Soul Heaven - With an affinity towards Jazz and instrumentals my Spotify looks like that of an 80's Hip Hop producer or a seventy year old audio head. Back before I used Spotify I would find new music through Pandora or going to the library or from good old fashion suggestions. Today, with such a technology at my fingertips, one that actively analyses and adds to your aesthetic, I am able to find more music than ever before. The constant new tracks the algorithm throws at me find little pockets of like minded songs saved to my likes as it knew what mood I was in during specific times.
This is where Syl Johnson comes in. Smooth, delicate, and groovy, "Soul Heaven" came through the proper channels and found its way onto my liked list amongst a slew of other jazz and instrumental offerings. I quite enjoy this pocket of tunes that currently allows me to pop on the liked playlist and sit down without having to man the controls. Hit after relaxing hit come through those speakers and give me moments of solitude and calm before something random appears and wakes up the alter egos I have floating around inside me. Jazz Pat is trying to hang and have a chill time.
A quick two and a half minute song that feels like it could go on forever is what you're getting when you sit down in "Soul Heaven." I could throw this record on repeat for hours and sink away into comfy Pat land. There's a mysticism to those opening chords and then the back beat comes into town ready to scoop up your lady and whisk her away towards the neon lights of whatever heaven she has in the twinkle of her eye. You better beware and you better work on your skills because Syl is coming for flesh and blood and it's getting funky.
You Were Right - "You Were Right" the whole time and I can feel it in my bones now. Julia Jacklin lays it all out on the line in an offering that says what most of us have been wanting to say. Why would things change when things changed? Some times they take a turn in peculiarity where you're doing things you'd never thought would happen. Where did you go last night? Who's asking and why am I so embarrassed to answer that question.
Listening to this track has me feeling revved up and ready to go but distant and longing for something out of reach. Where did I go wrong and where did you go wrong? Most times it's not all one person's fault, but there may be more of a lean towards the aggravator. Either way, there were two parts of the relationship and with such a devotion once had there's bound to be explanations.
Another quick tune wrapping its story up in two and half short minutes, "You Were Right" holds a finger over the repeat button knowing that I want more. I've found this track to be incredibly infectious from the second my ears had the pleasure. I stood a little taller, perked up my ears, and took a deep breath of surprise. Now I find myself falling back to Julie Jacklin's quick masterpiece while getting lost in it's trance.
With an array of past tracks analyzed and deemed as "simple," I feel a bit embarrassed as I listen to this song now. Created minimally in regards to instruments but not in feeling, "You Were Right" uses what it has in a perfect rendering of what is possible with guitar, bass, and some drums, not to mention the mystifying vocals. Good songs are good songs no matter what they have around them in terms of instrumentation. I could hear this song sung acapella or accompanied by an acoustic guitar or adapted for a full orchestra. I think this song would shine in any atmosphere it found itself in.
In The City - The Warriors holds a special place in my father's heart as he likes to brag about growing up in New York City in the late 70's and 80's. He'd tell me about him and his friends getting into trouble and the various shenanigans they pulled. I don't doubt he did some things much alike those in the film, but I have trouble picturing the vivid, comic book-esque gang circle.
Lately I've been listening to a lot of Eagles with a small obsession with Joe Walsh. I find myself falling in love with 70's rock and roll, the styles, and the lifestyles to where I can't stop thinking about what it must have been like and how I can somehow get that feeling into my life. I'll watch along, seeing concert footage of musicians kicking ass wishing I could be up there on that stage. "In The City" has that stranglehold feeling and it's grabbed me by the neck, squeezing my hopes and dreams out from deep down and into my foresight.
It's all wrapped up in one big ball of random feelings that has me wanting more and steering away from it because it's a bit overwhelming. Hearing stories of my father's escapades makes me want to go to those places and do those things he got to experience. It makes me think of the bands he saw in New York, at Madison Square Garden while the groups were in their heyday. I'd almost give anything to transport back in time and follow my favorite bands around the world. It would be even better if I could do it at their side in my own way.
The other side has me extremely nostalgic. The composition of this track and the chords give me funny feelings. I see my childhood and a sunset for some reason.
The Fence (A) - Before I made this playlist I didn't know who Alan Tew was. Before writing this post I found out. I had assumed he was just another jazz musician creating groovy instrumentals that were tasty and clean. Come to find out, Tew wrote music for anything and everything. Creating Library music, or compositions used for television, film, and radio amongst other medias. This wasn't just a jazz musician I found, It was a stone cold professional musician providing the world with music they've never known they heard.
"The Fence" comes from an album of tracks that sound like they came straight out of a 60's crime film. A detective runs through the streets in a montage of good guys versus bad. This music is there for suspense, it's there to let you know what's happening, it's there to let you know how to feel. This is the type of shit I love. It takes no emotion or energy to consume. It's just there and it's fucking tight.
I wandered into a world of Jazz and Funk scenes created for specific uses. It's funny to think about and may not appear very much different from regular music, but there's a sort of lingering feeling in the air that demands more thought. What is this stuff and why the heck did someone make it? I'm just glad it's been produced and found it's way into my life. Maybe I'll throw it on while I'm driving and pretend I'm in a car chase albeit it laid back at times.
Put It Where You Want It - In the words of my brother, the Average White Band, most specifically this live album, is "good beat walking music" and I completely agree. Rob found me at the studio when his text came through with a Spotify link. A task was given and I clicked the link to get my first lesson in what to listen to when you're out stretching your legs. Rob definitely did not disappoint as a teacher with a lesson I was more than happy to dive into.
As I opened the track and gave it a good listen I decided to hit the drums along with the band. It added a twist to my night of practice and a challenge in feeling out the changes and what the tune was needing in particular places. I didn't hit it note for note but I was pretty darn close.
I can get down with any sort of funk like this, especially when Rob throws over a suggestion. He stands as my funk whisperer, maybe I have to make him some sort of crown or t-shirt? Gotta trust the older bro when he tells you he's been grooving to something tasty. I could see his stank face the second the beat dropped on this bad boy.
I'm Tired - Where Am I - In the realm of music there is one thing to remember - there is too much fucking music to listen to. I don't mean that in a negative way or that it's a bad thing. There is simply too much music to ingest that there is going to be some that slips through the tracks, especially when that music came out decades before you were even born.
In my case, I have found myself over the years hearing of or reading of artists and groups that were once popular, still popular, and one hit wonders. Just because I've heard of them doesn't mean I've heard their music or know anything about them. For instance, before I even listened to any of their songs, I thought Savoy Brown was actually SAVORY Brown. In my head "savory" was way cooler and definitely had to be the name. Turns out I was wrong for what could have been the millionth time in my life.
Despite the name mishap, I never thought of Savoy Brown very much until "Im Tired - Where Am I" came from somewhere in the air and into my ear shot. I try to remember the sentiment about too much music when times like these occur. Why hadn't I heard this song or given this band a chance? These were questions I'd ask myself and later kick myself in the leg about. I want to be the musical encyclopedia and not the dumbfounded onlooker when asked about certain artists while I sit around the table of men my father's age talking music from when they were teenagers. This stuff just gets to me ya know?
I.L.B.T.'s - Since I've been in such a Joe Walsh mood I found myself throwing two of his songs on this playlist in a non-purposeful way. I think I had to include this song on this playlist. I mean why not? I already had Joe Walsh on the mind and this track is a classic begging to be heard by everyone in the world.
"I.L.B.T.'s" is another softball introduction from non other than the speaker wielding Patrice and his love for music old enough to be his grandfather. I stand with him on that one and I was pleasantly surprised when this banger came over the airwaves one midweek day before our games. With a smirk on his face he sat with anticipation as the lyrics finally hit and we all snapped our heads in his direction. It's safe to say he loves this song for the music, but most specifically for its subject matter.
I've found myself listening to this track on repeat because of the simple fact that it is a catchy song, but it also makes me giggle.
Comments