Music Throwback Sunday: Girls That Can Blow (With A Few Fellas in the Mix)

Lets start things off big. This first cut is from Melba Moore's 1982 album, The Other Side Of The Rainbow. The title track was supposed to be released, but never made it to the radio. The amazing thing about it though is the high note she hits towards end. She hits it and holds it for more than 40 seconds - longer than Bill Withers does at the end of Lovely Day. Believe your ears.




Melba Moore - The Other Side Of The Rainbow 1982

Angela Winbush - I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love 1989

Angela originally wrote this for Stephanie Mills, then recorded her own version on 1989's The Real Thing. This is another one where the singer hits the high one and holds it. Ferocious.

Chaka Khan - Move Me No Mountain 1980


The Jones Girls - Love Don't Ever Say Goodbye 1982


The Jones Girls - Knockin' 1983

This one was written by Fonzi Thornton best known for his work with Change.

Tamar Braxton - Money Can't Buy You Love 2000

Toni's little sis proves her blow chops by giving me the Minnie Riperton effect with that High C note. From 2000's much slept on album, Tamar

4 P.M. - Sukiyaki 1991


The Jackson Five - All I Do Is Think Of You 1975

The Original is always the best.

Jackie Jackson - Love Don't Want To Leave 1973

Jackie Jackson's solo album was lost between solo albums by Michael and Jermaine and is considered rare. I'm sure this one would have been a hit though.

The O'Jays - Your Body's Here With Me 1982


The Moments & The Whatnauts - Girls 1974



Bobby Womack - Daylight 1976

My sister Kim asked me to dig this classic up. So here it is. Check out Kelly Rowland's remake:

Kelly Rowland - Daylight 2007

Fly Like An Angel - Shanice

Flame Of Love - Jean Carne

Music Throwback: Dexter Wansel

Keyboardist Dexter Wansel was responsible for some the best-known hits from Philadelphia International Records' heyday back in the 7o's, a label known for funky, yet lushly produced soul standards such as Back Stabbers, For The Love of Money, Bad Luck, The Love I Lost, I'll Always Love My Mama, Love Train, Me & Mrs. Jones, Love Is The Message, If Only You Knew, You Gonna Make Love Somebody Else, Wake Up Everybody, I Love Music, When Will I See You Again, Used To Be My Girl, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine, Don't Leave Me This Way and Ain't No Stopping Us Now, among many others. The label, created by principal songwriter/producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and distributed by CBS Records, was dedicated to bringing what was known as The Sound of Philadelphia to the bedrooms and dancefloors of the masses. Backed by the house band MFSB, it also left an indelible mark on the pop and R&B charts along with Philly soundmates Thom Bell & Linda Creed, and most notably, Vince Montana Jr., a member of MFSB and the founder of The Salsoul Orchestra.

Dexter and main songwriting partner Cynthia Biggs, along with Kenny Gamble, made his mark on the label's signature sound with his distinctively complex orchestral arrangements, which varied from the high drama of Jean Carn's I'm In Love Once Again, to the classical leanings of MFSB's Mysteries of the World, to the crisp funk of The Jacksons' Jump For Joy, to the plaintive, soulful cry of Patti Labelle's If Only You Knew, to the Jones Girls' eerily beautiful classic, Nights Over Egypt, and The Stylistics' 1980 comeback, Hurry Up This Way Again. Mr. Wansel's solo albums are also well-regarded by turntablists and jazz purists alike, and are must-haves for those who are serious collectors of soul, disco and jazz, and include the classics, Life On Mars and What The World Is Coming To.

So here's a shout to an artist that exemplifies the term, "they don't make 'em like they used to", and whose songs still continue to haunt my dreams.

Check these out: