Superfly, Curtis Mayfield

Thus ends Black Music Month.

Superfly, Curtis Mayfield, 1972, :36

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Slick R&B from the cinematic streets!  Socially conscious soul, bemoaning drugs and crime tearing apart black communities.  I love the horns and the dynamic drums.  Looking at it from 2021, it's a little histrionic, but as they say, ain't a damn thing changed.  For fifty years black Americans have been overlooked, denied opportunities, and washed away by popular media.  Amazing that this album is as bold as it is.  Favorite tracks: "Superfly," "No Thing On Me (Cocaine Song)," "Little Child Runnin' Wild."

The Birth Of the Cool, Miles Davis

It's Black music month!

The Birth of the Cool, Miles Davis, 1957, :32

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This album, like yesterday's, turns out to be a compilation album of singles recorded in a few days seven years earlier by Davis and a nonet, then released later under a variety of titles.  The "cool" in the title is meant to show that these recording were among the first to demonstrate cool jazz, a new, more meticulous and subdued, sound in jazz, as opposed to bebop.  Personally, I prefer a more exuberant, sweaty Miles, but this is nice too.  Favorite tracks: "Move," "Godchild."

Wild is the Wind, Nina Simone

It's black music Month!

Wild is the Wind, Nina Simone, 1966, :38

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Nina Simone does torch songs.  The genre's not one of my very favorites, but she's just so good at it.  I discovered after listening to this album that it's actually a compilation of sessions left over from previous albums, but I wouldn't have known that without being told; there's a cohesiveness to it.  And, I didn't know that the title song is the same as the David Bowie's song, the only cover he put on a studio album, as a tribute to Simone.  Favorite tracks: "I Love Your Lovin' Ways," "Why Keep On Breaking My Heart," with its shuffling percussion, "Break Down And Let It All Out."

The Kids & Me, Billy Preston

It's Black Music month!

The Kids & Me, Billy Preston, 1974, :33

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I can't believe I have only barely heard of this guy; I had no idea he left his fingerprints all over the major musical moments of the 1960s and '70s, and was so intricately connected with the Beatles. As always, a brother is denied the spotlight, and then he died tragically early.   This is a solid funk-rock album, not consistently great, but with plenty of high points. The original version of "You Are So Beautiful," later a hit by Joe Coker, turns out to be super corny, however.  The sludgy instrumental "Creature Feature" could be a Funkadelic track.  Favorites: "Tell Me You Need My Loving," "Nothing From Nothing," "Little Black Boys and Girls."

Al Green Explores Your Mind, Al Green

It's black Music month!

Al Green Explores Your Mind, Al Green, 1974, :30

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Impossibly smooth Memphis soul.  Aside from the soul-spiritual "Take Me to the River," it's not particularly deep (ha!) material, but Green's perfect voice, delivery, phrasing, and enunciation elevate the entirety of the material.  This is definitely not a single-song album.  Check out the slinky funk of "One Nite Stand," for example. Favorite tracks: "Take Me To the River," "One Nite Stand," "Stay With Me Forever."

Mixed Bag, Richie Havens

It's Black music month! 

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mixed Bag, Richie Havens, 1966, :38

The debut album of one of America's greatest singers and interpreters, the man who would (if there were any justice) represent the 1960s and '70s in the popular zeitgeist as much as Bob Dylan does.  Richie Havens is a god damn gold mine, largely undiscovered, and that's a damn shame.  There seems to be some dispute as to the date of release of this album: Spotify says 1967, Wikipedia says late 1966.  Anyhoo, this is a wonderful record, and while many say this is Havens' best work, I say pish!  He would go on to do even greater things.  Favorite tracks: "I Can't Make It Anymore," "High-Flying Bird," the ever so Dylanesque "Follow," the fine cover of "Eleanor Rigby."

Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, Edwin Hawkins Singers

It's black music Month!

Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, Edwin Hawkins Singers, 1968, :38

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆  

Riotous, hand-clapping, toe-tapping gospel.  The lyrical content isn't my joy and comfort typically, but the rousing choruses rising up to build up a veritable wall of sound knocks me off my feet.  I may not fall to my knees, but I get up out of my seat!  This gospel rocks.  Favorite tracks: "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "To My Father's House," "Oh Happy Day."

Here's Little Richard, Little Richard

It's black Music month!

Here's Little Richard, Little Richard, 1957, :29

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The debut album of the man who, along with Chuck Berry, can most fairly be described as an inventor of rock and roll.  The Penniman whoop and wail, the fuzzy guitar, the sultry sax, the crashing drums: every song announces that Little Richard is going to fly rock's freak flag high. The unrelenting staccato buzz of "Jenny Jenny" is garage before there was garage.  Good gawd!  Favorite tracks: Slipping' and Sliding' (Peepin' and Hidin')," "Tutti Frutti," "Rip It Up," "Jenny, Jenny."

Her Second Album of Piano Solos With Drums Acc., Hazel Scott

It's Black music Month!

Her Second Album of Piano Solos With Drums Acc., Hazel Scott, 1942, :16 

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

I had never heard of this artist, until I recently stumbled upon this article about her rise and fade.  I knew I had to seek her music out. Scott was a defiant, proud voice for equal rights, and paid the price for it, now largely forgotten. That's too bad, because she is a master of the piano, a true virtuoso. I browsed what little there is of her work on Spotify. She has a lot of smooth mood music, but I prefer this more rollicking, six-song EP (as we'd call it today). Favorites: "Hazel's Boogie Woogie," "Blues in B Flat," the frantic "Dark Eyes."

Where Did Our Love Go, the Supremes

It's Black music month!

Where Did Our Love Go, the Supremes, 1964, :30 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Though it's a little dated in parts, content-wise ("his every wish is my command" type mooning over boys), the music is ultra-catchy girl-group perfection. Every song is a toe-tapping bit of vocal virtuosity. Favorite tracks: "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes," "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," 'Come See About Me," "Your Kiss Of Fire"… It's all so good.

Livin' on a High Note, Mavis Staples

It's Black Music month!

Livin' on a High Note, Mavis Staples, 2016, :38

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mavis is an American treasure. She was 77 when she recorded this amazing album and still shows the energy and urgency of many of the young people. Still testifying that bluesy spiritual soul with lung power to rival any of the classic belters.  And she still has a smooth croon, as well.  What's more, these songs are important — they're about freedom and history and rising up and conquering hate. Favorites: "Love and Trust," "Tomorrow," "History, Now."

Live At the Apollo, James Brown

It's Black music month!

Live At the Apollo, James Brown, 1963, :31

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I get that this is considered one of the greatest live albums of all time, but for me I hear more crowd noise than power on stage.  Don't get me wrong, this is a terrific concert with a very talented band, but being a fan of Brown's classic studio material and having read the unending hype about this album, I was expecting something almost... primordial.  Instead, it seems no more than a fine live album.  Maybe I just lack the hipness or funk to appreciate it, but off the top of my head I can list the Clash's From Here to Eternity or Dylan's 1966 Manchester concerts, or Midnight Oil's Scream in Blue or Lou Reed's Perfect Night as more powerful and electrifying live performances.  Favorite tracks: the hard-hitting "Think," the city-shout-out "Night Train."  The medleys are good as well.

A Love Supreme, John Coltrane

It's Black Music Month!

A Love Supreme, John Coltrane, 1965, :32

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It really doesn't get any better than this.  I love the insistent drumming that begins the third track, "Pursuance."  From the cymbal wash at the start to the front and center talking tenor sax that dominates part four, this is just a complete, perfect jazz experience.  Favorite tracks: well, it's a through-composed suite so it's really all one piece of music, but if I were making a Coltrane sampler and had to break it up, I'd be sure to include fully half of this album, "Part III: Pursuance" and "Part IV: Psalm."

How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?, Public Enemy

It's Black Music Month!

How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?, Public Enemy, 2007, 1:06

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

These guys just continue to rock harder, stay uncompromising and critical of their peers, and keep on preaching.  But the beats somehow don't sound dated, and they even experiment, as on the children's chorus on "Sex, Drugs and Violence."  I was intrigued by "The Long and Whining Road," which looks back at PE's career, sprinkled liberally with references to their own and Bob Dylan's songs.  I could do without "Flavor Man," or the four-minute, tired, repetitive "Col-Leepin."  Favorite tracks: "Can You Hear Me Now?," "Escapism," "Harder Than You Think."

Mingus Ah Um, Charles Mingus

It's Black Music month!

Mingus Ah Um, Charles Mingus, 1959, :57

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Far-ranging, meandering jazz, not improv but loose.  I love the cacophonic blaring that is meant to evoke a flock of birds at the start of "Bird Calls."  It's hard to put into words what makes this album special: it's sort of like a rock, just there, which is quite an accomplishment.  Mingus' arrangements are so solid and assured that you don't even notice how complex they playing is.  Fun fact: The album's title is a parody of Latin declension. It is common for Latin students to memorize Latin adjectives by first saying the masculine nominative (usually ending in "-us"), then the feminine nominative ("-a"), and finally the neuter nominative singular ("-um"), so the title implies a fictional Latin transformation of the name: Mingus, Minga, Mingum.  Favorite tracks: "Better Git It in Your Soul," "Jelly Roll," "Boogie Stop Shuffle."

People Get Ready, the Impressions

It's Black Music month!

People Get Ready, the Impressions, 1965, :31 

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I don't think I knew that Curtis Mayfield was in the Impressions.  This is a nice album, with "People Get Ready" its highest point, but the harmonies are always on point.  The second half sounds a little tired, though.  Favorite tracks: "People Get Ready," "Can't Work No Longer" with its doo-wop stylings (reminds me of "Saturday Night at the Movies"), "Woman's Got Soul," "We're in Love."

Still Bill, Bill Withers

It's Black Music month!

Still Bill, Bill Withers, 1972, :36

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

This is street soul!  Slinky, funky blues.  Songs about life.  And what a voice!  "I Don't Want You On My Mind" reminds me of "Ain't No Sunshine." Favorite tracks: "Lean on Me," "Another Day to Run," "Kissing My Love."

Night Beat, Sam Cooke

It's Black Music month!

Night Beat, Sam Cooke, 1963, :37

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cooke's glorious, golden vocals over sparse and sometimes (as in "Lost and Lookin'") totally absent instrumentation.  It's not all rocking, but it's powerful, moody and evocative.  Favorites: "Mean Old World," "Little Red Rooster," "Shake, Rattle & Roll," "You Gotta Move."

Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, the Ronettes

It's Black Music month!

Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, the Ronettes, 1964, :36

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The girl group's only album, comprised of previously released singles.  Wonderful toe-tapping wall of sound, with timeless songs of love and lost love.  Despite the feature credit in the title, the world has largely forgotten Veronica.  I'd say this is a four-and-a-half star album.  Favorites: "Be My Baby," "Do I Love You?," "Baby, I Love You," "Walking in the Rain."

Vivid, Living Colour

It's black music month!  Except I skipped the first week.

Vivid, Living Colour, 1988, :49

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I was a teen when this came out and it was a big deal in my early college years.  I think I was too young for it, or maybe this band was just too far ahead of their time.  I liked it, but I didn't pay too much attention to it, and that was a mistake, because this is a solid hard rock album.  I'm sure that way too much was made in the press of these guys being black and not just great rock musicians.  That kind of spotlight can put undue pressure on anyone. Favorite tracks: "Cult of Personality," "I Want to Know," "Open Letter (To a Landlord)."