A Song For You (1975)
By 1975, the Temptations were a much different group with both David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks out of the lineup. Dennis Edwards was now singing lead, and only Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams existed from the original group. The group was far more of a funk mind, and this set proves it. The big hit on here was “Happy People,” with the Temps backed up by the Commodores, listed as “the Temptations Band” on the second part instrumental version. For ultra-funk, though, it’s hard to beat “Glasshouse” and “Shakey Ground,” which features guitar and bass work from P-Funk alumni Eddie Hazel and Billy Nelson. But they didn’t leave their ballads entirely in the good old days, as the satin-drenched “Firefly,” “Memories” and the title track clearly show. Produced by Jeffrey Bowen, this thing has “’70s’” stamped all over it. In the case of the Temps, that’s good.(AMG)
Tracks:
1. Happy People
2. Glasshouse
3. Shakey Ground
4. The Prophet
5. Happy People [instrumental]
6. A Song for You
7. Memories
8. I’m a Bachelor
9. Firefly
**Listen**
The Temptations – A Song For You (1975)
Julio 1, 2009 a 7:24 pm (Funk, Soul Funk)
D.J Hollywood – Shock, Shock, The House (1980)
Julio 1, 2009 a 6:39 pm (Funk, Rap Funk)
Shock, Shock, The House (1980) (Vinyl remasterized by SFJ)
1.- One of the earliest MCs on the scene, DJ Hollywood originated the practice of delivering extensive rhymes over recorded music, the essence of hip-hop. Yet because of his location (Manhattan), the types of records that he spun (disco), and the crowd he played to (downtown hustler types), DJ Hollywood remains an underrated figure in the development of hip-hop (a term that he originally coined).
Forming his own singing group at the age of 14, by 1971 Hollywood had moved on to DJing in Harlem clubs such as the Charles Gallery. As the disco movement began growing momentum, DJ Hollywood implemented record mixing, a technique he learned from a club owner, to isolate the funkiest or most danceable parts of the records. This gained him a wide following and, by the mid-’70s, Hollywood’s performances at the Apollo Theatre influenced many younger artists such as Kurtis Blow and the Fatback Band. Reigning as one of the top DJs until the mid-’80s, DJ Hollywood faded out of the rap world for a time while fighting drug addiction. He returned in the early ’90s to work with Lovebug Starski, performing shows in the New York and New Jersey areas (AMG).
2.- DJ Hollywood is widely considered one of the most underrated and most often forgotten of the hip hop legends.There is little information around about his involvement in the genre, but when you hear other old school artists talk about pioneers, Hollywood’s name is inevitably among the names mentioned.He was born in 1954. As a disco deejay in the early to mid 1970’s, he became one of the first people to rhyme over the microphone. He also became adept at mixing the break beats of songs like Kool Herc and others. He didn’t use many of the now famous hip hop breaks, rather focusing more on disco joints like “Aint No Stoppin Us Now”, “Love Is the Message”, “Sexy”, “Good Times” and “Got To Be Real.”He gained a large following and went on to headline numerous parties and was considered one of hip hop’s earliest stars. He mixed and rhymed and had a kid who use to work with him called DJ Smalls.He started a lot of the early rap phrases like , “Up my back and around my neck” and “Woo-Ha, got the girls in check”. He is widely known for inventing the term “hip hop”, (although others say it was his one time partner Lovebug Starski).It should be noted that at one point Hollywood’s fame was so great, that he used to be showcased at the Apollo. WBLS used to say “Live” D.J. Hollywood live at the Apollo on 6 turntables. This was around ‘79.Unfortunately, like Kool Herc, his early and most influential work is only recorded in the memories of those that were able to see him live. Hollywood was more of a club DJ (He drew a party crowd) Herc drew the B-boy crowd.He released a single named “Shock Shock The House” in 1980 on CBS Records.Grandmaster Flash worked with him at one time as did Donald D and B FATS. As a matter of fact Donald D’s record “Don’s Groove” was written by Hollywood and produced by Flash.”To Who It May Concern” was a 1986 attempt at a comeback.He faded from the scene by the mid-80’s, but resurfaced in the 90’s and even recorded a studio album for Ol’ Skool Flava.Also made a recent comeback with Tha Veteranz which reunited him with Starski and Butchie B. (www.oldschoolhiphop.com)
Tracks:
A. Shock, Shock, The House
B. Shock, Shock, The House (Instrumental)
**Listen**
Peaches & Herb – Worth The Wait (1980)
Julio 1, 2009 a 12:16 am (Disco, R&B)
Peaches & Herb.
Though soul/pop Peaches and Herb was billed as a duo, their group member rotation is more similar to a group’s. The original Peaches, Francine Hurd Barker, a Washington, D.C., native, earned the childhood nickname “Peaches” because of her genteel manner. She sang in neighborhood groups and in her teens she became the lead singer for a group named the Keynotes. Starting her own group, the Darlettes, they auditioned for and were signed to D.C.-area label Date Records, where their name was changed to the Sweet Things. Herb Fame, born Herbert Feemster on October 1, 1942, in Washington, D.C., began singing in church at seven and continued singing through the years in neighborhood groups. After high school graduation, Herb began working at a record store. His friend, Howard University student Freddie Perren, worked at another record store, Sabin’s right around the corner. One day in January 1965, producer Van McCoy came into the store Herb worked in to ask about doing in-store promotion for a group he was working with called the Sweet Things. He and Herb began having conversations that lead to Herb auditioning for and signing with Date Records as a solo artist. While in New York recording the two acts, the Sweet Things and Herb Fame, separately, McCoy decided to use some leftover recording time to record Herb and Francine as a duo. The original A-side, “We’re in This Thing Together,” failed to generate much interest. Then a disc jockey at St. Louis, MO, radio station KATZ flipped the single over and began playing the B-side, “Let’s Fall in Love.” It became Peaches and Herb’s first hit single; it was a remake of a number one pop hit for Eddy Duchin from 1934 that went to number 11 R&B in December 1966. The follow-up, “Close Your Eyes” written by Chuck Willis, hit number four R&B, number eight pop in April 1967. As the hits continued, the duo earned the nickname the Sweethearts of Soul. Next came “For Your Love” (number ten R&B, July 1967), “Love Is Strange” (a remake of Mickey & Sylvia’s 1956 hit), and “Two Little Kids,” written by Chicago soul stalwarts Barbara Acklin, Eugene Record, and Carl Davis. The duo released two hit albums in 1967 Let’s Fall in Love and For Your Love. This same year, Francine “Peaches” Barker tired of the rigors of touring and she was replaced with a succession of “Peacheses” including Marlene Mack, thus initiating a practice that goes on to this day. Voted one of the top soul duos of the day by Cashbox Magazine, Peaches and Herb continued to have hits: “The Ten Commandments of Love”; Gamble & Huff wrote and produced “United,” a 1966 R&B hit for the Intruders; and “When He Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters),” a number ten R&B hit from spring 1969. The single “It’s Just a Game, Love” (from the Jim Brown movie The Split), which stalled at number 50 R&B and number pop in summer 1970, was Peaches and Herb’s last charting single on Date. Despondent over the act’s failing chart success, Herb abruptly quit Peaches and Herb and got a job with the Washington, D.C. Police Department in July 1970. Then in 1976, Herb decided to re-enter the music business. He found his “new” Peaches in fellow D.C. resident and former model Linda Greene through a mutual introduction by Van McCoy. The duo charted again in June 1977 with “We’re Still Together” on MCA Records from a self-titled album produced by Van McCoy. The following year, they signed with Herb’s old friend, songwriter/producer Freddie Perren’s production company MVP Productions. Perren had produced and co-written million-selling hits by the Jackson 5, the Miracles, and the Sylvers, among others. Through him, the duo inked a deal with Polydor Records. Their first Polydor single, “Shake Your Groove Thing,” went gold peaking at number four R&B and number five pop in late 1978. The creamy ballad “Reunited” seemed an unlikely follow-up to the disco-oriented “Shake.” The naysayers watched in shock as “Reunited” earned platinum status, holding on to the number one spot for four weeks on both the R&B and pop charts during spring 1979. Both are on the platinum album 2 Hot (released October 1978). The majority of their Polydor hits were written by Perren, Dino Fekaris, Kenny St. Lewis, and Melvin Ragin. Though there were other hits on Polydor, none came close to the success of their early- to mid-’60s Date singles. Though Herb Fame believes it can happen again and employs a new “Peaches” to keep the name current while he holds down a job in the Washington, D.C. police department.(All Music Guide).
Tracks:
1. Fun Time
2. One Child of Love
3. All-Night Celebration
4. Lovey Dovey (Girl & Guy)
5. Surrender
6. Hearsay
7. Discover You
8. The Love Stealers
