Things that really tick me off about the lack of knowledge about great musicians include:
People thinking that Herbie Hancock first hit was “Rocket”
People referring to Quincy Jones’ “Soul Bossa Nova” as “The Austin Powers Theme (like Mike Myers should get credit for it)
People thinking Isaac Hayes greatest hit is Chef’s “Chocolate Salty Balls”
The last point is significant as Isaac Hayes - Oscar winning, Grammy winning, multi-talented composer, musician and actor - passed away last weekend. Others can better wax poetic on Hayes’ legacy; all I can say is that Hayes’ music is deceptively complicated. “Theme from Shaft” is a great example of this. Between the strings, wah wah guitar, staccato horns riffs, and switch to and from 5/4 time, “Theme From Shaft” is a pop musical masterpiece.Fellow bloggers have looked outside of “Theme from Shaft” to post some of Hayes lesser known hits: Harlem from Soulbounce gives us the grown and sexy “Never Can Say Goodbye” and the long version of “Walk On By”; Oliver Wang from Soul-Sides gives us a trunkload of hits, including “Ellie’s Love Theme” (also from Shaft score).
Raphael Saadiq's new album drops next month. Of the tracks that have been released, my favorite so far is "Like It" featuring some cat that sounds like Ray Parker Jr (h/t Soulbounce) and Stevie Wonder. Enjoy!
Things that really tick me off about the lack of knowledge about great musicians include: 