I was sitting at Zapatisto's, a Mexican restaraunt in Chicago, with some close friends when I mentioned that I had recently been bumping Pharrell's Out Of My Mind LP, which is a remix project of his In My Mind LP handled by the Yessirs (Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and James Poyser). The record company heard the new album, but decided not to release it. ?uestlove leaked it anyway.
So like I was saying, I was sitting amongst friends with my beef bean burrito and extra sour cream when I said...
"Pharrell can sing."
Forks stopped shoveling. Servers stopped refilling. The world came to an end.
The glances that were piercing my head made me question if I said Marvin Gaye instead of the Virginia Beach native. So I said it again for the group. They were astonished. I think my better half was embarrassed for me. But I stood by my statement then, and I'll stand by it now. I think Pharrell can sing. Now he's not a strong singer, but he can sing. As a musician, he's phenomenal. Together as the Neptunes with his partner Chad Hugo, Pharrell makes very innovative and fantastic work (I wish I had better adjectives to describe it). Basically, I'm a fan.
"But Donnie, he CAN'T sing!"
No, the answer is that he can't sing falsetto. When he brings it down an octive, dude can hold his own. He's not the best, but he's good. Good enough. And dude has an ear for vocal arrangements. Rumor has it there's a version of Justin Timberlake's Justified album sung by Pharrell. And if you listen to Justin sing it, you can hear Pharrell's adlibs and style. Missy Elliot, another great vocal arranger who isn't a strong singer, does the same thing when she works with other artists ("Steelo" by 702).
His voice fits with Neptune production like Slum Village fits with Jay Dee. Below you will find just a few* examples of Pharrell at his best vocally. Some tracks he's featured, others he's just playing the background.
Pharrell "Take It Off" (f/ The Yessirs) // Out Of My Mind (2007)
N*E*R*D* "Yeah You" // Seeing Sounds (2008)
Alana Davis "New Glasses" (f/ Pharrell)
* Unfortunately I misplaced my first two N*E*R*D* albums, so there won't be any examples from In Search Of... and Fly Or Die.
2000Black "So Right f/ Ferraz" // A Next Set Of Rockers (2008)
After many ground breaking compilations and sideline projects (”DKD” & “Silhouette Brown”) the sound of London Boogie arrives! “A Next Set A Rockers” is a genre defying collection of studio recordings demonstrating all that has influenced 2000black. Soul, Funk and Boogie are revealed in the bands very own unique style. The labyrinth of 70’s synthesizers and drums create a lavish warm feel in contrast to the current digital age.
“A Next Set A Rockers’ has been crafted by the production skills of 4Hero’s Dego and Bugz in tha Attic’s Kaidi Tatham. Tracks like “Febulous” drop hypnotic dancehall percussion laced under the warmest brazillian sound, in addition the duo’s dynamic sound is complemented by strong songs such as “Lost It” featuring the voice of Face, “So Right” with Ferraz, “Simple Sacrifice” sung by Nadine Charles, “Take It Back” with Rasiyah, plus Philadelphia’s Lady Alma on “Move Over”.
SEVEN songs! First day of the month. Favorite track 1's. From the year I was born.
The Bee Gee's "Staying Alive" // Saturday Night Fever (1978)
This album was the end of the beginning. This album was Disco at its peak. And it was this album that caused all the backlash, scorn and hate for the music of the late seventies. It's not fair really. The artists weren't to blame, lazy record companies were. Due to the success of this album, record labels tried to mass market the style which resulted in a very watered down sound. Hip Hop has been going through the same thing for the past two years, but instead of allowing it to die, it just sits. There's no room for people to take chances and experiment because record labels have conditioned listeners to look for a certain sound.
Sorry for the rant. Anyway, I've always had a special love for the classic guitar riff. If I'm ever invited to The Barry Gibb Talk Show, I shall further showcase my love for it.
The Jacksons "Blame It On The Boogie" // Destiny (1978)
This is the song that opened my eyes to The Jacksons (sans the 5ive). A much older Mike Jackson led his brothers away from the bubble gum pop sound of Motown to an older and more mature sound on CBS/Epic. Through songs like "Blame it..", "Things I Do For You" and the popular "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), you can hear the brothers really growing as artists, especially Mike. If you listen to Destiny and Off The Wall (which came out a year later), and then Mike's work on The Wiz, you'll hear him at his best. His vocal style, ad libs and song writing had reached a new level. If you need proof of Michael's greatness, look no furhter. From 1976-1982, Mike and his brothers created some great soul music.
Marvin Gaye "Here, My Dear (alternate mix)" // Here, My Dear (1978)
I didn't get it.
I had bought What's Goin' On and I Want You and immediately "got" those. Those albums hit me and hit me hard. From those two albums I felt I understood everything Marvin had to say. So when a friend recommended Here, My Dear, I didn't doubt I'd like it. I bought it as casually as someone buys candy from a gas station.
I took the CD home and started playing it. "What is this?"
So like I said before, I didn't get it. At all. I was kinda mad considering the money I'd paid for it. It was like listening to Stevie's Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants after bumping Songs In The Key Of Life for months. It's like..."What is this?" So I took this purchase as a loss and dropped it from the rotation. Fast forward to a few years later and I'm reading David Ritz's Marvin Gaye biography Divided Soul. After reading the story and the background of the album (which is REQUIRED reading in order to enjoy this album), I went back and tried Here, My Dear again.
Boom. There it was. Right then you could say I fell in love. The voice, the power in his words, THE PAIN!
The story to this album really made this album. Knowing the "how" and "why" really opened up the songs on this album. Especially the album track "Here, My Dear". In fact, go and start the song above while you're reading this. Go 'head. We'll wait.
Divided Soul is an amazing book that really delves deep into the music and mind of Marvin, and reading it really made the music on my shelf blossom. It was like night and day. I can't recommend the book enough, but more than that, this album deserves your ears if you haven't heard it already.
Rasa "When Will The Day Come" // Everything You See Is Me (1978)
I was working third shift for the Chicago Tribune and I had just got off work on a Sunday afternoon. It had been a long LONG night going in to the morning, but my work was done. I was tired, but it was the kinda tired where you couldn't just pass out. I mean, it was 10:00 in the morning. I had just left a warehouse near 95th & Stony Island and I was heading home. Instead of taking the Dan Ryan home to the north side, I drove up King Dr (yeah, I took the long LONG way home).
There are many songs about Chicago, but very few capture the city, specifically the south side, better than "When Will The Day Come". "But Donnie, are you only saying that because Common sampled it on 'Take It EZ'?" Sure, that might be one of the motivating factors, but the other stems from this particular drive home. The song came on my playlist just as I was driving through the Chatam neighborhood. Kids were just getting out to play, the old people were unfolding their chairs on the porch and young men were detailing their cars. Everyone was out starting their day, and it was peaceful. This song was just the perfect soundtrack for that drive.
Heatwave "Put The Word Out" // Central Heating (1978)
When I was a kid I never knew what Rod Temperton did, yet his name was all over Michael Jackson's Off The Wall. The liner notes on the vinyl fold out would say Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Rod Temperton. Who was he? As I got older and started to read more MJ liner notes, I didn't see his name anymore. Then when internet music forums ruled my life (still rules), I asked the question, "Why hasn't Mike teamed up with Rod Temperton?" Ya know...given the great success of their collaborations. Well, when you're Mike you gotta work with the "hot" producers. Rod must have lost his pop sound.
So I later find out that Rod was part of this group called Heatwave, a group that did a few songs that I was familiar with. I copped the album at Amoeba about 6 years ago and through continuous rotations, I've found out exactly what Rod Temperton brought to the Off The Wall album. Central Heating is a classic soul disco album led by Rod Temperton.
Prince "For You" // For You (1978)
Prince released his first studio album For You three months before I was born. He was 20 years old. Ironically, I didn't cop his first album until I was about 20 years old myself. I don't need to explain why I'm a fan, just know that I am. Prince is one of the few artists who have a discography that you can listen to and physically HEAR him grow as an artist. From For You to Lovesexy (yeah, that's kinda when I stopped), it's amazing to hear the journey he's been on.
Rick James "Stone City Band, Hi!" // Come Get It! (1978)
MR. FUNK ROCK! I might get struck down by the funk gods by following Prince up with Rick James...ha ha. No matter. You know this album for "You and I" and "Mary Jane", but I've always liked how this album started out. Especially with the announcer introducing Rick and the Stone City Band. And "Stone City Band, Hi" always sounded like Rick's attempt at some Funkadelic. Especially with the group chorus singing.
Peven Everett "I Know When I' Met" // Sincerely Yours... (2008)
I bought two CD's from my favorite "wrekka sto" this past weekend to celebrate my birthday (which is tomorrow). One of which was the newest Peven album Sincerely Yours (the other, 2000Black's A Next Set Of Rockers). And it's strange, I always seem to buy his albums without hearing them first. Yet, I'd never put him in the category of Badu, Bilal, The Roots or any other artist where I'd buy their album without hearing it.
I guess I gamble on Peven because I know he's going to give me something I really like. Like REALLY like. I may not like the whole album, but there's gonna be that ONE song that hits me hard. Like I'll be riding in the car waiting for the green light, and it'll just hit me. And I'll sit there at the light screaming, "THAT'S IT PEVEN! THAT'S THAT JOINT RIGHT THERE!" And I'll bang on the steering wheel complete with furious head knods (yeah, that's what I do when I'm feeling a song. I'm sure my steering wheel hates me).
Oh, dude is a local Chicago artist. I have a special place in my heart for those cats. Also, I love the switch up at the 3:56 mark. Great groove.
Aiight. I'm fed up with the bull. These kids just dont get it. Hell, half of these grown cats got brainwashed and straight forgot. I just can't get with lil wayne being this generations G.O.A.T. Please tell me theres a recount. I know Jeb got something to do with this. Lets face it. These new rap kids need to step their game up. I mean... back in the day, you had to have skills just to touch the mic. Even the dude that wraped up the mic cord and placed it in the travel case had skills. Shit, Pac was a damn roadie/back up dancer. You just cant be jumping on the mic all willy nilly. These kids need to step it up. Matta fact. They dont need to step it up. They can just leave. Get the hell out!! Turn in your mic and leave your hip-hop hall pass and get out!
Excuse me for the rant, but this shit is just retarded. So I'm gonna have to hand out a few lessons. This may be a refresher course for some of you.
The basic definition of flow is an emcee's delivery. Or how well he/she rides the beat. Flows vary. Fast, slow, simple, complex. Some flows have a certain rhythm to it. To make it simple... A good flow should make you feel like you could listen to this cat rhyme all day. It shouldn't sound like some drug induced haze. Or just some nigga talkin. So heres some examples of some really great flows. Keep in mind, there are a lot of songs i left out. But this should get your mind working again.
Da Two // Pete Rock and CL Smooth
CL jumps in and is just so..... well, smooth with it. This is the cat that you can have rap at your wedding. He really is the best thats ever done it on a pete rock track.
Braggin writes // J-Live
J-Live is witty, intelligent, and rhymes while cutting the track up on the truntables.
Close Edge // Mos Def
This is what I'm talking about here. I absolutely love this song. I could listen to Mos for days.
Rhymes like dimes // MF Doom
Doom got one of them styles. Complex but not too complex. The type of cat where you catch something different in his songs each time you listen to it.
I saved these 2 for last. Common and Black Thought both put out some "no hook" tracks. Just straight up lyrics that will leave you wondering if they even stopped to breath.
