There's No Place Like America Today

There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield

"One of the most famous pictures (Margaret Bourke-White) took shows African-American men, women, and children lined up outside a flood relief agency. In striking contrast to their grim faces, the billboard for the National Association of Manufacturers above them depicts a smiling white family of four (and their dog) riding in a car under a banner with the ultimately ironic slogan "World's Highest Standard of Living. There's no way like the American Way." source

Recommended reading: Traveling Soul The Life of Curtis Mayfield by Todd Mayfield

Word...Life 94'

Word...Life

O.C. 94'

"I just remember working so hard on all of the songs, not just "Time's Up." We couldn't afford lots of studio time, so I had to come to the studio ready to bust. Finesse pushed me to take everything further too. He wanted every bar to sound perfect, as if it came directly from the mouth of a black God. Finesse pushed me and taught me how to be the best I could be as a vocalist. When we were making "Ga Head," I remember there was this 36-hour session where I kept re-laying vocals over and over, and Finesse was editing the beat. But I think that dedication is why the record holds up so well. It was worth it!" - O.C. source

From the Ruins

From the Ruins
Azteca

"Though their longevity cannot rival Santana's, their influence is felt as deeply. Azteca was the first Latin group to hybridize the sound, bringing in a fuller band and mixing in elements of jazz and funk. From the Ruins is a recording of their 2007 reunion concert, in honor of Coke Escovedo. But, there's little to give an indication of the year. The sound is still solid early 70s, a badge that the band is definitely proud of. As Pete says early on in the record: "Sounds like 1972, doesn't it?" - Hank Willenbrink source

Recommended reading: My Life in the Key of E by Pete Escovedo