Groovy Library's All-Time Favorite Super-Duper Christmas Gems, Vol. 2

All sorts including a great power-pop track in "It's Love on Christmas Day" by Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg, funky-jazz in Ramsey Lewis Trio's "Jingle Bells," and the 2022 mix of Vince Guaraldi Trio's "Skating," are a few of the awesome 20 tracks. A bit of everything! Baby Washington's pop-soul take on "White Christmas" is one of my favorite renditions. The same with the rare North American Air Defense Command's "Here Comes Santa Claus" from '64 or '74 (there are several discrepancies (online) for exact year of release). Megaphone's "The Perfect Gift (acoustic remix)" has been a big fav the last few years. Something for everyone. Enjoy!

Groovy Library's All-Time Favorite Super-Duper Christmas Gems, Vol. 1

I was going to revise the previous Christmas mixes but instead, decided to source the updated tracks into a series I've often longed for - my ultimate favs. I love Christmas music and I mean a lot of it! I could stretch this out into many, many volumes but I'll strict myself to the upmost uppermost jingles. And yet, I'm foretelling at least a few hundred tracks. That's right - it doesn't get any better than this. As I'm aiming (hopefully) for several volumes, all tracks are gold and spread throughout.

Notes on a few selections... 

* Swag's "Everyday Is Christmas" - Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick) on bass.

* Vince Guaraldi Trio's "Christmas Is Coming (2022 mix)" - Honestly, I can barely (if at all) hear a difference between the previous remasters. Nonetheless, it's still a great track!

* Vic Damone's "Winter Wonderland (Future Loop Foundation Remix)" - I absolutely love this remix. I'm also a big fan of Future Loop Foundation (featured in several Downtime comps).

* Wee B Toyz's "Linus and Lucy" - The best version of this VGT classic, bar none.

* Spiraling's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" - Do you love The Who's Baba O'Riley? Say no more.

* Percy Faith and His Orchestra's "Christmas Is" - A top 10. One of my biggest favs from the easy listening/lounge genre.

Anyway, Santa really hopes you all enjoy this first volume.

Intromania 3! Bass Drop...

And now the bass. Well known bands/artists but rarely heard (or played) tracks. My favorite is probably Alice Cooper's "Gutter Cat." I used the single remastered version and the difference from the album is that it fades out as one track, as opposed to the segue. Another big fav is Slade's "Heaven Knows." The band should have been bigger. I know they were big, but not big enough. Third choice, hmm, Warrant's "Hollywood" - an awesome hard rocker.

Lot of 70s once again. A few funky tracks, some progressive, and a few 60s tracks as well. A little more diverse this time out. They're all good. Enjoy!

Intromania 2! Drummer Drool...

Continuing with (mostly or rarely) rare gems and this time, the percussion. I did however include a well known AM radio classic that I still love - Pablo Cruise's "Whatcha Gonna Do?" It takes me back to an old girlfriend. I know it seems many of my stories have to do with old girlfriends, so I'll stop it there. But I still love the tune!

My intentions are to broaden the scope (genres) for each volume but once again, another mostly 70s rock/hard rock mix. There are a few progressive rock tracks, along with a melodic math tune to end the set. Also a couple of funky tracks (Kashmere Stage Band's "Kashmere" and O'Donel Levy's "You've Made Me So Very Happy"). Favs include previously mentioned Pablo Cruise; Galactic Cowboys' "Ants" and Brownsville Station's "Rock with the Music." They're all good. I wouldn't have it any other way. Enjoy!

Intromania! And Here Is The Guitar...

My apologies for the lengthy delay. It's been quite a busy month here at the household. Anyways, here we are with a new (unoriginal) series, "Intromania!" The idea goes waaaaay back to the 70s or early 80s, back when mixing cassettes and 8-tracks! I'm sure I stuck on the usual, more famous intro riffs but now 40 plus years later, the majority of tracks may not be as famous. Who knows - what's rare to one is customary to another. Regardless, it's all good.

The majority of the mixes (if I continue the series) should be just that - mixed with a lot of genres, a hodge-podge of sorts. This mix however, is mainly classic and hard rock (almost half the mix is 70s). I started this mix off purposely with Queen's "I Go Crazy," their imo best B-side, and one of their best rockers. A great kick-starter for the mix. "America's Veins" by my favorite Canadian band Max Webster, is another worthy listen. The Stampeders' "Wild Eyes" (another Canuck band) is one of their big fan favorites. I've always loved that intro riff. Thundermug's "Beard" (another Canuck band) is one of my favs off "Who's Running My World?" (the title track, also found on blog - "I Like It a Lot!"... More Canadian Music That Is). And yes, you've read that right - Bread. "Easy Love" is one of their rare rockers. Jimi's "Midnight" is one of his many posthumously tracks, but it's still good! All tracks are good. Enjoy!

That's What She Said! Volume Six, Sugar!

More from the ladies. This may be my favorite (yet) from the series. I'm going to assume many of the 18 tracks are not all that known, outside various compilations and the internet. My favorites you ask? I gotta go with Dorothy Berry's "Shindig City." Wow is the word to describe the tune. Lynne Randell's "That's a Hoe Down" is another fav. So is Rochelle Rosenthal & The Kickball Queen's "Lottery." If not mistaken, Jefferson Airplane's "Law Man" was my first favorite tune by the band. All 60s sans one track ("Law Man"). Enjoy!

Awesome Downtime 21: Retrospectively

This Saturday marks Remembrance Day. My grandfather fought in both world wars. He survived and lived well into his eighties. I still think about Grandpa a lot. He was always good to me, and love him dearly. He's the main inspiration behind this comp.

The mix - I wanted the music and/or track titles to tell stories for what was going on in a soldier's mind. It couldn't always have been dread and despair. I thought about their moments of hope and desire longing for home, even in midst of battles, those slivers of blissful thoughts of loved ones. And for all the carnage abroad, to witness the allure of woodlands, nature, people, etc. This mix is all beauty, reflecting those serene moments.

Most of the 20 tracks are chillhop. It also includes a few classical works. Don't be put off from classical music. I'd say that the five compositions are suitable for people who do not like classical music at all. The pieces are not lengthy or drawn out (one of the complaints by classical naysayers).

This mix is in a specific order (like most of my mixes). If the track title doesn't make sense, then it's clearly the music. For the curious, I originally had tracks 4 & 17 switched. Also at one time, #15 (Kainbeats' "Respect the Land, for It Nourishes Us") was set for #19 or the last track. In the end, I'm content with the final release. I hope you all enjoy.

Caught in a Landslide, No Escape from "FUNK-AL-I-TY!" Funky Rare Gems 1967-78

I have to keep the funk going. It just wouldn't be the same without a funk mix thrown in from time to time. As the rule, all tracks are above average to the awesome-est top. 16 funky tracks in all. My favs? Gosh, how about all of 'em. Okay, I'm leaning towards Roy Lee Johnson & The Villagers' "Midnight at Riley's" as my top fav. Or, could be Richard "Groove" Holmes' version of Stevie Wonder's "You've Got It Bad." No wait, how about Herb Johnson's "I'm So Glad" or Zbigniew Namysłowski's "Mango-Boogie." They're all good. Enjoy!

Popcorn Mania 11: Good Old Days

I was asked for more popcorn, so why not! I stopped at 10 volumes back in May, and half a year later, presenting... volume 11.

20 tracks in all, from '58 to '67. My favs you've asked? Well, the first track is great - Dean Parrish's "Bricks, Broken Bottles and Sticks." Ronnie Love's "Chills and Fever" is another goodie. And so is Darrell Banks' "Somebody (Somewhere Needs You)." I wonder if Steve Cropper and maybe a bandmate or three from Booker T. & The MG's were involved, for that intro is reminiscent of "Time Is Tight." As for my top fav, it's either aforementioned, or Erma Franklin's "I Don't Want No Mama's Boy." Let's call it a tie. Enjoy!