Happy People Dance – The 2010 collection for family and friends.
The__Happy_People_Dance__Mix.zip (94.76 MB)
Following on from the tradition set last year, here is my annual mix of songs for 2010, that in contrast to convention, doesn’t actually contain any songs released in 2010! But at some point in the year they all spoke volumes to me. I couldn’t help but include a few love notes below, as well as highlight some stand out lyrics here and there….
Happy dancing, and happy holidays~!
1. I Cant Stop Dancing by Archie Bell and the Dells
A wonderful soul groove number that I particularly fell head over heels for when I realised my main man Archie Bell was crooning away about shedding his belongings on the street and getting down to the funky beat. Love how vivid the lyrics are and that the whole song celebrates dancing. I always imagine this as the perfect ‘end of the evening’ groove.
“…There is a place I eat lunch at everyday, as soon as I get there the juke box starts to play, I cant even eat my lunch in peace because the music makes me get out of my seat…”
2. Dance, Dance, Dance by King Sunny Ade
King Sunny Ade really is sunny. He is light like fresh air, and bright like summer sun. It is hard not to love his thoroughly happy music, and again, what a wonderful message about dancing. Priceless advice captured in inspiring African music and song.
“Dance, Dance, Dance, dance away your sorrow…”
3. Hang on Sloopy by The McCoys
I love the opening bars of this song, the happy hitting keys in the intro offset by that deep, groovy voice, it makes you want to dance like a hippy chick in a beatnik’s loungeroom. I was pretty captivated by that 60s pop sound this year, that harmless happy mix of rock, pop and groove, this is one of many old tunes that got me up out of my seat.
4. Beatmaker by Doris
Doris. Doris. Doris. When I saw that The Yang had put Doris on my Ipod, I was all like, “who the fuck is Doris?” Then I heard her, and it is like she answered my question with a bitch slap. She’s the Beatmaker, a killer groove Queen and she’s “drinkin’ whiskey straight no chaser”
5. Pirates Anthem by Coco Tea/Shaba Ranks/Home T
After spending over 10years involved with overly earnest activists/protest types, sometimes I think this is the only kind protest that should matter, “the right to play the people music night and day”. Anyway this killer, killer tune, that we found on a five pound mix CD in Manchester, made me get up and dance my blues away one day in my kitchen.
6. Sex and Drugs and Rock’n’Roll by Ian Dury
I heard this when I took my nieces to see Circus Oz, it was played in the dimmed light of the pre show hubbub while riggers and roadies fiddled with the final touches, I could see this big rugged roadie dude in the shadows, walkin and boppin his head to the shit hot bass line, and I love being reminded that punk has pure bass, and its funky, in a punky kinda way.
“every bit of clothing ought to make you pretty. Grey is such a pity”
7. We Love You by Dj Goodka & Dj Moar
Check out that wobble! What an exciting start to a totally uplifting tune. Driving along one day I tuned in past the funk and found it to be also beautiful. When I’m not being a jaded, snarky bitch, I’m quite partial to a bit of cheesy “we are one big family” sentiment.
8. America feat. Mos Def and Chali 2na (Nirobi edit) by Knaan & Tiahoun Gessess
This epic (its over 9mins) is a creeper. Distinctive and noticeable from the moment you hear it, it can take time before you develop a true love and appreciation. I love the musical mix of the Ethiopian and English sound, and Mos Def is at stand out best, sweetly lyrical singing, cutting and clear MCing. Ripper.
9. Groove Me by Leroy Sibbles
Bringin’ back the soul. I find this tune utterly delectable; I could eat Leroy’s voice right up. There is not much more to say, you just have to turn it up loud and get lost in the soul groove.
10. I am a Madman by Lee Perry
This man’s voice stops me in my tracks, its poignant powerful and sweet. And I love anyone who is mad. In this crazy world, you’d be fucked up not to be.
* with lovin’ thanks to The Yang who continually introduces me to a wealthy world of great music!
Yay! I can’t wait to listen to this! Some of my faves, and some i’ve never heard of…
I’ve just been struggling learning music technology for the past few hours (but a joyful kind of struggle…); perhaps it is time to listen to some who make it sound so effortless (Hello! King Sunny Ade!), and remember why you started doing it in the first place…
Effortless is a great word for King Sunny! Learning new things certainly is *not *effortless, but like you say, there is joy in climbing the steep slope
Thanks for being so excited, it was you that I thought of when I sat down to finally put this up – so thank you for the motivation!
I wonder what ones you know/dont know?? Would love to hear what you think of the new ones once you have a listen….
I particularly like “Beatmaker”, “Pirates Anthem” and “America” of the new ones, but a good all round mix. Of course, “Sex and Drugs and Rock’n’Roll” is the story of my life, and all ways reminds me of my friend Jack (R.I.P.)
Speaking of which, after listening to your mix, i put on Talking Heads’ “Speaking In Tongues”, and reflected on how “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” is still the story of my life, but how much i’ve moved on since it really WAS the story of my life, right up close and vivid. Funny how songs are markers like that…
Well, at least you broke me out of my holiday habit of listening to Morrissey and The Smiths, and moved me in a Funkadelic direction, ha!… 🙂
thanks Ruby, I haven’t heard a note and I feel happier already 🙂
Imagine how stoked you are going to be once you get the groove on then!
Ha. hope the tunes are to yr liking Kirsty
When I was little, my parents always listened to the 60s station, and I loved “Hang on Sloopy!” Only I always thought they were saying “Snoopy.” Thanks for clearing that up!
No probs thoughtsappear, although I have to say that I find those mishearings stay with you long after they have been corrected, like how every time I hear Bad Moon Rising, I still hear ” dont go out tonight, there’s a bedroom on the right”, which made perfect hospitable sense in my 10yr old mind….
Hope you enjoy the songs thoughtsappear!
This is awesome! It’s like Christmas came more or less on time!
I do love the dancers on the CD insert, though. Makes me want to visit a chiropractor.
Looks like a great mix, Ruby. I’m particularly interested in the Ian Dury, the epic America track (I’m partial to epics, especially those not written by the America that littered the AOR airwaves with “Horse With No Name) and the Lee Perry. I’m always in the mood for a little wacked-out dub.
Have a great 2k11, ruby. I’ll see you on the other side.
It is cool to share music back with you CLT, albeit at a slightly slower pace to yr fast flying top 50 posts! I hope you enjoy, despite some obvious differences in taste, and may it bring you some whacked out dancing that sees you just shy of a visit to the chiropractor
Lee Perry is a god
I agree!
You have impeccable taste in music, like you do in vocabulary Ruby! The only one that was conspicuous in its absence was “Fuck You” by CEE-Lo Green. That one had me rocking out the whole holiday season.
I hope you have a Happy New Year and an amazing 2011!!
‘fuck you’ is my kind of a title, says so much, with so little….thanks for the tip and the well wishes Scott, sorry I’m so hopelessly late in responding, I hope you have a rockin 2011 and that I make it back to blogging with you some time soon
I hope you come back soon Ruby, you are missed!
Are you on Facebook? I really do miss you…
I was SO excited to see you are giving us more music! I still listen to and love last years mix. But when I went to down load it they wouldn’t let me. 😦 No idea why. I am not technically savvy enough to figure it out.
I’m hoping this comment shows up on your email so it doesn’t just float away into the ether. I wrote a book! And I miss you! And it’s been 3 years since I’ve blogged so it doesn’t seem that crazy to comment on a 3-year defunct blog to brag about book. Anyway, hope you get in touch!