The HighLife

Ok, so this isn't exactly "new".  But it's probably new to you.  So, here are some classic cuts from the almighty Daptone Records, just reimagined.  Hope you dig!

The groove in this song is intense!  Just follow the horns...

T.S.U. Tornadoes - Getting the corners

New album from UK soul sensation, Omar - Sing (If you want it)

Happy Friday y'all!  It's the freakin' weekend and i'm ready to get down.  So here's a special set of funk tracks to help you, in the words of James Brown, "make it funky".  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

And that'll do it today.  Pull out those one-button suits, skinny ties, and get loose.  Have a funky good time this weekend!  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Wednesday hump day.  If you're the optmistic type, the week is almost over.  Here's some more soul cuts for your soul. Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
There were a lot of groups from the 60s that had names like "The (object/subject/noun here; e.g. Locations, Okayshions, Marvelettes, Oneders, j/k)".  This is one of them.  Signed to Motown in 1962, they spent most of the 60s scoring mild hits and playing mostly as supporting acts to other Motown names.  Yet, they still have a really good sound that caught on in England, especially with the Northern Soul movement.  These next songs are very much in that vein.  The Velvelettes - Stop beating around the bush, Something's happening


B-Side
A good friend of mine i hadn't spoken to in a while called me the other day.  As our conversations are wont to do, we ended up talking about music.  And i have to give it to him he caught me unawares, mainly because he's been listening to Al Green's new album, Lay it Down, a lot lately.  Yeah, Al Green has a new album. Well relatively, he released it in May 2008.  Regardless, i had no idea there was even an album to speak of.  So i went and checked it out.  It's good! It's what you want and expect from the Reverend.  Straight up soul.  Horns, organs, that falsetto.  What more can i say... Al Green - All i need, I'm wild about you


That's it today.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Wassup people!  Hope i find you well.  As i mentioned yesterday, it's all about soul this week.  So without further ado.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
I heard this song a few days ago while watching UNC play Duke again.  I didn't know who sang it, come to think of it i really couldn't hear the words either, i just knew that my head was bouncing.  But thank goodness for friends, and friends that know their ish at that.  Sam (a.k.a DJ Bogart of Flavorheard) informed me that this song was used as the sample for Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't no half steppin".  Which i would also recommend you listening to.  But today it's about... The Emotions - Blind Alley


B-Side
Here we have a soul group from Detroit's little known Soulhawk Records.  I only came across this song because i was looking for some Mayer Hawthorne (more on him later). But regardless, it's an awesome song in its own right.  The lyrics are pretty poignant in that i'm sure everyone has felt that emotion at some point in their life.  But the mellow soulful harmonizing all through the song is really what carries this into the eschelon of soul music.  The New Holidays - Maybe so Maybe no



And that's it today.  Keep on keeping on.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Hello there friends.  It's kind of a dreary Monday right now, but hopefully the sun will break through soon.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
So, i recently received the news that one of the finer human beings i've known in Boston is no longer with us.  I'm still in disbelief at the whole situation, especially being that i just saw him last Friday at his usual spot manning/owning the door situation at my favorite place to go in this entire city.  Literally the gatekeeper to countless moments of joy and happiness, as well as some of the best times i've had in my life.  One of the lasting memories i'll have of Jimmy, aside from constantly reminding me to get to the door by 11, is from just last Friday.  I'd already been waiting like 30 mins in line, which means that everyone in line is taking it out on the guy at the door.  Some people would wear this treatment on their sleeve, but not Jimmy.  He had a huge smile on his face, gave me a hug, and then jovially threw me into the fray, literally. That for me encapsulates the type of person he was.  It's been that people knock on your door but you can take a break from all that now; now it's your turn Jimmy.  Bob Dylan - Knockin' on heaven's door



B-Side
The opening lyrics to this next song are: "Hey you! I need you here by my side.  Don't try to fight it!"  In my minds eye, whoever is on the other side of the door from Jimmy is saying this to him.  I'm sure there are a lot of people saying this to themselves too right now, but he's needed elsewhere.  I'd planned on dedicating this entire week to soul music, and in light of recent events it's even more fitting.  The Montclairs - Hey you! Don't fight it!



That's going to do it for today.  Please contribute to help Jimmy's family here.  It will be much appreciated.  Jimmy you will be missed!  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Too much soul!!!

February has been a good month musically.  Random, but still good.  We had the Grammy's at the beginning of the month, with Adele and Chrisette Michelle taking home awards.  Bob Marley's birthday.  Mos Def's delayed album. Our introductions to the very danceable Private, and the uber-soulful Jesse Dee.  Lily Allen and Ryan Leslie releasing new albums. And an onslaught of fat beats in general.  That said, here's a set of pretty much all of February's Jumpoff selections, save one or two here and there.  Enjoy!