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CELEBRATION (Album of the Day)
The pop-art cover of CELEBRATION salutes an artist whose 15 minutes of fame have now stretched to nearly 40 years. The career-spanning 2009 double-disc collection was Madonna's last for longtime label Warner Bros., distilling her output for the company to 36 highlights selected with input from fans. All the essentials are here along with a pair of single-only sides and two new songs: “Revolver” (with rapper Lil Wayne) and the Dance Club chart-topping title track. Ordered for flow rather than chronology, the lineup offers a breathtaking parade of hits including “Holiday,” “Music,” “Express Yourself” and pose-striking anthem “Vogue.” In CELEBRATION of Pride 2020, we're turning up the volume on this Top 10, Gold-certified best-of from Madonna!
Knock on Wood (Album of the Day)
To “knock on wood” has long been been considered good luck, and it certainly was for Eddie Floyd; the Alabama-born singer-songwriter turned the phrase into a No.1 R&B single that's been covered countless times. While that title track to Eddie's 1967 debut album is the most famous song on the collection, it's far from the only highlight. Cut at Memphis' legendary Stax Recording Studios with house band Booker T. & The MG's and Isaac Hayes providing instrumental support, the set features four more fine Floyd co-writes (including minor hit “Raise Your Hand” and “634-5789,” originally penned for Wilson Pickett) along with sizzling performances of Southern soul favorites. We'll KNOCK ON WOOD again now to wish Eddie Floyd a happy birthday.
Roots (Album of the Day)
Though it's often overshadowed by his classic soundtrack to the film Superfly, Curtis Mayfield's ROOTS is equally noteworthy. The 1971 studio album, the singer-songwriter's second after leaving pioneering soul group The Impressions, finds Mayfield pairing insightful and compassionate lyrics with music that is both sweet and funky. Produced by Curtis and originally issued on his own Curtom label, the collection reflects the issues of its day without feeling dated; such anthems as “We Got to Have Peace” and “Beautiful Brother of Mine” still strike a chord. A Top 10 R&B hit, ROOTS is one of the finest soul albums of the '70s, and an ideal way to celebrate Black Music Month.
Very (Album of the Day)
Arriving nearly three years after previous studio set BEHAVIOUR, VERY was a strong return to form for U.K. synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. The 1993 collection is packed with hook-laden dancefloor fillers like “Can You Forgive Her?, “I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing” and “Liberation,” and became the pair's most successful release in England, where it topped the album chart. Commercial songs, distinctive production and the cheeky humor that PSB's Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have long been known for are all here, along with a little something extra. Released around the time Tennant was coming out, the subject matter had a personal touch – even the sole cover, a hit version of the Village People's “Go West,” was on point - making VERY an album any dance-pop fan can play with pride.
Real People (Album of the Day)
By the time of REAL PEOPLE's 1980 release, Chic masterminds Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were among the most in-demand producers in the world as artists like Sister Sledge and Diana Ross sought out their services. But if others were hoping Rodgers and Edwards could make them dancefloor queens, the duo were looking beyond disco for their own group. While there's no shortage of grooves to get you moving and The Chic Strings make a welcome return, REAL PEOPLE fuses old-school soul, new wave, guitar-riff rock and funk to strike a tone that's more melancholy than celebratory. “Rebels Are We,” “Chip Off the Old Block” and the title song are just some of the distinctive tracks here, all of which serve as reminders that Chic included some truly brilliant instrumentalists. REAL PEOPLE turns 40 years old today, but its adventurous and insistent edge still feels contemporary.
A Donny Hathaway Collection (Album of the Day)
Under Construction (Album of the Day)
One of hip-hop's most commanding performers, Missy Elliot extended an impressive winning streak with her fourth studio album, UNDER CONSTRUCTION. With longtime producer Timbaland serving up beats and old school samples, the rapper gets as nasty as she wants to be on “P***ycat” and the smash “Work It,” puts the haters in their place on “Gossip Folks” and pays heartfelt tribute to Aaliyah and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes on “Can You Hear Me.” Such guests as Ludacris, Jay-Z and Beyoncé join the party on the 2002 Elektra release, which in addition to its commercial success, earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. We'll put the double-platinum UNDER CONSTRUCTION on the turntable today in honor of Missy Elliot's birthday.
Jagged Little Pill (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
Alanis Morissette's groundbreaking JAGGED LITTLE PILL celebrated its 25th anniversary last month; upon its release in 1995, the album was a cultural phenomenon and a critical smash. Working with producer Glen Ballard, Morissette's soul-baring songs burst with raw emotion and the melodies and forceful arrangements of “You Oughta Know,” “Hand In My Pocket,” “Ironic” and “Head Over Feet” practically jumped out of the radio. With more than 33 million copies sold worldwide, the Maverick collection has now been certified 17x Platinum by the RIAA, making it the 16th best-selling album of all time in the U.S. A digital-only Deluxe Version of JAGGED LITTLE PILL has just been released that pairs the 13-track original with a new acoustic live album from Alanis’ performance at Shepherd’s Bush from March 2020.
Standing Ovation at Newport (Album of the Day)
The 1965 Newport Folk Festival is famed as the event where Dylan “went electric,” but the Newport Jazz Festival had some electrifying music as well that year. Recorded live 55 years ago today, the aptly titled STANDING OVATION AT NEWPORT captures jazz flutist extraordinaire Herbie Mann and a band including pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Dave Pike as they deliver soaring versions of Pike's “Patato,” “Stolen Moments” and an epic rendition of “Comin' Home Baby” (a fourth song on the Atlantic collection, “Mushi Mushi,” was recorded at New York's Village Gate nightclub a couple months earlier). You can feel Mann feeding off the audience's energy on these thrilling performances, and STANDING OVATION AT NEWPORT stands among his finest albums.
Dixie Chicken (Album of the Day)
The L.A. music scene was a busy one in the early 1970s, and even a band as talented as Little Feat could get lost in the shuffle. After their first two albums for Warner Bros. earned raves from critics and fellow musicians – but relatively meager sales – the group reorganized, bringing in a new guitarist, bassist and additional percussionist. It was just the kick in the pants Little Feat needed; the album that followed, DIXIE CHICKEN, may be the Feat's finest. Featuring some of founder Lowell George's most memorable songs (including “Two Trains,” “Fat Man In The Bathtub” and the title track), and a funky New Orleans feel, the collection is both relaxed and sophisticated. Lowell George was born on this day in 1945, and we'll mark the occasion by serving up some DIXIE CHICKEN.