Brant's March 2012 Playlist

If there's one thing I love about music these days, it's that there no longer seems to be the stigma of "Nobody's making music like that any more". If it was EVER cool, then today there is somebody that is copying that sound and adapting it for their own artistic expression. Maybe Amy Winehouse opened the floodgates when she decided to pay homage to classic soul of the '60's on her second CD. Anyway, if this month's list has a "theme" - that is it. The majority of the new songs here somehow remind me of great music of the past. Enjoy.

1. Ray Charles (Chiddy Bang) - Not sure if this is an actual Ray Charles sample, but the funky piano on this peppy hip-hop track sure sounds like something he would have loved.

2. Trojans (Atlas Genius) - This easy breezy tune reminds me of something you would've heard on A.M. radio back in the 1970's. DON'T PAY iTUNES' outrageous prices for it! They have it as a free download on their website at http://www.atlasgenius.com/music

3. A Little Less Loneliness (Pete Molinari) - I usually try not to repeat artists, but this guy is so awesome I simply had to. Love his rockabilly sound!!!

4. Wanted Dead or Alive (Rock of Ages Soundtrack) - Bon Jovi goes Broadway, and gotta say I love the choral background vocals. Suzi & I caught the show last month, and it is an entertaining romp through the best of 1980's rock.

5. Liquid Jesus (Lenny Kravitz) - Lenny channels early '70's Marvin Gaye on this groovy new track.

6. My Love Is Your Love (Whitney Houston) - Le sigh. I hate that once again I have to post a song by someone we've lost (I guess Davy Jones will be next month). This wasn't one of her showstoppers, but still stands as a personal fave of mine. RIP Whitney

7. What Do I Do (Lanie Lane) - Somewhere Peggy Lee is smiling when this song is played. I know I am.

8. What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction) - Reminds me of the great Boy Band era of the mid-1990's (Backstreet Boys, BBMak, N-Sync).

9. Buried in the Ruins of Love (Lady Flash) - Found this in the Used CD store. Loved it anyway, but when I found out the lead singer was from Reparata & the Delrons (see last September's playlist) I was even more enamored.

10. Trying to Get to You (Chris Isaak) - Chris pays homage to Elvis & the gang from Sun Records with stellar results. I was struggling to find just one song to represent this fantastic CD.

11. Looking Back at You (Kate Wolf) - Another singer we lost, although several years ago. I had one of her CDs in college and it always had a soothing effect on me. Nice to see her on Spotify.

12. Shouldn't Do That (Kaja) - Am I the only one who didn't know Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy") continued after Limahl left the group? They shortened their name to Kaja and served up this tasty number. Now I'm wondering if the Supremes recorded under the name The Sups after Diana Ross left...

13. I Know What Boys Like (the Bouncing Souls) - Never thought I'd hear this song with MALE vocals, but glad I can now say that I have.

14. Next to Me (Emeli Sande) - Scottish R&B singer powers through some uplifting gospel.

15. Some Nights (fun.) - Their current song, "We Are Young" is blowing up the airwaves. I'm certain this will soon be doing the same, so wanted to post it before I get sick of hearing it.

16. Brown Eyed Handsome Man (Lyle Lovett) - My favorite of Julia Roberts' ex's returns and sounds as great as ever!

17. Colors (April Smith and the Great Picture Show) - I saw Bob listening to this on Spotify and decided to check it out. Fabulous contemporary cabaret!

18. When the Night Knows /Whitney Houston vs. Chromeo/ (the Hood Internet) - Fantastic mashup of Whitney's "How Will I Know" with retro-80's groovesters Chromeo.

19. Say No Go (De La Soul) - This month's official throwback. Classic 1980's early hip-hop gets the party started with a Hall & Oates sample.

That's it for March. Guess I'm off to start infusing green food coloring into my beer. Hope you enjoy the tunes! See you next month.