Ian McCann

The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads Album Cover, Stax 60

Features7 months ago

reDiscover ‘The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads’

The great Otis Redding’s facility with a weepie, a pleadie, and a beg o’ ya was a considerable hallmark of his craft. This album has plenty.

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Features7 months ago

‘Masterpiece’: Norman Whitfield And The Temptations Aim High In 1973

Attempting to build on the success of ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,’ The Temptations And Norman Whitfield created ‘Masterpiece’ in 1973.

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Features7 months ago

Smokey Robinson: Celebrating Motown’s Miracle Man

Whether as a songwriter for himself, The Miracles, or for others, Smokey Robinson perfected the art of expression, penning countless classics for Motown.

The Bar-Keys photo Michael Ochs Archives and Getty Images

Features7 months ago

How ‘Black Rock’ Took The Bar-Kays In An Audacious New Direction

Released in 1971, ‘Black Rock’ was the first important step towards making The Bar-Kays one of the most reliable and powerful funk groups of the decade.

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Features7 months ago

‘Pronounced Jah-Nay’: How Zhané Made A Name For Themselves

Benefitting from a luminous, nostalgic sheen, ‘Pronounced Jah-Nay’ is a reminder that R&B duo Zhané were a unique voice in early 90s R&B.

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Features7 months ago

‘Be Altitude: Respect Yourself’: How The Staple Singers Took Us Higher

Widely regarded as The Staples Singers’ greatest album, ‘Be Altitude: Respect Yourself’ was released in 1972 and lifted the group above the competition.

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Features8 months ago

Best Motown Love Songs: 20 Essential Songs For Soulmates

If you’re suffering from heartbreak, trying to get next to someone, or dreaming about the unattainable, the best Motown love songs will suit your mood.

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Features8 months ago

Best Bob Marley Love Songs: 20 Tracks To Satisfy Your Soul

The best Bob Marley love songs are passionate and personal declarations that continue to speak to that most timeless of emotions…

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Features8 months ago

‘Yo! Bum Rush The Show’: Public Enemy’s No-Holds-Barred Debut Album

Considered too rough for airplay, ‘Yo! Bum Rush The Show’ found Public Enemy starting their countdown to Armageddon, paving the way for genius.

Features8 months ago

Best Bob Marley Songs: 20 Essential Legend-Defining Tracks

Ranging from spiritual ballads to political statements and declarations of love, the best Bob Marley songs spread the message of a true musical legend.

Features8 months ago

Rasta Man Chant: How Bob Marley Became A Spiritual Figurehead

Leading a fight for freedom with calls to unity, Bob Marley did more than anyone else to spread his Rastafarian religion around the world.

Features8 months ago

‘Redemption Song’: The Story Behind Bob Marley’s Timeless Anthem

Something of a last testament from reggae legend Bob Marley, ‘Redemption Song’ continues to spread its message of emancipation far and wide.

Features8 months ago

‘The Payback’: How James Brown Perfected His Funky Stuff

Rejected for the ‘Hell Up In Harlem’ soundtrack, ‘The Payback’ found James Brown exacting revenge and laying the blueprint for gangsta rap.

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Features8 months ago

Super Freaky: The Unbelievable Life Of Punk-Funk Badass Rick James

His insane lifestyle might have risked overshadowing the music, but Rick James was a talented musician whose work speaks for itself.

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Features8 months ago

‘Lōc-ed After Dark’: Shining A New Light On Tone Lōc’s Golden Age Classic

Making success sound so easy, Tone Lōc’s ‘Lōc-ed After Dark’ was a laidback mega-hit with two juggernaut singles, ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Funky Cold Medina.’