February 17, 2021 Playlist

"Power" by Ice-T (1988)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Ice-T "Power"  1988 (USA)
The notorious rapper Ice-T, born Tracy Lauren Marrow, turned 63 years old this week. Known for the last few decades primarily as an actor who specializes in cop roles, once upon a time he was one of the pioneers of rap music. He was the first rap star to come from the west coast, and one of the founders of the controversial "gangster" style that California became known for (though the very first gangster rapper was actually Philladelphia's Schooly D). The first Ice-T album Rhyme Pays (1987) was notable for its streetwise hardcore lyrics, but musically the samples and drum machine beats already sounded dated when it came out. So it was the second album, this week's CAOTW, that put Ice on the map artistically: the music is heavier, the lyrics smarter, and Ice's flow was as sharp as anybody on the scene at the time. The third and fourth albums continued his artistic incline, but things went astray in 1992. He started a "ghetto metal band" called Bodycount, which is not a bad idea in theory: grunge (Nirvana) and thrash metal (Metallica) were huge at the time, and rock/rap hybrids seemed like a natural progression. But in practice, with the shift to metal music, Ice's vocal style began to drift away from lightning-tongued rhyming to simplistic yelling and sloganeering. Also, Bodycount was the center of a huge culture war controversy over their song "Cop Killer" which is a graphic song about murdering policemen. That kind of shock rock actually challenges the estabishment, so while corny stuff like Marilyn Manson got huge, Ice-T's music career quickly petered out and he concentrated on his Hollywood gig.
(R) = Listener Request
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceThe Burning Of The Midnight LampElectric Ladyland1968USA
The Chambers BrothersLove, Peace & Happiness (single edit)single1969USA
Sly & The Family StoneUnderdogA Whole New Thing1967USA
Phil LynottOde To A Black ManSolo In Soho1980Ireland
The DirtbombsKung Fu (Curtis Mayfield)Ultraglide In Black2001USA
DeathKeep On Knocking...For The Whole World To Seerec. 1974, rel. 2009USA
Love7 & 7 IsDa Capo1967USA
 
 
Black SabbathWASP / Behind The Wall Of SleepBlack Sabbath1970UK
Yoko OnoWhy NotPlastic Ono Band1970Japan
Yoko OnoYang YangApproximately Infinite Universe1973Japan
Dempagumi.incAiga Arukara
("Because There Is Love")		non-album single2014Japan
Black SabbathBack Street KidsTechnical Ecstasy1976UK
   
 
Ice-TIntro --> PowerPower
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1988USA
Ice-TDramaPower
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1988USA
Ice-TI'm Your PusherPower
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1988USA
Ice-TNew Jack HustlerO.G. Original Gangster1991USA
Body Count (Ice-T)Cop KillerBody Count1992USA
   
 
The TemptationsMessage From A Black ManPuzzle People1969USA
The Jimmy Castor BunchWhen?Phase Two1972USA
Betty DavisDon't Call Her No TrampThey Say I'm Different1974USA
Stevie WonderI WishSongs In The Key Of Life1976USA
Earth Wind & FireI Can Feel It In My BonesThe Need Of Love1971USA
Kool & The GangFunky Mansingle1970USA
The Ohio PlayersFunky WormPleasure1972USA
Wayne Shorter (with Chick Corea)Sweet PeaSuper Nova1969USA
   
 
Return To Forever (Chick Corea)No MysteryNo Mystery1975USA
Return To Forever (Chick Corea)Space CircusHymn Of The Seventh Galaxy1973USA
Chick CoreaLegacyThe Vigil2013USA
Return To Forever (Chick Corea)Majestic DanceRomantic Warrior1976USA
Chick CoreaWhat Game Shall We Play TodayReturn To Forever1972USA
   
 
Miles Davis (with Chick Corea) (R)Miles Runs The Voodoo Down (live)Live In Rome & Copenhagen 1969rec. 1969, rel. 2010USA
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