After hours grooving…
1. Jill Scott – Gettin’ In The Way (Hidden Beach 2000)
Nu soul doesn’t come much better than this. I remember the album coming from nowhere and being blown away by the smooth production and conversational lyrics and melodies. Jill Scott’s live band version of this tune switches up half way through into an uptempo monster!
2. Oleta Adams – Get Here (Fontana 1990)
This is my guilty pleasure track! There’s a pocket of late 80’s and early 90’s soul ballads that I’m really into, but this is probably my favourite. I love the sparse yet dynamic production, and with Piano on bass you just can’t go wrong.
3. Q-Tip – Let’s Ride (Arista 1999)
Q-Tip is one of my favourite rappers and this is probably my favourite track from the Amplified album. Tip and Dilla on the production which combines a nice little version of Giant Steps with the break from the Humpty Dump.
4. Stevie Wonder – Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) (Tamla Motown 1972)
Stevie Wonder is my favourite artist – period. His output through the 70’s is just incredible. My dad had introduced me to Talking Book and Innervisions and I started to dig deeper. This track from Music of My Mind is just beautiful. The transition from Superwoman into Where Were You is almost like a sonic sunrise. Warming stuff.
5. Kurt Elling – Steppin’ Out (Concord Jazz 2011)
A friend from work put me onto this guy. This album features some original twists of some tunes that I love. This Joe Jackson cover pulls the original melody around. I’ve played this to lots of people and it gets some very different reactions – but personally the ‘flat 5’ change in the verse makes this version for me.
6. Portishead – Over (Live@ Roseland Ballroom) (Go! Beat 1998)
These guys were a huge influence during my late teens. They manage to make hugely emotive music with the simplest of ideas. The live album (which I also remember having an VHS) combines the band with a live orchestra which works really well on ‘Over.’ I would love to be able to do something like this with my own music.
7. James Blake – Retrograde (Polydor 2013)
I haven’t quite made up my mind about James Blake’s album (Overgrown) but Retrograde is just one of those incredible songs. I guess it works for me in a similar way to Portishead in that there are simple ideas at work, but they come together so naturally and in an incredibly emotive way. Again, the live version of this song (the Later with Jools Holland version being my favourite) is just breath-taking.
8. Meshell Ndegeocello – Berry Farms (Maverick 2002)
Tight drums, low bass groove and vocals make up the majority of this track. It’s all groove – one big heavy groove. A totally underrated artist and bass player. Some of the subject matter and lyrical content in this track may be unsuitable for younger listeners!
9. Jimmy Webb – MacArthur Park (EMI 1996)
One of the greatest song writers of our time cuts an album (Ten Easy Pieces) of his own tunes with just piano and voice. MacArthur Park has a timeless quality to it and lyrics are so unique. “Someone left the cake out in the rain. I don’t think that I can take it, cos it took so long to bake it, and I’ll never have that recipe again.” Not everyone can get away with lyrics like that.
10. Kris Buckle – Rise Above (Talking Elephant 2009)
I could have gone mad and include loads of tracks I’ve worked on or been a part of, but thought I’d go easy. I worked with Kris on a few sessions for his debut album playing Fender Rhodes and loved every minute of it. Hats off to Rob Clydesdale’s mixing skills, this is a great record that reminds me of the Laurel Canyon groups of the early 70’s.
Christian B & Lavvy Levan ‘Now?’ (Rapson Remix) Friday Fox Recordings is released on April 14th 2014
Preview: https://soundcloud.com/fridayfoxrecordings/toe-in-water-remix-ep-preview
