Mar
26th
The Jumpoff - Highlife_Afrobeat - Seun Kuti_Ebo Taylor
By Afolabi
One day til the weekend and please believe i'm so ready for
it. My Pitt Panthers will be taking the floor soon, and i
just had to drop this edition as a herald of future success.
Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
We looked at music from Femi Kuti yesterday, and continuing the trend we've got music from his younger brother today. I've mentioned this guy a bunch already on this site, search his name on here and you'll find it. Regardless, this is the future of afrobeat. Seun Kuti - Don't bring that shit to me, Mosquito Song
B-Side
We go back to Ghana for the second track of the day. This is another artist i've never really heard of before, but i really like this song. Ebo Taylor - Atwer Abroba
That's it for today. It's almost the weekend! Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
We looked at music from Femi Kuti yesterday, and continuing the trend we've got music from his younger brother today. I've mentioned this guy a bunch already on this site, search his name on here and you'll find it. Regardless, this is the future of afrobeat. Seun Kuti - Don't bring that shit to me, Mosquito Song
B-Side
We go back to Ghana for the second track of the day. This is another artist i've never really heard of before, but i really like this song. Ebo Taylor - Atwer Abroba
That's it for today. It's almost the weekend! Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
25th
The Jumpoff - Highlife_Afrobeat - Femi Kuti_The Third Generation Band
By Afolabi
Hello again. Nothing witty to say. Straight to the
afrobeat we go. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
As we work our way down the seniority chain, we find ourselves at the first offspring of afrobeat. His father created the sound, and he's done a lot to carry the sound into halls that typically wouldn't have it. Unlike his father's strictly pan-African view of music, and the world, he's branched out into many other genres and worked with artists spanning many tongues, cultures, and countries. I've also seen he and his band, The Positive Force, performing live. And i'll tell you this much, i left drenched in my own effort, but what sweet effort it was. Femi Kuti - Live for Today/ No Shame
B-Side
Highlife music is a very West African genre. The Gold Coast, also known as Ghana, does highlife, and they do it very well. It could be argued that highlife made it's way over from Ghana into Nigeria, which eventually led to the birth of afrobeat. But we're not here for that. This is a Ghanaian band from the highlife era i assume, origin unknown to me, that has a really nice sound with a really poignant message. The Third Generation Band - Because of Money
And on it goes. Keep on keeping on. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
As we work our way down the seniority chain, we find ourselves at the first offspring of afrobeat. His father created the sound, and he's done a lot to carry the sound into halls that typically wouldn't have it. Unlike his father's strictly pan-African view of music, and the world, he's branched out into many other genres and worked with artists spanning many tongues, cultures, and countries. I've also seen he and his band, The Positive Force, performing live. And i'll tell you this much, i left drenched in my own effort, but what sweet effort it was. Femi Kuti - Live for Today/ No Shame
B-Side
Highlife music is a very West African genre. The Gold Coast, also known as Ghana, does highlife, and they do it very well. It could be argued that highlife made it's way over from Ghana into Nigeria, which eventually led to the birth of afrobeat. But we're not here for that. This is a Ghanaian band from the highlife era i assume, origin unknown to me, that has a really nice sound with a really poignant message. The Third Generation Band - Because of Money
And on it goes. Keep on keeping on. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
23rd
The Jumpoff - Highlife_Afrobeat - Fela Kuti_Kayode Olajide
By Afolabi
Back on the grind! But it's cool, it's officially
springtime! There a fresh new week ahead, and i'm looking
forward to some upward trending weather. Hopefully the tracks
this week do the same, quality-wise. Welcome to The
Jumpoff!
A-Side
We'll ease into this with a song by a Nigerian afrocentric-jazz musician. The song is an homage to afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti (the title is his full name). True to the afrobeat sound, the piano groove works you through the entire song while all the other instrument jam out. And by the time the song is over all you want it to do is keep going. Kayode Olajide - Olufela
B-Side
If there ever was a song made, as far as i'm concerned, that would warrant the classification of "perfect". This next song would be it. This song jump started my interest in all things afrobeat. The horns are the energy that float over the everlasting groove percolating underneath. And is it ever percolating. When listening to this, ignore the horns for a bit, let the keyboard and guitar take you, and then bring it all back together. You'll be glad, and singing that groove to yourself for the rest of the day. The song pretty much advises you to be wary of would-be showoffs/posers/power-trippers, and gives examples of where said "power show"(s) could take place. So, if you're on one, get off the high horse and relax. Fela Kuti - Power Show
That's it today. Hope the week goes swell. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
We'll ease into this with a song by a Nigerian afrocentric-jazz musician. The song is an homage to afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti (the title is his full name). True to the afrobeat sound, the piano groove works you through the entire song while all the other instrument jam out. And by the time the song is over all you want it to do is keep going. Kayode Olajide - Olufela
B-Side
If there ever was a song made, as far as i'm concerned, that would warrant the classification of "perfect". This next song would be it. This song jump started my interest in all things afrobeat. The horns are the energy that float over the everlasting groove percolating underneath. And is it ever percolating. When listening to this, ignore the horns for a bit, let the keyboard and guitar take you, and then bring it all back together. You'll be glad, and singing that groove to yourself for the rest of the day. The song pretty much advises you to be wary of would-be showoffs/posers/power-trippers, and gives examples of where said "power show"(s) could take place. So, if you're on one, get off the high horse and relax. Fela Kuti - Power Show
That's it today. Hope the week goes swell. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
20th
the jumpoff - funk extravaganza
By Afolabi
Funk
Extravaganza
Track
List
Parliament - Chocolate
City
The Bamboos ft. Alice Russell - Bring it home
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Sugarfoot
The Soul Stylistics - The Players Theme
Raphael Saadiq - Let's take a walk
James Brown - Can't stand it
James Brown - Bring it up
Mighty Show Stoppers - Hippy Skippy Moon Strut
The Bamboos - Tighten' up
James Brown - Hustle!!! (Dead on ti)
Soul Vibrations - The Dump
Curtis Mayfield - Heavy Dude
James Brown - Escape-ism
Young & Company - I like what you're doing to me
Breakout - Planet Rock Pt. 1
James Brown - You've changed
James Brown - Give me some skin
The Bamboos ft. Alice Russell - Bring it home
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Sugarfoot
The Soul Stylistics - The Players Theme
Raphael Saadiq - Let's take a walk
James Brown - Can't stand it
James Brown - Bring it up
Mighty Show Stoppers - Hippy Skippy Moon Strut
The Bamboos - Tighten' up
James Brown - Hustle!!! (Dead on ti)
Soul Vibrations - The Dump
Curtis Mayfield - Heavy Dude
James Brown - Escape-ism
Young & Company - I like what you're doing to me
Breakout - Planet Rock Pt. 1
James Brown - You've changed
James Brown - Give me some skin
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
Mar
19th
the jumpoff - funk - yarbrough and peoples_earth wind and fire
By Afolabi
Hola! One day till the weekend, and i'm feeling a bit
impatient. That ain't getting in the way of the funk
though. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
This is a song that has torn up many a dance floor since it's release in 1981. It was also the biggest hit of Dallas, TX duo that sang it. Yarbrough & Peoples- Don't stop the music
B-Side
This next track is certified to move you. The video might even inspire a few new dance moves. If you've listened to the majority of this band's catalog you'll know that they principally focused on making music to get you to stop playing the wall. So if you're near one right now, "get your back up off the wall". Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland
Aight then, off to see Raphael Saadiq. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
This is a song that has torn up many a dance floor since it's release in 1981. It was also the biggest hit of Dallas, TX duo that sang it. Yarbrough & Peoples- Don't stop the music
B-Side
This next track is certified to move you. The video might even inspire a few new dance moves. If you've listened to the majority of this band's catalog you'll know that they principally focused on making music to get you to stop playing the wall. So if you're near one right now, "get your back up off the wall". Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland
Aight then, off to see Raphael Saadiq. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
18th
the jumpoff - funk - sister sledge_kool and the gang
By Afolabi
Happy hump day y'all! We're bringing the funk all week this
week, so strap yourself in some more booty shakin' grooves.
Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
This track will NEVER sound bad. The only other artist of note that has sampled this is Will Smith; unless if you know Dannii Minougue, sister of Kylie. And even her version, as clubby as it was, wasn't that bad. So, go find yourself a disco ball right now. Sister Sledge - He's the greatest dancer
B-Side
If you grew up during the bling/ghetto fabulous era of hiphop you sorta know this song, but in a very different incarnation. Diddy was involved. The next vid is from 1983, featuring the funk-tastic band that originally gave us the song. Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging
And on it goes. That'll do it for today. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
This track will NEVER sound bad. The only other artist of note that has sampled this is Will Smith; unless if you know Dannii Minougue, sister of Kylie. And even her version, as clubby as it was, wasn't that bad. So, go find yourself a disco ball right now. Sister Sledge - He's the greatest dancer
B-Side
If you grew up during the bling/ghetto fabulous era of hiphop you sorta know this song, but in a very different incarnation. Diddy was involved. The next vid is from 1983, featuring the funk-tastic band that originally gave us the song. Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging
And on it goes. That'll do it for today. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
17th
the jumpoff - funk - curtis mayfield_chic
By Afolabi
Happy St. Patrick's
day!!! Is it just me or has daylight savings helped to boost
your general attitude? It's like one of the tracks today, all
that sunlight just makes me want to party, party. Welcome to
The Jumpoff!
A-Side
You can't have a full conversation about funk without throwing in this guy name. Most people know Kanye West's "Touch the Sky" which samples his uber-funky "Move on up". If you haven't heard that original yet, please fix that. Today, though, we'll be focusing on some of his other material. Curtis Mayfield - Don't worry (if there's a hell below we're all gonna go)/ Party, Party/ Ice 9 (Live)
B-Side
This is next group dwells in the realm of funk's offspring, disco. I've definitely shaken my groove thang to their groove on many a dancefloor. "Le freak" and "Good times" are probably their most popular tracks, and are guaranteed to get any party started. But here's a few more party starting alternatives from... Chic - Cheer/ Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
And so it goes. That's it today. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
p.s. A-Trak @ Estate (Boston) tonight
A-Side
You can't have a full conversation about funk without throwing in this guy name. Most people know Kanye West's "Touch the Sky" which samples his uber-funky "Move on up". If you haven't heard that original yet, please fix that. Today, though, we'll be focusing on some of his other material. Curtis Mayfield - Don't worry (if there's a hell below we're all gonna go)/ Party, Party/ Ice 9 (Live)
B-Side
This is next group dwells in the realm of funk's offspring, disco. I've definitely shaken my groove thang to their groove on many a dancefloor. "Le freak" and "Good times" are probably their most popular tracks, and are guaranteed to get any party started. But here's a few more party starting alternatives from... Chic - Cheer/ Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
And so it goes. That's it today. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
p.s. A-Trak @ Estate (Boston) tonight
Mar
16th
the jumpoff - funk - james brown_grace jones
By Afolabi
What up people, papa's got a brand new week. That's called
foreshadowing. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
"I feel like Ali, sting like a butterfly, float like a bee. Don't want nobody botherin' me, 'cos i refuse to lose," says James Brown, funk pioneer and impressario. I don't think i need to preface what's coming next, except that the following sounds are highly infused with machismo and bravado. James Brown - I refuse to lose/ Ants in my pants/ There it is
B-Side
Most people likely remember this next artist not so much for her music, but as Zula, the Amazon, in Arnold Schwarzenegger's Conan the Destroyer (part 2 of the series). But the Jamaican born model/singer/former Warhol muse/actress has amassed quite a catalog of music. These next two tracks sort of bookend her music career so far, but it's to her credit that she makes highly danceable music that transcends time and era. Grace Jones - Pull up to the bumper/ Love you to life
That's it today. Stay tuned for more of the funk tomorrow. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
"I feel like Ali, sting like a butterfly, float like a bee. Don't want nobody botherin' me, 'cos i refuse to lose," says James Brown, funk pioneer and impressario. I don't think i need to preface what's coming next, except that the following sounds are highly infused with machismo and bravado. James Brown - I refuse to lose/ Ants in my pants/ There it is
B-Side
Most people likely remember this next artist not so much for her music, but as Zula, the Amazon, in Arnold Schwarzenegger's Conan the Destroyer (part 2 of the series). But the Jamaican born model/singer/former Warhol muse/actress has amassed quite a catalog of music. These next two tracks sort of bookend her music career so far, but it's to her credit that she makes highly danceable music that transcends time and era. Grace Jones - Pull up to the bumper/ Love you to life
That's it today. Stay tuned for more of the funk tomorrow. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
13th
the jumpoff - soul extravaganza
By Afolabi
Happy Friday y'all!!! It's the freakin' weekend. And even more, it's the weekend of the patron saint of the isles of Erin, Patrick. So to close out the week and usher in the weekend, here's a soul set of some rare gems. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
Soul Extravaganza
In all likelihood these songs are new to you. They were new to me when i unearthed them recently. And i'm glad that i'm just able to share them with you. It's hard to be in a bad mood and listen to these next few songs, and considering the way the week's gone, that's a really good thing. So without any more ado, this is soul as it should be.
Song List
Fred Hymes III - Time ain't gonna do me no favors
The Locations - Mister Diamond Man
Papa Bear & The Cubs - You're so fine
Tom Green - Endless Confusion
Betty Moorer - Speed Up
T.S.U. Toronadoes - Gotta get through to you
Linda Griner - Good-by cruel love
And that's all i've got for you. Rock it out this weekend! Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
12th
the jumpoff 03.12.09
By Afolabi
Hola amigos and amigas! One day away from the weekend, and
here's some soulful grooves to ease you right on into the
weekend. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
This is a new artist on Stones Throw records. He's a 29 year old soul crooner from Ann Arbor, Michigan that had no intention of becoming a professional musician. But you can't hid soul this good under a bushel. He hasn't released an album or anything yet, but keep an eye/ear out for him in 09. Mayer Hawthorne & The County - Just ain't gonna work out
B-Side
This next group formed in Houston, Texas in 1966. They were signed to the reknowned Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records. They had some modest hits from the late 60s to the mid to late 70s, but finally split in 1980. This song has been covered by a few other groups, but i like this version. Archie Bell & The Drells - A Thousand Wonders
That's it today. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
This is a new artist on Stones Throw records. He's a 29 year old soul crooner from Ann Arbor, Michigan that had no intention of becoming a professional musician. But you can't hid soul this good under a bushel. He hasn't released an album or anything yet, but keep an eye/ear out for him in 09. Mayer Hawthorne & The County - Just ain't gonna work out
B-Side
This next group formed in Houston, Texas in 1966. They were signed to the reknowned Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records. They had some modest hits from the late 60s to the mid to late 70s, but finally split in 1980. This song has been covered by a few other groups, but i like this version. Archie Bell & The Drells - A Thousand Wonders
That's it today. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
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