Another hit single from the ingenious duo of writer, Rod Temperton and producer, Quincy Jones, Off The Wall‘s Rock With You proved to be an illustrating moment for Michael in the early 80′s. Echoing the dance floors of  Studio 54 with its moving bass line, flowing string arrangements, and synthesised sound of disco, this single captures a sensual playfulness fused with a joyous spirit in Jackson’s voice. Released November 3, 1979, Rock With You became a defining tune for Michael landing him in the #1 spot on Billboard’s pop and R&B single charts and later becoming the 4th biggest single of the 80′s decade.  From a perspective of resilience,  the staying power of  this single beneath the backdrop of industry changes due to the declining taste for disco and a resurgence of rock makes its chart topping endurance and platinum certification very impressive.

While Rock With You is 31 years old, its ripple effect in song and video is still felt in many contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Chuck Loeb and many, many others. Here’s a couple of  of examples to show  the single’s reach and influence:

From Quincy Jones’ “Q’s Jook Joint” featuring Brandy and Heavy D – 1995

From The Renaissance album Q-Tip’s Move – 2008

GFM Fam we wanted to get you up on the sound of Now vs. Now the exploratory new electro-groove power trio of keyboardist/composer Jason Lindner (Me’shell Ndegeocello, Lauryn Hill) the unique Greek Balkan bassist/vocalist Panagiotis Andreou (Yerba Buena) and Jersey Shore IDM-influenced drummer Mark Guiliana (Heernt, Beat Music). Their debut album Jason Lindner gives you NOW VS NOW, produced by longtime fan and collaborator Meshell Ndegeocello and mixed by Bob Power (Q-Tip, Roots), is steeped in Guiliana’s hard grooves, Lindner’s ambient soundscapes, and bassist Andreou’s subby, syncopated bass lines and Balkan Gypsy-style vocal work. Check out the set below.

GFM NYC area fam make sure to save the date as Now Vs. Now are showcasing during The APAP Conference on Monday, Jan 9th in NY at Rockwood Music Hall- 10PM

Love this song or hate it–it was hard to ignore, not wiggle to or get out of your head. Featuring a verse by Q-Tip and vocals and bass guitar from none other than Bootsy Collins baby.

I’m sure the Tweeter above was only Joshing when he put this out into the Twitterverse but way up on the list of rules, you know like 4079 spots above that other rule, you don’t ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, *Smokey voice* ask someone for their sounds. For the record please do not send the politically correct sampling police to execute a search warrant on me, I meant every word of what I said when I said his sounds and I will gladly welcome any debate on the merits of sampling/digital production vs. traditional any day of the week. But I digress…

Of course that inane silliness was met with this…

Which eventually turned into this, which was caused by a number of events not just the tweet above.

And this…

I can’t say I blame the brother one bit. There are a lot of great folks out there and there are a lot of disrespectful, idiotic individuals who are emboldened by the proximity and anonymity that the virtual world provides. In other words you would not say that ish to my face in person and just because you have a picture up that appears to be you I have no way of knowing if that’s really you or not unless I really know you from our personal meeting where you didn’t say any of the things you said online because… wait for it… You. Were. Scared. To.

So… let’s see let’s go over these rules again.

1. Don’t tug on Superman’s Cape
2. Shady Industry People
3. Never touch a Black Man’s Radio
4. Don’t ask anyone for their sounds, if they offer that’s one thing, but to ask is lame

Oh and maybe this rule although with the week I’ve had and some of the stupidity that I’ve had to put up with it might be very hard lol!

Happy Mother’s day to all the mothers around the world. Make sure you hug her and tell her that you love her, you only get one!

This can be an especially difficult day for those who have lost their mothers. I hope you’re able to enjoy and celebrate the great things that your mother instilled in you and reflect upon the good times you shared together.

Enjoy this TSOP (Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia – Live in Concert)
classic from The Intruders, and more after the jump.

“I’ll always love my mama
She’s my favorite girl
I’ll always love my mama
She brought me in this world

Sometimes I feel so bad
When I think of all the things I used to do
How mama used to clean somebody else’s house
Just to buy me a new pair of shoes

I never understood how mama
Made it through the week
When she never ever got
A good night’s sleep”

“(Talking ’bout mama)
Oh, she’s one of a kind
(Talking ’bout mama)
You got yours, and I got mine
(Talking ’bout mama)
Ah, Hey mama
Hey mama
My heart belongs to you
Oh, yeah”

Permalink

Permalink

Permalink

Sadie – The Spinners

Permalink

Cheryl “Pepsi” Riley – Thanks for my child

Shout out to Q-Tip (@QtipTheAbstract) for this one!

Permalink

20 yrs ago a friend and ventured on a 20-30min ride outside of Atlanta to go see Quincy Jones’ documentary “Listen up”. To say we were awe struck was an understatement. But it is safe to say that we were forever Quincy Jones fans….and students.

Fast forward 20 yrs and Q releases a new disc “Soul Bossanostra”. My friend and I are split on it. He bought it and thinks it’s pretty good. I signed the save Q from himself petition on GFM! Who am I to criticize Quincy Jones?! The man has certainly done his share for music. However I do wish he would’ve leaned more on his musical ear instead of his commercial eye.

But instead of complaining I decided to play a little game. If I had to “share” my suggestions w/Quincy about the direction to take for a project here’s what I would’ve suggested for the Dude!

Project Title: Genius in the Key of Quincy

1. The Roots,Jill Scott, Badu,Mos Def, Talib,Common, Bilal, Jaguar Wright, Q-Tip,Jazzyphatnastees – Listen Up
Interlude of the Roots playing a score piece from one of Q’s films

2. Raphael Saadiq - Light up the Night(Brothers Johnson cover)
Interlude of Saadiq & Joss Stone jamming on “It’s my party”

3. Sy Smith & Lettuce – Razzamatazz (BGV- Lalah,Rahsahaan,Ledisi, Kenya Hathaway, Bilal)
Interlude of Lettuce playing a film score

4. Chante Moore & Kenny Lattimore – How do we keep the music playing? ( Who better than a married couple to sing this)
Interlude Chante Moore scatting a Sarah Vaughn tune Q did

5. Eric Benet – Love X Love (George Benson cover,Mint Condition does the music,BGV-Sy Smith, Lalah,Rah,Ledisi, Bilal, Kenya Hathaway)
Interlude of Eric doin’ Just Once

6. Incognito – Ai No Corrida- (BGV-Sy Smith,Lalah,Rah,Ledisi,Bilal, Kenya Hathaway)
Interlude of Incognito jamming on Body Heat

7. Mint Condition – The Dude (puttin’ some MPLS funk on it w/ BGV- Sy,Lah,Rah, Bilal, Benet, Ledisi, Kenya Hathaway)
Interlude of Mint – rocking a film score

8. Lenny Kravitz & Living Colour – Dirty Diana
Brief Interlude of them jamming to Beat It (gasp)

9. Rahsahaan Patterson w/ the original Jamoriquai(Stuart,Toby,??) rhythm section/along w/ Keith Crouch – Baby Be Mine (BGV’s same as above)
Singers sharing their fav Q tune

10. Roy Hargrove – You put a move on my Heart (Instrumental)
Interlude Roy playing a score piece

11. Badu – Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt me ( w/ ?uest-drums, Saddiq -Bass,Poyser-Keys, Hargrove- Horn arr.,BVG’s -same as above)
Interlude same ensemble jamming on “Stuff like that”

12. Lettuce – Walking In Space
Interlude of Lettuce on Killer Joe

13. Frank McComb(piano only) – 100 ways/Baby come to me

14. Ledisi & Benet w/ Mint, BGV’s same as above - Do You love What you feel?
Interlude of Heaven Bound

15 .George Michael w/Me’shell on bass – Something Special
Me’Shell and George talkin’ about Q

16. Lalah w/Roy Hargrove Big Band – Somewhere( the Aretha- Listen Up version)

17. Lah/Rah/Bilal/Benet/ Ledisi/ McComb George Michael w/ Mint & the Roots – Brand New Day (from the Wiz) – Album ends on this note

Update Some of the artists have already chimed in on Twitter! Let’s hear from a few…

Now, I’ve thought about this and honestly, I don’t know how this will work. Let me give you some examples:

• What do you say when you hit your pinky toes…………Oh shoot?

• You catch your partner cheating…………..Oh heck no, mutha fluffy?

• Your kids break the new plasma (52 inch)?

Yeah, I see ya forming the cuss words right now on that last option. LOL!

However, I’m not gonna be a bad sport about it. I’ll place my $7.00 in a jar Monday morning and dedicate this throwback video:

Classic joints from Masters at Work (Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez & Lil Louis Vega).

Permalink

Funky. And if you’re not up on Amanda Diva and her many talents, you need to check her out!

Permalink

Amanda Diva Twitter
YouTube Channel

Q-Tip
Twitter

Check out more after the jump.


Permalink

Permalink

Permalink