Songs in the Key of Life, one of the best albums of 1976. This double album was all over the radio and was perhaps the pinnacle of Stevie Wonder’s musical output. Consider, this was Wonder’s 18th album, and he was only 26 years old. Amazing! The early 1970s had been a richly creative period for … More Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life (revisiting)
As the 1960s closed, Diana Ross prepared to begin a new chapter, that of a solo artist. Motown chief Berry Gordy was directing her career and had already selected Jean Terrell to replace Ross in the Supremes. In 1970, Diana Ross, was the first solo album released by Ross after leaving the Supremes. The decade … More Diana Ross Solo in the 70s
This was one of the most eclectic years in music. It was easy to hear any kind of music on the radio or placed on the charts. Radio was becoming equally divided between AM and FM stations, and crossover songs between genres was common. This was the heart of classic rock, a mixture of pop, … More Best Albums of 1975
Name a musician or band in the 20th Century, and Tom Dowd likely worked with them. From jazz to blues to R&B to rock to pop, he covered all the bases. Dowd was a member of a very select crowd of engineers/producers who piloted the greatest recorded music. There is a terrific documentary about him, … More Tom Dowd: Engineer/Producer
Prince Rogers Nelson stood only five feet, three inches, but he was a giant. Bigger than life, Prince’s influence on contemporary music is immeasurable. Prince was the new wave R&B fresh breath that changed the direction of of soulful music. Lean and organic, his sound cut a new trail in Black music, but he quickly … More Prince in 12 Songs
In a year of genre-bending music, there was plenty of blending of soul, funk and R&B sounds. This year was part of what I consider to be a Golden Era of soulful vibes. This music was not restricted to a certain group of radio stations or a single chart, much of this music crossed over … More 1971: A Year of Soul, Funk, R&B
Soul music, funk, R&B – call it whatever you want. Those soulful vibes are impossible to resist. You moved to the groove. There is something organic about how that music takes over your being. Not every song had a funky bass line or seductive horn action. There were ballads, tasty guitar riffs or thundering percussion. … More Favorite R&B Songs
That deep baritone voice. Unmistakable. Silenced since 2003 when he passed away. Barry White was referred to as the maker of bedroom ballads, accentuated by that velvety voice. White had a long career as a songwriter, arranger, musician and producer, before most of us heard our first Barry White song, “Love Theme,” an instrumental of … More Remembering Barry White
Ticket 2 Ride 