Monthly Archives: October 2008

Flipped v2.0

Sunday: October 26, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Flipped 5 Comments

flipped

The Message
All I can say is that the producer (intentionally not dropping his name) that flipped this classic soul gem, did it MUCH justice, this is an example of how to take a simple loop, and put that BANG on it!

Original :

Flipped :

The Smoov’

Monday: October 20, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Mix 5 Comments

Mixed By: Flwrpt.
Title: The Smoov’
Year: 2008
Flwrpt Rating of this Mix: 5.0/5.0
Cover Art By: Darien Victor Birks

Front Cover
Cover Art + Mixed by Darien Victor Birks of Flwrpt

The Message
El Smoov! D ain’t got nothin’ to prove, El Smoov! D ain’t got nothin’ to prove!…lol

Again, just trying to mix things up here on the blog. Breaking the format that is expected. This time I’ve simply compiled some of my favorite R&B records, nothing crazy…but some good stuff overall.

Enjoy.

Check out the sound!

DOWNLOAD

OR

Listen Now:

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Tracklisting:

Raphael Saadiq – Get Involved
D’Angelo – Greatdayinthemornin’
702 – I Still Love You
Pharrell & the Yessirs – You Can Do It Too
Ginuwine – Only When You’re Lonely
Amerie – Why Don’t We Fall In Love (Rich Craft Remix)
Stacey Epps – The Way That I Live
Glenn Lewis – Don’t You Forget It (Ali Shaheed Muhammed Remix)
Raphel Saadiq – Doing What I Can
The Neptunes – Come Close (Instrumental)
Ginuwine – So Anxious
Jodeci – Freak’n You (Remix)
Ali Shaheed Muhammed – All Night (Instrumental)
Lucy Pearl – Lucy Pearl’s Way
Frezna – YoYo Affair
Missy Elliott – Beep Me 911
J Dilla – Player (Instrumental)
Tiombe Lockhart – I Got You
Ginuwine – I’ll Do Anything/I’m Sorry
Omarion – Touch
Raphael Saadiq – Chic
The Soulquarians – Electric Circus
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Peace.

Flipped. v1.0

Tuesday: October 14, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Flipped 4 Comments

Introduction
I was digging through some of my records and thought it would be cool to incorporate “Flipped.” into my blog. Essentially what I will be doing is taking a track from a record, and posting it alongside the flipped version (flipped means sampled). This will demonstrate how most of our GREATEST producers were influenced by the musicians from the 50′s through to the 80′s. It also shows how creative minds can take the same piece of music, and create something totally different…which is an amazing thing.

flipped

So without further adu…I present the first “FLIPPED” post, Flipped v.1.0

Original :


(note that at the 3:30 mark, one of the greatest breaks of all time comes in)

Flipped :

Gotcha’ Didn’t I?

Monday: October 13, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Boogie, Funk, Jazz, Soul 1 Comment

Artist: Lonnie Smith
Title: Gotcha’
Year: 1978
Label: Lester Radio Corporation
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 4.0/5.0

Front

Review
A different sound from Lonnie Smith, I must say. I call it Faziscoul (Funk Jazz Disco Soul), a sound that I like though. This LP kind of puts the mind at ease, it’s a very relaxing sound but with some pretty unexpected vocals laced throughout. Smith tracks generally don’t incorporate vocalists, but with Gotcha’, he took it there. The featured singer sounds very similar to a Donny Hathaway or a Stevie Wonder, but with a slight weeping tone. It took me a while, but I eventually got into it (the singing). The album as a whole is solid, and I’m always a strong supporter of musicians who step outside of their comfort zone and still produce an amazing piece of work.

Check out the sound!

What’s Done Is Done

I Need Your Love

Journey To Within

Sweet Honey Wine

Design
There’s something very interesting about this image, because it doesn’t support the title of the LP in any way. However, I am intrigued by it. If you notice, the sky looks like water, a painting of water almost. The font is reminiscent of pacman (peep the G and the C in “Gotcha’”). Overall it’s a pretty powerful cover with a mysterious meaning. I’m digging it.

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Additional info on Lonnie Smith

And Not The Kellogs.

Friday: October 10, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Funk, Jazz Leave a comment

Artist: Kevin Toney
Title: Special K
Year: 1982
Label: Fantasy
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.75/5.0

Front

Review
Smooth shhh…

Kevin Toney is “Mr.Everything” from the famous jazz/funk band “The Blackbyrds”. This is his first solo attempt, 1982′s Special K. This album has a bit of everything on it as far as sound is concerned, and rightfully so, Toney is trying to demonstrate his talent (which he has a TON of) at this point in his career as a solo artist, because this was the era leading into digital music production. Marketing oneself was a MUST.

Funky for the most part, this album breaks typical jazz expectations and stretches the imagination into where music can go, if we’d just let it. Not a major commercial success for Toney, but a very solid album. Notable track, a cover of John Coltrane classic, Naima.

Check out the sound!

Naima

A Good Feeling

Special K

Design
As many musicians from the 70′s and 80′s did, they manage to create these super suspect album covers…and they always seem to get away with it. The music and creativity was so respected, that they could do whatever…and it was cool. Imagine if this was a male artists album cover in the year 2008…there would be a different reaction to it, think about it.

Overall, not a great cover, not such an interesting typeface, and the photography is overly-contrasted (yea i said overly, lol).

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Additional info on Kevin Toney

Tuesday Temptations.

Tuesday: October 7, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Video Leave a comment

Classic!…

Gorilla Cowboy Pimp…with the Twist-Tie.(?)

Sunday: October 5, 2008 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Soul 1 Comment

Artist: Latimore
Title: It Ain’t Where You Been
Year: 1976
Label: Glades
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)
Flwrpt Rating of this Record: 3.75/5.0

Front

Review
This is a real laid-back record, with some very soulful smooth grooves. I took quite a liking to this one early on. I think Latimore lands major points for fusing blues and soul into something that works, because as we all know, the blues are very niche, you either like them or you dont. In an attempt to broaden his listeners, I think Latimore brought the soul into play.

This is his best LP in my opinion due to consistency, it’s a pretty solid records all around. Enjoy.

Check out the sound!

I Get Lifted

Sweet Vibrations

Design
I DON’T like this cover. Bad type, bad photography.

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Additional info on Latimore

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