Run The Red Run The Risk

Toronto's Circle Research make another appearance on the blog (check out their killer MJ remix posted earlier this month) this time around with a nice downtempo beat and catchy vocal sample "stop (stop), look... listen to your heart hear what it's saying" wise words for all the young lovers out there.

Stop, Look... Listen To Your Heart - Circle Research Listen/Download

One half of the dynamic duo recently took time out to answer the Themes For Young Lovers Questionnaire, here's how it goes -

Name - Gil from Circle Research

A/S/L - 30 yrs old / M / Toronto

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

1. Bobby Caldwell - Open Your Eyes
2. Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
3. Positive K - I Got A Man

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? That depends strictly on the girl... I don't have one of those automatic turntables so it would have to be a cd... on repeat ;)

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Probably When Harry Met Sally or Frankie and Johnny...

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? I'm the only one who does the heart breaking ;) The best way to ease the pain is to write a song...

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Minnie Riperton - Loving You

Who out of the following 3 do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Nothing's better than dancing to Al Green at the club, then going home to "make babies".

You're out in the club and you spot a pretty young thang, what's your go to pick up line you use? I don't like the idea of pick up lines. I just say what comes naturally.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love?

Be sure to swing by the boys Blog and do yourself a favour by subscribing to their podcast, the episodes are always loaded with great tunes and are constantly on high rotation on my iPod.

Lover's Rock

This love themed mix comes courtesy of Dougie Boom. Check out his Myspace and Blog for some other amazing themed mixes such as his Halloween mix and the new Workout mix all of which are killer, but it was this mix he did for Valentines day that grabbed my attention. I recently got in touch with Dougie and he was nice enough to take time out to answer a handful of the themes for young lovers questions...

Name - Dougie Boom

A/S/L - 29/ Male / Toronto, Canada

Name a track that would be no-brainer to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - I guess anything by Barry White/Love Unlimited. (sounds cliche but...)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Donna Summers "Love to Love You Baby" on repeat or Lover's Rock by Dougie Boom. I couldn't have put it any better :)

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Uhhh romantic???? A movie that could possibly get you laid ...Buffalo '66.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? I dunno. My last wedding i played at their song was Atlantic Starr "Always", which is a good pick.

and now for the mix! peep the track listing!

1) Joe Simon - "Before The Night Is Over" (1977)
2) Hot Blood - "Sex Me" (1977)
3) Starvue - "Body Fusion" (1980)
4) Fern Kinney - "Baby Let Me Kiss You Baby" (1979)
5) Social Disco Club - "4 Love" (2008)
6) Bonar Bradberry - "Beat the Bed" (2007)
7) Imagination - "Body Talk" (1981)
8) Taana Gardener - "Heartbeat" (1981)
9) Sun - "A Love Affair" (1982)
10) Mtume- "Juicy Fruit" (1983)
11) Prince - "If I Was Your Girlfriend" (1987)
12) Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat" (2001)
13) Confection- "Fantasisin'" (2007)
14)Carly Simon - "Why" (1982)
15) Zapp - "Computer Love" (1985)
16) Hall & Oates - "Method Of Modern Love" (1984)
17) Cerrone - "Rendez Vous" (1980)
18) U-Gents- "I Wanna Lust You" (1988)
19) BVSMP "I Need You" (1988)
20) The Trammps- "Sixty Minute Man" (1975)
21) Astrud Gilberto - "Black Magic" (Tangoterje Edit) (2006)
22) A.B.T. - "Luv 2 Luv" (1991)
23) Sylvester - "I Need Somebody To Love Tonight" (1979)
24) Chilly - "Sensation" (1978)
25) Mona Rae - "Do Me" (1981)
26) World Premiere - "Share the Night" (1984)
27) Endgames - "Desire (Extended Version)" (1983)
28) Yvonne Cage - "Lover Of My Dreams" (1982)
29) Royalle Delite - "(I'll Be A) Freak For You" (1984)
30) Too $hort - "I Need A Freak" (1997)
31) Eurofunk - "Manshortage (Instrumental)" (1983)
32) Jeanette "Lady" Day - "Sexy, Sexy, Sexy" (1982)
33) Marcel King - "Reach For Love" (1984)
34) Sunfire - "Never Too Late For My Lovin'" (1983)
35) The System- "You Are In My System" (1982)
36) $tinkworx - "Yinmao" (1999)
37) L'Amour - "Let's Make Love Tonight"(1984)
38) Moodymann "Freeki Mutha F cker" (2008)

Lover's Rock mixed by Dougie Boom Listen/Download

Playing The Fool

Possibly the most perfect song to listen to after someone has broken your heart ever. From the moment the spoken word introduction kicks in you just know everthing is going to be alright.

Okay, so you're heart broken
You sit around mopin'
Cryin' and cryin'
You say you`re even thinkin' about dyin'
Well, before you do anything rash, dig this...

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

Here Come The Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls!

Nice little re-edit by DJ Andy Smith of Portishead fame taking the funk/soul classic Here Come The Girls by Ernie K Doe and sprinkling it with a little bit of Jay-Z's Girls, Girls, Girls. Winner.

Here Come The Girls (Andy Smith Edit) - Ernie K Doe Listen/Download

as a bonus here's a great live version of Jay Z's Girls, Girls, Girls from his MTV Unplugged set backed by The Roots band.

Girls, Girls, Girls (MTV Unplugged Live Version) - Jay-Z with The Roots Band 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 Straight Out Of Chairman Mao's Crates

Stumbled upon NYC DJ/Author/TV Producer/Legend Chairman Mao's blog the other day whilst blog hopping and damn there are some treats to be had!

Here are two love joints on the 45 tip that I grabbed, but make sure you head on over to see/hear what else is on offer.

Love - Beverly & Duane Listen/Download

One More Chance - Margie Joseph Listen/Download

Up, Down & Round

ESG (Emerald, Sapphire & Gold) out of South Bronx, New York are looked at as the Queens of the Punk-Funk movement and have influenced more than their fare share of artists over the years. Starting up in the early eighties, the three Scroggins sisters (Maria, Renee & Valerie) went on to release a few albums and EPs and more recently Soul Jazz Records out of the UK have come out with some fantastic reissues and compilations of B-sides & Rarities.

Their tracks take in aspects of disco, funk, punk and hip hop and after listening it's easy to see why they've been sampled to death by TLC, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, Gang Starr and heaps of others.

This love themed jam i've chosen to share is an absolute belter that's guaranteed to rock the dance floor.

My Life Will Never Be The Same

Canadian hip hop/beats production duo Circle Research recently had a go at remixing two MJ love themed classics and although it's a tough ask to improve on pop perfection i'm really feeling their take on 'You Rock My World'

Be sure to swing by their blog to listen to their radio show and to pick up the 'Rock With You' remix too.

You Rock My World (Circle Research Remix) - Michael Jackson Listen/Download

You Can't Have Your Donut and Eat It Too

Things are going great, you've found that special someone and you're madly in love but then snap! you're forced to move away for one reason or another. You agree to hold out for each other but as time passes by things don't go to plan and the person waiting for you moves on with their life by hooking up with someone else even though you've kept your part of the bargain, ouch! and to make matters worse they say they're still in love with you!

This Sylvers tune from 1972 tells a similar tale with the outcome being that only one can win your love and as a result the heartbreaker must choose between the two.

Only One Can Win - The Sylvers Listen/Download

Late hip hop super producer J Dilla begs to differ with the Sylvers by sampling their tune and going with the Two Can Win title as featured on his Donuts album.

Two Can Win - J Dilla 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

Can It Be I Stayed Away Too Long?

I can't be the only blog out there without a Michael Jackson inspired post, especially considering the fact that MJ was prolific in writing so many themes for young lovers over the years... so here's a little something for y'all.

The legendary Roots crew teamed up with long time collaborator Erykah Badu on The Jimmy Fallon show recently to deliver this amazing tribute to the king of pop by covering his 1972 love themed hit 'I Wanna Be Where You Are'

I Wanna Be Where You Are - The Roots feat Erykah Badu Listen/Download

Enjoy!

You, You Got What I Neeeeed!

Is there a better tale of heartbreak than Biz Markie's 'Just a Friend'? Few rappers do the story telling thing better than Biz and this is definitely one of his finest moments as he recounts the ordeal of his cheating girlfriend that he met on tour.

If you've ever had your heartbroken by some cheating bitch/scumbag you'll be able to relate and if you're lucky enough to have avoided any of that action or you yourself are the cheating bitch/scumbag i guess you can always just sing-a-long! 'Ohhh Baby...'

Watch the video - Here

And as a bonus here is the original love themed joint that Biz sampled for the track.

Oh Snap!

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.

We Played Nintendooooooooo...

This one takes me way back! 1990 is the year and playing kiss and catch at big lunch in the 6th grade was the name of the game.

Thanks to a song by US kid rap sensations Another Bad Creation all I wanted was a girl named 'Iesha' to play Nintendo with... unfortunately this didn't go to plan, maybe because I grew up in the outer suburbs of Sydney, Australia where the name Iesha wasn't all that common, along with the fact that i had an Atari 2600 not an NES.

I must admit I used to be confused about the name choice for the group, and it wasn't until years later when i discovered the whole 'not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good' thing that it made any sort of sense.

Definitely not for everyone but it holds a special place in my heart.

I Can't Wait For You To Operate

In its original form there's no doubt that 'Sexual Healing' is one of the best love songs of all time. Marvin Gaye has surely played a big part in the world's population increasing over the years and if you were conceived after 1982 it might even be the reason you're reading this post, especially if your parents had a copy of 'Midnight Love' in their record collection.

We all know the original but there have been a bunch of covers over the years including versions by Kate Bush, Michael Bolton, Ben Harper & who could forget Maxamillion! But i really don't think it gets any better than this cracking cover by the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans... BIG bold & brassy!

Oh baby now lets get down tonight!

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.

Spring Time Love Breaks

Here is a continuous mix by DJ Magneto made up of a whole bunch of amazing themes for lovers, see the track list below for the full scoop.

He describes it as "a nice little musical description of how things go when spring does it's thing to you: nice sunny start, warm confession in the middle, familiar sensations towards sunset, reassurance at night and commitment to your intent at the end"

He put the mix together as a result of he and his wife having a baby and some friends of his getting married. Magneto also sends respect out to the birds and the bees & Barry White!

Sea Panda Spring Time Love Breaks Part Two - mixed by DJ Magneto

1. Peaceful Morning - Red Hook Project
2. Morning Child - 4 Hero
3. Give You Up - Lord Kuruku
4. Remember a Time - Brothers Stoney
5. Caught Up In The Rapture - Anita Baker
6. Just The Two Of Us - Bill Withers
7. Lucky Fellow - Leroy Hutson
8. Fat Morning, Central Park - Bulljun
9. Sexy Girl - 9th Creation
10. Phase III
11. Oh Honey - Delegation
12. Ridin' High - Faze-O
13. Wind Parade - Donald Byrd
14. One on One - Hall & Oates
15. Lovely Day - Bill Withers
16. Dancer - Spacey
17. Trippin' - Curtis Mayfield
18. Sexual Healing (DJ Day Mix) - Marvin Gaye
19. Inside My Love - Minnie Ripperton
20. Remind Me - Patrice Rushen
21. Brazillian Groove - J Dilla
22. What You Won't Do For Love - Bobby Caldwell
23. Telephone - Diana Ross
24. Strawberry Letter 23 - Brothers Johnson
25. Give In - 4 Hero
26. I'm In Love - Nancy Wilson

Listen/Download

Time For Love

Dang! sure fire dance floor burner alert! DJ Apt One has hooked up this killer edit of Archie Bell's 1981 love themed disco joint 'Any Time Is Right'.

Not too much going on lyrically "Any time is right, for makin' sweet love, almost anywhere is good enough" but just try sitting still while it's playing, I dare you!

Dance floor lovers unite!

Listen Up Toots I Like Your Looks...

It's a bloody hard task trying to find a love themed hip hop track that isn't super offensive towards all the females out there, but you can always count on the Fresh Prince to come correct with the kind of respect all the sexy ladies deserve. Good on you Will.