A Musing
What’s to say about this track? Stevland was only 20 at the time of release and with classic albums Talking Book and Songs In The Key of Life yet to come it was pretty obvious to all that this guy was something special.
Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (1970)
There’s no disputing today’s classic. Looking for an old school breakbeat classic to get the block jumping? Steal power from a nearby street light, thrown down some lino and bust some moves. A staple of B-Boys and B-Girls everywhere that has the Kool Herc seal of approval so who am I to argue?
James Brown – Turn It Up or Turn It Loose (1969)
Take his advice kids.
I think you’d agree with me in saying that three months since the last Classic Saturday is sorry state of affairs. I’ve been a busy boy doing, erm, well, erm, not a lot really. My only excuses being laziness and apathy so with that in mind and to assist in a forcible blowing of the cobwebs, this week’s Classic Saturday is One Armed Scissor by At The Drive In. Taken from ATDI’s swansong album, Relationship of Command, before they went their separate ways to form The Mars Volta and Sparta, it’s a blistering 3 minute and 45 seconds guaranteed to drag you kicking and screaming into Saturday. Enjoy it you groovy kids.
At The Drive In – “One Armed Scissor” (2000)
New York post-punk for your lugholes today. If you like this I urge you buy / listen on Spotify / steal (but don’t blame me if you get caught) Slip In And Out Of Phenomenon 3xCD compilation on Domino records.
Liquid Liquid – “Cavern” (1983)
Heard the bassline somewhere before? Yup. Of course you have.
For your ears this week it’s hardcore rave from nearly 20 years ago. The word classic gets bandied around a lot in music, especially here on a Saturday, but they don’t come much more classic than this. For some this will conjure up memories of raves in fields, for others sticky nightclub dance floors, flared dungarees and dodgy tie dies. For me it’s my final school year and GCSE hell but time can’t temper the in-your-face Hoover noise that this track delivers after all the years. All together; “I Wanna Kiss Myself!”
Human Resource – Dominator (1991)
Back to 1999 this week with Blackalicious – Alphabet Aerobics. From their 1999 A2G E.P., you’ll cannot fail to be impressed at the lyrical dexterity of Gift of Gab as he works through the entire alphabet.
Blackalicious – Alphabet Aerobics (1999)
“Take that challengers get a tune up”
This week, complete with vinyl crackles, is the wonderful Les Fleur by Minnie Riperton. A member of Rotary Connection and better known for her smash hit Lovin You, she passed away aged 31 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She did however leave behind a legacy of wonderful music. La Fleur is the opening track on the classic 1970 album Come To My Garden, the first of her six solo albums. It’s one you should know if you don’t know. Enjoy.
Minnie Riperton – Les Fleur (1970)
This week it’s back to 1988 and Kevin Saunderson’s classic needs no introduction.
Inner City – Big Fun (1988)
A recent dubsteppy remix by Adam F and Fresh made me revist this stone cold classic for this week’s “Saturday is…”. Just do yourself a favour and put it through a decent sound system but remember “Watch Your Bass Bins, I’m tellin ya!”
Dead Prez – Hip Hop (2000)
With the excellent I’m New Here, Gil Scott-Heron’s first album for 16 years (listen via his website) out on Monday, it’s time to revisit one of his bona-fide classics on today’s “Saturday is…”. When faced with The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Home is Where The Hatred Is and Almost Lost Detroit to name but a few it’s not easy to pick just the one but I’m going with this beauty;
The Bottle (1974)
If that’s your cup of tea you can do worse than pick up the Winter in America album from whence it came. While you’re here check out “Me And The Devil” from his new album for a more modern take on things;
Remember…Keep it classic.