The Night Shift

What would those basement parties have been without Earth, Wind & Fire?  Every garage band wanted to play like them (when they weren’t playing Kool & the Gang); everyone who thought they could sing wanted to hit Philip Bailey’s high notes.  Oh, and the slow jams!

“That’s The Way Of The World” was my first EWF album. I’m not even sure when I bought it. I had “Shining Star” as a single (remember vinyl 45s?); but getting the album didn’t seem a priority until I heard “Reasons”. I remember that I arrived at college intent on showing how hip I was by letting EWF blast through my dorm door (the way kids were doing when I visited my brother at his school); only to hear EWF blasting through every third door I passed on the way to my room. Oh well, I could still fall back on J5 and the Tempts. I was sure that nobody there would have collections that rivaled mine.

“Gratitude” was a Christmas present from my godmother. She loved “Singasong”, and to this day, I think of her whenever I hear it. And, of course, who could forget that live version of “Reasons”? Studio “Reasons” was good for listening and lip-syncing in the dorm room; but, live “Reasons” was a true, blue-light-in-the-basement, up-against-the-wall, New Year’s Eve party slow jam.

Class of ‘75 – Earth, Wind & Fire by JBethune

When I ’dipped my toes’ in this year’s Cupid’s Hunt Podcast Collaboration Event, I had in mind one list of tracks to post on Facebook or MySpace.  Each song on the list had a theme; be it first love, great love, love gone wrong, “I want you” or wedding jams (Greg and I married four days before Valentines Day).  The list grew, split and became several lists…all while I was learning the basics of blogging; podcasting; soft-and hardware and whatever else had come down the pike since I bought (and never used) dj software back in the days of Windows 98.

My first mix is some of my favorite songs that say “I want you”, smooth and cool.  Screaming and shouting might wake us up; but it’s smooth and cool that keeps us awake on the night shift.  

Cupid’s Hunt: TNS – I Want You

Playlist - Song – Artist – Album [time]

1. That the Way It’s Got To Be (Body and Soul) – The Soul Generation – Beyond Body and Soul [3:08]
2. I Want You – Marvin  Gaye – The Very Best of Marvin Gaye [3:57]
3. Make Me Want You – Curt Jones - 360 Degrees [5:29]
4. Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye – The Very Best of Marvin Gaye [4:53]
5. Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye – Slow Jams [4:10]
6. Give It To Me – The Whispers - Greatest Slow Jams [5:24]
7. Lady – The Whispers – Greatest Slow Jams [5:07]
8. Hey Girl (I Like Your Style) – The Temptations – Love Songs [3:29]
9. Reasons - Earth, Wind & Fire – That’s The Way Of The World [4:58]
10. Love Won’t Let Me Wait – Major Harris – My Way [5:34]
11. Turn Your Lights Down Low – Lauren Hill and Bob Marley – The Ultimate Mp3 Zone [4:02]
12. A Little Bit More – Freddie Jackson/Melba Moore – Body and Soul:  Duets [4:55]
13. Practice What You Preach – Barry White - The Icon Is Love [5:58]