New Year's Shuffle →[More:] Ten songs, all random, no substitutions. I'll go first:
1.
Gorgeous George -
Biggest Fool in Town (1965 Stax single) Not to be confused with pro wrestler George Wagner, Theodophilus Odell George ran a vaunted Atlanta tailoring business, designed stage costumes for soul acts (and Muhammed Ali), and tore it up as an MC and warm-up singer and dancer.
2.
Los Mozambiques -
Llegamos Ya (197? Taboga single) Monster guaguancó from Panama.
3.
Bob & Earl -
Harlem Shuffle (1963 Marc single) Barry White had a hand in the arrangement. You might recognize the opening horn blasts from House of Pain's "Jump Around."
4.
Ellen Allien & Apparat -
Under (from
Orchestra of Bubbles, 2006) I'm a big fan of Ellen's earlier stuff. Collaborating with Sascha brings it back to the dance floor, at the same time adding lush melodies and slick vocals to Apparat's dope sound engineering.
5.
The American Analog Set -
Using the Hope Diamond as a Doorstop (from
From Our Living Room to Yours, 1997) Beautiful Texas psych-rock. Dig that Farfisa organ.
6.
The Marvelettes -
Forever (1963 Motown single, b-side to "Locking Up My Heart") That's Wanda Young singing lead vocal.
7.
Saigon -
The Invitation (from
The Greatest Story Never Told, 2011) That's Q-tip guesting, reprising "Jazz (We've Got)" by A Tribe Called Quest.
8.
60 Ft. Dolls -
Stay (from
The Big 3, 1996) One of the best acts to ever emerge from South Wales. Get
The Big 3 and 1998's
Joya Magica, if you can find it.
9.
Aretha Franklin -
Day Dreaming (from
Young, Gifted and Black, 1972) Great. So great. Just... great.
10.
Tony Joe White -
Polk Salad Annie (1968 Monument Records single) Technically it should be "sallet" -- old English for boiled greens -- not "salad," as raw pokeweed is toxic. Muscle Shoals represent!