Righteous chattin'

It's a shame that the crazies have grabbed a monopoly on God. There was a time when you could write an earnest song about the need for a spiritual dimension in life without pivoting to some right wing talking point. There is no one today of Stevie Wonder's caliber in a lot of areas, but the absense of benign spiritualism may be the most sad. At least we can enjoy his Godly classix like this one. Also, the weird krautrock-ish vibe is totally doing it for me.

Stevie Wonder - Have A Talk With God

Home

It's a rare trick to create a song so somber and funky at once. Plus those menacing strings that I love so much, and even a progged-out guitar/xylophone run! I and many of my favorite people also live in Brooklyn baby, but in truth, the place that this soul chant conjures is miles away from the strollerville that Songblague calls home.

Roy Ayers - We Live In Brooklyn, Baby

Hard times

Talk about rainy day music. Could anyone but Curtis hit these notes of despair, fear, and underclass resignation? With a plaintive grace and a groove that insists on pressing ahead? Sure, Marvin Gaye maybe, but Curtis just oozes righteousness, and without all those dad issues. You've got to be stone-hearted to be unmoved by this tune, I say.

Curtis Mayfield - Hard Times