Neil Diamond - Solitary Man

Possibly a guilty pleasure but I love everything about the original 1966 recording of this song.

Melinda was mine
'Til the time
That I found her
Holding Jim
Loving him

Then Sue came along
Loved me strong
That's what I thought
Me and Sue
That died too

Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man

I've had it to here
Bein' where
Love's a small world
Part-time thing
Paper ring

I know it's been done
Havin' one
Girl who loves you
Right or wrong
We go strong

Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man

Wonderful.

Chubby Checker - At the Discotheque

Great clip of Chubby Checker doing this mod classic. Always loved the way he pronunces it "At the Disco-tey ... Hey Hey Hey!". Class!

Brenda Holloway - When I'm Gone

Sexy, soulful performance by Brenda Holloway of this classic song written by Smokey Robinson and recorded also by Mary Wells amongst others. "What are you gonna do when I'm gone?" Indeed.

Linda di Franco - My Boss

Speaking of Linda Franco, here she is performing 'My Boss' live on Italian television supported by the Invisible Man Band, doing that classic "knock knees" dance from the 80s and delivering the brilliant lyrics "My boss has taken all my heart and now he's tearing it apart..."

Eugene Record - Overdose of Joy

So they find this man, he's collapsed in the middle of the room. Robbery is quickly ruled out as the motive because "... on his arm he wears a watch, on his hand he wears a ring and ..." (the clincher) "... around his neck he wears a costly piece of jewellery". A doctor on the scene, sensing the presence of a lady, quickly announces a diagnosis ... yes, "This man is suffering from an overdose of joy". Pure, soulful genius.

Milton Wright - Keep It Up

Ooh ooh baby now, keep it up, keep it up ...

The Isley Brothers - Work To Do

A tune also recorded by Main Ingredient and The Average White Band. Brilliant, soulful lyrics for all working men of the world:

I'm taking care of business, woman can't you see
I gotta make it for you, and I gotta make it for me
Sometimes it may seem girl I'm neglecting you
I'd love to spend more time
But I got so many things to do

Oh I'm out here trying to make it, woman can't you see
It takes a lot of money to make it, let's talk truthfully
So keep your love light burning
And a little food hot in my plate
You might as well get used to me coming home a little late, oh

Ooh, I got work to do, I got work baby
I got a job, yeah I got work to do
I got work to do, everybody's got work to do

Family Tree - Family Tree

What a tune! An 'unofficial', extended edit of an obscure disco 7" with Sharon Brown vocals (I think). I purchased this in NYC in the 80's and it has remained in my 12" Box of Love ever since.

"My mother, my father, my sister, my brother, everybody grow together"

Love to you all.

Shot - Main Thing

A very significant record in my life and one which commands a special place in my 12" Box of Love, the place where all my treasured tunes live. Once I'd bought this Easy Street release "on import" in 1986, for a whole five pounds, there was no turning back; US vinyl was 3 or 4 times the price but it looked nicer and even seemed to smell better. I managed to convince myself that US releases sounded superior (thicker vinyl? deeper grooves? louder pressing?). The guys on the Turntable Forum over at www.vinylengine.com have debated this issue here

But in any case, now I didn't have to wait 6 months for Streetwave or some other British indie label to get round to releasing it, I'm a vinyl junkie - US vinyl for me please! I'm also a sucker for the cheesily romantic lyrics from Kim Marsh that peak with the demand:

"Bring the roses and the wine, together we'll have a really good time"

Dedicated to my Main Thing, Gabrielle

Danny Williams - Dancin' Easy

A floaty disco winner that was a club and Top 30 hit in Britain in 1977. It has the "... any time, any place, any where ..." lyric that became lodged in the public consciousness as the soundtrack to a series of kitsch Martini Bianco ads, which I must admit to finding rather sexy as a young lad. Have a listen to Danny Williams original



Now watch the ad men (mis) appropriate the song to entice us into a world of 70's glamour - white suits, big hair, ski-ing, yachts, hot air balloon ... the lot. Who's in?

Keep Love Alive Mix - Welcome Aboard

To launch this blog here is a Keep Love Alive mix  inspired by a wonderful piece of music from Webster Lewis with Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. The lyrics of this track say it all:

"Welcome Aboard ... Welcome Aboard

You don't need no reservations, 

All it takes is you, 

Music is your ticket (That's Nice!), 

Hope You Enjoy It Too."

Great lyrics supported by sublime strings and a snare-heavy drum pattern that sounds way ahead of its 1981 release. Welcome Aboard is featured in this mix a few tracks into an hour long selection of soulful dance music that includes Melba Moore, The Jackson 5 and, ahem,  Hot Chocolate. We hope you enjoy this Valentine's Day  offering of musical love