More Old School — Life on Mars
More of the old school from Profunksticated.
I picked the Mars Spirit theme for this blog because it reminded me of one of my favorite cuts from the mid-1970s, specifically Life on Mars by Dexter Wansel, an artist and producer with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International Records. PIR was the Motown of the 1970s, a label that spawned such great artists such as Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, Jerry Butler, The Stylistics, Jean Carne (I actually said hello to Ms. Carne in a Philly nightclub back in 1986), Stevie Wonder, The Jacksons (post-Motown), and the late Phyllis Hyman and Grover Washington Jr. Dexter Wansel worked with all of the aforementioned performers.
I know it seems that hip-hop seems defining touchstone of African American culture today, and yes, I’m a little bit resentful. Earth Wind & Fire, Kool and the Gang, Parliament-Funkadelic, Slave, Lakeside and others put out some great music I believe is way overlooked today. Hip-hop owes a big debt to these artists.
And most of what is released today, IMHO, doesn’t hold a candle to the R&B, Funk and Fusion that was being put out during my coming-of-age years. Hearing that music truly lifted my spirits back then, when I was a geeky teenager who actually was afraid of girls, but wanted one as a special friend in the worst way. The music was about love, spirituality and just plain having a great time.
So every now and then, in between my rants and general what’s-going-on-with-my-life posts, I’ll give you an old-school cut. Today, it’s Dexter Wansel’s Life on Mars. And by the way, once Life on Mars finishes playing, try out the related cuts, including Dance With Me Tonight and Theme from the Planets. Enjoy.
Peace.
