Bobby Bland - "The Soul Of The Man" (1966)

Bobby "Blue" Bland is a legend of Memphis music and one of the greatest Blues crooners that ever was. His rich, soulful voice works amazingly well in just about any genre, and has given him an edge in the industry shared by other soulful Blues/Gospel artists like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles.

Bobby Bland is probably best known by today's youth as sample source for Jay-Z's Blueprint album, and the original performer of "I'll Take Care of You", covered by Drake and Rihanna, and a whole bunch of other people.

The Soul Of The Man is Bobby Bland's fifth studio album, released in 1966 on Duke Records. This album has an intimate, yet spacious sound, and features Bobby rocking it out over all variety of songs. "Ain't Nobody's Business" and "Dear Bobby (The Note)", his duet with backing vocalist Vi Campbell, share the bellowing, pained sound of "I'll Take Care of You", while "Back In The Same Old Bag" and "Reach Right Out" are punchy Rock & Roll dance numbers. Best of all, this album features a really wonderfully minimal, funky cover of "Fever", featured streaming below:

The sound quality is on the crackly side, but I feel like it does the music justice. I'm generally a big fan of Bobby, and though I hadn't heard any of these songs before I found this copy, I feel like this album does a great job of exhibiting Bobby Bland's best qualities.

ENJOY 

Detroit Emeralds - I'm In Love With You (1973)

Wow. Just wow. I can't really explain why this is one of the best albums I've ever heard, but I promise you that it is. You probably have an idea of how important music is to me, and considering how much of the stuff I chew up and spit out on a regular basis, this proclamation is definitely on the bold side. In other words, you should probably just stop reading here, and jump straight to the download button.

You still need convincing? Okay, you asked for it. This album has been sampled at least twice by J Dilla - once for his legendary Donuts album, and again for Common's song "The Light". This same exact sample has been flipped by the likes of RZA, Large Professor, and Pete Rock, among others. So this just goes to show, I'm In Love With You is one of those hidden gems *cough* Emeralds *cough* that the most respected of music connoisseurs love dearly - a love they seem to re-visit frequently. Oh, and the Wizard of Oz leisure suits. Come on. 

Listening to this album is always an incomparably joyful experience. Something about it is so... perfect. In every way. I honestly believe that at least one of these fellas sold his soul to the Devil (if such a thing exists), especially when you consider all the troubles that struck, and eventually split, the group. 

The music is simple, which gives it a nice clean sound, flying free without the unnecessary weight of overly embellished compositions. And yet, the harmonies and rhythms are unique and sophisticated. They just don't overwhelm one another. Think of this album as a gourmet meal, perfectly seasoned so that you can taste and appreciate every last ingredient - each in its perfect place. 

It is both gut-wrenchingly soulful, joyful and oh-so-funky, rockin', groovin', and sweet-talking its way into a very special place in my collection. And yours too.

ENJOY

René Simard - "Les Dimanches Apres Midi" (1974)

René Simard, a French Canadian superstar child entertainer, is said to have sold more records than Elvis Presley and The Beatles in Quebec. Whether or not this is true, these tunes deserve - nay, demand - your attention. They are lean, mean, funky, and altogether fun, and they all come from my vinyl copy of his 1974 album, Les Dimanches Apres Midi.

First up is "Merci Pour Tout" which kicks off with one of the meanest, funkiest untapped (to my knowledge) breaks I've pretty much ever come across. Seriously, this sample could make somebody's career as a Rap Producer, mark my words. And after the first 20 seconds, the rest of the song is pretty damn great too.

The next two I've decided to share are both covers of popular hits - I happen to love cover songs in a general sense - at least when they are done right, and these ones are done very right. First I will share "L'été Est La" which is a French cover of Bobby Day's "Little Bitty Pretty One," a.k.a. Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One," a.k.a. Frankie Lymon's "Little Bitty Pretty One," a.k.a. The Jackson 5's "Little Bitty Pretty One." My point is, this song has been covered a million times already, just not in French. René's version probably sounds most like The Jackson 5's, if only for his age/vocal similarity to a young Michael. Anyway, hear (and download) it for yourself. 

Finally, here is his French take on "Yo-Yo," originally performed by Billy Joe Royal, but made mega-famous by The Osmonds. Again, a song that has been covered and re-covered, but still sounds great in a new language, and with René's funky sound. Shake a tail feather, y'all. Or two or three.