Who Knows The Best Song You'll Hear Today.(?)

Who Knows - Marion Black
from 7" on Capsoul (1970). Also available on The Numero Group's Eccentric Soul No. 1.

Smoke & Mirrors - RJD2
from 12" on Definitive Jux (2003). Also on the Dead Ringer album.

Who Knows - Quantic Soul Orchestra f/ Kabir
from the album Tropidelico on Tru Thoughts (2007).

Hello readers. I apologize for being so long between posts, my excuses are a tough bought of cold gettin' ill that knocked me out for a week and subsequent intense endeavors in nanophotonics and casimir force studies. But Junior really held it down solo style and Kevin brought another anatomy of a sample super-post, so you've been in good hands.

Briefly, I am putting up a wonderfully bluesy soul song (or a beautifully soulful blues song) by Marion Black called "Who Knows." From the small and short-lived Columbus, Ohio, Capsoul label, this track is so wonderful with great vocals, a killer bass guitar riff, tight drums, and the real sprinkles on my cupcake is the piano vamps. Just about a perfect song...I even dig how the recording just runs out on the 45 while the song feels like it will go on like our hero.

Columbus's own RJD2 utilized this track heavily in "Smoke & Mirrors" off his debut album Dead Ringer. The drums and bass guitar are still there and the vocals of course just a little slowed down. This track is so great, just listen to all the tricks and pans and subtle textures (the second vocal track and piano heavy 3rd minute being the toppest notch). I could go on and on about my love of this track and Dead Ringer in general, but I'll stop in a poor effort to keep this post at a reasonable length. I do want to put in my 2 cents about the hate that flowed around RJD2's emo/rock album and DJ Shadow's half hyphy/third rock/one sixth electronic album this year. I recognize the desire to hear the next Endtroducing or Dead Ringer but regardless of how much i like the results, I'm excited to see these cats try something off track from their other work and explore. I saw an interview with George Lucas where he was asked about getting pilloried for the original Star Wars re-edits and the maudlin tone of the pre-quels and he said, "These are the movies I wanted to see so I made them. If people are so convinced it is wrong, they should make the movie they want to see."

One guy who has been filling the need and craving for beat driven album is Will Holland (aka Quantic) who puts out a wide range of funky material either electronic (as Quantic) or recorded with a band (as Quantic Soul Orchestra). The latest QSO album is one of my favorite albums of the year (look for the definitive list coming soon) and low and behold it has a superb cover of "Who Knows" with Kabir Malik Green of Panama's Los Fabulosos Festivals on vocals. Most of the Tropidelico album is far more Latin in flavor as it was inspired by Holland's extensive traveling and performing throughout Central and South America, but it is all amazing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.