• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: February 10, 2012

    Friday Five

    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:

    N.T., Parts 1 & 2” by Kool & The Gang (from Cutmaster Swift Presents: The Breaks, Volume 2, 1999)

    Prior to penning the wedding band anthem “Celebrate,” Kool & The Gang dropped some of the funkiest instrumental breaks this side of Parliament-Funkadelic. Originally featured on 1971’s Live at PJ’s, the “N.T.” actually stands for “No Title.” No points for originality there, but it more than makes up for it’s lack of an original title with its sprawling funk movements.

    O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature (from Tommy Boy Presents: Hip Hop Essentials, Volume 11 (1979-1991), 2006)

    I dare you to listen to this record without bobbin’ your head.

    Pastime Paradise” by Stevie Wonder (from Songs in the Key of Life, 1976)

    Seems as if we’re shuffling between the bedrock of hip-hop breaks and a hip hop classic. Where Kool & The Gang’s nameless jam supplied the breaks for Kool G Rap’s “Truly Yours” and Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard To Tell,” Stevie’s “Pastime Paradise” was the bedrock of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

    Gratitude” by Beastie Boys (from Check Your Head, 1992)

    Ha! Here’s a funky bit of irony: track 16 on the Beastie’s Check Your Head, it’s a groovy little track called “Live at P.J.’s.” That aside, I’ve always loved this track.

    So Alive” by Love and Rockets (from Sounds of the Eighties: 1989, 1995)

    Dammit, iTunes! You had me going.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: January 7, 2011

    Friday Five

    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:

    “Heaven” by Bryan Adams (from Reckless, 1984)

    Oh, the melodrama! Now, I’d be lying if I said that I did love this song for every bit of its Journey inspired power balladry. Hell, the entirety of Reckless provided the soundtrack to my tween years.

    Here’s a fun little bit of trivia: the drum part on “Heaven” was played by Journey’s own, Steve Smith.

    “Get Over It” by Amy Petty (from House of Doors, 2010)

    If you follow me on the twitter, you’ll no doubt already be aware of my deep seated love for Amy Petty’s songwriting and seductive voice. This record earned a spot among my favorites of 2010.

    “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes (from Billboard Top Hits: 1979, 1991)

    I really don’t care for Piña Coladas, but I love this song.

    “Creep” by TLC (from Now & Forever: The Hits, 2003)

    While I prefer the Afghan Whigs version, I have nothing bad to say about this track.

    “O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature (from The Hip Hop Box, 2004)

    Seems like a great track to kick into the first Friday dance party here in the office.

    What’s on your shuffle today?