Jingle Jams Playlist

Monday, January 31, 2011

Carlos Santana - Black Magic Woman

Santana soothes the soul with his smooth jazzy style. In his masterpiece: Black Magic Woman, he makes you want to groove and it keeps you wondering who this mystery woman might be. With a combination of rhythmic guitar and a mysterious lover, Black Magic Woman has got all that it takes. Lay back, let the music play and watch as Carlos Santana's guitar and the black magic woman take you over. If you want to take to the dance floor and groove a little, be sure to check out Samba Pa Ti for a great slow jam. Until then, get your jingle on with your Black Magic Woman. Listen Now: Carlos Santana - Black Magic Woman.


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Friday, January 28, 2011

Leon Haywood - I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You

"Your love is like a mountain// I'd love to slide down into your canyons// I wanna do something freaky to you . . . right now baby"

Perfect for jingling, this song makes its point and carries on as long as possible. You might not quite get there in six minutes, but Haywood will put you well on your way. Along with a series of masterful moans, my man unleashes his inner freak and "I wanna Do Something Freaky to You" will definitely bring it out in you.

I do not know about you, but I would probably let Leon Haywood do something freaky to me to this song. That handlebar mustache is pretty hard to resist.
Listen Now: Leon Haywood - I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You

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Leon Haywood - I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You Lyrics

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Tower of Power - So Very Hard to Go

Tower of Power is a local group coming out of Oakland, California. They are the true definition of an urban soul band with a fleet of instrumentalists, including a full horns section. Of course, they mix it up with a little bit of blues and funk to keep it interesting. With that being said, this is one of the few bands that sounds better in their live performances and is well worth seeing. All 10 members up on stage, creating an original sound is hard to top. Given that they are still recording, you might even get a chance to hear some new material.

While "What is Hip?" and "You're Still a Young Man" deserve credit, "So Very Hard to Go" is one that I would like to keep for my Jinglejams archive. Do not get me wrong, the other tracks make me want to groove, but we are talking about jingling now. Listen Now: Tower of Power - So Very Hard to Go.

Listen Now: Tower of Power - So Very Hard to Go Live
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Tower of Power - So Very Hard to Go Lyrics

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Al Green - Tired of Being Alone

I felt that with having already posted a song by Barry White and Marvin Gaye that it was only right to get Al Green on here. The problem with Al Green is that it is far too hard to choose which of his hits to post. Luckily, we will have plenty of opportunities to revisit the legendary sound of Mr. Green. While I can always appreciate "Love & Happiness" and "Let's Stay Together", I have to give "Tired of Being Alone" the nod.


"Sometimes I hold my arms and I say, 
Mmmmm hmmmm hmmmm, 
O baby, needing you has proven to me, 
to be my greatest dream"

Need he say more?

Listen Now: Al Green - Tired of Being Alone
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Al Green - Tired of Being Alone Lyrics

P.S. Here is a quote from the highest rated comment on the Youtube video: "Im proud to say that my first child was made with this song playing in the background...."

Monday, January 24, 2011

Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her

The Chi-Lites open up this heartbreak song with the story of a lost lover. If the opening monologue to this song does not get you going, then I do not know what will. If you catch yourself searching for your baby, just grab a drink and let this track unwind. The Chi-Lites are some of the best easy listening there is.

While this may not exactly set the mood for jingling, in fact it might do the opposite, there is no doubt that the Chi-Lites deserve a spot on your playlist. Listen Now: Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her.

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Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her Lyrics

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman

Though the song "When a Man Loves a Woman" soared, few know the man behind the masterpiece. The famous words "loving eyes can never see" are the foundation of this song. Percy Sledge recorded the track in 1966 and if it weren't for Ben E. King, another R&B legend, it would have hit the top of every major chart. Of course, Sledge could settle with a spot on Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time (54th).  Listen Now: Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman.


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Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman Lyrics

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup

The Foundations are the first multi-racial Motown band to hit the scene. In the late 1960s they released Build Me Up Buttercup and it topped the charts in the UK, US and Canada. Using a classic Motown style, The Foundations were masterful when it came to telling a sad tale over an upbeat tune. Build Me Up Buttercup was no different in that regard. Listen Now: The Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup.

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The Temptations - My Girl

I was driving home late last night when The Temptations came on the radio. There is only one place I would rather hear "My Girl" than on a late night drive home. If you only know one song from the 1960's let it be this one. Every woman on earth wants to be serenaded by the sweet sound of the temptations, while the rest of us stand around dumbfounded byDavid Ruffin's raspy tenor voice. While Ruffin's stint with the Temptations did not last long, he helped build The Temptations legacy by recording a number of follow-ups to "My Girl." Just to name a few: "Ain't to Proud to Beg", "I Wish It Would Rain" and "It's Growing." are some of my personal favorites. You will most certainly get a chance to hear those tracks in the near future. For now, enjoy the sweet sound of "My Girl." Listen Now: The Temptations - My Girl.


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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Brenton Wood - Oogum Boogum

I suppose when a woman has got a hold on you, there is not much more you can say than "Oogum Boogum." Whatever it might mean, Brenton Wood makes it sound good. The cuddle fuddle feelings of infatuation that Wood describes will turn you on and turn you out, no doubt.

Much like the sound of Smokey Robinson and Sam Cooke, Wood has a way of making even the saddest story want you to get on your feet . . . or for our purposes, off your feet. Listen Now: Brenton Wood - Oogum Boogum.

Be sure to check out some of his other hits: "Gimme Little Sign Girl", "Catch You On the Rebound", "Me & You" and "Baby You Got It." I will certainly give you another taste of Brenton soon enough.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

John Legend - Again

John Legend burst onto the scene in 2005 with his hit single "Ordinary People." The singer/songwriter used nothing more than a piano when he originally wrote the song for The Black Eyed Peas. Luckily for us, Will.i.am decided that it was only right for Legend to keep the track for himself.

With the success of Legend's first album, Get Lifted, it did not take him long to come back with a second dose. With the release of his second album: Once Again, came what I believe is his best album from beginning to end. While Save Room, Heaven and P.D.A. quickly became the most popular tracks on the album, Again secured its place as my personal favorite. The unexplainable inability to stop loving the same woman drives the track and keeps him (and you) coming back for more. For part 2, do not forget to check out Another Again just 8 tracks later. Listen Now: John Legend - Another Again.

Since I could not bring you the option to listen to Again, I will give you Again and Another Again to download.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Mayer Hawthorne - I Wish It Would Rain

The latest neo-soul sensation, Mayer Hawthorne, remastered the sound of The Temptations perfectly. In his rendition of "I Wish It Would Rain" he keeps a basic old school sound to bring back an era that looked lost. When you get the chance, check out some of his other soulful tracks: One Track Mind, Green Eyed Love and No Strings. These songs are a perfect depiction of what Motown was in its heyday.

Now, take a listen and see if you can spot the similarities between Mayer Hawthorne version of The Temptations classic. Listen Now: Mayer Hawthorne - I Wish It Would Rain.


P.S. If you liked Green Eyed Love, then you might want to check out the Classixx Remix.

The Dramatics - In the Rain

Part Deaux comes in with another original sound, this time by The Dramatics. (I Wanna Go Outside) In the Rain follows up with the same theme, but there is no connection between the songs, other than the fact that they are great for jingling of course. Enjoy and get ready for the final piece of the puzzle. Listen Now: The Dramatics - In the Rain.


The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain

Since I failed to bring you a jingle jam yesterday, I feel obligated to give you something more today. With covers and remixes becoming more and more prominent in the world of music, it is always fun to trace the steps of newer songs.

Top music producers are constantly turning to the older generations of music for their samples. In fact, world famous music producer, Kanye West, has made a name for himself by sampling 1950s and 1960s soul sounds.

In this three part post, we will follow a common theme that starts with The Temptations. One of my personal favorites by The Temptations: I Wish It Would Rain has been remastered by one artist, while the other has simply taken a different approach to the same theme (no correlation).

For starters though, let us stick with the classic sound. Enjoy. Listen Now: The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain

The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain Lyrics

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'

"Cruisin was made for love"

Smokey comes through with one of my all-time favorites. Riding around town with the girl you love, cruisin' to the smooth sound of Smokey is about as good as it gets. When you have got the back seat of a cadillac to go with a view of the bay, this song will quickly turn from a jam made for cruisin to a jam made for for lovin. Listen Now: Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'