The Friday Five: April 29, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Manifest Destiny” by Jamiroquai (from The Return of the Space Cowboy, 1994)
If only every plonker that bought Travelling Without Moving for “Virtual Insanity” had reached back one release, they’d find the acid jazz informed soul-funk of Return, and be all the better for it.
“The Body That Loves You” by Janet Jackson (from janet., 1993)
One hundred percent throwaway track from an otherwise awesome record. At this point, though, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis could do no wrong. Must be something in the waters of Lake Minnetonka that removes local artists ability to edit themselves.
“One Mic” by Nas (from Stillmatic, 2001)
I’ll be damned if I know anything about reppin’ this or any hood, but I know there are few that can challenge Nasir Jones in this moment. Built on a sliver of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” the track maintains the stark intensity of the original, bubbling over as Jones’ frustration manifests in increasingly tense verses and resolves with the request for a more simple life.
“Again” by Lenny Kravitz (from Greatest Hits, 2000)
I’m just going to go ahead and say it … what the fuck ever happened to Lenny Kravitz? The featured new tune on his greatest hits package, this tune is plain lazy. Don’t get me wrong, I dig it, but it is late ‘90s power balladry 101. Where’s the “dig my heart out of my chest with this rusty spoon” emotion of a tune like “It Ain’t Over, Till’ It’s Over”? Further than that, this came out over ten years ago! Paging Mr. Kravitz … I’m doing something I don’t often do, and hitting the “skip forward” button.
“Knockin’ Da Boots” by H-Town (from MTV Party to Go, Volume 5, 1994)
Aww yeah! That, boys, is the sound of some panties dropping.
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: June 11, 2010
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
Editor’s Note: I have to go ahead and thank all of you for keeping the Five alive these past couple of weeks, especially my Popdose brethren Jason Hare, Rob Smith, Mike Heyliger and of course all our readers! – Michael
The Five:
“Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai (from High Times: Singles 1992-2006, 2006)
“She Has a Girlfriend Now” by Reel Big Fish (from Turn Off the Radio, 1996)
“Alone” by Heart (from The Essential Heart, 2002)
“Already Free” by The Derek Trucks Band (from Already Free, 2009)
“Haunted Henry” by Roger Manning (from Catnip Dynamite, 2009)
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: May 29, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Toad the Wet Sprocket – “Nothing Is Alone” (mp3) (from 1992-09-16: Fox Theater, Boulder, CO, USA)“And now the song so happy that Todd had to sing it.” From 1990’s Pale this remains one of my favorite Toad songs.
Stevie Wonder – “Sir Duke” (from Songs in the Key of Life)
To say that this song is one of the nearest and dearest to my heart would be an understatement. This song is truthfully sunshine for the soul. Don’t believe me? Next time you are having a bad day, put it on. You’ll thank me later.
Just to prove my point, here’s the set up. Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket, see what I did there?) has played so long that the venue has sent him and the crowd out into the streets where Glen along with Nickel Creek bring the encore to the streets and close the evening with a joyful rendition of Stevie’s classic “Sir Duke” (mp3).
Chaka Khan – “I Feel for You” (from Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Volume One)
Okay, so this is a Prince track featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel – that’s him on the “Ch-ch-ch-chaka-chaka-chaka Khan” – and Stevie Wonder on Harmonica. I mean really, how can you go wrong?
Prince – “Sexy Dancer” (from Prince)
Hey, look at that. It’s almost as if iTunes is paying special attention today. Stevie, Chaka, Prince… this could rank in my top 10 fives!
Jamiroquai – “Virtual Insanity” (mp3) (from High Times: Singles 1992-2006)
With the exception of the Toad the Wet Sprocket tune that kicked us off, this has turned out to be one damned funky five. The futuristic blend of soul, acid-jazz and funk of Jamiroquai has always resounded with me and this track is no exception.
**BONUS**
Down to the Bone – “Greedy Fingers” (mp3) (from Supercharged)
Okay, I’ve only done this once before… but the sixth track to shuffle up was just so good and fit the overall shuffle so well that I simply had to include it. More soul, acid-jazz and funk only this time of the instrumental variety. If you’ve never heard of the UK’s Down to the Bone consider yourself schooled in coolest collective of UK’s jazz groove.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!