While diggin in the crates for some funk to listen to, my son and I called on some old school Steve Arrington to do the trick. We danced and grooved until the 7th cut played, launching us into a headnodding frenzy that I’m sure Q-Tip would appreciate. Beddie-Biey is just a beautiful song and perfect for a Sunday. Enjoy!

Steve Arrington’s Hall Of Fame – Beddie-Biey

Here’s a segment of a dope set by keyboardist, Les McCann in Montreux ’72 playing everything from piano and clavinet to percussion. Listen to how he masterfully segues from Nat Adderley Jr’s funky Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free by laying down some heavenly keys to intro Marvin Gaye’s sociological opus! This is 13 well spent minutes right here! Thank us later

Les McCann – Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free/What’s Goin On (Live)

There are so many great names associated with this tune, that I don’t know where to begin. First of all, this is a Minnie Riperton remake produced by the legendary Creed Taylor, with Bernard Purdie on drums, Eric Gale on guitar, Fred Wesley on trombone and Ray Charles former musical director on sax. The original version of this song, sampled by ATCQ, Black star, Common, Pete Rock and others is one of my favorites so this remake took a second for me to get my head around. Released in 1975, I Hear a Symphony was Crawford’s disco album and the track has been considerably sped up to make you hit the dancefloor but features some really great moments. Enjoy!

Hank Crawford – Baby! This Love I Have

TV One’s Unsung doc on the Ohio Players airs tonight and I’m supergeeked about this. I’ve read some interviews post-breakup  of the Players’ but it will be interesting to see/hear from their mouths what caused the end of a truly influential group. The aftermath of the group’s demise launched a few solo album releases, but none of which were highly commercially successful. In 1985, lead singer SugarFoot linked up with the Roger Troutman to produce his Sugar Kiss album. This led to Larry and Zapp playing on the album, and a disappointing remix of the Players’ classic Fire. There is one gem on the album though, the sweet  ballad, I Will Be Your Star, which sounds really great. Enjoy!

Sugar Foot – I Will Be Your Star

After reading the latest issue of Wax Poetics, I went and checked out some of the albums by the artists. I’ve had You Are My Starship for a long time, but this song just touched me on this listen. The Creator Has a Master Plan (Peace), arranged by Norman Connors, features Gary Bartz and Pharoah Sanders and is a truly great, jazzy tune to reflect and meditate to. There aren’t many songs being created like this anymore. Enjoy!

Norman Connors - The Creator Has a Master Plan (Peace)

Released the year I was born, with three singles to chart and others that just stand out in their vast catalogue, Angel is another Ohio Players album that needs to be in your collection. Glad to Know You’re Mine has a timeless feel and is one of my personal favorites. The lyrics are sung so sweetly and at 122 BPM you can still cut a rug to it. They don’t make tunes like this anymore, it’s a shame…

The Ohio Players – Glad to Know You’re Mine

The Oakland, California based horn driven band, Tower of Power has been around for over 40 years and has included many lineups including Lenny Williams of Cause I Love You fame (72-74). Before they were forced to release disco fodder by Columbia during the late 70′s, they released this gem, Ain’t Nothin’ Stoppin’ Us Now. True to their funk and soul roots, this album is brimming with treats that sound good on a sunny Spring day including By Your Side, led by Edward Mcgee on vocals that me and my son have had to replay several times. Enjoy!

Tower of Power – By Your Side

As you can probably tell, I’ve been on a vinyl kick lately. I’ve always been an Eddie Kendricks fan, and this is a really cool album to bring out and just relax to. The intro on Can’t Help What I Am makes me wanna go out and purchase a mpc. Producer dreams aside, enjoy some of this great soul music a la Cornbread. Enjoy

Eddie Kendricks – Can’t Help What I Am

Its amazing how much music this man has made that doesnt really get any attention at all. Understandably, there are some spectactular tunes that may overshadow others on albums but some of his mediocre songs are better than some current artist’s best songs.
While diggin through the crates today, I ran across this and thought I’d share and if you have some time and monies, invest in this man’s catalogue and enjoy some really great music

My Love is ForeverCheck out Osunlade’s version of  Crazy You. The original version also appears on the For You album and could be released today and SUN some of these songs out today. Shouts to @djosum

Bunny Sigler’s 1977 Let Me Party With You album title leads you to believe its all about partying but it also includes music for “after the dance” as well. Still possessing that classic Philly Sound, of which Sigler is a progenitor of, you are able to still get your boogie on as well. I especially dig the uptempo I’m a Fool which features vocals by Marcia Ann Taylor but it’s the slow, sexy, funky bass of I Got What You Need that really speaks to me. It’s not because it contains the opening sax line from Parker’s Mood but because it creates a mood all it own on this album. Sigler definitely included one track for those wanting to keep the party going…behind closed doors. Enjoy

Bunny Sigler – I Got What You Need

There’s more gems here, but another one of my favorites is Tomorrow I May Not Feel the Same, the final song on the A side. Telling your lover that they need to straighten up and fly right is one thing, but telling them to do so to a funky breakbeat is another and Gene does just that and creates a timeless gem. Enjoy!

MORE: Who can tell me which producers/artists have sampled this?