Nickolas Ashford (1942 – 2011)

Nick Ashford and his wife, Valerie Simpson, were prolific songwriters before becoming recording stars in their own right. Together they wrote the Ray Charles hit "Let's Go Get Stoned" which got the attention of Berry Gordy, who hired them as staff writers. This led to such Motown classics as the Supremes' "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing".
Later, as independent songwriters, they came up with one of our favorite songs of all time, "California Soul" for one of our favorite groups, The 5th Dimension.

Jerry Lieber (1933 - 2011)

Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller were responsible for many of the songs that have made American pop music what it is. Lieber, who died last night, was responsible for writing lyrics to such classics as "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock", as well as "Love Potion #9", "Poison Ivy", and this song, "Down Home Girl". The most famous version might be the Rolling Stones', but to us, the definitive version was recorded by the Coasters in 1966.

Fanny - Blind Alley

We really can't say enough about Fanny. Led by the Filipino Millington sisters-- Jean on bass and June on guitar-- Fanny was the first all female band to break into the top 40 with their 1971 hit "Charity Ball"
This performance features the original line up of Nickey Barclay on piano and organ, and Alice de Buhr on drums.

Fanny on the Old Grey Whistle Test

Great back to back live performances by our favorite all-female band, Fanny, from 1971.
"You're the One" and "Special Care".

Celebrity Funk pt 1. - Laura Yager

When we started DJing years ago, we had a loose genre we referred to as "Celebrity Funk". The only real criteria was a crooning lead vocal by a singer who may or may not be known outside of the music world, and an incongruently funky backing arrangement, generally provided by studio musicians who were trying to approximate the psychedelic rock sound.
This indepth study of a made-up subgenre begins with "Where's Your Love Been" by Laura Yager, a relative unknown who delivers her vocals with the swagger and panache of Nancy Wilson or Peggy Lee (both of whom we'll hear from later on).

Rubble Kings

Our friend (and fellow Filipino) Freddy Anzures was involved with the graphic design of this upcoming movie

Yugolslavian Battle Memorials

Our good friend Sarah Krasley recently turned us on to these marvels of cold war architecture.
Their full story here.

Booker T & the MGs - Time Is Tight

Great footage of the band during the Melting Pot era, doing a very dramatic rendition in 1970 at a show that apparently also featured CCR.

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

We'll spare you the superlatives and poor comparisons. This is good. Listen.

Minnie Riperton - Come To My Garden

Some great stills from and nice words about the making of Minnie Riperton's first solo record, which came out while she was still in Rotary Connection. Check out Dick Rudolph's Chase shirt, btw.

The Sylvers - Wish That I Could Talk To You Baby

We love these early Sylvers songs, most of which were written by the teenaged Leon Sylvers III. This is the second part of their first Soul Train appearance, which includes an interview by Don Cornelius.

Michael Jackson & Donny Osmond host the 1974 AMA's

This is pretty weird. The look MJ gives Donny Osmond at :34 sums up his feelings about his involvement in this whole affair.

Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys - The Equals

Ok, so they're not playing live, but whatever. It's good to see these fellows doing their thing on television. Check out Eddy Grant, hamming it up on far left.

Memphis Soul Stew - King Curtis & the Kingpins

Unreal footage with almost all of the original Kingpins (Jerry Jemmott, Cornell Dupree, Bernard Purdie) as well as Truman Thomas and Warren Smith.

Unsung--The Sylvers

The first two Sylvers albums are fantastic. This bio on them is pretty great too.

Hard Ticket to Hawaii

It's summer and it's time for summer movies! These clips are a little violent for many and unwatchable for most.

Mundo Deserto by Elis Regina or Erasmo Carlos

I'm crazy about both versions of this song. Which one's better?