“Crime pays” by Al Tariq from the God Connections album

You are listening to "Crime pays" by Al Tariq from the God Connections album.

Fashion from the mighty Beatnuts converted to the Muslim faith and adopted the name Al Tariq in the early 90's.  I remember a lot of people thought he was going to go soft and as you hear that isn't the case.

Al Tariq rides this beat almost flawlessly in classic Beatnuts style.  Most people don't even recognize this one as a 90's classic but this is definitely in my top 5song from the golden age.

I actually have a funny story about the Beatnuts.  When I was doing shows as part of the Dereliks The Beatnuts and Biz Markie were performing at a show at San Jose state University with us.

So as I was sitting with them my then manager said in front of the Beatnuts "Yo man Hen got beats you should check him out."  Fashion then said "Yo don't  say that too loud Biz is here."  I didn't realize what he meant but then Ju Ju from the Beatnuts to be funny yelled to Biz during sound check " Hey Biz this dude said he got beats."  MISTAKE!

Biz then began to harass me for 2 hours straight quizzing me on records to see what I got.  After each title that I didn't have his response was "YOU AIN'T GOT BEATS!"  Mind you Biz's hygiene isn't his strong point and he likes to speak very close.

Anyways the experience convinced me to make sure "I GOT BEATS" and thus the dude you see today…

Enjoy…"Crime pays in mad ways baby it's all good!"

SEEK OUT GOOD MUSIC.  THE RADIO IS A LIAR!!!!

3:50 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

“New Jersey Drive” by Nardo Ranks and Junior Demus

You are listening to "New Jersey Drive" by Nardo Ranks and Junior Demus.

Back in 1991 when rap labels caught on to dancehall Profile released this 12" from Nardo Rankin and the Dancehall "Muppet" Junior Demus.
 

This was one of the songs that really got me into dancehall and I never really thought how much it would be applicable to my life one day.  (Please see my blog on http://www.myspace.com/henboogie called "Dubai: The real Deal" for details.

At any rate the short story is that I was racially profiled in a major way and as the lyrics go "The policeman dem dey wait for someone…especially if you look like Jamaican"  My response to the Dubai cronies was another lyric in the song "Yo man…my papers are straight ya know what I mean?"

Anyways old riddims like these always get me juiced in a major way.  Basically Nardo and Junior are sending warnings to all them who may fit a certain profile of the "downpressor". Good luck finding this one and hopefully you can understand the thick patois and heed the warning to "naah carry nuh coke and no carry no sensi" SEEN?

3:49 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

“Ready to Penetrate” by Sugar Bear the Powerful Powerlord

You are listening to "Ready to Penetrate" by Sugar Bear the Powerful Powerlord.

I'm not going to front when I first heard this track I swore it was Heavy D.  I think it took me about 6 months to find out who it really was.  That, on top of the fact that this was the b-side I was really lost.  Thanks to DJ Red Alert's series "We Can Do This" I was able to find out who it really was.

Ok so this to me is hip hop old school gold.  Pure "wop music" for those who get it…  And one of the best Flintstone lyrics ever "SWAB THE DECK MATE OR FLINTSTONE YOU'RE FIRED!!!!"  I really don't know what that has to do with a wack MC's lyrical ability but I'd hate to be the MC the Powerlord was referring to.

So in between doing the "Fila", "Cabbage Patch", and "The Smurph" go ahead and enjoy the music for a while.

12:58 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

“Anger” by Marvin Gaye

You are listening to "Anger" by Marvin Gaye

A lot of people missed this one from what I hear it is because Brother Marvin was forced to do this album "Here my Dear" as part of a divorce settlement.  How's that for a Gold Digger?

Since I'm sure a good majority have missed this one I am sharing it with you now just because I think  people need to know the pitfalls of the sin called Anger!

Oh and by the way…you know Brother Marv made it FONKAY!!!!  My biased opinion yes…but still judge for yourself and tell me!

SEEK OUT GOOD MUSIC.  THE RADIO IS A LIAR!!!!

10:10 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

“Take that to the Bank” by Shalimar Black (shortest of the year hmmm?) History month pt1

You are listening to "Take that to the Bank" by Shalimar

Black (shortest of the year hmmm?) History month is back and so is your boy with my annual dedication of Black Music and my appreciation for it.

There are some songs that immediately when you hear it you get up and BOOGIE! (pun intended!)

Shalimar (pre Howard Hewitt) gave the world a certified boogie classic with this one.  Off the album "Disco Garden" I always dug the way the keys start in the beginning and as always I love the music with a good message.  Jody Watley at her pre-diva prime and Gerald Brown and Jeffrey Daniels were definitely beats on this track.

If you ever get the chance do a search for this song on YouTube so you can see where we came from as a music and hopefully someone can bring it back to having pure fun with it all.  Also if you get the chance to see the Soul Train that featured Lakeside you will see how this song was also a monster in it's own day.  If you are hearing this for the first time which I am sure many of you are sit back and enjoy the groove and go ahead and get your groove on.  I'm not watching!

1:06 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

“Go Ahead in the Rain” by A Tribe Called Quest

You are listening to "Go Ahead in the Rain" by A Tribe Called Quest

Who other than Tribe could blend Jimi Hendrix, Frankie Beverly, and Slave and make something completely dope?

This was my favorite song on the "People's Instinctive Travels.." tape and yes I was stuck on Bonita Applebum (who wasn't)  this one was the track I wished they released on vinyl when it came out.

Tip in my opinion kills it in classic abstract style.  You never really understood where he was going but at the end you always knew you had made it there a little bit more educated and mentally free…And yes in case you didn't know IT'S STILL RAINING IN THE BAY!!!!!!!!

As the man says "Don't let the storms of life scare ya"   I encourage you to "Clean your ears and just come on and groove!"!

LISTEN THIS!!!!

11:18 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

"Clouds” By Chaka Khan

You are listening to "Clouds" By Chaka Khan .
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I loves me some CH…Chaka… Chaka ….Chaka ….Chaka Khan.  Chaka Khan!

If you have soul then it's impossible to front on the gifted one.  Off her 1980 album "Naughty" Chaka brings the heat as always and tells the story of how rainy days are hers due to heartbreak.

This is one of my all times by her and the one that gets the least play of all of her hits.  I think it's more catchy than some of her other tunes but hey that is just me.  And it being so damp in the Bay right now…YES IT IS FITTING

Enjoy the funk!  Feel The Funk!  And don't let "clouds" ruin your day!

LISTEN THIS!!!!

SEEK OUT GOOD MUSIC.  THE RADIO IS A LIAR!!!!

8:21 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

"Coldblooded” By James Brown

You are listening to "Coldblooded" By James Brown .

This being the 1 year anniversary of the home coming of brother James Brown I wanted to be one of the first to put it out there once again to the man who inspired so many.

If you really want a schooling pay attention.   I real;ized this morning why the called the man the "Godfather".

His lineage is vast!  If he was not here think of what you may not have heard by Bootsy, George Clinton, Michael Jackson, Prince, Public Enemy, Rakim, or me for that matter!

James I think is one of the most overlooked musical contributors of our time.  I hate to think of all the music we would never would have heard had it not been for him.

So this track is one of his underappreciated gems called "Coldblooded" from the "Hell" album.  Just a listen to the arrangements of this song with the horns section bridge and respect the architect!  To brother James I owe so much and I am providing to you a glimpse into why I do this.< br>

APPRECIATE THIS!!!!

SEEK OUT GOOD MUSIC.  THE RADIO IS A LIAR!!!!

10:44 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

"Mighty Mighty” By Earth Wind and Fire

You are listening to "Mighty Mighty" By Earth Wind and Fire .

I have a confession to make…Although I remember hearing this song as a kid I never HEARD it until recently.

One of my new favorite pastimes is to watch reruns of Soul Train from the 70's and I watched as this song was played and I heard it in a whole new way.

I'm a big fan of music with a message that makes you get down.  This one obviously is one of up-liftment but don't front…You know you want to shake your booty!br>

Obviously "devotion" from this album was the killer track for most but I wouldn't be me if I didn't seek and show you the hidden gems.

So I will be back so I have just been a bit busy with everything…I am in preparation for my tribute to brother James Brown to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of his passing…

LISTEN THIS!!!!

SEEK OUT GOOD MUSIC.  THE RADIO IS A LIAR!!!!

6:12 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

"Dreadlocks love affair” By Gregory Issacs

You are listening to "Dreadlocks love affair" By Gregory Issacs

KLAK KLAK KLAK!!!  Lick shot! Lick Shot! (that was for the RUDE BWOY DonnieBo)

Ok so this one is "livicated" to all the dreadies..you will feel it and know it! Yes it's LOVERS time…

Now there is a reason why they call it "dread".  Believe it or not..past all the fashion statements some may  claim dread is actual short for "dreadful" and this selection tells the story of "dread love".

Although they love me now my in-laws were not the most pleased when they found out that my wife too was "In love with a Dread".  I joked with my wife last week that we should have played this track during our wedding…

Besides the novelty type approach this track really is heat and I am sure you will find yourself appreciating it like I do.  I've said it before and I'm sure I will say it again…LICKWOOD MEAN FORWARD GUNSHOT MEAN REWIND…YOU REQUEST IT SO WEEE REWIND!!!

LISTEN THIS!!!!

10:58 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment