200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS : #48. Continues tomorrow.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#48

TOTO: TOTO 

 

 [1978] 

Toto's membership included some of American rock's most skilful session musicians. They contributed to classic recordings such as Boz Scaggs' 'Silk Degrees' and Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' as well as playing with Sonny & Cher, Steely Dan and Seals & Crofts. In 1977, these musicians formed Toto. A self-titled debut album was unleashed in the following year. Amidst the era of disco, punk and new wave, Toto's polished sound was embraced by radio and the record-buying public. This was a stunning debut featuring accomplished musicians. Many tracks became radio staples. The LP offers a range of styles, from ballads and AC to hard rock. "Child's Anthem" serves as a perfect introduction. The album was an event and this opening track is as effective as "Funeral For A Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding" was on Elton John's 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. "I'll Supply The Love" maintains the energy before "Georgy Porgy" shifts the mood with an R&B flavour. This is no doubt complemented by Cheryl Lynn on guest vocals (she scored a disco/ funk hit in her own right with "Got To Be Real"). 'Toto' is far from timeless. Each groove evokes the US rock sound that dominated pop music in the 1970s. Toto's 2nd and 3rd albums failed to continue the momentum generated by this debut set. The group did strike back in 1982 with 'Toto IV', which saw them enjoying greater sales and showered with Grammy Awards.

Highlight tracks: Rockmaker; Hold The Line; Georgy Porgy & Child's Anthem.

200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #150-141. The countdown continues next week.
Hear the 10 songs added today on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte
                                                                    spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200

MOST ESSENTIAL

MOTOWN

SONGS

150

RUNNING WITH THE NIGHT

 Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie co-wrote "Running With The Night" with the renowned songwriter Cynthia Weil. The latter had created past gems including The Drifters' "On Broadway", The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and The Ronettes' "Walking In The Rain", usually with her husband Barry Mann. The Richie hit was included on his mega-successful 'Can't Slow Down'. Among the session musicians on the track are 2 members of the band Toto: Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather. Richard Marx contributed background vocals. The single made the Top 10 in both Britain and America in 1983.

149

YESTER-ME, YESTER-YOU, YESTERDAY

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder released "Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday" in 1969 and the single rose to #2 on the UK chart. The disc also reached the Top 10 in the US.

148

(I KNOW) I'M LOSING YOU

The Temptations

During the 1960s, The Temptations' records evolved from sweet pop delights to gritty and darker themes such as "(I Know) I'm Losing You". Norman Whitfield was at the helm for this transition as a producer/ songwriter. The single topped the R&B chart in 1966.

147

ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE

 Michael Jackson

In 1981, Michael Jackson was a major pop star thanks to the global hit singles from his 'Off The Wall' album. Motown, no longer MJ's label home, cashed in on his immense popularity by digging into its back catalogue. "One Day In Your Life" was a track from Jackson's 1975 album 'Forever Michael'. The strategy paid off particularly well in the UK where the re-released track spent 2 weeks at #1.

146

BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN

Stevie Wonder

 Stevie Wonder infused a hint of reggae into his funk on the R&B #1 hit "Boogie On Reggae Woman". The single, lifted off his 'Fulfillungness' First Finale' album, also reached #3 on the pop chart in the U.S.A. in 1974.
 

145

TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS
 (ROCK ME A LITTLE WHILE)

The Isley Brothers

Brothers Eddie & Brian Holland wrote "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" with regular collaborator Lamont Dozier. The original version was recorded by Eddie Holland in 1964 but it was not released. Instead, the trio gave the song to Motown soloist Kim Weston and this cover was issued the following year. On the R&B chart, her version peaked at #4. In 1967, The Isley Brothers cut a remake which also charted.
 

144

I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ME

Charlene

The ballad "I've Never Been To Me" was originally released by Charlene in 1977. First time around, the single only managed to reach #97 in the US. The song was destined for oblivion had it not been for a DJ named Scott Shannon. He started playing the track and generated a strong response from his listeners. Motown was persuaded to re-issue the single. They needed to locate Charlene as the label had dropped her. Second time around, "I've Never Been To Me" peaked at #3 on the American chart and reached the top in Britain and Australia in 1982.
 

143

SAY YOU, SAY ME

Lionel Richie

"Say You, Say Me" was a song from the film 'White Nights'. Lionel Richie wrote and co-produced the track which was a Top 10 smash in the UK, Australia and France. In America, the single topped the Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts in 1985.

142

THE HAPPENING

The Supremes

In 1967, The Supremes released the title song from an obscure film that flopped that year. The single, however, became the 10th American chart topper for the girl group. This was another #1 created by the Holland/ Dozier / Holland team.
 

141

THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT

DeBarge
DeBarge scored widespread success with the upbeat "Rhythm Of The Night"in 1985. The song was penned by a little known songwriter named Diane Warren. Today, she is 1 of the most successful composers, with countless hits in her songbook. Richard Perry produced the recording. The song was included on the soundtrack for the Motown film 'The Last Dragon'. It became DeBarge's biggest hit, making the Top 10 in Britain, Canada, parts of Europe and Australia. In America, the catchy hit reached #3 Pop and topped the R&B and AC charts. 

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

TOP 10 ALBUMS – JULY 2016

1 CASE / LANG / VEIRS 

Neko Case, KD Lang & Laura Veirs         4 2

2 GIMME SOME LOVIN': JUKEBOX VOLUME II Human Nature     NEW
3 WILDFLOWER The Avalanches     NEW
4 LEMONADE Beyonce'       1 4
5 RUMOURS Fleetwood Mac  6 6
6 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST STOCKHOLM 2016 Various Artists    2 4

7 GOOD KARMA Roxette   3 2
8 25 Adele   109
9 SUPER Pet Shop Boys    5 4

10 THIS UNRULY MESS I'VE MADE Macklemore & Ryan Lewis      10 6
 

The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week

1 Hallelujah ALICIA KEYS  1wk                                                                   2 4

2 Cry SIGMA ftg. TAKE THAT                                                                                   4 3

3 Yesterday R.I.P.  WIKTORIA                                                                                 5 3

4 Change CHRISTINA AGUILERA                                                                            1 4

5 Come With Us SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR                                                                           8 2

6 Couldn't Believe BROODS                                                                                  9 2

7 Be My Baby HUMAN NATURE                                                                                NEW

8 Rise KATY PERRY                                                                                          10 2

9 Good Grief BASTILLE                                                                                           3 4

10 Subways THE AVALANCHES                                                                                    NEW

Hear this week's Top 10 songs (now with more hot tracks) as well as other special playlists on spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

 

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #160-151. The countdown continues tomorrow.
Hear the 10 songs added today on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte
                                                                    spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200

MOST ESSENTIAL

MOTOWN

SONGS

160

EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD

Diana Ross &
 Michael Jackson

The film version of 'The Wiz' brought Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones together. The former starred as the Scarecrow opposite Diana Ross in the role of Dorothy. Their duet "Ease On Down The Road" was lifted off the 1978 soundtrack album. Jones produced this and then worked on Jackson's next 3 studio albums.

159

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME

Yvonne Fair

In 1975, Yvonne Fair scored a #5 British hit with her remake of "It Should Have Been Me". Before signing with Motown, she had been a member of James Brown's Revue. The sad song was written by Norman Whitfield & William "Mickey" Stevenson. Earlier versions include a stunning interpretation by Gladys Knight & The Pips.
 

158

MACHINE GUN

The Commodores

"Machine Gun" was the title track from The Commodores' debut album. The single and LP were both issued in 1974, the funky instrumental reaching #7 on the R&B chart.
 

157

IN AND OUT OF LOVE

Diana Ross &
 The Supremes

The final Supremes single to feature founding member Florence Ballard's vocals was "In And Out Of Love", 1 of the last of the trio's hits written by the Holland/Dozier/ Holland team. This catchy release peaked at #9 Pop in America.

156

SUPERWOMAN (WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU)

Stevie Wonder

The 22 year old Stevie Wonder proved he was mature beyond his years with "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" from the 1972 album 'Music Of My Mind'. The artist himself wrote and produced the 8 minute track which contains 2 moods; the 1st has him encouraging his partner while in the 2nd, she has left him.
 

155

TREAT HER LIKE A LADY

The Temptations

"Treat Her Like A Lady" returned The Temptations to the upper rungs of the R&B chart. The single climbed to #2 in 1984, becoming the group's biggest soul single since 1975.
 

154

HE WAS REALLY SAYING SOMETHING

The Velvelettes

In 1982, Bananarama reached #5 in the UK with a remake of Motown girl group The Velvelettes' "He Was Really Saying Something". The original version was produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote the song with William "Mickey" Stevenson and Eddie Holland. This recording was issued in late 1964.
 

153

WHO'S JOHNNY

El DeBarge

El DeBarge reached #3 Pop and #1 R&B in 1986 with his debut solo single "Who's Johnny". He had just quit the family act DeBarge. "Who's Johnny" was produced and co-written by Peter Wolf (with his wife Ina) and was used in the film 'Short Circuit'.

152

LATELY

Stevie Wonder

A major strength of Stevie Wonder's catalogue is the diversity of approaches adopted for his recordings. The ballad "Lately" is a mighty single lifted off his 1980 album 'Hotter Than July'. On the British chart, the track peaked at #3. His vocal performance is emotional and utterly convincing.
 

151

HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT

Gladys Knight & The Pips
Kris Kristofferson wrote and recorded the original version of "Help Me Make It Through The Night". When Gladys Knight & The Pips recorded its cover, they gave the country song an R&B make-over. Knight, on lead, sings the lyrics from a female perspective, bringing more depth to Kristofferson's verses. The Motown remake was unleashed in 1972, 2 years after the original. In the UK, the disc reached #11.
 

An Introduction To Motown: The Sound of Young America - The Funk Brothers

Caffe` Latte` presents a new countdown…

THE 200

MOST ESSENTIAL

MOTOWN

 SONGS

The Sound of Young America

THE MOTOWN SOUND:

 
THE FUNK BROTHERS

Motown Records was originally based in Detroit. Berry Gordy's company put the Motor City on the musical map. An unbelievably strong talent pool gravitated to the studios at 2648 West Grand Boulevard. Just as fundamental as the A grade musical acts and creative writer/ producers that made their way to this pop hit factory, were the musicians that played on the recordings.

Leading this pack was the studio band known as the Funk Brothers. As much as anyone, these musicians helped create the golden Motown Sound. 

In 1959, Gordy gathered some of the city's finest musicians. By the early 1960s, these skilled performers gave Motown releases a distinctive sound. The label was regularly represented on the pop and soul charts and, unlike many other American acts, was able to compete with the British Invasion and Beatlemania. 

Further into the 1960s, The Funk Brothers were enlisted to put their stamp on the grittier and psychedelic R&B releases on the label. Line-up changes took place but that unique Motown beat was unmistakable. 

The Funk Brothers played on countless hits on the label, including: "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "My Guy", "For Once In My Life", "Heat Wave", "Stop! In The Name Of Love", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "I Can't Help Myself", "Dancing in the Street", "The Way You Do The Things You Do", "My Cherie Amour", "My Girl", "You Keep Me Hanging On", "Shop Around", "War", "Mercy Mercy Me", "Where Did Our Love Go", "What's Going On", "Get Ready", "Baby Love" and "Cloud Nine". 

When the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972, The Funk Brothers started being phased out. Motown was to continue for decades, but that special sound would never be recaptured. Marvin Gaye re-assembled the band  for his watershed 'What's Going On' album. 

The Funk Brothers were not usually credited, but in subsequent years have been recognized as key architects of the Motown Sound. The band was immortalized in the documentary film 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown'.
 

THE FUNK BROTHERS: (key members)

pianists JOE HUNTER; EARL VAN DYKE

bassists JAMES JAMERSON; BOB BABBITT

drummers WILLIAM "BENNY" BENJAMIN; RICHARD "PISTOL" ALLEN; URIEL JONES

percussionists JACK ASHFORD; EDDIE "BONGO" BROWN

keyboardist JOHNNY GRIFFITH

guitarist WAH WAH WATSON

Have a listen to the Introduction To Motown playlist on spotify. It includes many of the greats from the legendary record label, including: Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, The Marvelettes, The Four Tops, Lionel Richie, Martha & The Vandellas, Mary Wells and The Miracles.

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS: #49. Continues in 2 days.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#49

TALKING BOOK: STEVIE WONDER

 

 [1972] 

Stevie Wonder was at the peak of his genius in the 1970s, creating some of the best R&B of the era. He had dropped 'Music Of My Mind' in early 1972, on which his metamorphosis into an artist with gravitas began. That same year, Wonder continued that transition with 'Talking Book'. Both albums displayed evidence of progress. While the latter LP lacks consistency in terms of quality of songs, it boasts some jewels. The first is opener "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", a genuine classic from his extensive songbook that reached #1 in America. This is the first of the strong ballads on the album. "You And I (We Can Conquer The World"), "Blame It On The Sun", "Lookin' For Another Pure Love" and closing track "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)" are the other softer touches featured on the disc. The best known song on the album is the funky "Superstition", another #1 included on the LP. 'Talking Book' was succeeded by 3 albums that improved on this release.

Highlight tracks: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life; Superstition; I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) & Blame It On The Sun.

100 BEST ALBUM COVERS: #58. Continues next week.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 100 BEST

ALBUM COVERS

 

58

NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS HERE’S THE SEX PISTOLS

THE SEX PISTOLS (1977)

100 BEST ALBUM COVERS: #59. Continues twice daily.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 100 BEST

ALBUM COVERS

 

59

I AM

EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1978)

100 BEST ALBUM COVERS: #60. Continues twice daily.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 100 BEST

ALBUM COVERS

 

60

THE MISEDUCATION OF

LAURYN HILL (1998)