BELOW YOU WILL FIND LINKS TO THE FEATURED ARTISTS ALONG WITH BASIC NOTES EXPLAINING MUSICAL CHOICES AND INSPIRATIONS
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE WHEN FUTURE PROJECTS BECOME AVAILABLE,
THEN PLEASE
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS
NOT A MONEY MAKING EXERCISE
IT HAS BEEN DONE PURELY FOR
THE LOVE OF MUSIC
AND WE ARE HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BLAST
A project of this nature wouldn't really be validated without featuring the Soul legend with the trademark honey drenched vocal talent.
A CHANCE FOR PEACE - LONNIE LISTON SMITH
I'm not sure about the intended link to romance, but I think the music definitely lends itself to setting the mood.
As soon as I heard this it made me think of Superfly ('72)...
GIVE ME YOUR LOVE - CURTIS MAYFIELD
An obvious choice then to follow with this, from one of the more steamier sections of my very favourite Blaxploitation film, with definitely the best soundtrack.
SPELLBOUND (FEAT VEBA) - RAE & CHRISTIAN
I've included this to break away from all the traditional Funk and Soul.
I remember this featuring in Spike Lee's Summer Of Sam ('99), and a bizarre dance routine by Adrian Brody at a seedy 1970's peep show in New York.
I CAN'T HELP MYSELF (SUGAR PIE, HONEY BUNCH) - FOUR TOPS
I have been known to serenade Mrs. planetmeech with this once or twice. So including it on this project was essential, and will probably enable me to forego buying any associated rubbish in the marketing scam that is Valentine's Day.
NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - ISAAC HAYES
This song has been covered by numerous performers over the years, including Smokey Robinson, Roland Kirk, The Supremes, Gloria Estefan and Sheena Easton. But probably the most familiar to me is the version by The Communards.
I'm lucky enough to know now what a communard is. No need to worry, I won't be sharing it here though, as it's a bit boring actually.
I was positive this was going in from a very early stage, and was mortified when HEAVY PC sent me his latest show, as I've always associated this more as a George Harrison track than The Beatles. When I heard My Sweet Lord on AN ALMOST RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, I was seriously considering a last minute substitution and re ordering of the set.
Of course, I realised a bit later that it was firmly attributed to The Beatles as a band, so it didn't really matter in the end. Well, nothing really matters does it?
Certainly not this.
But I was very pleased about exploiting this technicality.
Get ready for THE BEATLES MEECH ALBUM, coming very soon.
Fortunately, they have been known to record the odd good tune or two, because I think I've already used quite a large number of Beatles records here and there over the last year.
PLAY WITH FIRE - THE ROLLING STONES
Another track that doesn't automatically suggest romance, but it is quite moody and atmospheric. I've always been a big fan of this song.
I remember listening as a youngster, and being quite enthralled by the mention of the exotic sounding London references, St. Johns Wood, Knightsbridge......Stepney?
Falling back on a bit of customary smoothness courtesy of the ever dependable Roberta Flack.
Charles Bronson wanted me to include this on PLANET BRONSON. But I thought it would make him sound a little too full of himself, so managed to steer clear at the time.
Not really containing any direct messages of romance...
However, you must agree that it would be perfect for accompanying a specific activity associated with romance...
Perhaps a long walk in the country, a visit to an art gallery, a ride on a tandem?
Buying furniture/white goods?
Postal voting?
DON'T SAY GOODBYE - OHIO PLAYERS
I don't think I was that aware of the Ohio Players at all a few years ago?
I'm now hearing, and coming across them virtually everywhere.
(I think Damon Hill even suggested listening to them on his Twitter feed?).
I WANT YOUR BODY - BOBBY THURSTON
I have the feeling that I may have heard this at a school disco during my very early years.
The lyrics are most definitely unsuitable for the innocent, but it was probably quite effective at getting small people to dance.
From a time before the codpiece and trademark hairstyle. Or should that read hairstyle and trademark codpiece?
If you thought things were getting quite smooth, I'm about to take it to another level.
This lady has one of the most recognisable and interesting voices on here, and her performance on Dave Chappelle's Block Party ('05) was one of many highlights for me.
I'M BACK FOR MORE - AL JOHNSON
Not the first track to feature from an album of Bionic Dance Rarities, and probably not the last!
DISCOVER ME (AND YOU'LL DISCOVER LOVE) - DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
Edging very close to 'Popular' music, but hopefully not too close. At least I've managed to hold off incorporating anything by Chris DeBurgh, or Bryan Adams.
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LOVE ME - TAMMI TERRELL
Popular for her work with the aforementioned Soul legend with the honey drenched vocal talent.
FLYING HIGH TOGETHER - SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
I've heard that this chap's voice has been likened to violins.
Can't quite hear it myself, but I get the analogy.
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU - ESTHER WILLIAMS
This was used to lead into something else entirely, but I had a very late change of heart and decided to replace the final track with the following...
I really can't remember just where I know this from, but it's been stuck in my head for quite some time. Ever since hearing it play out over the closing titles for something like The Sopranos, or Black Mirror??
So, perfect for closing out this project.
ALTERNATIVELY, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR THE 60 MINUTE
APPLE MUSIC 'SOFT EDIT'