CAFFE` LATTE` 
TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS
Mid-week bonus: #661- 659
#661 HEY YA OutKast
The duo OutKast consists of members Andre' Benjamin (aka Andre' 3000 / Dre) ad Big Boi (Antwan Patton). The 2 met at high school. In 1992, they decided to form a duo and were soon enjoying success on the US rap charts, commencing with "Player's Ball" the following year. 
"Hey Ya" was written and produced by Benjamin for the duo's album 'Speakerboxxx / The Love Below'. Released as a single in 2003, it reached #1 in the US, Australia and Europe. It features Benjamin on lead vocals. The double album's 2 titles reflected the state of the act around this time. Each disc could have served as a solo album. 'The Love Below' was essentially the fruit of Benjamin's efforts. 
Rumours began to circulate soon after its release that OutKast would split. Their movie 'Idlewild' and its soundtrack were issued in 2006. Patton unleashed a solo album in 2010, while Benjamin has collaborated with the likes of John Legend, Lloyd and Beyonce'.

#660 WHAT CAN I SAY? Boz Scaggs
The 3rd single from Boz Scaggs' classic LP 'Silk Degrees' was "What Can I Say". Written by the musician with David Paich, it was 1 of the 5 tracks on the album that they composed together. Paich also contributed a song he penned alone - "Love Me Tomorrow". He was to form Toto 2 years later. 
Along with Paich on keyboards, other future members of that group played on the track: Jeff Porcaro is on drums and David Hungate on bass. The track was produced by Joe Wissert."What Can I Say" reached the British Top 10, his highest chart performance to date there. In Australia, it was released as a double A-sided single with "Lido Shuffle". This proved a winning combination, resulting in his biggest hit here with a peak position of #2.

#659 BEAT IT Michael Jackson
The 'Thriller' album was blessed with killer tracks, of which "Beat It" was 1 of the stand-outs. Penned by Michael Jackson, it features a fierce Eddie Van Halen guitar solo. Furthermore, 3 Toto members play on the song: Steve Porcaro on synthesizer, his brother Jeff on drums and Steve Lukather on electric bass. Quincy Jones handled production. 
The LP was recorded and issued in 1982. The single was unleashed the following year and was an instant hit: reaching #1 in America, Europe, New Zealand and Canada. It peaked at #2 in Australia and #3 in the UK.