As its Valentines Day this weekend I'm upping a special compilations of Valentines themed Breakz, so hook up with that special person to these soulful breakz.
Joe Simon - Drowning in the Sea of Love
This track is taken from the 1972 album of the same name and was sampled by the great DJ Premier for the lead single form the Moment of Truth album, You Know my Steez. Premier flips the guitar lick adds a Method Man sample and you have an underrated lead single from an underrated album.
Minnie Riperton-Inside my love
This here was one of the first breakz I ever bought on vinyl and it is taken from the 1975 album Adventures in Paradise. This song highlights the magnificent talent of Minnie and was used by A Tribe Called Quest on the phenomenal Lyrics to Go from what was probably their best album Midnight marauders.
Bobby Caldwell - Open your eyes
A fantastic song here form one of the best Blue Eyed Soul Artists of the eighties certainly up there with Hall and Oates. This track is taken form the 1982 album Cat in the Hat. This was used on the great Common track The light taken from Like Chocolate for water. Until I actually tracked down the break I thought it sounded a lil' like Stevie Wonder on this track.
The Stylistics - What's Happening Baby
I love the Stylistics they're one of the smoothest soul groups of the 1970s. This track is taken form their firth album, Heavy released in 1974. All throughout the 670s their took harmonising to a new level combined with smooth R&B tunes. This was sampled by Little Brother for their Beautiful Morning track form the ir great sophomore album the Minstrel show released in 2005.
Cameo - Hangin' Downtown
Cameo will for the most part be remembered for their strange dressing habits and upbeat eighties funk songs but this track shows that they could slow things down a bit whilst still keeping the jock straps close to hand. This track was taken from their 1984 album She's Strange. You have to love the strange lyrics 'I'll be hangin' down town kinda' waiting and maybe I'll try meditating' well you run with that guys and let me know how that works out. Strangely enough Cameo were originally know as the New York Players but after being threatened with legal action by the Ohio Players they changed the name to Cameo. Getting back on track this tune was sampled by Premier for the debut 12" by Group Home, Supa Star. Supa Star is a truly legendary debut 12" and god knows what would have happened to the duo of Malachi and the other bloke if they had never known Premier.
Don Blackman - Holding you, Loving You
Oh how I wish I was able to get away with wearing beads and small seashells in my hair as demonstrated by Don in the album cover above but as a white male entering my mid thirties I suspect it may cause a few raised eyebrows and embarrassment for my children at parents evening. This track is taken from the self titled 1982 album by Don Blackman and was sampled by L the Head Toucha - "Too Complex", Jay-Z ft Sauce Money and Memphis Bleek - "What the Game Made Me" and also People Under the Stairs - "Give Love a Chance".
Al Green - I'm Glad your mine
Al Green has one of the most sensual voices in all of music and there are few who can it alongside him when it comes to singing, other than Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder few even come close to his beautiful voice. This track was taken from his 1972 album I'm Still in Love with You. The drums on this track have been used by; East Flatbush Project, Eric B and Rakim, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Massive Attack, Notorious B.I.G. (twice), RZA, Jodeci and Freestyles Fellowship amongst others. In Fact this whole album this was taken from is not only amazing but also riddled with samples.
The Deele - Shootem' up movies
Its amazing that the group the Deele featuring the skills of Babyface and LA Reid before they became the music industry hit makers that they are now. This track was taken from their 1987 album Eyes of a Stranger and was used by MF Doom on the great Red and Gold
Billy Stewart - We'll always be together
I found this on a greatest hits but have never been able to find the original vinyl it was released on. Its a great track and was used on the Ghostface Killah Track ' Be this way'
Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm
This was taken from the 1975 Motown released album Quiet Storm by the legendary Smokey Robinson. Its a beautifully mellow track that was begging to be sampled and to my knowledge the only people to have used it are De L Soul on Breakadawn from Buhloone Mindstate.
So kick back and play these
ten tunes with your loved one and enjoy Valentines Day.
