The Mayor Of Love Town

Mayer Hawthorne won this blogs heart last year when he delivered an entire albums worth of themes for young lovers on the instant classic 'A Strange Arrangement'. Over the course of the past 12 or so months he's kept himself busy by touring the world and also making videos to accompany every track on his debut record, or at least that's what it seems like.

If you're yet to experience what Mr Hawthorne is all about, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of his album and peep the great vids below.

Mayer Hawthorne - Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'

Mayer Hawthorne - One Track Mind

I Want You.

DJ Friction is prolific not too mention terrific when it comes to the business of doing tasty re-edits of old funk/soul/disco tunes and this re-rub of Marvin's I Want You is no exception.

Marvin Gaye - I Want You (Frico 2010 Re-work) by DJ Friction

Stuck On You

Really feeling this newie from Pr!nce on the modern soul tip 'Sticky Like Glue'

I've Been In Love Before But...

Heavyweight soul from 1980 by Two Tons O' Fun nicely edited and extended by Mark Wayward. BIG ladies with even BIGGER voices.

Two Tons O' Fun - Never Like This (Mark Wayward edit) by Mark Wayward

Why Oh Why?

The year is 1972 and Dee Edwards is trying to get the attention of a guy that she's a bit keen on, unfortunately for her he's not interested, fortunately for us the resulting tune is an absolute soul belter.

Adidas were clever enough to run with the Pilooski edit on their latest Originals campaign, not the first time they've used a Pilooski edit for an ad either, see here

Hand In Hand

Sweet little ditty with that feel good summer love vibe. Taken from the group Sun's 1978 album Sunburn which is well worth seeking out if you can find it. The majority of the album is on the disco/boogie tip but it's this gentle tune with it's guitar and falsetto vocal that I love, beautiful stuff.

When You Put Your Hand In Mine - Sun Listen/Download

That Smooooth Ish

Baby making music mix by Sparkle Motion (DJ Yoda & Tobe$) peep the track listing, download the mix and then run a hot bath.

A Little Bit Of Luther Intro
Alexander O’Neal – If You Were Here Tonight
SOS Band – Tell Me If You Still Care
Roger – I Wanna Be Your Man
Evelyn Champagne King – Kisses Don’t Lie
SOS Band – Weekend Girl
The System – Don’t Disturb This Groove
Bobby Brown – Rock Wit’cha
Taja Seville – Love Is Contagious
Orgasm (Interlude)
Stephanie Mills – Keep Away Girls
Atlantic Starr – Always
A Little Anita (Interlude)
Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald – On My Own
The Gap Band – Yearning For Your Love
The Deele – Two Occasions
Ready For The World – Slide Over
Zapp – Computer Love
Glen Jones – Show Me
The Isley Brothers – Between The Sheets
Keith Sweat – Make It Last Forever
New Edition – Can You Stand The Rain
Play Another Slow Jam (Interlude)
Chaka Khan – Through The Wire

Sparkle Motion presents Slow Jamz Vol. 1 Listen/Download

Love & Happiness

This is the first post dedicated to Al Green but I can tell you now it sure as hell won't be the last! The man is an absolute machine when it comes to love themed music, with pretty much everything he has ever written revolving around matters of the heart.

The original of Love & Happiness is one of his better known jams but this version by the Shoes crew is a killer re-edit that needs to be heard. In saying that it's not for anyone with a short attention span as this bad boy builds and builds and takes you on a journey that clocks in at almost 10 minutes! Epic.

Love & Happiness (Shoes Re-edit) - Al Green Listen/Download

It's Not You, It's Me

Modern day soul/doo wop! I've only heard 4 tracks so far but i'm going to make the call and say this Mayer Hawthorne record will be the album of 2009. Going by what i've heard it appears the album will be loaded with themes for young lovers and 'Just Ain't Gonna Work Out' (above) has to be one of the best break up songs ever, I love the use of the 'Get Out My Life, Woman' drums especially considering the theme.

The album (of the year) is called 'A Strange Arrangement' and is out on the 9.09.09 through Stones Throw Records. Get excited people!

and here he is performing live in NYC with members of The Roots Crew (peep Questlove on the tambourine!)

Mayer Hawthorne w/ The Roots - Just Aint Gonna Work Out, live NYC from Stones Throw on Vimeo.

Leaving Stormy Skies Behind...

Super amazing feel good love themed track from 1976 by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. 'Sunshower' really is one of those tunes that brightens up your day no matter what mood you're in.

Even if you haven't heard the original before, it still might ring a bell as it's been sampled by the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, M.I.A, De La Soul & Ghostface Killah amongst others.