Sly Stone appeared in the late 1960s just as he was needed – in a time when the music itself seemed to be a reflection of the emotional divide between blacks and whites. You May Also Like: The Immediate Family, “Cruel Twist” (2020): One Track Mind Robert Randolph & theRead More

by Mark Saleski Inertia. Sure, it’s a physics thing, but I like to apply it to music every once in a while. I’m not talking career inertia; the rising star thing. No. It’s the music. You hear it and it has an energy that’s impossible to resist. You May AlsoRead More

New Life arrived amidst much anticipation of something in keeping with drummer Zigaboo Modeliste’s mythically groovetastic tenure with the Meters. And, bless him, I got it. But that wasn’t all. Take the title track. “New Life” doesn’t mimic the expected grease-fire funk of his old band, so much as forcablyRead More

Steve Cropper, of Booker T. and the MGs and Stax Records fame, has trouble picking any one moment on his upcoming star-studded project Dedicated as his favorite. So, we went further back into his legendary soul-soaked career. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Steve Cropper talks about key influences, and how a last-minute delivery charge almost derailed his legendary music career.

James Brown got all of the headlines, be they for his fancy moves, his fancier suits or his brushes with the law. But the JB Horns, those great groovers who provided the punctuation to every grunt, gasp and squeal, remain an underrated element to the legend. You May Also Like:Read More

Do you know what today is? It’s our anniversary. R&B songs from the 1990s don’t come a lot in the rotation in that endless soundtrack running in my head, but this sweet, jazzy little Philly soul-cum-New Jack Swing slow jam stands out in my book You May Also Like: WalterRead More

His name is linked forever with the town, and the sound, of Memphis. But Booker T. Jones’ influence moves beyond Beale, into hip hop and today’s rhythm-and-blues — something that’s underscored on The Road from Memphis You May Also Like: No related posts.

Just as Mike and the Mechanics’ “The Living Years” reminds me of my father, there’s now a song that brings fond thoughts of my dear mother, to whom I dedicate this song. During this time of year, a lot of us reflect a lot on what our mother means toRead More

A new offering from Sade’s forthcoming 28-track two-disc ‘The Ultimate Collection’ turns every candle-lit romantic notion about her music on its ear.