Playlist: Crates of vinyl

I’m streaming some choice cuts from my record collection. As far as I know, none of these tracks has been digitally re-released. (Not in the United States anyway.)

I am also taking requests. Wanna hear some hard-to-find funk? Let me know. Maybe I got it.

1. “The Dance Electric” – André Cymone

In 1985, when Prince was at the height of his powers, he hooked up his old high-school bandmate Andre Anderson – a.k.a. André Cymone – with this hot number.

2. “Love the One You’re With” – Mother’s Finest

Stephen Stills’s “Love the One You’re With” has been covered by quite a few black artists – Aretha, the Isleys, Luther Vandross, the Supremes, Sam & Dave, Rockin’ Dopsie... even Billy Eckstine. But nobody rocked it quite like Mother’s Finest.

I’ve blogged about Mother’s Finest before (here and here). The band is best known for its late-’70s records. But its self-titled debut album came out in 1972 on RCA. This is the last cut on it.

3. “Tearin’ It Up” – Chaka Khan

I’ve been waiting forever for Chaka Khan’s 1982 album, “Chaka Khan,” to be released on CD. Exquisitely produced by Arif Mardin, every track is killer. (Remember “Best in the West”?)

This is the 12-inch Larry Levan remix of “Tearin’ It Up.” The horns were arranged by Randy Brecker.

4. “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Eugene McDaniels

Singer-songwriter Eugene McDaniels has probably lived a life of luxury behind this one tune alone. (He should have, at least.)

Roberta Flack had a huge hit with “Feel Like Makin’ Love” in 1974. The song has since been covered by the likes of Isaac Hayes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Marlena Shaw and Shirley Bassey.

McDaniels covered it himself... on his 1975 LP “Natural Juices.” He used some of the same musicians from the Roberta Flack session (Bob James, Idris Muhammad, Gary King), but this is a very different arrangement. And McDaniels has a very different vocal style.

I love this version.