From: Bob Davis (earthjuice_at_prodigy.net)
Date: 2003-12-28 06:22:31
THE BEST OF 2003
1. Barbara Mason - 'Greatest Hits'
Please don't let the title of this poorly named CD fool you. This is NOT a compilation!
This CD represents EXACTLY the type of NEW CD that our classic artists should be releasing
today.
If you are looking for an album that not only can you put on at "3am", but one that you can
put on and then press the damn REPEAT BUTTON on your CD player, because you won't need another
album for the rest of the night....
(then this is the one that you need)
2. Clinton Administration - One Nation Under A Re-Groove
Very phunky indeed. I understand they have another CD on tap for 2004 (did someone say 'Sly
Stone'?). I dig the concept, and I dig the end result. In my opinion we need more efforts like
this to help extend OUR music into the future!
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_clintionadmin
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_clintionadmin"> Clinton
Administration - One Nation Under A Re-Groove</a>
3. Mandrill - 'Sunshine'
We have been getting some GREAT feedback here on Soul-Patrol on this CD. The Wilson Brothers
of Mandrill have reminded us that they can deliver THA BOMB quietly as well.
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_mandrill
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_mandrill"> Mandrill - 'Sunshine' </a>
4. Miracles - 'Love Machine: The 70's Compilation
Bout time that this under recognized group got some major props. People forget that after
Smokey left, the Miracles were initially more successful than he was as a solo artist. This CD
release finally gives the fans of the "Smokeyless Miracles" the Renaissance album plus the
best of the 70's Miracles. With liner notes by Pete Moore of the Miracles this CD is sheer
delight.
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_70miracles
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_70miracles"> Miracles - 'Love Machine:
The 70's Compilation</a>
5. Barry White - Millennium Collection
The passing of Barry White this past year truly marks the end of an era in Soul Music, but
fortunately we have this CD to give the uninitiated just a taste of what the "MAESTRO" was
like.
6. Tower of Power - "Oakland Zone"
This CD proves that Tower of Power hasn't lost a beat over the years.
Great songwriting and some STANK FUNK is delivered as ONLY Tower of Power can do it.
7. Various Artists - 'Global Soul'
This amazing CD from the Putamayo World Music should be something that you should strongly
consider for your collection. This incredibly diverse compilation CD of artists from around
the world offers us a glimpse into the future of what FUNK is going to evolve into on an
international level.
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_putumayo
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_putumayo"> Various Artists - 'Only The
Strong Survive' (Soundtrack) </a>
8. Marcus Miller - The Ozell Tapes
"Jamaica Boy" (Queens) and Miles Davis band alum Marcus Miller turns in a great 2 disc
collection of live performances that just won't quit (perhaps he was inspired by his buddy
Victor Wooten?). The Phunked up cover version of "SO WHAT" alone is worth the price of
admission.
9. Various Artists - 'Only The Strong Survive' (Soundtrack)
This overlooked documentary movie contains an outstanding soundtrack featuring the likes of
Isaac Hayes, Chi-Lites, Mary Wilson, Ann Peebles, Wilson Pickett, Sam Moore, Carla Thomas and
Rufus Thomas. All of these artists are presented singing some of their all time great songs
in live recent concert performances.
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_otss
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_otss"> Various Artists - 'Only The
Strong Survive' (Soundtrack) </a>
10. Marvin Gaye - 'I Want You' (CD Deluxe)
Score another winner for our own super producer Harry Weinger as he takes this CD and makes it
even better than the original by including more Marvin Gaye.
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_wantyou
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_wantyou"> Marvin Gaye - 'I Want You'
(CD Deluxe) </a>
11. Children On The Corner - 'Rebirth'
Sometimes when a great artist passes away, their legacy dies with them. Our own Michael
Henderson refused to let that happen in the case of Miles Davis. He reformed the Miles Davis
band from the 1970's and in tribute to the spirit of the original band expanded on the
original content of the legendary 1972 On The Corner LP and brought it straight into the next
century.
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_cotc
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_cotc"> Children On The Corner -
'Rebirth' </a>
12. Marlon Saunders - 'Enter My Mind'
It's a cool and crisp Jazz-Funk CD, with some STRONG vocals that will remind folks here of
Donny Hathaway or perhaps Jon Lucien. (Although I am certain that the "mainstream" will refer
to it as "neo soul"). There are several SLAMMIN songs on here, with a MEAN Jazz-Funk groove.
There are also some badd azz slow jams here that make this a nice CD to throw into the mix
when you are going to do a "saturday night road test" :). Most importantly Marlon Saunders
shows us that he has a "social concience" on this CD.
13. Mighty Sam McClain - 'One More Bridge To Cross'
This CD was totally overlooked by all of the "black music experts" on the Grammy committee. I
guess they will never put me on that committee? Well their loss is our gain because we know
how great this CD is. In fact it's a revolutionary CD as Mighty Sam uses this CD to escape
from the 'genre prison' that many of these "soul music experts" had him locked into. But let
me not be too harsh of these "black music experts", maybe it's really the "message in the
music" that scares them the most...
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_mightysam
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_mightysam"> Mighty Sam McClain - 'One
More Bridge To Cross' </a>
14. Andreus - 'Street Troubadour'
Someone recently asked me the question...."Where is the next Curtis Mayfield"? Well Andreus is
the answer to that question. Srew the damn 'neo soul' tag, this is the REAL DEAL. Plain and
simple, nuff said!
15. Earl Thomas - 'Soul'd'
For those of you out there who think that 'Southern Soul' is the only worthwhile form of 'soul
music', Earl Thomas might just be your ticket. However I don't think of him quite that way.
For me this album screams out to me much the same way that Al Green's music hit me back in the
early 70's for the very first time. It's full of great emotional stories about the up's and
downs of life, love and people.
16. Louise Perryman - 'Whisper My Name'
Australian Louise Perryman fits neatly into the tradition of white women singing R&B music
that Black people have accepted when they have heard the music! Sometimes Louise Perryman's
voice reminds me of Anita Baker, sometimes she reminds me of Laura Nyro, and sometimes she
reminds me of Maria Muldar. The music playing behind her sweet and sultry voice is kinda in a
1970's Jazz-Funk mode, not unlike that of Minnie Riperton's 'Adventures In Paradise'.
17. Howard Tate - 'Rediscovered'
Rediscovered is one of the best CD's that I have heard in 2003. I noticed that this CD was
announced as a Grammy Nominee. that would make the first time that ANY of my selections was
ever nominated for a Grammy Award. The music here is not only great, but the story of Howard
Tate's re-emergence after a 30 year absence is just as inspiring as that of Mighty Sam
McClain.
18. Temptations - 'Psychedelic Soul'
If one ever needed proof that Dennis Edwards was a more than able replacement for David
Ruffin, then one would need to look no further than this wonderfully produced 2 disc
compilation which covers the Temptations career from the late 1960's thru the 1970's. This is
SUPER FUNKY stuff that you could just put on at a party and let it rip!
19. Ken Clark Organ Trio - Eternal Funk
This is some 'natural born funk' with a slow cookin groove.
20. Legendary Escorts - R&B Menagerie
Great comeback CD from these 'legendary' group. Hopefully this CD will find a wide audience.
Independently produced, this is an excellent CD that works in the best tradition of the
Escorts past with several 'covers' of their classic material and some brand new original tunes
which update their sound and make this a great CD. Perhaps some of those 'black music experts'
on the 2004 Grammy nominating committee will find the time to take a listen to this CD?
http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_escorts
<a href="http://www.davisind.com/redirect/?d=newsletter_escorts"> Legendary Escorts - R&B
Menagerie </a>
BEST BY 'GENRE':
(hell, I don't know nuthin bout no 'categories', but I figure thatn I can't butcher em up any
worse than all of the "black msuic experts" who work at Billboard, Rolling Stone or who sit on
the Grammy Committies?)
**CLASSIC SOUL:
Barbara Mason - 'Greatest Hits'
**FUNK
Clinton Administration - One Nation Under A Re-Groove
**SLOW JAMS/DOO WOP
Mandrill - 'Sunshine'
**JAZZ
Marcus Miller - The Ozell Tapes
**BLUES
Mighty Sam McClain - 'One More Bridge To Cross'
**NU SOUL
Marlon Saunders - 'Enter My Mind'
Anyhow, this is the stuff that I listened to OVER AND OVER throught the year during the year
2003. Hopefully if you decide to check out these CD's you will also find yourself doing the
same thing!
_________
Bob Davis
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Email: <a href="mailto:earthjuice_at_prodigy.net"> earthjuice_at_prodigy.net </a>