As much as purists complain about the modern
urban music practice of sampling classic tracks, this can also lead to a modern appreciation of great (and sometimes forgotten) music from yesteryear. A short-lived New York-based ensemble led by keyboardist
Phil Clendennin,
Tarika Blue released two recordings in the late '70s that blended silky
jazz fusion sensibilities and the mellow
soul sound of the day that's now considered old-school. Vocalist
Erykah Badu rekindled interest in the group by using, without permission, its laid-back tune
"Dreamflower" as the background for her platinum hit,
"Didn't Cha Know," which went on to be nominated for
R&B song of the year in 2001.
Universal/Motown and
Badu later agreed to pay a settlement fee for the sample, and
SOS Productions d.b.a.
Chiaroscuro Records has launched the new label
Downtown Sound as a platform for this compilation of these two original, very appealing recordings. The vibe, influenced by Fender Rhodes, the jangling guitars of
Ryo Kawasaki, and the punchy sax of
Marvin Blackman, is light and funky in the mode of
the Crusaders. Energetic tracks like
"Things Spring" are fun despite dated production values, and the instrumental passages and tunes are far superior to the somewhat cheesy, melodramatic vocal segments. You don't have to know the history to enjoy this blast from the past, but it adds a little color to the experience. ~ Jonathan Widran