Benjamin Kassel
"She Wants to Move": Hard for me to define, easy for me to love
Simply put, it's N.E.R.D — that says more than any genre label.
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Benjamin Kassel
- Mar 9, 2022
- 4 min
Revolutionary commentary from the early 70s (2/2)
Gil Scott-Heron took on a decidedly different perspective from the Last Poets in his response to "When the Revolution Comes."
Benjamin Kassel
- Mar 7, 2022
- 4 min
Revolutionary commentary from the early 70s (1/2)
As I ponder various current events and prospects for "revolution," I turn to the Last Poets' Harlem-based perspective toward social change.
Benjamin Kassel
- Feb 17, 2022
- 4 min
"After the Storm" is a dreamy combo of neo soul and P-Funk
Kali Uchis and Tyler, the Creator provide the former feeling, while the latter comes from the space bassist, Bootsy Collins himself.
Benjamin Kassel
- Feb 7, 2022
- 4 min
Dissecting why I love "King Kunta"
Kendrick Lamar's funky 2015 single remains a personal favorite for a slew of reasons, many of which come back to what I like in older music.
Benjamin Kassel
- Jan 11, 2022
- 3 min
The broad political frustration of "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck"
Cameo unload a widespread critique of those in power over the lies they tell with their signature, hard-hitting funk.
Benjamin Kassel
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
"Celebration" and the comfort in revelry
Even with its title and sporting usage, Kool & the Gang's signature song embodies a more laidback form of celebrating.
Benjamin Kassel
- Nov 3, 2021
- 4 min
A funky tribute to the "Outstanding" Ronnie Wilson
His accomplishments are visible throughout one of the Gap Band's signature and most evergreen songs.
Benjamin Kassel
- Oct 27, 2021
- 4 min
"Love is the Drug," and I'm writing about it again...
...well, I'm writing about this song and band for the first time, but the theme of love and desire is nothing new for me or music at large.
Benjamin Kassel
- Sep 21, 2021
- 6 min
For my money, "Shining Star" is Earth, Wind & Fire's crowning musical achievement
On the day most associated with the group, I just had to write about them — but I had to do it my way.
Benjamin Kassel
- Sep 17, 2021
- 5 min
On "Love Rears Its Ugly Head," its opening sample, and the reading they provide together
A standout track of the early 90s is even more intriguing when one applies the context of its introduction to the rest of the track.
Benjamin Kassel
- Sep 15, 2021
- 5 min
Atonement involves recognizing my “Dark Necessities”
Yom Kippur offers me the opportunity to reflect as I bare my soul in the hope of bettering myself.
Benjamin Kassel
- Sep 9, 2021
- 5 min
Silk Sonic "Skate" us back in time a half-century with buttery smoothness
In a pop scene inundated with 80s throwbacks, a tribute to the early 70s is a breath of fresh air and then some.
Benjamin Kassel
- Sep 7, 2021
- 4 min
"Little L" sounds like a happy, groovy jam until you parse the lyrics
On a down day where little seemed to go right for me, a healthy dose of house-like funk temporarily lifted my spirits.
Benjamin Kassel
- Aug 31, 2021
- 4 min
Simply put, we're all at least a little "Crazy"
I finally talk about a track from my lifetime, and it gives me a chance to appreciate sampling as well as its lyrical perspective.
Benjamin Kassel
- Aug 30, 2021
- 3 min
"Spill the Wine," an early 70s gem that comes from just about everywhere
Eric Burdon and War prove to be the perfect soundtrack for a lazy weekend day near the start of the school year.
© 2021— by Benjamin Kassel. Proudly created with Wix.
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