David Essex – Rock On
Cool, smooth and for your number one girl at the after party
Christy Essien – You Can’t Change A Man
Showing a depth of understanding and wisdom way beyond her 19 years when she recorded her 4th album in 1979, this fine slice of space disco vibes was always a favourite during my Smokey Tails residency. To my delight the general manager and wonderman himself Mr Jason Banton was the only other cat in the building who seemed to know this song whenever I played it. A bit of a bromance moment ensued after that. Women pay attention to your sister here. Yes us men are by no means the perfect article. And neither are you. Especially the ones that beat down the good honest guy.
Fallout – The Morning After (The Aftermath)
Always brings a teary smile to my face hearing this especially when the stimulants have worn in When you want to keep the vibes warm and strong at the after party.
Terence Trent D’Arby – Wishing Well
Prince’s protege?? He certainly was cut off the same cloth when he first exploded onto the scene in the late 80’s. Timeless and so unique. And remember there are ladies Back to Mine as well 😉
Eurythmics – The City Never Sleeps
Has there ever been a better example of where music and film have combined better than in the infamous scene from 9 1/2 weeks with childhood crush of mine Miss Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Yet the lyrics of this masterpiece by Annie Lennox takes on an all together different theme talking about isolation in the big city. Whether in NYC, Paris, London. at times I have felt it. I’m sure you have too.
Bill Conti – Reflections
Like with the Eurythmic’s ‘City That Never Sleeps’, similar sentiments are echoed when I play this back at home after a long night’s gigging. This is often on repeat for around 30 minutes continuous when I’m that lost in thought.
Thomalla – Schmalspur
One of those accidental finds whilst browsing on Beatport years ago. This sonically blew my away when I first heard this. So soft, so deep and so intense. Music that literally speaks.
Cacheflowe – Ahh huh
I wish I’d made this. That’s the biggest compliment I can give to Justin Gitlin here. Electronic music at its most progressive.
Womack & Womack – Strange & Funny (Shelter Vocal Mix)
I could have picked the original version as well but Timmy Regisford continues to sprinkle’ stardust once again on another timeless soul number. An emotionally charged Back to Mine number that speaks louder than ever.
Roberta flack – Trying Times (from her First Take Album)
Taken from her ‘First Take’ Album, there are a number of great songs on this LP but for this selection of Back to Mine essentials, then ‘Trying Times’ shades it for me. There’s a whole lotta things in life that are wrong but hearing this in a smokey-filled hot mess of a living room with the sun slowly peering through is not one of them.
ASOY (aka Demi) & SLF’s ‘Between the Beat’ is out soon via Secret Music.
