Hi pop pickers. As I am now into day one of my Covod-19 lockdown (which may last a year, judging from the latest advice), music is one of the few remaining pleasures open to me. And to that end, it’s time for my musical device to choose at random a selection of songs from my collection. For no obvious reason, other than I can, here’s the Friday shuffle.
C’mon everybody: let’s rock.
Tell Me Tomorrow by Smokey Robinson. One of the greatest of the great Motown artists. If you like Motown, do yourself a favour and buy all the Motown Chartbusters albums! All killer, no filler.
Dear Chicago by Ryan Adams. Lush tune from the currently AWOL alt country rocker.
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square by Ian Hunter. Saw him do this one at the Fleece a few years ago. All time classic, written in 1939 by Manning Sherwin and Eric Manschwitz, wonderfully performed by the Mott the Hoople front man.
Escape by Kongos. The sons of 1970s percussion heavy rocker John Kongos, with a percussion heavy tune from their fine Lunatic record.
Buggin’ Out by A Tribe Called Quest. Excellent old school hip hop. God, I miss Phife Dawg.
Harvest for the World by the Isley Brothers. Title track of their 1976 long player when there were five Isley Brothers plus Chris Jasper. Ronald Isley has one of those great voices. Perfect.
“A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld” by the Orb. Some gorgeous ambient House going back to…good Lord…1989.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Michael McDonald. The greatest blue eye soul singer of them all from his Motown (covers) album.
Sound Your Funky Horn by K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Truly great funky soul from 1974.
Signs by Jordan Rakei. Wonderful tune from his 2019 LP Origin. Essential.
