What's going on, MusicHeads.....Well, you know what time it is...It's Monday! Yeah, I know, I know that means back to work for all of us working stiffs...But on the bright side, it also means, another edition of Tanya's Picks....Here's what's in rotation on my iPod this week....
As you may or may not know, I'm pretty much "The Queen of Jackson B-Sides," and this whole album could certainly count as one. This was the last album to be under the Motown label, and the last one to be under the Jackson 5 name. It was actually a pretty good album, and much funkier than their previous sound just a few years earlier. However it wasn't marketed properly, as Berry Gordy was much more concerned with making movies at the time. This is from 1975's Moving Violation.
Now I know you "Traditional Jazz-Heads" may crucify me for saying it, but whatever....I'M A KENNY G FAN.....There, I said it. I have always been a Kenny G fan, dating all the way back to 1986's, Duotones. For some odd reason, JazzHeads hate the cement on the ground that Kenny G walks on....I don't get it...There is a reason why Smooth Jazz is just that....and traditional jazz is not...But I digress...
For a long time I had no idea what they were saying in this song....and now that I know, I still have no idea what it's about. "My Features Form With the Change in the Weather, We Can...We Can Work It Out." Yup, see....still not a clue. This track is off of 1985's, Songs From The Big Chair.
Kashif was definitely one of the more underrated artists of his day. This album was classic 80's R&B at its' finest. This album helped introduce the synthesizer into the world of R&B, where there had been full horns sections only a few years earlier. This track is from Kashif's 1983 eponymous debut album.
I must be on an 80's R&B kick or something today....Who knew that Eddie Murphy had a soft side...I know, I know...Everyone clowns Eddie about his singing career, because it was laughable at best (that is, until Dreamgirls)...but this was actually a pretty good song. It suited his voice and everything...unlike "Party All The Time." I guess being the hottest comic of his day just wasn't enough for him....He had a song in his heart that he just needed to get out....This is from his 1985 album, How Could It Be.
Well, that's all for now....Join me back here next week to see what I'll be listening to then....
Until Next Time....