by Canadians and again how long it had been since I had heard it.

I bought a copy of The Bells’ album years ago but felt it was too used to use for the radio show. Good fortune came my way when another, cleaner copy of The Bells’ album crossed my crate digging path. 

When I knew The Reaktor’s Abby Schachter, and by default with a mini-entourage, was finally going to join me on The Suite Delight, I decided to play the song for their enjoyment.

The host of Twee Time was the first to react to the song and was quite possibly who it was intended to impact. Judging from her reactions, it had been a long time she had heard the song as well and experienced something of total recall as the song reached its crescendo. 

If you haven't heard the song yet or haven't heard it in a long time, click play and enjoy.

Click play to hear the episode with Abby Schachter and here to download it and other podcasts. 



Playlist: The Reaktor

Santigold - Lights Out

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Austra - Beat and the Pulse

Goldfrapp - Ooh La La

Talk Spot

Pyongyang - Autistic Behaviour

CFCF - Big Love

M83 - Midnight City

Audio Architech - Point Counter Point

Talk Spot

Melanie Durrant - Bang Bang Remix feat. Kardinal Offishall

The Ting Tings - Hit Me Down Sonny

Gorillaz - Kids with Guns

K-os - Man I Used to Be

The Slew - Robbing Banks (Doin' Time)

The Dead Weather - 3 Birds

Talk Spot

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride

The Bells - Fly Little White Dove, Fly

Elizabeth Sheperd - Let Me Be (Basic Soul Unit Remix)

Nina Simone - Gimme Some (Mike Mangini Remix)

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - Money

Billie Holiday - Pennies From Heaven (Count De Money Remix)

Talk Spot

Dubmatix - Ishense Dub

The Best of Saturday Night Live: Eddie Murphy

Just as the grownups had Richard Pryor and even Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy was the comedian of my generation.


The term grown-ups was used on purpose and for emphasis.


Eddie Murphy Comedian was dubbed onto audio cassette and circulated amongst my elementary school. It was the funniest stand up my young ears had ever heard even when they might not have been supposed to. At that time, I had been exposed to Bill Cosby's stand-up albums but nothing to the degree of Eddie Murphy’s brand of humor.

It would be decades until I discovered the genius of Richard Pryor or the pioneer Redd Foxx because of the explicit nature of their comedy and lack of access.

Eddie Murphy was not only young and raw but cool because he was a member of Saturday Night Live. When I think of Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, it is obvious Eddie Murphy was the cast member of utmost importance to me. Joe Piscopo by default was second because he appeared to be Murphy’s closest friend and relatively talented equal on the show.

Some of my only chances to catch Saturday Night Live would be when I would be babysat by a close family friend’s older sister.  To be awake after 11pm on a Saturday night at 8-10 years old was Wonderland. The only issue was getting over the hurdle of the late WPTZ News 5 broadcast to finally watch the coolest show on television. The 30 minutes was an eternity until the SNL opening sketch. On most cases, we would fall asleep during the broadcast. Do you think I slept during the original SNL broadcast of the Buckwheat Has Been Shot sketch sequence?

I’m sure that was the first night the grown-ups returned to see us kids awake and full of vigor as if it were Saturday 1pm. Would the parents understand we just watched the funniest SNL sketch involving Eddie Murphy? Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince told you the answer decades ago. 

I was slighty worried we could have been punished for not being asleep upon their return but that sketch would have been worth it.


As hilarious as the James Brown impersonation on Delirious or Comedian is, the visual of Celebrity Hot Tub is priceless.

The Best of Eddie Murphy provides other great comic Murphy moments including as James Brown as Annie.

Rick James (1948 – 2004)

Rick James was the funkiest musician Canada will ever see.  How I came to write that previous sentence would will make for an incredible blog post one day but for now I'll recollect about Rick.

From 1978 to 1980, Rick James rode the wave of success.  I was in Toronto on the eve of the Sam the Record Man store closing and left behind the Come Get It CD on the shelf.  I already had the vinyl at home and was only quite familiar with the biggest tunes on the record.  Upon my return to Montreal and further listens of Come Get It, I realize I should have bought the CD that day.  I most likely will one day.  Mary Jane is one of my top 3 favorite funk breaks of all time. 


After nearly 5 years of successful records, Rick James had to comeback with Street Songs, his discography's equivalent of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On.  The iconic Super Freak, Give it to Me Baby, Ghetto Life and Fire & Desire can be found there. 



I learned about Throwin' Down much later. I remember the Super Freak's 1981 success  then followed with Cold Blooded in 1983.  As I type, I realize what could account for my Rick James 1982 void. Thriller, the album that built my pop music consciousness, dropped in 1982 so no matter what Rick was throwing down would have to beat it.



In 1983, Cold Blooded was released and the single was when I truly aware of his music.  Cold Blooded would be one of the first Rick James records I would seek when I started collecting vinyl.  The song is funky as hell.

I remember Rick James' early 1980s era vividly. I remember Super Freak playing on the radio but it would take 1983s Cold Blooded for me to really connect with Rick.The ballad Ebony Eyes would have registered with me more if I were older at the time of its release but I did remember being amazed Smokey Robinson would team with the reckless Rick James. 


In 1984, Reflections was released as a greatest hits package with a few songs recorded at that time like 17 and You Turn Me On.



In 1985, Glow was Rick James’ last big hit while on Motown’s Gordy label and I would not care too much for it.  I felt it paled in comparison to his prior work and was quick to dismiss it.  I have since changed my mind and embrace the tune. 

His producing Eddie Murphy's Party All the Time. Glow from 1985 was a familiar tune for me but I felt it was less representative of Rick's best work. I would change my mind much later about the song.



In the mid to late 1980s, James left Motown and went to Warner Brothers where he would record Loosey’s Rap with Big Daddy Kane & Roxanne Shante and Everywhere I Go for the Colors soundtrack. 

Rick James had material in the late 1980s with Loosey's Rap and Everywhere I Go from the classic Colors soundtrack but I had disconnected by then.

In the early 1990s, Hammer built and lost his empire on the Rick James sampled Super Freak single.



Prior to that performance, Rick James was wrapped up in legal issues. I remember seeing him as a plaintiff on Judge Joe Brown. 

Prior to his death, Rick James was fortunately on an upswing courtesy of Dave Chappelle’s legendary sketch comedy television show.  His last televised performance was with the late Teena Marie when they did a raucous rendition of their classic duet Fire & Desire for a BET event.

 

Minnie Riperton (1947 – 1979)

I remember hearing Loving You on the radio while I was young. I would know the singer hitting the highest notes I had ever heard as Minnie Riperton and hold on to those nuggets of information from childhood. Aside from those details, I also knew she died young. It would be years before I broaden that scope of knowledge.



I have BBE’s Strange Games & Things compilation to thank for making me take more notice of Minnie Riperton. The CD introduced me to Riperton’s Reasons when the only ones that concerned me were those of Earth, Wind & Fire. The rock grooves backing Riperton intrigued me because it was a far cry from her legendary love ballad. Ironically both songs are on the same album, Perfect Angel, which I was happy to have copped from a CMJ trip in 2009.



I love mid/late 1960s to early 1970s music regardless of the genre but have had something of a hard time with her former group Rotary Connection. I don’t know how to place Rotary Connection. The difficulties I’ve had in finding a danceable groove from the group have not made me study their music any further nor have the desire to do so.

I Am The Black Gold of the Sun is the only stand-out song from the group’s discography because of big wig producers and compilers like Gilles Peterson reaching for it. I felt that her Come To My Garden would be a regurgitation of Rotary Connection records. Les Fleurs could easily have been a Rotary cut but because it is a solo song, I see it as where her style blooms.
And as always when she hit those high notes take my breath away.




I had heard some of her later 1970s Minnie material but was not moved much. It is quite possible Angel & Adventures In Paradise are her best albums.

Perfect Angel is my favorite Riperton record for sentimental reasons. However, I anticipate owning and listening to Adventures in Paradise one day to see if it will sway my vote. Earlier in April, I was listening to the first side of my Perfect Angel vinyl and was surprised she hits the high notes on so many songs in succession.

Micheal Jackson has a song called Gone Too Soon. I believe that applies to Minnie Riperton. She was a rare and special talent that the world would not hear more from. As sad as it is she is no longer with us, we can at least rejoice in the fact that her music still is.

Lastly, I came to the realization that I renamed my show The Suite Delight after Minnie Riperton’s Reasons made such an impact on me.

Janis Joplin (1943 – 1970)

I finished the Jefferson Airplane & Deep End with Nick Michaels posts by the time The Essential Janis Joplin CD finished playing a few months ago.

Hearing Janis that morning made me remember when I came across a photo of Slick & Joplin that intrigued me as most 1960s memorabilia would. The two 1960s San Francisco sisters were seated side-by-side.



My mind got to imagining what it must have been like to see them onstage in their prime.

Although I am caught up in Slick's beauty and mystique, Joplin's vocals puts her in a class with some of my favorite female vocalists of all time. 




The closest I can get to that experience is through their recordings and viewing vintage footage like the ones posted here. 

Her Greatest Hits album is easily a staple in any rock music fan's collection. Make it one of yours as well if you want to know why Janis Joplin is as revered as she is today. 

King Curtis (1934 – 1971)

Whoopi Goldberg received the Academy Award for playing the psychic medium through which Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore’s characters communicate. I dreamed of receiving an Oscar for years. If I do receive an award as prestige as the Oscar or the gold statuette itself, I will remember to thank Curtis Ousley in my acceptance speech.

If it’s not already obvious, I’m big on playlists. While preparing to fill in for The Goods, I was conscious of the fact a handful of artists would repeat from the August 2010 visit. If I decided to take a firm stand, Wilson Pickett, The Shocking Blue, James Brown (via Marva Whitney), Ramsey Lewis and King Curtis would not have made it onto the March 2012 playlist.

Curtis in particular, not only made the shortlist of apparently vital artists I must play on The Goods radio show but was played twice. In 2010, James Brown had the honor of being doubly played. I was aware he was taking two spots on the pluralist but allowed for it anyway. The couple of King Curtis choices were too good to pass up.

I have Death of Vinyl to thank for putting me on the path to Sweet Inspiration. I heard the song’s opening bars, realized what I was hearing and was in wonder of the uncommon talent of King Curtis. Do you think I left that vinyl behind when I came across it during my CMJ 2011 trip? Upon my first time coming across the Sweet Soul album after knowing what was on it, I copped it with sweet delight for The Suite Delight. Aside from the song being an original sample, Sweet Inspiration is a beautiful song that makes it painfully clear the world lost a major musician in King Curtis.

On the subject of samples, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth fans owe King Curtis a debt of gratitude for creating a hip hop classic.

I was already on the road to collecting King Curtis records since 2010 so it would be no surprise I would add nearly any Atlantic Records King Curtis I would find. In addition to the Instant Groove and Sweet Soul, I added King Curtis Live at the Fillmore West on vinyl and CD last year. As mentioned on The Goods podcast, I heard the live version of Them Changes on The Deep End with Nick Michaels and was blown away.

I believe what kick-started my King Curtis quest was discovering he did a cover of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love from a compilation. It was destiny for me to discover that track because at the time I was dabbling in late 1960s/early 1970s rock, soul, jazz, funk and world music. For the soul jazz musician to cover the heavy Led Zeppelin cut peaked my curiosity.

King Curtis was the equivalent of Ray Charles being talented enough and capable to record various genres of music. King Curtis has recorded traditional jazz, soul, soul-jazz, funk and rock in his unique style. It is safe to believe he was also the equivalent of Motown’s Funk Brothers by playing on many Atlantic singles and albums. I’m sure delving into the Atlantic Records discography for his name among credits will be dizzying.

My father had The Best of King Curtis album in the house but it would take me to be almost as old as he was when he bought the album for me to understand the magnitude of his music. I learned he was shot in New York. It is either a coincidence or fate that I end up blogging about buying and playing the records of the guy on my father’s record. Regardless of the case, King Curtis' music is indeed a family affair where I'm concerned. 

Electric Light Orchestra

A few years ago, I decided to snatch up the inexpensive Electric Light Orchestra albums that crossed my path. 

The goal was not difficult to accomplish because Electric Light Orchestra albums are easy to find on any record shopping excursion.  My decision to collect and add Electric Light Orchestra is based on nostalgia and my interest in their brand of big rock sounds.

I can somewhat remember Electric Light Orchestra as a force in the late 1970s/early 1980s just as The Bee Gees were.  I was too young to care any more about the band but recognized they were popular.  I remembered Jeff Lynne as part of the super group The Travelling Wilburys but again would not care beyond the minimum. 

Jeff Lynne produced Olivia Newton-John’s song Xanadu. I saw that movie, along with Grease, as a child and remembered he was involved in the soundtrack. 

Don’t Bring Me Down had the muscle and sound I like and I kept a place for it in my heart and mind.  On the strength of liking that song as much as I did, I wanted to explore earlier Electric Light Orchestra to see and hear if they had other big treasures.

They do have tunes as big as Don’t Bring Me Down. In fact, I was hoping to add an Electric Light Orchestra track to my Solespin 2012 Birthday Celebration episode playlist but it was not feasible.  All going well, I will play it on my 6^th Anniversary episode of The Suite Delight.