COVID-19 is still our constant companion, but that does not mean we can somehow enjoy the time with the music! Therefore I am pleased to present you further records of my vinyl collection. In the following, you will get to know three old records and a more recent one that I randomly picked out of the vinyl shelf.
Watsonian Institute - Master Funk (1978)
"Master Funk" is Johnny "Guitar" Watson's sixteenth studio album with his project called "Watsonian Institute" that focussed on his backing musicians. The American blues, soul, funk musician and songwriter released two studio albums under that project name. The album "Master Funk" was released in 1978 by British independent label DJM Records.
On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Johnny "Guitar" Watson among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire. On June 1, 2008, a fire broke out on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood. Not only a three-acre portion of the Universal Pictures backlot was destroyed, including 40,000 to 50,000 archived digital video and film copies, but also 118,000 to 175,000 audio master tapes belonging to Universal Music Group (UMG). That included original recordings belonging to some of the best-selling artists worldwide.
My favourite songs of this record are "Master Funk" (Track #2), "The Funk If I Know" (Track #3) and "Coming Around" (Track #6).
Rose Royce - Rainbow Connection - Rose Royce (1979)
"Rainbow Connection IV" is the fourth album released by the American soul, R&B and Funk band Rose Royce in 1979 on the Whitfield label. It was produced by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield who also founded the Whitfield label in 1975. This album would be the last album to include lead singer Gwen Dickey before she left the group to embark on a solo career. The album peaked at #22 on the R&B albums chart. It also reached #74 on the Billboard 200.
Rose Royce is best known for several hit singles during the 1970s including their most successful single "Car Wash" (not included on the "Rainbox Connection" album). It was the group's debut single and one of the most notable successes of the 1970s disco era.
Take a listen :) I recommend you especially the songs "What You Waitin' For" (Track #4) and "Bad Mother Funker" (Track #5) on this record.
Commodores - 13 (1983)
"Commodores 13" is the tenth studio album by the American funk and soul band Commodores, released in 1983 on Motown Records (Universal Music Group). It is their first album after Lionel Richie left the group and their last album with guitarist Thomas McClary before he departed from the band. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie, whose solo career made him one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s, was the band's co-lead singer. The band has also won one Grammy Award out of nine nominations. Worldwide, Commodores have sold over 70 million albums.
"Commodores 13" peaked at #122 of the Billboard 200 charts and #26 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in 1983. "Turn Off The Lights" (Track #2), "Nothing Like A Woman" (Track #3) and "Touchdown" (Track #5) are my favourite songs of this record.
Normandie - White Flag (2018)
Normandie is a post-hardcore, alternative rock band from Sweden that was founded in 2013. Their album "White Flag" is the third studio record that was released in 2018 on the British London-based independent label Easy Life Records. After a huge response following the release of their debut album 'Inguz', which saw them hit several positions in the Billboard Chart, Normandie inked a deal with Easy Life Records.
"Enough" (Track #3), "Maniacs" (Track #8), "Keep Fucking It Up" (Track #10) and "Heaven" (Track #12) count to my records' favourite songs.
