Recorded by the American rock band TOTO in 1981, for their fourth studio album TOTO IV. Africa is is a song that has been remade countless of times , most recently by the band Weezer in 2018.who introduced the track to millennials. It was even sampled ( sort of ) by Pitbull for his contribution to the ” Aquaman ” soundtrack ( The track is titled ‘Ocean to Ocean’ and sees Pitbull duetting with Rhea) with laughable results.
Now Africa receives the ” Salsa” treatment by local group Junior’s Band , who had several hits back in the 90s as ” Miami’s Band ” I was fortunate enough to do several remixes for them and was able to hear up close and personal what great musicians are part of this band.
The arrangements are extremely faithful to Toto’s original song , the latin vibe works well for this track and the results are an upbeat salsa track that will be embraced by all just on the familiarity alone. Lots of positive DJ comments on this one !! Check it out !!
Most people are not familiar with the term ” City Pop” a style that began in Japan in the late 1970s produced by artists who refused to embrace traditional Japanese music and began to emulate American soft rock, and R&B. Around 2010, this genre experienced a new found popularity ( especially online ) Tatsuro Yamashita is considered by many the ” King of City Pop” along with his wife Mariya Takeuchi. Several years ago when Yacht Rock Miami was founded Captain Juan Luv introduced me to Mariya who has sold over 16 million records in Japan. She is best known for the City Pop song “Plastic Love” from her number-one album ” Variety” (1984)
This track is an excellent primer for those wishing to musically explore the vast oceans of ” Smoothnes” available . I’ve included the video to Friday Night Plans version which will certainly have you seeking out more of their music. Listen to all these great tracks and many more at www.yachtrockmiami.com
I guess if someone HAD to remix this track, Kygo ,pronounced KY-GU ( Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll ) wasn’t a terrible choice since most of his productions are more on the laid back side of contemporary dance music or ” Chill” as fans will tell you. He’s approached similar projects like this before such as Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and Whitney Houston’s version of the Steve Winwood Classic ” Higher Love” all with similar sounding results. The ” Kygo” formula I would assume. Some Acapellas here and there , a slight effect on the vocals and a drop into 118 BPM dance. We’ve been here before, but that’s Ok , I am not the target consumer. Although as a Dj, especially an older DJ ,this track would be categorized as an early evening starter.
Thankfully as the founder of the South Florida DJ Association with over 3000 members I have access to opinions and reactions from DJs of all ages, even though I actively seek out faithful remixes of Classic tracks to include in my sets. The general consensus was not surprising in this age of Hip Hop and a leaning towards a “harder ” dance sound. The track was deemed as ” weak” and unlikely to be played at any of their clubs or events. Some even referred to it as ” modern cocktail hour music ” Favorable comments were relegated to ” good for the beach” ” good for the driving” but remember that’s here in South Florida , maybe on an ocean front bar at 5 am on a beach in Greece, after a night of dancing this would be perfect.
The structure of the track remains pretty faithful to Tina’s original , what’s missing in my opinion is the ” soul” of the song , the sexy sultry vibe she gave off in the original. You compare.
Well , Well , Well I was certainly surprised when I came across the new Pet Shop Boys track ” Monkey Business” the voice is unmistakably Neil Tennant and in the video we even see Chris Lowe Dancing. Hotspot is their fourteenth studio album and they prove once again they are in a league of their own. It’s ” synthy” as a PSB track should be , but it adds some Disco elements ( which will NEVER be a complaint coming from me) throw in a vocoder, some violins and we are ready to play this track in any throwback set ( but use the Prins Thomas diskomiks REMIX)
The boys don’t disappoint with this single, and it’s a call back to tracks like New York City Boy focusing more on the “fun” side of their catalog You should have no problem filling the dance floor when this comes on.
.Monkey business’ is taken from the new album ‘Hotspot’, released 24th January 2020. You can listen to the album here – https://petshopboys.lnk.to/hotspot
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
.Monkey business’ is taken from the new album ‘Hotspot’, released 24th January 2020. You can listen to the album here – https://petshopboys.lnk.to/hotspot
“Love Will find a way” is a track from Lionel Ritchie’s 1983 album ” Can’t Slow Down ” written by Greg Phillinganes , a prominent figure in the Yacht Rock genre. Five singles were released from Can’t Slow Down, all of which hit the top ten , including two that reached #1. The album also won the Grammy in 1985. A few days ago , I ran across a video on You Tube with a cover version by local talent and friend Jim Williamson. I hadn’t heard the track in a while and was instantly intrigued on how Jim would approach it since I’ve had the pleasure of working him and watching him perform songs I loved and loved even more when I heard his unique approach. Needless to say I was not disappointed. Musically the jazzy arrangement was a welcomed departure from the original R &B feel of Lionel’s version, but it was Jim’s vocals that sealed the deal for me. Natural and refreshing come to mind as I hear this track over and over , we’ve heard the song before , but Jim and his musicians make it new once again. A definite ” Must have” for any fan of smooth music. Hopefully we’ll be hearing much more great sounds coming from Jim in the near future. For now we have this great track from one of South Florida’s finest performer and vocalist .
I’ve made it a point to have each one of my kids listen to a few cuts from Earth Wind and Fire’s 1979 album ” I Am ” often I’ve wondered if younger people can ” feel ” and appreciate the music , as we did back in the day. 31 years after it’s release I am still compelled to ” spread the word” on one of the most influential records in my life.
” I Am ” offers 9 beautifully arranged tracks that are elevated by excellent musicianship as well as lyrical content integrity with a humanitarian edge. Although it didn’t include interludes as with previous albums, this production delivers Earth Wind and Fire’s inspirational message to uplift the conscious state of mankind musically.
It was 1979, the peak of the Disco craze and record labels targeted the dance floor which is why in my opinion a track like ” Boogie Wonderland” was produced for this album Up to that point, the group had not included any Disco flavored songs in any of their prior releases. The band finally gave a nod to the style, with “Boogie Wonderland” ( which featured The Emotions ) it instantly became a Radio ” Disco ” hit ( reaching number 2 on the Hot Soul Singles chart ) For the record as a DJ , I never considered or played ” Boogie Wonderland” as a Disco record in any of the clubs I worked at here in Miami in the 70s or early 80s.
Probably, No wait a second….definitely the most inspirational, uplifting songs ever written ( my opinion of course ) is ” In The Stone “, Maurice White’s song about an abiding love that is written in stone. Written by Allee Willis ( September ) Maurice White and mega producer David Forster the song elevates your mood from the very first notes . A majestic introduction like no other you’ll ever hear. ( can you tell how much I love this song? ) “In the Stone” appeared on the soundtrack of the 2002 film ” Drumline” and became a staple of Marching bands all over the nation.
Well known for their soulful ballads “After the Love Has Gone” written by David Foster, Jay Graydon, and Bill Champlin and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Co-writer Graydon originally wrote the song for his group ” Airplay” ( a fixture of most Yacht Rock Playlists ) The track stands out for it’s iconic Saxophone solo towards the end by Don Myrick , who also performs the solo on EWF’s ” Reasons”
The rest of the album does not disappoint with tracks such as energetic ” Can’t Let Go ” and the mid temp ” You and I ” the music of EWF has no borders, no color, no religion it is the music of mankind , a positive message we all need to stop and listen to
And what did my kids think of it , you may wonder? They loved it. They still listen to it to this day, they say ” it will always remind them of their “Pops” “
Believe it or not a lot of people I know have turned to music as a coping mechanism during this difficult time. People of all ages, tired of Netflix have decided to just hangout and listen to their favorite songs as therapy. Now i can only represent the 50 and over crowd, so I’ve decide to put together my favorite Spotify playlists I’ve created with a nice sampling of tracks our age group would appreciate. Music is therapeutic and on a Miami rainy day such as today, these playlists have some great music for all of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s.
” Jamoneo” is a playlist I created with some Slow Jams that have an emotional connection to me . It spans many decades and crosses over many genres. It will surely bring back some memories !
My Playlist ” Disco Cream” gives you a nice sampling of dance floor favorites as well as some obscure stuff you’ll like.
” Miami Salsa Party” are some tracks I play at local clubs that get people dancing. New and old alike I think you’ll enjoy, if you’re in a Latino Mood.
Of course ” Yacht Rock Miami” is a nice list of smooth classics from the 70s and 80s for anytime you want to chill and keep it smooth.
There are lots more playlists I have on there ..check them out !!
In 1976 at the age of 15 & 16, two aspiring DJs , unable to get into any of the straight clubs in Miami , found themselves in front of the WindwardResort Motel in Miami Beach. They both agreed that they would say ” We left our IDs in the car ( Those lines worked back then ) Half an hour past their curfew of 10:00pm , they approached the front door and a large bouncer who calmly waved them in, No questions asked . The music was getting louder, the dance floor packed with bodies, and a song that would introduce them to a whole new world of music they couldn’t get at their local record store. The song was ” Love in C Minor” by Cerrone but they wouldn’t find out the name of the song until two weeks later because the DJ had covered the label with tape, a practice back in the day to sound exclusive. I was one of those two kids who would forever be in love with the music known as ” Disco”
Jean-Marc Cerrone born 24 May 1952 is a French disco drummer, composer, record producer. Rumor has it that he had some serious beef back in the day with another Disco superstar Alec R. Costandinos ( Click here for Interview )
His album covers were unmistakable , using controversial images for his European releases that usually had to be sanitized for US Releases. Release after release his tracks became dance floor staples for ” Disctheques” around the world. Here in Miami Cerrone’s tracks especially Supernature have all endured the test of time and can still be heard at bars, nightclubs and events.
Cerrone now tours as a DJ and still performs . He has new material ” DNA” which sounds like a Giorgio Moroder/Kraftwerk hybrid with some Pink Floyd overtones . My personal choice from his new album is “ I’ve got a Rocket “
Although the track was released in 1972 , it wasn’t until the summer of 1975 that I attended a house party where the record player was being manned by an older kid about 17 or 18 years old. Salsoul’s ” Tangerine” has just finished playing , and the dance floor ( the middle of someone’s living room ) was clearing when I first heard the song that would attach itself to a memory I would create that night. My first slow dance . At first it sounded like something my parents would hear at the time, Latin Music was something I only heard at adult parties, but slowly I saw many of the kids leading girls to the dance area and turning down the lights, after a minute or so only one girl remained and only one shy, introverted boy , looking awkwardly at each other knowing that by the process of elimination they were destined to be each others ” First Slow Dance”
The song was Suavecito by Malo a SanFrancisco group led by, Richard Bean, Arcelio Garcia and Jorge Santana brother of Carlos. The song was written by and sung by, Richard Bean. Abel Zarate and Pablo Tellez Fifty years later, the song is known the unofficial “Chicano national anthem.” although a couple of Cubans I know will tell you that for any kid growing up in Miami in the 70s ,it was our anthem too.
https://youtu.be/ZRzOfYyIIO4
Suavecito” is a song recorded by Malo in 1971. … Suavecito means “soft” or “smooth” in Spanish. The song has been called “The Chicano National Anthem.” The song became a hit in the U.S. (#18) and Canada (#14) during the spring of 1972.
Alberto Carpani (April 23, 1956 – May 11, 2020) best known for his Italo disco releases in the late 1970’s and early 1980 as Albert One .He was also a DJ and music producer. His many single releases , embraced by DJs here in South Florida and sold as ” Imports” include “Yes No Family”, “Turbo Diesel”, “Heart on Fire”, “Lady O”, “For Your Love”, “Secrets”, “Hopes & Dreams”, “Everybody”, “Visions”, and “Loverboy”. They were released on the popular Import labels ZYX Music and Baby Records (Italy).
As a Disco fan…. Italo music was not a smooth transition from the lush violin filled productions to the electronic and sometimes simplistic arrangements of Italo Disco. But with the decline in new Disco material many DJs immediately embraced this style.
He was also known as A1, Jock Hattle, Albert One, and A.C. One. He was involved in many Italo projects such as Clock On 5, Enola, Funny Twins, Tom Dollar, and X-One. His last major hit, 1999 single “Sing a Song Now Now“, reached number 6 in the Spanish music charts.
Albert One died of COVID-19 during the pandemic on May 11, 2020. You can hear Albert One and his hits on Rewind 1039 24 hours a day.
