Moments of Bliss...Then Hours Of Deep Regret

Today's title speaks volumes about my experience exploring the internets for quality links lately. I spent a good deal of time this past week checking out the content of several new blogs and websites. I came across a few lucky charms, but the rest didn't strike me as worth mentioning. I know that there are plenty of up-and-coming bloggers out there who are servin' up some music and/or knowledge that we would all greatly appreciate. Because there is life beyond blogging, I can only devote so much time to discovering fresh resources. If any of you have a site you'd like to pimp, recognize, or suggest, please feel free to drop a comment or an e-mail. I'm definitely open to your suggestions, as long as they aren't dumb ;)

Meanwhile, here's what's good right now:

Chasing Red recently posted a number of notable mp3s by artists such as Sun Ra, The Pharcyde, The Ebony Rhythm Band, Max Roach, and more.

Two tracks by Nicolay are available by way of Berkeley Place ("Give Her Everything" and "The End Is Near").

At My Old Kentucky Blog, you can download several renditions of "Dark End of the Street". Some of the artists featured include Aretha Franklin, James Carr, Dorothy Moore, and Percy Sledge.

From "The Daily Show"---Bill Clinton vs. FOX News.

Not many people may know Mati Klarwein by name, but a lot of us have his works of art in our homes without even realizing it. Klarwein has done the cover art on a number of classic albums by artists such as Miles Davis, Santana, Reuben Wilson, Jimi Hendrix, Last Poets, Buddy Miles, The Chambers Brothers, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
View his website here, and an online gallery of his work can been seen here.

The Punk Guy's musical taste is more diverse than you might think. He's currently featuring some of his favorite hip-hop joints, which include tracks by Murs, NWA, Lootpack, and Mos Def. This will be hip-hop 101 for most of the real heads out there, but Punk Guy appears to have decent taste nonetheless.

I'm a little late on this, but get it while you still can, soul fanatics---"Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)" by Bettye Swann at Tuwa's Shanty.

Speaking of "Get It While You Can", Moistworks recently posted quite a few vintage soul tracks that were covered by Janis Joplin.

People in the house who love hip-hop, if you don't already know about Wake Your Daughter Up, consider this an awakening.

"Cicero Park" by British soulsters Hot Chocolate is available for download at The Number One Songs In Heaven. For lack of a better word, a lot of their stuff is a little too "disco" for me, but this track is truly exceptional.

A couple of Lupe Fiasco joints are up at 1-800-Sassbucket.com. Cop "Tilted" and "What It Do".

Reminisce on some songs by Billie Holiday, Gladys, Knight & The Pips, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Aretha Franklin, and more, courtesy of The Smudge of Ashen Fluff.

I don't know what it is with me and vehicles lately, but I find these somewhat amusing.

Cop a couple of joints by Count Bass D via Download.com---"Internationally Known" and "Junkies".

Download Nina Simone's version of "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" at music is art. This is one of the first songs I ever heard by Nina, and it will always be a favorite.

The Broke BBoys recently posted a few joints from Oh No's Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms, as well as the "T. Biggums" video.

I've said it before---I'm not a huge Diddy fan. That said, I couldn't resist listening to "Everything I Love", because it features Cee-Lo and Nas. I'm still undecided about the track, but check it out for yourself by way of Nah Right.

So Much Silence is featuring two versions of the De La Soul classic "Millie Pulled A Pistol on Santa"---download the original and the full mix.

Cop another track by DJ Hi-Tek ("Music For Your Life" w/ Nas and Marsha) at Sumish.com.

Many thanks to Beats and Rants for offering some kind words about Souled On.

Could it be? The Low End Theory is back in the building?

Finally, guess it's farewell to one of my favorite blogs---Soul On Ice. Best of luck in all that you do, Obi. You will be missed...

Man I Gotta Get My Soul Right

Some good music for my peoples...

"Your Time To Cry"---Joe Simon
When I posted "Drowning in the Sea of Love" recently, it was partly because I couldn't locate my copy of this track at the time. In so many ways, this song captures and epitomizes what I love about soul music. Just about anyone can relate to this, and Simon's vocal performance is near perfection.

"I Got To Love Somebody's Baby"---Judy Clay
I'm hoping that at least some of you are familiar with the legacy of Ms. Clay, but if not, you know what to do. This song is a bit chilling in its brutal honesty and raw emotion, but good music has been known to cause some discomfort at times.

"Lucifer (J-Rell mix)"---Jay-Z
Apparently Jigga Man is fixin' to put an "S" on his chest and save mainstream rap from complete and utter commercial failure in 2006. In preparation for this historical event (did I just say that?), I thought that I might post one of my favorite Black Album remixes. Perhaps because everyone and their Chihuahua made an attempt to reform Hov's retirement record, the majority of these mixes failed to rise above wastebasket material. This one, however, proved to be one of the few exceptions to the rule.

"LAX to JFK"---Madlib
As the faithful already know, Otis Jackson, Jr. is one of my musical heroes. This track isn't wildly obscure or anything, but it's a good record that some of his fans may not have had an opportunity to hear. As far as I know, this joint was only released on a 12" EP and as one of the selections on Peanut Butter Wolf's Fusion Beats CD. If anyone has any additional information about this track, feel free to drop some knowledge.

Enjoy, and stay tuned for some linkage in the very near future...

Thanks To Rap I Ain't Got A Dime

A few posts ago I was salivating over that new Mercedes SL, but I don't know...these here are some serious wheels. I actually came across this image quite by accident---I was searching for a photo of DJ Hi-Tek, and this is what I googled (can't believe I'm using that word as a verb, but so be it). At any rate, if you haven't heard Hi-Tek's joint "Where It Started (New York)" (w/ Jadakiss/ Talib Kweli/ Raekwon/ Papoose), I suggest you get to coppin'. The track will appear on the upcoming Hi-Teknology 2, and is currently available by way of Beauty N The Beat.

A couple of soul gems have recently been posted by Rob at Brown Eyed Handsome Man. Pay him a visit to download "Just Keep On Loving Me" by Carla Thomas and Johnnie Taylor and "It's Too Late" by Eddie Floyd and Cleotha Staples.

This is wack---video footage from 1974 of Geraldo Rivera smoking weed and attempting to describe the experience. For me, this is much more useful as anti-drug propaganda than "just say no" could ever hope to be.

Fans of rapper Lupe Fiasco should check out "The Emperor's Soundtrack" at Checkerboard Chimes and two mixtape joints ("Jedi Mind Tricks" and "Lupe the Killer") at 33 Jones.

Speaking of Jedi Mind Tricks, I have to concur with Big R's sentiments---most of their more recent material has been somewhat disappointing for those of us who gave them respect on the strength of Violent By Design. However, if "Uncommon Valor" (w/ R.A. the Rugged Man) is any indication, Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell may just prove to be their saving grace. Cop the track via sumish.com.

Finally, scientific proof confirming something I've known for the longest time---spinach kills. If only I'd had this piece of evidence when I was a kid, I might have actually made it to dessert more often...

Download Al Green's "Simply Beautiful" courtesy of Dilated Choonz.

My friend JT at Feed Me Good Tunes has posted some stellar song selections in the past few days. One post features songs by artists such as the JBs, Cymande, O' Donel Levy, and The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. The other consists of tracks by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Jay Dee, Madvillain, Peanut Butter Wolf, and Pete Philly & Perquisite.

In the category of "what the fuck?", George W Bush describes the hardest part of his job.

Another great tune by O.V. Wright ("Everybody Knows") is available at Moistworks. Sam Cooke's "Lost and Looking" and Lightning Rod's "Four Bitches Is What I Got" are also available within the same post.

As my faithful readers know, I have a somewhat healthy obsession with album cover art. If you can relate, check out Findmycover.com---it's a pretty useful search engine when trying to locate specific DVD and CD covers.

Cop 9th Wonder's remix of Mr. Lif's "Brothaz" by way of So Much Silence. The original version is also available if you somehow slept.

Finally, Boogs posted a couple of excellent original songs, and put his readers to the test by inquiring who sampled them. Visit The Sole Life to download Michael Henderson's "Let Me Love You" and "Bubble Gum" by 9th Creation, and see if you're up to the challenge.

I spent a ridiculous amount of money on music on my latest road trip, but don't worry---I'm more than happy to share the wealth. After all, my man Jesus highly recommends generosity...

My Style Of Love Is Totally Free

My technical difficulties are finally resolved, but Jesus and I are leaving in a few hours to go on yet another crate diggin' expedition. We won't be gone for more than a day or two---Jesus has a number of other responsibilities that he obviously can't neglect for very long. In the meantime, please take these fine joints into consideration...

"I Want'a Do Something Freaky To You" ---Leon Haywood
This song is for all the little closet freaks in the house---I know you're out there. This track provided the inspiration for Dr Dre's "Nuttin But A G Thang", as well as joints by Masta Ace, 50 Cent, Redman, and Public Enemy.

"I Don't Know Why"---O.V. Wright
This is one of those tracks that makes me wonder why music like this isn't being made anymore. An undeniable soul classic...

"Phonies"---Peanut Butter Wolf
If nothing else, I will always have mad respect for PBW for at least two reasons---Stones Throw Records and this track from My Vinyl Weighs A Ton.

That's all for now, kids. Jesus will be here soon, and he wants me to be ready.

Peace and hair grease...

You Used To Be A Good Friend of Mine

Don't believe for a second that our relationship is suddenly meaningless. Souled On readers are at least as important to me as my extended family. In fact, I prefer you over my Uncle Shafty and Aunt Peaches just about any day of the week---especially when they've had too much crack and Colt 45 for their own good. The reason why I haven't posted any linkage lately is because matters in my "real life" have been pretty damn H.E.A.V.Y., which has spun my ratio of spare time completely out of balance. Additionally, my computer monitor has somehow ended up at an address that's at least 420 miles from where I actually live.

Anyway, don't quit me, baby. I swear that I still have nothin' but love for ya...

Several of you have sent feedback via comments and e-mail, letting me know how you feel about the music I've been posting lately, and what you'd like to hear in the future. Gratitude. QD Girl is apparently quite a little Souled On fanatic, and in this case, her flattery has gotten her everywhere. She requested three original songs sampled in a few of her favorite hip-hop joints. What follows are her selections, as well as a couple of others that I randomly threw in for good measure:

"Troubles, Heartaches, & Sadness"---Ann Peebles
Sampled in "Shadowboxin'"---GZA w/ Method Man and "Throw Your Flag Up"---RZA

"Coffee Cold" ---Galt MacDermot
Sampled in "Werdz from the Ghetto Child"---Gang Starr, "The Truth"---Handsome Boy Modeling School, "Coffee Cold"---Oh No

"I'm Going Down" ---Rose Royce
Sampled in "Oh Boy"---Cam'ron w/ Juelz Santana and "I'm Goin' Down"---Mary J Blige

"Drowning in the Sea of Love" ---Joe Simon
"Sea of Bud"---MC Breed, "Drama"---Da Beatminerz w/ Shadez of Brooklyn, "You Know My Steez"---Gang Starr

"Walk Right Up to the Sun" ---The Delfonics
"If I Ruled the World"---Nas

These are all excellent songs, so you know what to do...

I hereby pledge to post again within a day or two. If my new monitor is still floating around on the mothership somewhere, I'll front you some more tunes from my personal stash.

See you bitches on the flip side of the Victrola...

You Must Love Me

Apologies for the brief hiatus, and for the fact that I still need a second to get some links together for my next post. I've been having some minor technical difficulties, and am waiting on HP to get off its collective ass and send me a new monitor. I hooked up a very old one for the time being, but believe me---the situation is less than desirable. The damn thing must weigh at least 450 pounds, but the screen itself is very small---a true technological artifact. With any luck, I'll be getting rid of this fossil within a day or two, and then things around here might actually get back to "normal". Yeah, right ;)

Meanwhile, since I hate the thought of leaving you "soulless", I grabbed a few things from the crate that I thought you might enjoy:

"Save Their Souls"---Bohannon
What can be said of this track except that every soul and funk fan in the universe should have it in their collection? Fellow hip-hop aficionados may recognize this song as an element in Jay-Z's "Cashmere Thoughts". It's also been sampled on joints by Kool G Rap, Craig Mack, Jungle Brothers, Ultramagnetic MC's, and more.

"Stuck In This Life"---Biggie/Jay-Z/2Pac (Kid Jerzee mix)
An exceptionally solid lyrical blend over ridiculously tight beats---featuring the holy trinity of mainstream rap music. Amen...

"Respiration (Flyin' High mix)" ---Black Star
This is an "official" remix, from the 12" "Respiration" single. I can be very skeptical of remixes when the original song is already dope, but this one was definitely worth the wax.

"I (Who Have Nothing)" ---Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
It goes without saying that when these two made a record together, it was a musical offering of epic proportions. Of all the songs that they collaborated on, this one has always been a favorite. Simply beautiful...

"Take Me To the Mardi Gras"_---Bob James
I have a complex relationship with this track. This song has served as a staple in hip-hop production for decades, and can easily be described as legendary. It's been utilized on tracks by Grandmaster Flash, Eric B & Rakim, Ghostface, Ice Cube, Pete Rock, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, X-Ecutioners, Automator, and too many others to mention. The problem is, despite my respect for what this record has done for hip-hop, I have a hard time listening to it. It makes me feel like I drank too much Tequila, and I'm hanging over the railing of "The Love Boat"...a sensation I'd often rather avoid. I feel guilty even admitting this, but "my balls and my word is alls I have"...Scholar ain't about nothin' but the truth, kids.

Until next time...be easy.