Sep 28, 2008
Distriction: City Soul
The District is an anomaly. Its many threads intertwine to create a diverse and colorful tapestry which reflects the nation it represents in ways that both inspire and infuriate. Music has perpetuated the soul of D.C. for decades now, and gives a voice to those who otherwise would remain under the foot of the suits that make this the land of “Taxation without Representation.” Many artists call D.C. home, regardless of birthplace. Below are three musicians from distinct eras that have embodied their epochs with the sheer sonic strength and soul. Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, and Me’Shell Ndegeocello are a triad of D.C.’s finest children, born and/or bred. I continue this list in the vein of sounds native to the District. This particular one journeys across time to reflect the continuity of foundational sound and motive, but the evolution of the style as well. Hopefully something will strike a chord. For what it’s worth — enjoi.
Duke Ellington – Skin Deep
(Ellington Uptown/ 1953)
Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald – Mack the Knife
(Ella & Duke at The Côte D’Azur (Disc I)/ 1966)
Duke Ellington – Rhapsody in Blue
(Recollections of The Big Band Era/ 1976)
Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)
(What’s Going On/ 1971)
Marvin Gaye – If I Should Die Tonight
(Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)/ 1973)
Marvin Gaye – Trouble Man
(Gold/ 2005)
Me’Shell Ndegeocello – Soul Searchin’
(Higher Learning: Music From The Motion Picture/ 1994)
Me’Shell Ndegeocello – Fool of Me
(Bitter/ 1999)
Me’Shell Ndegeocello – Earth
(Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape/ 2002)
photo credit: Amber Wiley
wait- me’shell was born in berlin!
really cool post here, though-
diggin the songlist.
ah you are correct sir haha twas late and i got a bit ahead of myself with the born and bred thing. but its switched now, thanks for the heads up
so glad you enjoy the list though
cool. me’shell, ellington, gaye: all had/have an amazing list of albums… prolific crew, these 3. trouble man- somebody do the remix! that song is HEAVY. ellington- somebody do some remixes… or i will!
nice list as usual, u all never disappoint.
Has the blog been down for a while?
Trouble Man is such a good track
Keep up the good work
[...] Marvin Gaye – If I Should Die Tonight (via) [...]
[...] Marvin Gaye – If I Should Die Tonight (via) [...]
Skin deep opening is great. I love it…. :D I wonder how that piece hasn’t been sampled to death.
Me’Shell . I thought her later work is a bit of a sell out. she is going way off her funk root and trying to do ‘folks’…what is that… I don’t get it….
oh btw, I still think DC is the bung hole of the universe. lol.
[...] While I’m Mid-Air, a little something to get the DC mode going for the rest of you: Distriction: City Soul [...]