Sunday, October 5, 2014

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#150 THEME FROM 'SHAFT' Isaac Hayes
The blaxploitation film 'Shaft' produced 1 of the most important motion picture scores and its title song was a landmark recording. The movie became a box office hit for MGM in 1971. Isaac Hayes composed and produced the soundtrack. 
The album was recorded at Stax Recording Studios in Memphis. Hayes had been associated with the label as a writer/ producer before his solo success; having been involved with acts such as Sam and Dave, The Emotions and Carla Thomas. 
On 'Shaft', Hayes arranged the horns and strings with Johnny Allen. The music was performed by The Memphis Strings & Horns. The Bar-Keys and The Movement contributed as the soundtrack's rhythm section.
Released as a single. the "Theme From 'Shaft'" reached #1 in the USA and 4 in Britain. Hayes was nominated for an Academy Award for both the title song and the film's score. Michel Legrand triumphed in the latter category for his music for 'Summer of '42', but Hayes was victorious in the former. Hayes' win marked the 1st for an African- American in that category. He re-recorded the song when the film was updated for the sequel in 2000.
Hayes continued to record, but failed to match the musical achievement of the "Theme from Shaft". Subsequent R&B chart hits included: "Joy (Part 1)", "Do Your Thing", "Chocolate Chip", "Don't Let Go" and "Ike's Rap". In 1992, he recorded a duet with Barry White (both renowned for their sultry deep voice) entitled "Dark And Lovely (You Over There)". He served as a member of Ghana's royal family before finding a new and younger audience through his role as Chef in the animated TV series "South Park" and its related movies. In 2008, high blood pressure resulted in a stroke. Hayes collapsed in his Memphis residence and died hours later. His talent and groundbreaking influence on disco and rap will live on.
 
This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week:

1 Lost Inside Of You BARBRA STREISAND & BABYFACE  1wk                                    3 3

2 What Kind Of Fool BARBRA STREISAND & JOHN LEGEND                                       1 3

3 The Chamber LENNY KRAVITZ                                                                         6 2

4 Tell You (Today) ROBYN                                                               2 5 

5 I Still Can See Your Face BARBRA STREISAND & ANDREA BOCELLI                        8 2 

6 Live Louder NATHANIEL                                                                       NEW

7 You Ruin Me THE VERONICAS                                                                          NEW

8 Summer CALVIN HARRIS                                                              NEW

9 Add Me In CHRIS BROWN                                                               NEW

10 She Came To Give It To You USHER featuring NICKI MINAJ                                              9 6


CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1599 CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC Village People
The Village People unleashed the disco floor filler "Can't Stop The Music" in 1980. The title song from the film which starred the pop group, written by producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo with Phil Hurtt and group member Bill Whitehead; was a #1 hit in Australia.

#1600 IN THE FLESH Blondie
Blondie scored its 1st hit single with "In The Flesh" in 1976. Group members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein crafted a sexy and tender song which peaked at #2 in Australia; before the UK and US mainstream embraced Blondie.

The list is a ranking made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
Along with climbing among the Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.
CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#151 YOUR DISCO NEEDS YOU {German Almighty Radio Edit} Kylie Minogue
Australian performer Kylie Minogue collaborated with songwriter Guy Chambers and British pop star Robbie Williams to create the dance track "Your Disco Needs You" from the former's 'Light Years'.
The original version appeared on her 2000 album release. Minogue and Williams contributed backing vocals alongside Tracey Ackerman and a male choir. The remix listed here is the German Almighty Radio Edit. It appeared on the CD single of "Your Disco..." unleashed in the same year. It features a spoken vocal from Minogue in French. The camp and upbeat single charted in Europe and reached the Top 20 in Australia.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

Friday, October 3, 2014

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1597 WOULDN'T IT BE NICE Beach Boys
The Beach Boys released 'Pet Sounds' in 1966 and raised the bar with pop gems that included "Wouldn't it be Nice". The Top 10 hit was written by Tony Asher with the group's Brian Wilson. Mike Love is often credited for his musical contribution to the track.

#1598 THAT'S NO WAY TO LOVE SOMEONE John Farnham
"That's No Way To Love Someone" was a single released by Australia's most popular performer John Farnham in 1981. He co-wrote it with Julian Nicholls, Sam McNally and R. Leigh.

The list is a ranking made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
Along with climbing among the Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.
CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#152 ONE WAY TICKET Eruption
Eruption was a group that formed in London in 1974. With Jamaican-born Precious Wilson as lead vocalist, the rest of the band consisted of migrants from the Caribbean and Africa. Eruption won a talent contest in 1975. The following year saw the group issue its debut single, "Let Me Take You Back In Time". In 1977, Eruption came to the attention of Frank Farian, a German producer who was enjoying chart success with the group Boney M. He signed the band to the Hansa label. The new record deal resulted in a self-titled debut album. Its accompanying single, "I Can't Stand The Rain", was a cover of a 1973 R&B hit for Ann Peebles. The disco remake proved a global smash for Eruption, reaching #1 in Belgium and Australia. In the UK, the single peaked at #5 and made #18 in America. The following year, a 2nd album, 'Leave A Light', was dropped. This featured the group's 1979 hit "One Way Ticket". 
The latter was a song written by Jack Keller and Hank Hunter. Neil Sedaka recorded it for the B-side of his 1959 worldwide hit "Oh! Carol". Farian produced Eruption's dance remake. The single became the group's 2nd and final entry on the US Disco Chart. Along with reaching #1 in some European countries, the disc reached the Top 10 in both Britain and Australia.
Wilson departed soon after and launched a solo career. Farian continued working with the vocalist. The group continued with a new lead singer, Kim Davies, but called it quits a few years later. Wilson still tours to this day, often using the name of Eruption with a new line-up.
 
This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1595 EVERYTHING Barbra Streisand
In 1977, Barbra Streisand co-starred with Kris Kristofferson in the 4th version of 'A Star Is Born'. "Everything" was 1 of the ballads from the motion picture, penned by Paul Williams and Rupert Holmes. Streisand co-produced the song with Phil Ramone.

#1596 WIND BENEATH MY WINGS Bette Midler
Bette Midler's global #1 ballad from the 1988 movie 'Beaches' was "Wind Beneath My Wings"; written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar. It had been covered by others, but within the context of the film, its message truly came to the fore.

The list is a ranking made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
Along with climbing among the Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.
CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#153 FROM THE INSIDE Marcia Hines
The debut solo album from Marcia Hines was entitled 'Marcia Shines' and issued in 1975. The Boston-born singer launched her recording career in her adopted home of Australia with the breakthrough single "Fire And Rain". That remake of James Taylor's worldwide hit song reached #17 on the Australian Top 40. Hines, who until then had gained popularity as a result of roles in the local productions of the stage musicals "Hair" and "Jesus Christ Superstar", was on her way to being a bona fide soloist and 1 of Australia's favourite entertainers. 
"From The Inside" was selected as the follow-up from the LP and made its chart debut in mid-November 1975. The empowering ballad became Hines' 1st Top 10 success. The song was penned by songwriter Artie Wayne. Robie G. Porter produced the recording. The 2 hit singles helped carry Hines' debut album to a peak position of #4.   
 
This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1593 SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE R.E.M.
R.E.M. combined forces to create an upbeat pop hit for the band's 'Out Of Time' album release. "Shiny Happy People" was issued in 1991 and features guest vocals from The B-52s' Kate Pierson.

#1594 BENNIE AND THE JETS Elton John
"Bennie & The Jets" was just 1 of the fine tracks contained within Elton John's classic album 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. Penned by John and Bernie Taupin, the single reached #1 in the USA in 1974.

The list is a ranking made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
Along with climbing among the Top 200 each day, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added daily.
CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#154 I JUST HAD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE Oleta Adams
The world became aware of Oleta Adams via the love song "Get Here" in 1991. Her sophomore album 'Evolution' followed 2 years later. Its lead single was the powerful track "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice". 
Stewart Levine handled production on the 2nd album. It was recorded in California. "... Hear Your Voice" was written by Jud J. Friedman and Allan Rich. The lyrics find a woman fighting the urge to ring her ex-partner, but ultimately giving in. The 2 writers had previously composed songs for Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross.
Adams followed up 'Evolution' with the 'Movin' On' album in 1995. Chart activity waned in subsequent years but the singer has continued recording and touring, She dropped a seasonal album in 2006 entitled 'Christmas Time With Oleta'. Her most recent CD of new material was 'Let's Stay Here' 3 years later.
 
This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.