Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Not Biting, But They're Chewing On Something

Remember when Chico (DeBarge) got out of jail back in '96, '97 and dropped Long Time, No See? Yeah, I was geeked, for all of the usual chick reasons. After cutting that Flock of Seagulls bouffant and gaining that young jail body, he was foine, so I bought the album. (I did things like that. How do you think I became an Eric Benet fan?)

Anyway, revisiting that album today got me thinking again about musical influences. Ain't nothing wrong with 'em. We all absorb influences, ideas, thoughts from somewhere. Sometimes, though, the influence is so strong you can't help but hear a legend being regurgitated by a newbie. Por ejemplo,

That entire Long Time, No See album should be entitled I Love You Marvin Gaye: Troubleman/Let's Get It On Part Deux. Tell me I'm wrong.

"Trouble Man" - Marvin Gaye


"Love Still Good" - Chico DeBarge


And Rahsaan Patterson? Clearly a huuuuuuuuge Chaka Khan fan.

"We Got Each Other" - Chaka Khan


"Get Here" - Rahsaan Patterson


I love Raheem DeVaughn to pieces (pieces!!!), but that latter half of Love Behind The Melody was straight Marvin too.

"Distant Lover" - Marvin Gaye


"Desire" - Raheem DeVaughn



That's it.

Oh, I saw Coraline in 3D today. Really good.

2 comments:

Traveling Matt said...

chico's album was great. who knew he had it in him. i guess if you nibble on the masters and have natural talent to accompany, that's what happens. some people bite and leave out the talented part.

fuzzylogic said...

the debarge family has to go down as having the best voices of all-time -- as a family that is. tho, dancing not so much (see: the dance sequence in the "Iggin me" video)