At the last minute Miles asked me to fill-in for him on the Funky Sole stage. As it’s my single favorite soul/funk night, there was no way that I could resist. Additionally, since by the time he asked I knew that I’d be giving up my KPFK show, I liked the idea of having a built in depression-breaker in putting together a set for the Funky Sole faithful. I kept this one a bit more soulful than I have previously, starting with a little tribute to New Orleans drummer Smokey Johnson who passed earlier in the month, though things start to move all over the place closer to the end of the set. As usual the dance floor was packed all night and smiles were a plenty. For me, the highlights were watching the B-Boys and B-girls do their thing to Rufus Thomas and the Jackson Sisters and watching everybody get real sexy with it when I dropped the needle on Sylvia Striplin’s “You Can’t Turn Me Away.” Just one night after I’d given up the opportunity to share music on-air, it was a brilliant experience share music directly for folks, to bring them joy, have them dance and have a good time. One of the things I am most thankful for has been the multiple opportunities to play music for that crowd. It is always my pleasure…
Guest DJ Set at Funky Sole: 11-07-2015
1. Smokey Johnson – It Ain’t My Fault – 7″ (Nola)
2. Sam & Dave – I Thank You – I Thank You (Atlantic)
3. Machito – Hold On, I’m Comin’ – Machito Goes Memphis (RCA)
4. Jeanne & the Darlings – Soul Girl – 7″ (Volt)
5. Betty Harris – Mean Man – 7″ (Sansa)
6. The Harvey Averne Dozen – You’re No Good – Viva Soul (Atlantic)
7. The Precisions – What I Want – 7″ (Drew)
8. Willie West & the Soul Investigators – She’s So Wise – 7″ (Timmion)
9. Sam Dees – Lonely For You Baby – 7″ (SSS)
10. Yuzo Kayama & the Launchers – Violet Sky – All About Yuzo Kayama (Toshiba)
11. Ray Barretto – The Soul Drummers – Acid (Fania)
12. Eddie Palmieri – Ay Que Rico – Champagne (Tico)
13. The Packers – Pure Soul – Hole In The Wall (Pure Soul)
14. Freddie Scott – You Got What I Need – 7″ (Shout)
15. The Meters – Chicken Strut – Struttin’ (Josie)
16. Rufus Thomas – Itch & Scratch Pt. 2 – 7″ (Stax)
17. The Jackson Sisters – I Believe In Miracles – 7″ (Mums)
18. Sly Stone – Crossword Puzzle – 7″ (Epic)
19. King Gerson Combo – Melo Do Hulk – 7″ (Polydor)
20. Jean Knight – Do Me – 7″ (Stax)
21. Sugar Billy – Super Duper Love – Super Duper Love (Fast Track)
22. SYlvia Striplin – You Can’t Turn Me Away – 12″ (Uno Melodic)
23. Antonio Carlos e Jocafi – Kabaluere – Voce Abuous (RCA)