Broadcast From WZULU

Greetings earthlings, we have had meteor storms here on Planet Rock over the past few weeks and have been unable to communicate with your planet. However, our defenses proved steadfast and we are now again able to broadcast our missives.
Like all interplanetary funksters when things are copasetic and we have a few extra moments we like to dig in our crates, blow the dust off some vinyl and dig on some righteous tunes.
Currently in rotation on the play list at Planet Rock’s residential soul sonic force FM transmitter WZULU;

Soul Makossa-Manu Dibango- If you are a B-Boy or a “Hip-Hop” DJ no explanation necessary. If you are unfamiliar with this song and want to get at the essence of the connection between Jazz, Afro-Beat, funk, and Hip-Hop, this is a classic as Jimmy Castor Bunch “Its Just Begun.”

Hand Wanda-The Wild Magnolias- Got to say this is a recent discovery for me. This one got past me until recently when I was watching VH1 Soul series “Soul Cities” hosted by Author and Critic Nelson George. During an episode focusing on New Orleans when pressed by Nelson to offer a suggestion for a song that defines New Orleans funk, a well known local DJ suggested this song. It’s never too late to discover great music.

Do Your Thing-Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm band- This song as well as Charles Wright has been sampled numerous times. But it has been done in such a subtle manner that most cats do not know the original nor who Charles Wright is in the realm of funk. If you don’t know better get a late pass G (Not sure if the whole Flavor thing comes through in print.)

Green Light-John Legend and Andre 3000- Ok didn’t really have to dig in a crate for this one. This song to me rides and flows effortlessly, and John and Andre both sound great. The melody has an easy flow to it but an underlining bop that drives it giving a bounce to it. Got to say I’m a John Legend fan.

Honey-Erykah Badu- Ah Honey, you so sweet.

Turn Da Lights Off-Tweet- Kwame gets mad props for this beat. The shit is sexy, funky, and just makes you want to wind your hips slow. This shit gets me every time the beat drops and Tweet’s singing is intoxicating.

The Rain-Oran “Juice” Jones- “I missed ya today so much I followed ya” I was about to jam you and flat blast both of you But I didn't wanna mess up this thirty-seven hundred dollar lynx coat.” Classic Mac shit, these cats today could go back and take a page out of this brother’s player hand book.

Come Back, baby-Tower Of Power- To me this is classic 70’s quiet storm sound here. Great hook, sweet melody, and ya feel it to your core.

Super Natural Thing-Ben E King- This nothing but pure sweetfunksoul.

Inspiration Information-Shuggie Otis- Quiet as kept this kid at 17 wrote Strawberry Letter 23, not the Brothers Johnson (and it damn sure wasn’t Tevin Campbell’s song). This cat was a child prodigy (son of music legend Johnny Otis) that life circumstances took him in a direction that didn’t allow the rest of us to hear his musical progression. This song display’s all his potential and still stands the test of time. Ask a real soul musician who Shuggie Otis is and you may find yourself listening to a musical dissertation.

777-9311-The Time-Great band, Great Song.


Next Up RZA and Hip-Hop Music.

Peace,

Nas Dawud