"never no turning back"

David Bowie - Win
From Young Americans. I always thought this song had a quality not unlike ripples of water. Must be the sax.

David Bowie - Right
Also from Young Americans, in which Bowie dips his toe into the early disco movement by way of Philly International. Give it up for Ava Cherry, Robin Clark and Luther Vandross on the backgrounds.

"giving it a little bit more"

Friendly Fires - On Board (Pig Bag Version)
This is not actually remixed by Pig Bag, but it does bear resemblance to their brand of cacophony. Must be the horns. It's loud and fun!

Hanayo - Joe Le Taxi
A booming cover of the Vanessa Paradis classic. This was very big in the clubs during the whole electroclash non-movement.

"I view my transformation"

For a minute in the 80's, it was all about Terrence Trent D'Arby. With a full set of knees, elbows, cheekbones and braids, he came over from the UK and served us a Brit pastiche of Michael and Prince. However, after this shining debut came one of the classic missteps of pop music, the psychedelic sophomore effort, Neither Fish Nor Flesh.

Terrence Trent D'Arby - You Will Pay Tomorrow
So many influences, so little time. Amazing and dense arrangement of strings, groove and horns. Um, and there's a kazoo in there too. Reminds me of the Temptations.

Terrence Trent D'Arby - This Side of Love
Unlike other tracks on the album, the psychedelic touches don't overpower his strengths as a songwriter and performer. Reminds me of the Temptations. Wait? Didn't I just say that?

"that's nasty"

Last weekend was the infamous Black Party in New York City whereupon thousands of gay men descend on midtown for an orgy of drugs, leather, sex and tacky music.

I've never been. Not my scene.

I like to throw an alternative party. Namely, the PURPLE PARTY. An orgy of Prince and his protégés, plus all manner of outré funk, horny pop and new wave nuggets. Because I'm an old-school Prince head from way back.

It was a whole bunch o' fun, and has had me listening to a lot of Prince ever since. Par example...

Prince & Morris Day - Cloreen Bacon Skin

This song is a mess. And a long one at that. It's clearly playtime in the studio, with Prince and Morris messing around on drums, bass and vocals... and NOTHING ELSE. But you can't deny a hot groove, gotta let it play out. Knowwhaddimean?

Prince - La, La, La, He, He, Hee
Described as "highly explosive" on the sleeve, I must admit, this truly blew my mind at 17. Partially due to the 12" sleeve art (below) in which Prince toyed androgyny more than ever by having his back-up dancer "Cat' pose as him. It's impossible to understand how bizarre this was at the time unless you were there.

"your wish is my command"

Breakbot featuring Irfane - Baby I'm Yours
Cute retro-80's-disco effect from up and coming bloggable act Breakbot. Most enjoyable.

Lindstrom & Christabelle - Baby Can't Stop
Art-disco by well-known remixer Lindstrom and collaborator Christabelle. They have a whole album out. Check it.


BUY IT - Breakbot

BUY IT - Lindstrom & Christabelle - Real Life Is No Cool

"your thing is a drag"

I'm following in yesterday's footsteps. More retro soul, more bands named Kings.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Your Thing Is A Drag
Sharon Jones has a new album coming out soon. This is from her 2005 album Naturally, which of course I highly recommend. Great groove, and flawless delivery, as always.

Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me
A sunny song for a sunny day. Stevie put this out in 1971, and I find that it is in bright contrast to his stark, sociopolitical output over the next several years of the 70's. They lyrics are despondent, but the song isn't. It has more in common with Bacharach than Motown.

Pre-Order Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned The Hard Way from DaptoneRecords.com

"back up and get ready"

Bobby Byrd - Hot Pants... I'm Coming, Coming, I'm Coming
Like Prince in the 80's, James Brown was so unbelievably prolific in his heyday that there are scores of records out there by people from his entourage that are basically James Brown records with a different person on the mic. Bobby Byrd was James' right hand man, and can be heard on many of the master's own singles. Hot Pants is perhaps his best track of all time. Get into the break down at 1:30. It's fucking bouncing off the walls.

Kings Go Forth - One Day
This is a new band, and in the vein of the Dap Kings, they are bringing you old school realness. Sharon Jones can't take it. They are signed to Luaka Bop and supposedly will have an album out this year, so keep your ears to the street kids and show some support.

Visit KingsGoForth.com

"time out is what I'm here for"

Hall and Oates - One on One
One of many perfect singles that HnO put out in the 80s. They always remind me of the "perfect" girls that went to my high school who had big hair, their dad's cars, didn't smoke and dated jocks. GOD I wanted to be those girls...

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Joan of Arc
... but instead I was sitting with a nerdy girl in my nerdy 70s Saab, smoking, with too much hair spray in my hair, listening to bands like OMD. But at least I knew what all the jocks looked like naked, thank you very much, gym class.

"I have visions of you but not with me"

Gossip - Love and Let Love
Fucking slick, man. The major label Rick Rubin treatment works pretty well on this track for Beth Ditto and company. Butch versus femme? It's music for men, children.

Robin Thicke featuring Estelle - Rollacoasta
I'm no fan, but I gave "Sex Therapy" a try and enjoyed a few tracks, including this one. Too cornball? Decide for yourself. Sounds like he's trying to snatch Justin's sound right out from under him, rrriiiiight?


BUY IT

Gossip - Music for Men

Robin Thicke - Sex Therapy

"is it working for you 'cause it's working for me"

New fave band alert. I've been on to We Have Band since some time last year when they're single "You Came Out," ahem, came out. They have an album on the way and the new single is "Divisive" - see video above.

We Have Band - West End Girls
This is a hard song to cover. Many have tried. Few have succeeded in making anything remotely listenable. I'd say this one works because it's not trying too hard. I've played it out and people instantly recognize the opening, but then get a bit confused when it doesn't turn into Pet Shop Boys. It can be found on the b-side to "We Came Out."

Pet Shop Boys - Up and Down
Speaking of PSB (and b-sides), this is a b-side (or extra track?) from their "Did You See Me Coming?" single last year. I'm continually surprised that they've managed to stay so relevant for all these years. And pleased.