Art On Wax: Put Your Weight On It Episode 2

DJ Keva, the curator for Art On Wax has an excellent ear for funky delights. On this episode of her Put Your Weight On It blaxploitation mix series, she features the sounds of Willie Hutch, Isaac Hayes, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and other legendary artists who composed original scores for some of our childhood cult classics. To catch previous episodes, click here. Give her a follow on Twitter and check her website from time to time to keep updated.

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Put Your Weight On It Episode 2, Vol. 2 by Art On Wax on Mixcloud

The Decoders: Walk On By

Thank goodness music never has an expiration date. I came across this clever remake of Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By" by The Decoders when it dropped a few months back, but somehow dropped the ball on posting. The feel on this particular rendition is a Isaac Hayes meets Bob Marley & The Wailers, blending soul laced funk with a heavy "steppers" rhythm. Let's not forget the fabulous vocals of singer-songwriter Noelle Scaggs, who was the front-woman for The Rebirth, now on the vocal front end with Michael Fitzpatrick for Fitz & The Tantrums. Scaggs also does background vocals and the vocal arrangements for this tune.

Happy Birthday: Isaac Hayes

Happy birthday to the late great Isaac Hayes (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008), the self-proclaimed "Black Moses" of Soul music who scored the soundtrack to the movie "Shaft" in 1971, along with other great albums of his own and a long list of songwriting credits for other artists, starting in the 1960's with his songwriting partner David Porter as in-house songwriters and producers for Stax Records.

Hayes was very influential in the southern soul movement and known for his developments of disco and rap. He's noted for his humanitarian aide in Ghana, which resulted in him being crowned as an honorary king of the Ada region. Hayes' deep baritone voice was also heard on the big screen and television for The Rockford Files (1974-1980), I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), and the voice of "Chef" on the cartoon series South Park (1997 - 2005). To find out more about Isaac Hayes, visit IsaacHayes.com.

Happy Birthday: Farley Jackmaster Funk

I was first introduced to the Chicago House sound by my best friend Dewayne (DBO, DJ Chi-Dawg) around 1984. I've mentioned before about how we used to walk to school jammin' to House and Hip-Hop mixtapes (actual cassette tapes...HA!) on a boombox. Those House mixes we mainly listened to were done by none other than the legendary "King of House Music" DJ Farley Jackmaster Funk on WBMX 102.7 FM. I remember clearly hearing him scratching "Farley" flawlessly as he spun live on air. You would hear tunes like "Jack Your Body", "Move Your Body", "Let No Man Put Asunder" and other House classics. Then, the master himself releases "Love Can't Turn Around" with Darryl Pandy in 1986. My first time hearing the tune gave me goosebumps and I still consider it to be the greatest House tune ever. Mr. Farley, we salute you!