You Play The Songs Six

Once again, it’s time to play You Play The Songs. If you weren’t here last month for the last edition or you’ve forgotten how it goes, I’ll tell you all about it. We’re making a mixtape of songs, based on whatever you’re feeling, whatever mood you’re in, or whatever whatever. Doesn’t matter whether it’s an original or a remake, fast or slow, happy or sad. It also does not matter what genre or style you pick. Just find your song or songs, and leave them in a comment.

Here’s what you do: go to YouTube and find your song. When you find the video you want to share, click Share. When you see Share, Embed, Email, click on Embed (though I understand that share works as well). Copy the code that shows underneath where you clicked and paste it in your comment. You can also do the same if the song is on Soundcloud. Click Share on your Soundcloud song, choose Embed, click the box that says WordPress code, copy and paste the code into your comment. Real simple, isn’t it? Feel free to say a few words about your song: why you picked it, what it means to you, etc.

This month, I’m going to do a little tribute to SOLAR (Sound Of Los Angeles Records), the record label from Los Angeles founded by Dick Griffey. In its prime, roughly from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s, the label was the home of Lakeside, The Whispers, The Deele, Shalamar, Dynasty, Carrie Lucas and Midnight Star, among others. Those artists formed a nice chunk of my 80s R&B listening back then. Much of the music produced by those groups was either written and/or produced by Leon Sylvers III, who was a member of Dynasty, and produced music primarily for Shalamar and The Whispers, but also did work for Lucas as well.

I figured I would post a few of my favorites from the label today:

Carrie Lucas, “Show Me Where You’re Comin’ From”:

Lakeside, “Something About The Woman”:

Midnight Star, “Wet My Whistle”:

Shalamar, “Make That Move”:

The Whispers, “Keep On Lovin’ Me”:

Dynasty, “Here I Am”:

There are so many more I could have added, but the post is YOU play the songs, not necessarily me! I just post a few to get the digital mixtape started. It’s up to you to add on. Remember, it doesn’t matter what genre you like, or what song. Just find the video or stream and post it. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Feel free to drop your songs in the comments, and as always, thanks as always for listening and reading.