deep.honey's Old School Soul Playlist

deep.honey flew down to the Deeeep South last weekend for her dad's 60th birthday extravaganza.

However, she forgot that she was supposed to be DJ'ing the festivities, and had to make an On-the-Go iPod playlist from some '70s and '80s classics in her collection (good R&B is timeless).  Her audience was mostly 50+, after all.  One 21st-century hit was slipped in for the few Gen Y attendees.

These hits turnt the lakeside cookout out:

1. Before I Let Go, Frankie Beverly and Maze
2. I'm Still in Love (With You), Joe Gibbs
3. Best of My Love, The Emotions
4. I Want to Thank You, Alicia Myers
5. Stir It Up, Bob Marley and The Wailers
6. Groove Me, King Floyd
7. Mothership Connection, Parliament
8. The Glamorous Life, Sheila E
9. Just Fine, Mary J. Blige
10. I Like, Guy
11. I Wanna Be Your Lover, Prince
12. Jungle Love (Live), Morris Day
13. Clean Up Woman, Leela James
14. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine, Lou Rawls  --Don't hate...one of the best "get ta steppin!" songs of all time.
15. I Want Her, Keith Sweat
16. Brick House, The Commodores
17. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Michael Jackson
18. Rock With You, Michael Jackson
19. Haven't You Heard, Patrice Rushen
20. Boogie Shoes, K.C. and the Sunshine Band
21. I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing, James Brown --So funky and fierce.
22. For the Love of You, The Isley Brothers 
23. My Cherie Amour, Stevie Wonder
24. Master Blaster (Jammin') Stevie Wonder
25. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours, Stevie Wonder
26. Do I Do, Stevie Wonder
27. All I Do, Stevie Wonder
28. As, Stevie Wonder
29. Summertime, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
30. Super Bad, James Brown
31. Mary Jane, Rick James

Could've slipped some "Funky Space Reincarnation" in, but was worried about what that could unleash--nobody wants to see their middle-aged relatives doing a slow grind, so no Marvin was on the list.   And you know deep.honey's mom and her friends just had to close it out with some slides... 

Feel free to share your cookout playlists!

Playlist for Positive Thought

I've been in a violet mood for the past few weeks.   Not quite all the way blue, because I've experienced so many career-related blessings recently, but still bluish due to my just feeling lethargic.  Maybe it's a case of "it's really fall now" blahs.

Adding to the violet is all of the depressing news re the state of the Black family, including an out-of-wedlock birth rate of over 70% and low test scores for Black boys. 

Mix into the palette Mr. Perry's continued depiction of Black women as largely tragic, abused, desperate, and downtrodden.  Don't worry, I didn't purchase a ticket to witness the dysfunction--the commercials for FCG were depressing enough.

I need a media fast.

I'm emerging from the funk though, and have decided that we all need a playlist to promote positive thought.

deep.honey's Grooves for Positive Thought (tm)  ;)

1.  Marvin Gaye's classic album, What's Going On.  It's vocally and musically flawless, and when you hear it (listen to it all the way through, no breaks) and consider all that we're going through as a race now, you realize that our issues are nothing in comparison to what our parents, grandparents and great-grands experienced throughout most of the 20th century.  We have a lot to be thankful for.  Be sure to check out "Inner City Blues."  Much love to my cousin C.C., serving in Afghanistan.

2.  Mary J. Blige's "Be Happy."  An anthem that unites all of the sisters of Generation X.

3.  Janet Jackson's Design of a Decade.  I dare you not to groove and sing along to your elementary and middle school faves.  Bonus pts. for anyone busting a move from Control-era videos.

4.  Arrested Development's "Revolution."  Raise a fist, ya'll.  Why don't they make conscious lyrics like these anymore? 

5.  Jill Scott, "Golden."  So affirming and full of love.  You are whole.  Cherish this moment in your life.

6.  The Commodores, "Brick House." Because I am, and many of you probably are, too.  Love your curves.

7.  Aly-Us, "Follow Me."  Optimistic house music.

8.  Alicia Myers, "I Want to Thank You."  Yes, you can find lasting love with your strongblackman if you keep your wits about you and pray really, really hard.

9.  James Brown, "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing."  A powerful message set to powerful funk.

10.  Webbie, "Independent."  Because you are a baaad broad!  :)

There are countless others, but I'll stop here.  Feel free to share your own!