Superfly
I have discussed before my absolute love for 70s soul/R'n'B/funk. If I had to pick a favourite era and style of music I think that this would be it. However, as with all music lovers I think that this can change like the wind according to any number of factors, from mood to the latest tune to flash-up on my i-pod shuffle. At present though I am digging in my own crates and simply loving the cuts that are donning my music box. And if there is a label that really sums up this affection, it has to be Curtom. Now, there are almost endless things to write about the brilliant product from this ground-breaking label, and no doubt we will, but for now I wanted to draw attention to what is just a classic slice of funky soul.
You will recognise the sample from Nas' "Street Dreams" as well as Tupac "All Eyez On Me", but the original is well worth a trip to the source. I am talking about Linda Clifford's 1979 smoothly relaxing "Never Gonna Stop" from the Curtom released album "Here's My Love". Clifford, a protégé of joint label founder and owner Curtis Mayfield, has been a prolific artist over the years, ranging from soul and R'n'B, through Disco, to some house music stormers in the 1990s, and she still records today. You'll know her tune "Runaway Love" almost certainly, and may even have come across her brilliantly strange discotized version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water". But "Never Gonna Stop" is for me just a perfect tune. It is strangely reminiscent of a lot of other songs you'll know and love.
The sultry intro, for some reason, reminds me a little of Grace Jones' "Pull Up To My Bumper", while the horn stabs come straight from the Philly soul vaults. And then there are the vocals, smooth and sensual, and as if they have been taken from the best Masters At Work remix you'll never hear. It is a groove that I find hard to top, and one I return to frequently. So if this winter is dragging on for you like it is for me, then have a look for this little nugget of gold and feel the warmth of a summer's evening come through the speakers.
You will recognise the sample from Nas' "Street Dreams" as well as Tupac "All Eyez On Me", but the original is well worth a trip to the source. I am talking about Linda Clifford's 1979 smoothly relaxing "Never Gonna Stop" from the Curtom released album "Here's My Love". Clifford, a protégé of joint label founder and owner Curtis Mayfield, has been a prolific artist over the years, ranging from soul and R'n'B, through Disco, to some house music stormers in the 1990s, and she still records today. You'll know her tune "Runaway Love" almost certainly, and may even have come across her brilliantly strange discotized version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water". But "Never Gonna Stop" is for me just a perfect tune. It is strangely reminiscent of a lot of other songs you'll know and love.
The sultry intro, for some reason, reminds me a little of Grace Jones' "Pull Up To My Bumper", while the horn stabs come straight from the Philly soul vaults. And then there are the vocals, smooth and sensual, and as if they have been taken from the best Masters At Work remix you'll never hear. It is a groove that I find hard to top, and one I return to frequently. So if this winter is dragging on for you like it is for me, then have a look for this little nugget of gold and feel the warmth of a summer's evening come through the speakers.
posted by Twelve Bar at 8:30 AM
<< Home