(originally written for Side Dishes ) Don't say I'm not romantic or anything but as we're about to get buried underneath an avalanche of saccharin lovey-dovey-ness because of Valentine's Day, I thought it was fair to point out that, really, the best love songs are about falling out of love, not into it. New love is great and blah blah blah but nothing says passion and desperation like heartache does. That's why, for V-Day, I threw together a special Tears On Your Pillow set of songs for those who know that no love is so sweet as [...]
Caroline Peyton: Donkey Blues From Intuition (Asterisk, 2009) Numero and its subsidiary Asterisk always seem to dig up some fun bits. While primarily known for soul comp reissues, they have also put out several intriguing folk comps. Caroline Peyton made her Numero debut on the Wayfaring Strangers compilation but sees a more expansive treatment on these full lengths, albums originally released in 1972 and 1977, respectively. Fall Out had reissued Intuition in 2007, but Asterisk one ups them with a release that [...]
My man Beto puts together a small V-Day Latin mix: 8 Canciones Del Amor (songs of love).
Next in the Timeless series , following on Mulatu Astake's performance from the other week, is " Suite for Ma Dukes ," a four-part suite celebrating the career and life of J-Dilla (whose birthday would have been tomorrow) by Carlos Niño & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. I admit, I was a bit skeptical as to what this would sound like - the idea of having a 36 piece orchestra playing compositions inspired by J-Dilla felt like it could be an aesthetic mish-mash, like when bands try to recreate hip-hop beats. But I was very pleasantly moved by the [...]
Carolyn Franklin: I Don't Want to Lose You From Baby Dynamite (RCA, 1968) Carolyn Franklin: You Really Didn't Mean It From Chain Reaction (RCA, 1970) Both on Sister Soul: The Best of the RCA Years . Carolyn Franklin: Deal With It From If You Want It (RCA, 1976) (Originally written for Side Dishes ) The fates of the Franklin sisters - Aretha, Erma and Carolyn - [...]
Blossom Dearie: I Like London In the Rain (edit) From That's Just the Way I Want To Be (Fontana, 1970) Blossom Dearie: Sunday Afternoon From Blossom Dearie Sings (Daffodil, 1973) Undoubtedly, one of the most unique voices in jazz history - you wouldn't think something so seemingly delicate and girly could hold a tune but year after year, Dearie proved us otherwise. She'll always form an indelible part of my youth thanks to this classic from the Schoolhouse Rock [...]
I've never tried out the Ion turntable before so I can't speak from direct experience but I'm assuming it's probably a decent, usable portable player. Obviously, not some high-end, audiophile model but if you've been thinking of getting a basic turntable, here's a good opportunity. On Woot but only for today.
Huey Lewis and the News: Power of Love (unreleased alternative recording) This one's for the guy who keeps requesting Huey Lewis!
Wayne Gorbea Y Su Conjunto Salsa: Dejame Un Lado Fruko Y Sus Tesos: Fruko A Lo Compadre From The Rough Guide to Salsa Gold (World Music Network, 2008) Fruko Y Sus Tesos: Fruko Que Banda Tiene Usted From Fruko El Bueno (Fuentes, 1975) Another two-requests-with-one-post...p ost. We had someone asking for "salsa songs for beginners" and someone else wanted "more Fruko!" and I'm happy to oblige both ways. I should include the disclaimer: given that I've had [...]
Soul Children: Move Over From S/T (Stax, 1969) Bob and Gene: You Gave Me Love From If This World Were Mine (Daptone, 2007) Chuito and the Latin Uniques: Wish I Could From From the Street (Speed, 1968) Someone asked for more sweet soul in the vein of Eddie Holman's "This Can't Be True" AND someone else asked for more Soul Children so I figured I'd knock [...]
Jay's Soul Connection: Frank's Party Life From Amsterdam Gangster (MPM, 2009) Jay-Z: 99 Problems (Prince of Ballard Remix) From armedsnobbery.blogspot.com (Sep. 2007) (Originally written for Side Dishes ) I like Jay-Z as much as the next dude but even I was surprised that Netherlands' producer Umatic took it upon himself to remix the six songs off the American Gangster album (now over a year old) with tracks by the Lefties Soul Connection, a deep funk/retro [...]
The Spinners: It's a Shame The Spinners: I've Got To Find Myself a Brand New Baby From 2nd Time Around (V.I.P., 1971) (Originally written for Side Dishes ) I've been thinking of the Spinners a lot lately, especially since writing about the Philly Int'l boxset which includes a few of the group's big hits with Thom Bell such as " I'll Be Around " and " Could It Be I'm Falling In Love ." The group, originally formed in [...]
...and you're NOT going to one of these , you need to ask yourself: what's wrong with me? More info here.
Hi everyone, I have a question of some import to ask the Soul Sides readership for help with. Since our inception, Soul Sides has been hosted very, very graciously, by Sandbox Automatic but they're downsizing their server and as a result, I need to find a new home. There's a gazillion hosting companies out there but many of them used shared web hosting and that likely will NOT be a good option for Soul Sides since, on average, this site generates upwards 500-600GB of bandwidth transfers a month. Most likely, we'd either need a [...]
(Pure) Essence: Third Rock From WEBN Album Project #2 (Circle Communications, 1977). Also on the Pure Essence 12" . Four Tops: Still Water (Love) From Still Waters Run Deep (Motown, 1970) Los Fabulosos Festivals: Can I Change My Mind ? From 7" (?, 1970) Hot off on the tail of the Pure Essence post , I just got in the only other song that Cincinnati group ever recorded: "Third Rock." [...]
Just got back from seeing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. Decent crowd for a Sunday night - about 2000 in attendance - including ?uestlove who was down in the main bar area, eating Rice Krispies treats. This is the third time I've seen them perform in a little over a year (last two times were at the El Rey and Hollywood Bowl) and even though their stage show is fairly consistent, tonight was especially cool because they debuted at least three new songs from whenever their upcoming new album (not [...]
Tyrone Davis: Can I Change My Mind? From Can I Change My Mind? (Dakar, 1969) Alton Ellis: Can I Change My Mind From 7" (Studio One, 1970). Also on I'm Still In Love With You Tyrone Davis: Let Me Back In From Turn Back the Hands of Time (Dakar, 1970) Jesse Anderson: Let Me Back In From 7" (Curtom, 1970). Also [...]
Even though it's my normal policy not to take requests, I'm changing that for at least a couple of posts. I'm willing to entertain requests for specific posts on artists, labels, songs, genres, etc. The only exception: no requests for reposts of previous songs. Other than that, suggest away!
soul sides
Slaughterday Weekend: Oh, good, Korn is still kicking.
HEY ANNA-Pompette (EP)
Boards of Canada – Reach For The Dead
