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
- 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 14, 2022
- 3 min
"California Love" was a perfect soundtrack to this year's Super Bowl Sunday
...especially considering the halftime's West Coast hip hop theme perfectly matched the game's outcome.
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 18, 2022
- 4 min
"Gospel for a New Century": organized anxious chaos
I got hooked on Yves Tumor's sound from this track alone and the complex internal war it captures.
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
- Nov 1, 2021
- 4 min
"Fantasy" is mid-90s pop bliss with an early 80s new wave skeleton
The path between Talking Heads and Mariah Carey is surprisingly straight. And oh, isn't it fitting to talk about Mariah today of all days?
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
- Oct 8, 2021
- 5 min
"Grazing in the Grass" has a heck of an origin story and a decade-defining sound
It doesn't get more 60s than how the Friends of Distinction spun an instrumental classic. And how do Zambia and Jim Brown each play a part?
Benjamin Kassel
- Oct 2, 2021
- 4 min
"Watermelon Sugar" has been the world's summery anthem for... how long now?
At least now we know what it's about.
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 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 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.
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