Sly & The Family Stone - Small Talk

Today Marks The 50th Anniversary of Sly &The Family Stone’s 7th Studio Album “Small Talk” Originally Released on July 2, 1974.

“Small Talk” is the seventh album by Sly and the Family Stone, released by Epic/CBS Records in 1974.

The album peaked at #15 on the U. S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.

Two songs were released as singles from the album "Time for Livin'" and "Loose Booty".

"Time for Livin'" peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"Loose Booty" reached #22 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #84 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

“Small Talk” was the final album to feature the original Family Stone, which broke up in January 1975.

Pictured on the album cover with bandleader Sly Stone in a photograph by Norman Seeff are his then-wife Kathleen Silva and his son Sylvester Jr.

Track-listing

1. Small Talk

2. Say You Will

3. Mother Beautiful

4. Time for Livin'

5. Can't Strain My Brain

6. Loose Booty

7. Holdin' On

8. Wishful Thinkin'

9. Better Thee Than Me

10. Livin' While I'm Livin'

11. This is Love

12. Crossword Puzzle

13. Time for Livin' (alternate take)

14. Loose Booty (alternate take)

15. Positive (previously unreleased instrumental)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

Kool & The Gang - Music is The Message

Today Marks The 52nd Anniversary of Kool & The Gang’s Sophomore Studio Album “Music Is the Message" Originally Released on July 2, 1972.

“Music Is the Message” is the second studio album, and the fourth overall album, by the funk band Kool & the Gang. It was released in 1972 on De-Lite Records.

The album peaked at #25 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LPs chart.

Three songs were released as singles from the album "Love the Life You Live, Part I", "Music Is the Message (Part 1)" and

"Love the Life You Live, Part I" reached #31 on the U.S. Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

The songs "Music Is the Message (Part 1)" and "Funky Granny" were released as the second and third singles from the album both songs failed to reach the Billboard charts.

Track-listing

1. Music Is the Message

2. Electric Frog (Part 1)

3. Electric Frog (Part 2)

4. Soul Vibrations

5. Love the Life You Live (Part 1)

6. Love the Life You Live (Part 2)

7. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)

8. Blowin' with the Wind

9. Funky Granny

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

 

Donald Byrd - Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life)

 Today Marks The 46 Anniversary of Donald Byrd’s 43rd Studio Album “Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life)” Originally Released on July 1, 1978.

Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life) is an album by Jazz, Funk trumpeter Donald Byrd released in 1978 on Elektra Records.

The album features compositions by American rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group The Blackbyrds.

The album marked a distinct movement away from jazz toward more rhythm and blues and disco influences. The cover art is by Romare Bearden.

Track-listing

1. Thank You for Funking Up My Life

2. Sunning in Your Loveshine

3. Your Love Is My Ecstasy

4. Loving You

5. Have You Heard the News?

6. In Love with Love

7. Cristo Redentor

8. Close Your Eyes and Look Within

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

B.T. Express - Non-Stop

Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of B.T. Express’ Sophomore Studio Album “Non-Stop” Originally Released on July 1, 1975.

“Non-Stop” is the second album by the Brooklyn, New York, band B. T. Express. Released in July 1975 on Roadshow Records.

The album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #21 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

Two songs were released as singles from the album "Give It What You Got" and "Peace Pipe".

"Give It What You Got" peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"Peace Pipe" peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. #5 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #31 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Track-listing

1. Peace Pipe

2. Give It What You Got

3. Discotizer

4. Still Good - Still Like It

5. Close To You

6. You Got It - I Want It

7. Devil's Workshop

8. Happiness

9. Whatcha Think About That?

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

New Birth - Comin' from All Ends

Today Marks The 50th Anniversary of New Birth’s 6th Studio Album “Comin' from All Ends” Originally Released on July 1, 1974.

“Comin' from All Ends” is the sixth studio album by the American R&B and funk band New Birth. It was released on July 1, 1974 on RCA Records.

The album reached #20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B LPs chart and at #56 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.

Two songs were released as singles from the album “I Wash My Hands of the Whole Damn Deal, Part I” and the album’s title track "Comin' from All Ends".

“I Wash My Hands of the Whole Damn Deal, Part I” reached #46 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #88 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"Comin' from All Ends" reached #76 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

Track-listing

1. End To End

2. Take This Train To Freedom

3. I Wash My Hands Of The Whole Damn Deal

4. Lady Love

5. Pretty Music

6. Patiently

7. Echoes Of My Mind

8. Do It Again

9. Comin´ From All Ends

10. Epilog

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

James Brown - Mutha's Nature

Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of James Brown’s 44th Studio Album “Mutha's Nature” Originally Released on July 1, 1977.

“Mutha's Nature” is a studio album by the American soul, funk musician James Brown, released in 1977 through Polydor Records.

The album reached #38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B LPs chart.

Three songs were released as singles "Give Me Some Skin", "If You Don't Give a Doggone about it" and "Take Me Higher and Groove Me".

"Give Me Some Skin" reached #20 on the.U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

"If You Don't Give a Doggone about it" was the album’s second single it reached #45 on the.U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

"Take Me Higher and Groove Me" was the album’s third single it failed to reach the U.S. Billboard charts.

The album was arranged by Charles Sherwell and James Brown, with Sarah Pergantis credited for the cover illustration. The album's title is a play on "Mother Nature".

The Bay State Banner praised "the skeletal, hard-driving, bottom-conscious funk with an equally hard-driving preaching vocal overhead."

Track-listing

1. Give Me Some Skin

2. People Who Criticize

3. Have a Happy Day

4. Bessie

5. If You Don't Give a Doggone About It

6. Summertime

7. People Wake Up and Live

8. Take Me Higher and Groove Me

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

Funkadelic - Free Your Mind… and Your Ass Will Follow

Today Marks The 54th Anniversary of Funkadelic’s Sophomore Studio Album “Free Your Mind… and Your Ass Will Follow” Originally Released on July 1, 1970.

“Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow” is the second studio album by American funk rock band Funkadelic, released in 1970 by Westbound Records.

The album peaked at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LPs chart and at #92 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

The song "I Wanna Know If It's Good to You?" was released as the album’s lead single, The song reached #21 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album's gatefold cover forms something of a visual pun, echoing the sentiments of the album title. The woman holding her arms towards heaven in an ecstatic pose is found to be nude upon opening the sleeve.

The original 1970 issue's artwork featured the woman facing downward, and the "Free Your Mind..." title in brown. Reissues beginning in 1990 reversed the woman's direction (substituting an alternate photograph where her head is more inclined and her fingers are more widely fanned), and have varied the placement and color of the text.

Track-listing

1. Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow

2. Friday Night, August 14th

3. Funky Dollar Bill

4. I Wanna Know If It's Good to You?

5. Some More

6. Eulogy and Light

7. Fish, Chips and Sweat

8. Free Your Mind Radio Advert

9. I Wanna Know If It's Good to You" (single a side)

10. I Wanna Know If It's Good to You" (single b side instrumental)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.