The Floaters

In the news this week... There have been any number of Millie Jackson compilations – most culled from the 20 albums she made for Spring Records in the 70s but most focus on the well-known numbers, the up-tempo and the famous rap/monologue tracks. The new Ace/Kent collection – 'The Moods Of Millie Jackson' – is a tad different. The 20 tracker focuses on her more intimate side. It brings together a whole clutch of (mainly) long-forgotten ballads from her many Spring long players. The two best-known items on the set are 'It Hurts So Good' and 'If Loving You Is Wrong' – and they remain classics but items like 'Solitary Love Affair', SAM DEES' 'Special Occasion' and BANKS and MITCHELL'S 'From Her Arms To Mine' are outstanding too. Check out too a great version of BOBBY WOMACK'S 'I'm Through Trying To Prove My Love To You'. .. pain never sounded better. (soulandjazzandfunk.com)

It's Grace Jones' birthday today along with  Malcolm X, had he still been around. Jones though started out as a model, regularly appearing at the New York City nightclub Studio 54. Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look. Jones found mainstream success in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, scoring Top 40 entries on the UK Singles Chart. Her albums include Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing and Slave to the Rhythm, and her biggest hits are "Pull Up to the Bumper", "I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)", "Private Life", "Slave to the Rhythm" and "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect for You)".

Must also today remember the 1930 birth of Lorraine Vivian Hansberry, she was an African-American playwright and writer. Her best known work, the play A Raisin in the Sun, was inspired by her family's battle against racial segregation in Chicago.

Sunday's playlist for May 19th, 2013

Hour One

Terry Garmon

Terry Garmon - Any Way
William Brothers - Still There
Kenny G - G-Bop {welcome bed]
Vernoneau - Waiting In Vain
Paltrow / Babyface - Just My Imagination
Drea - As We Proceed / Traitor
Jagged Edge - Let's Get Married
Lauryn Hill - Can't Take My Eyes Of You
Miki Howard / Chris Williams - Hope That ..
         ...We Can Be Together Soon
Justin Timberlake - That Girl

Hour Two

2013 is there 50th aniversary year

Three-Inna-Row: The Floaters
1 I Am So Glad I Took My Time
2 Woman Love / You Are My Lady
3 Float On (7' version)

Stef Mills - What You Gonna Do...
Black Street - Joy (remix)
Erika Yancey - So Good (radio)
Terri Walker - Drawing Board
The Manhattans - Crazy
Mr. Dalvin - Get Mine
Anthony David - Body Language
Deniese Williams - 'Cause I Love You Baby

The Floaters Biography:

The Floaters were an African-American R&B vocal group, from the Sojourner Truth housing projects in Detroit, Michigan, that formed in 1976. The band was formed by the former The Detroit Emeralds' singer James Mitchell, with his brother Paul Mitchell, Larry Cunningham, Charles Clark, and the unrelated Ralph Mitchell. Most of The Floaters were from the Sojourner Truth housing project, on Detroit's Eastside.

James Mitchell apparently came up with the idea and tune for their one major hit, "Float On", in a dream. The lyrics spotlighted each member of the band, who introduced themselves with their name, astrological sign, and ideal type of romantic partner. "Float On" was tracked in a garage recording studio called Pac 3.[1] The song was written by Arnold Ingram, Marvin Willis and James Mitchell Jr., and produced by Woody Wilson. It became a world wide hit in 1977 on ABC Records, reaching #1 on the US R&B chart, #20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 in the UK Singles Chart (for a single week in August that year)

Follow-ups such as "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (#28 Billboard R&B chart) could not duplicate the idiosyncratic charm of "Float On", but, with some changes in the line-up, the group remained active for several years releasing four studio albums of disco orientated dance music and romantic sweet soul. They were largely unable to shake off their one-hit wonder tag.

The Floaters returned to Pac 3 to record a new version of "Float On" with Full Force for the Brooklyn, New York based group's summer 2001 TVT debut album, Still Standing.

A skit was made for Sesame Street in which David (Northern Calloway), Bob (Bob McGrath), Gordon (Roscoe Orman) and Luis (Emilio Delgado) were attired in in 1970's-style sky-blue tuxedos with a number five on each palm of their gloves and performed a song entitled "Gimme Five". Each character explained what they loved about the number five before singing lead on the chorus of the song. David loved the number five because of the way it looks, Bob appreciated the number because it's easy to count up to, Gordon loved the number because it's the same as his fingers on each hand, and a Spanish-speaking Luis loved the number because three and two make five, as do four and one.

Cheech & Chong did a parody of the song, retitled "Bloat On featuring The Bloaters". It appears on their compilation album, Where There's Smoke There's Cheech & Chong.

On an episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Jewel and Jazz DJ Jazzy Jeff got married and this song was playing when they were walking down the aisle. (wiki)