Ahh summer. The long days, the barbecues, the beaches and the beer all represent this special time of the year where, even if you don't have any more time on your hands than usual, you certainly act like you do. Summer is when we all attempt to recall those care free days of memories past that may have existed only for a moment, but are forever encapsulated in notions of everything from pool-side days, fleeting summer romance, and grandiose travel plans that were half baked at best. Last summer DJ Marcus Newmatic had a novel idea, "The Summer of Soul". There are many artists and songs that are perfect for those summer moments, but I think DJ Newmatic was on to something in that there is no genre of music that I feel epitomizes summer more than soul.
Soul music like the idea of summer is in many ways is about escape. Coming from Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and other Black urban centers soul music in a very real way served as a place to overcome and forget the daily struggles of inner city life while promoting hope, celebrating love, and mourning heartbreak. Summer as previously noted with its mythology of freedom, is steeped in nostalgia. And soul music with each horn hit, each upstroke of the hollow-bodied guitars, and each warm crackled cry of a hopeless romantic on the microphone are drenched in the uplifting thoughts of yesteryear. More importantly perhaps is the lasting sonic power that these songs have. Even with the aspects of "old" among its sound are found tunes that connect deeply to the power of pop music while maintaining the musicality and tact that make these songs transcend their period maintaining accessibility to the ears of todays generation as well. Fitting handily on any standard blank cd and playing in any boombox or car cd player, I say without hesitation, that this is the soundtrack of your summer. So without further ado I give you the playlist for the ....
Highlights:
Whats on it:
As Long as Ive Got You (Demo) 3:16 the emotions songs of innocence/experience
Misdemeanor 2:41 Foster Sylvers Summer Songs '09
ABC 2:59 Jackson 5
Tell Me 2:46 Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings 100 Days, 100 Nights
In These Very Tender Moments 3:14 Eddie & Ernie Lost Friends
Maybe So, Maybe No 3:04 New Holidays 7" (Soul Hawk)
Make It Good To Me 4:52 Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Dap-Dippin' With...
Respect 2:28 Aretha Franklin I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Seven Years 2:19 The Impressions The Young Mod's Forgotten Story
You're No Good 2:50 Harvey Averne Viva Soul
Cold Game 3:34 Myron & E with The Soul Investigators
Ole Man Trouble 2:36 Otis Redding The Dock Of The Bay
Goodbye Baby (Baby Good Bye) 3:23 Solomon Burke Rock 'n Soul
Many Rivers To Cross 2:42 Jimmy Cliff The Harder They Come-The Definitive Collection
A Change Is Gonna Come 3:13 Sam Cooke Ain't That Good News (Remastered)
Together (Album Version) 2:56 The Intruders The Best Of The Intruders: Cowboys To Girls
I Heard It Through the Grapevine 3:05 The Temptations Clould Nine
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay 2:45 Otis Redding The Dock Of The Bay
05 - Slip Away 3:02 Hank Ballard Can't keep a good man down - 1969
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted 3:00 Jimmy Ruffin
Woman's Got Soul 2:18 The Impressions Big Sixteen
11 Lost Someone [-] 2:42 James Brown Live at the Appollo
He Ain't Comin' Home No More 3:10 Nina Simone High Priestess Of Soul (Originals)
This Time 3:07 Dj Shadow The Outsider Hip-Hop
Tired Of Fighting 3:32 Menahan Street Band Make The Road By Walking
This Magic Moment 2:34 The Drifters Atlantic Rhythm & Blues (1947-74) - Disc 4 (1957-60)
Happy Listening,
MC J-Sauce
p.s. if any of you readers have your own summer playlist feel free to share it in the comments sections I will surely take a listen.
Hi Josh. Hope your summer is living up to this playlist.
ReplyDeleteCuba, I dig the additions:
ReplyDelete"Dancing in the Streets" Martha and the Vandellas
"I get around" The Beach Boys
"Mark III" Biggums
Although it is still winter for me,joe