We’ve all heard it said that truth is stranger than fiction. Well, quite often it simply is, and these ten books are the proof of the truism. They feature outrageous characters, unbelievable drama and intrigue, and more twists and turns than many a finely-crafted work of fiction – and they all really happened. So grab … Read more
Way back in 1969, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair set a bar that music festivals have since attempted to at least match. Destination festivals have come a long way from Max Yasgur’s farm, but both style and substance figure into the equation now, as then. Artistic and cultural diversity, along with rich, experiential aesthetics, … Read more
We’ve all heard it said that truth is stranger than fiction. Well, quite often it simply is, and these ten books are the proof of the truism. They feature outrageous characters, unbelievable drama and intrigue, and more twists and turns than many a finely-crafted work of fiction – and they all really happened. So grab … Read more
Amazon.com Widgets 3 The Payback (1973) Sampled 81 Times Title track to an album by the same name, the Payback was supposed to be featured in Hell Up in Harlem, a blaxploitation film. The song was rejected for not being James Brown Enough. What? Nevertheless, The Payback was a #1 R&B hit and the 3rd … Read more
Amazon.com Widgets 6 Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud (1968) Sampled 41 Times One of Brown’s signature songs and an important Black Power Anthem addressing prejudice and the need for empowerment, Say it loud was first sampled by Jazz Legend Miles Davis in Yesternow (1971) and most recently in Peanuts Club by Noob … Read more
Amazon.com Widgets 7 Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine (1970) Sampled 35 Times Without this track how would any of us known to “stay on the scene like a sex machine”? Once again supper funky with call and response lyrics, an iconic piano break and a break down where they chant “shake … Read more
Amazon.com Widgets 4 Get up, Get Into It, Get Involved (1970) Sampled 73 Times This is one of the first tracks released by Brown specifically to be sampled. Polydor Records wanted him to capitalize on his popularity in the hip hop circles. First Featured in Eric B is President by Eric B. & Rackim in … Read more
Known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown influenced popular music as a singer, a songwriter, a dancer and bandleader through the 60′s and 70′s primarily. Already a prolific and accomplished force in his own right, Brown’s influence hit critical mass in the 80′s thanks to the popularity of digital sampling in Hip Hop. Through … Read more
Known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown influenced popular music as a singer, a songwriter, a dancer and bandleader through the 60′s and 70′s primarily. Already a prolific and accomplished force in his own right, Brown’s influence hit critical mass in the 80′s thanks to the popularity of digital sampling in Hip Hop. Through … Read more
Amazon.com Widgets 5 Get Up Offa That Thing (1976) Sampled 44 Times A brief foray into self-help, this track encourages you to “Get Up Offa That Thing and Dance ’til you feel better.” Sound words from the Godfather of Soul which got him to #4 on the R&B charts that year. First sampled by Ministry … Read more