There’s been a lot of talk these days about Auto-Tune vs. Vocoder vs. Talkbox, and it’s role in music today. For producers, engineers and vocalists, there’s been alot to love about the industry’s best kept secret, but with all technology, there’s always room for abuse.

Well, you know where we come down, but thought we’d spend some time enjoying the music of the most well known (greatly missed, and under appreciated) innovators of the sound, Roger Troutman and Zapp.

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The incredible Leela James. Nothing but raw, pure, unadulterated soul, funk, energy and realness. Unlike most of what you see today, you get a REAL show. We’re definitely looking forward to the new album, Let’s Do It Again (Shanachie/2009), dropping 3/24. Big shout-out to RealSoulMusic for the clips from the North Sea Jazz Festival.

“Soul Food” Live @ North Sea Jazz Festival 2006 (A Change Is Gonna Come/Warner Brothers/2005)

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Leela James on MySpace (more…)

Legendary New Orleans funksters, The Meters. Also check out the latest incarnation of The Funky Meters.

Look-Ka Py Py, from the album, Look-Ka Py Py (Josie/1970). “Jungle Man” (Ziggy Modeliste, Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter, Jr.), Deep Ear (Warner Brothers/1974).

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And yes, that is Jesse… R.I.P. Isaac Hayes.

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Lady T, performing live on Video Soul. It doesn’t get any better than this.

“Cassanova Brown” (Teena Marie, Robbery/Epic 1983).

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Betty’s still got it.  What would the 2009 version of this sound like?  Who would perform it? There’s very little, real, raw emotion, anticipation or substance in today’s lyrics. Ok, I take that back.  There is, but you’ve got to dig REAL deep to find them.  We’ll be bringing you many  of them.  Stay tuned.

Tonight is the night
That you make me a woman, mmm…
You said you’ll be gentle with me
And I-I hope you will, mmm…mmm…

I’m nervous and I’m tremblin’
Waitin’ for you to walk in
I’m tryin’ hard to relax
But I just can’t keep still, no

I can hear your car door slammin’
I wanna play big girl and put on a sexy smile
But I know so little about what love is
I just can’t help actin’ like a child
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