2/29/24 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY THROWBACK THURSDAY: James Brown- Say it Loud I’m Black and Proud

Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud performed by James Brown and written with his bandleader Alfred Pee Wee Ellis was released as a two-part single in 1968. The single held the number-one spot on the R&B singles chart for six weeks, and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

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2/15/24 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Stylistics – You Make Me Feel Brand New (Soul Train)

In 1966, The Stylistics was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by combining local high school rivel singing groups, The Percussions and The Monarchs. When members from each of the groups answered the then United States draft call and higher education endeavors after graduation, the remaining members under the guidance of English teacher, Beverly Hamilton joined forces and officially created the name The Stylistics. Continue reading

2/8/24 O&A NYC VALENTINE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURDAY: Billy Preston & Syreeta Wright- With You I’m Born Again

With You I’m Born Again a 1979 duet performed by Motown recording artists Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright (credited as Syreeta) and written by Carol Connors and David Shire. The song was originally featured on the soundtrack of the 1979 motion picture Fast Break. It was became an international hit for the duo, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK singles chart.  Continue reading

1/25/24 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Deniece Williams – Free

Singer June Deniece Williams has been described as “one of the great soul voices” by the BBC. Free was her  first music video. Continue reading

1/18/24 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Duke Ellington and His Orchestra – Take The A Train (1962)

Take the A Train is a Jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Continue reading

11/16/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Big Mama Thornton – Hound Dog and Down Home Shakedown (1965)

Willie Mae Thornton better known as Big Mama Thornton because of her height (nearly 6 feet), and weight (200 pounds), was an American singer and songwriter of the Blues and R&B.  Continue reading

11/9/23 0&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Seal – Kiss From A Rose

Kiss from a Rose is by British – Nigerian Pop artist Seal. The song was first released as a single in July 1994 by ZTT and Warner Bros., and included in the film The Never Ending Story III that year. It was re-released a year later in 1995 as part of the Batman Forever Film Soundtrack helping it top the charts in the United States and Australia. Continue reading

10/19/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: James Brown – It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World

It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World is a song written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. Brown recorded it on February 16, 1966, in a New York City studio and released it as a single later that year. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its title is a word play on the 1963 comedy film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. 
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9/14/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Barry White – Practice What You Preach

Practice What You Preach is the title of a number-one  R&B single by Barry White, written by Barry White, Gerald Levert, Edwin Nicholas, from White’s 1994 album The Icon Is Love. The hit song spent three weeks at number-one on the R&B chart and reached 18 on the pop chart. Continue reading

7/27/23 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Billie Holiday – God Bless The Child (film)- Presented by Chicago Blues Museum

Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan [April 7, 1915 — July 17, 1959) an American jazz singer and songwriter Nicknamed “Lady Day” by her friend and musical partner Lester Young. Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Continue reading