Check this very well done cover of “Nights” by Sy Smith featuring Rahsaan Patterson, who puts the special sauce on the jam. Enjoy.

Well folks it’s a new month and hard to believe that 2012 is almost halfway done… as the headline states this will be the finale for the “Cover Me” Series as well as the end of my run as a contributor to Grown Folks Music. I could not think of a better song to some up the mixed emotions I have writing this post, this song along with “Where Is The Love?” are my first recollections of a child as to what music was/is (not bad selections I would say).

As has often been said during this series: “Great songs beg to be covered.” and this song is no different. Check out covers from Isaac Hayes and Gloria Gaynor respectively after the jump.

So I wanted to say a few words in parting about this great GFM team that I have had the privilege to work with over the last almost 3 years. You could not find a better group of folks dedicated to the cause of promoting great music anywhere. My relationship started with the team over a series of tweets and from then on it was like being with a group of old friends. (more…)

Today as we continue through the Atlantic Catalog, I thought that I would post this classic that was initially a big hit for Big Joe Turner and then later a colossal smash for Bill Haley. Great music for any get together going on today and remember to put that “big piece” of chicken to the side for that special guy.

Our series today follows the focus on Chess Records with this hit track from Bo Diddley cut in 1955. As music tends to do, the sounds made their way across the pond and a decade later a few fellows from England put out their version. Here’s a live clip of The Who performing “I’m A Man” in 1989.

First the cover that was made iconic by Pete Rock in T.R.O.Y., followed by the Jefferson Airplane original. There’s a whole lot of heart and soul in the playing in both versions and as has always been the case with this series, great songs are very easy to cover.

Numerous songs have been written to the chord changes of Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm”. By utilizing a technique known as contrafact, musicians would compose entirely new melodies over top of Gershwin’s change and have the ability to claim a new copyright for themselves (fortunately you cannot copyright chord changes). Here are a few examples of songs that employ “Rhythm Changes.

And even this gem…

Great to see D’Angelo back doing what he does and what better way to close out this month of covers than with this live performance from Amsterdam back in January. Special shout out to GFM writer extraordinaire DJKKC for putting me on to this Enjoy!

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When you have a body of work that has been sampled over 800 times that is no small feat. In fact it is mind blowing to think of that amount of influence, but as our AOM George Clinton so aptly put it: The Funk (or more precisely George’s Brand of Funk) is in the DNA of Hip Hop. You don’t have to take my word for it, just follow this link and check the credits… Now for a few faves in no particular order. (more…)